The 12 Best Hotels in Kona, Hawaii in 2023 | Travellers 🧳 (2023)

FAQs

Where is best to stay on the Big Island? ›

The two best areas to stay on the Big Island are near Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa. We have discussed why the Kona side (west side) is by far the best place to stay on the Big Island, and these two areas provide the most options for accommodation, stores, and restaurants, and are within the closest proximity to beaches.

Kona, not Hilo, is the place to stay on the island of Hawaii during your vacation. Kona offers better weather, the best beaches and snorkeling, newer resorts, more vacation rentals, and more nightlife compared to Hilo Town.

One of Kona's most memorable experiences is going on a manta ray boat tour to scuba or snorkel with these gentle, graceful sea creatures. Kona is also famous for its deep-sea fishing, hosting the International Billfish Tournament (August) every year.

The Kona Village Resort was one of the hardest-hit complexes of the March 2011 tsunami, with huts forced out of place, water damage to numerous buildings and extensive destruction. The resort closed, putting 200 people out of work at a business that opened in 1965. There were plans to reopen the 86-acre resort.

At least five days. As the largest Hawaiian island, you'll definitely want time for beaches and snorkeling on the Kona side and waterfalls and rain forest on the Hilo side with a stop at Volcanos National Park.

The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October. Some call these Hawaii Island's 'off-season periods' or the 'shoulder months.

Kona is the only region in the islands where summer rainfall exceeds winter rainfall. Our wettest month is September but this is no reason to avoid Kailua this month as in general (but by no means as a rule) it rains in the late afternoon or in the early evening.

Kailua Bay is among the prettiest places on the leeward side of Big Island, from where you can catch charming sunsets. This small bay in the Kailua-Kona area has only tiny stretches of golden sand with most of its coastline covered in dark lava rocks giving it an exotic, photogenic appeal.

What Is So Special About Kona Coffee? Kona coffee is a specialty coffee that differs from other varieties primarily because of its prime farming location and production processes. Kona coffee farms are only in one place in Hawaii called the Kona Coffee Belt, on Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South districts.

The short answer? No, not directly. The Kona coffee belt is located about two and a half hours away from Kilauea and since all of the lava is contained inside the caldera like the water inside of a pool, the Kona coffee belt is in no direct danger from this eruption, and never will be.

Can you swim in Kona beaches? ›

Located on Kua Bay in Kona, Maniniʻōwali Beach is sometimes called “The Caribbean of Hawaiʻi,” thanks in part to its fine white-sand beaches that gently slope toward the crystal-clear water. The crescent-shaped beach is one of the best places for swimming when the water is calm, usually during the morning hours.

The Kona Village Resort announced in March of 2011 that it would close indefinitely due to structural and property damage it sustained in a earthquake-generated tsunami. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has reported it will open a new resort in 2022 after a complete renovation of the property.

The last tsunami to impact West Hawaii was March 11, 2011, causing extensive damage from South Kona to South Kohala but no injuries or deaths. The hard-hit Kona Village Resort has yet to rebuild and reopen from the devastation caused by the waves triggered by the magnitude-9.1 earthquake off Japan.

Originally given as gifts to the Hawaiian people, these domesticated animals eventually escaped and rapidly reproduced, creating large populations of wild goats that live in the semi-barren lava fields or mountain slopes on the islands. They can now be found on all major Hawaiian Islands.

These five best beaches in Kona should not be missed: 1. Kikaua Point Beach Park.

Waikiki Beach

Waikīkī Beach is not only the most famous beach in Hawaii but it is also one of the most well-known beaches on the planet! The 2-mile stretch of golden sand is comprised of 8 sections, each offering unique vibes and activities in Honolulu.

Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours.

While for most of Hawaii, the winter months are generally the rainiest, Kona's drier season is generally from November through March, while the rainy season runs from April through October.

March and April are the rainiest months in both regions, while mid-May to late July are the driest. Though rainy and dry seasons fall during the same time for both regions, Hilo and Volcano experience almost double the rain of Kailua-Kona during the wet season.

While Hawaii is a great destination year-round, the best opportunity for good weather exists during April, May, September, and October. As the tradewinds pick up over the winter months, so do the showers, and surf swells, particularly on the north/northeast (windward) shores of each island.

How many hours a week do you need for Kona? ›

You will need to train—on average—around 18-20 hours per week for at least one full season (40-48 weeks), and probably more than one season. For those of you doing math at home, that's 720 to 960 hours of training a year, most likely for two to three years.

Yes, there are mosquitoes in all of the islands under Hawaii, mainly abetted by the warm climate in the region.

Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. Several beaches in the park are accessed via a 1.5-mile road located between the 91 and 90-mile markers on Highway 19 north of Kona.

The popular area of Kailua-Kona has beach weather year round. The average high in the hottest months of August and September is 86 degrees with a low of 73. And even in the winter, Kailua-Kona only reaches the mid-60s in the dead of night, and the temperature bounces back up into the 80s during the day.

Average annual water temperature on the coast in Kailua Kona is 78°F, by the seasons: in winter 77°F, in spring 77°F, in summer 79°F, in autumn 80°F. Minimum water temperature (75°F) in Kailua Kona it happens in March, maximum (82°F) in September.

#1 Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This is easily the #1 MUST DO on the Big Island, and it brings a lot of visitors to the island. Nature enthusiasts, National Park junkies, volcano lovers, etc.

Surfer and musician Jack Johnson was born on Oahu and still lives there today. It is easy to imagine how his laid-back sounds have been shaped by his island home. Comedienne Roseanne Barr purchased a macadamia farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.

