Hilton Waikoloa Village

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Hilton Waikoloa Village? The sheer scale of this place – I mean, they literally have a monorail system to get around the property. It’s basically a small city disguised as a resort, sprawling across 62 acres of Big Island coastline. When you pull up (and parking is free, thank goodness), you’re not just checking into a hotel, you’re entering this whole self-contained world that honestly feels a bit like Disney World decided to build a resort in Hawaii.

The thing is, this place divides people pretty sharply. Some folks love the fact that you never have to leave – there’s the dolphin lagoon where you can actually swim with dolphins, multiple pools including this amazing river pool you can float down, and enough restaurants that you could eat somewhere different every night for a week. But if you’re looking for that intimate, authentic Hawaiian vibe, well… this isn’t it. The buildings are massive, and you’re definitely sharing the space with a lot of other tourists. I’d say it skews heavily toward families and first-time Hawaii visitors, which actually works in its favor if that’s your crowd. The kids absolutely lose their minds over the boat rides between buildings and the various wildlife encounters.

Here’s what they don’t tell you in the brochures though – the ocean access is pretty limited. You’re not walking out your door onto some pristine beach; there’s more of a lagoon situation with black lava rock around it. It’s beautiful in its own way, but if you want that classic Hawaiian beach experience, you’ll need to venture out to places like Hapuna Beach, which is maybe a 10-minute drive north. The trade-off is that you get these incredible sunset views over the water, and honestly, sitting on their oceanfront terrace with a mai tai watching the sun drop into the Pacific… that part never gets old. The resort does feel its age in some spots – it opened back in 1988 – but they’ve done a decent job keeping things updated. Just don’t expect cutting-edge design or that sleek modern resort feel you might find at some of the newer properties down in Mauna Kea.

Visitors often choose Hawaii apartments over traditional hotels because they provide more space, kitchen facilities, and the opportunity to live like a local in this magnificent Pacific paradise.

Rooms

• Makai Room One King with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Royal Suite One King Bed with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children
• Makai One Bedroom Suite One King Bed with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children
• Makai Room One King Bed with Resort View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room Two Queen Beds with Resort View – Accessible Tub with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room One King Bed with Resort View – Accessible Tub with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean View – Hearing Accessible with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room One King Bed with Resort View – Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Naia or Naupaka Suite One King Bed with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room One King Bed with Resort View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room One King Bed with Resort View – Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room One King Bed with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room One King Bed with Ocean View – Accessible Tub with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Presidential Suite One King Bed with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children
• Palace Room Two Queen Beds with Resort View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room Two Queen Beds with Resort View – Hearing Accessible with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace One Bedroom Suite One King Bed with Resort View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults, 4 children
• Palace Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean View – Accessible Tub with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Forward Suite One King Bed with Ocean View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room One King Bed with Ocean Front View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean Front View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 1 large double bed for 7 adults, 4 children
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Resort View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Lanai Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Lanai Room One King Bed with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Lanai Room Two Queen Beds with Ocean View – Roll In Shower with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Lanai Room Two Queen Beds with Garden View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Makai Lanai Room One King Bed with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace King Room with Garden View – Ground Floor with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace King Room with Golf View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Garden View – Ground Floor with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Palace Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Golf View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• King Room with Accessible Tub – Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults
• King Room with Resort View – Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults
• King Room with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Resort View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults
• One-Bedroom King Suite – Resort View with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Grand Garden View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Golf View – High Floor with 2 large double beds for 4 adults
• King Room – Grand Resort View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults
• One-Bedroom King Suite – Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 5 adults
• High Floor King Room – Golf View with 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults

Reviews

• Xiaoqin from United States (8/10)

  That was a good hotel there with a nice ocean view.

• Tom from United States (9/10)

• Elena from Canada (7/10)

  Amazing location with the salt water lagune. Pools and hot tabs are great. The rooms are very spacious (Macai) and well designed.

• Digna from United States (7/10)

  Location was close to another fantastic beach, Anaeho’omalu, the resort’s lagoon and manicured lawns were the highlight.

• William from United States (7/10)

• Ryan from Canada (7/10)

  Beautiful views and areas to explore.

• Robin from United States (6/10)

  Grounds, facilities, location

• John from United States (7/10)

  View of the ocean and dolphins!!

• Merritt from United States (8/10)

  1)on site natural lagoon to swim, snorkel, kayak, paddle board and more . Sea turtles, manta ray, fish and more that can been from edge , snorkel or above water .
  2) beautiful pools with waterfall, bridges and more and most importantly great water temp as other places were so cold we couldn’t use .
  3) Dolphins on site with easy free viewing (we also paid for Dolphin experience
  4) Many Included resort activities
  5) Surrounding areas include Many stores and restaurants . Even saw a few fire dancing show at the Marketplace next door .
  Beautiful path that is down at the shoreline and around to the Bay next door .
  6) Tram and boats were cool (felt like Disneyland ) We didn’t need them as we were in Makai but rode them for fun . I’m sure kids love them .

• Guy from Israel (8/10)

  The complex is very nice and the area is beautiful

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities