2 weeks at Paniolo Greens

[rklein01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rklein01]

We did a week at Paniolo Greens and a week at Kona Hawaiian Village (the Fairfield propery) in early December.

Although there's nothing to walk to from PG, it was a prime location for driving everywhere on the Big Island except to the downtown tourist area (bars, tee shirts, jewelry, cruise ship harbor) of Kona (KHV is less than a mile from the tourist area). The pool at PG is adequate. And there's a full-sized supermarket only a quarter-mile up the road.

Our 2-BR at PG was a very large, clean and comfortable condo with a golf course view. As noted it's about 5 miles down to the coast where you'll find the Big Island's best beach for sunning and ocean swimming (not snorkeling - - the snorkel beaches are nearer to KHV). It's also easier to get from PG to Hilo and Volcano National Park (which you must not miss). From PG to Volcano is 99 miles each way--we stayed one night over inside the park so we could hike the night we arrived and the more the next day.

Enjoy!

[Laurie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

There are mixed opinions about Paniolo Greens, I'm one who didn't care for it.

We spent a week at Paniolo Greens on our third trip to the Big Island, and perosnally I wouldn't go back to Paniolo Greens for 1 week, let alone 2 - and I even like the black lava. The reason? To me this location didn't feel much like typical Hawaii anything, but rather just a country club town without much character. (We *are* going to BI for our 4th trip, but to a Fairfield resort in Kona.)

There are so many bulk-bankings of FF resorts in Hawaii (lately, 2 Kona resorts and the Honolulu one), that unless they really want those dates, and want to be in a quiet spot far from the places they travel to Hawaii to visit rather than up close, I'd hold out.

At the very least, I'd do the second week elsewhere. Lots comes up in Hawaii last minute, or closer to the date.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

I spent a week at Paniolo Greens in January and I like it very much and would go back in a heartbeat. The drive to the resorts and beaches near Waikoloa was 6 miles on a fast road. We also had good access to other parts of the island that were just beautiful. When we did a long day to Volcano National Park we had dinner in Waimea and were home for bedtime without feeling exhausted (after all, we are 50-somethings!).

The resort was very spacious yet homey, the staff were great, and the grocery store (within walking distance) had good prices. When there was a tsunami warning on our last night there, we got to go to bed (the resort is at 1500 feet elevation) while everyone at the beach resorts was packing up and worrying at midnight.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I am just so pleased that someone resurrected this thread

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We've stayed at Paniolo Greens twice now and have another week this summer (2007). We like the units and the location is fine.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

A couple of suggestions if you are still looking for a week.

1) As far as checking out at 10/11 am and then checking in at a new resort around 4 p.m...try to find overlapping weeks by a day. That way your parents can move a day early and it is one move without the wait or burning a day. They do burn a night but I would rather have the convenience of moving everything and not having to wait during daytime playtime.

2) If you have a week to deposit then try Trading Places International - Timeshare Rentals, Exchange, Resales, and Travel Services as they have inventory available for your second week. But if you are depositing studio's you have to pay an upgrade fee for size.


Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 15, 2008 - Feb 22, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Kona Hawaiian Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 16, 2008 - Feb 23, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 17, 2008 - Feb 24, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 17, 2008 - Feb 24, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 17, 2008 - Feb 24, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 24, 2008 - Mar 02, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 29, 2008 - Mar 07, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Feb 29, 2008 - Mar 07, 2008
Size: 1 Bedroom
Occupancy: 4

Kona Hawaiian Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Mar 01, 2008 - Mar 08, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Kona Hawaiian Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Mar 01, 2008 - Mar 08, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Mar 02, 2008 - Mar 09, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

Mauna Loa Village - Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
Dates: Mar 02, 2008 - Mar 09, 2008
Size: 2 Bedroom
Occupancy: 6

[nursetanya1973 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nursetanya1973]

Well, in hindsight I wish I had held out to get them a second week at a different resort. But I think they will be OK. Not having ever tried for HI, I was a little nervous and trigger happy, I guess.

I am hoping that by the time they go (next year at this time), they will have a good idea of what they want to see and do. They can always go to a different island for a few days and just use a hotel.
They really haven't started any planning yet, because they have 2 other trips in the meantime. They are just about to WDW right now with my brother and his family. And they are going with my family on a Disney Cruise in December.