Hawaii - Trying to decide where to rent houses on the Big Island

Hi all-
My family and I (6 people total, all adults, ages from 34-66, all reasonably active people) are traveling to the Big Island in September. We're staying for 7 nights and planning to split our time between the East (4 nights) and West (3 nights) sides. Our budget per night is ~$200-300.
We're trying to figure out which towns to look at for house rentals. We like the beach and it would be nice to be on the water, but it's not an absolute requirement. We're planning to hit most of bigger attractions and maybe spend a day or so on a beach somewhere. Having a town nearby for groceries, restaurants, etc would be nice.
For the East side, I'm trying to decide between Puna and Hilo.
On the West side, we've looked at houses in Captain Cook, but I'm told that may be too isolated for getting around.
Any thoughts on good home bases?
Thanks!
-M

Captain Cook is close to good snorkeling, but not beach. For beaches, you have to drive at least north to Kona, and then ~30 minutes farther for the postcard (Hapuna-type) beaches. There's grocery shopping in Captain Cook, but much more in Kona, of course.
For the west side, Waikoloa resort condos are a good bet; lots of deals to be had these days. Try VRBO. A-Bay there is very nice, there's a new grocery ("Gourmet Market", but adequate), shopping, pretty good proximity to the Mauna Kea, Hapuna, etc. beaches.
On the west, Hilo is good; there are several nice beach parks (who knew?!) just east of town, waterfalls nearby, parks, close to Vocano NP, caves, etc.
Puna (Pahoa or along the coast) is closer to the tidepools, Lava Tree state park, the place where the lava enters the ocean, etc.; beachwise, not so much.

My 5 year old son's old classmate's family went down to Big Island with us and booked a house in Mauna Lani by the Fairmont Orchid.. 2,700 sq ft.. close to 3 benjamins per night..

Imo.. high end ($1,000 per night).. book in Hualalai area..

Middle of the road ($200 per night).. book in Waikoloa Village by the Hilton.. lots of shopping, luaus, the Hilton has sprawling grounds.. its tourist city in there..

Captain Cook is close to good snorkeling, but not beach. For beaches, you have to drive at least north to Kona, and then ~30 minutes farther for the postcard (Hapuna-type) beaches. There's grocery shopping in Captain Cook, but much more in Kona, of course.
For the west side, Waikoloa resort condos are a good bet; lots of deals to be had these days. Try VRBO. A-Bay there is very nice, there's a new grocery ("Gourmet Market", but adequate), shopping, pretty good proximity to the Mauna Kea, Hapuna, etc. beaches.
On the west, Hilo is good; there are several nice beach parks (who knew?!) just east of town, waterfalls nearby, parks, close to Vocano NP, caves, etc.
Puna (Pahoa or along the coast) is closer to the tidepools, Lava Tree state park, the place where the lava enters the ocean, etc.; beachwise, not so much.

Thanks, Sylvia. Very helpful.

I would highly recommend Waikoloa Village . We were in Mauni Lani and liked it but Waikoloa had a lot to offer. There are nice condos in the Fairway villas that are really reasonable. We had a 3 bedroom that was beatiful in Mauni Lani which we rented thru Beach and Island Rentals thru VRBO. Here is the listing
http://www.vrbo.com/165385.

Have fun.

I would highly recommend Waikoloa Village . We were in Mauni Lani and liked it but Waikoloa had a lot to offer. There are nice condos in the Fairway villas that are really reasonable. We had a 3 bedroom that was beatiful in Mauni Lani which we rented thru Beach and Island Rentals thru VRBO. Here is the listing
http://www.vrbo.com/165385.

Have fun.

How is Waikoloa as an area for services like restaurants, grocery stores, etc. We plan to do more sightseeing than beach time and had planned on staying around Kona. Would you recommend Waikoloa over Kona?
Thanks.

Waikoloa Beach resort is a pretty good jumping off spot.
From there you can head east on Waikoloa Road (10 minutes away from the resort, with a good supermarket), thence to Waimea and the Belt Highway for Waipopo Valley then south to Hilo, OR you can hop on to Saddle Road across the center of the island to Hilo (they are still repaving near Hilo, but traffic seems to move along.).
You can also bypass Waikoloa village and go north on the main drag, then east toward Waimea on 19.
A lovely drive north, past the harbor and a couple of archeological sites worth visiting, takes you to Hawi and Kapaau, and then to the end of the road, the Pololu Valley scenic lookout.
To the south, it's about 30 minutes to Kailua-Kona, where there's Costco, Safeway, Target, Walmart, etc.
Waikoloa Resort area has two small shopping centers (King's and Queen's) with fast food, a few nice restaurants, galleries, the Island Gourmet market, and ABC; also fairly frequent free performances/concerts.
I like to avoid Kona traffic, frankly, even though it's far better than it used to be; unless you are going to snorkel Kealakekua Bay or Place of Refuge, it can be easier and faster to go north around the island (from Waikoloa area) to get to Hilo.

