Imperial Hawaii Vacation Club Reviews & Ratings

I dont know what you could find wrong with place. Location! Location! Location..!!

We stayed in a studio at the Imperial the first week of Feb 2005 and we had a great time. It is a block from the beach and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and bus routes.

Now for the real deal...I have read some of the other reviews, and I am a bit surprised. I do not go to Hawaii to spend time in my room, cook meals, nor to drive a car to places that I don't know where they are located.

The room is small but comfortable. We spent our time on the beach and enjoying the sites of Hawaii. We were only in our room long enough to clean up and sleep. As far as the kitchen, as long as a coffee pot is provided, who needs anything else. There is a Denny's and an ABC Store (Hawaii's 7-Eleven) on the bottom floor.

Transportation in Hawaii is one of the best in the US. Buy a 4-day bus ticket for $20 for unlimited transportation. Buy a bus book at the ABC for $4, pick up a bus schedule from the bus, and make plans to use the bus all around the island. The bus stop is one block from the hotel. There is a tour office located in the lobby that can make all of your trip plans for you. The pick up point for most of these trips are right behind the Imperial.

The pool is on the roof and is not very big, but there is an ocean all around you. The owners lounge is on the 26th floor with excellent views. It has a big screen TV, pool table and two computers for you to use. We used it to book a car for our last day there. It was about half price on the internet. Since most flights leave around midnight, spend the $2 on the bus, go to the airport, pick up the car early in the morning, drive the island and be back to the airport in time for your flight. It's a great way to save on taxi back to the airport, your luggage will stay with you, and you have something to do until your late night flight.

Overall, we had a great time. The Imperial was exactly what we needed. They had our trash taken away daily, the place was very clean and the staff was more than friendly. It is located in the heart of Waikiki, one block from the beach and close to everything. If a vacation on a dime is what you are looking for, Hawaii is not the place. But if you are looking for a nice place to stay while in Ohau, the Imperial is a great place. Also, there are NO private beaches in Hawaii.

We rented a KOA one-bedroom unit from an owner, and stayed there the week before Christmas in 2004. The KOA unit is the largest of the three or four one-bedroom floor plans, which makes me wonder about the size of the other units.

The KOA is small, and a bit awkward to use because of its layout. The bedroom is small, and has a queen-size bed. The 3/4 bathroom in the bedroom is also pretty small, and is tricky to get into; you have to shut the door to the bedroom in order to get into the bathroom. The other bathroom is a standard hotel bathroom with a shower in the tub, and looks immense compared to the 3/4 bath.

The couch pulls out into a double-bed, and my sons complained about its lack of comfort. My husband switched with one of the boys for a night, and agreed that it was uncomfortable. .

The kitchen was not a full kitchen, but was workable for breakfast and for popcorn. I don't think I would have been eager to cook a meal there, because there was only a mini- fridge, and there wasn't much storage.

The location is hard to beat. It's only a block and a half walk around some other hotels to the beach. You can rent two chaises and an umbrella for the day for $25, or just bring your towels and plunk yourself down. Beach towels are provided by the hotel.

It's about the same distance to the main shopping streets in Waikiki. Waikiki caters to Japanese tourists and the well-to-do of any nationality. Stores include Bally, Boucheron (Swiss jewelry store), Coach (although since building an outlet store, there aren't any deals to be found in Waikiki), and lots more far more upscale stores. These stores are interspersed with t-shirts stores, so it's quite a mix.

Someone earlier in these posts said the Imperial does not have mid-weekly maid service. Perhaps they've changed, because our unit was cleaned, and sheets were changed on the fourth day. Also, you can exchange towels yourself as often as needed.

We rented a car, and were glad we did, even though parking added an additional $15 a day cost, plus tips to the valet guys. There really is no on-street parking available, so don't even think about not parking at the Imperial.

The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Overall, the pluses are the location, the price of the rental, the good sound-proofing between the bedroom and the living/dining area (important when you have kids who are watching their own shows while you read in the bedroom). The negatives are the size of the unit, the maneuverability, and the kitchen.

Perhaps this is typical of Honolulu/Waikiki timeshares, but I will check out another timeshare on our next visit.

