SusanC

After some time in Oahu and Maui (in each case staying in one hotel the whole time) we are going to spend 4 days on Big Island moving around. Having a number of challenges orchestrating this and could use some advice.

My original thought was this:

Thurs nite: fly into Hilo in evening
Friday: morning driving to Alaka falls. Afternoon/evening trip up Mauan Kea with Arnott Lodge. Night at same Hilo lodging.
Saturday: Drive to Volcano National Park. Spend night in park.
Sunday - spend any more time we want in VNP. Drive to Kona coast (2 - 3 hours). Afternoon is beach and/or other recreation. Overnight hotel at beach.
Monday - beach and/or other water or athletic recreation. Late Monday night we fly home out of Kona.

Issues:
1. Couldn't fly in until Friday morning so land at 10am which means a different hotel everynight for all 3 nights
2. Have read unusually horrible things about Arnott Lodge (not necessarily the tour but the lodge but is making me uncomfortable about tour). Other trips go from Kona side of island - so would have to 1)plan things diffierently, 2)rent 4WD ourselves (not out of the question). 3)not do Mauan Kea or 4) take chance on Arnott Lodge.
3. Most VNP lodging is requiring 2 nights stay - I guess we could skip Hilo hotel entirely and just so straight to VNP for the night and thus spend 2 nights there
4. Heard nice things about driving the opposite direction from Hilo to the Kona side (i.e.continuing on from Alaka)

So it's all a bit confused right now so any guidance/opinions would be welcome - especially on the Mauna Kea part.

Thanks!

bfrac

How about when you fly into Hilo Friday morning going to VNP and spending the night in Volcano Village. You can get up and do more at the park or head to Hilo and have a look around and go on to Akaka falls and continue on that route and around to Kona. That is a more interesting and scenic drive. Stay Sat and Sun nights in Kona and do the Mauna Kea trip with a different tour from Kona rather than Arnotts. An alternative would be to stay two nights in Volcano Village and one night in Kona. There is quite a lot more to see on the south side of the island besides VNP. If you aren't definite on Kona I actually prefer the Kohala coast to Kona.

SusanC

Not definite at all on Kona. It looked like it made more sense to come from that directio on the map and there some things to see on that route (of course ther are on the other route as well so that's probably a wash).

Excluding stops, approx how long is the drive from VNP past Hilo to Kohala (or Waimea)?

bfrac

I'd say 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. We will be leaving next Monday for our 3rd trip to the BI and have always stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince on Kohala Coast. The location works for us very well. Last time we spend 3 nights north of Hilo and then moved to the Hapuna. This time we are staying 3 nights in Volcano Village and then moving to the Hapuna.

Kona is just too touristy for our taste.

When are you going?

elsiemoo

SusanC, I would stay one or two nights at VNP (we like Kilauea Lodge), then drive the Northern route to go to the Kohala coast (rather than staying in Kona town.) We liked the Marriott Waikoloa Beach on the Kohala Coast, but you really can't go wrong with any of the Kohala resorts.

SusanC

We leave for Hawaii 2/8 but arrive on BI on the 15th. I have already changed the itinerary based on your suggestion!!

Fri: arrive Hilo at 9:45, drive to VNP, stay at Inn at Volcano.

Sat: As much hiking as we want to do and then drive towards Hilo and Alaka Falls. I'm going to read my guidebooks but any suggestions you have on things to see along the way would be helpful. Right now we are booked into Marriott on Kohala for 2 nights (at diff rates - $299 and $239 + the $20 resort fee which is very annoying).

Sun: morning by the beach and then Mauna Kea tour (not yet booked) which goes until the evening.

Mon: unplanned - late night flights out

Not sure if we need to really stay at a resort or not so am thinking about that. Condos might be nice.

Thanks!

bfrac

We are moving from Volcano to Kohala on the 15th so our paths might cross! Have a wonderful stay and I hope you love the BI as much as we do. I have friends that stayed at the Marriott two years ago and they liked it.

There is a scenic drive north of Hilo that turns off to the right that is beautiful and will also take you to the Botanical Gardens. It is a worthwhile side trip. There is just so much to see you will be yearning to return. The BI is big, something you can't grasp until you actually go there.

LORENZEN

Rental Cars:
After years of hassels about rental cars found a place that is competent and quick and gets better prices than I have ever seen: Might want to try it. See below.

Also, Nahaleuu has a motel - the Shirakawa - it is more like a "mom and pop" but very reasonable and okay to stay. Hilo has a nice hotel and historic. The Castle Hotel. All my friends on the big island like the Volcano House, but it is pricey. They say you can see the volcano from some tooms. If price is no object and you like unusual - try the Onion House, former estate of the McCormick family. Unique and over $250 a night, but has to be booked in advance. In Captain Cook, there is the Manago Hotel but I have never stayed there, but very cheap. If in Hilo, try the walking tour (by yourself,but pick up a brochure in town at the tourist bureau).
Rental Car:
1-888-292-3307
mailto:[email protected]
www.DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com - Discount Car Rentals
www.HawaiiInfoGuide.com - Visitor information and business directory

martym

On your Saturday drive--at least go to the Waipio Valley overlook--it is breathtaking. Oh and, BTW, it's Akaka Falls.