Are you looking for where to stay in Waikiki with kids? Keep scrolling for my honest Hilton Hawaiian Village review so you can decide if it’s one of the best hotels in Waikiki for families for your upcoming Oahu vacation.
This Hilton Hawaiian Village review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
After 40+ trips to Hawaii as a professional tourist and Hawaii travel expert, I’ve stayed at a lot of Waikiki hotels. But Hilton Hawaiian Village? It’s in its own category.
This place is MASSIVE. Like, small-city massive. And that’s both its biggest selling point and its most challenging feature.
Let me tell you what it’s really like staying here with kids, because the internet is full of glossy resort photos but short on honest answers about whether this place is actually worth the hefty price tag.
First Things First: Location and Getting There
Hilton Hawaiian Village sits on the west end of Waikiki at 2005 Kalia Road. It’s about 30 minutes from Honolulu Airport without traffic (though let’s be real, there’s usually traffic).
You’ll need transportation from the airport. I recommend booking a rental car through Discount Hawaii Car Rental if you’re planning to explore Oahu beyond Waikiki.
Speaking of cars, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: parking costs $69 per night for self-parking or $79-$89 for valet.
Plus there’s a mandatory resort fee of around $59 per night. These extra charges add up fast.
If you’re not renting a car, the Waikiki Trolley stops right at the resort, which makes getting around super convenient for families who don’t want to deal with car seats.
Our Room Situation (And Why Tower Choice Matters)
Here’s something important: we didn’t love our first room. We initially checked into the Diamond Head Tower, and the layout felt weird with this big living room space that didn’t quite work for our family.
So we asked the front desk if we could switch to the Rainbow Tower.
The giant rainbow painted on the side makes it impossible to forget which tower you’re in (a huge plus when you’re wrangling tired kids), and honestly, I’d heard it was the best.
They had availability, and WOW. The Rainbow Tower room was so much better.
Our room had two full beds, a pull-out couch, a desk area, and a little sitting nook by the entrance with a closet, coffee maker, and mini-fridge.
The bathroom was spacious with both a tub and a separate shower stall, plus a separate toilet area.
But the real star? The lanai. Actually, we had TWO lanais. From the 14th floor, we could see the entire lagoon, the beach, the marina, and the lawn where they do the luau.
Waking up to that view made the whole stay feel special.
Check current rates for Rainbow Tower rooms here
The Pool and Lagoon Scene
The resort has five pools plus the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. My kids spent hours at that lagoon doing the water trikes.
They thought it was the coolest thing ever (at least until they got bored and wanted snacks, as kids do).
The Super Pool is the main attraction – it’s right on Waikiki Beach and gets packed. Like, really packed.
This is where you’ll see the reality of staying at Hawaii’s largest resort: sometimes it feels like you’re sharing the space with half of Waikiki.
There’s also the Paradise Pool with a waterslide (one of the only water slides in Waikiki), the Keiki Pool for little ones, and if you stay in the Ali’i Tower, you get access to a private pool.
Fair warning: you can’t use pool floats or toys in most of the pools, which bummed my kids out.
Where to Eat: The Good, The Pricey, and The Convenient
The resort has something like 18 restaurants and food spots. Everything is more expensive than eating off-property, but when you’re staying here with kids, the convenience sometimes wins.
Our Favorites:
Starbucks – There are multiple locations. Get there early (like 6am early) or be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes in line.
Even at 6am, I still waited about 10 minutes. It’s also a good spot to grab Hawaii-exclusive Starbucks souvenirs.
Aloha Bowls & Tea – The bubble tea here is fantastic. We all got different flavors and everything was good.
They also have snacks, making it perfect for a pool break.
Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood – If you want Hawaiian-style shrimp without driving to the North Shore, this works.
But here’s the real reason to go: their pineapple smoothies served in actual pineapples. At $14 each, they’re not cheap, but my kids still talk about them.
Aoki Teppanyaki (formerly Rocky Japanese Steak) – This was a blast! Same owner as Benihana, similar concept.
The chefs put on a great show, and everyone in our family loved it. This is one of the best places to eat in Waikiki with kids if you want entertainment with your meal.
Other Options Worth Knowing About:
- Wiki Wiki Market – Grab-and-go hot dogs, shave ice, and easy kids’ food
- Island Deli (ABC Store) – We grabbed poke, musubi, and hot loco moco here multiple times. Good selection for quick meals
- CJ’s New York Style Delicatessen – Decent kids’ menu with food they’ll actually eat
- Lappert’s Hawaii – Famous Hawaiian ice cream. Try walking past without stopping. I dare you.
