The Hilton Hawaiian Village was developed on the site of the old Niumalu Hotel at the west end of Waikiki Beach, where the white sands reach their widest point. It began in 1955 as a group of thatched-roof cottages, housing 70 guest rooms and suites. The Tapa Room, gardens and three swimming pools were also completed, giving the resort an upscale native-village look.
The plan, however, was always to create a cluster of skyscraper hotels - a self-contained urban village, where guests would feel at home and the culture of Hawaii could be showcased. Today, the complex has grown to cover 22 oceanfront acres, encompassing twenty restaurants and lounges, 90 shops, a beachfront lagoon, 500 palm trees, five pools, waterfalls, gardens, an art collection and exotic wildlife, such as flamingos, swans and eight African black-foot penguins.
Some 2,860 guest rooms, suites, condominiums and apartments are contained in the Village's seven lofty towers. Landmark among these is the 31-story Rainbow Tower, facing the beach and opened in 1968. It features the world's largest ceramic-tile mosaic, 286 feet high by 26 feet wide, using more than 16,000 colorful tesserae.
The six other towers, in order of construction, are: the 14-story Ali`i Tower built in 1957 and renovated in 1987; the 17-story Diamond Head Tower opened in 1960; the 25-story Lagoon Tower Apartments finished in 1965; the 1982 Tapa Tower at 35 stories, the 25-story Kalia Tower completed in 2001, and the new 39-story timeshare Grand Waikikian Tower, opened in 2009. Some two million guests stay here each year.
Over the years, the Village has become part of Hawaii's cultural fabric, adding its own influence to local lore. For example, approximately 136,540 Mai Tais are served here each year, and a retired Hilton Hawaiian Village bartender is credited with concocting the famous Blue Hawaii cocktail. The Village has been a location for such popular television shows as "Hawaiian Eye,'' "Hawaii 5-0,'' "Pacific Blue,'' and "Baywatch Hawaii.'' And the very first Sacred Ibis to hatch in Hawaii was born here.
The Village's 10,000-square-foot Super Pool is Waikiki's largest swimming facility. Entertainment here includes all manner of water sports, the Starlight Luau Sunday through Thursday, and the King's Jubilee held every Friday evening, a Hawaiian music and dance celebration that culminates in a brilliant fireworks display on the beach.
The independently owned and operated Mandara Spa is located on the premises, with a fitness room, relaxation lounge, sauna, whirlpool, Western- and Japanese-style showers, a private mosaic-tiled outdoor pool, sun terrace, and 25 wet and dry spa treatment rooms. Based upon Balinese-style hospitality, it offers masques, scrubs, wraps, massage therapies and a full-service salon, with hair styling, manicures, pedicures and other beauty treatments
Convenient to the Hawaii Convention Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village has long been a favorite of business travelers, too. It can provide over 150,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space for conferences, banquets, trade shows and civic events, hosting groups of up to 4,000. Business amenities include catering services, audiovisual equipment, an executive center and post office, high-speed Internet access in all meeting rooms, and data ports in all guest rooms. Of course, the facilities can be used for weddings, as well.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is located at 2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. Both self-parking and valet service are available. The Village is also served by the Waikiki Trolley, The Bus, Hertz Rental Cars, and Charley's Taxi & Tours, which provides a special taxi shuttle service between the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Honolulu International Airport for $12 per person.
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