Hawaii is one of the most visited and fastest growing destinations in the United States. We’ve traveled to Hawaii many times before, but with the recent volcanic activity, we decided it was the right time to visit the Big Island. We had a substantial amount of Hilton credits to use through our Hilton Aspire cards, along with a few free nights and incidental credits from our American Express Platinum cards. Staying at a Hilton was the obvious choice, and Hilton Waikoloa Village stood out.
The island of Hawaii is commonly known as the Big Island because, as you might expect, it is significantly larger than the other Hawaiian islands.
The island offers a wide range of activities and is remarkably diverse. You can experience everything from volcano watching to hiking, snorkeling to stargazing, and coffee tours to tasting incredible donuts.
This post outlines how we spent seven nights at Waikoloa Village, and used our resort credits to maximize the benefits offered through our credit cards.
Overview
Location
The island of Hawaii has two distinct sides. The eastern side, like much of the Hawaiian Islands, receives significantly more rainfall. The western side is drier, sunnier, and more arid.
Hilton Waikoloa Village sits on the Kohala Coast on the island’s western side. The Big Island has two major airports: Kona and Hilo. While either can be used, the hotel is much closer to Kona Airport, which is served by major airlines including American, Southwest, Alaska, Delta, and Hawaiian.
The hotel is approximately 20 miles from the airport, about a 30-minute drive. Transportation options include Uber, typically around $50, or a rental car. The resort itself is located within Waikoloa Village, a prime area known for luxury resorts, private villas, and upscale shopping centers.
Booking with Points
Hilton Honors Points Value
This property offers strong value for Hilton points. While Hilton points are typically valued at around 0.5 cents each, with careful booking, you can achieve 1-2 cent(s) per point.
Nightly rates at this hotel often range from 70,000 to 80,000 points, even when cash rates exceed $300. When you factor in the resort fee, the redemption value can be anywhere between 1-2 cents per point.
Since Hilton uses dynamic pricing, it’s worth checking back after booking to see if rates drop. Initially, we reserved five nights at 80,000 points each. A few days later, we found availability at 75,000 points for some nights. Taking advantage of Hilton’s fifth-night-free benefit, our total for five nights came to 305,000 points.
We added two additional nights using free night certificates from our Hilton Aspire cards. After booking, we also had $1200 in resort credits from the Aspire cards and Amex Cards, which we used toward parking, breakfast, incidentals, and shopping.
Booking Tips
As noted earlier, this property uses dynamic pricing. After booking, it’s worth checking periodically for lower rates. Hilton’s fifth-night-free benefit allows you to book five nights for the price of four when using points.
You can combine points bookings with free night certificates or even cash bookings. To simplify the stay, you can call Hilton and ask them to link the reservations. This avoids the need to manage multiple confirmation numbers. However, even with linked reservations, you may still need to visit the front desk for check-out and check-in to keep your room keys active.
During peak seasons, the hotel can be full, and cash rates may exceed $500 per night, making points redemptions even more valuable.
When booking with points or free night certificates, resort fees are waived.
If you have the Hilton Aspire Card, you get a $400 annual credit split into two $200 semi-annual credits. If you have a Hilton Business card, you receive a $60 Hilton credit per quarter. The American Express Platinum card also provides a $50 Hilton credit per quarter. We scheduled our visit at the end of June and into early July to take advantage of credits across two quarters.
Arrival and Transportation
Getting to the Hilton Waikoloa Village from Airport
There is no shuttle or public transportation from the airport to the hotel. You will need to take an Uber or taxi, or rent a car.
If you don’t plan to remain at the resort for your entire stay, renting a car is recommended. However, parking costs between $48 and $55 per night. This fee is not waived, even for Hilton Diamond members.
Occasionally, packages include self-parking, but those room rates are typically higher. You can apply resort credits toward parking if available. Hilton Diamond members receive valet parking at the self-parking rate, which is helpful given the size of the parking lots. Valet service is quick, but don’t forget to tip the valet attendants.
Uber or taxi from Kona Airport costs around $50, depending on the time and demand.
If you choose not to rent a car, you can rent one on-site. The hotel has a National Car Rental desk, convenient for short-term use. Availability is limited, so reserve early.
