Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island of Hawaii

I am please to tell you that the resort, now operated by Marriott International, is bigger and better than ever.

The guest rooms themselves are now some of the most modern and updated in Hawaii, while still retaining much of that special island charm. If you select a view with an ocean view, you'll witness some of the best sunsets in Hawaii right from your own lanai.

The first thing you'll probably notice is that the large outrigger canoe is absent from the lobby. Don't worry though. I'm told it will soon make a comeback. The lobby has the feel of an oceanside resort with materials and colors that bring the feel of the blue sky, blue-green water and golden beach right inside. New seating areas allow plenty of room to just sit and enjoy the views. A new Kona Coffee Shoppe provides a great place to purchase a light breakfast or just that morning cup of the Big Island's own Kona Coffee.

New to the public areas of the resort are a new convention and meeting center with it's own lovely lawn area, the new Mandara Spa where my wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed our spa services. As usual, I opted for a facial while my wife chose a full massage which she called "heavenly."

The pool area has been totally reworked and it is marvelous. You can't help but be impressed by the resort's new heated infinity pool and kids and adults alike all seemed to enjoy the new water slide area. The pools and pool deck is huge. It always seems possible to find your own private little space to enjoy the water.

The Royal Luau is offered twice weekly in an area adjacent to the pool deck. The luau has classic Polynesian entertainment including music, traditional dances of the South Pacific and a delectable selection of Hawaiian food.

One of the highlights of the resort has always been and remains the historic fishpond area that sits between the hotel's pool deck and lawn area and the beach. The stonework has been restored and lighting improved. The area allows guests to become acquainted firsthand with the history and cultural significance of the Big Island's Anaeho'omalu Bay and the King's Trail.

Once you make your way to the beach, you'll find one of my favorite beaches in Hawaii where the snorkeling is excellent. For those wishing to get out in or on the ocean, catamaran rides, glass bottom boat rides, boogie boards, hydrobikes, kayaks and snorkeling equipment area available.

With this in mind, guests at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa can enjoy a round of golf at either the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Beach Course or the harder Kings' Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Guests can shop till you drop at the Kings' Shops or the recently opened Queens' MarketPlace.

You can experience a dolphin encounter at the Hilton Waikola Village's Dolphin Quest or enjoy lunch or dinner at the Clubhouse, King's Shops, Queens' Marketplace or at one of the Hilton's fine restaurants.

This concept of a "destination resort" has worked exceptionally well in areas such as the Ka'anapali Resort area on Maui. I'm delighted to see that the members of the Waikoloa Beach Resort have adopted the same concept.

When my wife and I first visited the resort in the early 1990's there were only two hotels, the Outrigger and the Hilton which had just taken over the former Hyatt property. The King's Shops had just opened and was much smaller than it is today.

The work that has been done over the past 15 years has made Waikoloa one of the top resort destinations in Hawaii. The new Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa can be proud to have one of the lead roles in the resort's growth.

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
69-275 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa - Hawaii, Hawaii 96738 USA
Phone: 1-808-886-6789

The resort is located 18 miles north of Kona International Airport on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway or Highway 19.

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa features six floors with 533 rooms and 22 suites. They also offer 16 meeting rooms and a total of 28,000 sq ft of total meeting space in their new convention center. The brand new 12,000 sq ft Naupaka Ballroom is divisible into seven sections and accommodates up to 1,333 people.

All guest rooms are wired for high speed Internet access. All public areas offer wireless connectivity.

General room amenities include air conditioning, alarm clock, flat screen cable TV, safe, coffee maker/tea service, individual climate controls, iron and ironing board, luxurious bedding - down comforters, custom duvets, cotton-rich linens. Some rooms include a pull-out sofa bed. Rollaway beds are available.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit the resort's website.

View our gallery of 24 photos of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.