Big Island, Big Fun at Hilton Waikoloa Village

If you're heading to the Big Island and want a resort that feels like a cross between Jurassic Park (minus the dinosaurs) and a tropical Disneyland, Hilton Waikoloa Village is your spot. It's huge and you need a tram or a boat just to get from your room to your breakfast buffet, which, honestly, adds a little excitement to your muffin run.

The boat and tram rides around Hilton Waikoloa Village aren’t just transportation—they’re a romantic, scenic way to take in the resort’s lush, tropical grounds, especially at sunset.

The resort sits right on the ocean, with a saltwater lagoon that’s open to marine life, so sea turtles just casually roll through like, “Oh hey, I live here.” One totally snuck up on me while I was paddleboarding with no warning—just pop! Turtle face. The lagoon is amazing for kayaking, snorkeling, or just floating around while pretending you're in a Hawai'ian music video.

Hey there, turtle.

Can you see the turtles eating under the waterfall?

The pools here deserve their own review. There’s the Kona Pool, with slides and splash zones for the kids (or adults who still act like kids), the Kohala Pool if you want to chill, and the Ocean Tower Pool for adults who are done hearing “Mom! Watch this!” for the 47th time. We splurged on a floating cabana one day, which is basically a big comfy raft with shade. I tried to read a book but ended up spinning in lazy circles like a very fancy piece of driftwood and fell asleep.

Dolphin Pool

Even better, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the fun day passes that are available and include pool and lagoon access. It's a great setup for families because you can spread out without feeling totally separated. (Pro tip: send the kids to the waterslide while you “supervise” from a cabana with a mai tai.)

We booked the Inclusive Sale package, and it’s 100 percent worth it if you’re staying four nights or more. You get daily breakfast, dinner, and drinks for two, a one-hour lagoon toy rental each day (hello, water tricycle!), self-parking, and access to cultural and fitness classes that make you feel like you did something productive before lying in a lounge chair for the next six hours.

Ocean view

Breakfast at Water’s Edge is buffet-style and generous. It's basically the perfect way to cancel out all your intentions of eating light. At Nui Italian, the pizza made me want to high-five the chef, and at KPC, the three-course dinner and sunset views were almost too good to be real. Over at the Lagoon Grill, we watched dolphins playing while we ate, like we were dining in front of a live nature show.

And let’s talk about the Legends of Hawai'i Luau. It runs three nights a week and is part dinner, part storytelling, part “how are they dancing with fire and not panicking?!” General seating is included with the package, or you can upgrade to Ali’i seating if you’re feeling royal.

If you know someone planning a wedding, tell them to start looking here. Hilton Waikoloa offers dreamy ceremony spots, from beachfront to garden to dolphin-adjacent (not kidding). Whether you're traveling with kids, your partner, or your inner child, this place is equal parts adventure, relaxation, and “can we stay just one more day?"

Do you see yourself getting off of the boat ride with this view?

Magical

Bring water shoes—the lagoon has a rocky bottom in some spots, and your toes will thank you. Book dinner and luau reservations early, especially if you're traveling during peak seasons. If you're doing the Inclusive Sale package, plan your meals and lagoon toy rentals ahead of time to make the most of it. And don’t skip the cultural classes—they’re included and a great way to learn about Hawai'ian traditions. Lastly, slow down and enjoy the wildlife (from a distance)—sea turtles and dolphins are your neighbors here, and it’s their home first.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Hawai'i page.