We’re typically low-key travelers who prefer affordable places to stay that are easy to get to and conveniently located near the activities we enjoy. However, the booking of our Hawaii trip was a bit last minute because we had to cancel our Puerto Rico plans. That meant that almost all the Big Island hotels in the Kailua-Kona area were near capacity and we had to book whatever was left. We decided to venture a bit farther north to the Waikoloa area because we had skipped that part of the island on our honeymoon trip in 2014. We had heard there were some beautiful beaches nearby that we wanted to check out. With the help of Ebates and Priceline I was able to find a deal on a stay at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort, so we went for it despite the slightly higher price tag than we are used to paying. (Use my referral link to get started on Ebates; you’ll get $10.) Today I want to share the pros and cons of staying at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort.
Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii
Waikoloa Village was like a small village. (Actually someone we met in town called it their Disney World.) We had to take a tram to our hotel room tower and walking to the lobby from the room could take up to 20 minutes (if you’re preggo like me). Overall, though, we enjoyed our stay at the resort. This was where we waited in the basement during the false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii, too.
Pros
- Activities are plentiful.
- Nice views from the rooms.
- The lagoon was convenient and perfect for V to swim in. There are plenty of lounge chairs to use and you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other equipment. You can also snorkel and see fish and turtles!
- Just about everything you need is available.
- Close to Hapuna Beach.
- Spacious, comfortable rooms.
- The walkway to lobby was also a museum with incredible artwork.
- You can take a tram or boat to your tower.
- The resort is gorgeous.
- Nice shops.
Cons
- Not convenient to leave the resort.
- Parking was $20-something per day for self-parking. Also, parking is far from your room.
- Dining prices were higher as to be expected.
- Resort fee was $20-something per day.
- Construction near our tower was an eyesore.
- Waikoloa is a bit of a drive (30 minutes or so) from Kailua-Kona and seems a bit isolated. ย We didn’t like having to drive so far for more food and activity options.
What kind of accommodations do you prefer when you travel?
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