We recently spent 9 nights at the Marriott Waikoloa on the BI and it was GREAT:
Day 1. Our UA flight got us to Kona on time, around 2;30 pm. My first and only bummer feeling came when I realized the luggage keys were left at home. This was while I was waiting by the belt for the luggage to arrive. Shoot! After getting out car from Dollar (no sweat-all went well there) we drove to our hotel. While in route it began to rain. This was the only rain we had in Kona for our entire stay as it happened. Interestingly hotel names are not posted on the road (19). It is against the law there. Once in our hotel we were given on OV room as we had paid for but really the view was of am MT lot undergoing construction. No good. A call to the Debbie, the manager on duty solved the matter quicky. In about 30 in. we were in a great room with an outstanding view. Then the hotel engineer came to helf with the luggage key problem. My advice here is to buy Masterlocks. This is the only one he could not open with his myriad of misc.luggage keys. He finally had to snip that one. We relaxed that night and had a nice dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: More relaxation really. We explored the Kings shops across the street and drove into Kona-Kailua for dinner. Lo and behold what did I see but Chicago Cub banners hanging from the rafters of Lulus. We had to eat there! Dinner was pretty good, not great but good food at relatively reasonably prices. We then enjoyed a stroll after dinner and back to the hotel for a drink.
Day 3: OK, off the to golf course! I decided to throw the budget to the wind and play at Mauna Kea. It was $175.00 for TWILIGHT rates. The views along the ocean and the design were AMAZING. However I must say the greens were in only fair condition, there was no drinking water anywhere on the course and at no time did we see a refreshment cart at all. For that price I expect alot more. Oh well at least I got one of those Mauna Kea tags for my golf bag.
Day 4: We chilled today and went to dinner at Roys. WOW!! We had some of the best food we have ever had. The sauces and overall creativity was well worth the rather expensive price. Hey, we're on vacation. Live a little
Day 5: We drove down 19 to 11 on our way to the black sand beach at Punu lua (spelling?) It is remarkable how the topography changes as you go toward Hilo. All of a sudden its green and lush. For a fair amt. of time the round is mountain side, winding and twisting and rather slow but who cares? You pass thru several small areas or towns and I just wish we could have stopped in all of them. Looks like the real Hawaii to me. This black sand beach is the most easily accessible by car so we were told and it is pretty cool. We also say several tortoises in the shallows doing their thing. Then it wa on to Hilo for a helicopter ride. If you go to Hilo expect rain! The annual rainfall is 120" per yr! Those who live there get used to it of course though out pilot told us it once rained 30" in 30 hrs! That was hard to get used to! The views from the copter were magnificent! Also the cost from Hilo is generally less vs. Kona. Unfortunately it was a Sunday and by the time we finished our flight it was too late to explore Hilo because the shops had already closed. We took the northern back to our hotel so in effect we circled the island in one day. Dinner was pizza in our room that night and a word to the wise if you are in Waikoloa and want pizza is there is NO delivery to that area. Its too far away. However there is a pizza place in the Kings shops and it was actually pretty good. Part 2 to follow!

Good job! Waiting for part 2.!

