How to Choose Which HGV on the Big Island of Hawaii is right for you

[Clifbell]

Hilton Grand Vacation has four wonderful properties in Waikoloa on the big island of Hawaii. But which one should you stay at? I created four criteria that I thought helped define the four Hilton Grand Vacations Properties so that you could choose which one was right for everyone. Below is the summary;

Best pools - King's Land
Closest to the Ocean - Ocean Tower
Biggest Rooms - Bay Club
Best availability - Bay Club and King's Land

The video below breaks down this analysis. I have stayed at all four in the last year (and will again in 2022). These timeshares are the main reason I own Hilton Grand Vacations.

How to Choose Which HGV on the Big Island of Hawaii is right for you

Map of all my timeshare reviews

The details behind my analysis are broken down in the following bullet points by each club should provide you the details to make a better decision. I welcome any other comments and opinions on which ones you like;

Bay Club - Largest rooms, short walk to the ocean, huge decks
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. One (825 Sq Ft) and two (1283 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. Standard 4800 points for one bedroom and 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. Two pools.
B. Both pools are relatively small… No water slides but Jacuzzi’s a available
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1/4 to 1/2 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the adult pool plus entertainment
B. Good fitness center
C. Plenty of Grills
D. Free parking

Kohala Suites - Nice balcony, kid friendly pool with snack bar, and access to Hilton Waikoloa
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (1150 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. standard 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. One pool
B. Pools has water slides and Jacuzzi
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1/2 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the pool
B. Plenty of Grills
C. Free parking

King’s Land - Best pools and close to main highway for getting around the island
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (1150 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. standard 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. Four pools
B. Pools has water slides and Jacuzzi
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the pool
B. Nightly Entertainment at the pool bar
C. Plenty of Grills
D. Free parking

Ocean Tower - Stay here if you want to have ocean views, no rental car, and access to the hotel
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (877 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. Standard 10,500 points for two bedroom (17,250 Points for partial Ocean View)
C. One Bedroom (4800 Points) 590 Sq ft. (7200 Points Partial for Ocean View)
D. Studio (no Kitchen 3400 Points)
2. Swimming pools
A. Two pools
B. Pool has water slides and Jacuzzi
C. Use hotel pools also
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Can be ocean view or short walk to the ocean
B. Walk or take the tram to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Convenience store on property
B. Art on walk from lobby to property entrance
C. Food available at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel which is walking distance
D. Paid parking ($39/night)
E. No Grills

 

[Luanne]

Great breakdown and analysis. We have only stayed at Bay Club and Kohala Suites. Of those two I prefer Bay Club. We're not huge pool people so the better pools have never been a draw for us. Maybe when our daughters were little they would have been. We have also stayed in the Ocean Towers, but that was back when it was a hotel unit.

 

[SmithOp]

KL has a limited number of 7k units, most are higher. The premier units have a good maint fee to point ratio to own.

KL has a weekly (Thursday) luau show on the ohana lawn.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[pedro47]

Are any of these resorts near the military resort The Hale Koa ?

 

[Luanne]

Are any of these resorts near the military resort The Hale Koa ?

Not exactly. Hale Koa is on Oahu. All of these resorts are on the Big Island.

 

[SmithOp]

Are any of these resorts near the military resort The Hale Koa ?

That would be Hilton Hawaiian Village, right next door on Waikiki beach.

For Big Island there is Kilauea Military Camp, right inside Volcano National Park.

Home

www.kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ski_sierra]

Hilton Grand Vacation has four wonderful properties in Waikoloa on the big island of Hawaii. But which one should you stay at? I created four criteria that I thought helped define the four Hilton Grand Vacations Properties so that you could choose which one was right for everyone. Below is the summary;

Best pools - King's Land
Closest to the Ocean - Ocean Tower
Biggest Rooms - Bay Club
Best availability - Bay Club and King's Land

The video below breaks down this analysis. I have stayed at all four in the last year (and will again in 2022). These timeshares are the main reason I own Hilton Grand Vacations.

