• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Best timeshares on big island?

Ryes

Guest
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
92
Reaction score
17
Points
318
HI there, I will be going to the big island in Hawaii around mid october and am wondering which timeshares I should be looking into to try to find a rental... My dates are very specific (oct 12-19) so it means I have to be more open for which timeshares in order to find something, but I really don't want to stay in somewhere not nice.

I love the marriotts and westins so hoping for something of similar quality. I looked on redweek and at the moment there are zero places available for those dates. Anyway, any assistance on which are the better time shares on the big island would be appreciated. I am not fussy on which part of the big island since we have to fly into hilo for a certain reason, and we have to fly out of kona when leaving.
 

bizaro86

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2008
Messages
3,664
Reaction score
2,489
Points
598
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
The Waikoloa timeshares (3 by HGVC and one by Marriott) are probably the nicest. We stayed at Kings' Land earlier this year and thought it was Marriott/Westin quality or better.
 

ared505

newbie
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Messages
17
Reaction score
10
Points
63
The Bay Club is under the umbrella of the HGVC and closer to the big hotel, King's Court, Queens Marketplace, and A' beach. Several years ago we toured the Paniolo Greens, which is on a golf course but--importantly--7 miles inland.
 

DaveNV

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
22,003
Reaction score
29,217
Points
1,348
Location
Mesquite, Nevada
Resorts Owned
Free Agent
I'm sure the reason you're asking is because your dates are Ironman Week on the Big Island. At this late date, I'd suggest you take anything you can get.

Dave
 

1Kflyerguy

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Messages
3,430
Reaction score
1,528
Points
399
Location
San Jose, Ca
Resorts Owned
HGVC Kings Land, Elara, and Marriott Destination Club Points
We really like the Waikaloa Beach Resort area. Our favorite location is Kings Land by HGV, I think its most resort like, with an amazing pool and nice pool bar. Kohala Suites and Bay Club by HGV are also nice. Bay Club seems boring compared to Kings Land to me, but many people really like Bay Club for its large units.

We toured the Marriott time share right after it opened. The rooms are nice, but converted from a hotel and don't have kitchens.

I think there a number of timeshares in Kona area, but those are older and smaller from what i have seen.

If not fixed on a Timeshare, there are quite a few condos in the Waikaloa Beach resort and many owners rent those via the standard rental sites.
 

talkamotta

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
2,065
Reaction score
167
Points
274
Location
Sandy, UT
I like wyndham kona the best. The iron man will go right past that resort. But you should take anything you can get.
 

jlp879

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,147
Reaction score
338
Points
443
Location
SF Bay Area
There are quite a few older and smaller timeshares in the Kona area. What I like about about them is that most are walking distance to town and small coves or beaches. They feel like small communities and are cozy and quaint.

All the Waikoloa timeshares are much newer with all the bells and whistles but I wouldn't discount the Kona area timeshares, especially for convenience and ease of travel.
 

triangulum33

TUG Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2013
Messages
294
Reaction score
37
Points
238
Location
Sacramento Area
Resorts Owned
2005 WKORN
There are quite a few older and smaller timeshares in the Kona area. What I like about about them is that most are walking distance to town and small coves or beaches. They feel like small communities and are cozy and quaint.
All the Waikoloa timeshares are much newer with all the bells and whistles but I wouldn't discount the Kona area timeshares, especially for convenience and ease of travel.

I agree with this. Waikoloa is the mega resort area, Kona and south to Captain Cook area are small interesting towns with coffee, nut and fruit farms, and great views of the ocean.

One obvious, but often underestimated characteristic of the Big Island is its size. Two points that look relatively close together on the map can take longer than expected to travel. Waikoloa for example is 45min to Kona and about 2hrs to Volcanoes National Park.
 

DaveNV

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
22,003
Reaction score
29,217
Points
1,348
Location
Mesquite, Nevada
Resorts Owned
Free Agent
Waikoloa for example is 45min to Kona and about 2hrs to Volcanoes National Park.

Add traffic, darkness, or poor weather, and the travel times go up. During the Ironman competition, all bets are off. If OP wants a perfect place to stay, that's fine, and at probably any other time of year it would be an option. But to ask in March for an event happening in October, it's going to be a challenge to even have a choice of where to stay. The smart money is to take what you can get, and plan for a future trip in a great location at a less crazy time of year.

Dave
 

pedro47

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
22,072
Reaction score
8,536
Points
948
Location
East Coast
Is it hard to exchange into Hawaii the last week in June and the first two (2) weeks in July ?
 

DaveNV

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
22,003
Reaction score
29,217
Points
1,348
Location
Mesquite, Nevada
Resorts Owned
Free Agent
Is it hard to exchange into Hawaii the last week in June and the first two (2) weeks in July ?

Far enough ahead of time, I'd say probably not. Depending on where you want to stay, you'd just need to get in line at the right time.

Dave
 

SmithOp

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
7,610
Reaction score
3,403
Points
499
Location
Huntington Beach, CA
Resorts Owned
HGVC King's Land 2BR Premier 23.040K Points.
One obvious, but often underestimated characteristic of the Big Island is its size. Two points that look relatively close together on the map can take longer than expected to travel. Waikoloa for example is 45min to Kona and about 2hrs to Volcanoes National Park.

