The Rates at Hilton Waikoloa Village

"The biggest downsides? The property is showing its age, the restaurants are pricey (and mostly mediocre), and there's no beach on the actual ocean -- just a thin strip of sand on the man-made lagoon"

""Disney World without the rides" but plenty else, including a "black lava" beach, "wonderful" swimming lagoon complete with turtles, Dolphin Quest adventure and "fabulous" spa, this oceanfront "village-type" property is a "great resort for families", where guests travel by "cool" monorail or water tram around "lush", "expansive" grounds ("too spread out" say some); critics claim the place "needs a face-lift" and food prices are "insane" (and "comfortably decorated" rooms are "smallish"), but others crow you "can't ask for anything more&$&"

"For added value and special events, the annual Dolphin Days celebration (mid-June) is the best time to visit"