Kailua-Kona
Where I stay in Kailua-Kona on the Big IslandI live on the Hilo side of the Big Island of Hawaii and when my husband and I need a one to two day vacation we go to the Kona side and stay there. The advantages the Kona side has over the Hilo side is 1. it almost never rains on that side and 2. everything is very easily accessible and 3. we don't go often so it is all new. Kona is a little over a 2 and a half hour drive from where we live and it is really a production to go - we have only been over there about 8 times in the last 5 years. We don't have a whole lot of money so we stay at the 'budget' hotels and I would like to recommend two that have the most bang for your buck. My first recommendation, where we almost always stay is the King Kamehameha Hotel at 75-5660 Palani Rd., number 329-2911. The hotel is large, clean, has some newly remodeled rooms and all are with private lanai (porch). The staff is very friendly, there are a lot of gift shops and good dining. There is a pool and tennis courts, a bar and hula shows, and the hotel is directly across from the Kailua pier and public shore access. The King Kam Hotel probably has the best location in downtown Kona because of the pier and the fact that it is at the beginning of the 'strip' of Alii Dr where all the shops, eateries, and bars are. You can shop, swim, snorkel, kayak, boat, drink, and eat without ever getting in a car. Plus, the Ahu'ena Heiau is adjoining the hotel - it is an authentic temple with many culturally carved temple images, or 'kia akua' - a little like tiki gods and Hulihe'e Palace is a short walk away. What more could you ask for? The second place I will stay in in Kona is the Kona Surf Hotel. Although this hotel is in great need of some sort of remodeling or refurbishing it is still clean, large, gorgeous to look at and in a great location for a very decent price. The Kona surf is actually on the exact opposite end of Kailua town from the King Kam. ****note**** as of May 2000, the Kona surf has closed down - hopefully it will be bought and re-open soon. We actually stayed here for the first time because my brother-in-law was getting married and the hotel has a great wedding package in the prettiest gardens you have ever seen. We discovered it also has a salt water pool, a fresh water pool, a restaurant and two bars, and incredible views of the ocean. This is the hotel where you can watch the Manta rays from the shore and it is within walking distance from Keauhou Bay which is where the Fairwind's Boat tour starts from. The Kona Surf Hotel has been closed since this article was written - sorry, maybe it will reopen again someday. |
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