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Resort Details
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Customer Ratings & Reviews
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11053 reviews
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Jan 20, 2025Clean, peaceful stay in a convenient location with great views
My husband and I stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa during our recent trip to the Big Island. The hotel staff was friendly and helpful, even grabbing me a handful of bandaids when I tore my feet up with new sandals. The beachside location is peaceful while still being close to a couple smaller shopping centers with restaurants. Kona airport was about a 20 min drive, and Kailua-Kona was only another 10 min from that. Our large room was clean, and had a wonderful view of both the ocean and the dolphin lagoon. There is a monorail that runs throughout the day from one end of this massive resort to the other, but we chose to walk everywhere. Despite concerns over some fairly negative reviews, we went to the breakfast buffet twice and enjoyed our meal both times. Even getting to watch a dolphin show the second time. We also had dinner at one of the other hotel restaurants, NUI Italian food and enjoyed a very good pizza there. The hotel had a couple pools, which were pretty busy during the day and completely empty after sundown. They do have the option to rent snorkel equipment and paddle boards, but unfortunately, it appeared to just be a daytime thing and we never got around to trying it. They do have paid parking on site, but it is a pretty good walk from the entrance so we chose to pay for the valet instead. If you use valet, make sure you give yourself a little extra time because they can get backed up quickly when there's a rush.
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Jan 17, 2025
Most beautiful resort!
Wow! This was one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve encountered in my travels. The resort is HUGE yet clean, well-maintained, and well-staffed. The resort is located along the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii and the views there are stunning (my favorite spot was near the Big Buddha statue to enjoy amazing sunsets). This was my first time to Hawaii and Hilton Waikoloa treated me well as a first timer! I stayed in Ocean Tower (which is considered the time share owner section) which is the farthest tower from the front desk. I LOVED the coffee shop right downstairs in Ocean Tower (get there early as there will be a line). While enjoying the serene views and tranquil weather, I quickly learned that Hawaii is a very expensive place to visit. The resort has a few restaurants but all are quite pricey. I definitely appreciated the modern full kitchen of my 5th floor unit in Ocean Tower. We had the breakfast buffet one time at the resort which came to over $100 for two people, and quickly made a run to the grocery store to cook our own food thereafter. The grocery store that can be accessed by the hotel shuttle (the ride costs $5 per person) is very expensive! If you want to grocery shop for a big family or on a budget, take an uber to the Safeway which is further away. Just ask the bellman or any locals you meet where to go for cheaper food prices. Overall, I loved my stay at Hilton Waikoloa and I am thankful for a wonderful trip as my introduction to Hawaii.
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Jan 17, 2025
Magical Vacation for Families
We visited the Big Island and stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa for the week between Christmas and New Year's this past December '24 and January '25. We had a large family group (12) ranging in ages from 10 months to 78 and this was just the perfect location for us! We all stayed in the Makai part of the hotel, and would definitely recommend this to others because it's so close to all the things you want to do and we found the rooms to be very comfortable. I can't tell you what a welcome sight it was to arrive in Kona after traveling from Ohio ALL DAY and get to our rooms that first evening and stand on the balcony to look out directly on the ocean and hear the sound of the waves! Yes, yes, as everyone said this place is HUGE and you will definitely get your steps in each day, but it is also GORGEOUS and meticulously maintained, so it's really a joy to walk around! The art throughout the resort is particularly impressive, as are all the pools and amenities. My only complaint would be the lack of choice and very high prices of the food on property. It would be great to have more varied and less expensive options. Two highlights: 1) swimming with dolphins - WOW! and 2) the New Year's Eve Luau was just amazing - truly incredible from the food to the entertainment to the drinks to the fireworks at the end. There must have been 1,000 people at the luau and this resort handled it like it was no big deal - we had a marvelous time. Overall it was just a magical week, we got to see volcanoes erupt, we rode a helicopter, we went to a black sand beach and a coffee farm - it exceeded all our expectations. Well done, Hilton! You hit a home run here.
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Jan 14, 2025Horrible Luau!
New Years Ever Luau- HORRIBLE. From the long check in line (in part due to the mandatory photo op that was extra money), to the horrible table arrangement, to the mediocre food, this was a very overpriced, low quality event. The goal seemed to be to pack as many people in as possible regardless of how it impacted the quality of the experience. We could not see or hear the entertainment, the setting was in the middle of the hotel complex which was not scenic, I was told by the staff that the food that was left over had to be thrown away and the staff could not have any of it. I have been to other luau's and would never suggest this one or return to it. HIlton's priority seemed to be to charge as much as possible for as many people as they could squeeze in and abandon any quality. Very overpriced and disappointing!! The only positive was the hard working staff.
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Jan 08, 2025
Outstanding customer care & glorious views!
Kelly at the front desk was so welcoming and helpful. Jonathan in. Housekeeping went out of way to help. Roger at the dolphin grill was a wonderful server and Camille helped me and another guest find quick and accessible ways to get to the grand promenade. The walkways along the ocean are magnificent as are the sunset views from The same walkways. The grounds are glorious. Even the beds are very comfortable. E erythinh is convenient with two nearby shopping centers. A wonderful stay!!!