Best Kona Hotels for Your Next Hawai‘i Island Vacation or Staycation
From historic bungalows to a family-friendly resort with the longest waterslide, here are our writers’ picks for Kailua-Kona’s best stays.
If you’re searching for the perfect Kona, Hawai‘i hotel for your next trip to Hawai‘i Island, we’ve pulled together some of our local favorites. Check out these Kailua-Kona places to stay for your next Big Island vacation or staycation, handpicked by our team.
BEST FOR HISTORICAL AESTHETIC
Kona Village
Photo: Courtesy of Kona Village
As you step foot onto the grounds of Kona Village, majestic palm trees transport you back in time to old Hawai‘i. The Kona Village has a rich history dating all the way back to the 1960s and thrived as a resort on the Kona side of Hawai’i Island until damage from a tsunami forced it to close in 2011. After years of extensive renovations, the reimagined resort is finally reopening as Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort. Spanning 81 acres of dramatic landscape, Kona Village includes 150 guest hale—refined beach bungalows inspired by traditional Hawaiian structures and 100% powered by solar energy.
Pamper yourself at the full-service Asaya Spa and dine at one of five restaurants and bars, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar. Built upon the original Kona Village resort’s legacy, a visit to the on-site cultural center will provide perspective into the area’s deep historical and cultural significance. For those seeking a distinctive Kailua-Kona hotel in a historic setting, Kona Village’s highly anticipated reopening is scheduled for July 1, 2023 and reservations are currently being accepted.
BEST FOR THE BUDGET-SAVVY
Royal Kona Resort
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Kona Resort.
When it comes to Hawaiʻi hotels, the Royal Kona Resort is one of the best values for being in the middle of the excitement of Kona. Located just steps away from the town’s best restaurants, shops and activities, the resort’s guestrooms have recently been refreshed with modern, coastal décor and teak furnishings. You probably won’t be spending much time in your room, however, when you realize all that the Royal Kona Resort has to offer. Amenities include tennis courts, an oceanfront pool, a private sandy beach cove, and a sheltered lagoon for snorkeling and swimming. Of course, you can always just relax with a rejuvenating massage at the spa, sip an Original Mai Tai at the signature Don the Beachcomber Restaurant and Bar, or attend the resort’s award-winning oceanfront lū‘au, the Voyagers of the Pacific. And to end your perfectly priced day in paradise, stroll through the open-air lobby past the tropical fishponds to an expansive deck perched on the edge of the ocean, offering impressive views of Kailua Bay and Kona’s legendary sunsets.
READ MORE: The Best Hotels in Hawaiʻi, According to our Editors
BEST FOR THE MODERN EXPLORER
Pacific 19 Kona
Photo Courtesy of Pacific 19 Kona.
Pacific 19 Kona made its debut earlier this year as an island-urban hotel for adventure travelers seeking Big Island hotels ideal for experiencing the best of Kailua-Kona and Hawaiʻi Island. A 122-room property, the hotel occupies one of the two buildings that formerly comprised the Kona Seaside Hotel. From the tropical plants framing the open-air entrance to the large reception table made from reclaimed monkeypod, and teak slat walls and lava rock pillars in the lobby, it’s clear that this fresh hotel’s style is authentically unique, immediately encouraging creators and explorers alike to be themselves. Consider Pacific 19 Kona your basecamp for all your Hawaiʻi Island adventures and the friendly staff your inside source for a custom-tailored island itinerary. The hotel’s retail shop is stocked with coolers, beach blankets, snorkel gear, and all the essentials to explore the Big Island. And for those who prefer to adventure with their four-legged family members, Pacific 19 Kona is also pet-friendly.
BEST FOR A LUXURY RETREAT
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hualalai.
Located northeast of Kailua-Kona’s Kekaha Kai State Park is the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, a Forbes Five-Star Resort on Hawai‘i Island. A staycation here is a luxurious retreat on the Kona side and a launch pad for adventures influenced by the island’s long-held traditions. Camp Manitou is the perfect example of such an immersive experience, as the seasonal adventure camp connects the resort’s youngest guests to Hawai‘i through an array of explorative activities.
What’s more, a new ocean experience curated by local waterman and surfboard designer Bonga Perkins will further immerse you in Hawai‘i Island’s culture. And all the amenities that Four Seasons Resort Hualālai is known for are still at your fingertips, including a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, the bespoke spa and the Beach Tree. This summer’s menu features a collection of dishes pairing Hawaiian staples with traditional Baja Mexican delicacies that staycation-goers will not soon forget.
READ MORE: The Best Hotels on Hawaiʻi Island, According to our Editors
BEST FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
Photo: Courtesy of Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.
The kids are on break and you’ve already exhausted all the tried and true day trips? If this sounds familiar, it’s time to check into the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. The legendary Kona resort is undergoing property modernizations which include a recently refurbished adults-only pool and family pool. This enhanced, multi-level fantasy pool now features a 200-foot water slide, making it the longest waterslide in Kona. When you’re finally able to drag your family away from the pool, a cultural tour will connect you with the area’s historic sites and significance as the birthplace of King Kamehameha III. After sunset, get lost in the Feast & Fire Lū‘au, a heart-pumping dinner show featuring Polynesian drums, fire dancing and savory island dishes.
You can’t miss the Outrigger Kona’s crown jewel, which is without a doubt the nightly manta ray visits. While the gentle giants can be seen from the resort’s Manta Ray Viewing Deck, we recommend a closer encounter that can only be experienced by booking a tour on the Kini Kini, a 40-ft sailing canoe that is certified to safely take guests out to snorkel with these majestic creatures at night. And if you’re a Hawai‘i resident comparing Hawai‘i Island hotels, be sure to take advantage of Outrigger Kona’s kamaāina rates when you book your stay.
READ MORE: Best Lūʻau on the Big Island
BEST FOR A COUPLES’ GETAWAY
Hōlualoa Inn
Photo: Courtesy of Holualoa Inn.
As the name suggests, this boutique hotel is in Hōlualoa, a sleepy, art enclave perched on the slopes of Hualālai. Sitting on 30 lush acres bursting with tropical fruit trees, flowers, and over 5,000 Kona coffee trees, the Hōlualoa Inn offers guests the chance for serene strolls through its gardens or a dip in the tiled mosaic pool. Up the romance factor with a luxury picnic for two in the gardens, a private yoga session, a couples’ massage or other exquisite enhancements.
There are six well-equipped rooms to choose from, all with whimsical names like the Hibiscus Room and the Coffee Cherry Room. And no matter which room you book, you’ll agree that the Hōlualoa Inn’s most outstanding feature is the unobstructed views down the mountain to the shore, the town of Kona and the Pacific Ocean. The rooftop gazebo is a favorite for morning coffee, while nights here are punctuated by cooler temps perfect for cuddling. The inn is less than six miles from Kona town, but while you’re here, you’ll feel like you’re in your own private, casually elegant world.
Every experience, product or service is independently chosen by our writers. We may receive compensation for bookings and purchases made through our links.