To visit nearby shops without a car, there is a shuttle that departs from the hotel lobby and stops at King’s Shops and Queen’s Shops. The shuttle charges $5–$7 per person and accepts credit cards. While not free, it is a convenient option.
Checking In
We drove to the hotel, handed the car to the valet, and proceeded to the lobby. There are two check-in counters, with one designated for Diamond and Gold members.
A cheerful staff member welcomed us and informed us that we had been upgraded to a penthouse suite in the Palace Tower. We asked if any other suites were available, but they confirmed none were. However, they noted that the Palace Tower rooms had recently been renovated and featured ocean views from the balcony.
The lobby was quiet at the time. It includes a concierge desk, a tour booking counter, a few shops, and a large staircase leading down to the lagoon and pools. A light tram and a boat pass directly through the lobby, offering transport across the resort.
The property is expansive, and guests can use the tram or boat to reach their rooms. The staff was helpful throughout. We left our luggage with the valet and received a claim slip. Once we reached our room, we called to request the bags, which were delivered within 10 minutes.
Getting Around the Hilton Waikoloa Village
The resort is massive—it takes about 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. However, once you understand the layout, navigating becomes straightforward.
The resort is U-shaped, with the lobby in the center. To the right are the Palace Tower and Ocean Tower. To the left are the Makai Tower and the pools.
There are three ways to get around the resort:
Walking
If you have the time and don’t mind walking, this is often the best option.
- One walking path runs through an indoor hallway that doubles as a $7 million+ art gallery, featuring artwork from around the world.
- The other path goes along the water, offering views of turtles, fish, sculptures, and well-maintained gardens.
Tram
The tram runs along the edge of the water and is a convenient option, especially when moving between towers, restaurants, and pools.
- On busy days, two trams operate, and wait times range from 5 to 10 minutes.
- On slower days or late at night, you may wait 15 to 20 minutes.
Boat
Boats operate along the canal next to the tram route. Their schedule is less predictable.
- We saw them running in both the morning and evening, but no posted schedule was available.
- If you see a boat nearby, you can simply board. It’s a slower but scenic way to travel around the resort.
Parking and Valet at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
As mentioned earlier, if you’re a Diamond member, valet parking is the better option. It’s more convenient, and the valet team is efficient at bringing your car in and out.
If you need assistance with luggage, you can call the valet desk. They respond quickly and handle your bags while you walk or take the tram to your room.
We used valet service for both check-in and check-out. Each time, they reached our room in under 10 minutes—even during the busy July 4th weekend.
Accommodations
We stayed in a double queen suite with a balcony overlooking the ocean. The room was newly renovated, and the tower was in good condition. While signs of aging were visible, the room itself was spotlessly clean and well maintained.
We requested daily housekeeping, which was provided consistently. The housekeeping staff were attentive, brought anything we needed, and ensured the room was in excellent condition each evening.
The resort has three towers:
Room
We had a double queen suite in the Palace Tower. We were on the penthouse floor, which is the 7th and top floor of the tower.
Once you get out of the elevator, you can see a great view of Mauna Kea—the volcano of Big Island.
Once inside, the room is spacious, as you’d expect in a Hilton resort. It had two queen beds, furniture, and a work area.
There was also a balcony that was the highlight of the room.
The furniture was modern, and the light fixtures stood out.
Specifically, the suite had a sink area and a separate room for storage.
Given that you are in Hawaii and probably have a lot of clothes and swim gear to keep, the storage room was very welcome to keep the rest of the suite clear.
On the table were reusable water bottles that we took on hikes. These were of excellent quality, and you can bring them home if you’d like.
The bathroom was very clean, even though on the smaller side, but there is nothing to complain about.
The products were from the Kohala Spa and were of excellent quality.
As we mentioned, the highlight of the room was the balcony.
You could see the ocean and enjoy both sunset and sunrise from your balcony here.
In the morning, the indirect light of the sun lit up the resort and the surrounding bay.
In the afternoon, the Hawaiian sun setting in the west made it a magnificent place to spend your time.
Water and Recreation
The entire resort is designed around water features. As expected in Hawaii, there are multiple pools throughout the property, each with water slides.
