Although both are located within the same beach resort, the ocean-view rooms with Rainbow Tower are better than Ali’i Tower’s. But Ali’i Tower overall offers more amenities. Since they are part of the same resort you don’t need to worry about the restaurant options but Ali’i Tower houses more restaurants and bars than Rainbow Tower. Overall, Rainbow Tower is more budget-friendly.
These are some of the differences between Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower. To know more, let’s get started.
Ali’i Tower vs. Rainbow Tower: Quick Difference
The following table makes the comparison between Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower.
| Factors | Ali’i Tower | Rainbow Tower |
| Location | Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii | Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Accessibility | Shuttle, Rental Car, Bus, Taxi, Car Ride Share | Shuttle, Rental Car, Bus, Taxi, Car Ride Share |
| Accommodation | Luxurious rooms with ocean view | Luxurious rooms with better ocean view |
| Amenities | Pool, fitness center, Own check-in desk | Easier access to the pool, lagoon, and the beach |
| Restaurants | Tropics Bar and Grill, Wiki Wiki Market | Bali Oceanfront |
| Pricing (room per night) | $800 – $1200 | $400 – $500 |
Ali’i Tower vs. Rainbow Tower: Detailed Comparison
Now let’s dive into the detailed explanation between Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower.
Accessibility
At the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, both Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower can be found. Among the two, Rainbow Tower’s external structure is distinctive because of the iconic rainbow mosaic panels.
If you want to get to these resorts, you can try the Waikiki shuttle which takes only about 15 minutes from the airport. Apart from these, there is a rental car, taxi, private car share ride, AND SpeediShuttle.
You can also go for a bus. From the airport, you can take the Line 20 bus to the resort, which takes about 50 minutes. Although the duration is long, it has the cheapest fare of only $3.
Accommodation
Although both of the towers have rooms facing the ocean, the ocean view with Rainbow Tower is more spectacular, especially around the Diamond Head Side.
If you are particularly interested in fireworks, then the launch is just in front of Rainbow Tower. So, you can get the best view of the ocean and the fireworks from the Rainbow Tower.
Amenities
Ali’i Tower is slightly more luxurious compared to Rainbow Tower as it comes with its own check-in desk, pool, and fitness center. Apart from that if you are looking for a small boutique hotel vibe then Ali’i Tower is the place to go whereas Rainbow Tower feels more contemporary.
Ali’i Tower also comes with a mixbar. If you stay in the tower, you will be equipped with Yukata robes and slippers and a tote bag which you can use for the duration of your entire stay.
Rainbow Tower’s trump card is its proximity to the beach. Although both towers are near to each other, Rainbow Tower’s location allows for easy access. You can easily get to the pool. Lagoons, restaurants, and the Waikiki Beach.
Things to do
Since both of these towers are within the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, there is not much difference in the activities you can take part in. But Ali’i Tower has its own pool which Rainbow Tower doesn’t. The Rainbow Tower, however, offers a better view of the fireworks.
Apart from that, due to their proximity to other towers in the resort, you can go and have a nice time at the other pool. You can also relax at the nearby Mandara Spa and partake in Hula lessons or morning exercise classes. If you are with your children then the Camp Penguin’s children program will be another fun thing to enjoy.
Bonus: Find out the comparison between Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea.
Restaurant
Being part of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort means that both towers offer more or less the same eating experience. You can just hop on within the resort to try out everything from New York-style deli sandwiches to Japanese Teppanyaki.
Among the options, Tropics Bar and Grill and Wiki Wiki Market are located in Ali’i Tower. Whereas Bali Oceanfront is in Rainbow Tower.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
You can make the booking online for both Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower. You can also use third-party apps to make your booking. However, with Ali’i Tower you get a separate check-in desk which makes checking relatively easier compared to Rainbow Tower.
To make the process smoother, download the Hilton Honors app 36 hours prior to your arrival time and check in digitally. After that, you can just request the digital key. This way you don’t need to go through the front desk and proceed straight to the room.
In terms of cancellation policies, this varies by the rate and date of the reservation. If you want to know more about the cancellation policy then just head over to the reservation confirmation.
Pricing
Rainbow Tower rooms are much more budget-friendly in comparison to Ali’i Tower. This has to do with the amenities present in the room.
Let’s see a breakdown of the cost.
The following table shows the cost breakdown at Ali’i Tower.
| Room | Price Per Night |
| Ali’i Tower Oceanfront Junior Suite | $1200 |
| Ali’i Tower Oceanfront Corner King | $1000 |
| Ali’i Tower Oceanfront King | $900 |
| Ali’i Tower Oceanfront Double | $800 |
The following table shows the cost breakdown at Rainbow Tower.
| Room | Price Per Night |
| Rainbow Tower Ocean Front Room | $500 |
| Rainbow Tower Lagoon View Room | $400 |
Apart from that there is a resort fee of $45 and a parking fee of $68.06 per day.
What to Choose Between Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower?
Although not as detailed as comparing Sheraton and JW Marriott, there are some differences between the two towers.
Rainbow Tower is great if you are going for the ocean views and enjoy fireworks. But if your preference is to be in a small boutique hotel and get special amenities like your own pool and more in-room facilities then choose Ali’i Tower.
If you want a budget-friendly option, Rainbow Tower is the place to go.
Conclusion
In conclusion, between Ali’i Tower and Rainbow Tower, you will get to enjoy a wonderful time in Hawaii. You can avoid the hassle of the front desk by downloading the Hilton Honors app and checking in digitally 36 hours prior to your arrival.
