Up in the Air...

• February 28, 2009
• Rated 3 of 5 by LAFRAGIA from WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina

We had the chance to visit Kauai at the last moment so decided to stay at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort for the night. It was only 2 or so miles from the airport and since this was a last minute thing, we felt the airport shuttle would be an added bonus and we would not have to worry about transportation to the lodging.
It was about a 20 minute wait before the shuttle driver arrived. The van that picked us up did not have a logo on it. We just happen to glance over and see a couple loading in a van and asked the driver what company he was with. He advised Hilton and helped us with our bags and we were on our way. Traffic was light and I’d say it wasn’t more than 5minutes to the resort area. Of course when you walk in you have that Hilton Quality that I always brag about…smiling faces, friendly voices and a wealth of knowledge about their property and surroundings, but here is where I get that " up in the air" title from.
You see I travel quite frequently and in the past Hilton has been my number one choice, but lately the prices are going up and up and they are not adding any additional amenities to their prices. For example, we checked in and by me being a gold member I was accommodated to the Executive Level. When we travel to Paris, Rome and most parts of mainland USA, Executive Level receives breakfast and an evening reception complementary. Nothing here is complementary, but because I was a Gold Member I had a choice that I could get and upgrade to a pool view, or internet access for 24hours or a voucher for 2 for continental breakfast. Well….the breakfast sounded like an option, but the children don’t eat free at this hotel either. WOW! For a continental breakfast it is $10.00 per child before taxes. Since I had some business to do I opted for the in-room internet, yet I would expect to maybe be offered the pool view upgrade or the continental breakfast anyway, just because of the elite membership. So that was the start of the "in the air" title.
Next we go to our room and we have a double room requested. Everything is clean and up to the usual Hilton Quality. You KNOW your sheets are cleaned, you KNOW your room has recently been updated…etc…It’s just the rooms are fairly small. We had a desk and two chairs, a dresser and 2 double beds and that was it. There was what seemed like a path between each area, but really no space in the room. Nothing to really gripe about but I found myself griping a little. We didn’t plan to stay in the room too long anyway. We go out to the pool…they have an amazing landscape and pool scenery! The pool area has a slide, 2 hot tubs, a waterfall cave….I mean amazing! The kids had a blast until a heavy cloud came over and dropped the temperature by 10 degrees and brought with it a high sea breeze that made it unbearable to be out in swimming attire.
We cut a long day short and go back to the room. We decide that the kids would get room service and we would take advantage of the Seafood buffet that occurs on Fridays and Saturdays. As usual, the room service food is fantastic, but for 2 burgers, fries and cokes was a whopping $40.00. We noticed when it was time to eat; the table to eat at is on the opposite side of the room. They have a plasma TV in an armoire with no pull out or swivel. So if you eat at the table you can’t see the TV. There was no way they were eating on the bed! So they gulped down their dinners quickly to watch TV. Speaking of the room layout. I also wanted to mention that they have the mirror (that most use to see how there appearance is) mounted above the desk and blocked by a lamp. They have a picture frame mounted above the dresser….were the mirror should be….geesh! Then like I said about the TV that’s in the armoire that on the far end of the dresser, not even in the middle of the dresser…
Once we get the kids settled down, me and the husband go down to Naupaka Terrace and absolutely enjoy the seafood buffet! All you can eat King Crab Legs, Mahi-Mahi, mussels, warm pastas, shrimp, pasta salads, fruit, desserts and on and on and on….It was worth every bit of the $40.00 we each paid. The wait staff was wonderful and super friendly.
We sleep comfortable, and wake up with the sun beaming through the clouds. This day was perfect for a beach walk. We tried to get a rental car but unfortunately the entire island was sold out of rental cars. The shuttle driver later mentioned that Kauai sent most of their vehicles to Oahu for the Pro-Bowl and they were still waiting for them to ship the vehicles back. Other than a beach we run out of things to do. We try to arrange a tour, but at the last minute it is well into the hundreds per person. The latest check-out time we can get without occurring a fee is $10 per hour (yep, another fee despite the fact the hotel seems practically empty.) The guest services tell us they have a place that we could change and shower if we still wanted to use the facilities.
To sum it up, the restaurant and the pool were the number ones on our list. The down side is the price of a night stay is drastically over priced for the amount of space in the room and amenities. Now I will truly say that this is the most negative I have ever left for a Hilton Property. I don’t know, I guess we spent a little too much time in the room, then you find more stuff wrong….lol.. also I compare it to the spoilage the elite members get at other Hilton properties compared to this one.
If I had to stay here, I would probably not try to do a last minute reservation were the prices are so high and everything is sold out. I would stay here again maybe in the summer months to for sure make use of the pool area, and explore the island on our own. So my bombshell for trying to do something on impulse.

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Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, a Great Place to Stay

• August 14, 2008
• Rated 5 of 5 by Nancy Wahl from New York, New York

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Hilton Resort Hotel on Kauai

• August 8, 2007
• Rated 3 of 5 by BeTheBuddha from Los Angeles, California

With the multi-million dollar renovations, the Hilton Kauai was pleasing to the eye, its staff most courteous and helpful (valet Kekelani (sp?) was most gracious). The hotel is located close to the airport and within a short drive to the popular spots on Kauai. The lagoon of pools were great for relaxing (though I wish they were inter-connected) and their twilight tiki lighting ceremony is a must see. Internet access is free if you have the code (given when you check-in) but be prepared to wait – there are only two computers for use. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby and by the computers next to the main dining room.

Rooms were clean and come with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. Housekeeping staff were very friendly and accommodating.

Laundromat was only $1.25 to wash though I heard some people complain that it ate their quarters.

Guest Services was very friendly and helpful. You can go to them to book excursions, though some you should book in advance before you go (see my Tubing review).

From journal High on Kauai

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Hilton Resort at Lihue

• July 3, 2007
• Rated 5 of 5 by coachhegs from fayetteville, Arkansas

From journal January Hawaii Getaway

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