The Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa is one of my favorite resorts in Hawaii.

I admit that for many years I was reluctant to stay at the resort for fear that it was just too big and too crowded. While the resort is big, it rarely seems crowded. In fact, at many times of the day it's easy to find a your own private space.

The advantages of being so big far outweigh any negatives. There are so many things to do that you rarely have to leave the resort. If you enjoy the beach and sand, the resort has some of the best in Waikiki. If shopping is your thing, there are more than 80 stores within the resort. If you're looking for great restaurants, there is none better than Bali Steak and Seafood.

In short, the Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa has it all. Check out our review of the Hilton Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Spa and the 10+ reasons that I really like the resort.

The 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will kick off this week with the first day of surfing scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Hale'iwa's Ali'i Beach on Oahu's North Shore.

This year will mark the 27th year for what is generally accepted as the World Series of surfing for both men and women. The Series of three men's and three women's Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) sanctioned events will run through December 20, 2009.

Find out all about the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

As the winter travel season approaches, many of the bed and breakfasts, hotels and resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii are eager for your business. They are offering great deals for travel now and into 2010.

The Big Island of Hawaii continues to offer some of the best deals available in Hawaii. If you're looking to get away from the cold winter weather, there's no better place than the quiet shores of Hawaii's Big Island.

Check out some of these great deals:

Art & Orchids Bed and Breakfast
Art & Orchids Bed and Breakfast is located in the Puna district, conveniently close to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, and the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area. A new swimming pool features beautiful inlaid turtles and other sea life mosaics as well as a waterfall guests can sit behind. Rates range from $90 to $115 per night. Call toll-free (877) 393-1894.

Bougainvillea Bed & Breakfast
A Salute To Our Nation's Military. Ocean View's Bougainvillea Bed & Breakfast offers a Big Island "Sizzlin' Special Double Experience" at a 20 percent discount to military personnel. Includes three nights at Bougainvillea B&B and three nights in a one-bedroom oceanfront Kona condominium. Owner Martie Nitsche is a certified travel agent who can also book rental cars and activities for inbound guests. Call (800) 688-1763 or (808) 929-7089.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, which recently completed a $40 million property enhancement, has a new chef at Pahu'ia, its fine-dining beachside restaurant. Chef Jacob Anaya was chef at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and has cooked in restaurants including Silk at the San Francisco Mandarin Oriental and the esteemed Wildfire in Sydney, Australia. In November, Chef Anaya will introduce new dishes to Pahu'ia, which focuses on fresh, sustainable local Big Island seafood and produce. Read more...

The 2009 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival will open this Friday, November 6, 2009 and run through Sunday, November 15, 2009. That's ten full days of exciting events that will take place at various locations around Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island.

My wife and I attended a full week of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in 2008 and had one of our best weeks ever in Hawaii. Even if, like us, you're not a coffee drinker, there are plenty of activities that are just plain fun. If you are a coffee drinker and especially if you're a fan of Kona Coffee, this festival is your Nirvana.

Beginning with the beautiful International Lantern Parade on the opening Friday and concluding with the Kamehameha Schools Kona Coffee Grand Parade and Sunra Kona Coffee Concert in the Park the following weekend, there are non-stop activities throughout the week.

Check out our feature on the 2009 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.