| Overall Rating: |
|
1
out of 5
|
Don't Bother,
September 7, 2009
By bfcurley
|
"Simply put, the Ihilani is a tourist trap of the highest order. Since most folks will only know what they see on the Marriott website, it looks like paradise. Only when you get there and its too late to do anything about it will you realize that you’ve been hoodwinked.
First, you’ll be assigned to the lowest grade room at the lowest level consistent with your reservation. When you decide you would rather not have a view of the air conditioning compressor in a room with beat up furniture, they will graciously offer to upgrade you for a 20-50% increase in the room rate. Welcome to Hawaii. Only after you are there a few days and realize the place is only 50% full, will you ask why you could not have had the better room for little or no extra cost.
They also neglect to mention the major construction going on right next door where a new hotel is being built. If your idea of relaxation is taking a chase lounge into the middle of Times Square, then you’ll be right at home. Otherwise, the back-up warning beeps, pounding, and general construction concussions are a now a part of that relaxing get-away vacation. You would think they would at least have the decency to note the construction on their website.
Since the place is at 30-45 minutes from the airport, you are well outside Honolulu, and away from anything worth seeing on the island. So factor in that you will waste at least two hours a day in the car if you want to see any sites. Longer if you travel during rush hour, since the Honolulu traffic feeds onto the only route out to the hotel. And don’t forget to add $30+ per day for parking (before tips), since that isn’t included – unless you agree to the 50% room upgrade cost.
The pool is ok, but the beach is a joke. They constructed a sheltered lagoon in front of the hotel which eliminates the surf. They sell that as kid-friendly, but if you want water without surf isn’t that what the pool is for? The point of going to the beach is to get at least some surf. The design of the lagoon is terrible, since there is a huge dead-spot in the water on the beach in front of the hotel, which accumulates all the flotsam and gunk and turns the water a slimy, smelly, green mess that I did not want to even wade into.
Since you are in the middle of nowhere, don’t even think about not getting a car. The prices are absurd at the hotel. A simple gin and tonic will set you back $10, a bottle of beer $5, and can of soda $3. The food is also grossly overpriced, with the same kitchen serving both restaurants you do however get the choice of overpaying in the informal restaurant, or being robbed in the “high class” restaurant – for the same food in both.
The Marriott in Waikiki is a much better choice. Yes, the beach is more crowded, but I’d rather a crowded beach with clean water, then a less crowded beach with slimy, smelly green water with unidentifiable white lumps floating on top. Plus you won’t waste the time driving all the way out to the Ihilani, and you won’t have to put up with the construction. If you are looking for a true resort experience, look up the Kahala outside Waikiki – for about the same cost you’ll get the real thing – and that is where I’ll stay next time."
|
|
|
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
|
