Grcxx3

We have reservations for 4 days in late June at the Hilton Wailoloa Village on the BI, but I just reviewed their web site and found that there is a big charity fund raiser (Dolphin Days) during part of the time we are there.

I am concerned that this event might interfere with our stay - overly crowded public areas, difficulty with restaurant reservations, noise, etc. We would really just like to relax!!!

Does anyone have any experience with this event? DO you think it will be a problem?

We really chose the Hilton because of the various activities that were available for our boys (ages 12 and 10), but are considering switching locals because of this event. We live overseas, so the boys are used to traveling and do not really need playgrounds, children's menus, animation teams, etc. I mainly chose the Hilton because of the water slides and Dolphin encoutner.

Does anyone have any other recommendations for a nice resort between the Kona Airport and the Volcano Park? My husband and I are both geologists and the volcanoes are a big draw for us (and the boys!).

We are not looking for a bargain place - we want nice accomodations, service, and ammenities. This is part of a very big and complicated trip and we want to be comfortable.

Any help would be appreciated!

bonniebroad

Waikoloa Beach Marriott (was Outrigger Waikoloa)...... on *A* Bay right next door to the HWV. Fabulous beach.......very Hawaiian......great entertainment at outdoor bar every night. Luxurious enough, but not fancy-schmantzy like their neighbors. Think your boys would love that beach!

patg

Stayed at the Marriott a year ago; it was fine, but we enjoyed the beach at the Mauna Kea much more.

If you are intent on spending a good deal of time in Volcano National Park, be sure to spend at least one night in Volcano Village. The Kilauea Lodge has some cabins in addition to their hotel. The drive from the Kohala resorts to Volcano is at least 90 minutes.

bonniebroad

Kilauea Lodge is great, if you're interested in staying right there near the Volcano night or two. We like the building with six rooms, and the tin roofs! Wonderful when it rains at night.........

Miranda

You can do the Dolphin Encounter without being a guest of the hotel. Just book well ahead. The encounter is overpriced and overly scripted but still fun. (Part of the high cost is the "optional" videos and photos that will be sold to you! Truly optional, yes, but hard to turn down.)

To me, it does not sound like the Hilton is a good fit with your goals, especially during a busy time at the hotel, so I think you are wise to look elsewhere. Sorry I don't have any specific hotel ideas for you. Our family absolutely loves the Mauna Lani, but it is nowhere near the volcano. We saw the volcano area as a day trip from the Mauna Lani, but really didn't have time to do the volcano justice and definitely did not have time to hike to where the lava was actually flowing. So if the volcano is high on your list, I would strongly consider actually staying at least one night on that side of the island. Possibly even spending your entire trip on that side, and exploring the Kona/Kohala area as a day trip. The opposite of what most tourists do!

Jenn

I think you should look at the Mauna Lani Hotel. Great grounds/beach for exploring, good service and restaurants. It would be a nice haven for all of you. It is located not far from the HWV. Your kids would love the
fish in the ponds, the shark pond and
the Sea Turtles that swim to the shores.

Hann

I stayed at the Mauna Lani a few years back and it was a very upscale place with great service. I don't thenk that it is an appropriate place for families. In fact I don't recal seeing many childre at all, except the few whose parents were attending the meeting which was being held at the Mauna Lani. At night there really wasn't any entertainment, in fact you could hear a pin drop. We usually ended up driving to Kona for the nightlife.

fdecarlo

Grcxx3: The first step is to call and find out how many people are expected to attend the "Dolphin Days" event. If it's only a few thousand over two or three days then you shouldn't notice much difference at the Hilton, or elsewhere in Waikoloa. But if tens of thousands are expected to attend then you'll have the same crowding problem at all the major Waikiloa resorts. The nicest hotels are within a few miles of each other.

If you'd rather bypass that area entirely, the options for a top-notch, full service resort are rather limited on the Big Island. There's the Four Seasons Hualalai (which is well south of Waikoloa), Kona Village (which is wonderful, but it's an "away from it all" Hawaiian experience -- e.g. the rooms have no phones and no TV's). Beyond that, there's really nothing between Kona and the Volcano other than B&B's (some of which are great, by the way).

If the volcano is a priority then you should reserve a B&B near Volcanoes National Park for one night. The drive from Kona and the Kohala coast is too long to be an enjoyable day trip. Search this forum for B&B recommendations if this sounds like something you might want to do.