Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel Questions
Filed under: Big Island, Big Island Beaches, Big Island Hotels, Vacation Planning
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My husband and I have booked a 6 night stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village (end of July – over my birthday!!!).
A few questions:
1) Can we get snorkeling gear at the hotel and simply snorkel off the beach at the hotel….will we get to see much? We are just looking to see some colorful fish and a turtle would be nice! (We usually pay for a snorkeling trip on other vacations) –we also plan to enjoy watching the dolphins on site – we will likely not pay the $$$ to swim with them though!
2) We plan to rent a car for at least 1 day (if not 2). If you could only pick 2 destinations (day trips) on the big island which would they be? (Is there a rental place nearby?)
a. We would be willing to drive up to 2 (maybe 3 hours) from the hotel, enjoy nature, and would be open to moderate to light hiking if it meant we ended up somewhere worth it (waterfalls…etc)
b. We don’t want to cram too much into each day (especially if driving a far distance to and from)
c. Things that spark our interest from our research. Akaka Falls, the black beach, the volcano (especially the idea of seeing molten lava at the waters edge), Coffee Plantation Tour.
d. We see the Hilton has a Luau on site and were planning to go to that, but you mentioned another Luau on the big island as being your favorite. I am guessing we would need to rent a car to get to this. How far away is it from the Hotel and worth renting a car to go off site too? Have you been to the one at Hilton Waikoloa – how does it compare?
e. Please include any great stops for a good lunch along the way (relatively inexpensive to moderate cost)
3) Are there shuttles from Waikoloa Hilton to other area attractions and/or grocery stores (We would like to stock the room fridge with lunch snacks)?
4) What price range should we be looking at for meals at the restaurant options at the Hotel – just trying to determine budget?
5) Is there a special place that you would recommend on the Hilton Property that is relatively private and is great for viewing the sun set?
Well thank you 
and how fun! wonderful! Ok …
snorkeling gear, you know, we always brought our own so I am not 100% sure about this, but it seems like a really good bet that they will have something - you will have to rent it though. The Hilton employs an onsite company called red sail sports to provide all the boats and stuff for people who want them. If rental prices seem too much you will probably be able to buy snorkels at the gift shop.
There is no real beach outside of the hotels grounds, only a lagoon with a beach inside, and snorkeling in the lagoon is pretty good. We see turtles, eels, and fish all the time. The turtles like to eat the leaves of the trees that around the lagoon between the waterfall and the steps.
Some people go out into the cove, and snorkeling is probably good there too.
For the car … well, maybe you could plan a trip to the Volcano, and hit the coffee plantation and the Black sand beach (punaluu) at the same time - they are on the way. You’ll want to check the current status of the volcano to see if it’s worth a trip the day before you plan to go - what’s going on down there changes daily.
Here’s my blog about it, but I only do general updates about once a month if nothing crazy is going on.
I think there is a budget rent a car on property at the Hilton.
The luau at the Hilton is also very good. I would just stick with it.
There is a trolley from the Hilton to the nearby Queens shops where there is a grocery store.
The hilton restaurants range from expensive to outrageous (but with really good food :). The grill by the pool may be your most inexpensive bet - $8 or so for a burger if I remember correctly.
as for the sunset walks - you can see the most awesome sunsets from anywhere on the grounds. There are a few hammocks here and there and many beach cabanas. There’s a point by the ocean tower that juts out and walking down there is good at night.
Have a great time! Lisa
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