Kohala Suites By Hilton Grand Vacations Club

The Resort & Setting

Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations Club is a timeshare resort in Waikoloa, on the drier western (Kohala) coast of Hawaii's Big Island. Units are built for extended stays — think separate living areas and kitchen facilities rather than a single hotel room — which is the main draw for owners who use their week for family trips or multi-generational holidays. The resort operates under the Hilton Grand Vacations Club system and is affiliated with RCI, so a week here can also be used to exchange into other RCI resorts, not just to stay at Kohala Suites itself.

The Area & Things to Do

Waikoloa is well placed for exploring the Big Island's contrasts. The Kona Coast, around 40km (25 miles) south, is the go-to spot for calm-water snorkelling, diving and the restaurants and shops of Kailua-Kona town. Mauna Kea, roughly 70km (45 miles) away, draws visitors up to its summit for some of the best stargazing anywhere, while Waipio Valley — the "Valley of the Kings" — is about 80km (50 miles) north, known for its sea cliffs and waterfalls. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the opposite side of the island around 120km (75 miles) away, makes for a full-day trip to see Kilauea and the volcanic landscape up close. Because distances on the Big Island add up quickly, a rental car is more or less essential for owners and renters alike.

Selling or Renting a Week Here

If you're ready to sell your week at Kohala Suites, BidMyTimeshare.com works as a private, owner-to-owner marketplace: you set your own asking price, list it for a one-time listing fee, and pay 0% commission on the sale. Buyers contact you directly through the platform — there's no third party setting your price or taking a cut.

Before agreeing to a sale, it's worth knowing what a resale buyer actually inherits. According to Hilton Grand Vacations, resale purchases carry a transfer process with separate fees: a $736 activation fee, a $504 ownership change fee, and a $102 estoppel fee (effective from 1 January 2026; these were $715, $489 and $99 respectively in 2025). HGV's club disclosure also notes that transfers may be subject to a right of first refusal, which brokers report typically runs for 30 days — so the sale isn't guaranteed to close until that window has passed.

It's equally important for buyers to understand what they don't get with a resale. Resale buyers at HGV properties receive limited Hilton Honors point conversion, no automatic elevated Honors status, no Open Season booking benefits, and no access to HGV Max. None of this affects your right to use and trade the week itself, but it does affect how the ownership compares to a developer-purchased one — so be upfront about it when listing. Brokers typically quote anywhere from 4–6 weeks on the fast end to 60–120 days for a transfer to fully close, so sellers should factor that timeline into any moving or closing plans.

If you're renting your week out instead of selling, note that Kohala Suites' RCI affiliation is a selling point for some exchangers, but most renters are simply after space, a kitchen, and a Waikoloa address for a Big Island trip — so describe the unit size, view, and week dates clearly in your listing.

Practical Notes for Owners and Buyers

Anyone buying or exchanging into Kohala Suites should check RCI's exchange platform early, particularly for peak-season weeks, as availability tightens well in advance. Owners renting out a week should be clear in their listing about which calendar week or season it falls in, since Big Island demand shifts with the weather and school holiday patterns rather than a single "high season."