Have stayed twice, once in January-February 2011 and just returned from another 2 week trip, January-February 2012. Malia Tower I stayed in the most recent trip seemed nicer/more modern, but either way the Hale Koa is a great deal. Can't beat the location right on the quieter side of Waikiki Beach and next to the huge Hilton complex. The amenities are also great and you can walk everywhere. The staff is happy and ready to help. Absolutely LOVED the Luau and would highly recommend. I thought they put on a great show and evening and at a very reasonable price ($50 per person) for everything included--and it's not a buffet! Oahu is beautiful and the Hale Koa may not necessarily the most glamorous of the Waikiki beach hotels, though I would say it's pretty competitive, it is by far the best choice for military families. I was pleased with all of the property restaurants and if I had to be critical of anything, it would be the lengthy lead time needed to receive room service meals. But really -- who's ordering room service in Hawaii? (I only did because I was alone with an infant and he went to sleep early). Otherwise, wonderful place where you feel honored to be surrounded by your military family. Enjoy it!

Great location, great value, rooms well equipped, mine was roomy and had a great view. I cannot imagine anyone complaining about this facility.

We stayed at the Hale Koa from Jan 17 to 21, 2012. Daytime temps were in the high 70's, nighttime temps high 60's. Winter clothes not needed! I highly recommend the MaiTais at the Barefoot Beach Bar. Delicious and the best I had anywhere. The beach itself at Hale Koa is long and broad. We used the towels provided by the hotel to sit on (not that we did much sitting) but saw you could rent chairs and umbrellas for beach use too. There are lots of stones and rocks as you enter the water, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the water. If we'd had water shoes we probably would have used 'em. My husband went snorkeling (he brought his own mask, snorkel and fins) and saw lots of "pretty striped fish". His friend saw a sea turtle which made my husband jealous. I especially loved floating in the water (the Pacific is much more bouyant than the Atlantic) and looking at Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. We also captured some lovely sunrises off the jetty next to the Hale Koa on our camera.

We thought the food was good at the hotel restaurants and snack shops with decent variety. We recommend happy hour at Warriors bar - we love the u-peel shrimp for 10 cents each!

We booked 3 tours through the travel desk at the hotel after attending the welcome breakfast that presented the options for tours. I can recommend all of the destinations, but in hindsight would've done things differently. I think the Home of the Brave tour was not a good decision since we spent too little time at Pearl Harbor and too much time on a bus touring Wheeler Airfield, Schofield and Fort Shafter as well as the Home of the Brave Historical Museum which was more like a house stuffed full of 40's memorabilia. It would be far better to take a bus and spend as much time as you want at Pearl. I loved the hike up Diamond Head and would recommend that to anyone who can walk 2 or so miles (there are plenty of steps toward the top). The view was spectacular. I also liked the tour of Oahu that we took (by tour bus) but again we were a captive audience and only had 10 to 20 minutes at each stop. Maybe a car rental for the day would've been a better way to go. I also wish we had gone to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. While in Honolulu I saw an ad in a booklet from Seabird Tours that quoted a price of 14.95 for snorkel gear and included transportation (4 1/2 hours total time). I'll do that next time I'm there.

After our stay at the Hale Koa, we took the 7 day cruise on Pride of America to Maui, Hawaii and Kauai. That was another wonderful experience which I would highly recommend!

This is our second time at the Hale Koa & couldn't have asked for a better stay. After a long flight, it was nice to be greeted by a smiling face during check in. She was very nice & professional, giving us tips on dining, places to see & activities going on at the hotel.

The room was very clean with 2 queen beds & a nice refrigerator. We were in the older tower with a partial ocean view & it was perfect for our needs.

We ate at Bibas & Happy Snack Bar, both had great food & reasonable prices. Had drinks at the Barefoot Bar & the bartenders are the best! Everyone there made you feel very welcomed & I highly going when staying here.

This hotel is the best on Waikiki beach & you cannot beat the prices or location! I highly recommend staying here if you are eligible.