|
|
|
|
Travel Talk
by Francine Brokaw
Hilton Waikoloa Village
The Hilton Waikoloa Village on the big island of Hawaii tops several lists of the best family resorts in Hawaii and it’s easy to see why. The 62-acres are filled with things to keep everyone in the family entertained from morning to night. This is a unique property. It’s set in a spectacular locale and the resort itself is a wonderland.
From the moment you walk into the lobby you’ll see why this place is a hot spot for families. First of all, it’s huge. But don’t let that worry you. There are three ways to get around the resort. You can take the monorail, which is just as fun as a ride in a theme park. Or you can take a boat which is also like being in a theme park, but the scenery is prettier. Or you can use your feet and walk!
The Kona pool has a long winding slide and plenty of places to swim and explore. There’s a waterfall to swim through or around, and caves, as well as large expanses of good old H2O. There is the Kohala River Pool and a children’s pool with a shallow sand bottom. The Ocean Tower pool is reserved for adults only, for those times when your kids are off somewhere else and you want some quiet time. Plus the lagoon offers a safe place to swim in the ocean without riptides or undertows.
Dolphin Quest is something that excites kids and adults. Just watching the playful mammals swim is entertaining, but you can experience them up close and personal with the different programs available. You’ll be outfitted with a life vest and goggles, and then you’re off to the water to touch, feed, swim with and learn about these magnificent – and intelligent – animals.
Beach activities are available for everyone. Check with the Red Sail Sports office to select something just right for you. And, for kids 5-12 Camp Menehune has entertaining activities in a safe and fun environment.
Let’s not forget our stomachs. Dining at the resort is also a great experience. Whether you want a quick bite or a full course meal, you can find everything here. Kids can enjoy a burger or pizza at the Lagoon Grill while watching the dolphins play. For dinner you can dine at Imari for Japanese cuisine, Donatoni’s for Italian, Kirin for Chinese, or an assortment of other places where the food is always fresh and delicious.
“It’s definitely for families,” says Leanne Pletcher, the director of Public Relations at the resort. 50-60% of the guests are families, and most of them are from the west coast during the summer and holidays. However, even though the resort caters to families, this is a popular destination for honeymooners and for weddings. Waikoloa is growing, with resorts, shops, and condos, and the Hilton is the keystone of the beautiful and peaceful destination.
To be honest, there are so many things to do and see at this place we didn’t have time to see it all, and we were there for five days! The bottom line is, this is a fun resort in a beautiful setting, and a wonderful place to vacation.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
All pictures ©Roy Brokaw
Let's Talk About It!
Issues newsgroup
Join us to talk about this article!
|
|
|
