Aloha and Mahalo to Hilton Waikoloa Village - Kona, Hawai'i

Hilton Waikoloa Village is located just 20 minutes from the Kona International Airport, making it easily accessible. We visited in February which turned out to be a fantastic time because it was right in the middle of peak whale watching season (typically from December to March). While here, we were able to book a snorkeling and whale watching excursion through the hotel that turned out to be the absolute highlight of our trip! We had a shuttle from the hotel to a nearby local beach where we boarded a brand new catamaran. The crew on board was fun and so knowledgeable about marine life! We were able to see several whales (two who swam right up to the boat), and swim with many different species of fish, and even a sea turtle! The weather was perfect, the water was warm, and we were under beautiful blue skies during our entire excurision. This was one of our favorite things we did while staying at Hilton Waikoloa Village and a day trip that I'd highly recommend!

While I have heard mixed reviews about food and restaurants at resorts similar to Hilton Waikoloa Village, I can honestly say that I enjoyed some of the best cuisine at the restaurants on the property! From the breakfast, to the more casual Laguna Grill, to the fancier Kamuela Provision Company - all the food was fresh, authentic, and absolutely delicious! Just imagine, fresh mango and papaya smoothies and coconut pancakes for breakfast while overlooking the lagoon, ahi tuna wanton nachos with a frozen lava flow for lunch while watching the dolphins and their trainers putting on a show, and the surf and turf lobster and steak combo with a crisp glass of wine for dinner while you're sitting at an ocean side table watching whales breach in the distance. That is what you can look forward to experiencing during your stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village! In addition to the beautiful restaurants on property, the resort also hosts a Hawai'ian Luau twice a week with traditional cuisine and beverages and a three hour long show featuring local musicians, hula and fire dancers and a storytelling of the legends of Hawai'i!

Hilton Waikoloa Village is the perfect location to spend your time in Hawai'i if you're looking for authentic Hawai'ian feel, a "room to water" type resort, and a place to park your car and not need it again for the duration of your trip. While there is plenty to explore on the Big Island, Hilton Waikoloa Village is a space that has something for every member of the family, meaning there is no reason to leave the resort once you have arrived. There are plenty of restaurants on property (both casual and fine dining), several pool with waterfalls and hot tubs, the lagoon filled with sea life to swim with and observe with the use of snorkels, paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats, dolphin shows as well as the opportunity to swim and interact with them, and several different off resort excursions to participate in with a shuttle service to and from the property. Whether it is a couples' mini-moon, a friends' getaway, or a family trip, there is fun to be had and much to explore for the whole crew right on the resort's property!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Hawai'i. In need of further inspiration? Check out Beth Gittins’s guide, Discover Hawai'i's Quietest Island: Lanai.