The Most Depressing Hawaii Hotel Breakfast I've Ever Seen
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As clearly evidenced by her dynamic Instagram feed, TPG Family editor Summer Hull is having the time of her life in Hawaii, and on Monday, as I worked through some pictures of my own incredible trip from our office in rainy New York City, I took a break to read all about her good fortune at our 50th state's Marriott hotels.
As it turns out, despite a number of issues following the SPG integration and subsequent Bonvoy launch, the Westin Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Kona Resort both provided a top-notch Platinum experience, complete with a free full breakfast — not the hit-and-miss continental spread many of us have encountered over the past few months.
I, on the other hand, had an entirely different top-tier elite experience just a few blocks away from Summer's hotel. I needed a place to stay after reviewing ANA's A380 business class, so following my own Marriott frustrations, I decided to give one of Hilton's Waikiki properties a try, since I have top-tier Diamond status courtesy of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
I ended up booking the Hilton Waikiki Beach for a seemingly reasonable $209 per night, but after taxes and a $30 resort charge, the total nightly charge came to $272. Still, that was about $100 cheaper than Marriott's Moana Surfrider, and far less than the Royal Hawaiian, so — even though it was set a few blocks from the beach — the Hilton seemed like a good pick to me, especially considering I'd be getting free breakfast in the Executive Lounge.
On the first morning of my stay, I ventured downstairs to check out the spread, only to find a long queue of guests waiting just to get inside. Tourists tend to get up a bit earlier so they can make the most of a day in Hawaii, it seems, but the Hilton doesn't open breakfast until 7:00am on the weekends (6:00am Monday-Friday) — it remains open for three hours each day. Simply maintaining that 6:00am start time every day of the week would go a long way to reduce the wait to get up to the buffet, which I'm sure easily exceeds 30 minutes during peak times.
"Evening Pupus" are available from 5:00pm until 7:00pm as well, though the scene was chaotic when I visited, and options were limited to some generally unappealing cheese, veggie sticks and chicken wings — which one family piled sky-high at the center of their table. There's an extra charge for evening drinks as well, ranging from $6.50 for Bud Light to $10 for a glass of Murphy Goode Merlot (not much less than the cost of a full bottle at retail).
The venue is what really makes the experience especially depressing here — forget a view of the beach; even a glimpse of natural light is a no-go in parts of the lounge. Think more "inside cabin" of a dated cruise ship than "at the heart of paradise in Hawaii."
And then there's the line inside — can you imagine starting a day in Hawaii like this?
The buffet spread itself was fine — hardly "restaurant quality," but I'll take what I can get, I suppose.
Given the crazy queues and lackluster spread, I asked the front desk if I could have breakfast in the restaurant instead. The agent firmly (and in a condescending tone) pointed out how fortunate I was to have breakfast included at all — Diamond members don't get any food and beverage perks at any of Hilton's other Waikiki hotels, she firmly insisted, although that contradicts Hilton's published policy:
I also contacted all of the other Hiltons in Waikiki — while Grand Vacations properties don't offer breakfast, as outlined above, the other hotels and resorts do:
- Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach - Full breakfast buffet included for Gold and Diamond guests
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alana - Gold elites can choose continental breakfast or points and Diamonds get both
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk - Breakfast included for all guests
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort - $10 per person per day (up to $20) valid at any dining venue
- The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations - No breakfast benefit
- Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations - No breakfast benefit
- Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village - No breakfast benefit
- Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations - No breakfast benefit
As for the Hilton Waikiki Beach, the manager was similarly unwilling to budge on a restaurant meal, but he did hand over a written comment card, giving me an opportunity to pass along feedback about the dungeon-like Executive Lounge if I wished.
So, as beneficial as Hilton Diamond status can be in some locations, you'll want to do your research before booking Hilton's Hawaii properties in the future — Summer's experience makes it clear that, at least when it comes to some Hawaiian hotels, Marriott's the place to be.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.