Please can someone help me with Hotwire hotel choice on the Big Island of Hawaii. Three properties of interest come up here and I'm having trouble choosing (all are 3-1/2 *'s). Can't do Priceline as I need 2 double beds (2 adults, 2 children). Prices are for the week after Christmas.

Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort at $124/night

Aston Shores at Waikoloa - condo, 1-bedroom suite at $157/night

Unknown condo in Kohala Coast area at $148/night for a 2-bedroom suite

I've never been to the Big Island before so have no idea which area is better. The first two are in the Kailua-Kona area. Is this a better area than the Kohala Coast?

All comments appreciated.

We did a Hotwire hotel on the Big Island (can't remember how many stars it was - about Jan 04?), turned out to be the Hapuna Prince. Nice hotel but a little too sterile for us, if that's the word I am looking for. Nice having breakfast on the terrace overlooking the beach but pricey. Great pool and beach. We spent most of our time there.

Kohala Coast is probably a half hour drive north of Kona area (estimate on the time, not quite sure) and not much up there but a few resorts. The town inland from there on the road to the other side of the island had a few restaurants but no view from up there.

Kona much more populated but much more crowded as well.

I don't think the Aston at Waikoloa is too close to Kona - if I recall it's sort of out in the middle of the lava fields between Kona and Kohala Coast areas. And I believe the Keauhou is at the southern end of the Kona area, which quiets down a bit.

The Waikoloa condo complexes (villas, Fairway villas, etc.often have 2 bdrm for ~$125--not on the beach, but close.

If I could get a 1-bedroom suite at the Shores of Waikoloa for $157/night, the week after Christmas no less, I'd jump on the chance immediately. Condos at The Shores are huge, well furnished and in a quieter area of the island -- *much* closer to great white sand beaches than Kailua-Kona.

Kailua and to a much lesser degree, Keauhou are absolute zoos around the holidays. Avoid them if possible.

The "unknown condo" for $148/night is possibly either Vista Waikoloa or the Waikoloa Colony Villas. Either of those would be a great deal at that rate. They are similar in size (and location) to the Shores.

Thanks, fdecarlo and others, for the great information. Everything seems so expensive at this time. I tried everything I could think of to come up with cheaper alternatives without sacrificing comfort. When I found these 3 places on Hotwire, I thought the price was too good to be true. I'm leaning towards the Aston Shores or the "unknown condo". Thanks for the help.