Just returned from 7 days at the Hilton Waikoloa and found it not only very beautiful but the staff was always incredibly helpful and had a aloha smile for everyone. The resort is worth seeing and experiencing at least once - and if you have a family - then probably over and over again. Traveling in the summer, my finance' and I discovered that this was truly a family destination resort but due to the size of the resort, we were able to always find a quiet place to ourselves. It is most wonderfully located. We could walk over to the Marriott for drinks or meal if we chose and also to the Kings Shops, which is a great shopping area with a lot of variety. The meals at the Waikoloa were definitely very expensive, but traveling off resort we found that was true just about anywhere. If you go, you must eat at the Kamuela Provision Company, which offers Hawaiian Regional Cuisine while viewing the breathtaking Pacific sunset. Be sure to ask for a table outside on the rim of the patio. This is a really lovely restaurant with superb food and service. The best part about staying at the Waikoloa Resort is walking the pathways, exploring the long art gallery, eating at the Provision Company, and the lagoon. The on site lagoon provides safe and fun snorkeling and it's a haven for the endangered sea turtles. We also snorkeled in the bay there at the Waikoloa (even though there are signs warning against it) lots of people do and it's quite good snorkeling. I would highly recommend a couple going with the kids are all in school - enjoy it's immense beauty and tranquility. Aloha.....

My family (5 adults) just came back from staying here and really enjoyed it. There's plenty to do there at the hotel when you're not touring the beautiful island. Still, car rental is a must. The Kimo Coffee stand (there are 2 locations at the hotel) sells a great cup of coffee for $1- just keep your coffee cup and refill it each day. The nearby King's Shops have some cheap restaurants you can try including Dairy Queen and Subway. This is within walking distance. I recommend Roy's there as well. I'm not sure why people complain about the prices of the restaurants at the hotel; it's a well-known fact that hotel restaurants are generally expensive anywhere you go! You can also shop for groceries in Kona at the Safeway and store them in a fridge in your room ($6/day). Before I went I was curious about how close to the "real beach" we would be and now I know: the hotel has a sandy beach-like lagoon. No waves, obviously. You can rent paddleboats and floaties (or buy them for cheap at WalMart in Kona) and even snorkel here. The lagoon does have turtles and pufferfish. It closes at 5pm, but other pools remain open. Hapuna Beach is nearby for the real thing. My only complaint is that someone who works there questioned that my sister was a guest there! We are Hispanic and I guess he thought non-whites couldn't afford to stay there. Sorry for bringing down your neighborhood, sir. (Lest you think we are just being sensitive, this has happened to us many times.) Other than that one instance of chilling tackiness, we had a very nice stay.

We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in February and loved it. Not having been much of a resort goer myself, I am usually more of a condo-live like a local, type person, but this place is beautiful! I didn't mind the "hike" to our Ocean Tower room or having to wait for a tram or boat- who cares? Take a look around, you're in paradise-relax and enjoy the time! I will agree however with the frustration of either having to spend an arm and a leg at the restaurants or make the 30 minute trip to Kona (which we did most of the time) for more affordable meals and shopping. We made due with the lack of nightlife by making fast friends with the lounge singer at the Boat Landing Pavilion or hanging out, again, in Kona. I understand that the hotel once had a nightclub but closed down due to a lack of guest interest (as did "Splash" inside the Hapuna Prince). I was a bit disappointed that the front desk clerk did not offer me my entitled perks as Hilton Honors Gold member- you have to stay on top of them to make sure you get your free gym access, continental breakfasts, etc... because they won't offer it up. I just have one real complaint- WHAT is up with the FREEZING ICE COLD pools???

The Hilton Waikoloa Village was just too big in my opinion for a "couples" get away. If you're going with you family it is a nice place because you can snorkel/swim on the grounds at their man made lagoon.
It was very beautiful there but we would prefer to stay at a place where if we forget something in the room it's not an actual "hike" to go back.

Also, if you are into any type of nightlife there is none. The only adult style bar was a very casual; small outside one which in my opinion was more like a snack bar with a guitar player. We much prefer cleaning up and going to more of a cocktail lounge before dinner, which this property just doesn't have.