I have a chance to take a last minute trip to the big island starting next week, but I don't know where to stay. Right now I am looking at the Orchid, Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach Resorts as well as the Hilton.

I will be traveling alone and want a great beach, good places to eat, and a full service health club and spa. I plan to visit the volcano one or two days as well.

I have been to the Hyatt on Kauai and liked it well enough and I really love Kea Lani on Maui (but it is booked)...and I wanted to try the Big Island on this trip...

Any suggestions?

Thanks...this is a great site!

Try the 'Get a Life' rest home foe retired travel agents in Hamalomalomalomalomalomalokikikikiki .

The paranoia about travel agents is out of hand!

All I wanted was some details from experienced travelers about which hotel to book.

This used to be a great site to get information from fellow travelers...

My advice to Jones is GET A LIFE!

Can't ANYONE come up with a better put down than 'Get a life' ? And you really should decide what 'release' you are, are you Andy 6.0 or Andy 304.0 ??? Or perhaps you're still in development ?
Maybe Commander Data could help you ?

Andy:

Disregard JJones' moronic postings. What a loser!

Anyway, I was only in Waikoloa briefly, but the Hilton and Mauna Kea are both very nice. I don't know anything about the Orchid, one way or the other. If money is no object, I'd also look into the Four Seasons, as well.

I think you'll really like the Big Island! Enjoy!

Mahalo Andy! I'm just another non-travel agent complete stranger type with noooooo hidden motives, agendas or biases - nope, not me! --- just your friendly, helpful Fodorite who wants to steer...er....strive to help! I'd be happy to tell you where to go and how to get there, so just e-mail me!

Thanks DS...

I know the Hilton's spa is supposed to be great but I haven't visited it. There are also some awesome places to eat at the Hilton. (There will be kids because of the waterslides and dolphins so be warned if that is a concern.

Also, check the message about the floods.

Andy, how important is the beach to you? If it is VERY important, then the Mauna Kea would be your best bet as it is right next to the Hapuna Beach, and both beaches are excellent (calm water rather than surf). However, the Mauna Kea is a VERY secluded (but wonderful) resort, certainly not near any restaurants (you could certainly drive to the other hotel restaurants). And don't forget the Mauna Lani Bay resort, which you didn't mention, another beautiful spot with a great, calm beach. I would skip the Hilton altogether: Way too big, impersonal and Disneylike with nary a beach in sight, just a manmade one inside the resort itself. As someone mentioned, right now the Four Seasons is THE place to stay: very beautiful, lush, etc. However, their beach is not very impressive but the property as a whole is. And it's closer to the Kona area where you will have more restaurant choices. But then again, if you've stayed at the Kea Lani and Hyatt Kauai, then perhaps the Four Seasons is for you because I wasn't all that impressed with the beaches at the two previously mentioned resorts either, although BOTH were certainly very beautiful resorts, indeed! The Orchid was formerly the Ritz-Carlton and is also a very fine resort as well, with a calm beach. Yes, I KNOW it's a tough decision for you, but if it's any help, here's my selection:

1. Four Seasons (rough surf)
2. Mauna Lani Bay (calm bay)
3. Mauna Kea/Hapuna Beach (calm bay)
4. Orchid (calm bay)

I hope this helps you out a bit, and I hope you will post a trip report upon your return as I will be looking forward to reading it! Have a GREAT trip!

Thanks Bill --

I ended up booking at Mauna Lani Bay...your information (along with the Hilton spa tip) was what I was looking for. I appreciate your input and will report back!

Andy

Mahalo And! Suggestions, recommendations, opinions, if it's about Hawaii, I've got it all! I'm not an agent, just someone who loves Hawaii, so e-mail me!

Mahalo1

Andy, I think you'll be quite pleased with your decision! As per your other post regarding things to do: well, just be sure you take a drive along the coastline on the other side of the island because that is where the REAL beauty begins! The Kona/Kohala coast is the DRY side of the island and is not very attractive, so don't expect beautiful green topography and gorgeous swaying palm trees on your drive up to the resort because you won't find them! However, ALL of the 5-star resorts are quite beautiful once you enter the properties, so don't worry about that (and I'm sure you'll want to tour them all and give us your opinions)! As a matter of fact, I actually DO think you should at least visit the Hilton (it's just down the road from the Mauna Lani) as it is quite a spectacle to see, but I just would not want to stay there again, and I think you will agree with me (I think!). Anyway, before you start out on your drive along the opposite coast down towards Hilo (about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive), be sure to continue driving NORTH from your resort. Apparently some current heavy rains have caused some roads/bridges to be closed if you drive SOUTH! Have FUN!