TAMARA ANNE
We had a great stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable—nothing fancy, but with everything you need (fridge, coffee maker, safe, nice TV, and a clean balcony-no microwave). The resort itself is beautiful and well-kept, and the staff really embody the aloha spirit with excellent customer service.
A highlight was meeting Joy, who does name paintings in the resort—such a fun and memorable experience! We also loved the convenience of the nearby ABC Stores, especially the large one across from the Hilton, which has fresh food, snacks, coffee, and even gelato. Resort dining was fine, but we found better flavors and value just outside the property.
The only small downside was the adult pool—it closes early and has no bar or amenities, which was a bit of a letdown. Otherwise, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a fantastic place to stay in Waikiki, and I'd happily recommend it. 🌴🌺
janet Bettini
We loved the hotel! It was very accessible to the beach, shops, and dining. We had an awesome view. We happened to be there during the tsunami warning and the hotel was awesome with communicating with us and keeping us safe. Gina did a great job with cleaning our room every day. Anything we asked for she did it. The only one star I would give is for parking. $72 per day id ridiculous to charge your hotel guests. Paying the resort fee and parking fee for 6 days was an extra $700. Be aware if you are renting a car and staying here.
Sara Davis
The rooms are clean but are also a bit dated. Nothing more was needed, but for the cost, it felt a bit old. The location is very desirable and within walking distance of everything. Service was limited, but the housekeeping staff was unbelievably helpful and friendly.
I do think they could improve signage for the ride share pick-up spot. The selection of restaurants and stores were pretty great. They even have a Dairy Queen
Lindsay Jacobson
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort – The Worst Resort Experience We’ve Ever Had
We spent over $300 for a day-use room and cabana, expecting “luxury” and service at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Instead, we got chaos, rudeness, false advertising, and a resort that clearly does not care about its guests.
The “Best Luau” Joke (Night Before):
The disappointment actually started the night before with their so-called “Waikiki Starlight Luau.” Signs everywhere claim it’s the best, so we paid extra for VIP seating, which promised the “front two rows.” That was a lie. The tables don’t run parallel to the stage—they run perpendicular—so our expensive VIP seats were basically in line with people who paid less than half of what we did. The food? Bland, cafeteria-quality at best.
Then came the “souvenir photo.” VIP was supposed to include one, but what they don’t tell you is that it only includes taking the photo—nothing to bring home. If you want the actual photo, that’s an extra $65 for a single rushed picture the photographer (a woman) snapped before we were even ready. And after hitting us with that surprise charge, she still expected a tip. I about lost my mind. When we went online to view “our photos,” we found 20+ shots of the photographers messing around, one bad picture of us, and then another 25–30 photos of them continuing to goof off. This is what they pass off as “VIP.” What a scam.
Check-In Chaos (Day Pass):
The next day was no better. Our limited “day use” began with standing in line behind 14 people checking out. No separate line, no urgency, no acknowledgment that our hours were already ticking away. By the time we got our passes, we had already lost over an hour. When I asked where our room was, the front desk associate literally told me to “look at the map” and “you’ll figure it out.” No room number. No directions. Nothing but arrogance.
Cabana Rip-Off:
We paid another $150 for a cabana at the Paradise Pool. For that, we got two half-folded towels shoved in our hands and a vague finger point to “where our bed was.” No escort, no welcome, no service whatsoever. Minutes later, kids were splashing water directly into our cabana, soaking our belongings while staff ignored it. When we stepped away to fix the missing room issue, staff gave our cabana to strangers because we “weren’t there by noon.” Paid in full, but still taken away.
Room Disaster:
After all that, we were told we didn’t even have a room. Multiple calls, endless holds, walking back and forth across the resort—only to learn the front desk never checked us in properly. Two hours wasted. No urgency, no ownership, no apology.
The Truth About This Resort:
Why pay Hilton prices for “luxury and service” when neither is provided? The employees don’t act like service matters, and management clearly doesn’t care if it does. Their paychecks may be important to them, but their guests certainly are not. Guests are treated like dollar signs, which is clearly the only reason the resort exists. If it wasn’t for the “sucked in” mentality (can’t cancel, can’t get a refund), this place wouldn’t make a dime. It is hands down the biggest tourist trap on the entire island.
Bottom Line:
This was supposed to be a celebration of our wedding anniversary. Instead, it was stressful, insulting, and a complete waste of money. Hilton Hawaiian Village runs like a theme park without the fun—chaotic, overcrowded, and with employees who don’t care whether you have a good experience or not.
Warning to future guests: Don’t fall for the branding, the signs, or the Hilton name. It’s all smoke and mirrors. This was not just disappointing—it was the worst resort experience we have ever had. Save yourself the time, the stress, and the disappointment. Go anywhere else.
Junghee Yoon
Great for families with kids, but major issues with service and communication!
This hotel is great for families with young children. Although it’s a bit far from Waikiki Main but the lagoon, beach and pool were perfect for our 6-year-old. We stayed in the Tapa Tower, and the room was nice and comfortable.
However, during our stay, the entire resort experienced a water outage for several hours. Unfortunately, it happened right after we returned from a hike at Diamond Head, so we couldn't take a shower for quite a while. There were no alternative facilities for showering, and phone support was difficult to reach. We tried using the Hilton App chat, but all we were told was to wait, with no helpful assistance. This was very frustrating and disappointing, especially considering it’s a hotel.
The Hilton app's digital key was convenient and allowed us to access our room without a physical key. But it also had some serious limitations. In the evening (around 6 or 7 PM), the towel rental station by the pool was closed, and guests were required to use a self-service machine that could only be accessed with a physical room key. We were only using the digital key and didn't carry the physical one, assuming the app would be enough. My child was already wet, and when I asked the front desk if I could get a physical key, I was told I had to go back to the room to get it.
It was Friday and fireworks night, the elevator line was extremely long. I asked the front desk if they could issue a new key, but the staff member, Amy told me I needed to show a physical ID (not a photo or digital copy), per hotel policy. I understand the need for policy, but we were only planning to swim and didn’t bring anything other than the digital key. When I asked why this wasn't explained at check-in, Amy simply said she wasn't the one who checked us in — implying it wasn’t her fault. A simple apology or acknowledgment would have gone a long way, but her tone made our last night very upsetting.
The front desk is the main of the hotel, and unfortunately, it was the worst part of our experience. In contrast, other staff members — housekeeping, the activity/tour desk, bellmen, doormen, and the luggage staff — were all fantastic.
Up until the last day, I really wanted to come back to this hotel. But because of one frustrating experience and a dismissive attitude from the front desk staff, our trip ended on a sour note. If the digital key can’t be used for all service, it should not be advertised as a full replacement.