A canal boat weaves through the overgrowth of ferns under a tall banyan tree and past a cascading waterfall. Swans, cranes, flamingos, even parrots can be seen along the shore. Then the boat comes to a stop and you disembark only to go snorkeling with neon-colored fish or go eyeball-to-eyeball with dolphins in the large lagoon. Afterwards, you shower and head to a luau to dine on kalua pig and roasted chicken with green mangoes and see the Polynesian dancers shake their hips. There's no

A canal boat weaves through the overgrowth of ferns under a tall banyan tree and past a cascading waterfall. Swans, cranes, flamingos, even parrots can be seen along the shore. Then the boat comes to a stop and you disembark only to go snorkeling with neon-colored fish or go eyeball-to-eyeball with dolphins in the large lagoon. Afterwards, you shower and head to a luau to dine on kalua pig and roasted chicken with green mangoes and see the Polynesian dancers shake their hips. There's no denying that Hilton Waikoloa is some Hollywood version of Hawaii, but for the most part it works, especially for children, who will have a hard time leaving the property.

This Big Island mega-resort on the Kohala Coast features close to 1,300 rooms and suites in high-rise towers. All of the rooms have been renovated in the past couple years, so expect new beds and flat-screen televisions. The property is over a mile long, with trams and canal boats connecting you to the restaurants and pools. There's no beach on site, but a five-minute shuttle ride or 20-minute walk on the shoreline path takes you to Anaeho'omalu Bay or "A-Bay" Beach, known for its salt-and-pepper coloring. If you can get over these minor inconveniences, you're in for a helluva treat.

The 62-acre playground contains numerous activities to keep you occupied during the day. Two golf courses, one designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. that snakes along the coast and another created by golfer Tom Weiskopf that heads inland through the lava fields, are available for play and clinics. Eight hard courts, including a stadium court surrounded by 400 seats, are used for tennis instruction and games. The three pools include one for adults and one for kids, who won't be able to resist the 175-foot long waterslide. Due to its location on a rocky stretch of coast, the Hilton offers a sandy lagoon that's ideal for lounging, snorkeling with green turtles and tropical fish, kayaking, jumping on a Sunfish sailboat, or participating in the Dolphin Quest program to learn more about these graceful and playful mammals. The resort also arranges snorkeling and scuba-diving trips, whale watching, and champagne sunset sails.

The Hilton also houses an exceptional sports club and spa facility called Kohala. There's a large fitness room with weights and cardiovascular equipment, along with daily classes in yoga, Pilates, spinning, tai chi, and much more. The South Pacific-inspired spa treatments include a coconut-crème body scrub and a massage that uses sweet-smelling orchid oil.

The latter might be best suited after a day of hiking around the rim of the island's spewing Kilauea Crater. Lava has been pouring out of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park since 1983 and is obviously the highlight of any trip to the Big Island (though it's a relatively long 50-mile drive from the resort itself; plan for a full day trip). Tour the numerous tunnels of the Thurston Lava Tube, or, if you really want to impress the family, take them on a helicopter ride just above the river of angry red lava flowing from the crater. Afterwards, you'll be only too happy to return to the cool breezes and serenity along the Kohala Coast.