- Tropics Bar & Grill – Beachfront American food and local favorites
- Fresco Italian – Upscale Italian if you want a nicer dinner
There are more restaurants, but these are the ones we actually tried or that stood out to us.
The Luau Situation
The Waikiki Starlight Luau used to be held on the Great Lawn (I could see part of it from our Rainbow Tower room), but it’s now moved to the rooftop of the parking structure.
It runs multiple nights a week and ends earlier than other luaus, which is perfect for families with young kids or if you’re jet-lagged.
Prices start around $119 for show-only and go up to $185+ per person depending on your seating level.
I haven’t personally attended this luau, so I can’t give you my firsthand take, but the convenience factor is huge when you’re staying at the resort.
The Friday Night Fireworks
Every Friday at 7:45pm, the resort puts on free fireworks. Get there by 7:30pm to snag a good spot because it gets crowded fast. It’s a fun weekly tradition and totally free to watch.
Other Stuff You Should Know
The Atlantis Submarine departs right from the resort. It’s one of the coolest things to do in Waikiki with kids.
You take a short cruise along Waikiki, then board a real submarine to see underwater sea life. Read my full Atlantis Submarine review here.
Shopping is everywhere. The Rainbow Bazaar has stores like SoHa Living, Honolulu Cookie Company, Honolua Surf, and Tori Richard.
There are also ABC stores, Olukai, Volcom, and plenty of places to buy souvenirs or beach essentials.
Daily activities include yoga, lei-making, hula classes, surfing lessons, and keiki games. Check their schedule when you arrive.
The Honest Truth About This Resort
Look, I’m going to level with you. Hilton Hawaiian Village isn’t perfect.
The sheer size means you’re going to be walking a lot. The parking garage is far from some towers. The pools get incredibly crowded. Everything costs more than off-property. Some rooms (not all) are dated and could use updates.
Recent guest reviews mention that service has declined as the resort has gotten more crowded.
Staff can seem overwhelmed. Check-in lines can be brutal if you don’t have Hilton status. The digital key system doesn’t always work smoothly.
This is a resort that’s added towers over the years, and you can feel it. More people competing for pool chairs, longer waits, a slightly impersonal vibe because it’s just so big.
But here’s why we still recommend it for the right family:
If you want everything in one place without leaving the property much, this works.
O if you have young kids who need naps and you don’t want to be far from your room, the convenience is unmatched.
If you want multiple pool options, beach access, tons of dining choices, and activities within steps, you’ll find it here.
The lagoon is legitimately special. The Friday fireworks are fun. The Rainbow Tower rooms (especially the higher floors) have incredible views.
And the location on the quieter end of Waikiki Beach means less crowd chaos than central Waikiki.
Would we stay again? Yes, but we’d specifically request the Rainbow Tower and go in with realistic expectations about the crowds and costs.
Planning Your Oahu Trip?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to plan your Oahu vacation, I can help. I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we’ll map out your perfect itinerary based on your family’s specific needs.
Want to do the planning yourself? My Oahu Travel Guide for Families includes detailed daily itineraries, kid-friendly activities, and all my insider tips from 40+ trips to Hawaii.
You can also join my free 7-day email course on planning a trip to Oahu to get started.
Capture Your Hawaii Memories
One thing I always recommend: book a family photo session with Flytographer. You’ll save $20 using my link, and trust me, having professional photos of your family in Hawaii is worth every penny. You’re in the photos for once instead of always being behind the camera.
More Oahu Hotel Reviews
Looking at other Waikiki options? Check out my reviews of:
Or see my complete guide to the best places to stay on Oahu.
The Bottom Line
Hilton Hawaiian Village works best for families who value convenience over boutique experiences, who want everything in one place, and who don’t mind crowds and higher prices for that convenience.
It’s not the most intimate Hawaii resort experience. But for a first trip to Oahu, or for families with young kids who need that “everything right here” setup, it delivers.
Just go in with your eyes open about the costs, the crowds, and the resort’s massive scale.
Request the Rainbow Tower if you can. And give yourself permission to leave the property sometimes to experience the real Hawaii beyond the resort bubble.
Ready to book? Check current rates and availability here
And if you need help planning the rest of your Oahu trip, let’s talk.
I’ve been doing this long enough to help you avoid the tourist traps and find the experiences your family will actually love.
Aloha!
