Update #17: Hawaii, the big island, Help recommend a 3 nite stay

[yeahdisney]

Where would you recommend a 3 night stay? Kids age 14 and 12. And recommended activities? We want to try any of the next: snorkeling, paddling on a surf board. Hiking or checking out a volcano. Then we would move to another island. We will rent a vehicle too. Travel agent is suggesting Royal Kona Hotel. I have been reading trip advisor two people says they like a place and then the rest of the reviews seem bad. Thanks

 

[myxdvz]

If you want to do volcanoes, you'd have to do the Big Island. There are more hotels on the Kona side than the Hilo side - or you can stay inside the Volcano National Park.

IMO, Oahu is more kid-friendly - beach activities at Waikiki, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, stay at Ailuani, surfing/PCC at North Shore.

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Was in Waikoloa last year . It's a few miles from Kona . Recommend the Marriott there right on A-Bay .Snorkeling -etc. Long drive to the Volcano but worth it. Not as much "sandy" beach on Big Island. Have to go to Maui for more of that. Anyway you look at it you're in Hawaii

 

[brenbrady]

Where would you recommend a 3 night stay? Kids age 14 and 12. And recommended activities? We want to try any of the next: snorkeling, paddling on a surf board. Hiking or checking out a volcano. Then we would move to another island. We will rent a vehicle too. Travel agent is suggesting Hotel Kona. Thanks.

I would highly recommend Oahu, there is so much to do. There is the Illikai Hotel great location right on Waikki Beach, or Aston has a few, we stayed at the Aston Sunset a couple of blocks from the beach, but it was nice. The bus service there is wonderful, you can take a bus everywhere. The Arizona, Polynesian Culture Center, even though that is in the North Shore we have driven and taken the bus but the bus was actually better.
Everything is walkable. Diamond head is a nice hike but worth it when you get to the top, if you do it bring a flashlight as there is one spot at top that is a little dark. The Palace was a nice tour. Plenty of resturants.
We have been to the Big Island but not as many things to do as Oahu. Maui was very nice more laid back but again Oahu has more to do.
hope this has help in some way.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Where would you recommend a 3 night stay? Kids age 14 and 12. And recommended activities? We want to try any of the next: snorkeling, paddling on a surf board. Hiking or checking out a volcano. Then we would move to another island. We will rent a vehicle too. Travel agent is suggesting Hotel Kona. Thanks.

Why just a 3 night stay? I LOVE the big island of Hawaii where you can see the volcanoes, but 3 days is hardly enough time to enjoy any of it. If you stay in Kona, the drive to the Volcanoes National Park will be a very full day and most of it will be spent driving. If you stay on the Hilo side, you will be closer to the park, but there are fewer "good" places to stay. Either way, The Big Island doesn't have the types of things you would find in a city like Oahu does. Perhaps that's why we like it better. I just would not want to try and do that island in such a short trip. There is also the observatory on the Kona side that is a lot of fun, and they do special viewings on specific nights where you can go look through telescopes. Remember too that the Big Island of Hawaii is also quite large. We put over 500 miles on our rental car in a week there the last trip.

 

[yeahdisney]

Flights are already in place. I was planning on Disneyland on the way to Aulani but I was out voted, so we added the big island on the way. So we land at 4:30pm at Kona will be there 3 nites and then to the next island. I think first day we will paddle surf and snorkel, the next day volcano area and last full morning beach before we fly out. I know it is 3 hours from Kona to the volcano area but that is the area a travel agent did recommend.

 

[npealer]

If you want to do the outdoor type activities stay out of Waikiki. To me the only places worth staying in on Oahu are in the Ko Olina area where Aulani is or Turtle bay, Kailua sides. You will enjoy the Big Island. The Volcano Natl park is awesome. We saw Sooooooooo many sea turtles when we were in Kona. If your family likes the outdoor activities and not the tourist traps I highly recommend Kauai. Tons of snorkeling and hiking there. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Where would you recommend a 3 night stay? Kids age 14 and 12. And recommended activities? We want to try any of the next: snorkeling, paddling on a surf board. Hiking or checking out a volcano. Then we would move to another island. We will rent a vehicle too. Travel agent is suggesting Hotel Kona. Thanks.

Your topic name ("Hawaii! Help recommend a 3 nite stay") does not make it clear if you're asking about the State of Hawaii or the Island of Hawaii (aka The Big Island). That's why you're getting replies about Oahu. Based on your references to volcanoes and Kona, I assume you're asking about the Island of Hawaii.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "Hotel Kona." There are a whole bunch of hotels with Kona in their names -- such as Royal Kona Resort, Kona Seaside Hotel, Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel -- but no hotel that's simply called the Hotel Kona.

