I'm trying to gather info on a vacation to Hawaii in February. Has anyone stayed at the Hale Resort for military in Oah'u ? Did you enjoy it, was it a good value for the money, as compared to other hotels? Thanks for your help!

im guessing you mean the Hale Koa AFRC? ( Hale Koa =warriors house in Hawaiian)-the answer to your question is an unqualified YES. you will not find a hotel on Waikiki at anything resembling the value you get from the Hale Koa. and there are a number of resturants that are outstanding values as well-along with an ITR desk that can get you reduced price tickets for almost any attraction on Oahu. Do be aware that if you want a stay in Feb you need to book soon-they get booked up far in advance and hold a certain block of rooms for R and R packages.

let's put it this way..the same room you can get at Hale Koa would be about three times the price next door. for the same beach front view. without having to pay taxes.

Great, thank you for the imput! I'm working out the vacation details now.Can't wait!

The Hale Koa is a military hotel so there is no tax when staying there. There is 2 pools, one is for adult guests only. The other one is open to all military and their families. There is a Barefoot Bar right by the pool, several restaurants, an exchange and everything in between.

There is a Luau that is offered 1 or 2 days a week that is quite nice and reasonable. you can get bus tour up to Polynesian Cultural Center along with other things in the area.

It is right on Waikiki Beach so there is lots to do within walking distance. You can also get a bus right out front to Hickam AFB.

We stayed there w/ our two kids in May 2007 when DH was on R&R from OIF. It was FABULOUS! I cannot say enough good things about it!! The rooms were lovely. The facilities were better than neighboring hotels and utterly awesome. It was fantastic to be surrounded by other military families. They have a PX right on site! :: out of breath:: I could go on and on!

And the cost savings is ENORMOUS! Less than half the cost of other Waikiki beachfront hotels and, as someone already said, no taxes, etc. Food and drink prices are more reasonable than neighboring places too. We couldn't have gone were it not for the benefit of being able to stay at the Hale Koa.

It's right smack on the beach, has huge wide open spaces, a small playground area, a military museum right next door, plenty of beachfront, and an easy walk to the rest of Waikiki beach (unless you try to push a stroller through the sand, but let's not go there). The water right in front of the Hale Koa has a lot of big rocks in it, but still very usable and plenty of other beach areas.

Two tips though: (1) They do have tickets available there, but if you can get out to the Navy Exchange by Pearl Harbor, the ITT there is even better. For example, we wanted tickets on the underwater submarine (which, by the way, leaves from a dock right next door to the Hale Koa - at the Hilton Hawaiian). At the attraction itself, I think adult tickets were about $130 each. At the Hale Koa, they were about $80 each. At the NEX ITT, they were $17.50 each (!)

Second tip: If you're traveling w/ little kids, the only "downer" was that they have these little "beverage coolers" in the rooms that LOOK like mini refrigerators, but are not designed to keep milk or food cold overnight. Not too much of a problem b/c the PX has milk, etc., but would've been nice if the little frig was a bit colder.

Seriously, the little frigs, and wishing they had different pillows, are my ONLY less than awesome comments - it's so UTTERLY WONDERFUL that I cannot wait to go back!!

Thank you so much for your imput. Our dates have changed, we wanted to go in Feb., but we're now going in July,2009. I booked the room, and I now have a countdown clock on my computer! Our 5 year wedding anniversary is in Feb., but DH will be away at a school for the month of Jan, so we're going to have a delayed 5th anniversary in July. AND we're NOT taking kids!!! Hopefully, our son will get to be at Operation Purple Camp the week that we go, so I won't feel guilty. We've never been to Hawaii, the excitement is killing me. Now if I can just find a good airfare deal...