Kings Land Waikoloa - What Do I Need To Know?

[Davisdad5]

Doing a VIP presentation trip with Hilton in March 2024. Never been to this island and want to know any good insights for Waikoloa and Kings Land itself.

Where to rent a golf cart?
Can I charge a golf cart at resort?
I only see shopping really south of the airport, better to grab before heading north to resort?
Best Luau with keeping cost in mind (4 adults and 2 kids)?
Looking for a spot for vow renewal without breaking bank, suggestions?
Better restaurants in the overall Waikoloa area?
Whale watching in March?
Best Snorkel spots near Waikoloa?
Better day trips on the island? Volcano?

Appreciate it any help!

 

[Yzfguy06]

Here is a thread with lots of info in it.

Thoughts on accommodations on Big Island?

We're finally going to start adding a second island to our trips in 2024, and I intend to add BI to our Maui visit. Knowing next to nothing about the island, does anyone have any thoughts on a location to stay? We're a family of 3, and have no issues with a studio. Daughter loves the pool, and I...

tugbbs.com

 

[HudsHut]

Check with Kings' Land for latest activities sheet, but when we have gone, they have always had a dance group come to the resort, and put on a show on their large square lawn, complete with fire juggling, 30 - 45 minutes that is as good as any Luau, (eliminates the boring parts). And it's FREE. You can order appetizers / drinks from the adjacent bar.

The typical luau is a couple of hours, with lots of very boring parts, and over $100 / person

There is Foodland Farms a few miles north of resort. But yes, the Costco, Safeway and Walmart are near the airport.
If you like poke, Foodland has a great selection at good prices. They are known for their poke.

In Hilo, go to the Two Ladies Kitchen for fresh mochi.

 

[Sandy VDH]

There is also groceries up the hill at Waikoloa Village, but like cheaper at Costco or walmart.

There is a place next to Outrigger Kona that does Vow renewals. I think they are complimentary for Outrigger Guests but I do not know cost otherwise.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[mateo9999]

I was just there a couple of weeks ago and had a great time. Here are some thoughts around your specific questions:
VIP presentation - be ready to say no to whatever they are selling.
Golf carts - the only golf carts we saw while there are the ones that the resort itself uses. I did not see any golf cart rental shops or anyone staying at KL who had a golf cart. The front desk / valet has golf carts that they will escort you around the property in if you request it, plus all the grounds / cleaning crews use them, but that is about the extent of them. What you really need on the big island is a rent car.
Shopping - there are groceries around KL, but your better prices and selection is in Kona south of the airport. Costco is on the north side of Kona and is ~ 25-30 minutes from KL. So yes, much better shopping south of the airport, but logistically it depends on what time your flight lands from the mainland on if you will feel like going south for a big grocery run right after you land, or just head to the resort and get a day or so of basics from the local grocery and then go back to Kona the next day.
There are lots of Kings Land and Big Island discussion on the HGVC forums that cover your other questions, just a search away. But here are a couple of recent discussions:

Kingsland suggestions

Will be headed to Kingsland in a few weeks. We’ve stayed there before. I have a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom reserved. Can I make a request for which building and level? I prefer the North side, same side as the check-in and pool. Can anyone offer a suggestion on building number? Also, we can just...

tugbbs.com

Newbie, Kings Land

Hi all, So, I did the thing. Bought retail at Kingsland. THEN I went and found this resource, which is great! I can rescind until Monday, which I've been vacillating on based on this forum. Here's how the deal broke down: $18,025 (which included the week I'm here now) for 7680 points every...

tugbbs.com

 

[SmithOp]

Renting street legal golf carts is not a thing at Waikoloa, the only people driving them off the golf course are the housekeeping and maintenance workers. There is a service building next to building 1 where they charge up at night.

The visitors all have rental cars.

I would skip luau if cost is an issue, it's not cheap and the food is buffet style. There used to be a free show in the Shops at Mauna Lani next door, the same performers from the luau. We dined at the restaurant there before the show. It's been gone since Covid, and the event calendar is blank.

HOME | Shops at Mauna Lani

www.shopsatmaunalani.com

The free show at Kings Land has been scaled back to just three dancers with the free music group at happy hour, the fire dancer on the lawn was gone when we were just there in May.

 

[Davisdad5]

To be clear, the reason for the golf cart is we will be staying at Kings Land but most of our friends and family will be at Ocean Tower and Marriott. We thought a golf cart would be better to move around the area than a car. Especially for the teens/young adults.

 

[GT75]

There is a shuttle

 

[JIMinNC]

Better restaurants in the overall Waikoloa area?
Whale watching in March?
Better day trips on the island? Volcano?

