We flew over to Kona on Hawaiian Airlines, and I had no problem carrying on my guitar case/overnight bag. We had e-tickets, so I have the feeling that if I had checked in with a human I would have had to actually check my guitar as baggage and therefore risk it being destroyed. This was not the case, however, and my gig bg fit comfortably in an overhead bin. I am unaccustomed to hassle-free air travel, so the experience fostered some faith in the industry.

 

We went directly (to my vague dismay, as I had hoped to check in at the Waikoloa first) to the venue, Aloha Friday’s at the Kona Coast Resort. I was told that the timeshare development has been at 100% capacity for twenty years. There are quite a few amenities there, things like shuffleboard, volleyball, barbeque pits and a pool and spa. I’m not particularly familiar with the timeshare experience, but from what I could ascertain at the Kona Coast Resort, it is certainly a fine way to spend a vacation. Shell Vacations operates there, and offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities from the coast to the summits of the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

 

Between sets at Aloha Friday’s, I was served what may be the biggest and best rib-eye steak I’ve ever had the joy of eating. The service was impeccable and the guests were properly sated by the time the affair ended.

 

We didn’t get to the Waikoloa until after 10pm, so I was forced to rise early the next morning in order to make the most of my brief time of the property. Lesley and I did manage to have martinis and mojitos at the Malolo Lounge before turning in.

 The Hilton Waikoloa is, to say the least, expansive. Our room overlooked the tennis complex and stadium. There are multiple swimming pools on the property, one of which is a saltwater pool fed by the ocean and populated by reef fish and frequent turtle visitors. I elected to lounge in a simulated lava rock grotto with a Jacuzzi. I am a world class Jacuzzi enthusiast. Cocktail service doesn’t start until 10am, so I was forced to go without a requisite vacation Bloody Mary.

 

I wandered over to the Dolphin Quest encounter area, where two teen siblings were entranced by the friendly and strangely human behavior of smiling dolphins. With only about a half hour to kill before making the drive to the Kona airport, I strolled among the Buddhist statues leading to Buddha Point, a jutting piece of real estate home to a large Buddha statue. I rubbed his belly and headed back to our room to gather my things.

 

My only regret about the brief sojourn is that I didn’t have more time to spend at the Hilton Waikoloa. It is an impressive property and our room was cool, quiet and handsomely appointed. The golf course is gorgeous, and should I make it back there, I will most certainly play a round there. Although I didn’t have much time, I found my experience t the Kona Coast Resort and the Hilton Waikoloa to be most worthy of recommending to anyone.

 

 Posted by:  Jamie Winpenny    On Twitter:  @doolinjamie

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