I would check reviews on TripAdvisor. Balance the features and location you want against how much you want to spend. Kona is an actual seaside town. Waikoloa is a resort area with some resorts that are destinations themselves.

You're already working with a travel agent, so that's a good start.

Aloha!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Your topic name ("Hawaii! Help recommend a 3 nite stay") does not make it clear if you're asking about the State of Hawaii or the Island of Hawaii (aka The Big Island). That's why you're getting replies about Oahu. Based on your references to volcanoes and Kona, I assume you're asking about the Island of Hawaii.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "Hotel Kona." There are a whole bunch of hotels with Kona in their names -- such as Royal Kona Resort, Kona Seaside Hotel, Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel -- but no hotel that's simply called the Hotel Kona.

I would check reviews on TripAdvisor. Balance the features and location you want against how much you want to spend. Kona is an actual seaside town. Waikoloa is a resort area with some resorts that are destinations themselves.

You're already working with a travel agent, so that's a good start.

Aloha!

I was wondering about that as well. I'm trying to figure out where you might have the opportunity to paddle board and snorkel on the Big Island near Kona, and the King Kamehameha is about the only place I could think of that might have that opportunity. On that side. So much of the coast is too rugged for much access to lots of beachy areas. South Point and black beach would be possible, but those are quite a ways south. North there would be some opportunities as well.

 

[Anal Annie]

Where would you recommend a 3 night stay? Kids age 14 and 12. And recommended activities? We want to try any of the next: snorkeling, paddling on a surf board. Hiking or checking out a volcano. Then we would move to another island. We will rent a vehicle too. Travel agent is suggesting Hotel Kona. Thanks.

Flights are already in place. I was planning on Disneyland on the way to Aulani but I was out voted, so we added the big island on the way. So we land at 4:30pm at Kona will be there 3 nites and then to the next island. I think first day we will paddle surf and snorkel, the next day volcano area and last full morning beach before we fly out. I know it is 3 hours from Kona to the volcano area but that is the area a travel agent did recommend.

You have me totally confused. Flights are in place and you're still looking for places to stay? Which "other island" are you planning on visiting since you have your flights already booked? That would be helpful to know... We have had some decent stays at some of the Outrigger properties....not so much with the one in Keauhou on the Big Island but the Outrigger choices in Waikiki are OK if you're going there and are on a budget. We prefer the Outrigger Waikiki to the Outrigger Reef. We found some really good off-shore snorkeling at Keauhou on the Big Island...but as already mentioned, there really aren't many sandy beaches on that island. It's too new...the coast is all rocky lava rock. On Maui there are tons of good choices too....but without knowing where you're going for sure it's hard to advise...

 

[lilpooh108]

Avoid the Royal Kona like the plague. Yuck, I stayed there years ago as a student and the rooms are nasty.

Kona has lots of condos that may suit your family. I stayed in one a while back and loved the community. If you want a rec let me know and I'll look it up.

I personally prefer hotels in Waikoloa. Marriott, Fairmont or condos at Kolea are great. Depends on your price range.

We always buy flights before looking into hotels. When the flights are cheap, you just gotta buy them.

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

We stayed in Wiakola this past August. we stayed at the Hilton which was okay, but after stying in Oahu at the Aulani it didn't even come close to how awesome Aulani was. It was nice and clean and lots going on for the kids. We found they nickeled and dimed you for everything though. The Marriott looked far nicer. There was a nice beach a couple minutes away, but everything else you had to drive for. We didn't mind though. We love to explore and geocache and there was lots of that. The Volcanoes was a full day. we left at 5:30 in the morning, taking in another small park with a waterfall and the Mauna Lao plantation. we packed our lunch and drinks as there isn't many places to stop. The volcanoes park was amazing and highlight for our whole family. I also highly recommend a helicopter ride over the volcanoe, breathtaking. Those flights over the volcano only leave from Hilo. We also did the Kona coffee plantation tour, again we loved it and learned alot. There is a fantastic snokling about 10 minutes away from the Captain Cook monument. I can't think the name of the park it was beside. There was a national park with ancient polyensian artifacts? The snorkling was next door and truly amazing. Lot's to see and do. It is an interesting island and I'm glad we went, but Maui is our favorite! Enjoy!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

We stayed at the Waikoloa Marriott last year. Great hotel . Beach was good Pool was beautiful. Volcanoes a must. FANTASTIC French Toast at Daves Coffee shack about 10-15 drive from there. Very Hawaiian .Try the Coconut syrup. Lots of stuff to do in Kona also though

 

[actnkidz]

We went to the big island last year for 4 days before going o Aulani. We own a Hilton timeshare so we stayed in waikoloa at our timeshare but could use the hotels pools and things which is across the street. The hotel has a lagoon on property that you can snorkel in and a lot of great pools and slides. They also have dolphins you can go in with on the property. My 2 kids love it there. Oh yeah they also have a monorail that can take you around the property or a boat.

