We'll be on the Big Island for two weeks in Febuary. Would like recommendations for Hotels or resorts in Hilo and Kona.

In Kona, the Hilton Wikoloa Village is top notch.

You need to do your part first. Type "Kona," then "Hilo" in the text search and you will get hundreds posts on each place. Read them and then ask questions

Such a simple question...why not a simple answer.

The "Waikola" area is 23 miles up the coast from Kona....there are several up scale resorts there. In the Kona area one hotel that comes to mind is the
Keauhou Hotel....3 miles south Alii Dr from Kona. Also Outrigger Kanaloa@Kona.

Hilo: Not many hotels in ...most on Banyon Dr. very near the heart of the city. However there are some real nice B/B too.

Defintely the Hilton Wikoloa Village (on the Kona side)is awesome. We stayed at the Outrigger next door and were in awe of the Hilton. The Hilton is lots of fun for adults and kids (slides, waterfalls, swimming with dolphins). Hilo (which has a lot more rain) was fun to visit for the day... definitly go to the most southern point in the US. The most beautiful site ever! Just follow the signs. It seems like a long trip, but well worth it.

I thought the southern most point in the US was in Key West?

Key West is the southern most point in the CONTINENTAL US.... Again well worth the drive on the Big Island if you have not been there!

I use to stay at the Hilton Waikoloa a lot when I lived on Oahu. Can't imagine going and not staying here. Those water slides are too darn fun!

But I did this when the hotel first opened others who have gone more recent call it a zoo now. Don't know anymore. Maybe rent a condo from the Waikoloa Village they still have access to the pools but you can retreat if the crowds are too much.

Get more tips from konaweb.com. They have a forum also with tips from visitors and residents. We stayed at the Orchid at Mauna Lani. Very nice, expensive and remote without a car. It was a half-hour from Kona. I will stay closer to Kona next time.