We had a great time at the Golf Villas. My family of four (6 and 10 yr. old) stayed at J1, a 2 bedroom condo and could not be happier. This was our third time on the Big Island; the first two we stayed at the Palm Villas. Although the Golf Villas lacked the interesting lava cave-lined path to the beach, we found that it was way quieter and the people more family friendly. We loved the beach club and spent many lazy days there. On our first two days, there was a pod of dolphins that hung around just at the ocean break. I rented a stand-up paddle board and we watched the dolphins jump out and play tricks.
The snorkeling at this beach is unparalleled, even comparing it to the Place of Refuge, which is suppose to be spectacular. What I love is how we can walk from the club through ancient fish ponds toward the Mauna Lani Resort where lots of lots of giant sea turtles laze about in the sun.
The beach club restaurant changed owners and it's a bit pricey. Better to buy your lunch at Foodland and bring it down. Oh and make sure to come early in the morning so you can get a cabana seat or beach chairs. If you come later, you'll just have to sit on the sand or the grass, which is okay too if you don't mind that.
We have booked our Hawaii (Maui and BI) condos through www.vrbo.com and have always been pleased. Make sure to pay only by credit card and seek liberal refund policy. One year we had our trip cancelled due to a snow storm but the condo owner gladly credited us the unused days for a March trip we took the following year.
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