I travel with Hilton quite a bit for work. While I often get upgraded, nothing could compare to the room, the service, the staff, the location, and the ease of staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We were upgraded to a suite on the 26th floor of the Rainbow Tower. It was bigger than my first apt. It had 2 balconies (overlooking the harbor) and 2 full baths. We enjoyed the room so much that we didn't want to leave. Also, it is extremely convenient to shopping, restaurants, etc. The staff was so warm and friendly. We could have spent a whole week there instead of just the 2 nights we were there. The free buffet breakfast was outstanding, the beach was quiet (considering it is on Waikiki). The grounds are very well maintained - don't miss the penguins! so cute! There is even a beautiful little chapel if you are getting married or renewing your vows. There is live entertainment in the evenings and it was just so-so.

We loved Oahu, but we would not stay at the Hilton again. We chose it b/c it was the only resort listed with a kid's pool, but when we got there, we realized there were only 4 lounge chairs at the pool, and the rest were tables belonging to the Hau Tree Bar and you had to buy something to sit there (the wait staff bugs you until you do).
Also, they charge for ridiculous things like .50 cents a minute to check your email and then you have to hike to the front office to pay before you begin. The towels are a huge pain (you have to walk down to the beach to get them and then stand in a raft rental line.) If you get them from the Tapa pool, you'll be charged $20 if you don't return them there (hope someone's on duty when you do!), which they fail to mention when you pick them up. For some reason, this is the only pool that does this.
The beach isn't very nice there (looked like any old beach in the US) and it's a 20 minute walk to all the shopping and restaurants. There were too many annoying things to list here, but believe me, if you are booking this resort for the amentities, DON'T! We never even found the gym, but were told it was on top of the spa and you had to make an appointment to even get in. Ahhh!!! Try the Mona Surfrider or the Sheraton. They both looked beautiful and are in the heart of Waikiki.

Just returned from a 9 night stay at HHV. The hotel grounds are beautiful and clean. The room service was okay. Our trash was not emptied one day and when I called they came right up and took care of it. They never changed the linens, just made the bed and left 2 towels daily. So they didn't do much for room service. The 1st day we ate breakfast at the rainbow lania .... 6 adults ate a buffett style breakfast and the bill was $198.00. If I knew I was paying that much I would have ate more and wasted more too! From then on, we ate at the 24 hour Wailana Coffee House across the street. All you can eat pancakes, plus 2 eggs and 2 strips of bacon cost $5.95. Needless to say, I'm sick of pancakes. The round table pizza was good and a little more afordable. HHV does have lots of beach area. Sand is not smooth and soft but rough and somewhat rocky (or maybe I just have sensitive feet). I didn't even bother shopping on the property for anything. I only spent money at the ABC store for milk, yogurt and bananas for my daughter. So the little fridge in the room came in handy. There is also a pearl factory on site where we also spent money. It was neat to open your own oyster and get the pearl out. We had 3 pearls set in 2 different pendants which is a nice memory to have back home. We stopped by the tapa tower activity desk to set up snorkling. $18.00 for gear and transportation to Hanauma Bay for 4 hours; one highlight of our trip. The american Express activity desk always had a line. Their phone lines never stopped ringing while we waited for an activity that didn't work out for us, but the lady was very kind. The Tapa bar always had people lounging there for breakfast and evening drinks. Pretty pricey as 1 bottle of beer cost $6.00 and 1 voka tonic double cost $16.00. The kings jubilee friday night show was great with a firework finale and worth the money ($12.00/person). We also booked the atlantis submarine at the hotel which was $90.00/person. It was okay, but I don't think it was $90.00 wonderful or anything. We seen more snorkling than in the sub. And besides that you only get to see something for a second and then you've moved on.

Overall the hotel was nice but you pretty much have to leave the property in order to afford the rest of your vacation.... food, shopping, etc.

I have worked for a major airline for over 20 years, and have had the opportunity to travel to many places and stay in many hotels. This truly was one of the best! We went to Hawaii for the Hawaii Bowl, and didn't make a hotel reservation because of the stiff penalties for cancelling last minute. (traveling standby you never know if you are going to get on the plane or not!) So, we walked into the Hilton and were accomodated in the Ali'i Tower (nice sized rooms with concierge service and amenities) at an airline discount Christmas week!! Room was oceanfront, very large, very clean, flat screen, twice daily maid service, turn down service, private lanai etc. Beautiful wide beach, biggest on Waikiki. Tons of shopping and restaurants on property plus within walking distance of many stores and eateries off property. Spa (pricey). Childrens village (for a fee) Several pools/bars. Everyone was very polite and gave great customer service. We were granted a late check-out AND were given a courtesy room free of charge in the evening to shower and change after a long hot day at the Hawaii Bowl before going to the airport for our 11 pm flight. So great!! This is an option for everyone. Just request the service a day or so in advance so you can get the time that works for you. I would definitely stay at the Hilton again!