 

[Anal Annie]

We stayed in Wiakola this past August. we stayed at the Hilton which was okay, but after stying in Oahu at the Aulani it didn't even come close to how awesome Aulani was. It was nice and clean and lots going on for the kids. We found they nickeled and dimed you for everything though. The Marriott looked far nicer. There was a nice beach a couple minutes away, but everything else you had to drive for. We didn't mind though. We love to explore and geocache and there was lots of that. The Volcanoes was a full day. we left at 5:30 in the morning, taking in another small park with a waterfall and the Mauna Lao plantation. we packed our lunch and drinks as there isn't many places to stop. The volcanoes park was amazing and highlight for our whole family. I also highly recommend a helicopter ride over the volcanoe, breathtaking. Those flights over the volcano only leave from Hilo. We also did the Kona coffee plantation tour, again we loved it and learned alot. There is a fantastic snokling about 10 minutes away from the Captain Cook monument. I can't think the name of the park it was beside. There was a national park with ancient polyensian artifacts? The snorkling was next door and truly amazing. Lot's to see and do. It is an interesting island and I'm glad we went, but Maui is our favorite! Enjoy!

Blue Hawaiian offers helicopter tours over the volcano from Waikoloa....I think you have to book at least a 2 hour tour since they have to cross the island. We did this the last time we were there. It was a fantastic day....

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

Blue Hawaiian offers helicopter tours over the volcano from Waikoloa....I think you have to book at least a 2 hour tour since they have to cross the island. We did this the last time we were there. It was a fantastic day....

We only did the 45 min flight as we only wanted to see the volcano and it was less money. We also used Blue Hawaiian. The volcano only flight left out of Hilo all others left from the headquarters near Wiakiloa. Blue Hawaiian had many itineraries to choose from. A helicopter ride in Hawaii is a must do!

 

[yeahdisney]

Thank you for your recommendations. I found a web site 5hats travel though a friend. Mark at that site, recommended Hilton waikoloa for the big island hotel stay. I booked a helicopter flight with blue Hawaiian. Looking at hiking then that day at the national park. ,it is $169 a person to hike with a tour! Think we will do that on our own. Looking at fair winds for a catamaran/snoring tour. And maybe dolphin quest at the Hilton, just the kids not the adults.
On Oahu booked surfing with the fire fighters and then a paddle surf lesson using a living social type deal. Checking on pearl harbor tour time. Thinking hiking diamond head.
Maui looking to zip line, Mark is to send a recommendation for that too.

 

[Anal Annie]

Thank you for your recommendations. I found a web site 5hats travel though a friend. Mark at that site, recommended Hilton waikoloa for the big island hotel stay. I booked a helicopter flight with blue Hawaiian. Looking at hiking then that day at the national park. ,it is $169 a person to hike with a tour! Think we will do that on our own. Looking at fair winds for a catamaran/snoring tour. And maybe dolphin quest at the Hilton, just the kids not the adults.
On Oahu booked surfing with the fire fighters and then a paddle surf lesson using a living social type deal. Checking on pearl harbor tour time. Thinking hiking diamond head.
Maui looking to zip line, Mark is to send a recommendation for that too.

Go to Pearl Harbor early, EARLY. The line starts forming well before they open. It moves pretty good considering the number of tourists there are there but once you get up there you'll be given a group # / time to actually GO in to see the film and then go out to the memorial so you'll have more of a wait once you're "in". If you don't have a lot of other stuff on your list for that day I would also recommend staying to tour the USS Missouri. That was fascinating. Trying to remember our timing the last time we went. We stayed in Waikiki and probably left our hotel by 7:00ish. Then by the time we were done with the Missouri tour and got back to our hotel I would guess it was 1:30 or 2:00. Easily lunchtime by then as we'd only grabbed coffee & pastries in the morning since we left out so early and we were hungry. OH, and note that you can't take any bags what-so-ever into Pearl Harbor. I wore a money belt and just had our smaller point & shoot camera in it's tiny case. There may be a place to check bags while you're in there (?) but personally I'd just rather not even have to deal with that. Travel light that day.

 

[yeahdisney]

Picked the Hilton Grand villas at Waikoloa. Thanks for suggestions and tips. D.