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Where to Stay on the Kona Coast for ANY budget

By Love Big Island | updated

One of the most important aspects of trip planning is figuring out where to rest your head, and because there are many options and areas, the process can be overwhelming. Worry not – we are here to help!

Below, we break down where to stay for families, first timers, solo travelers, active travelers, beach bums, and repeat visitors, providing high-end, mid-range, and budget-friendly suggestions for each.

Table of contents

Table of Contents

ps: have a look at our guide to where to stay on the Hilo side for any budget if you are looking to spend some nights on the Hilo side of the island.

FAQ

Where you should stay on the Kona side of the Big Island depends on your goals. Families will have different needs than solo travelers, for example, as will beach bums and active travelers.

We recommend at least 3 nights in Kona to explore the many different sights in this region.

The beaches in North Kona/Kohala are especially nice, including the famous Hapuna Beach. Check out our beach hotel recommendations here.

Downtown in Kailua-Kona, where there is a lot going on (including nightlife), is a good place to stay for solo travelers. Check out our hotel recommendations for solo travelers here.

Downtown Kailua-Kona is the best place to stay for easy access to shops, restaurants, and bars.

Snorkeling sites can be accessed from all areas on the Kona coast. However, downtown Kailua-Kona and Keauhou have the most options nearby. Most boat tours leave from downtown Kailua-Kona.

Downtown Kailua-Kona and Keauhou both provide easy access to the upcountry of Hualālai Volcano, which houses coffee farms and hiking trails. North Kona provides easy access to the Saddle Road, which is the quickest way to reach the Mauna Kea summit and/or Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Summary map of all places recommended in our guide

We list all hotels mentioned in this guide on the map below (in blue), as well as some of the highest-rated vacation rentals (in red), on the map below. Fill in your trip date on the map to find which places are available during your stay and at what cost.

Tip for more accurate pricing: make sure to fill in your expected dates to directly see price and availability.

Affiliate disclosure: This overview contains affiliate links to accommodation aggregator websites such as Booking.com and VRBO. Clicking on those links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only include affiliate links when they offer good value to our readers, read more about the use of those links on the Love Big Island website.

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for Families

Families have a number of options on the Kona side, from full-service beachside resorts to downtown hotels with walkability. We like to recommend places that offer a lot of services on property, or within close walking distance, providing the convenience most families seek. We also like to feature properties with both beach and pool access.

Recommended High-End Accommodation Options for Families:

The Mauna Lani Resort along the Kohala coast is an Auberge property that is excellent for families. Featuring an expansive, secluded, and safe property, the Mauna Lani has undergone recent renovations and has a beach, pool, water sports, and daily activities, including snorkeling, whale watching, paddling, and more.

Alternative Options:

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation Options for Families:

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (Marriott) is located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, offering a great mix of on-property activities as well as walkability to anywhere in town. On site, you’ll find both a pool, a beach, activity center, lūʻau, and a mix of shopping and snack shops. Adjacent to the hotel is Kailua Pier, where many snorkeling and ocean tours depart from.

Alternative Options:

Recommended Budget Accommodation Options for Families:

There are many condo rental opportunities in the Kona area, which provides great value to families looking for multi-bedroom units. For example, Kanaloa at Kona by Outrigger has some great options, with quick access to nearby Kahuluʻu Beach.

Alternative Option: Kona Coast Resort.

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for First-Timers

First-timers have the benefit of a blank slate. Choosing exactly where to stay will depend on your exact desires and situation (family, couple, friends, etc.), but we like to recommend places that reflect the vibe and lifestyle of the Big Island for a proper introduction.

Recommended High-End Accommodation options for First-Timers:

Want to stay the best property on the island? Money no problem? Well then, treat yourself to a stay the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. Renowned for attention to detail and modern luxury, a stay at the Four Seasons is sure to be memorable.

Alternative Options:

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation options for First-Timers:

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (Marriott) is a historic property in downtown Kailua-Kona that offers first timers a great introduction to Kailua-Kona. There are several cultural sites on property, as well as a beach, pool, lūʻau, and impressive art gallery. It’s easy to walk to nearby restaurants, and easy to jump on a tour from the adjacent Kailua Pier.