Thank you Ally

Here is part 2:
Day 6: After a full day yesterday we decided to relax a bit today. we just loafed by the pool most of the day and went to dinner at Hama Yu's the Japanese restaurant in the Kings Shops. The food was pretty good, not great. Interestingly the waitress said a simple bowl of steamed rice to accompany our dinners was $6.00! per but she would throw it in anyway. I don't understand at all what that was all about but this seems incredible to me. To back track a bit we also ate at the Chinese restaurant the Grand Palace. According to the guidebook Hawaii Revealed this is the best Chinese restaurant on the BI. If so thats too day. The food was very bland and the service was, well lets just say moody. We are still waiting for a spoon we asked for three times.
Day 7: We played a round of golf at the Beach course in Waikoloa and though it was not quite as scenic as Mauna Kea the greens were better and unlike Mauna Kea they had water stands readily availabel and the refreshment cart can by 3 times during our round. Thats more like it! And it was $100.00 LESS than MK too though that reflected a guest rate. Dinner that night was a stroll to the Kings shops Big Island steak house. They had quite a good selection of fish as well. The waiter, bless his heart went thru a long flowing and informed speil about the various fish dinners they had that night, how they are prepared and so on and after he finished I said I'll take a sirloin medium. Hey, its a steak house right? . Overall we were pleased woth our dinners there and would go back again.
Day 8: During the day we drove to the Place of Refuge. This is about a 75 min. ride so. on 19 to 11. This is actually a former ancient Hawaiian village. The refuge part is pretty interesting. During ancient times the high or ruling class were the Alii . If anyone below them committed a Kapu violation or a social faux pas, such as letting ones shadow be cast upon any member of the Alii the penalty was death by spear, stoning, strangulation or fire. However if one could flee to a place of refuge or basically a temple before such execution then the priest would prescribe a penance which when performed would absolve the offender of his crime and all would be well again. So this place has a number of cool features including a 100 ft. wall that separated the commoners from the Alii, a pond used to keep fish meant for the Alii only, a flat stone carved to use for what looks like the ancient Hawaiin version of checkers, a special landing spot for the Alii, several ruins and reproductions of homes, temples, etc. All in all it is a pretty cool site to explore and takes about an hr. or so to see it all. Dinner that night was on the Sea Smoke. This is a catamarran used by the Marriott for sunset cruises. It was originally owed by Marshall Dillon himself, James Arness ( refers to the classic TV western Gunsmoke for you young folks!) and was at one time a world record holder for the Trans Pac race. We met some really nice folks who renewed their 25th wedding anniv. vows on board after which we all gave them a champagne toast. All in all pretty cool.
Day 9: This was our last night on the island so we decided to go to Roys again and it was terrific as before. We had made a reservation several days before for 3. We hit it off with the folks we had met the day before on the cruise and thought we could easily add them to our reservation. Well we were not able to do that. Roys was just too packed. My point here is to show just how popular Roys is and to stress the need to reserve ahead of time.
Day 10: Sadly all good things must come to an end. we had an 2040 flight to LAX and were able to get a late check out at the hotel. We relaxed for the day and were provided a courtest room to shower before leaving. We had one final nice dinner at Huggos overlooking the ocean before heading back. Huggos is a fine restaurant too and about the same in price as Roys. For our experiences however the food at Roys is more creative, flavorful and clearly a notch better.
All in all this was a great vacation for us, one of those times when all seems to works just right and smiles abound.I even discoverd the utter majesty of IZ music. So sad he is gone and such a beautiful voice is no longer here. I know this is long so if you made it this far thanks for taking the time. If there are any questins please feel free to ask. Most cordially aloha and mahalo. Larry

Larry, loved your report!!! I think our families could vacation together!

So you were very happy with the Waikoloa Beach Marriott??? I love the place, especially for the money. I think it's very Hawaiian! I'm assuming you didn't do their luau? (Not enough time, I bet?) And I love A-Bay that the hotel sits on!

We are in complete agreement on Roy's. The only place in Hawaii I've enjoyed more is A Pacific Cafe, at times. And the Roy's at Waikoloa is one of his stars! We really enjoy it! If you or your wife are into cookbooks, Roy's is beautiful.

Mahalo for sharing, and so glad your trip was wonderful!

Aloha,
Bonnie

Thanks for the great report......... you took me back, guy!

I'm glad you enjoyed it Bonnie. As for the luau let me explain what happended. It was pretty warm then, around the low 90's, and our first day there we saw alot of people lined up in the HOT sun waiting for the luau to begin. They seem to have stood for a while or certainly too long in the sun for our comfort so thus we decided against it. Hopefully someday we can meet in paradise in the Pacific and enjoy each others company. 1st round is on me. Cheers, Larry.

Larry ~
Your trip report was great! We visited a couple of the same places (black sand beach, Place of Refuge) and we actually ate lunch at Huggo's, which was excellent. It's so much fun for me to read trip reports where I've actually been!

It is isn't it. Its cool to relate and say, "I've been there". I was flipping thru channels once and caught a glimpse of a Spanish program, you know the type where there are alot of people dancing salsa, etc. and noticed something familiar about the location. It was at the same hotel we had stayed at in the DR. It took me back. Pretty cool.

I love Huggo's, guys! We always eat there when we're in Kona! We'll have to all meet there one day, huh?

Hi Bonnie: Do you vacation anywhere besides Hawaii? Also do you know anything about Hilton Head? We are thinking about it for the next trip. Thanks, Larry