Hilton Waikoloa Village
 

We (husband and I) will be traveling to H.W.V. this August. Does anyone have any advice about which category of room ot stay in? Also, which rooms offer the best views? <BR>Any other advice or comments about the resort would be appreciated!! Has anyone done any SCUBA diving or snorkeling through the resort or in the area of the resort? Thank you for your replies!!

A phenomenal property...we really enjoyed our stay there. Now, if my memory serves me correctly there are 3 towers and the most expensive one was the one closest to registration and to the dolphin pool. Actually may be called Dolphin Tower. We decided to stay in the 3rd tower because that was the one that the buffet breakfast - restaurant was in..forget what it was called. I don't usually pay extra for views as I find I am at, by the ocean all day long. Just the same, our window opened onto some green space on the property. Our room had a kind size bed and a double couch pullout, more square in shape than rectangular and it was fine. Be sure to ask for the Bounce Back rate as it is usually more reasaonble. Phone direct. The scuba I really don't know about.

We honeymooned there last July and had a wonderful time. I cannot recommend HWV highly enough. The first day was a little overwhelming - it's an extremely large ressort, but we spent a total of 4 days there and quickly became familiar with it's beautiful layout. We stayed in a partial ocean view room in the Ocean Tower, overlooking the Buddha Point and the putting course. Our partial ocean view room had a full ocean view, as far as we were concerned. Sunsets were spectacular. I'm not sure what the views were like at the other towers, i.e., Lagoon Tower and Palace Tower. The resort is so large that there is a shuttle/train and boat that will take you to various parts of the resort, but we found walking sometimes faster. Walking permitted different views of the property also. We ate all of our meals at the resort (except for one day at Volcano National Park), and there was so much variety, we did not get tired of the food. If you like Japanese, try Imari restaurant. Very elegent ways to prepare the food. Kamuela Provision Company, another restaurant, permitted outdoor dining overlooking the bay. Very romantic. I don't know about the scuba or snorkeling, but the salt-water lagoon is connected to Waiulua Bay, and therefore, sea animals and fish are swimming around in the lagoon. There were lots of children in that area, though, and you have to get there really early to get a good lounge chair (in the sun) otherwise, you'll end up farther away from the water. Enter your name and your husband's name in the daily lottery for the Dolphin Encounter. I won, but let my husband do it since he was more excited about it. This was a very special memory for us, and an opportunity of a lifetime. Even just sitting and watching the dolphins late at night was a favorite pasttime. Finally, make the trip to the other side of the island to visit Volcano National Park. It is well worth the trip. We left early one morning, drove the northern route (which we've been told is much safer as it does not take you along the steep cliffs of the southern route) and arrived in the late morning after stopping at Akaaka Falls (another must see). We returned that evening, but saw some remarkable sights. I don't know how long you are staying on The Big Island, but if you can, try to stay overnight near Volcano National Park to see the park at night or early morning. I could go on and on....It really is a fantastic place to stay. Feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions. Enjoy your time there! <BR>Karen

Kim, Don't have any imput on the property but have done some diving on several trips to BI. The on site operator @ HWV is Red Sail Sports and from other experiences they are good but a cattle boat. There are several great dive operators on the BI. In Kona, there are Jack's Diving Locker(my preference), Dive Makai and Eco Adventures. North of Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach resorts is a small village with a great restaurant- Cafe Pesto. Next door is a dive shop- Kohala Coast divers. Runs a great operation. Waikaloa is about 25 minutes from Kohala Coast Diveers and 45 minutes to Jack's. IMO the extra drive is worth it. All have web sites. If you are doing trip over saddle road or helicopter- watch the time to fly. <BR>In the Kings shops at Waikaloa, make sure you go to Roy's for dinner at least once. <BR> <BR>email me if you have any otheeer questions <BR>Bart

Snorkeled in and around the resort last time we were there,Not much to see inside the lagoon,water merky, will see turtles, but not many fish..Better out in the bay that feeds the lagoon, its open to the ocean, There are signs warning of strong currents, but I never had any problems..as long as you stay inside the bay, couldnt see were you could get in trouble..you do have to watch for some sharp rocks just below the surface in a few areas.. <BR> For one of those "once in a lifetime" thrills, check out the night manta ray dive out of Kona,,I went out with "Jacks Dive locker". Two tank dive,first one before dark, then they take you over to the bay in front of The Kona surf hotel for the manta dive,, <BR>and it is AWSOME!! <BR> Have fun!! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>