Top Hotels in Island of Hawaii Resorts
- 1. Royal Kona Resort
- 2. Fairmont Orchid
- 3. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
- 4. SCP Hilo Hotel
- 5. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa
- 6. Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton
- 7. Hilton Waikoloa Village
- 8. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
- 9. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
- 10. Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
10 Resorts in Island of Hawaii: Best hotel deals for 2023
Life on the Big Island is a little bit slower… and locals like it that way. The natural beauty and ecological features of the island are a draw for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Test your chutzpah at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the longest volcanic eruption in recorded history, or climb to the indescribably beautiful summit of Mauna Kea. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a quivering plate of fresh poke, followed by a fruity shave ice.
Things to do in Island of Hawaii
1. Royal Kona Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4418 reviews
With its dramatic setting overlooking Kailua Bay, the Royal Kona Resort is an oceanfront landmark in the heart of Kona town, conveniently located just steps from many fine restaurants, shops, historical sites, and activities. Completed in 2021, guests will enjoy the $15-million renovation to the resort’s 436 guestrooms and suites, and oceanfront pool deck. Drawing inspiration from the tropical surroundings and sheer beauty of the islands the new Deluxe guestrooms and suites are designed with modern coastal inspired décor and finishes, rich teak furnishings, colorful natural fabrics, and beautiful marble wet bars outfitted with coffee makers and mini refrigerators. The relaxing open-air lobby, surrounded by a tropical saltwater fishpond, leads out to an expansive newly refinished oceanfront sundeck impressively set directly above the ocean featuring luxurious teak loungers, beach umbrellas, and pool cabanas. The Resort also offers a private sandy beach cove and sheltered saltwater swimming lagoon perfect for beginner snorkeling. Guests will find light meals and a variety of tropical beverages, including the Original Mai Tai, showcased in a world-class oceanside setting at the signature Don the Beachcomber Restaurant & Mai Tai Bar. With its open-air setting, right on the water’s edge, Don’s is the perfect spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of all the activity taking place on Kailua Bay, and it’s a great place to catch a breathtaking Kona sunset. Several nights a week, the Resort is home to Kona’s best oceanfront Luau, the "Voyagers of the Pacific Luau” presented by the award-winning Tihati productions. Other resort amenities include four tennis courts available for day or evening play; rejuvenating massage and spa treatments; a fitness center; Hawaiian cultural activities; yoga classes; and a great sundry shop. Island specialists are available at the Resort’s Activities Desk to assist guests in booking tours and to recommend other island attractions, and specialists are also available on-property to assist couples with destination weddings and vow renewal ceremonies. For a great location in the heart of Kailua-Kona, gracious Hawaiian hospitality and service, and the Big Island’s best value, choose the Royal Kona Resort.
Our Favorite Place on This Side of the Island
Reviewed By PegLegOctopusThis was our second stay at the Royal Kona, and we were more than pleased. The rooms are large and airy with large lanais. We were in the Ali'i tower this time, but have stayed in the Lagoon tower previously. We truly enjoyed both. The Royal Kona has that feel of what I imagined a Hawaiian resort to be - outdoor open air in most areas, right on the water, gorgeous lush landscaping. The resort is also walking distance to the bay area restaurants and shopping areas, making it super convenient! We were also thrilled to receive a bottle of champagne as an anniversary gift, which we enjoyed outside on our lanai watching the ocean. Pretty damn perfect, really.
2. Fairmont Orchid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5517 reviews
Inspired by culture, well-being and genuine aloha, Fairmont Orchid is a luxury Hawaii Island resort and spa beautifully located on the majestic Kohala Coast. Resort amenities feature our award-winning Spa Without Walls, a 10,000 square foot oceanfront pool, Hui Holokai Beach Club offering ocean and cultural activities, six restaurants, year-round children's program, golf, fitness center and tennis pavilion.
Beautiful Grounds
Reviewed By Brook OAll the staff was so friendly and helpful! Truly appreciated it. I had an issue with my watch and front desk staff went above and beyond to help me out! Every time I had a question someone was there to assist.
3. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Overall Ratings
5 based on 401 reviews
Nestled along the dramatic Kohala Coast and in the piko, or center, of five great mountains, Mauna Lani-- meaning "mountain reaching heaven"-- is a sacred oasis where generations of families and friends have made memories together on soulful lands once cherished by the greatest of Hawaiian royalty. Greet the morning sun as it rises above the mountains’ peaks from the seat of an outrigger canoe. Talk story with friends old and new at the Great Lawn as the sounds of ocean waves and laughter mingle. Dine amongst the company of loved ones at CanoeHouse, where locals have savored the island’s bounty for decades. As you walk this storied coastline, breathe the rejuvenating salt air and swim in the crystalline waters, you feel the same mana, or spiritual energy, that first captivated legends like King Kamehameha I and Francis H. I’i Brown.