The pool closest to the Makai Tower includes a beach-style entry, making it ideal for kids. All pools are equipped with towel vending machines. Guests can swipe their room key to check out towels and return them to the same machines after use.
Hilton tracks towel usage, and unreturned towels are charged at $20 each. The system is convenient and likely reduces both towel loss and the need for staff to collect towels around the resort.
The resort features two main pools, and both are full of fun.
The first one, near the Makai Tower, is shallow but sprawling. There are bridges crossing over it, Jacuzzis to soak in, and a water slide that’s open to anyone 42 inches or taller. If you’re feeling playful, there are nets for water sports.
Around the pool, you’ll find benches (free!) and cabanas (not free!) if you’re looking for shade or a touch of luxury.
Hungry or thirsty? You’re in luck. Food and drink service runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. So if lounging in the pool with a mai tai in hand sounds like your kind of afternoon, this is your spot.
While there’s no direct beach access, you can walk to one in under 20 minutes. It’s a scenic stroll and worth it if you’re craving sand between your toes and ocean waves.
Over in the Ocean Tower area, you’ll find more pools. These are deeper and better suited for older kids who want to swim or tackle bigger slides. There’s also a poolside bar here—perfect for grown-ups.
And if you’re seeking some peace and quiet, head inside the Ocean Tower to the adult-only pool. It’s the perfect escape from all the splashing, laughing, and joyful chaos happening elsewhere.
Kids Pool with Beach
Right next to that is the kids’ pool, a sandy-bottom, shallow-water play zone that little ones absolutely love. They can run, splash, and jump without worry—and yes, build all the sandcastles their imaginations can dream up.
Hilton Waikoloa Village Lagoon
There’s a saltwater lagoon that feels like a natural extension of the bay—calm, clear, and full of marine life.
You’ll spot fish, turtles, stingrays, and more as you swim or snorkel through the water. If you’re up for a little more adventure, you can rent paddleboards and other water toys right there.
Activities
Luau
One of the most enjoyable experiences in Hawaii is attending a luau, and the Legends of Hawaii Luau at the resort delivers just that. It’s a lively mix of food, music, and storytelling, all brought to life by local Polynesian performers. The show shares the story and history of Hawaii, with a bonus fire dance that had all the kids cheering.
The luau runs three nights a week from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We arrived around 4:45 p.m., joined a short line, and were welcomed with drinks right away. There was a good selection of tropical cocktails, beer, wine, and plenty of non-alcoholic options like juice and soda.
After check-in, the hostess walked us to our table, which we shared with other guests—perfect for chatting and meeting new people. As we settled in, live music played and the dancers and musicians were introduced.
The kids’ buffet opened first, followed by a torch-lighting ceremony set to drumbeats. Tables were called up to the buffet one at a time, keeping everything smooth and relaxed.
Luau Food
The food was excellent, with a wide variety—chicken, brisket, fish, salads, poke, rice, and plenty of local dishes. The staff was generous, and everything was well-stocked.
The show featured graceful hula dancers, energetic storytelling, and even a bit of cowboy comedy. It had a fun, modern twist on the traditional luau, very different from the ones we’ve seen at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu or Hilton Maui.
Luau is Expensive
The luau is pricey—around $222 per person—but there are ways to bring that down. We attended a no-pressure timeshare presentation for an hour and brought our cost down to $139. The presenter was friendly, and there was no hard sell.
You can also use your Hilton Aspire credits to help cover the cost.
Photos are taken at the entrance, and you can buy them on your way out. They’re expensive ($55 for five), but they’re fun keepsakes—and again, you can charge them to your Hilton card and use credits.
For families with little kids, this is a formative experience. Great food, unlimited drinks, and an unforgettable show.
Dolphin Show
Around the lagoon, there’s also a dolphin pod. Hilton keeps a few dolphins on-site and hosts shows about three days a week.
Keeping dolphins in shallow water is understandably controversial. The resort states that the dolphins are part of research programs and are well cared for. The shows are operated by Dolphin Quest, a company that runs similar programs and claims to support scientific research. They are also professionally accredited by partners in both industry and academia.