2023 Hyundai Kona Pricing

The 2023 Hyundai Kona starts at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $21,990, plus a destination charge. This is for the base SE version with front-wheel drive. All the variants from SE to Limited can be ordered with all-wheel drive, which is an extra $1,500.

How Much Do Other Coffees Cost in Hawaii? A regular cup of coffee can cost around $6 to $8 in Hawaii. Locally produced Hawaiian coffee can go up to $20 to $100 per bag. Hawaii is known to contain some of the most expensive coffee in the United States.

Kona, and the waters off of the Big Island of Hawaii, is home to many types of premier shark species. This location in Hawaii is very unique as we have a large range of different shark species to see in some of the best ocean conditions found anywhere in the world!

Is lava flowing on Kona? ›

Lava from the now stopped 2022 Mauna Loa eruption

The 2022 Maunaloa eruption is over and there is no active lava visible on the surface. During nighttime spots of incandescence may remain near the vent, along channels, and at the flow front for days or weeks as the lava flows cool.

Hawaii has been hit by a hurricane just two times since 1958. Hurricane Dot hit Hawaii in August of 1959. Hurricane Iniki hit Hawaii in September of 1992.

Kailua-Kona is located in Lava Zone 4, which includes all of Hualalai. Although Hualalai is not extinct, the frequency of eruptions is lower, much lower, than that for Kilauea or Mauna Loa.

Apart from the strange taste you are sure to detect, tap water in Kona is generally safe to drink. According to the Department of Health, regular tests are done to ensure the quality of tap water.

Hawaii Revised Statute §291-3.3(b) HRS 291-3.3

On beaches near public lookouts, no drinking is allowed.

Because snakes are not native to Hawaii, they present an alarming risk to the fragile Hawaiian environment if introduced. Snakes have no natural predators in Hawaii. They could wreak havoc on other wildlife populations if they were ever allowed into the ecosystem.

One week at Kona Village will cost from $15,000 to 29,000 or more. On checking reservations, the fall of 2023 has the lowest priced stand-alone garden view hale starting at $1,850 per night, with a total of over $15k for a 7-night stay.

Built in 1971, the hotel originally opened as the Kona Surf Hotel. It closed in June, 2000 after falling into disrepair when the Japanese owners were unable to keep up with mounting debt following the Asian financial crisis.

Kailua-Kona

The area features plenty of condo options, which means less maintenance work for retirees. Plus, you'll have easy access to all of the Big Island's larger stores, for simple and convenient shopping.

It last erupted in 1984, making this prolonged quiet period the volcano's longest in recorded history. Mauna Loa's summit crater sits about 21 miles west of Kilauea, a smaller volcano that has been erupting since 2021.

Has a hurricane ever hit the Big Island Hawaii? ›

Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii in 1992

On September 11, 1992, the small but intense system came out of the south in the central Pacific and traveled directly over the island. Hurricane strikes on the fiftieth state are rare, but a major hit is even more extreme.

Kona has year round calm water. Just 3 miles from the harbor its 6,000 feet deep. You have a chance to catch all the pelagic species of fish here year round. The size of the blue marlin that frequent these waters off Kona.

There are no monkeys in Hawaii. Hawaii's indigenous animals, those that are native to the island, include the hoary bat, the Hawaiian state bird, the nene, which is a type of goose, the endangered Hawksbill sea turtle, and Hawaiian monk seals.

Spinner dolphins frequent the entire Kona Coast, but certain areas are prime destinations for dolphin viewing. One of the most popular is Kealakekua Bay, a marine conservation area and site of Captain Cook Monument. Here, dolphins enter the bay in the morning hours to rest after nightly hunting excursions.

Hawaii does have one species of scorpion living here called the Lesser Brown Scorpion. It is not very large but it does pack a punch approximately equal to the sting you might receive from a yellow jacket.

The 5 Main Parts of the Island

Hilo: Best for urban vibes and accessibility. Kailua-Kona: Best beach town with history. Kohala: Best for inland exploring and luxurious beach time. Volcano Town: Best for volcanoes and adventure.

Ultimately, the east side's proximity to all the great Big Island attractions makes staying here worthwhile. Hilo is considerably less touristy than the island's west side, and it offers a range of lodgings for different budgets.

The most popular area to stay is the Kohala Coast. This area is home to the nicest resorts, the most beautiful weather and the best beaches.

If you really want to enjoy even a fraction of what the Big Island has to offer, you should plan on staying at least 7 days. However, we understand that reality often does not allow such a lengthy stay in Hawaii.

Oahu is the most popular island for first timers as it's home to famous sights like Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and Waikiki Beach. I'd recommend Maui equally, however, with its golden beaches and upscale resorts. Maui is probably what you're dreaming of when you think about Hawaii.

What is the most liked island in Hawaii? ›

Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki.

Generally speaking, the best Hawaiian island to visit without a car is Oahu. This is because the bus system goes throughout much of the island and it's convenient enough to take the Oahu bus to different places, and there's also a bus from the Honolulu airport.

A white sandy beach in the Kahala area of Honolulu. Much like Beverly Hills in Los Angeles or Tribeca in New York, the eastern Honolulu neighborhood of Kahala is famous for the affluence of its residents.

Kahalu'u Beach is very protected, very calm. The sandy areas do not really meet the water, however, except a small area you can enter between the reefs and rocks. It is a great place for snorkeling, has restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and even a food cart most of the time.

Waipio Valley Beach, Big Island

Of all the beaches on the Big Island, the unspoiled crescent of black sand at the base of Waipio Valley is easily the most secluded: It's sheltered by 2,000-foot cliffs, and it's a grueling three-mile hike down.