Planning on a trip to Hawaii. Any comments on Kona Village for the Big Island. It seems like a relaxing place to stay, Four Seasons in Maui and Marriott in Kauai. Opinions please!

Try Hilton Waikoloa Village. Stayed there once. Great place to relax. You can find the detail from Hilton's website.

We visited the Hilton Waikoloa, did not stay there. It is in abeautiful spot - but there really is no beach.There is a man-made beach for children, also, it is so immense that taking a tram is necessary to get around. The grounds are very nice, but not natural, too man-made.

Mauna Kea or Mauni Lani for the big island

We stayed at Four Seasons on Maui and loved it. Don't know what Marriott is like on Kauai; we stayed at the Hyatt on Kauai. It's a beautiful place. Rooms were nice, but the pools and landscaping are incredible. If you want to spend any time on the north shore of Kauai, the Princeville Resort is lovely. Haven't been to the Big Island.

One of the best hotels in the world is the Mona (or Mauni)sp? Lani on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lots of movie stars go there and they can afford to go anywhere. The Four Seasons is nearby but we were so happy we did not stay there. The decor at the 4 Seasons is dark and elegant Cape Cod. The M.Lani has an open air atrium with pools of fish inside the lobby. The beach is perfect..we bought bags of fish food on the beach for snorkeling and as we spilled it out the food attracted fantasticly beautiful fish in huge numbers...it was wonderful!The hotel is on the dry side of the island so the weather is always great. We drove to the other side and rented a copter to see the then active volcano...we saw lava pouring into the sea making a spray of steam. Why stay at a Hilton when you can enjoy someplace unique and very special that is a one of a kind gem!?

I really have to put in my two-cents'
worth! We recently stayed at the Hapuna Prince on the Big Isle. It's the furthest north that you can go, and it was absolutely spectacular. For starters, it is located on the best natural beach on the island of hawaii.
It's one of the prettiest beaches that i've stayed on. The prices are around the same as the Mauna Lani, and it's next to the Mauna Kea. It's good for the golf-set, but the staff were very hospitable. I liked the location a lot
because the day we arrived it was raining in Kona, and gray and cloudy all the way, until we came round the bend, and there was a little splash of sun, and lo and behold, our hotel was in that sun. It's so dry at that location that I don't think it rains hardly ever up there! So I think that was an additional perk of staying at that property.
The only drawback to me was that the prices of meals were exorbitant, but they're also pricey at all the major resorts, and one can always drive a couple miles north of Hapuna Prince to a little town called Kawaihae, and there's a couple of good places to eat there reasonably. I like this property much better than the Hilton Waikoloa Village, for example, and I like it better than the Mauna Lani, because the Mauna Lani's beach isn't nice at all, at least the part that I walked on. It
was too rocky, and it's man-made, not
natural.

Sorry all--hate to send wrong info, but first the spelling of the MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL AND BUNGALOWS (See my post 2 above)As stated, I loved this hotel and the oceanfront dining at the hotel's Canoe House was wonderful too! The dark Cape Codish hotel that I did not feel fit Hawaii was not the 4 Seasons, but The Ritz Cartlton Mauna Lani...

We stayed at the Hapuna Prince and agree with everything Dana says! The pool, beach, and staff were superior. It's so relaxing I wanted to move in (only I couldn't afford to stay that long). Anyway, I would highly recommend it but also know friends who've stayed at the Mauna Lani and loved it. So, I guess, either way you wouldn't lose.

The resort at Hana on Maui is paradise. On the expensive side, but so relaxing. Be warned - no tvs, telephones, etc. But the private cabins come with your own jacuzzi on a patio overlooking the ocean, handquilted blankets and hardwood floors.

the Kauai Marriott has an immense pool and tropical lagoons. There is a very nice beach that kind of fronts the hotel-usually good for swimming. It is close to the airport and some people have complained about the noise. The rooms are not as big as the Hyatts. it is kind of central so you can go both south and north easily. I would choose the Hyatt over the Marriott but not by much. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay!

i did the big island like 5 years ago and we loved the royal wakaloan (i have no idea how to spell this anyway its the one with the antique 1920,s style boats that take you around the property. lush and beautiful also huge pool with lots of waterfalls and caves and slides. but also we drove to the other side of the island (takes all day with stops) and we stayed at volcano house and loved it!!!! totally rustic old park lodge right on the edge of a smoking crater this was the hilight of our 10 day island hopping trip so few people do this but its a once in a lifetime must see

Thanks for all of your opinions. I have not heard anything about Kona Village from anyone. I heard it is a very unique place and that it is beautifl. On Kauai has anyone stayed at Gloria's B & B and how about the Hanelai Bay Resort on the North shore??

Hi - We have stayed at Gloria's, probably 4 years ago. It is a wonderful place. Your room, there are only 4, 2 upstairs and 2 down, will be about 30 feet from the ocean. The sound of the waves at night is incredible. It is an immaculate place. Furnishings are the best, and, very clean. There is a kitchenette with coffee maker, microwave, and all the dishes and glasses you may need. Breakfasts are excellent. Gloria and Bob are wonderful hosts, and Kauai is beautiful.

Just got back from a stay at the Orchid at Mauna Lani. I agree also that the beach was not as nice as the jersey shore. Resort was beautiful but was disappointed in this beach as well as beaches on the ENTIRE island. I guess I didn't do my homework.The rain forest side was beautiful as well as he mountains. But I am a beach girl so no repeat visits for me.

For the above poster, you should have gone just a few miles to your north and you would have found the most heavenly beach on the Big Island, Hapuna Beach.
Beautiful white sand and calm. I'd go back in a flash. The only prettier beach that I've ever seen that topped it was Trunks Bay Beach in the Caribbean on Island of St. John and Ke'e
Beach on Kaua'i. This was my third trip to the Big Isle and the first time that I found a white sand beach.