By the Where to Stay in Hawaii editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in Kailua-Kona village if you want to walk to restaurants, the pier and the seawall. Our pick is Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, on a small sand beach right in the village. Much of the Kona coast is lava rock, so plan to drive north for the big beaches.
- Keauhou, about 7 miles south, has quieter condos with kitchens.
- Kaʻūpūlehu, north of the airport, has two luxury resorts: Four Seasons Hualalai and Kona Village.
- South Kona, in the hills above Kealakekua Bay, has simple, old-fashioned stays such as the Manago Hotel.
For white-sand resort beaches, see the Kohala Coast, 25–40 minutes from the airport.
Kona's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Where | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua-Kona village | Walking to food and the pier | 15–20 min from KOA | Few sand beaches |
| Keauhou | Condos, quieter stays | About 7 mi south of Kailua | Lava-rock shore; drive to town |
| Kaʻūpūlehu | Luxury, families, couples | North of the airport | Resort fees; isolated |
| South Kona | Simple, local stays | Upcountry, Captain Cook | Basic rooms; far from beaches |
Map of Kona Hotels
The Kaʻūpūlehu resorts are north of the airport, Kailua-Kona village is in the middle, and Keauhou and Captain Cook are to the south.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Kona stays →Luxury Resorts North of the Airport
Two luxury resorts on the lava coast at Kaʻūpūlehu.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Kaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport
A low-rise lava-coast resort north of the airport, with eight pools and King's Pond.
Best for: Luxury for all ages
- Eight pools, including an adults-only pool
- King's Pond lava-rock aquarium pool
- Kids for All Seasons club
More about this hotel
A low-rise resort on the lava coast north of Kona airport with eight pools, including an adults-only infinity pool with a swim-up bar and King's Pond, a pool carved from lava rock and stocked with tropical fish. Families get a year-round kids' club.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Holly Cheng, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Kahuwai Bay, Kaʻūpūlehu, Kona
Rosewood's standalone hale on a black-sand bay at Kaʻūpūlehu.
Best for: Splurge-level privacy
- Standalone hale, up to four bedrooms
- Shipwreck adults pool plus family pools
- Kids' club included in the resort fee
More about this hotel
Standalone hale (bungalows) of up to four bedrooms spread over 81 acres around a black-sand bay with snorkeling. It reopened under Rosewood in 2023, with an adults pool, a kids' club and the Asaya Spa.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
In and Around Kailua Village
A walkable beach hotel, condos with kitchens and a budget pick.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Kamakahonu Bay, by Kailua Pier, Kona
Our top pick: on the small, calm beach at Kamakahonu Bay by Kailua Pier, an easy walk to Aliʻi Drive.
Best for: A walkable town base
- On a small, calm sand beach
- Pool with Billfish Bar & Grille
- Lūʻau on site
More about this hotel
The best-placed hotel in Kailua-Kona town, on the small, swimmable sand beach at Kamakahonu Bay next to the pier. You can walk to Aliʻi Drive restaurants, and there is a pool bar and a lūʻau on site.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Castle Kanaloa at Kona
Keauhou, Kona
Big condos with full kitchens in Keauhou, with no resort fee.
Best for: Families who cook
- One- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens
- Three pools with hot tubs
- No resort fee; free covered parking
More about this hotel
Roomy one- and two-bedroom condos with full kitchens on the Keauhou coast, about 7 miles south of Kailua village. There are three pool areas and no resort fee, but the shore is lava rock rather than sand.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
PACIFIC 19 Kona
Palani Rd, Kailua village, Kona
A renovated budget hotel in the middle of Kailua village.
Best for: Budget town base
- Newly renovated
- Pool and café
- Suites with two bathrooms or a kitchenette
More about this hotel
A newly renovated hotel in the middle of Kailua village, a short walk from Kailua Pier and Kamakahonu beach. It has a pool and a café, and some suites have two bathrooms or a kitchenette.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Old-Fashioned Upcountry Stay
A family-run hotel above Kealakekua Bay, for travelers who care more about character than amenities.
Manago Hotel
Captain Cook, South Kona
A family-run hotel in upcountry Captain Cook, open since 1917.
Best for: Budget travelers heading south
- Run by the same family since 1917
- Restaurant on site
- Views over Kealakekua Bay
More about this hotel
A family-run hotel in upcountry Captain Cook since 1917, with a newer wing looking down over Kealakekua Bay and a restaurant that has been open as long as the hotel. Rooms are basic and you need a car for beaches.
Kona Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach HotelKamakahonu Bay, by Kailua Pier, Kona · Mid-rangeA walkable town baseCheck prices -
Four Seasons Resort HualalaiKaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport · SplurgeLuxury for all agesCheck prices -
Kona Village, A Rosewood ResortKahuwai Bay, Kaʻūpūlehu, Kona · SplurgeSplurge-level privacyCheck prices -
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| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Beachfront hotel
|
Kamakahonu Bay, by Kailua Pier, Kona | Mid-range | A walkable town base | Check prices |
|
|
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Beachfront resort
|
Kaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport | Splurge | Luxury for all ages | Check prices |
|
|
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Bungalow resort
|
Kahuwai Bay, Kaʻūpūlehu, Kona | Splurge | Splurge-level privacy | Check prices |
|
|
Castle Kanaloa at Kona
Condo resort
|
Keauhou, Kona | Mid-range | Families who cook | Check prices |
|
|
PACIFIC 19 Kona
Hotel
|
Palani Rd, Kailua village, Kona | Budget | Budget town base | Check prices |
|
|
Manago Hotel
Historic family hotel
|
Captain Cook, South Kona | Budget | Budget travelers heading south | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to Kona
- Airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) is 15–20 minutes north of Kailua-Kona. Four Seasons Hualalai is about 7 miles north of the airport.
- To the Kohala Coast: 25–40 minutes from the airport; see our Kohala Coast guide.
- To Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: 2–2.5 hours by the southern route on Highway 11. After Hurricane Nolo's flooding in late September 2026, check road conditions in Kaʻū before you go, or stay closer in Hilo or Volcano.
- To Hilo: about 1.75–2 hours across the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.