They are better than this
Reviewed By Stoo_LandI must say that I’m very surprised at a hotel of this caliber/price to show up and find that the beach amenities are closed for a private event… apparently for the “big boss man” If mauna lani is reading this - you can do better. Please don’t take your guests for granted.
4. SCP Hilo Hotel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
SCP Hilo brings the vision of Holistic Hospitality to The Big Island’s adventure aesthetic and lifestyle. Known for offering authentic and genuine experiences, guests at SCP Hilo will leave with a deeper respect and appreciation of the spirit and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. With an ideal location on the eastern side of The Big Island, SCP Hilo offers guests easy access to nearby Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, Nani Mau Gardens, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Mount Mauna Kea. Guests seeking a truly regenerative tourism experience will appreciate all that SCP Hilo has to offer including local workshops from sustainable farm tours to lei making and coconut tastings.
Great stay for Kamaaina
Reviewed By C and S MSCP hotel is centrally located to all the sites and eateries in Hilo. The front desk and hotel service staff are friendly and helpful. The lobby is a great gathering place with computer access, coffee and water 24 hours a day. We were able to get a room with three beds which accommodated our family of 5. The pool offered a great place to rest and cool off from the hot and muggy Hilo summer day. The ice pond is located directly across the hotel, which is a popular swimming hole for locals. Parking was plentiful and free. Hotel is in walking distance from Popular Kens Pancake House and Ponds Restaurant.
5. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3051 reviews
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa resort is a stunning hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii in the heart of Waikoloa. Reminiscent of a lush, Hawaiian plantation and nestled among championship golf courses and the beauty and serenity of the Kohala Coast. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa hotel provides the perfect setting for your vacation in the South Pacific. Treat yourself to spectacular hotel accommodations with spacious one and two bedroom suites incorporating a casually elegant tropical style and featuring a superb variety of upscale amenities and furnishings. The suites offer all of the convenience of home including separate living and dining areas with wood-style flooring, a fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer and granite countertops throughout. Enjoy flat-screen HD TVs, an enhanced entertainment sound system, and Wi-Fi. The master bedroom has a king bed, while the master bath has a luxurious sculptured tub and shower. Step out onto your own private lanai equipped with comfortable sofas and chairs, and enjoy the serene surroundings and tropical breezes of Waikoloa.
Royal Treatment!
Reviewed By Irene4reBeautiful Property! The manager, Noe, epitomizes the "Aloha Spirit"! It is reflected in her awesome staff, Koa and David. I felt like I was Royalty! The location is ideal. The Shuttle takes you to Shopping, Dining, and the Ocean! This is the Best of everything...I highly recommendHilton Grand Vacations Kings' Land!
6. Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1612 reviews
Experience the relaxed pace of Hawaii Island when you stay at the newly renovated Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, located near downtown Hilo's quaint shops and eclectic restaurants, and the Hilo Airport. A favorite destination of both kamaaina and visitors for generations, the newly renovated waterfront hotel welcomes you with modern and stylish accommodations, an outdoor pool, a 9-hole golf course, and 24-hour front desk. Experience warm island hospitality for a truly unforgettable stay in the charming town of Hilo on the Big Island. FREE amenities include a FREE Round of Golf daily and FREE WiFi.
Incredible views!!!
Reviewed By rmcmichael2022Building beside hotel closed and dilapidated! City or hotel should pay for it to be demolished. Lovely grounds to walk around. Good valet. Free golf across the street. Hilo basically shuts down by 7:30 pm.
7. Hilton Waikoloa Village
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10562 reviews
Let the aloha spirit wash over you in one of the world's largest and most beautiful resorts: Hilton Waikoloa Village. Experience the magic of Hawaii at our hotel, an oasis dotted with lagoons, pools, water slides, a wide variety of restaurants and bars, and staffed by a team of accommodating hospitality professionals who are here to make sure you're enjoying your island time. Settle into your well-appointed guest room, explore all that we have to offer, and soak up the Hawaiian sun.
