Amy

I have been doing a lot of research on where to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii. At first I was sure I wanted to stay at the Hilton. I usually stay at 4 and 5 star hotels, and even though I know the Hilton isn't one of them, it seemed like it would be a lot of fun for a family of 4 with 2 teenagers. Now I'm not so sure. I am thinking about staying at the Orchid but I am wondering if we could visit the Hilton's pools for a fee. I think my kids would love the pools at the Hilton for a day, but I do not think that we would enjoy staying at such a large and frenetic place for 4 nights. If the Hilton does allow use of its pools for a fee, do you think it is worth it? Thanks for your help.

Sarah

This hotel is great when it is not operating at full capacity. You have to wear colored arm bands so no you can not crash the pool. You can pay to swim but I think the price is exhorbatant. And I would be surprised if they would open the pool to outsiders if the hotel was crowded. I love the Hilton Waikaloa and don't feel that it is institutional or theme parkish. They have the strolls along the water that are so wonderful at dusk. It is fun to hop the boat to a different parts of the hotel. If you don't already live in a city your teens will get a kick out of the subway like tram (above ground). Also if you are walking the hallways are adorned with South Pacific art (never been to region) it is the best collection I have seen outside the Met in NYC. On my trips the hotel was never operating at full capacity in summer or winter.

I can't imagine not staying at the Hilton but I have never been when it was packed. I can't imagine Hawaii is going to see the crowds it has in past summers. I would like to think I am wrong here but they have been hit pretty hard since September 11. I don't see that changing, this summer. For you this will mean less crowds and probably some discounts. Just inquire about hotel occupancy during your stay when booking if they tell you "we have limited capacity on those dates" move on. You could probably tell by the hotel discount being offered also. Not sure if people want to say "yes noone is coming".

I was at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki over the summer and the pool did not accommodate all guests. This felt like an inner city public swimming pool. But both of these hotels are not frenetic when they are not at full capacity.

Last I would not stay the full five nights here the Volcano area really deserves a few nights stay. Waikoloa needs one full day (given your brief time on that island). I would stay two days if you can find enough things to do in the area on the second day. You did not fly all this way to visit a great hotel, yes? My problem is I don't know that area so well because I always lounged at that hotel! City of refuge and Kahala coast are wonderful from memory.

Going North to the Volcano there are other dramatic landscapes along the way (Waimaea valley),Hamakua coast (sp) in general. Finally, you have to catch the night flow view of the lava. This is an absolute must, you don't see much of the flow in day light just a lot of steam. It is also extreemly hot at that location during day. Sun just beats down on you.

Let us have a trip report when you return. I am considering a trip back to the big island next year. Aloha!

Dawn Ct

Amy, I can't imagine that the Hilton isn't a four star hotel. When we wre there in 1998, we were on the concierge level. The food in the concierge room alone almost eliminated the need for a traditional breakfast and the hot and cold appetizers in the evening were excellent and plentiful. The rooms were well appointed and spacious, the health club was lovely and the grounds were gorgeous. My kids from 20 to 11 loved the hotel and were very disappointed when we booked a condo for this past summer. Snorkeling in the lagoon with the sea turtles that live there and can come and go at will, was something they will never forget. The pools are fun and for affordable meals for a family, the King's shopping plaza is only a shuttle bus away. If I had any complaint about the resort at all, it was that it had everything there that our family wanted to do so it was hard to get them to leave to see and do other things. As the previous poster said, we didn't fly all the way to the Big Island to see a hotel....which is one of the reasonswhy we booked a condo this year. Based on our experience in 1998, which actually was a slow tourist year for Hawaii, I can't understand why this hotel gets a bad rap.

sss

Hilton Waikoloa is a five start property

Amy

Sarah and Dawn, thank you for your replies. I don't know why the hotel gets a bumb rap, either, except that it seems like people eithe love it or dislike it -not too much in between. The negative comments are usually that the resort is too big, the lines are too long, the atmosphere isn't Hawaiian (but like WDW), the rooms are nothing special, and the food is too expensive.
But many people also have very nice things to say, just as the both of you did. I guess my concern is that I want this vacation to be as perfect for our family as it can be, and reading the negative comments makes me a bit nervous about whether I am making the right decision. Also, I can get a very good deal on a Hilton garden view room with an American Airlines hotel voucher. I can also use the same voucher for the Orchid, though. If we do stay at the Hilton, can you please advise me about whether I shoul upgrade the view from garden to something else? Thanks again for the information and your opinions.

xxx

sorry it's a four start property, who knew? Check out on site webcam
http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/04-experiencenow/webcam/
I did see prices as low as 266 on the weekend in August I was quoted higher rates last August.

Kip

Sorry folks, but there is no reliable or valid "star rating" system.
Mobil and AAA have their systems, Hotwire has a system, Zagat and Conde Nast and T&L have their sytems.

Any hotel can label itself whatever it wants to (without attaching AAA etc).
To argue about whether a hotel is 3 or 4 or 5 stars is pointless.

(European hotels, however, have an official star rating system).

Dawn Ct

If you can upgrade to the concierge level, traveling with teenagers, the price may be well worth it. It was for us. They are always eating, drinking soda, etc and the concierge room is opened through out the day.