How to Choose Which HGV on the Big Island of Hawaii is right for you

Map of all my timeshare reviews

The details behind my analysis are broken down in the following bullet points by each club should provide you the details to make a better decision. I welcome any other comments and opinions on which ones you like;

Bay Club - Largest rooms, short walk to the ocean, huge decks
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. One (825 Sq Ft) and two (1283 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. Standard 4800 points for one bedroom and 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. Two pools.
B. Both pools are relatively small… No water slides but Jacuzzi’s a available
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1/4 to 1/2 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the adult pool plus entertainment
B. Good fitness center
C. Plenty of Grills
D. Free parking

Kohala Suites - Nice balcony, kid friendly pool with snack bar, and access to Hilton Waikoloa
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (1150 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. standard 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. One pool
B. Pools has water slides and Jacuzzi
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1/2 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the pool
B. Plenty of Grills
C. Free parking

King’s Land - Best pools and close to main highway for getting around the island
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (1150 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. standard 7000 points for two bedroom
2. Swimming pools
A. Four pools
B. Pools has water slides and Jacuzzi
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Depending on unit about 1 mile
B. Shuttle available to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Food available by the pool
B. Nightly Entertainment at the pool bar
C. Plenty of Grills
D. Free parking

Ocean Tower - Stay here if you want to have ocean views, no rental car, and access to the hotel
1. Room Sizes and Points
A. Two (877 Sq Ft.) bedrooms.
B. Standard 10,500 points for two bedroom (17,250 Points for partial Ocean View)
C. One Bedroom (4800 Points) 590 Sq ft. (7200 Points Partial for Ocean View)
D. Studio (no Kitchen 3400 Points)
2. Swimming pools
A. Two pools
B. Pool has water slides and Jacuzzi
C. Use hotel pools also
3. Close to the Ocean
A. Can be ocean view or short walk to the ocean
B. Walk or take the tram to Hilton Waikoloa hotel
4. Availability
A. Normally available
B. Multiple options during off peak season
5. Other Amenities (food, Parking, Art, entertainment, etc…)
A. Convenience store on property
B. Art on walk from lobby to property entrance
C. Food available at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel which is walking distance
D. Paid parking ($39/night)
E. No Grills

Really great analysis and very helpful for people wanting to make a decision. We stayed at Kings' Land in Summer 2021 and are going back to King's Land for Thanksgiving 2022.

 

[brp]

We've stayed all three non-HWV resorts and like all three. They all have things to offer. The analysis above is quite good, but misses a few things:

• Kohala and Bay Club are on the same campus so each, effectively, has he same 3 pools, and we've used them that way.
• Kohala has live entertainment as well and, when we where there in November, it was better than Kingsland
• Food options are mediocre, at best, at all locations.

But otherwise looks quite complete.

Overall, we like the Kohala/Bay Club setting better. But we will likely stay at Kingsland again in November simply because we loved the building/area we were in. And as out unit type of preference is only found there, we'll be in the same area. And and adult hot tub is very nice for meeting folks and chatting. bar is usually better than Kohala, but was quite inferior in November. We expect it to be better this coming November.

And we still have points to burn. I don't think it's worth the extra unless one has the extra points.

Cheers.

 

[pedro47]

That would be Hilton Hawaiian Village, right next door on Waikiki beach.

For Big Island there is Kilauea Military Camp, right inside Volcano National Park.

Home

www.kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Thank you and thank you very much.

 

[geist1223]

Are any of these resorts near the military resort The Hale Koa ?

On the BI you have the Military KMC (Kilauea Military Camp) in Volcano National Park, which is on the opposite side of the Island from the HGV Resorts.

 

[tdietvorst]

Clifbel, I am blown away by your review. How delightful. How helpful. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

 

[Clifbell]

KL has a limited number of 7k units, most are higher. The premier units have a good maint fee to point ratio to own.

KL has a weekly (Thursday) luau show on the ohana lawn.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I'll have to check for the Luau show.

 

[Clifbell]

We've stayed all three non-HWV resorts and like all three. They all have things to offer. The analysis above is quite good, but misses a few things:

• Kohala and Bay Club are on the same campus so each, effectively, has he same 3 pools, and we've used them that way.
• Kohala has live entertainment as well and, when we where there in November, it was better than Kingsland
• Food options are mediocre, at best, at all locations.

But otherwise looks quite complete.

Overall, we like the Kohala/Bay Club setting better. But we will likely stay at Kingsland again in November simply because we loved the building/area we were in. And as out unit type of preference is only found there, we'll be in the same area. And and adult hot tub is very nice for meeting folks and chatting. bar is usually better than Kohala, but was quite inferior in November. We expect it to be better this coming November.

And we still have points to burn. I don't think it's worth the extra unless one has the extra points.

Cheers.

I love the decks on the Bay Club. I will be staying in the two bedroom in May.... I was surprised how much I loved the second bathroom in the Bay Club one bedroom... It was convenient to the kitchen and living room without having to go thru the bedroom.

 

[jnjvance]

I'll have to check for the Luau show.

When we were there in early October the Luau show was on hold due to COVID. Not sure if it is still that way, though.

