Kona Village just reopened last year. Turtle Bay had a complete renovation during covid. Renaissance Honolulu and AC Hotel both opened within the past couple months.
Outrigger Reef in Waikiki is very modern and clean. It was recently fully renovated. My husband and I stayed there last September, and loved it.
It has a pool, two hot tubs, two restaurants, an ABC Store and several other shops in the lobby, and is directly on the beach. Lots of stores and restaurants within a short walk.
It's not the cheapest Waikiki hotel though.
How much are you willing to spend, and are you willing to stay anywhere on the islands? I don't think there's anything brand new and modern on Big island, but Oahu has plenty, you'll just be paying *a lot* more for them.
No, I'm just saying that newer hotels tend to be nicer. 30-50 year old hotels can be really bad. I'd rather stay at in a NEW basic room, than a musty 40 year old suite.
It’s a lot different than in Vegas or Reno though, those hotels get trashed pretty quickly. Even my room at the Venetian in December looked a little run down.
You will need to stick to the older, dated hotels. There was recently an article published by a travel writer complaining that her room in the "historic wing" of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which she chose because it was the cheapest available at $560/night, was too dated and she'd never stay there again, even though the grounds were beautiful and she loved everything else about her stay.
The newer hotels, mostly in Ko'olina, like Aulani and Four Seasons, are probably minimum $600/night.
Waikiki will have some smaller rooms that are probably closer to what you want, but will be nowhere near Venetian level of comfort.
Check out some of the [boutique hotels](https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-Oahu-Boutique-Hotels-zfp1368.html) on Oahu and see if they're more to your liking.
Also, I highly suggest skipping the aquarium, it's just... disappointing.
I just stayed there for five nights in March. It wasn’t the most au courant and stylish hotel I’ve ever seen but it wasn’t musty or outdated. The restaurant was decent. I liked the location a lot too.
Most of the towers of the Hilton Hawaiian village are newer. Stayed in the original rainbow tower on new years and it was decorated within last few years. Just because the hotel been there for a long time doesn’t mean the rooms are original too lol.
Okay…..hear me out. The Hyatt Place isn’t anything fancy but they recently updated their rooms. They serve free breakfast that’s not bad and some of the best food we had was on that side of town.
I just stayed here and liked it, but the first night was in a pretty cramped standard room, and paid a little extra for a “specialty” room that was more than double size for the rest of the stay. Trust me, the extra $40 or $50 a night is worth it if you’re going to be in your hotel room a lot. I have a baby and absolutely needed the space.
I agree that there is a lot of good food very close by. The beach is a 5 min walk, and the center of Waikiki is about 10-15 minutes. It’s a good location.
Also if you rent a car, you can avoid the $60 overnight parking by parking at one of the smaller hotels 1 block away for $25 a day, ins and outs allowed, either at the Banyan or Waikiki Sunset.
The Hilton is Waikoloa ? They don’t have a beach but it’s still ok. One of the towers is new-ish, the rooms were in ok condition. I stayed last year after an event there. Food options were not the best but if you plan on leaving property then that’s ok. If you have kids, they will love the pools and boat/tram to get around the large hotel
Yes, Waikoloa. We're going for about 11-12 days and two islands. The Waikoloa we'd be mainly doing resort stuff and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki for more off-resort exploration.
The Hilton Waikiki is better than Waikoloa Waikiki so maybe look into splitting your Waikoloa stay into two hotels. Fairmont/hapuna/mauna kea can all be fairly priced if you find a good deal. Auberge, rosewood and 4 seasons if you want resort stay $$$$
Kona side of Big Island: Fairmont orchid, auberge Mauna lani, Westin Hapuna beach, Mauna Kea beach hotel. All super nice and modern.
I think the Hilton Waikoloa was renovated recently, but I haven’t stayed there since that was done.
In March 2024, I stayed in the Hilton Waikiki and it was a little dated and I had to use the valet for a daily fee and was easy to use. The hotel was in a great location for restaurants and a block from the beach. I liked it.
I stayed in the Hilton Waikoloa Ocean Tower also in March. Here's a screenshot. The tip of the red line is the Ocean Tower and bottom of the red line, one half mile away is the guest parking lot. Some rooms are recently renovated, others aren't. If you plan to use the resort, it's kid friendly and plenty to do. I didn't use any of it, I used the hotel as place to sleep as we hiked in various locations. The red line drawn by me takes 20 min to walk.
https://preview.redd.it/guum23a9l2vc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e059e3ac71f39a299d363be30b6143c2d5e43720
I stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa many times over the past 20 years. It does not have a beach, but a man made lagoon. So it is private. The public beaches at the resort are rocky so there isn't as much foot traffic from folks outside the hotel.
