SPN Lifer

The flight distance is indeed why most of the tourists to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands come from Japan.

However, if you have a lot of CO OnePass miles you need to burn off . . .

Dave, I agree with you for the most part, though if you like hiking there are many good spots on Guam, and many people also walk around the Paseo baseball field area by the water at Hagĺtńa. Also, many of the beaches in the Marianas have rough coral sand, and pieces of coral, so one would be well advised to bring snorking "booties" even just for beach walking. Then you wouldn't need to go all the way to the Westin at the north end of Tumon Bay. The Hilton at the south end of the bay is closer to the rest of Guam.

Do you ever get down to Saipan? Perhaps we could get together here some day? My sons are 10 and almost 9. If interested, send me a PM.

a2sportsguy

Thanks for the input.

If I go in June, the point stretcher period, it's actually 78,000 points. Is that a bad month to go?

With NW, especiually on short notice, it's easier to book flights to Asia than the west coast of the U.S. or Hawaii. Go figure.

Snorkeling is a definite plus. I loved exploring the lagoon at HWV and the neighboring beach. I don't mind either long walks or long flights. For me, part of the appeal of the trip would be a layover at NRT. Two new experiences for the price of one.

It's down to the Hilton Guam, Batang Ai Longhouse Resort in Borneo or a return to HWV. Choices, choices.

kawoh

Here are some snaps from the Hilton Guam Resort in early Jan, as you can see, very little serious damage from some areas except some very wet carpets and the tower had some issues and was closed:

http://218.219.64.12/Photo06/148599/50/970427.jpg

http://218.219.64.12/Photo06/148599/50/970434.jpg

Some great photos of the view from the pool area:

http://218.219.64.12/Photo06/148599/50/970441.jpg

The marriot is just down the road, on the right hand side of this picture:

http://218.219.64.12/Photo06/148599/50/970448.jpg

kawoh

Weatherboy

Thanks for the pictures! I'll be staying here next week (Tuesday/Wednesday) before I head off to HWV on a reward stay later next week. I'll post an update if the grounds have changed much since these pictures were taken.

a2sportsguy

As requested above, Weatherboy, I'd love to hear a comparison of HWV and the Hilton Guam. Would anyone who went to HWV be incredibly disappointed by the Hilton Guam?

Weatherboy

As a regular visitor to HWV, I find it hard to believe that another property in the Hilton family on U.S. soil would be better and/or comparable to the Waikoloa retreat...but I'll check out GUM and let y'all know...

Weatherboy

I'm staying at the HWV now after visiting Guam earlier this week. I'm a repeat visitor to HWV; this was my 1st time to GUM.

As I thought, there's no comparison... HWV is infinitely better than Guam.

Inside the Hilton Guam resort, you wouldn't even know a typhoon (actually 2) hit last year. The lobby is sparkling and the rooms are great... however, a single tower...the furthest from the lobby... does remain closed due to typhoon damage experienced in December. Shops that were previously damaged/closed in the lobby are re-open. (There's actually a huge duty free store there.)

There is no HHonors Lounge, so in its place, I received lounge certificates (good for any drink...from beer to frozen tropical mixed drinks) and a certificate valid for breakfast at their resteraunt. I was also invited to a cocktail reception by management for my first night there which included complimentary open bar. And if the booze wasn't flowing enough, at check-in I also received a free drink coupon good at Roy's, another great place to eat on-property (it's part of a chain across the Pacific.).

Unfortunately, even with all the free booze, the exterior of the hotel is a huge disappointment. Typhoon or not, the outside is in serious need of a paintjob. And the landscaping needs a serious overhaul-- plants/trees/bushes were moldy and unkept; and many palm trees remain standing without their palms. The beach is in horrific condition --not sure if the beach is always that way or as a result of the typhoons. I was tempted to run to a local hardware store and buy a rake to pick up some of the algae build-up on the shore; the stench of the rotting algae and seaweed wasn't too pleasant outside, especially at night. The beach is completely not maintained at all --a shame too. Even with the unusual shallow bay there (again, not sure if the bad shape of the bay was a result of the typoons), I think there's huge potential there to make it something great.

The pools there are fantastic... although at sunset, I noticed local amphibians take a swim there too.

The service was friendly everywhere ...and the front desk gave me an "upgrade" to a deluxe oceanfront view. (Fantastic view...just at night the sea smell became too much to hang out on the balcony.)

If Hilton managed to fix up the landscaping and do something to that beach, this would be a tropical resort worthy of visiting. Definitely not on par with the HWV and HHV, but with some outdoor fixes, I'd say this place would be comparable to a Nassua, Bahamas resort. (It actually reminds me a lot of the Crystal Palace resort there, sans casino.)

Until then, its a very nice hotel plopped in an environmentally hostile place. On my way out, the hotel staff was getting nervous about another typoon moving through the region...

a2sportsguy

Thanks for the great report, WeatherBoy. Great to have your perspective on things.

OK, I'm somewhat convinced. The Hilton Guam sounds like it needs some serious work. And since the flight is 60,000 NW miles, instead of 35,000 miles to KOA, I'll keep trying HWV -- and maybe I'll do Asia next summer. Still, Guam does sound like an interesting island.

kevino

Great report Weatherboy. Thanks. I think I'll stay at the Marriott, if they still offer free breakfast and dinner at the government rate.

davistev

Certainly the better hotel on the Guam beach strip is the Westin. The Westin has a well maintained soft sand beach (well as soft as one can expect for a coral reef beach).

Weatherboy

One other thing I forgot to mention--

To my surprise, the Hilton Guam does offer complimentary round-trip airport shuttle service. They picked me up upon arrival and I signed-up for a return trip (they leave hourly starting at 5am.)

kawoh

Was it free? i had to pay US$5 each way. You need to call them in advance to ask them to pick you up/and ask at reception for them to drive u to the airport, it is not a regular service.

kawoh

BTW - for anyone interested, I'm on their (Hilton Guam) mailing list and got a rate of US$100 fully inclusive rate for stays between June 13-16 (fathers day). Which is a considerable discount compared to their lowest rate usually available ($150+). you need to call them directly to book that rate.

I don't know if anyone has considered this, but a bird has told me that the Marriott (4), Holiday Inn (3) and Nikko (2.5) are all listed hotels on priceline in Guam, so you could potentially grab the Marriott for a bargain instead of paying full rate, unfortunately the hilton isn't a listed hotel on priceline, or so i'm told. You may need to try priceline.com.hk or priceline.com.sg or the usual priceline.com, i'm unsure which has the inventory.

[This message has been edited by kawoh (edited 05-24-2003).]

Weatherboy

An as an FYI, I booked online using their World of Savings promotional rate; it was $120/night and includes 4,000 bonus HHonors points per visit (this is a special rate good for Hiltons in Japan, Guam, and other non-Hawaii Pacific locations.)

As far as the complimentary airport shuttle, I didn't know about it at all. When I walked out of the airport terminal I asked the guy at the taxi stand for a taxi. Next thing you know, the Hilton van swings around and picks me up. At first, I thought it was a local taxi that happened to have Hilton ads on the outside. But it turned out to be the complimentary shuttle just doing its rounds. At check-in I asked if it was complimentary, and they said yes... but I'm not sure if that's a Gold HHonors perk or what. Still a treat to have ..especially when I was willing to pay up to $30 for a taxi each way