Top Hotels in Kailua-Kona Resorts
Top Things to do in Kailua-Kona
6 Resorts in Kailua-Kona: Best hotel deals for 2023
Coffee drinkers will recognize Kona as the source of some of the best beans in the world. Get your blood pumping with a walk along the “Royal Footsteps” waterfront stretch of Alii Drive, or take stargazing to the next level with a nighttime visit to the summit of Mauna Kea. Waterfalls, volcanoes, and soft black sands are just some of the natural features that make Kailua unique. Shimmy your hips at a hula-filled luau, or get an eyeful of native history at the Kamakahonu compound.
Things to do in Kailua-Kona
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. 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.
3. Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3500 reviews
Enjoy the diversity of Hawaii's Big Island with family and friends at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. From stargazing atop majestic Mauna Kea to tours of nearby Kona Coffee farms, you'll be close to the best of Hawaii as a guest of our Kailua-Kona hotel located steps from Keauhou Bay.
Really enjoyed our stay - the staff were great!
Reviewed By Q-bert137Although I could tell that COVID has effected some of the services and they were definitely short staffed, I really enjoyed my stay here. The pool was great and I really loved that they had an adult quiet pool that was really quiet and for adults. The water slide at the other pool was fun too. The staff here were very helpful and nice. I could tell they were really trying to please the guests, even with obvious staffing challenges. They were always friendly, no matter how busy they were. It was also nice getting daily maid service - this is something that I have not had in years. I thought breakfast by the pool was really nice and the pool bar was great too. I'm sure there are some improvements that need to be made with the changeover from the other company and the challenges hotels have faced recently, but I thought this was a great place to stay.
4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona, an IHG Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 697 reviews
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Kailua-Kona, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV and air conditioning, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the hotel. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona features a 24 hour front desk, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts a pool and breakfast. If you are driving to Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona, parking is available. Nearby landmarks such as Ali'i Drive (0.1 mi) and St. Michael the Archangel Church (0.1 mi) make Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona a great place to stay when visiting Kailua-Kona. While in Kailua-Kona, you may want to check out some of the restaurants that are a short walk away from Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona, including Kona Brewing Company Pub & Brewery (0.5 mi), Big Island Grill (0.1 mi), and Umekes Fishmarket Bar & Grill (0.6 mi). Enjoy your stay in Kailua-Kona!
Friendly Staff
Reviewed By Islandguy808I spent one night there recently to attend an event in Kona. The staff was friendly and the front desk clerk went out of her way to help me check in early. My room was large, comfortable and clean. The only downside is that the insulation between floors is not the best and you may hear your upstairs neighbors walking across the room. The breakfast service was nice and even though there was a line the staff kept it moving. It was also the most reasonably priced hotel in Kailua-Kona. It is not right on the ocean but is just about one block off of Aliʻi Drive and easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, etc.
5. Kona Seaside Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1544 reviews
- Temporarily closed
Good experience in a hotel
Reviewed By aliaC774CEThe hotel isn´t expensive and amazing, have six floor, It is beautiful and big, the apartment cleansed and very big, have good location, the people what work in hotel is friendly, have very good service and the breakfast give in hotel and eat in pub, in pub have different food and very delicious, You can go beach swim or plays whit family or friends, You can swim in pool of hotel is big and cleansed, the hotel have view very beautiful of beach, the hotel this close of stores, the hotel have parking lot not pay much.
6. 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.
