My husband and I and our 14-year-old son are spending two weeks in Hawaii over Christmas. Our first stop is the Big Island. We're undecided about where we want to stay -- Hilton Waikoloa or Marriott Waikoloa. We're looking for advice

It really depends on what you're looking for. The Hilton has the look and feel of Disneyland -- boat and tram rides, etc. It's huge and is definitely not the place to stay if you hate walking. The hotel also nickles-and-dimes their guests for extras ($18 to use the gym, $10/day valet fee, etc etc).

The Marriott is more of a standard resort -- smaller than the Hilton, it's also closer to both King's Shops and the local sandy beach (known as A-Bay). The main concern at the Marriott is room noise -- walls are thin and noise from adjoining rooms can be a problem, depending on your neighbors.

If you're open to the idea of staying in a condo instead of a hotel room, definitely check out the Outrigger Fairway Villas. They're brand new, huge units, with lots more "bang for the buck" than any of the major Waikoloa resorts.

The Hilton Waikoloa is absolutely stunning and our family has enjoyed it both times we've stayed there. It has many beautiful outdoor scenic points with hammocks and comfortable lounge chairs. I agree about the walking...it has a mile long corridor filled with Asian and Polynesian art. We can take an hour long walk in the evening at sunset while all the torches are being lit, and never repeat a path. The pools are fantastic. The dolphins are entertaining. A package that allowed the kids to use any of the boats or rafts in the lagoon turned out to be a great choice.

If you would enjoy a completely peaceful hut without telephone or television (there's a property like that just down the road), don't go to the Hilton Waikoloa.

Stayed at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Marriott last March and recommend it, the pool has a waterslide and sandy bottom area and 2 jacuzzis and was not crowded during our stay. We snorkeled in A-Bay in front of the Marriott saw many large fish and a turtle swam within 20 feet of us. There was some condo construction going on between the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Marriott and the Hilton, but the noise near the parking lot, did not affect us in our partial ocean view room behind the fish ponds. King's shops across the street include a ~o)Starbucks~o)etc., to beat the resort prices$). Hilton has more extravagant pools and activities, while OWBM is simpler, more traditional and has its own natural sandy beach.

We loved the Hilton so much that we are going back. The kids loved it too. The pool is spectacular and the lagoon is home to the green sea turtles that come and go at will and swim with the guests. The grounds are gorgeous. We can't wait to go back!

Another vote for the Hilton Waikoloa. We have stayed there twice now and it is a great place. They have a tram and boat system to move people all around the resort, so you don't have to walk unless you want to. You don't have to use valet parking, we didn't the first time, but chose to the second. They are a self-contained resort, and some of the cost for extras reflect that. It's your choice if you wish to use those amemities, and the cost associated with them. It probably will be more crowded over Christmas than usual. Your son would love the 'Dolphin Encounter', a special area in the resort where they take people in the water to interact with dolphins, there is a cost to do this. You would not be disappointed if you stayed at the Hilton.