Big Island of Hawaii Lodging Guide: Best Hotels in Kona, Hilo & Kohala
- Eric Beuning
- May 5
- 6 min read
Updated: May 13
The Big Island of Hawaii is so big and has so much to see that it’s hard to pick just one hotel as your home base. Just getting from the Kona side to Hilo takes three hours, one way. So, to truly enjoy a Big Island vacation, you often need to split your trip up between two or even three hotels.
To help you find where to stay in near Kona, Hilo, or the Kohala Coast area, I decided to break down my top picks. There are different hotel options in each Big Island area to suit any travel style or budget.
Kailua-Kona: Vibrant Coastal Charm
The Kona coast is the most popular place to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii. Most people fly in via the Kona airport, so it makes sense to stay in Kona first to help shake off the jet lag. You especially don’t want to be driving the switchbacks of the Big Island’s ring road in the dark of night after a long flight.
This is also a popular launch point for whale watching expeditions in the winter and year-round, nighttime snorkeling. Not to mention dolphin-watching tours that launch out of Kona’s marina. So, if you’re only going to stay in one hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kona makes the best home base.
Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Royal Kona Resort offers stunning ocean views and a prime location near shopping and dining. I stayed here on the first leg of my Honeymoon, and it is absolutely worth splurging for an ocean view room!
There’s a great oceanfront pool, and a saltwater swimming lagoon on-site. There’s a fine-dining restaurant with ocean-side seating, which is the place to be for golden hour sunset. The resort even has its own luau experience.
This hotel boasts a beachfront location with easy access to historical sites and downtown Kona. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor pool, and on-site dining options. It's perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in local culture and activities.
I stayed here once on a layover and wished I would have booked myself with more time. I appreciated how close it was to the heart of Kona and happened upon a quaint street market. There’s also some Kona coffee plantation and great snorkeling tours nearby.
A modern boutique hotel, PACIFIC 19 Kona offers stylish rooms with a focus on sustainability. There’s a real sense that they’re trying to show some degree of eco-consciousness, which reflects the growing sense of showing respect to the Aina in Hawaii.
I think you’ll appreciate the contemporary design, comfortable rooms, and just how close it is to local attractions. It's ideal for eco-conscious travelers seeking a unique stay.
The Kona Tiki Hotel in my opinion is the best budget-friendly option near Kona. My flight was delayed and I found myself impressed by the value and what I got for a room.
The budget-friendly price point makes it easier to upgrade to one of the oceanfront rooms or one with a private lanai. The whole place has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and you can open the window at night to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the waves.
If you’re looking for a luxurious retreat, Kona Village offers an exclusive experience with private bungalows, upscale amenities, and exceptional service. This is the sort of place you stay when you attach the phrase “Once-in-a-lifetime” to “Vacation.”
I met a client who was staying here and was blown away by the service, and the connection to local culture. The Rosewood Resort, Kona Village emphasizes sustainability and Hawaiian heritage, providing guests with a serene and authentic escape. It’s a truly Hawaiian experience, dressed with modern luxury and convenience.
Hilo Hotels: Lush Landscapes and Cultural Richness
Hilo is the wetter side of the Big Island of Hawaii, and it feels very much like you’re in a tropical rainforest. Hilo is also the closest city to Volcanoes National Park, and the starting point for a lot of popular local tours and aquatic adventures. Including the fastest tour of the Mauna Kea Summit. So, it makes sense to plan at least two nights here, if not more.
Emphasizing sustainability and community, SCP Hilo Hotel offers comfortable accommodations with a modern touch. You can enjoy locally sourced food and a swimming pool. It's perfect for eco-minded travelers.
The SPC Hilo Hotel also tends to be budget-friendly for most of their rooms, with a limited number of upscale suites available. I stayed here for two days for the easy access to nearby waterfalls and the quick drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Castle Hilo sits right on picturesque Hilo Bay, offering breathtaking views of Mauna Kea and the ocean. It’s also comfortably close to downtown Hilo, which came in handy when I needed to meet clients for a business lunch.
I appreciated the spacious rooms, on-site dining, and nearby attractions. Especially the Liliuokalani Gardens, which were nice for a slow evening walk to wind down the end of the day. I think it's an excellent base for exploring the east side of the Big Island.
Another great budget-friendly choice on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii, Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms with ocean views. It has a peaceful vibe that you’ll appreciate if you’re taking a lot of physically demanding tours of waterfalls and ziplines near Hilo.
They have a very friendly staff, and a convenient location near the airport and local restaurants. If you’re catching a connecting flight out of Hilo’s airport, this is probably the perfect place to stay the night before!
Kohala Coast: Luxury and Serenity
The Kohala Coast on the north side of the Big Island of Hawaii offers a more laid-back and often luxurious atmosphere. There are a lot of great golf courses, relaxing beaches and in the winter the opportunity to do a little whale watching. The Kohala Coast also has what is arguably the Big Island of Hawaii’s best zipline experience.
Mauna Lani is one of the best places to stay on the Big Island for golf lovers. This oceanfront resort offers a luxurious experience with spacious rooms, fine dining, and two championship golf courses.
After a day out on the course, or touring the Big Island, you can relax at the spa or explore the white sandy beaches. Mauna Lani has also made a passionate commitment to sustainability. It's perfect for those seeking indulgence and tranquility but also value eco-conscious lodging.
Set on 32 oceanfront acres, Fairmont Orchid provides elegant accommodations on the north side of the Big Island of Hawaii. The property includes a full-service spa, and diverse dining options.
They offer a wide range of cultural activities, to help you feel a little bit of the Big Island’s aloha spirit. You can relax by the pool, or snorkel in the private lagoon. I also consider it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, yet it’s equally suitable as a home base for a fun family vacation.
A client put me up here once for two days and a night on a Big Island business trip. I was blown away by the spacious suites with full kitchens. There’s even a grill area, where I made my own surf and turf supper.
This upscale resort is perfect for families and extended stays. There are multiple pools, a really nice fitness center, and easy access to nearby beaches and shopping. It's a great blend of comfort and convenience. Definitely worth the price.
Despite the slightly strange name the Golfer’s Lava Cove is one of the best budget-friendly hotels on the Big Island of Hawaii.
They offer clean accommodations with essential amenities at a great price.
As the name implies it’s located near golf courses with reasonably priced club and cart rentals as well as an impressive zipline adventure.
Final Thoughts on Big Island of Hawaii Lodging
If you’re going to stay in just one place on the Big Island, Kona usually makes the most sense. You can usually drive to the Volcano National Park or do a single volcano day tour and still get back to Kona at a reasonable time.
Even if you’re planning to stay in Hilo or Kohala during the bulk of your time on the Big Island, it might still make sense to plan a single night in Kona. That way you can fly in, and acclimate to the time change, without getting on the twisting mountain roads after dark.
If you plan to split up your stay, a two-night home base in Hilo, then another two nights in Kohala, and three nights in Kona. This will give you the perfect division of time to experience everything the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer.
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