TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

My husband and I have stayed at the Waikoloa Marriott multiple times over the years and always loved it. The beach has never been great for swimming (walkable but not ideal), but the pools are beautiful, most are heated, and the multiple hot tubs used to make it easy to relax without feeling crowded. Unfortunately, this resort has clearly gone downhill. We noticed changes immediately. On every prior visit, there was a water station in the lobby - something most resorts are adding, not removing. It was gone. Check-in was extremely slow with only one person at the desk, despite the fact that flights to the Big Island tend to arrive around the same times daily. There were no leis, no welcome juice, no cold towels - all things that have been standard at virtually every Hawaii resort we’ve stayed at over the years. But the biggest disappointment was the room. Our room overlooked… nothing. Literally nothing - not even a tree. The lanai was blazing hot during the day due to a concrete roof directly outside, which was covered in debris and even old, musty swimsuits. It was so bad I took photos. What made this even more frustrating is that I recognized the room. It’s the room they’ve historically used for short-term shower access when guests request late checkout. Now it appears they’re assigning it to paying guests - including Marriott Platinum Elite members. That felt unacceptable. The refrigerator door wouldn’t close properly. We reported it. The front desk said someone would follow up. No one ever did. The on-site shopping has also declined. There is now just one small shop, poorly staffed and oddly stocked (lots of sweaters?). It felt more geared toward locals than resort guests needing vacation basics like snacks, sunscreen, or beachwear. Breakfast was another major letdown. At $50 per person, we expected the same quality we’ve experienced in past stays. Instead: 20-minute wait despite many outdoor umbrella tables sitting empty (and unused all week) Buffet less than half the size it used to be No omelet station No drink station Fruit that looked old No one checking on tables (we had to ask a busser for water) It honestly felt closer to a basic continental breakfast than a $50-per-person resort experience. And as Platinum Elite members, we were surprised there was no complimentary breakfast benefit offered. It also appears a significant portion of the property is now Vacation Club (timeshare), which changes the overall feel of the resort. This used to be a place we returned to again and again despite the average beach. Sadly, we won’t be coming back. If you’re deciding where to stay, I’d recommend looking at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel up the road instead. We’ve stayed at Marriotts around the world and this is the first time we’ve felt this disappointed.

I have been a loyal guest at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for many years, specifically choosing this resort because of their compassionate partnership with local rescues to manage the property’s cat population. For years, the resort embraced "Trap, Neuter, Release, and Manage" (TNRM), allowing guests and rescues to care for a small, stable family of cats: Momma Tigger, Splash, Blackie, and Baby Grey. Not to mention the countless cats that live in the bushes next to the property. I am devastated to learn that the current General Manager has implemented a feeding ban, effectively deciding to starve these animals that have lived there for generations. This decision is not only cruel; it is ecologically dangerous. I understand the concern for Hawaii’s native species, but starving feral cats does not make them leave; it forces them to hunt. A managed feeding program keeps cats satisfied so they do not prey on native birds and wildlife. By removing their food source, the resort is actively endangering the local ecosystem they claim to protect. The good parts of this resort were the great family-friendly atmosphere and pools, but the cats' new treatment combined with that are why we will not be returning. My daughter is going to be absolutely devastated when I let her know. This is a place she has grown to love as our top family vacation spot. We spent hours sitting next to the lava rock under the tree, talking to the cats. We befriended locals and visitors alike over our shared love of them. My daughter learned to swim as a young girl in these pools, and is now top of her age level in swimming. I am very disappointed—actually, that is not a strong enough word. I am devastated. To the management: Please reverse this inhumane decision. You are turning a compassionate, successful program into a tragedy. Until this policy changes, I cannot in good conscience return to a resort that chooses starvation over humane management.

Beautiful location, amazing ocean views and spotlessly clean spacious room. The room was at the ocean side of the hotel so even better. However a downside is that our room was next to a door that led directly to the assorted pools without needing to through the corridors of the hotel. Sounds like a benefit but we found that the door was slammed every few minutes with tourists exiting or entering the building and it lasted even late into the night. Hotel needs to address this! Hawai’i calls restaurant was quite good for breakfast but the Kings shops and Queens Market place are only a few minutes walk away away where you have plenty of options if restaurants, Roy’s is the best, with Tommy Bahamas great too.

After a poor experience last year which led us to cut our stay short and move to a different property, we are saddened to hear that the. Waikoloa Marriott no longer allows local animal welfare groups to feed cats on their property. Our family will definitely not be sponsoring this hotel.

This review is for parents with young kids. There are pluses and minuses. But the pluses outweigh... The resort is perfect for families. My kiddos are 5 1/2 & 8. The beach was great!! We saw turtles, walked to Lava Lava, snorkels, and even saw a manta ray swimming about! They loved the 3 different styles of pools and waterside. I liked that it was compact so we weren't walking all over the place trying to get to things. When we went, the resort was slow (end of January), so I'd bee curious how packed the pool is peak season. I loved that we could walk to both kings and queens shopping areas for cheap food, stock up, and find dining and shave ice. We had a mini fridge, which was great. There is only a community microwave. It was doable but not ideal. There is a BBQ on site but we didn't use it. Great coffee shop on site, too! Incredible Mai Tais! The room: the room is tight with two queens and 4 bodies. Hopefully you aren't in it much anyway, but it's good to note. The wall between the bathroom and bedroom is frosted glass so plan to shower in the dark because as soon as you turn the bathroom light on, the whole hotel room lights up. We made do. But it's good to note since you're sharing a room with kids. There is 1 bath hook and 1 towel rack. These aren't so much complaints as things to plan for with 4 people's towels and swimsuits. Honestly I don't know who thought that was enough hooks at a beach resort in even with just two people hahaha. In the end, as a resort for families who want to be able to walk and see other restaurants, stores, etc., this one beats the others in the area. I hope this helps future families! I would stay here again, but would think of how to make sleeping work easier in this particular hotel's layout/design.