The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the largest and most family-friendly resort in the Kailua-Kona area, and is often referred to as the “Disneyland“ of the Big Island. With 1,200 rooms, three large pool areas, extensive outdoor grounds and a variety of on-site dining options, the Hilton Waikoloa is indeed a small village in and of itself, and a tram and canal boats help guests travel across the sprawling property. Each of the three towers on the property has a different style of room decor, but the overall feel the same: clean and generic. The biggest downsides? The property is showing its age, the restaurants are pricey (and mostly mediocre), and there's no beach on the actual ocean -- just a thin strip of sand on the man-made lagoon. Luckily Lagoon Tower rooms were renovated in 2012.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Club offers an affordable two-bedroom option within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The living room, dining, and kitchen areas are well-equipped for multiple guests and longer stays, much like other condos in the area, but access to the Waikoloa Hilton allows guests to enjoy resort-like perks close by. The lobby area and main pool are beautifully designed, though both can easily become crowded (along with other facilities) due to high traffic and small space. Some areas are a bit dated, but overall it's a great value for the price and for those looking for a more at-home-type extended stay.

Renovated in 2017, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is an upscale property set along Anaehoomalu Bay on the Kohala coast, offering beach access, lovely grounds with winding paths and fish ponds, and features for both kids and adults. The 297 rooms are modern and sophisticated, if a bit generic, equipped with free Wi-Fi, showers, and Netflix-enabled flat-screen TVs. All units have furnished balconies or terraces -- some with ocean views. The pool complex is attractive but a bit small for the size of the resort, and the many kids found here may be a con for couples seeking a peaceful retreat. However, Mandara Spa offers tranquil treatments, fun luaus are well-regarded, and water sports such as snorkeling are available. The hotel's location -- next to two championship golf courses, and within walking distance of shops and restaurants -- is convenient, especially since guests may be inclined to skip the mediocre on-site dining. Couples seeking a romantic getaway should consider the nearby Mauna Lani.

This clean, affordable condo property in Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast offers an uncommon level of privacy: It's located inside a gated community and surrounded by a golf course. Ranch-inspired buildings house multi-room units, complete with full kitchens and washer/dryers, and property features include an attractive (if small) infinity pool and an open-air fitness room. But the living rooms and kitchens are a bit smaller than you'll find at competing condo properties, the decor varies by unit, and the beach is a half mile away.