There could scarcely be a more festive location than this 1,240-room hotel. Swiss-made trams and Disney-engineered boats shuttle guests around the property. Among its many facets are a 25,000-square-foot spa, nine restaurants, a dolphin encounter, a lake-sized pool with waterfalls and slides, and a saltwater-fed snorkeling lagoon. As part of Waikoloa Resort, it also has access to two 18-hole golf courses and a complete shopping complex. No one is ever bored, especially children, who often don’t want to leave. As one mother put it, "They make it very easy to have kids here."
The eight-court tennis complex falls under the purview of Tim DiDonato, whose management company runs this and two other facilities on the Big Island. Its 438-seat stadium (real bucket seats, not benches) has hosted USTA Challenger events in the past, which drew then up-and-comers Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Mardy Fish. Didonato now has changed focus: "I think Hilton's got enormous potential and we're really revamping to lure clubs," he told me. "You could stay on site for three or four days and have lots to do." At the same time, he continues to offer clinics, Cardio tennis, Keiki tennis for kids, private lessons, and a place to play—including that stadium court—for resort guests.
Pro Shop: 808-886-2222
For comparison's sake, also check out:
Various packages available.
Seasons. Year-round.
General Tourist Information. For information about the resorts along this corridor, visit the Kohala Coast Resort Association website or the Big Island Visitors Bureau website or contact them at 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI 96743. Phone: 808-961-5797. Or for information about Hawaii as a whole, visit the Hawaii Visitors Bureau website or contact them at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. #801, Honolulu, HI 96815. Phone: 808-923-1811 or Fax: 808-924-0290.