Hilton Waikoloa Village in Waikoloa Village, HI

After a hiccup at check-in, all was well with this visit. Our room was a decent size, comfortable, and clean. My daughter and I enjoyed the yoga class in the spa, the pool was excellent, the morning dolphin splash was fun for the family, and the location was good. The shops nearby had restaurants, coffee, and a grocery store. We especially liked the artwork that was displayed throughout the property, which made for a unique experience.

This is not a Hilton I would want to ever go back to. My husband left a shirt gifted to him by our son in the closet and apparently it was not found. They would not let us even check after upgrading to a different room. We strongly believe the staff is very dishonest. Plus all the crazy ugly statues along the corridor is disturbing. Differently not a Hawaii feel. We were simply grossed out by everything and angry at the diss honesty in the cleaning staff

Visited the Big Island for the first time last December for Christmas. Overall, the resort is massive and caters to families. If I were going on an adult only or couples trip, I would stay somewhere much smaller. Hotel was clean and rooms were decently sized. Bathroom area was a little weird with the sinks being outside the shower area and carpeted. We were in a renovated wing, balcony/ocean view. For a hotel this size I was surprised to not have more on site dining options, especially for breakfast where there was the over priced buffet or coffee shop. Be prepared to walk a lot if you don’t take the tram service. There are wait times for the tram unless you time it just right. A lot for the kids to do between the many pools and beach area plus water exhibits with the dolphins and snorkeling. Nice location on the island, close to walkable and swimable beaches. Many restaurants in the area too.

We spent 7 days at Hilton Waikoloa Village staying in the Ocean Tower. We had an amazing view. There are 4 pools on property with a lazy river & saltwater lagoon where you can rent paddle boats, paddle boards, kayaks & several other water craft. In the lagoon there are turtles that swim near the waterfalls. There are several restaurants and stores on the property too. The grounds and views are stunning. There is no beach there as it surrounded by lava rock. There is a tram & occasionally boats that take you to the different locations on the property as well from the main lobby to both ends of the resort. There’s a shuttle that takes you to Queensland and Kingsland shopping centers but if you want to get out & about you’ll need a car. Waikoloa Village is 30 minutes north of the airport.

Recent trip to this resort was underwhelming at best. Breaking this resort down in several areas: 1. Resort grounds and scenery are the highlights of this resort and apparent where most investment by this resort is directed. It’s the Big Island and that in itself does not disappoint. 2. Stayed in Makai rooms. - Upon entry immediately noticeable the room is outdated, plain, was not thoroughly cleaned, wallpaper peeling, obvious repairs to tile in shower, shampoo, conditioner etc dispensers in shower were empty and had to track down room service for refills, poor lighting, easily can hear into next room, trash left by other guest outside their rooms in halls for several hours …. For the price being paid to stay this was far below the quality of what one would expect to stay. 3. As others have said food offerings are limited. Breakfast buffet overpriced. I arrived a few min late from rest of my family and asked to pull a 5th seat up to sit with them and was told no No? I can’t sit with my family”No”. Ok so I left. Food was average at best as told by my family. No other real breakfast options available. Front desk told my wife she would be able to order from a menu but was also told no when she had arrived to breakfast. Quality and options for other meals also limited 4. Work out rooms are located almost in a basement area near SPA. Rooms are small, dank/musty, equipment is old, some rusted, some broken and floor damaged. Overall for size and supposed quality of resort this was well below expectations. 5. Was told upon renting Cassabellas that individuals would be around to take drink/ food orders while relaxing near pool. No one ever showed up or were even seen in area all day 6. They promote a Dolphin habit /experience which I’m highly surprised hasn’t got more pushback. The Dolphin habitat is small with at least 5-6 Dolphins kept there. They looked well cared for by staff (our room overlooked this area) however we all agreed it looked far too small and shallow to be healthy for the dolphins. It saddened us to watch them in there. 7. Adult pool very small, hidden and stuck in interior courtyard area of one of the buildings and had kids in anyway. Only view was of interior building / room doors. 8. We have stayed at other resorts of equal or maybe slightly higher pricing on other islands, in Caribbean and other places and this was not on even ground with other resorts. Again yes you are paying for the Island and scenery and we understood that, but cannot recommend to anyone to stay here otherwise for price you will be paying. Overall 3/5 with other issues not mentioned but can’t recall at this point. This company/ resort needs to reassess where it reinvests its profits -updating rooms, amenities, and dining options would be my suggestion. We would not recommend staying here. Check out one of the other resorts in area with comparable or slightly higher pricing but better quality ( we toured several other resorts having dinner reservations at them).