When it comes to multigenerational family vacations, size does matter and, at the classic Hilton Waikoloa Village bigger means better. And more choice.
Isolated, yet comprising almost every conceivable creature comfort, the 35,000-acre Hilton development is on the northwest coast of Hawaii Island, north of Kona. Like a theme park in scope and style, it includes the Hilton Waikoloa hotel with three towers – Lagoon, Palace and Ocean; three Hilton Grand Vacations Club condo complexes – Kings Land, Kohala Suites and The Bay Club; several restaurants; and the Queen’s Marketplace shopping mall with super market, multiplex cinema, and more. Overall, it’s a joyful piece of paradise, especially for multigenerational travelers.
The Hilton Waikoloa hotel, which began construction in 1986, is still lauded for its many restaurants, bars, pools, beach and generally playful ambiance. Each example of Asian art, from silk tapestries to ceramics decorating the resort, is worthy of close inspection, easy to do if you take the free monorail train or canal boat to get around. The day we spent hanging out at the main hotel, coddled by lifeguards, dining in full view of the dolphin lagoon, was a highlight of our visit.
A Condo Works Best for Large Families
However, we chose to stay at Kings Land, the newest of the Hilton Grand Vacations Club rental complexes. The whole place is well laid out, so the condos feel just as glamorous — but much more intimate — than the 1,113-room main hotel.
Our large two-bedroom unit overlooked black, brown and red lava fields artfully bordering the resort’s golf course. Hibiscus, calladium, pineapple plants and coconut palms outlined the walking paths. As condominium guests, we had the advantage of full apartment-style units with comfortable separate bedrooms, full kitchen and washer/dryer — actually more comforts than in most homes. Having that two-bedroom unit gave our family the opportunity to buy coconut bread and Kona coffee for breakfast, keep macadamia nut snacks and refreshments at hand, have space and privacy to work, and easily get ourselves ready each evening.
Hilton Vacation Clubs are like independent resorts
Kings Land also feels like its own resort. There are multiple pools, several swim areas with chaise lounges and waterslides, a recreation center where the Keiki Club for ages 5-12 meets daily from 8am-10pm, a fitness center, games room, bistro and bars. During the busy holiday weeks, there are several supervised activities daily, ranging from Coconut Palm Frond Weaving to aquarobics, lei making to yoga and hula lessons. A free shuttle provides access to the main hotel, the mall, the sand beach and all facilities that condo guests can use, plus it’s a fun way to get an overview of the property with kids.
Planning your Hilton Waikoloa Visit
If you’re a Hilton Honors member, you are in luck because this is one of loyalty program’s most-redeemed resort stays. If not, check the Hilton Hawaii website which features all the hotel rooms and condo options available. You’ll find that, depending on season, the condo prices are usually better value for larger families.
Additionally, Hilton Grand Vacation Club guests get special rates at the Waikoloa Beach and Kings’ golf courses, discounts on gear, rentals and dining, and free use of the practice facilities and clubs if you want to introduce your family to the sport.
Although you can cook in your condo or try one of the many hotel or mall restaurants, the Waikoloa Village complex boasts the very popular Lava Lava Beach Club about a 10-minute drive away on the shore of Anaeho’omalu Bay. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy fresh seafood at night, out on the sand, and listen to some live music, so book ahead.
Hawai’i is not called the Big Island for nothing. While Waikoloa is not central to everything, it is a routine pickup spot for tours to Mauna Kea to see the observatories (run by Hawaii Forest Trail), guided walks to an active lava flow (see Kapoho Kine Adventures), and even excursions to snorkel with manta rays, which we did on the Kona coast, about an hour’s drive away.
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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
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I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
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It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
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Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
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Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
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The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
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Make sure you check out the new sustainable Christmas Market in Berlin!! Its located by Hacksnshiremarkt!
What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
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We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
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