Honeymoon Venue: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki
When considering an overseas honeymoon (or even a destination wedding), the venue selection can be rather harrowing with an entire world to consider. As part of our #honeymoonhumpday series, we're going to be bringing you a variety of venue profiles, honeymoon styles and tips every Wednesday to help you narrow your options down to somewhere truly amazing.
Today's venue is the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Oahu, Hawaii, a special write-in request from Facebook. We love getting requests and are happy to help you with any of your wedding planning questions or qualms so please write-in and let us know how we can help or if you have a post you'd like to see on our blog!
This unique village-style resort is set in 22 acres of oceanfront paradise and is the main departure point for a great many of the island's tours and attractions. The resort features 5 pools including Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a spectacular five-acre salt-water lagoon featuring a state-of-the-art water circulation system, the longest water slide on the island, 20 restaurants and bars, exotic wildlife, gardens, ponds and waterfalls, Camp Penguin Children's Programme, Mandara Health Spa and a range of daily activities to keep you entertained.
Oahu itself is fun, easy and tiny considering you can circle the island in less than three hours by car and the Hilton Hawaiian Village takes up a good proportion of that land at Waikiki adjacent to Duke Kahanamoku Beach - the number one ranked beack in America last year. As well as the 5 acre saltwater lagoon at the resort, Waikiki beach features a manmade lagoon allowing vacationers to lie on a lilo in the sea without the worry of floating away and while only small fish can make their way into the lagoon, the novelty of these small fish jumping over you as you laze on the lagoon is wildly entertaining. For larger sealife, head to the aquarium or the marine park to swim with dolphins or sting ray of if you're not so fond of the water, take a Pearl Harbour tour, take a sunset dinner cruise or simply wander the many shops along the Waikiki coast.
Among the many pools at the resort, (as well as the enormous lagoon), you'll find, the Paradise Pool – A 5,000-square-foot family activity pool that boasts the longest slide in Waikiki, the Super Pool – a 10,000 square foot beachfront pool, the Keiki Pool –A tiered pool off the Super Pool, providing a shallow swimming pool for our younger guests, the Tapa Pool – A tropical pool located between the Tapa Tower and Diamond Head Tower, the Kalia Tower Pool – a dramatic infinity pool located on the fourth floor, displaying a mosaic-tiled maile lei intertwined with ilima and pikake flowers and the Ali'i Tower Pool – A private sanctuary with sun-deck and whirlpool, exclusively for the guests of Ali'i Tower.
If you'd rather spend time at the resort on foot or exploring the island, there are a myriad of activities available both within the resort and departing from it:
Hele Mai Ho'olaule'a! Waikiki’s only outdoor Luau features extravagant Lei greetings, Hula kahiko performers, acrobatic fire dancers and authentic Hawaiian dining in a memorable setting beneath the starlit, mid-Pacific skies.
*Atlantis Submarine * the world’s largest hi-tech passenger submarine, or one of our 48-passenger submarines. Descending beyond 100 feet underwater is an adventure, and you’ll see real marine life up close. The Atlantis Waikiki dive site is home to many Hawaiian fishes, coral and turtles.
Watersports Try surfing or stand-up paddle-boarding in the Ocean or in Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, or venture out in our Deluxe Waterbees or Kayaks in the Lagoon.
Exercise Start the day with a Sculpt, Yoga or Tai Chi session on the Village Green, or incorporate Polynesian elements with an energetic Hula Aerobics workout.
For the Kids Many of the hotels offer babysitting services if you're travelling with young children or resorts like this one, offer special programmes for slightly older children allowing parents to truly getaway and enjoy their honeymoon. Camp Penguin offers fun and educational activities for children aged between 5 and 12 years old. Every day a team of trained and caring camp counselors will lead the children through fun and educational activities, with a focus on learning about Hawaii.
Spirit of Aloha Catamaran Explore the Waikiki coastline aboard a modern 54-foot catamaran. Whales and green sea turtles are some of the creatures that can be seen on any given tour. Passengers also enjoy unobstructed views of Waikiki Beach with a backdrop of the Ko`olau mountains, and in the evenings the twinkling Honolulu skyline.
Relax and Indulge at Mandara Spa Choose from a range of revitalising treatments, which incorporate Hawaiian, Asian, Western, European and Polynesian beauty and relaxation concepts. Treat yourself to a sublime Swedish or Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage. Enjoy exquisite Balinese-style service, and fragrant Asian spices and oils for masques, scrubs and wraps.
Dining With over 20 restaurants, cafés, bars and grills, perfect for families, couples and groups, there’s something for everyone at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. From family-friendly kids’ menus and beach-side grab & go offerings to elegant fine-dining options to suit even the most discerning of diner, you can experience the best Waikiki Honolulu restaurants without ever having to the leave the property.
Oahu Sunset Dinner Cruise Sit back, relax and enjoy a lobster and tenderloin beef dinner on a two-hour Oahu dinner cruise along the Kahala coastline at sunset. Enjoy a 5-course meal at your own private table, followed by a Hawaiian show and dancing.