Food wise the options onsite are not great. I deeply miss the Japanese Imari restaurant. There is a Kings and Queens shop (shops) with restaurants and food court near the hotel ( you can walk there if you choose).
Construction is expensive in Hawaii and that goes for renovations too. There are only like 3/4 towers that went up in Waikiki in the last 10 or so years. Modern rooms are limited to the more premier resorts or boutique hotels and even then it can be debatable.
Not much comparable to Vegas, but if you’re willing to spend you can find it. On the bright side, if not, you don’t spend much time in your room.
Maybe Marriot, Ritz, Alohilani, Lay Low, or the newest tower at Hilton in Waikiki. Otherwise you’re probably looking at Koolina or Turtle Bay.
If the op doesn't care about shopping or night life didnt really mention everything they need will be available. Even a more local restaurant and shopping a short drive away in Kapolei
Just returned home yesterday, stayed at Sheraton Waikiki, modern room. Just looked, 2 double room with resort fee and breakfast, 550 a night, not sure how old the kids are. Anyways this is a great hotel just don’t like the parking fee. Just my 2 cents
Ummm, comparing 'Vegas resort hotels to Hawaiian ones is comparing exotic dancers to hula dancers.
Kona Village just reopened last year. Turtle Bay had a complete renovation during covid. Renaissance Honolulu and AC Hotel both opened within the past couple months.
Outrigger Reef in Waikiki is very modern and clean. It was recently fully renovated. My husband and I stayed there last September, and loved it. It has a pool, two hot tubs, two restaurants, an ABC Store and several other shops in the lobby, and is directly on the beach. Lots of stores and restaurants within a short walk. It's not the cheapest Waikiki hotel though.
Second that this hotel did a nice renovation.
My family and I enjoyed our recent stay at the Outrigger Reef as well. Booked through Costco.
How much are you willing to spend, and are you willing to stay anywhere on the islands? I don't think there's anything brand new and modern on Big island, but Oahu has plenty, you'll just be paying *a lot* more for them.
I’m trying to keep it under $500 a night.
So you want the Venetian on a Luxor budget. Maybe it’s time to be more realistic. Either amend your expectations or increase your budget.
No, I'm just saying that newer hotels tend to be nicer. 30-50 year old hotels can be really bad. I'd rather stay at in a NEW basic room, than a musty 40 year old suite.
It’s a lot different than in Vegas or Reno though, those hotels get trashed pretty quickly. Even my room at the Venetian in December looked a little run down.
You will need to stick to the older, dated hotels. There was recently an article published by a travel writer complaining that her room in the "historic wing" of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which she chose because it was the cheapest available at $560/night, was too dated and she'd never stay there again, even though the grounds were beautiful and she loved everything else about her stay. The newer hotels, mostly in Ko'olina, like Aulani and Four Seasons, are probably minimum $600/night. Waikiki will have some smaller rooms that are probably closer to what you want, but will be nowhere near Venetian level of comfort. Check out some of the [boutique hotels](https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-Oahu-Boutique-Hotels-zfp1368.html) on Oahu and see if they're more to your liking. Also, I highly suggest skipping the aquarium, it's just... disappointing.
I read that article. She chose the "historic wing" but expected a modern designed room. Lol.
Shoreline Waikiki has modern rooma
We loved the vibe of the Laylow in Waikiki.
I'd be searching youtube for recent reviews so you can see
Yeah, that’s where I’m getting the idea that Hilton is a bit dated. Still doing tons of research.
I just stayed there for five nights in March. It wasn’t the most au courant and stylish hotel I’ve ever seen but it wasn’t musty or outdated. The restaurant was decent. I liked the location a lot too.
That makes me feel better. Thank you!
Most of the towers of the Hilton Hawaiian village are newer. Stayed in the original rainbow tower on new years and it was decorated within last few years. Just because the hotel been there for a long time doesn’t mean the rooms are original too lol.
Okay…..hear me out. The Hyatt Place isn’t anything fancy but they recently updated their rooms. They serve free breakfast that’s not bad and some of the best food we had was on that side of town.
