I am a single Mom planning a family vacation in June with an active and adventurous son (16) and daughter (11). We are pretty hardy travelers. We normally like a nicer hotel... usually a nicer Marriott or Hyatt. I like the feeling of not really having to stress about our saftey so that usually comes with the "resort bubble". I am considering the Big Island of Hawaii. I stayed at the Hyatt Wiakaloa (now Hilton) about 20 years ago but that was a romantic week.... a much different vacation.
I am looking for some recent experience of where to stay especially with a teenager. It seems like a challenge to keep the statement "I am bored" out of our vacation! Has Hilton maintained the hotel? Is this a good choice? I looked at the Four Seasons but am choking a bit on the price. I also saw the Kona Village. We will plan to do the zip line, the volcano, the observatory, maybe an atv tour, snorkle, tour the island. We may take a few days to go to Kaui too. My daughter & I love the Beach but my son needs more action. Any suggestions???? We are not committed to Hawaii yet but will need to confirm very soon! Thank You Fodor's Forum! You are awesome!

Hi! I think your choice of the Big Island is perfect for your kids' ages. Lots to do.

We always use www.vrbo.com for lodging...tons of options, many in complexes with amenities like pools & activities. Might be worth considering in terms of the kids having personal space & things to do. On our last trip to the Big Island we spent a couple nights near the volcano, which I'd always wanted to do. Rented an awesome little cottage in the rain forest. As you probably know, quite a long drive from kona side to Volcano, so it's hard to do everything in a day. (go to www.vrbo.com, Big Island, and browse "Volcano".)

When there last, the lava was running into the sea outside the boundary of the park. The county had set up a viewing area you could hike to for observation at night. Quite far away for viewing, but still a lot of fun. The park visitor center will have this info if it's still an option. There's also a boat that goes out at dawn to see the lava close up...I can't vouch for the safety of this, but it was really cool & your kids would find it exciting.

You might also consider snorkeling with manta rays -- a "high tourist density" activity, but still amazing...we also did the manta ray night dive, but the snorkel trip was actually much better in terms of manta viewing.

You'll have an awesome time whatever you do!

One of the best things my friend and I did on the Big Island was to go horse back riding at the historic Parker Ranch.

You are able to rent horses and go out with a trained horse guide to roam like the cowboys did 150 years ago. It is so much fun.

The Parker Ranch is still 150,000 acres and has 350,000 heard of cattle.

You can contact them at
808-885-5006
or: 808-885-7655
or: go to www(at)cowboysofhawaii(dot)com
or: info(at)cowboysofhawaii(dot)com

this info is from a brochure I kept from 2 years ago, so hopefully the info is correct.

P.S. I should add I am terrified of riding horses and almost didn't go, but my friend begged me and so I did. It was the highlight of our trip.

WOW! those are all such great ideas! I love the thought of staying out by the volcano a night and love the horse back ride idea!~ I did confirm our flight today which was a big gulp... and now I just need a place or two to stay... I will look into the VRBO. I have looked at the website before, I just get a sense that there is a varied quality of property and worry about it being different than the photo... maybe I am over thinking it!

We've used VRBO extensively in the U.S. & Europe and have never had a bad experience. In fact, the properties usually exceed our expectations. That being said, I do a lot of research & have my own "system" for choosing a place: 1. Only look at places that have multiple photos, including the inside (esp. bedrooms, baths). 2. Many properties have reviews from other travelers. I tend to go with places that list these. 3. Once you send in the "auto-form" inquiry, you will be contacted by the owner. Once they reply, I usually send a friendly e-mail with a couple questions about the property. Then I narrow my choices to properties for which I receive friendly replies. I think this really gives you a feel for how well the property will match the description. Natalie

Me again...This is the place we stayed near the volcano: Fern Tree Hideaway: http://www.vrbo.com/138804 It was as nice or nicer than the photos. The outdoor, separate bathroom w/ big tub is particularly cool. There are a lot of other really nice properties as well. (tree house looks neat - http://www.vrbo.com/199848) Very easy area to negotiate and I would feel safe staying there by myself or with female friends.

You might want to check out rental houses in Kapoho for a few days. You would be about 45 minutes from Volcano. Kapoho is a gated community. http://www.apoparadise.com/home.html http://www.hpvacationrentals.com/index.html are a couple of websites with rentals at Kapoho Beach Lots.

We have stayed at Lagoon House several times. http://www.lagoonhouse.com/ The house is as shown in the pictures--very comfortable. Snorkeling in the private lagoon behind the house is magical--with many colorful tropical fish.

If you like nice resorts, I recommend the Fairmont Orchid. The Hilton Waikoloa *might* still work for you, though...whenever I hear about it, it is in the context of being good for families and not necessarily a "romantic" vacation.

