Has anyone travelled to the Big Island? Looking for accommodation.

Please suggest on what area to stay and where to stay.

I'm travelling in September next year,

Thanks guys!

I’m going to make a suggestion - spend a week there - but go to one of the other islands too - it’s such a long trip from anywhere mainland it’s a shame to miss out on the other paradises there - I personally LOVE Maui and we spent 14 days there - and still discovered something new each day. Honolulu is very big city commercial - and while it’s still beautiful Hawaii - its not as beautiful as the other islands...Mahalo my friend.

Queen of Crop lives in Hawaii. Or at least she did for some time. Maybe if you PM her you might get a response.

FWIW - I was a travel agent -- and sent people to hawaii for a living.

I'm planning 3 nights in Hilo for the volcano and surrounds, 5 or 6 nights in Kona or surrounds and 6 nights in Honolulu.

Was going to go to Maui but not enough time.

If you are serious about going, I know someone who gives live walking tours of the volcano at night against the advice of the Natl Park Svc. It was life changer for me to be within a few feet of flowing lava into the ocean. Seriously beautiful and beyond words.

I have been to the Big Island over 5 times. Have been to all of the other Islands and I keep returning to Big Island. Understand the draw of other islands but I want old Hawaii, not commercial HI. Big Island is my favorite but you better love lava rock and not have asthma due to the Vog. Recommend majority of time on Kona side where you can drive around. Then spend at least two days in Hilo where you can visit Volcano Natl Park.

Big Island is much slower paced than all the other islands minus Kauai. Oahu is nice if you like busy night life. Maui is nice, Lahaina is like Laguna Beach in CA which is artsy but small. Prettiest island with beaches is Kauai. Molakai and Lanai are just small and good for a day trip off Maui.

Am seriously going. My sister has a year to save up.

Will be travelling Melbourne to Sydney/Sydney to Honolulu then catch a connecting flight to Hilo then Kona back to Honolulu.

Doing Honolulu on the return because of shopping. Don't want to lug 2-4 suitcases around.

Flying Hawaiian Airlines, as they have a 2 checked in baggage allowance (many airlines now only have 1...not enough for us LOL).

Am seriously going. My sister has a year to save up.

Will be travelling Melbourne to Sydney/Sydney to Honolulu then catch a connecting flight to Hilo then Kona back to Honolulu.

Doing Honolulu on the return because of shopping. Don't want to lug 2-4 suitcases around.

Flying Hawaiian Airlines' date=' as they have a 2 checked in baggage allowance (many airlines now only have 1...not enough for us LOL).[/quote']

Just a suggestion, but I never take more than a carry-on anywhere I go. I pack enough to get me through a couple days, and ship everything else I want to bring. It is so much more convenient this way.

I learned this on business trips when I'd fed-ex my suits ahead & have the hotel press them for me before I got there. Believe me, the few extra bucks are very well spent. No checked baggage. Everything sent straight to your hotel, then back home.

My plan is just to take carry on on the way over. Thing is, each time I got to the US, I end up with at least 3 additional suitcases. I have so many suitcases at home I can sell them back!.

Either that or I'll take 2 empty cases and put one inside the other.

I dunno yet.

We spent a week in Oahu 2 yrs ago, I loved it! If you get away from Waikiki beach its not that bad. We renewed our wedding vows on a beach called Waimanalo Beach, I can't imagine any place on earth being more beautiful than that beach! Oahu has some wonderful things to see... Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Dole Plantation, Matsumotos Shaved Ice, lol. Here are a few pics of the beach.

Went to the Big Island for a week about 2 years ago. It was lovely, we saw every part of the island, the volcanoes, hilo, the southermost point (very buggy, bring bug spray!) the beaches of course. We stayed throughout at the Hilton Waikeloa (sp?) it was a timeshare resort and it was lovely. Very central to make day trips throughout the island.

Would love to go back and also see Kauai. I ended up parasailing, I'm guessing I was at a weight a little higher than I was now. I wasn't planning on it at all, just went on the boat to watch our friend do it, and I kind of got talked into it. I'm glad I did it - I knew I was under the weight limit but still praying the lines would hold me.

Glad I did it, it was one of the few times in my life that I didn't let my size hold me back. I plan to do many more things like that in the future.. Would love to do it again sometime and a much lighter weight!

Wow that looks like a heap of fun! Must add that to my 'to do' list.

One of the volcano's (Kilaua ?sp) is spewing lava, first time in a year. Hope that happens when we are there.

I love the Big Island. We used to stay at Wiakaloa or Kamuela/Wiamea (at higher elevations) to get out of the heat. Plan to do a lot more driving than on the other islands. I think the snorkelling is the best on the Big Island. Be sure to go to Hapuna and Magic Sands beaches. For cheap places to stay, you might try airbnb.com - not a recommendation, just a website I've been looking at for my next trip. Have a great trip!

If you are serious about going, I know someone who gives live walking tours of the volcano at night against the advice of the Natl Park Svc. It was life changer for me to be within a few feet of flowing lava into the ocean. Seriously beautiful and beyond words.

I have been to the Big Island over 5 times. Have been to all of the other Islands and I keep returning to Big Island. Understand the draw of other islands but I want old Hawaii, not commercial HI. Big Island is my favorite but you better love lava rock and not have asthma due to the Vog. Recommend majority of time on Kona side where you can drive around. Then spend at least two days in Hilo where you can visit Volcano Natl Park.

Big Island is much slower paced than all the other islands minus Kauai. Oahu is nice if you like busy night life. Maui is nice, Lahaina is like Laguna Beach in CA which is artsy but small. Prettiest island with beaches is Kauai. Molakai and Lanai are just small and good for a day trip off Maui.

Im with you regarding the Big Island. We got married there, spent 5 days in Hilo then 5 in Kona before getting married and went back for our anniversary. We love the tree hugging pace and arent really into the whole big city night life thing so its perfect for us. We are absolutely in love with the Big Island, the people and the pace.

If you are into specialty lodging, check out Ka'awa Loa Plantation in Captain Cook (near Kona) on the big island. My husband and I stayed there in Feb. 2011 and it was wonderful! It's not on the water but has an awesome view of the water, big wrap around porch, a swing in a mango tree, hot tub and sweat lodge, outdoor lava rock showers and delicious full breakfast every morning (hot protein available every time). The owners Michael and Greg are so helpful and generous as well. They grow a lot of their fruit on property (mango, papaya, lemon, pineapples etc) and grow their own coffee as well which you drink every morning- yummy. I would have stayed for weeks! Best part is their prices are very reasonable.

My husband and I actually just booked our 3rd trip to the Big Island. We are going for 10 days in August. Staying on the Hilo side this time because we have seen the Kona side a lot and want to explore more of the East side of the Island. So excited because now Im 70 pounds lighter so we can zip line, hike, bike, etc. We rent private houses on vrbo.com each time we've gone. You get a gorgeous huge house on the water for less than a hotel room.