Alternative Option: Royal Kona Resort.

Recommended Budget Accommodation options for First-Timers:

There are a variety of two and three-star properties just south of Kailua-Kona that offer affordability and a classic, laid-back Big Island feel. For example, the Kona Tiki Hotel. Room rates can often be below $200 a night at such places.

Alternative Options:

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for Solo Travelers

Solo travelers should seek properties that help them integrate with other travelers. That’s why we generally recommend properties located downtown in Kailua-Kona, where there is a lot more going on, including nightlife.

Recommended High-End Accommodation options for Solo Travelers:

Recent renovations and the tendency to cater to individual travelers makes Pacific-19 a great choice for solo travelers, as does its proximity to downtown Kailua-Kona. The hotel curates its own activity listings, and also offers free travel advice on its website (places to eat in Kona, best hikes, etc.). The price is more in line with a mid-range option, with room rates usually less than $300 per night. But it’s a perfect fit for solo travelers, so we bump it up here.

Alternative choices:

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation options for Solo Travelers:

The Kona Islander Inn rents studio apartment-style rooms that have conveniences like refrigerators and kitchenettes. While there are no on-site services, you are just a minute walk from a variety of restaurants and shops of downtown Kailua-Kona.

Alternative choices: There are many condo rentals within Kailua-Kona that fall into this price range. Check Airbnb or VRBO for listings.

Recommended Budget Accommodation options for Solo Travelers:

There are two hostels in the Kailua-Kona area: the Kona Beach Hostel and My Hawaiʻi Hostel. Both offer a mix of shared dorms and private rooms. The Kona Beach Hostel is closer and within walking distance to downtown Kailua-Kona.

Alternative choice: Pineapple Park Hostel (further down in the south Kona district).

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for Active Travelers

There’s lots to do on the Kona side, and active travelers should stay at a hotel that helps facilitate the adventures.

Recommended High-End Accommodation options for Active Travelers:

The Fairmont Orchid is a 5-star hotel with some interesting areas nearby, including Puakō Petroglyph Park, a long coastline with several coves, and an on-site rental car center to facilitate off-property adventures.

Alternative Option: Mauna Lani

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation options for Active Travelers:

The Royal Kona Resort has everything you’d want after a long day of exploring, including a pool, protected lagoon, and excellent walkability. The hotel is located near the Coconut Grove Marketplace in Kailua-Kona, where an abundance of bars and restaurants await. It also has an on-site lūʻau.

Alternative Options:

Recommended Budget Accommodation options for Active Travelers:

Vacation rentals are abundant via Airbnb, VRBO, and other rental companies. Active travelers spending long days exploring might enjoy the comfort of a rental house with a kitchen and proper sitting areas. We recommend browsing the selection. Many can be had for less than $200/night.

Alternative Options:

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for Beach Bums

It stands to reason that beach bums should be within walking distance of a great beach, and we reflect that in our recommendations.

Recommended High-End Accommodation options for Beach Bums:

The Westin Hapuna Beach is a full-service resort located adjacent to Hapuna Beach, considered to be the best white-sand beach on the island. Need we say more?

Alternative choices:

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation options for Beach Bums:

The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort is another full-service resort that sits on a white-sand beach, A-Bay (ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach). With plenty of space to spread out, beach bums will love this slice of coastline. It is also in walking distance of one of the islands only beach bars, the Lava Lava Beach Club.

Alternative choice: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Recommended Budget Accommodation options for Beach Bums:

The Big Island Retreat is located across the street from Kahuluʻu Beach Park, which is a local favorite for snorkeling, surfing, and beach bumming. This is an open-aired property; aka, there is no air-conditioning. This will please some with its charm, but is not for everyone, especially in mid-summer.

Where to stay on the Kona Coast for Repeat Visitors

So you’ve been there, done that eh? Try out some of the charming bed and breakfasts spread throughout southern Kona.