I just stayed here and liked it, but the first night was in a pretty cramped standard room, and paid a little extra for a “specialty” room that was more than double size for the rest of the stay. Trust me, the extra $40 or $50 a night is worth it if you’re going to be in your hotel room a lot. I have a baby and absolutely needed the space. I agree that there is a lot of good food very close by. The beach is a 5 min walk, and the center of Waikiki is about 10-15 minutes. It’s a good location. Also if you rent a car, you can avoid the $60 overnight parking by parking at one of the smaller hotels 1 block away for $25 a day, ins and outs allowed, either at the Banyan or Waikiki Sunset.
Good to know. I'll take a look.
The Hilton is Waikoloa ? They don’t have a beach but it’s still ok. One of the towers is new-ish, the rooms were in ok condition. I stayed last year after an event there. Food options were not the best but if you plan on leaving property then that’s ok. If you have kids, they will love the pools and boat/tram to get around the large hotel
Yes, Waikoloa. We're going for about 11-12 days and two islands. The Waikoloa we'd be mainly doing resort stuff and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki for more off-resort exploration.
If you stay at Waikoloa you will need to book the makai tower for the “newness” you want. HHV has many different towers. I think Alii is their newest.
The Hilton Waikiki is better than Waikoloa Waikiki so maybe look into splitting your Waikoloa stay into two hotels. Fairmont/hapuna/mauna kea can all be fairly priced if you find a good deal. Auberge, rosewood and 4 seasons if you want resort stay $$$$
What about Aulani?
Yeah, I'm looking at that too. The kids would certainly love it.
Very Expensive and don't get anything besides a basic room . Modern rooms tough
Kona side of Big Island: Fairmont orchid, auberge Mauna lani, Westin Hapuna beach, Mauna Kea beach hotel. All super nice and modern. I think the Hilton Waikoloa was renovated recently, but I haven’t stayed there since that was done.
Those are all way more than $500/night.
Renaissance Honolulu Hotel and Spa is brand new. It was very nice but the area around it isn’t so nice. Don’t go out at night.
In March 2024, I stayed in the Hilton Waikiki and it was a little dated and I had to use the valet for a daily fee and was easy to use. The hotel was in a great location for restaurants and a block from the beach. I liked it. I stayed in the Hilton Waikoloa Ocean Tower also in March. Here's a screenshot. The tip of the red line is the Ocean Tower and bottom of the red line, one half mile away is the guest parking lot. Some rooms are recently renovated, others aren't. If you plan to use the resort, it's kid friendly and plenty to do. I didn't use any of it, I used the hotel as place to sleep as we hiked in various locations. The red line drawn by me takes 20 min to walk. https://preview.redd.it/guum23a9l2vc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e059e3ac71f39a299d363be30b6143c2d5e43720
I stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa many times over the past 20 years. It does not have a beach, but a man made lagoon. So it is private. The public beaches at the resort are rocky so there isn't as much foot traffic from folks outside the hotel. Food wise the options onsite are not great. I deeply miss the Japanese Imari restaurant. There is a Kings and Queens shop (shops) with restaurants and food court near the hotel ( you can walk there if you choose).
I’m at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Kunia right now. “Dated” is an understatement for sure! But I’m on per diem for work and my options were limited
I'm in Diamondhead Tower. It does feel dated, especially the TV and bathroom
That's because you are at a completely different property....
Construction is expensive in Hawaii and that goes for renovations too. There are only like 3/4 towers that went up in Waikiki in the last 10 or so years. Modern rooms are limited to the more premier resorts or boutique hotels and even then it can be debatable. Not much comparable to Vegas, but if you’re willing to spend you can find it. On the bright side, if not, you don’t spend much time in your room. Maybe Marriot, Ritz, Alohilani, Lay Low, or the newest tower at Hilton in Waikiki. Otherwise you’re probably looking at Koolina or Turtle Bay.
Any resort in Ko Olina west side will give you what you want.
That’s so far away tho
If the op doesn't care about shopping or night life didnt really mention everything they need will be available. Even a more local restaurant and shopping a short drive away in Kapolei
I like the Royal Hawaiian a lot
Just returned home yesterday, stayed at Sheraton Waikiki, modern room. Just looked, 2 double room with resort fee and breakfast, 550 a night, not sure how old the kids are. Anyways this is a great hotel just don’t like the parking fee. Just my 2 cents
I stayed at the Ritz Carlton and it was very nice
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