That's not to say I haven't been on the property in the past. Aside from being irresponsible it would have been near impossible since whether it has been for lunch with a friend, a trip on the Atlantis submarine or a simple walk down the beach, I've visited the property quite often.
Preconceived Ideas Are Often Very Wrong
I've learned in the last few days that impressions from quick visits and a lot of preconceived ideas are often very wrong indeed. You see, for years I've thought that the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa (the latter term having been recently added) would be just too big, too hectic, too crowded and just too overbearing for me to enjoy. Needless to say, having now stayed at the resort for a few days, I was very wrong.
Waikiki's Mass of Humanity
I probably didn't fully understand my errors in thinking until just last evening when I was walking back from dinner at Suntory at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. (I'll have more on both of them in upcoming weeks.)
After dinner a group of fellow writers walked over to the International Market Place, which I still love despite all of its physical flaws. Walking down Kalakaua Avenue back to the Hilton along with two other writers, we were all overwhelmed by the mass of humanity filling the streets and stores along the street at close to 10:00 p.m.
It was literally "wall to wall" people, street performers, somewhat odd older women hawking the Hawaii and Waikiki Gun Club and the chance to shoot a Magnum. Apparently this attraction is amazingly popular with the Japanese visitors.
An Oasis of Peace in the World's Biggest Resort Outside of Las Vegas?
Anyway, back to the subject. It wasn't until the beach path behind the U.S. Army Museum, Ft. DeRussy Beach Park and the Hale Koa Hotel that we realized that we were in a really peaceful area of Waikiki, just a few minutes walk from the hustle and bustle we had just left behind.
This feeling of peace continued as we entered the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Hardly another person could be seen as we walked to the Aliii Tower, entered the lobby and took the elevator to our floors. It's not that the resort had low occupancy. They're well above 80% occupied, just as they are all year round.
When I woke up today, albeit at 6:00 a.m., things were much the same as I took my usual early morning walk to help me clear my mind and relax before another busy day on O'ahu.
It's All About Design and Placement
When you consider that the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa has 3,386 guest rooms and more accommodations on the way, it's mind boggling that there always seem to be times of the day and places to find where you can very easily be alone to sit and relax or just wander the spacious grounds.
It's all about design and placement of paths and foliage plus a seemingly endless number of restaurants and stores to explore. I'll have a lot more details on the resort itself once I get back home in a few weeks.
But, suffice it to say that, at any given time of the day or evening the resort's 6000+ guests are in one of the resorts 18 (yes 18) restaurants and eateries, 9 lounges, 90+ shops and boutiques, in their rooms or off exploring Waikiki or the rest of O'ahu. The 1500+ staff are present but very unobtrusive.
Big Can Be Better Without Being Too Much to Bear
I shouldn't be so surprised by this sudden revelation. I've stayed at Hilton's property on the Big Island previously and the same is the case there. Size, while impressive and perhaps somewhat intimidating, does not necessarily mean that you'll feel, to quote my earlier comment, "too big, too hectic, too crowded and just too overbearing for me to enjoy."
I'll be exploring a lot more of those nooks and crannies today as I spend a full afternoon and evening on site. I'm actually quite looking forward to it.
