Trip Report

We spent 10 glorious nights on Big Island %26amp; just loved it. The first few hours though we were not sure about Big Island as had just spent 7 amazing nights on Maui.

I was prepared from the board as to arriving in Kona but after a 30 minute drive to Waikoloa things just didn%26#39;t seem to get any better. The lava fields are interesting but a little daunting when you first arrive but the Big Island does not take long to get under your skin %26amp; you fall a little more in love with it each day.

We stayed 7 nights at the Waikoloa Marriott %26amp; really enjoyed it. Our next 3 nights were spent at the Emerald View B%26amp;B and was one of the highlights of our trip. What a great B%26amp;B.

Dining:

Prices are for appetizers %26amp; meal for 2 with tip (15-20%)%26amp; taxes. Usually did not order a drink or dessert. I will note if other than dinner %26amp; any additional items.

Wild Boar, King%26#39;s Shops, Waikoloa - chicken plate - quite good ($10 -we split it, it%26#39;s big)

Grand Palace, King%26#39;s shops - quite good($50)

Cassandra%26#39;s, Kona lunch - excellent greek($50)

Natural Food Place in Honoka%26#39;a for lunch - excellent ($20)

Anthony%26#39;s, Waikoloa Shopping Plaza - pretty good ($40)

Merriman%26#39;s Market Cafe, King%26#39;s Shops, definitely our best meal on Big Island ($85)

Breakfast at Waikoloa Marriott - banana mac nut pancakes, very good ($30)

Japanese restaurant, King%26#39;s Shops - hated it, don%26#39;t know if we just don%26#39;t like authentic Japenese or if restaurant isn%26#39;t good ($85)

Hawaii Calls, Marriott - excellent ($90)

Kiawe, Volcano Village - excellent ($55)

Pescatore, Hilo - excellent ($55 including glass of wine)

Shaka Smoothies - incredible ($10 %26amp; worth every penny)

JUNK Review

BIG ISLAND CANDY, Hilo - we spent well over $100 %26amp; if hadn%26#39;t run out of room in suitcase would have bought more.

Donkey Balls, Captain Cook - they rock! Chocolate covered with caramel mac nuts.

Kona Chips - very tasty but think Maui Chips just a tad bit better.

Highlights:

The beach lava walk from the Marriott to the Hilton.

Hawi - what a great town. I think Tropical Dreams Ice Cream is the best I have ever had %26amp; I%26#39;ve tried many...

Kailua-Kona - okay but like smaller towns much better.

Keauhou - very pretty with some great beaches

Pololu Lookout %26amp; Waipio Valley - just did lookouts not hike as big swell was in %26amp; black beach hardly visable.

Honoka%26#39;a town - our favourite %26amp; when we come back will definitely stay a night or two here.

Kayaking around A-Bay. Didn%26#39;t wonder out as it was a little rough - day before big swell.

I%26#39;m going to continue the Hilo part on a new message as I think this is way too long already.

Chris

Trip Report

Thanks, Chris! I%26#39;m planning a trip to the BI and cannot wait to read more. We too love Maui and find the stark lava fields of the Big Island to be a little off-putting at first. Am looking forward to giving it another try and really doing some exploring this time.

Trip Report

Your excitement about the emerald bb inspired us to book it for 4 nights of our trip. What other side of the Island should we stay at?

Hi Islandcat,

Oh I%26#39;m so envious - it really is a fantastic spot %26amp; good location.

Just to let you know Hilo is a little tired -but we found it charming still. Try to be there on a Saturday or I think it also runs on Wednesdays but I%26#39;m not sure about that for the Hilo Farmer%26#39;s Market.

I would recommend either Keauhou area or Waikoloa area. At Keauhou the Outrigger or Sheraton as they both looked really nice. The area is beautiful but there is no beach on either property.

We stayed at the Waikoloa Marriott %26amp; really enjoyed it. I hear the new rooms are now ready - we toured one %26amp; they are quite nice.

The Marriott is a more quiet property with a medium size pool %26amp; a children%26#39;s pool right beside it. A-Bay is right there - it is a very nice beach but they build a big berm on it so it is impossible to lie on the beach %26amp; see the ocean. You can do it from the pool though. It didn%26#39;t bother us as they do it to preserve the ancient fish ponds.

Depending on when you are going they do offer some decent renovations rates - I%26#39;ve seen it as low as $169 ($139 if you are a Marriott rewards member).

There is a great beach walk over lava to the Hilton. The Hilton is something to behold - it is massive with a huge pool %26amp; I mean massive. The Hilton is like a mega-resort.

We preferred the more sedate Marriott but can see where the Hilton will appeal to others. Depends on what you are looking for.

As well, there are condos to rent in the Waikola area - not sure of their name %26amp; location but HawaiianDan certainly will be able to help.

Hope this helps,

Chris

the #1 and 2 most popular places to stay in Waikoloa beach resort, according to tRIP ADVISOR, are;

Colony Villas....#1

Shores at Waikoloa #2

Hilton #3

marriott #4

CHECK THEM ALL OUT

to pignacious - when did you stay at the marriott? how was the construction at the marriott is it obtrusive? is the pool area affected at all? please reply thanks

Brooklyndan,

We stayed at the Marriott Dec 17-24. We were gone most mornings but back in the afternoons for a few hours at the pool. We did not notice any noise at all. We were in the cabanas mind you %26amp; they are as far removed from construction as it gets.

When my husband went to get coffee in the morning in the lobby coffee shop (which is great btw) he noticed they did not start before 8AM.

Now you can see where they are doing work but it is at the front to the side of the hotel. The new building which I assume is going to house the spa - again noise was not noticeable but it looks like most of the framing is done.

The only thing I cannot tell you is room renovation noise because we were not in a hotel room.

One thing I%26#39;d recommend is talking to the concierge at the hotel. They are very helpful %26amp; informative. I know there are plans to either drop in a new pool or make the existing one larger. My advice to you - find out when that is scheduled as I think that might cause a great deal of noise.

Hope this helps,

Chris