Waikoloa Beach resort is a pretty good jumping off spot.
From there you can head east on Waikoloa Road (10 minutes away from the resort, with a good supermarket), thence to Waimea and the Belt Highway for Waipopo Valley then south to Hilo, OR you can hop on to Saddle Road across the center of the island to Hilo (they are still repaving near Hilo, but traffic seems to move along.).
You can also bypass Waikoloa village and go north on the main drag, then east toward Waimea on 19.
A lovely drive north, past the harbor and a couple of archeological sites worth visiting, takes you to Hawi and Kapaau, and then to the end of the road, the Pololu Valley scenic lookout.
To the south, it's about 30 minutes to Kailua-Kona, where there's Costco, Safeway, Target, Walmart, etc.
Waikoloa Resort area has two small shopping centers (King's and Queen's) with fast food, a few nice restaurants, galleries, the Island Gourmet market, and ABC; also fairly frequent free performances/concerts.
I like to avoid Kona traffic, frankly, even though it's far better than it used to be; unless you are going to snorkel Kealakekua Bay or Place of Refuge, it can be easier and faster to go north around the island (from Waikoloa area) to get to Hilo.

Thanks. We're planning to start with 4 nights in the Hilo area so we don't anticipate going back and forth between the west and east sides.

Thanks, again.

Have a great time; I recommend this map, Hawaii, The Big Island, by James A. Bier, University of Hawaii Press, available most places for ~$7; it has terrific detail maps, and beaches, parks, and sites such as lava tube caves (official and random) and the free Hilo zoo (white tiger) clearly marked. TONS to do in the Hilo area, rain or shine!

Have a great time; I recommend this map, Hawaii, The Big Island, by James A. Bier, University of Hawaii Press, available most places for ~$7; it has terrific detail maps, and beaches, parks, and sites such as lava tube caves (official and random) and the free Hilo zoo (white tiger) clearly marked. TONS to do in the Hilo area, rain or shine!

Awesome - thanks!

How is Waikoloa as an area for services like restaurants, grocery stores, etc. We plan to do more sightseeing than beach time and had planned on staying around Kona. Would you recommend Waikoloa over Kona?
Thanks.

Waikoloa is more set up for the higher end tourist imo.. Nothing wrong with Kona as the local party life goes on there.. and tons of restaurant..

We would prefer staying at Waikoloa given the two choices.. obviously, Mauna Lani has been our choice because of the Fairmont Orchid (former Ritz Carlton)..

Waikoloa Beach Resort (as opposed to Waikoloa Village, which is 6 miles mauka (heading towards the mountain, inland) from WBR) would be a great launching place. You are about 18 miles north of the airport, about 25 miles north of Kona. You can make easy day trips as far south as the Place of Refuge and north into Waimea, Waipio Valley, Pololu Valley, Hawi and the best beaches (Hapuna and Kauanaoa (Mauna Kea) beaches). Plenty of restaurants to choose from in WBR, Mauna Lani resort (5 minute drive) and Mauna Kea resort (10 minute drive).

So much to do, in fact, I'd recommend a 4 night stay on west side and 3 night stay on east side (we usually stay entirely on the west side or mix in a single night out of 2 or 3 weeks on the west side at a time).

Fairway Villas is our favorite resort in the WBR. You can get beautiful accommodations, 1800 s.f. 3 BR/3 BA for very reasonable rates - certainly below $300 a night. A 3 BR will likely provide a King bed, Queen bed, two twins and one or two full size sleeper/pull out beds in the couches (although you should check on the pull-outs if that is a necessity).

Our family has had great times at the Fairway Villas, although you can't go wrong with any of the resorts in the WBR. I like Fairway Villas, Beach Villas, Kolea and Vistas the best for the location - everything is within easy walking distance, which is not the case for the Hilton time shares, Colony Villas and Hali'i Kai. Kolea is highest end. Vistas is a little older (as is the Shores). Fairway Villas and Beach Villas were built by same developer - virtually identical - Beach Villas a little newer by a few years and some with BBQs on lanai, but Fairway Villas with a more scenic and private view (IMO, a much better piece of property, away from the main road and nice golf course and lake views).

Have a great trip!