For condos, you might also want to check out Halii Kai (which is in the same Waikoloa area as the Hilton). You can find units for rent on VRBO, Hotels.com, or through this website below:

http://www.castleresorts.com/Home/ac...ai-at-waikoloa

Do note, though, that it's a pretty long-ish drive from Waikoloa to Kailua-Kona (where there is a lot more action going on). It's about 25-30 minutes.

Sorry... this is a much better website for Halii Kai.

http://www.haliikai.com/index.html

We stayed in a garden view condo (3BR) and it was gorgeous. We would have preferred an ocean view, but they were sold out for our stay dates.

There is no beach at Halii Kai, though -- it's all lava rock.

In case you didn't know, Kona Village doesn't have television.
With teenagers who tend to get bored, that might be a risk.
You might consider the Sheraton in Keauhou for a few nights.
They have a water slide, and an awesome manta ray program.
Good area to catch the snorkel cruises to Kealakekua Bay as it is closer than either Kona or Kohala...more time to spend enjoying what many consider Hawaii's best snorkel location.

You ought to consider Maui. Lots of things to do there for kids that age.

Though June is only a couple months away, visitor count has been down in Hawaii the past couple of years. Starting to rebound now, but you won't have any problem finding lodging on any island. But you should book your flights & lodging soon.

Hawaii is safe as far as lodging anywhere.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

For a free Hawaii brochure & a brochure for Big Island and/or Maui and/or Kauai and/or Oahu:

1-800-GOHAWAII

Thanks so much for all the info... I have seen some gorgeous places on the links you have provided. I am still looking into them and will let you know how it works out. Any other thoughts are welcome. I have been picking away at the computer for days and have the flight secured but really need to commit on the lodging!!! I like the idea of staying close by the volcano for a couple of nights.

<In case you didn't know, Kona Village doesn't have television.
With teenagers who tend to get bored, that might be a risk.>

My teenage granddaughters adore Kona Village. There's plenty for them to do, and they simply record any programs they can't miss so they can watch them when they get home. If you want a close and accurate picture of what the village is like, go to www.davidskvr.net. With 298 pictures and 17 video clips, you'll be able to decide whether a few days there seem interesting.
David

If you will be on the Big Island in mid-June, you will be there for King Kamehameha's birthday which is June 11th in North Kohala. There is a wonderful ceremony, including descendants of King Kamehameha, at the original statue in Kapa'au which is draped with huge fragrant leis made by local groups and donated by businesses and resorts. There is a wonderful parade with horses with elaborate leis and pau riders. Then, there is a big community festival at the King Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au. http://www.kamehamehadaycelebration.org/

There is also a 6 hole golf course there, overlooking Maui on a clear day, and anyone can play for $10 (kids are cheaper). It's a labor of love designed and maintained by a former golf pro from the Mauna Kea to support the youth of the area.

There is a fairly easy hike down to Pololu, a black sand beach, at the end of the road, and the drive is pretty and lush, and shows the rural character of the island, as well as being dotted with tiny churches and colorful galleries.

There are really great places to eat there. Sushi Rock, the Bamboo, and Pico's Bistro (where there is a charming tiny & free museum called Kenji's place).

On the way, there are 2 great parks: Pu'ukohola and Lapakahi. Both free and historical, and the beaches are very pretty. You can see yellow tang from the shore.

Also, there will be a celebration in Kona for King Kamehameha's birthday. http://www.hawaiiforvisitors.com/eve...hameha-day.htm I think local festivals are fun, and lots of kids do too.

If you pick up the brochures at the airport (101 things to do, etc.) you'll get good information. Almost everything on the Big Island is great! Even Kona traffic has gotten better!

This website suggests interesting activities from time to time. http://bigislandonthecheap.com/

It sounds like you have a great adventure planned!

Wow, what great information.. I am busy checking out all the links you have sent! I get lost daydreaming! Thank you so much! I am excited we are going to be there on King Kamehameha's birthday! I have decided to add Maui for he last 4 days of our trip instead of Kaui. I could not make the flight arrangements work for Kaui. I love Kaui and will miss it, but maybe the kids will like the action of Maui instead... so any input would be greatly appreciated!

I would recommend the Marriott Waikoloa, which is next door to the Hilton, particularly if you can get a good deal. I did on Priceline last year ($130 a night). The Marriott doesn't have trains and boats, but one thing it has that the Hilton doesn't: A beach. A very nice beach with good snorkeling and tons of sea turtles. The Hilton might have bigger pools and more wow factor, but the Marriott actually seemed like a better hotel with a better location. Besides the beach, you can walk to the two shopping centers and you're never more than about five minutes from you're room.