Hilton Waikoloa Village - Waikoloa, Big Island, Hawaii - Self-Contained Resort with a Dolphin Lagoon

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is nestled within the Kohala Coast's 1,350-acre Waikoloa Beach Resort, which also includes the Hilton Grand Vacations Club as well as numerous condominiums and vacation homes. The resort has become a destination favored by families as well as couples, offering Hawaii's "aloha spirit'' and activities for everyone within a self-contained environment.

Two huge swimming pools with waterfalls are a major attraction for adults as well as children at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Kona Pool has a 175-foot water slide, while the Kohala River Pool features a gentle current where guests can float leisurely along on inflatables. These freshwater facilities complement the resort's four-acre saltwater lagoon, which is teaming with tropical fish and excellent for snorkeling. There is also a sandy-bottomed shallow pool surrounded by kid-sized deck chairs.

A major aquatic attraction here is Dolphin Quest, an interactive program guided by marine mammal experts that allows guests to swim with the sea's most intelligent creatures. A typical session involves 30~90 minutes in the lagoon, touching, feeding and playing with the resort's resident dolphins. Special twilight programs and trainer for a day or week adventures are also offered seasonally.

Apart from its lush tropical gardens, exotic wildlife, cascading waterfalls, and recreational waterways, the Hilton Waikoloa Village offers beautifully appointed guest accommodations. Intimate studio-type rooms and suites with up to 3,000 square feet of floor space are available in each of the resort's three wings: Lagoon Tower, Ocean Tower and Palace Tower.

Extensive indoor and outdoor meeting/event spaces can be reserved for conferences, weddings and social gatherings. The convention center is the largest of its kind outside Oahu - over 235,000 square feet of first-class meeting and exhibit facilities. There is a full-service business center on the premises, too.

Dining options are many and varied at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. There are nine different choices, including three signature restaurants offering only dinner menus: Donatoni's (Northern Italian cuisine), Imari (Japanese), and Kamuela Provision Company (Hawaiian regional cuisine). For all-day dining, the Palm Terrace with its lavish breakfast buffet and nightly themed buffets competes with Kirin (Chinese) and the Malolo Lounge (breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and live jazz entertainment). Other choices are the Lagoon Grill near Dolphin Quest Lagoon, the Ocean Tower's Boat Landing Pavilion, and the new Orchid Market Place at Kona Pool.

Additional recreational activities here include the "Legends of the Pacific'' Dinner Show and Luau every Tuesday and Friday evening and the "Myth: Hidden Legends of Old Hawaii'' performance every Sunday evening. There are also tennis courts, two championship golf courses, a seaside putting area, and the luxurious Kohala Sports Club & Spa for body treatments and healthy exercise.

World-class shopping is also a feature of the Hilton Waikoloa Village. An eclectic array of shops and boutiques can be found throughout the resort, such as the Sandal Tree for fun footwear, HI Trend for sunglasses, and Na Hoku for hand-crafted Hawaiian jewelry. The Gallery, established in 2003, offers original artwork by award-winning artists who reside in Hawaii. And Things Hawaiian is one of three gift shops selling specialty souvenir items.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is located at 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738. The nearest town is Puako to the north, and beautiful Anaehoomalu Bay is just to the south. The resort is just 20 minutes from Kona International Airport along State Highway 19 North. Take the Waikoloa Beach Drive turnoff to the left to the entrance of Hilton Waikoloa Village.