Recommended High-End Accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:

The Holualoa Inn is a 5-star bed-and-breakfast property located high in the hillsides above the Kona Coast. The views are absolutely stunning, as is the tranquil property and the charming atmosphere. Sunsets are epic from up here, and the vibe in Holualoa is very peaceful and local. It’s a fit for folks looking for a night away from the hustle, or, for those who have already explored the Kona coast.

Recommended Mid-Range Accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:

The Kaʻawa Loa Plantation is located in the town of Captain Cook in south Kona, a very local area near Kealakekua Bay. Prices start at $169, with suites going in the mid-$200s. Breakfast includes local fruits, pastries, and 100% Kona coffee.

Alternative choice: Luana Inn.

Recommended Budget Accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:

The Pineapple Park Hostel has dorms, semi-private, and private rooms in a funky setting, with easy access to a number of neat areas, such as Kealakekua Bay, Puʻuhonua o Honaunau, and the Kona coffee belt.

Alternative choice: Gingerhill Farm Retreat.

Outro: Kona Regions and good reasons (not!) to stay in Kona

Discovering the ideal place to stay along the Kona Coast involves navigating three main regions – South Kona, Kailua Kona, and North Kona/Kohala Coast. Each area caters to different preferences, offering a range of experiences for visitors. From the historical charm of South Kona to the lively atmosphere of Kailua Kona and the upscale resorts along the North Kona/Kohala Coast, the options are diverse.

In this section, we break down the reasons to consider each region for your stay and highlight potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision for a satisfying stay.

The Kona Coast is split up in 3 regions:

Below are the three main regions in which you will find lodging on the Kona side of the Big Island.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona Town is the main hub on the Big Island’s west coast and is where you will find the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, shops, and activity centers. There is an abundance of lodging options in town, but most have small properties (compared to North Kona resorts).

Aerial view of Kailua-Kona

Downtown Kona and Kailua Bay. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman

South Kona Coast

South Kona is home to a variety of lodging in areas such as Captain Cook and Keauhou. It is away from the bustle of town with a boat-tour hub at Keauhou Harbor. Accommodations in this area are a mix of resorts and vacation rentals.

North Kona / Kohala Coast

The Big Island’s best resorts and beaches can be found along the North Kona and Kohala coasts, and also where you can find the best selection of full-service, big-property beachside resorts.

These regions each have their pluses and minuses, based on what exactly you want to get from you trip. For more information on how these areas are different from each other, take a look at our big guide to Big Island accommodations.

Why should you stay on the Kona side of the Big Island?

The Kona side is where most people stay when they visit the Big Island. Here’s why:

  1. Close to airport. Kona Airport (KOA) is the Big Island’s largest and most accessible airport. It is the main hub of air traffic on and off the island, making it a convenient place to stay.
  2. Sunny days. Kona is located on the west side of the island, meaning it tends to have hot, sunny days all year round, much to the delight of beach bums.
  3. Sunset views. No matter where you are on the Kona side, you’ll be facing west and treated to the sunset each night.
  4. Beaches. The beaches on the Kona side are spectacular, and the best white-sand beaches are found here. Generally, the water is calmer than on the Hilo side.
  5. Availability of tours: Most tours involving water sports, like snorkeling, whale watching, sunset cruises, etc., leave from the Kona side.
  6. Walkability (Downtown). If you stay in Downtown Kailua-Kona, you’ll be able to walk to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and outfitters.

Why shouldn’t you stay on the Kona side of the Big Island

There are some potential drawbacks to being on the Kona side of the Big Island:

  1. Bustle. Some parts of the Kona side, especially downtown Kailua-Kona, can be busy, especially during the summer months.
  2. Far from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Many people come to the Big Island specifically to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is about 1.5-2 hours away from areas in Kona.
  3. Hot climate. It’s hot and dry during the summer on the Kona side. Beach bums may love it, but other folks may prefer the cooler temperatures of Hilo or the upcountry areas of the Big Island.
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