This classic Hawaiian hotel with striking views of Diamond Head near the beach of Waikiki was built in 1955 by famed American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, and was originally named Kaiser's Hawaiian Village. The property began with a few buildings, but rapidly expanded, with soaring towers eventually contributing to Waikiki's skyline. The Rainbow Tower in particular is a local landmark. Kaiser also built a nearby geodesic dome auditorium, the Kaiser Aluminum Dome, where some Exotica classics were recorded. Martin Denny played regularly in the Shell Bar, and for a couple of years Arthur Lyman played here with him. Hilton purchased the hotel in 1961, and still owns it today.

Comments

KavikaTiki

KavikaTiki has visited Hilton Hawaiian Village.

January 20, 2013, 5:41 PM

No official tiki bar but a Mai Tai at the poolside bar is pretty darn good. Walk the grounds/outdoor mall after your drink(s) for a glimpse of the occasional tiki with an Asian architectual flair. It's one of the few spots on Waikiki that hasn't ever seemed to change.

bobeperu

bobeperu has visited Hilton Hawaiian Village.

June 7, 2012, 9:35 PM

There isn't a Tiki Bar in this hotel, but they do have a nice bar called "Tropics" that serves better than average tropical cocktails. Furthermore, the bartenders at Tropics were some of the most friendly, and helpful to Wife of Bob and I with restaurant recommendations outside of the typical Waikiki tourist fare.

The hotel looks like a Disney Hawaii resort, but give Tropics a look for some of the better cocktails in Waikiki.