Special Vacation for a Special Birthday
 

My very dear husband will be "75" and wants to go the the Big Island for his birthday. Planning on going for about a week + in September - I was thinking of taking him to the Marriott Waikoloa but some of the threads indicate that it is not quite as nice as it was - I have enough points for a week there. However, since this is a big birthday - where is the best place to go that would give him an oceanfront room, good pool, and service and not break the bank? Also, any help on must sees while we are there? We know about the Volcano NP but other things to do? We will be renting a car. We are both still active - he hiked into and out of the Grand Canyon last year - but not overly strenuous. Also, restaurant recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

konaweb.com have been out there a bunch for less kids

beautiful Hapuna Prince on Priceline.com packages from $1k pp

including air into Kona and hotel it was awesome...

beatofhawaii.com/great-hawaii-deals-on-priceline

konavillage.com if money is no object

stayhawaii.com fro BBs fun to circumnavigate the BI also

But Hapuna Prince almost always best value there for me.

Some of our favorite places on the BI are
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau--http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm
and you can visit the Painted Church on the way there--http://www.thepaintedchurch.org/

The drive into north Kohala to Hawi and on to Pololu Valley is a wonderful day trip--take highway 270, along the coast, to get there and highway 250 (over the extinct Kohala volcano)to return. There are two restaurants in Hawi that are nice for lunch--Sushi Rock http://sushirockrestaurant.net/ and Bamboo http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/

Waipio Valley is gorgeous and there are several ways to see it--check on tours-here are a couple http://www.waipiovalleywagontours.com/ and http://www.waipiovalleyshuttle.com/

Holualoa, the little art town up above Kailua Kona, is interesting and has a nice restaurant--Holuakoa Gardens for brunch http://www.holualoahawaii.com/ http://www.holualoahawaii.com/member.../holuakoa.html

DH and I enjoyed the high tea at the Onomea Tea Company--http://onotea.com/ The owners serve their own delicious teas and yuumy food (my first time to eat fresh strawberry mochi) in their gorgeous home with a fantastic view. It is very close to the Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens--also worth a visit--http://htbg.com/

We are not into resorts (not that there is anything wrong with that) so can't recommend any resort restaurants-- but other restaurants we have enjoyed through the years include

Hilo Bay Cafe in Hilo (of course)http://www.hilobaycafe.com/index.html

Merriman's in Waimea--http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/big_island.htm

Also in Waimea--Red Water Cafe http://www.redwater-cafe.com/ and Village Burger http://www.villageburgerwaimea.com/ (per my husband, the best shake he ever had)

In south Kona, two restaurants we like are

Mi's Italian Bistro http://www.misitalianbistro.com/ (last time we ate there, the chef owner came out and talked to us about the specials and wine choices--actually took our order and served the wine he helped us choose)

Ke'ei Cafe-no website--takes cash only--also open for lunch

in Keauhou--Kenichi--http://www.kenichipacific.com/

We go to the Big Island a couple of times a year--(#18 coming up in December), so if you have any others questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Have a wonderful trip!

The Hapuna has really gone downhill in my opinion. Spent time there and at the Mauna Kea recently and the service at the Hapuna was abysmal, from the bellman, to the front desk (especially the front desk), to the food and beach service. Truly awful. In contrast, the service at the Mauna Kea was fantastic. Also, the hotel has been recently remodeled and are great. The rooms in the Plumeria wing would be the best for an oceanfront experience. I used to stay often at the Hapuna and don't plan on going back anytime soon (if ever).

I actually came across the site with links to the top information sites on the net including best travel blogs, best travel websites, information on hotels and everything you are looking for. hope this helps.

http://thetop10.squarespace.com/travel/

Thanks everyone for the info - still haven't finalized hotel but the info on side trips and restaurants will definitely come in handy.

I still love the Hapuna Prince. That is a fabulous beach.

Huggo's on the Rocks is our favorite lunch place. Good food, nice views, nice staff. Literally right on the water downtown in Kona. Don't go to their main restaurant for dinner, though. overpriced and indifferent food.

I agree Kenichi Pacific is a good place for Japanese. Not inexpensive, but good. Holuakoa Cafe in Holualoa is good for lunch but badly understaffed at dinner. Took us 20 minutes to get drinks and order dinner. Expensive. And the dinners were badly over sauced. I had roast pork and half of it was fat and gristle.

In Hawi, Bamboo restaurant is good Pacific/Asiian food, in a funky old space and friendly wait staff.

We have just returned from our trip. Thank you everyone for your suggestions - we ate at Hilo Bay Cafe, Red Water Cafe and went to Waipio Valley. We were planning on doing Bamboo, but just didn't get to it. We did the Summit of Mauna Kea. And, most importantly - just enjoyed the scenery and beauty of the Island. Thank you all so much. The Fodors Forum community always comes through.