Restaurants:
- Lava Lava Beach Club at A-Bay (no reservations/sunset views)
- Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill (Reservations/Asian Fusion)
- Merriman's Waimea (Up the hill about 25-30 minutes in Waimea; our favorite on Big Island; reservations are a must; fine dining seafood and steak)
- Pueo's Osteria - excellent Italian in Waikoloa Village about 10 minutes away
- Huggo's in Kailua-Kona (same ownership as Lava Lava)
- Fish Hooper in Kailua-Kona

March is getting into the latter stages of whale season. Whales are still there, but likely in fewer numbers than January/February. Ocean Sports Waikoloa at A-Bay offers whale watches that depart from A-Bay beach on a sailing catamaran. ( https://hawaiioceansports.com/ ) We have seen whales when on catamaran cruises on the Big Island, but they are not as numerous as they are off the coast of West Maui.

Definitely take a drive to the volcano if you have never been. Kilauea is not erupting now, but it can restart/stop at any time. Watch the eruption updates from USGS to see if the volcano is erupting.( https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates ) There are viewing areas you can walk to where you can see the eruptive areas inside Halema'uma'u crater. It's especially nice in dusk/night early AM or evening when you can see the lava in the dark. Even if the volcano isn't erupting when you go, it's still a worthwhile trip to see the older vents, past lava flows, and the site of the most recent eruptions. If you get lucky and Kilauea starts erupting again to coincide with your trip, try to get an overnight reservation at the Volcano House hotel inside the Volcanoes National Park. Pack an overnight bag, leave your other luggage in your unit at King's Land, and spend the night at Volcano House so you can see the eruption at night without a long dark drive to or from Waikoloa.

I agree with the others that golf carts aren't a thing in Waikoloa. I suspect they may not even be allowed on the roads, except for the staff. Walking or cars is the best way to get around if you don't want to use the Waikoloa shuttle bus.


Kilauea at night from Keanakako'i Overlook

 

[muscae]

In no particular order, we do them all every trip:
1. Kohala Drive. Stop at Hapuna Beach for a picnic and maybe a dip in the ocean. Continue uo the coast, then through Hawi, stop at Kamehameha I statue in front of north kohala center. Sometimes we continue all the way to the end of the road to the lookout. Backtrack to Hawi and return through the ranch lands to Waimea and back to Waikoloa. Goat spotting along the way.

2. Drive to Hilo via Waimea. Stop at waipio lookout. Stop at akaka falls in honomu. Do the scenic drive. End at hilo. We often do this in the reverse order that I just typed.

3. Drive to Hilo via saddle road. Drive up to Mauna Kea visitor center. Goat spotting along the way.

4. Hilo town. Visit rainbow falls. Boiling pots. Banyan Drive. Queen Liluokalani Gardens. King Kamehameha I statue. Buy our fix at Big Island Candies.

5.Volcanoes National Park. Either from Hilo side or around the southern coast. From Hilo we usually at at a farmers market stand in Pahoa. Produce is cheaper in pahoa than kona because it comes from pahoa.

6. Drive down the kona district. Through Kailua kona. Stop at Kamehameha III birthplace. Continue through captain Cook to st. Benedict painted church in honaunau. Beautiful drive. Narrow road. The church is now only open tue through Thursday midday. Stop at farmers market in kona. Goat spotting from Waikoloa to Kona. You can drive down from the church toward the ocean and look across Kealakekua Bay to the captain Cook statue. Or, for the adventurous you can hike down from captain Cook town.

7. Drive the Kau District. This is a long drive around the southern coast. We usually stop for lunch at l&l in Ocean view. Drive to parking at south point. Pay the locals to take you to the green sand beach. Continue through naalehu. Stop at black sand beach. Continue to volcanoes national park.

8.. Goat Spotting. Lots of wild goats. Especially in the kohala district and along saddle road. Although now the fences along saddle road are keeping them in the fields. Although not as many as during the pandemic. You can still see a lot of them.

9. Cat spotting. Lots of feral cats at bay club, kohala suites and kings land. Don't feed the cats.

Have fun and look out for goats.

 

[jehb2]

I agree with the others that golf carts aren't a thing in Waikoloa. I suspect they may not even be allowed on the roads, except for the staff. Walking or cars is the best way to get around if you don't want to use the Waikoloa shuttle bus.

Parking at Ocean Tower-Hilton Waikoloa Village is $48 last time I checked But there is a small free parking lot in the vicinity of the hotel. The Free shuttle will drop you right off at the hotel lower level. I’m Not sure the shuttle stops at the Marriott.

I’m curious. Are you NOT going to rent a car on the Big Island? I highly recommend a car for the Big Island.

 

[SmithOp]

The closest Hilton shuttle stop is Kings shopping, right across the street from Marriott.

The parking fee and location of the Tower units keeps me from booking there. I did take an open season unit when we stayed at Bay Club and had an extra guest.

 

[Davisdad5]

Parking at Ocean Tower-Hilton Waikoloa Village is $48 last time I checked But there is a small free parking lot near the hotel. The Free shuttle will drop you right off at the hotel lower level. I’m Not sure the shuttle stops at the Marriott.

