Hilton HHonors - Spring break with kids -- Waikaloa or Whistler?

Our kids are finally getting old enough that we are thinking of taking a nice family vacation next March (they'll be 4 and 5 1/2). We're thinking of either Hawaii or Whistler, BC.

1. We love The Big Island, and were very impressed when we stopped into Hilton Waikaloa Village last time -- looked almost like a Disney property. Only problem is their on-site camp says it starts for 5 year olds.

2. We've been wanting to introduce the kids to skiing and have always heard great things about Whistler. The Whistler Hilton's web site says nothing about kid's activities though.

Any thoughts on either of these properties -- or even other great family alternatives?

Thanks,
Matt

Hi PriceIsRight,

I have been to Waikoloa severa times- it is a beautiful resort with the boats and tram ( a bit like disney, yes! but the landscaping is beautiful).

The restaurants can be a bit expensive but one of the restaurants in the Ocean Tower ( where the Diamond Lounge is) has a buffet for around $35 per person)
The loung breakfast is continental and at peak times can be a bit crowded.

The swiming pools are very nice with waterslides. There is not beach as such at the hotel ( rocky coastline) but there is a manmade lagoon with sand and is ideal for snorkeling ( lots of beautiful fish and turtles)

There is also Dolphin Quest (a bit expensive but you can go into the lagoon with the dolphins).
There are a couple of restauants at the Waikoloa shopping centre ( about a 15min walk and across the road from the Marriott but there is a shopping centre).
From Atlanta, the flight to Hawaii will be a long one and you will probably have to change flights to get to Kona.

Regards

TBS

Thanks TBS. On doing further digging I discovered that the kids camp at Waikaloa won't take kids under 5 -- so it looks like we'll have to wait one more year. :(

Our kids are finally getting old enough that we are thinking of taking a nice family vacation next March (they'll be 4 and 5 1/2). We're thinking of either Hawaii or Whistler, BC.

1. We love The Big Island, and were very impressed when we stopped into Hilton Waikaloa Village last time -- looked almost like a Disney property. Only problem is their on-site camp says it starts for 5 year olds.

2. We've been wanting to introduce the kids to skiing and have always heard great things about Whistler. The Whistler Hilton's web site says nothing about kid's activities though.

Any thoughts on either of these properties -- or even other great family alternatives?

Thanks,
Matt


Recently stayed in Whistler in summer with our 3 boys, 3, 5 and 7 at the time. While many activities are for children over 5, there is so much to do there no one will ever get bored. Incredible bike rides (with kid trailers, etc) that span hundreds of miles around whistler and to multiple lakes in area. Great kid zone near the Fairmont and FS. In addn, summer is the off season so hotel rates are significantly reduced. Highly recommend the trip.

other great family alternative location is the Yucatan Peninsula south of Cancun (Playa Del Carmen and Tulum). Great, beautiful beaches, incredibly soft, white sand and warm calm water. Great for kids. Also, amazing underground rivers to explore, even with kids under 5. A very authentic mexico experience. Many hotels in area of all levels, and none of the chaos of overbuilt Cancun

Also great in Lake tahoe around this time - many ski resorts for all levels.

March is a goofy month in the Whistler area - they usually have snow but not always...or it may be blizzard conditions....

Also, I find in ski season, if you DON'T like to ski but it's skiing weather ,there isn't a lot of other stuff to do.

March is a goofy month in the Whistler area - they usually have snow but not always...or it may be blizzard conditions....

Also, I find in ski season, if you DON'T like to ski but it's skiing weather ,there isn't a lot of other stuff to do.

I was in Whistler last month and can echo this. It snowed every day while I was there, but was told by folks that live there that it hadn't been snowing much until I got there. And yes, if you're not skiing, there's not much else to do beyond walking around the village which is easily done in an hour or so.

But if skiing is what you want to do, there's no shortage of slopes to tackle, especially if you're an intermediate or above skier. I had never skied before until my trip, and had a great time there. ^