There are other challenging drives on the islands. Try Kaanapali to Hana on Maui, or Ko Olina to Hanauma Bay during rush hour on Oahu.

Since they finished the Saddle road I avoid the southern route past Kona.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 

Luanne

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
19,353
Reaction score
10,185
Points
1,198
Location
New Mexico
Resorts Owned
Maui Lea at Maui Hill
San Diego Country Estates
There are other challenging drives on the islands. Try Kaanapali to Hana on Maui, or Ko Olina to Hanauma Bay during rush hour on Oahu.

Since they finished the Saddle road I avoid the southern route past Kona.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
The biggest reason to take the southern route is so you can stop at the bakery.
 

DaveNV

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
22,003
Reaction score
29,217
Points
1,348
Location
Mesquite, Nevada
Resorts Owned
Free Agent
The biggest reason to take the southern route is so you can stop at the bakery.

Punalu'u Bakery in Na'alehu is a great reason to take that road. :)

Dave
 

Hawaiibarb

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
347
Reaction score
20
Points
378
Location
Honolulu, Hawaii
I usually stay in Kona when I go to the Big Island......not as nice as Waikaloa, but more convenient. The two places I have have enjoyed are Wyndham Hawaiian Village and Royal Sea Cliff, both on Alii Drive, both very comfortable and well-maintained.
 

Luanne

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
19,353
Reaction score
10,185
Points
1,198
Location
New Mexico
Resorts Owned
Maui Lea at Maui Hill
San Diego Country Estates
I usually stay in Kona when I go to the Big Island......not as nice as Waikaloa, but more convenient. The two places I have have enjoyed are Wyndham Hawaiian Village and Royal Sea Cliff, both on Alii Drive, both very comfortable and well-maintained.
I always say it's hard to compare Kona and Waikoloa. One is a funky little town with lots of restaurant choices, the other is a resort with limited restaurants, unless you want to eat at the generally overpriced hotel restaurants.

That said we always felt a perfect trip to the Big Island was one week in Kona, one in Waikoloa, and a few nights in Volcano Village at the Kilauea Lodge.
 

bevans

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
220
Reaction score
60
Points
389
Location
Santa Cruz, Ca
Resorts Owned
hgvc Flamingo, hgvc Paradise
Luanne, i could not agree with you more as we have done your itinerary more than once and the Kilauea lodge european style menu is unique and my favorite restaurant on the Big Island.
 

DianeG

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
300
Reaction score
96
Points
388
Location
Canada
For Ironman week, you are by now way too late for anything on the west side of the Island... it’s booked even more solid than Christmas week. You should reserve something other than a timeshare immediately, as a back-up, if your dates are set and you do not want to ultimately camp in your car.
Even rental cars would be in short supply by now, if you don’t already have one booked. However, a car pick-up at Hilo airport may still be able to be reserved - I’d lock in my car rental now too (look at Costco and at DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com)
 

BJRSanDiego

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
3,439
Reaction score
1,913
Points
398
Location
San Diego
Resorts Owned
Sands of Kahana, Desert Springs I, DSV2, Shadow Ridge Enclaves Dlx
One year we reserved a week at Kona Coast 2. We wanted to go to the Volcano park and tried to book a hotel room in Hilo. It turns out the it was the week of the Merry Monarch Hula contest. Just about everything in the area was booked. We did find a place but the whole area was kind of a "zoo". People all over, difficulty parking, had to make res's for any restaurants, etc.

So, my advice to the OP is to try to nail something down. Many hotels have a no-penalty cancellation. So, once you get this back-up plan in place you can continue to search for the "BEST". But perhaps the BEST is the place that has vacancies (humor).:)
 

daventrina

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
2,173
Reaction score
175
Points
423
Location
Big Island, HI
Resorts Owned
HVC (Diamond) Platinum HI/US HGV Max
... if your dates are set and you do not want to ultimately camp in your car.
Even rental cars would be in short supply by now, if you don’t already have one booked. However, a car pick-up at Hilo airport may still be able to be reserved - I’d lock in my car rental now too (look at Costco and at DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com)
Like you said ... IF there is a car available to sleep in ....
We landes ae day morning once .. and is was actually nice to go to Ironman at least once...
 

mentalbreak

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2011
Messages
898
Reaction score
1,368
Points
353
Yikes! I am so glad I read this. We have a HGCV Kings’ Land exchange for these dates and had no idea it was Ironman. Thanks for the heads up.
 

Rjbeach2003

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
370
Reaction score
307
Points
274
Location
United States
We've stayed at Kona Coast and Holua Loa, as both are Shell Vacations of which we are members. Haven't stayed at Paniol'o Greens in Waikolo'a Village yet, the third Shell property, but probably will on next trip to Big Island. I prefer being on the South Kohala Coast, so if you could get a TS there I'd grab it. We have rented houses twice in Mauna Lani for 8 or more, and it's our preferred location.

When we are at KCR at the south end of Kailua-Kona, we end up driving north for the snorkeling, beaches and scenery. We do spend a little time in Kailua-Kona, but only a little. too tee shirt shoppy, if that's a word.
 
Top