2016 Travels -- Hilton Waikoloa - Big Island, Hawaii

Weekend Getaway on the Big Island at Hilton Waikoloa Resort

Returning to Familiar Grounds

This weekend took me back to the Hilton Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island, a place I hadn’t visited since childhood. Walking through the resort stirred up memories of running around as a kid, although now, I’m picking up on details I hadn’t noticed before. While the place hasn’t changed much, experiencing it as an adult offered a new perspective.

Things to Know

The Big Island offers a slower pace, with limited activities after dark. After sunset, the main options are winding down in your hotel room or catching a movie. A tip for future visitors: hitting up a local grocery store before heading to the resort can save you quite a bit, as food prices within the resort can be steep—though I was pleasantly surprised that a cup of coffee was reasonably priced at $4.50.

Staying in the Makai Lagoon Tower

I stayed in the Makai Lagoon Tower, which I’d recommend for its convenience. This resort is quite expansive, with a 15-minute walk from one end to the other, so staying in the Lagoon Tower cuts down on travel time to the main attractions within the resort.

G-Shock GLX5600: The Perfect Watch for Hawaii

For this trip, I went with my Casio G-Shock GLX5600 in Red. It handled water exposure flawlessly, and the watch stayed comfortable on my wrist even in the high heat and humidity. With two hurricanes tracking nearby, it was a relief that neither caused issues during the weekend.

Would I Return?

Overall, while I enjoyed the nostalgia, this resort caters best to families with young kids who can make full use of the pools and water slides. For a more activity-filled vacation, I might look elsewhere next time, but it was still a worthwhile experience for a relaxing weekend.

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