You can watch the dolphin shows for free from the balcony or the grand staircase. For those interested, there are paid dolphin encounters where you can get up close and interact with the animals.
How you feel about this is personal, so if you have strong views on marine life in captivity, it’s worth doing your own research.
Walking to the Beach
The hotel doesn’t have a natural beach. While it does have a lagoon, it’s enclosed and protected from the open ocean.
If you’re looking for a true beach day, Hapuna State Beach Park is a 10-minute drive away and one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve visited. You can snorkel, spot turtles, and find shaded coves perfect for relaxing by the ocean. The beach also has showers, restrooms, and food trucks—everything you need for a full day out.
If you’d rather not drive, you can walk to A-Bay Beach, the nearest beach to the resort. It offers swimming and snorkeling—and you’ll likely spot a bunch of cats lounging around. They’re well cared for, with signs posted to remind visitors not to feed them.
Dining and Shopping
Food
The hotel offers an $18 daily credit per person (up to two people) that can be used at most on-property dining locations. That said, food on the property is pricey, and the variety is limited.
Nui Italian is one of the better dining options. The food was great, and the drinks were solid—though expect to pay around $20 per cocktail. They also serve pizza and seafood, which are still expensive, but a bit more reasonable.
Waters Edge hosts a deli buffet. The adult price is $68 per person, well above the daily credit, but there’s good variety. Kids can eat free with a paying adult, which helps.
For breakfast, there’s Waikoloa Coffee Company serving excellent acai bowls and croissants, though prices are what you’d expect at a high-end resort.
Poolside bars offer drinks like mai tais, and these can be fully covered by your daily credits. The drinks were well made—not watered down.
You can also grab food from the market near the Kona Pool—including pizza, which you can take and enjoy by the pool.
There is Kona Tap Room for quick bites and drinks. You can also enjoy live music several evenings. This became our go-to spot for evening drinks.
If you are looking for fine dining, you will find KPC, right next to the Kona Pool. The serve both lunch and dinner and the view is fantastic during sunset.
Pro tip: If you have a car, drive to King’s Shops or Queen’s MarketPlace. Waikoloa Shrimp Company at Queen’s is a standout for garlic shrimp and fries. It quickly became our favorite lunch spot.
If you’re heading toward downtown Kona or the airport, you’ll find shopping centers and hole-in-the-wall spots with excellent food across all cuisines.
Driving down to the volcano or South Kona? Look out for food trucks—many serve fantastic local dishes.
One strategy that worked well: have breakfast at the resort and charge it to your room, eat lunch and dinner off-site, then return for a relaxing drink poolside—fully covered by your resort credit.
Note: resort credits do not roll over, so make sure to use them by 11:00 p.m. each day.
Shopping
On-Site Shops
There are several shops in the Makai Tower and one in the Ocean Tower. These shops offer souvenirs, books, and other items, and many allow you to charge purchases to your room.
If you have a Hilton Aspire card, those room-charged purchases count toward your incidental credit. For example, we bought a small ukulele as a souvenir, charged it to the room, and it was fully reimbursed.
However, not all stores allow room charges. If an item can’t be charged to your room, it won’t qualify for the Aspire credit.
Drive to Kings’ Shops and Queens’ MarketPlace
For more unique shopping, head to downtown Kona or South Kona, where you’ll find a variety of local artists and handcrafted goods.
VI. Amenities and Services
Spa and Tennis
You can book spa services at the Kohala Spa, located in the Makai Tower. They offer a variety of treatments, including an oceanside option for a more scenic and relaxing experience.
Next to the spa, there are tennis courts available for rent. It costs $25/hour to rent.
Gym
The Gym is in Makai tower and felt like an afterthought. It was small but well maintained. Given people are on vacation, there is not a huge demand for a big gym. It was always empty.
Free Photo
The resort also offers a photography service. Each room receives one complimentary printed photo. You can also book a 30-minute session, though it’s not cheap—about $400 for 20 pictures. If you’re on a family trip and want to capture memories professionally, it might be worth the splurge.
Laundry
There are a few laundry rooms tucked around the resort—one in the Ocean Tower and another in the Makai Tower. The Palace Tower doesn’t have a laundry facility.