I’m curious. Are you NOT going to rent a car on the Big Island? I highly recommend a car for the Big Island.

We will have a rental car. It just seemed like a simpler idea to move around in a street golf cart if going to and from the oceanside resorts from kings land. For the adventures, we would be in the rental.

 

[jehb2]

Got it!

 

[JIMinNC]

8.. Goat Spotting. Lots of wild goats. Especially in the kohala district and along saddle road. Although now the fences along saddle road are keeping them in the fields. Although not as many as during the pandemic. You can still see a lot of them.

Have fun and look out for goats.

You don't have to leave Waikoloa to do goat spotting. They are everywhere around Kings's Land - the golf course, eating the vegetation in the medians along Waikoloa Beach Drive, eating vegetation around the buildings at night, everywhere.

These were taken from our King's Land balcony in 2020.

 

[DeniseM]

I like the Foodland in Waimea - quality varies widely between Foodland stores, but this one is newer, large, and clean.

Stores – Foodland Super Market

foodland.com

It's about 19 mi. from King's Land. We prefer to get checked in, and then go to the grocery store either after check-in or the next morning. I would hate to find out that check-in was delayed with a load of groceries in the car.

These goats were right outside our lanai all the time - we call them The Landscaping Crew:

 

[Tamaradarann]

I agree with you that paying $48/night for parking is ridiculous that is why we ae staying in November without a car. That is $350 that we can use for Ubers, Cabs, Microbrews, Wines or other things while we are there. Oh, we don't need to rent a car for about $80/day + extra insurance. I don't even know what we can do with that money!

The closest Hilton shuttle stop is Kings shopping, right across the street from Marriott.

The parking fee and location of the Tower units keeps me from booking there. I did take an open season unit when we stayed at Bay Club and had an extra guest.

 

[bizaro86]

I like the Foodland in Waimea - quality varies widely between Foodland stores, but this one is newer, large, and clean.

Stores – Foodland Super Market

foodland.com

It's about 19 mi. from King's Land. We prefer to get checked in, and then go to the grocery store either after check-in or the next morning. I would hate to find out that check-in was delayed with a load of groceries in the car.

These goats were right outside our lanai all the time - we call them The Landscaping Crew:

View attachment 79879

The bell staff at Kings Land are pretty good with groceries. They will separately store refrigerated and freezer items in bins for you until your room is ready, and then deliver them.

 

[brp]

There is a shuttle

And it is a very nice walk.

Cheers.

 

[brp]

Restaurants:
- Lava Lava Beach Club at A-Bay (no reservations/sunset views)
- Roy's Waikoloa Bar and Grill (Reservations/Asian Fusion)
- Merriman's Waimea (Up the hill about 25-30 minutes in Waimea; our favorite on Big Island; reservations are a must; fine dining seafood and steak)
- Pueo's Osteria - excellent Italian in Waikoloa Village about 10 minutes away
- Huggo's in Kailua-Kona (same ownership as Lava Lava)
- Fish Hooper in Kailua-Kona

- Sansei Sushi
- Kona Brewing Company in Mailua-Kona

Of course, getting fresh meat or fish and grilling is great as well. Da Fish House, up the road in Kawaihae is a great place for fresh fish.

Cheers.

 

[Dancingtraveler]

If you are staying at Kings Land, you can park for free at Ocean Tower (or at least in June we did). Just swing by the valet on your way out to get the ticket validated.

We liked the pool at Kingsland better than Ocean Tower.

 

[brp]

If you are staying at Kings Land, you can park for free at Ocean Tower (or at least in June we did). Just swing by the valet on your way out to get the ticket validated.

We liked the pool at Kingsland better than Ocean Tower.

To be clear, folks at Kings Land (and Kohala Suites) can park at Hilton Waikoloa Village. It's still quite a distance to the Ocean Tower part of the HWV property. Also, the main pools at HWV are at the far end of the property, away from Ocean Tower.

I know what you meant, but wanted to add correct info for clarity.

Cheers.

 

[Yzfguy06]

If you are staying at Kings Land, you can park for free at Ocean Tower (or at least in June we did). Just swing by the valet on your way out to get the ticket validated.

We liked the pool at Kingsland better than Ocean Tower.

I thought there was a parking fee for being at ocean tower? Or is that just for overnight parking?

 

[brp]

I thought there was a parking fee for being at ocean tower? Or is that just for overnight parking?

There is no parking at Ocean Tower. It is the parking for the entire HWV property. And there are fees during the day as well as overnight. HWV is a huge property with multiple towers, one of which is Ocean Tower.. But just one big parking lot.

This is a good map for laying it all out. Note that parking is on the far left and Ocean Tower is on the far right.

https://fh-sites.imgix.net/sites/1678/2017/05/17195248/Locations.Big-Island.Hilton.Photo3_.jpg

Cheers.

 

[Yzfguy06]

I was going to stay at ocean tower but I didn’t want to pay for parking. It wouldve added over 300 to my stay.