We needed to find 2 rooms quick. The folks at the Imperial worked hard and endlessly until they managed to get what we needed and in such a short time. If it weren't for the hospitality of the folks at this resort, my family's first visit from Japan to Hawaii would have been much more expensive and much less "home-like". They loved Hawaii and they really enjoyed the stay at the Imperial. We would all stay there again. In fact, I wouldn't mind becoming an owner there.

Great location. Koa unit very comfortable for two couples. Beach very close, ABC and Denney's in building. Bathrooms and kitchen showing age.

Stayed March 18-28, 2004. Hawaii was great, Imperial was not. Probably the poorest of the 9 years we have been timesharing in Oahu. Rented Hala Suite off redweek. Very disappointed.

Hala suite advertises room for 6. Two bedroom, two bath suite with full kitchen and two lanas. Queen bed in master, double bed in second bedroom plus sofa bed in living room.

Room 508 you do not want. Over looks airconditioning unit of building next door. Queen bed in master yes. Small hotel bathroom. Way too small for a weeks stay. Very little storage. Second bedroom was TWIN bed, against wall with no room to walk around bed. Had to get on bed from end and scoot to the top. Sofa bed in living room so uncomfortable you didn't even want to sit on it. No way could this sleep 6 unless you brought along an air bed. NO lanas, not two but zero. Full kitchen is not a full kitchen. We brought over all our meat for the week as food is high in Hawaii. Full kitchen consists of a mini fridge without the freezer door compartment so there went all the meat. Full kitchen consisted of two cabinets. One above sink held silverware on first shelf, dishes on second, and pots and pans on top shelf. Second cabinet under sink. Again this is hotel not condo/timeshare set up for your bucks.

All other timeshares we have stayed in changed sheets at least once during the week. Imperial does not. You exchange your towels yourself. All other timeshares have had a second tv in the master. This does not. TV is suspended over dining table so one person cannot have their chair at the table to eat or needs to be really short. Other timeshares have had a stackable washer dryer in the unit, this does not. You need to go to a laundrymat.

Pool is on roof, 26th floor. Small pool not heated if you are bringing children. Jacuzzi hot tub is small, 6 person. It was hot which was nice. Bubblers not working, perhaps next year they said. Children all used hot tub as their swimming/wading pool. Bummer if you are middle age and thinking of getting into it during the day.

A plus is it is airconditioned. It is quiet for sleeping. Good 6 blocks to the beach even though they say it is 100 yards from hotel. It is but that is private.

Nice location being only one block to the beach. Great view from the 26 floor owners lounge. Units are on the small side but that is usually the case in high-rise urban units. The staff is helpful and the units are well maintained.

We have owned a Koa here since 1984, and love it, and Waikiki--so much neat stuff to do, and places to eat. We love being able to walk across the street to the beach. We also own at Kauai, which we bought thinking the kids would like the quieter spot, but they much prefer the Imperial Hawaii--they are 11 and 14. They like the proximity to the shopping centers, the beach and the food! Everyone we have ever loaned our time to has ended up buying--I think we've "sold" at least six units.

Hi. We own at the Imperial. We love its location. We also love its location!

I have owned a studio unit at Imperial since 1985 and go every year. I thoroughly enjoy the unit and the location. It is close to anything you might want to do. Don't even need a car as the bus system is terrific.

We own and have stayed at other expensive resorts in Hawaii, but keep coming back to the Imperial because of the friendly people and great location. It just keeps getting better.

We stay at the Imperial every year and do the Great Aloha Run on President's Day in February. We stay in a Palm unit - 1 bedroom plus a murphy bed in the living room, 2 baths. It is fun to arrive each year and be greeted by familiar and smiling faces - the staff is super! Location is excellent - the beach is a short walk, Hale Koa and other military facilities (Ft DeRussy museum/park, parking, restaurants, exchange) are also close by.

the imperial is filled with aloha...most of the employees have been there for years and really make you feel welcome ! the accommodations are sufficient...and is located close to everything. one building from the sand and just a couple of blocks from the international marketplace.

We have owned at the Imperial since 1985 it is the best location bar none of any timeshare in Honolulu. Closest to the great beach less than a block and in the middle of all the action Honolulu has to offer and all in walking distance. Close to the Bus line in which you can go anywhere in Hawaii. The people are Great the units are very clean although they could use some up dating. We don't go to Hawaii to sit in the time share. It is the weather and all there is to see, do and eat. It is wonderful, enjoy, and so is the Imperial.