Beautiful grounds - short staffed
Reviewed By 19CamThere is a lot of great stuff about this resort, I can see that once it was quite the jewel in the Hilton crown. The grounds of the hotel are absolutely beautiful. The landscaping team have done an amazing job maintaining and caring for the gardens. The entire ambiance of the external property and location is great. The staff we met and interacted with were great, across the resort they genuinely seemed to care and go out of their way to deliver excellent service. We were staying in Makai tower, the room was adequate but not a ‘luxury resort’ experience. There were a few nice touches like the toiletries and the leis but everything else was very generic. From the room you wouldn’t know you were in Hawaii, it could have been Pittsburgh. The hotel seems to have some MAJOR staffing issues. The buffet breakfast was closed, the bar and restaurant hours of the open locations was limited. The staff that were working were totally swept off their feet and overworked. I understand that the cost of living in Hawaii is very high and it’s therefore difficult to fill jobs, but given Hilton’s scale, perhaps they should be looking at some more creative solutions like providing staff accommodations like ski resorts do. Some elements of the resort were quite tired and needed updating. The waterfalls at the pool were closed for maintenance. There was worn paint on hand rails, peeling wallpaper in rooms etc. Nothing major but not great. From an operational perspective this is one of the few Hilton properties both owned and operated by Hilton so there’s really no excuse for anything less than the standards defined in the brand manual. Finally - personal opinion but the ‘dolphin quest’ attraction should absolutely be shut down. I know the marketing spin about how they are helping the dolphins, they they are keeping wild animals in a tiny pen by the lagoon and it’s cruel. Shut it down and focus on running a top resort, you don’t need cruel animal attractions to be a great destination.
8. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3748 reviews
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel welcomes you to the Big Island of Hawaii for a memorable vacation. Located on the historical site where the famed Hawaiian King Kamehameha once lived, our beachfront hotel in Kailua-Kona provides ocean views and direct access to Kailua Pier. Our Kona hotel is also a short distance from downtown Kona, Kahaluu Beach Park, Kealakekua Bay, and Kailua Village. Following a day of Big Island sightseeing, settle into a hotel room or suite at our hotel featuring a private lanai, 37" flat-screen TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. During your stay, you'll also enjoy our infinity pool, onsite gym and yoga studio, day spa, and white sand beach. Choose from 2 savory restaurants for a delicious meal, complemented with beautiful ocean views. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is here to deliver your ultimate island adventure.
Poor value, poor service
Reviewed By VonkarpfWe came to stay for a wedding and a honeymoon for us. We booked ocean view which picture was cropped to be full ocean, but shame in me for not seeing the fine print partial view. Our first room was a decent partial view. The bathroom smelled like a mechanics worked in it and his sweaty clothes had been sitting in it for two days. They had what looked to be wonderful shower gel which was mounted on the wall and empty. The bathroom doors didn't work. The lock on the main door didn't work and the windows where filthy and smeared with what looked to be butter and someone's initials were written in the patio windows. We called and asked to switch twice, the girl sounded half asleep and was more than rude. We got switched to another "ocean view that stares at the other tower but if you really lean over the balcony you see the top of the rest of the building and a pinch of the ocean. I asked if we could upgrade and I was told there were no rooms available and then went on the app and there were. This trip was BEYOND overpriced and disappointing. As a silver bonvoy member, and now having a similar old dirty room experience in Florida, I question my loyalty. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for a dirty room.
9. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1790 reviews
Experience a dreamy oceanfront setting at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection. Our hotel is located on Hawaii Island's Kohala Coast Kauna’oa Bay and offers on-site biking, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling and more. Enjoy luxury resort amenities like an on-site championship golf course, a tennis club, five restaurants and bars, a spa and a sparkling outdoor pool. Let us welcome you with Aloha to our iconic beach hotel at the Mauna Kea Resort.
Kauna’oa 10B
Reviewed By ashleyrJ1959ZRSo, I’m majorly biased - we are a big Mauna Kea family and have been going there since the 80s. My brother got engaged there; I got married there. It is a special place for us. So, when my father died, we returned to the Mauna Kea to celebrate his life, and instead of staying in the hotel, we opted to rent a villa thinking that it would offer us more privacy, and the on-site pool and hot tub would be more accessible for our elderly mother. We got neither. The villa itself is beautiful and well-stocked. It’s right across the golf course from the Hapuna and a short walk to the Mauna Kea. However, within 24 hours of our stay, the hot tub and waterfall drained completely, hence the rub. We had neither a functional outdoor space nor privacy as multiple teams came in to fix it, and it was not fixed by the time of our departure. A mention of this inconvenience (in the context of the exorbitant cost) at our check out was met with “Hillary will call you.” Two additional emails to the Mauna Kea since, there has been no response almost 3 months later. Summary: beautiful stocked villa but don’t expect to enjoy the private outdoor space due to non-functional pool/hot tub; poor service recovery from what once was a true Hawaiian gem
10. Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 2380 reviews
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hilo's best full-service hotel, offers outstanding views of the ocean or quaint Hilo Town framed by the backdrop of Mauna Kea. Located on Hilo Bay, and approximately two miles from Hilo Airport, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the perfect headquarters for exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy incredible views of Mauna Kea, Hilo Town, and beautiful and historic Coconut Island.
Great Stay
Reviewed By ConchLover2Large rooms, clean, comfortable beds and very convenient to the airport. We had a one night stay before an early flight but would definitely stay here again. Staff was very friendly and helpful in recommending restaurants and other information. Also, loved that it was a non-smoking property.
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