When I was asked to contribute to a article about a Hawaii (Big Island) vacation for nurses, I thought to myself; How can I specifically target nurses over any other demographic? While it's true that nurses are in one of the most important professions, they are pretty much like everybody else when it comes to taking a vacation and having fun and as such, have the same needs/budgets and any vacationers.
If you don't have some pre-arranged accommodations planned through your organization you're probably looking for some hotel/condo advice.
On the Big Island, Kona is the place for deal seekers. You'll find a lot a budget hotels and also some really great affordable condos that are quite nice. For those on a budget I often recommend that families get a condo. If you really need to strech your dollar, a family of four can easily fit in a one-bedroom but keep in mind two people will have to sleep on the sofa in the living room. They all have kitchens and also made service.
Budget condo recommendations:
-- Royal Sea Cliffs 1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOMS
-- Kona Reef 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS
Budget hotel recommendations:
-- Royal Kona Resort
-- King Kamehameha
In the moderate price range I recommend the Sheraton. The property is beautiful and has something for everyone. The great water features and pool area make you forget that there isn't a beach! You can also find some decent priced condos in Waikoloa at the Waikoloa shores in the Fairway Villas. These condos are located on golf courses but not far from some nice beaches.
Moderate priced Hotel Recommendations:
-- Sheraton Kona
Moderate priced condo recommendations:
-- Waikoloa Shores
-- Fairway Villas
For those that have heftier budgets, Waikoloa, north of Kona is the ideal location. Some of the finest hotels in all of Hawaii are located here, including the Four seasons, Fairmont orchid and Mauna Lani. A very popular property for families in this area is the Hilton Hawaiian Village. All of these are good choices and you won't be disappointed with picking any one of them for your vacation. If I had to pick one to recommend to you and you had the budget for it, I would choose the Four Seasons.
High End Choice Hotels
-- Four Seasons
-- Fairmont Orchid
-- Muna Lani
-- Hilton Waikaloa Village (more family oriented)
High End Choice Condos
--Mauna Lani Point Condos
While in Kona may want to take the Kona walking tour, it's a 75 minute walking tour which brings to life the village of Kailua-Kona. Another great activity is a trip to Kalakaukua Bay. This spectacular marine sanctuary offers an abundance of colorful tropical fish, a variety of beautiful coral reefs and visibility often to 100 feet, making it perfect for snorkeling. One of the favorite activities to engage in on the Big Island especially in Kona, is deep sea fishing. It's pretty much second to none anywhere in the world, if you can catch a Hawaii A'u (Marlin) I promise you'' never forget it!!. And of course there's always Hawaii Volcanoes National Park home to Madame Pele. Keep in mind that this is near the town of Hilo and it's quite a ride depending on which way you go, three to six hours.
Bruce's must do's
-- Kona walking tour
-- trip to Kalakaukua Bay
-- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Finally, the best thing to do when planning a trip to Hawaii is to consult with a professional which will save you both time and money. I highly recommend choosing one located directly in Hawaii. For example, an agency like ours, HAWAII-ALOHA.COM which specializes in Hawaii with an agent network located in the Hawaiian Islands.