 

[Harry]

I love Ocean Towers, BUT I am a walker and prefer being on the ocean. We are original owners of the Bay Club but have elected KL since it was built. KL is probably the Hilton of choice for most

 

[NiteMaire]

Thanks for the outstanding info.

We've stayed at The Bay Club and Kohala Suites. We lucked out and exchanged into 2BR Grand(?) Villa. From what I recall it was originally built for year-round owners (maybe the entire resort was, but don't know). We had covered parking and there were only 2 units per building. We went from that huge unit to a small 2BR Kohala Suites unit for our second week. We would definitely go back to Bay Club, but think we'd choose Kings' Land over Kohala Suites (based on what we've read about Kings' Land).

When we stayed at Bay Club, we were not given access to the pool at the hotel. We didn't mind, especially since we were given access when we moved to Kohala Suites. The pool is not enough of a draw to get us to stay at Kohala Suites again. I wonder how the other 2BRs unit compare to the one stayed in...

 

[Bill4728]

The pool is not enough of a draw to get us to stay at Kohala Suites again. I wonder how the other 2BRs unit compare to the one stayed i

For us, having access to the hotel pools is worth a stay in the kohala suites.

 

[brp]

For us, having access to the hotel pools is worth a stay in the kohala suites.

For us, the only one we care about is the Lagoon Pool (the rest are just pools. I've read here that, since this connected directly to the ocean, it's actually publicly accessible, but getting a towel there is not bad.

Cheers.

 

[Harry]

The Bay Club was built as a private condo as were the villas. The developer either went bankrupt or sold tp a timeshare developer in the mid 90’s. We bought a resale in the late 90’s. Hilton affiliated and developed Kohala from old slabs from the Bay Club. Hilton offered owners the option of buying into their system at a really good price after Kahala was built. The Bay Club Board has done a good job with the assistance of Hilton managing.

 

[Luanne]

For us, the only one we care about is the Lagoon Pool (the rest are just pools. I've read here that, since this connected directly to the ocean, it's actually publicly accessible, but getting a towel there is not bad.

Cheers.

Anyone can walk around the Hilton grounds. And sure, you could probably use the pools. But, as you said you can't get a towel and you can't use the small water slide. Other than that I don't know if they monitor who is in the pools, or laying around bedside them, for wristbands.

 

[brp]

Anyone can walk around the Hilton grounds. And sure, you could probably use the pools. But, as you said you can't get a towel and you can't use the small water slide. Other than that I don't know if they monitor who is in the pools, or laying around bedside them, for wristbands.

Agreed. Talking specifically about the Lagoon Pool. And I'm quite sure that one could get away with not being checked. But I've read here that, in addition to simply not getting caught, it's actually legal for the public to use this pool. Sans locally-acquired towel, of course

Cheers.

 

[Luanne]

Agreed. Talking specifically about the Lagoon Pool. And I'm quite sure that one could get away with not being checked. But I've read here that, in addition to simply not getting caught, it's actually legal for the public to use this pool. Sans locally-acquired towel, of course

Cheers.

The lagoon pool is the one that is supposed to look like a natural beach, right? I mean, if you want to go to the beach, there is A-Bay, right next door. We stayed at the Hilton some years back and I don't think any of us used the lagoon pool.

 

[Lodemia]

We will have a car and we booked the ocean tower deluxe 1br because we wanted ocean views. Is that a mistake parking-wise? I don’t mind paying for valet, but I don’t want to huff gear and groceries a mile away. We’ve been to the big island three times prior, but this is the first as HGVC members.

All the other three are available for our dates. Thinking we might want to cancel and rebook kingsland or bay club.

Elite premier if that matters

 

[Luanne]

We will have a car and we booked the ocean tower deluxe 1br because we wanted ocean views. Is that a mistake parking-wise? I don’t mind paying for valet, but I don’t want to huff gear and groceries a mile away. We’ve been to the big island three times prior, but this is the first as HGVC members.

All the other three are available for our dates. Thinking we might want to cancel and rebook kingsland or bay club.

Elite premier if that matters

Oh yeah, you will be huffing and puffing with groceries. There is (or at least used to be) a boat, or a tram, that would go from the lobby out to the towers.

With the parking, is it valet, or do you park the car yourself? If you park it yourself you'll be lugging the groceries from the parking lot (up stairs if I remember correctly) to the lobby. If it's truly valet at least you'll be able to leave your car at the lobby entrance. I don't think when the hotel was built it was even intended to be used as a timeshare.

 

[Lodemia]

I read both that there was a valet and that the valet was suspended due to covid. Now sure which to believe.