Hilton Waikoloa Village

The Hilton Hotel on the coast of Hawaii's Big Island outshines its sister Hilton Hotels throughout the world. The hotel is surrounded by its own village, a vast 62-acre property with three freshwater pools, waterfalls & waterslides, a lagoon full of different fish that you can snorkel and swim in, a great interactive dolphin program, golf courses, tennis courts, art galleries, gardens, a spa, great night shows, shopping and dining and a kids camp. There's even an oceanside wedding pavilion and chapel so you can get married amid all the fun and beauty of the Hilton Waikoloa Village!

Visitors to the Hilton Waikoloa will have endless fun in the Kohala River Pool, composed of three pools connected by waterslides. Slide down the 176-foot twisting waterslide and duck under the waterfalls at the Kona Pool. In the four-acre lagoon you can go snorkeling and swimming among tropical fish and rare green sea turtles. You can rent kayaks, suncats, paddleboats, water bikes and more from the hotel. If you want to swim at the beach, there's free shuttle service to Anaeho'omalu Bay, five minutes away.

Play away on one of two 18-hole championship courses. The Kings' course is set among the lava fields and ocean. The Beach course is a seaside putting course. There are also eight tennis courts, including one indoor stadium court. Lessons are available for everyone.

In the Museum Walkway in the Lagoon Tower, you can take a self-guided tour and view over 1800 pieces of art, from Asian, Western, and Oceanic cultures that have all contributed to Hawaii. At the Hilton Waikoloa Village Gallery you will see art created by local Big Island residents inspired by the beauty of Hawaii. The works include wood block prints, oil, acrylic, silk, pastel and watercolor paintings and wood turnings and sculptures in clay. There's also hand blown and fused glass. Works here are for sale.

The long hallways and walkways of the village are surrounded by Polynesian and Oriental artwork, and at any point you can jump on Swiss-made trams and Disney-engineered boats if you get tired of walking around or if you need to get somewhere further away in the village.

Learn a little bit of Hawaiian by taking one of several classes offered in the village. There are also hula, Ti Leaf, Hawaiian Flower Lei classes and more. Parents and kids will love camp Menehune for ages 5 through 12. Day and night camps are available for keiki or "little people." Each day includes crafts, games and water activities geared toward the theme of the day.

Make sure to be outside for sunset to watch a fire-bearing runner light the torches along the seaside path. Afterward relax with live jazz every night at the billiards area and watch sports on a 42-inch Plasma television. The Boat Landing Pavilion also offers live entertainment and full bar service with snacks. On Friday nights you can see the show, Legends of the Pacific Luau, where exotic dances and Pacific Rim music accompany a buffet dinner and desert. You can continue your night dancing under the stars. Reservations are required for the dinner and show.

There are nine restaurants in the Hilton Waikola Village. Each one offers delicious food and different styles. Elegant options include Italian, Japanese, Chinese, steak and fresh seafood. At several restaurants with outdoor seating, dolphins frolic in the lagoon below. The Malolo Lounge, an open-air restaurant reminiscent of the kama'aina lifestyle of yesteryear and inspired by the historical SS MALOLO steamship, is a real outdoor treat. Be aware that prices to eat at any of the restaurants are pretty high so you may be better off getting food from a grocery store nearby the village if you're traveling on a budget.

If you come to the Hilton Waikola Village in June, don't miss Dolphin Days, an annual weekend festival in late June inspired by the playful dolphins in the lagoon which the village is famous for. Other activities include a luau, great food, wine and music festival.

Hilton Waikola Village is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, just 18 miles from the Kona International Airport. Shuttles and taxis are available between the airport and the hotel. The village itself has a Budget-Rent A Car on-site, in case you decide to visit other places on the island.