Once you locate them, the laundry areas are clean and well maintained. You can even track the machine status online to avoid waiting around or leaving laundry sitting.
We did our laundry the day before checkout and found the room completely empty, with several washers and dryers available.
Payment is by credit card only, and it must be Visa or MasterCard. Hilton Amex cards didn’t work, so after a failed attempt, I made a 20-minute round trip to the room just to grab a Visa card that finally worked.
The machines are quick—each wash and dry cycle takes around 30 to 60 minutes. It’s easy to toss in a load, relax by the pool, and come back in time to switch it over.
Room Service
There is no room service food option. However, everything else was pretty quick. You can stop by the front desk or call them if you forgot your toothbrush, toothpaste, or shaving cream. You can also request them to be delivered to the room, which should be quick.
Guest Support and Offers
Concierge
There’s a concierge desk at the front and in each tower. They’re happy to answer questions about the resort, tours, local spots, and dining options.
We came with a list of hole-in-the-wall places locals like, and the concierge confirmed and expanded on it—it was a great list. They also helped us plan our activities based on our preferences, offering insights, timing suggestions, and schedules to make the most of our stay.
They also let us know about discounts available through timeshare presentations. For example, the luau would have cost $550 with taxes if booked directly, but by attending a short timeshare presentation, we brought it down to $139. That’s a big difference.
Whether it’s worth your time depends on your plans, but the option is there—and the concierge won’t pressure you either way.
Timeshare Presentation
We signed up for a timeshare presentation during midday—a time we had already planned to spend relaxing in the room. On the day of the presentation, the USGS released a forecast that the volcano might erupt. We visited the concierge desk and asked to reschedule. They were helpful and quickly moved our slot to the following day, giving us the chance to witness what turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There were no available presentation slots at the main resort, so they sent us to Hilton Kings’ Land, a nearby sister property. We arrived on time and were welcomed by the receptionist, who led us to a waiting area. After some juice and soda, a friendly gentleman arrived and brought us to his office.
He began by saying the presentation could last as long—or as short—as we wanted. Though we had signed up for two hours, he made it clear it could be 15 minutes or 2 hours, depending on our interest. We let him know we weren’t looking to buy a timeshare but were open to learning more.
He was incredibly gracious. He walked us through a few financing options, which we discussed and declined. We chatted about the island, local food, travel, and how timeshares can work well for some people. Overall it took about 45 minutes.
At the end, we were guided to another area to finish up the paperwork. The entire experience was relaxed, with zero pressure. It felt more like a casual conversation about points, travel, and getting the most out of your stays.
Overall, it was a surprisingly pleasant experience—much better than the typical stories you hear online.
Summary and Takeaway
Takeaway
After spending seven nights at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, we’re very happy with the value we received for this points redemption. If you look online, you’ll see many complaints about the trams being slow, the rooms being old, and the parking being expensive. However, we received an upgraded room and genuinely enjoyed staying at the property. The slow pace of the tram and other aspects of the resort didn’t bother us—we were there to relax.
Is it Difficult to Navigate?
Once you understand the layout and check the map, it’s easy to navigate and pleasant to walk through. If you have the time, stop and appreciate the artwork in the hallway—it’s thoughtfully curated.
The pools were absolutely the kids’ favorite. You’ll see them swimming from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with parents trying (often unsuccessfully) to get them out. The lagoon is a great spot to watch marine life, especially if you’re not planning to go on a snorkeling trip. Everything is well maintained.
Our biggest gripe was the food. While there was decent variety and some dishes were excellent, more dining options and better pricing would be appreciated. That said, if you have a car, it’s not an issue—you can drive five minutes for good food and return to the resort for a relaxing drink.
Cost to Book
In total, we spent 305,000 Hilton Honors points for five nights—an average of 61,000 points per night. The cash price at the time was about $4,500, giving us approximately 1.5 cents per point, which is a strong Hilton redemption.
We also stacked Aspire free night certificates for two additional nights. The $400 in Aspire credits covered parking, shopping, and food beyond the $36 daily food and beverage credits.
Overall, this is a fantastic destination if you want to relax and enjoy a well-run property that knows how to help guests make the most of their vacation.
