The HGVC at Waikoloa was amazing! The staff was friendly and helpful. We had a problem with our washing machine and the maintenance staff promptly repaired the problem. The resort offered a variety of social activies that met the needs of all in our group! We really enjoyed the cultural programs offered during our stay. It was nice to learn more of the history of the Hawaiian people. This was our 5th trip to Hawaii and we cannot wait to go back. I hope we will be able to stay at the HGVC again!

this is a huge resort with something for everyone....very large and spread out....lots of beautiful and private area....great for families and reunions....not so good for older couples who want to get away because it seemed too big

When researching where to stay on this part of the Big Island, I found the various reviews somewhat confusing. While most reviewers really like the Hilton Grand Vacations, there were enough dissenting opinions to make me wonder. I also had a hard time figuring out which resort would best meet our specific needs. Now that I've spent a few days here, maybe the following thoughts will help others.

A Car - Things are spread out (really spread out!) and the shuttle bus service is nothing like DisneyWorld where there is almost always a bus going somewhere. You're going to feel a bit stranded if you don't have access to a car.

Where to Eat - The kitchen in the condo can really come in handy because the restaurant choices are limited. The various restaurants at the nearby Hilton Hotel have two things in common - high prices and mediocre food. That's not a particularly good combination. There's also a Marriott nearby. We did not venture there so I can't comment on the food quality or pricing. However, I suspect pricing is equally high. Since the Waikoloa complex is quite a ways from anything else, you're kinda stuck with the restaurants in the Queens Marketplace and Kingsland shopping center across the street. The Queens Market Place has a small food court with some standard fast food chains (Subway, Arby's, Orange Julius) and a few local outfits offering pizza, fish and chips and hamburgers. It's enough to get you thru a cheap lunch. There's also a walk-up fish and chips stand overlooking the lake at the Kingsland Center. It's not bad......and when the little kids get bored while the adults are still eating and talking, there are a bunch of koi the kids can feed. Your next step up includes Macaroni Grill and Merriman's Cafe. Both are pretty good and you'll feel comfortable taking small children. Everything else is high end stuff that may be good but not overly appropriate if you have small, tired children.

Are We Getting the "Right Building?" - Hilton Grand Vacations may be a Hilton, but it's not AT the Hilton here. It's not really even walking distance for most folks. Grand Vacations is maybe a 1/2 mile from the large Hilton Resort. It faces a golf course, has a nice pool, no real restaurants, and limited amenities. You do get free parking at the Hilton Resort and access to most of the amenities, but you have to get there to enjoy them. I also faced a question of which building to stay in at Grand Vacations. They have older and newer facilities. However, they are currently renovating the last building of the older facility so I would not be concerned with where they put you. We were in a newly renovated older building and it was beautiful - nicely furnished, granite counters, good looking furniture and absolutely no feeling of being in an "old" building. Also spacious enough that 6 people did not feel crowded.

Thin Walls? - We were on the second floor (3 floor building) and never heard anyone above us. One time, I heard a noise coming from somewhere but I couldn't tell where and it only lasted a few seconds. Maybe my wife had opened a window? I'm not sure. Anyway, I would not worry about cheap insulation or paper thin ceilings.

Did I Make the Right Choice? - I wanted the space a 2BR condo affords to accomodate a 6-member family. I had a car so I was mobile. I wanted someplace where the kids could have fun. A short drive to the Hilton Resort gave us all kinds of fun things to do (watch the dolphins, ride a boat, ride a train, play on waterslides and under waterfalls, etc - a veritable DisneyWorld). The only real negative for us was that there is not a decent beach here. You need to go elsewhere (driving) to get a decent beach. The beach behind the Marriott is pretty good, but even that is a mile-plus away. If a 2BR condo with a full kitchen is your top priority, this is the place. If you don't have a car, look elsewhere - at least to the Hilton Resort. If you demand a close-by beach, go up Rte 19 one exit to the Orchid. Their hotel is postchard perfect and they have a great beach.

This Hilton has everything you could want - great location for touring and relaxing, beautiful grounds, spacious rooms, friendly staff. Whether you want to relax, see the sites or have an action-filled vacation, this resort is perfect.