By the Where to Stay in Hawaii editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Base yourself on the west coast, where the weather is driest and the beaches are. Pick the Kohala Coast for white-sand resort beaches (our pick is the Fairmont Orchid) or Kona for a walkable town and better value. Then spend one or two nights in Volcano Village or Hilo, so you can see Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park without a long round trip.
- Kona to the national park takes 2–2.5 hours each way by the southern route, which makes a day trip long.
- Hilo, on the rainy east side, has older bayfront hotels and is about 45 minutes from the park.
- Waimea, in the cool uplands, is a budget base about 15 minutes from Hāpuna Beach.
The Big Island's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Airport | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kona | Town base, snorkeling, value | KOA, 15–20 min | Few sand beaches in town |
| Kohala Coast | White-sand beaches, resorts | KOA, 25–40 min | Resort fees; little outside the resorts |
| Hilo | Rainforest, waterfalls, value | ITO, 5–15 min | Rainy; older hotels |
| Volcano Village | The national park | ITO, about 45 min | Cool and damp; few restaurants |
| Waimea | Cool uplands, lower prices | KOA, 45 min–1 hr | Inland; drive to the beach |
Map of Big Island Hotels
Kona and the Kohala Coast are on the west side, Waimea is inland to the north, and Hilo and Volcano are on the east side.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Hawaiʻi Island stays →West Coast Resorts
Kohala Coast and Kona resorts, from a classic beach hotel to a lava-coast resort with eight pools.
Fairmont Orchid
Pauoa Bay, Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast
Our top pick: a big Kohala Coast resort with a snorkeling lagoon and an oceanfront pool, about 30 minutes from Kona airport.
Best for: An all-round resort base
- 10,000 sq ft oceanfront pool
- Snorkeling lagoon in Pauoa Bay
- Spa Without Walls
More about this hotel
A large resort on the Mauna Lani coast with a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool, a protected snorkeling lagoon and the open-air Spa Without Walls. It is about 30 minutes from Kona airport; expect a resort fee and paid parking.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alan Light, CC BY 2.0
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Kaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast
The classic resort on Kaunaʻoa Bay, with no resort fee after its 2026 renovation.
Best for: Beach lovers
- On the sand at Kaunaʻoa Bay
- Adults-only infinity pool and family pool
- Keiki Club (reserve ahead)
More about this hotel
The classic Kohala Coast resort on crescent-shaped Kaunaʻoa Bay reopened in 2026 after a major renovation. It has a new adults-only infinity pool, a family pool and a kids' club, and no resort fee.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Kaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport
Eight pools and King's Pond, just north of Kona airport.
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
Better-Value West Side Bases
Town hotels, condos with kitchens and an upland lodge.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Kamakahonu Bay, by Kailua Pier, Kona
On a small sand beach in Kailua-Kona, an easy walk from town.
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
Roomy condos with 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
Castle Waimea Country Lodge
Waimea town, inland, Kohala Coast
A simple, cool-weather budget base in Waimea ranch country.
Best for: Budget base for Kohala
- Studios with kitchenettes
- Free parking
- Walk to Waimea shops and restaurants
More about this hotel
A simple 22-room lodge in ranch-country Waimea, about 15 minutes uphill from Hāpuna Beach. Some rooms have kitchenettes, parking is free, and you can walk to Waimea's shops and restaurants.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bonus Onus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Near the Volcano
Stay a night or two on the east side to see the park early or after dark.
Volcano House
Crater rim, inside the national park, Volcano
The only hotel inside the national park, on the crater rim.
Best for: Volcano views at night
- On the rim of Kīlauea caldera
- Crater-view rooms
- The Rim restaurant and Uncle George's Lounge
More about this hotel
The only hotel inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, on the rim of Kīlauea caldera, with crater-view rooms looking toward Halemaʻumaʻu. The park entrance fee is not included and parking is limited.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Hawai‘i Volcanoes NPS, Public domain
Kilauea Lodge
Old Volcano Rd, Volcano Village
A cozy inn about a mile from the park entrance, with its own restaurant.
Best for: Couples near the volcano
- About a mile from the park entrance
- Fireplaces in several rooms
- Restaurant and covered hot tub
More about this hotel
A cozy 12-room inn in the rainforest about a mile from the park entrance, with gas fireplaces in several rooms, a covered hot tub and its own restaurant. There are no TVs in the rooms and no elevator.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Banyan Drive, facing Coconut Island, Hilo
An older bayfront hotel in Hilo, about 2 miles from the airport.
Best for: Easy Hilo stays
- Oceanfront on Hilo Bay
- Pool and Bull Shed restaurant
- Free parking
More about this hotel
An older bayfront hotel looking across to Coconut Island and, on clear days, Mauna Kea. It has a pool, the Bull Shed restaurant and free parking, and it is about 2 miles from Hilo airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Yoshi Canopus, CC BY-SA 4.0
SCP Hilo Hotel
Banyan Way, Reeds Bay, Hilo
A renovated budget hotel by Reeds Bay, with free bikes and paddleboards.
Best for: Active budget travelers
- Outdoor pool
- Free bikes and paddleboards
- 24/7 market and free morning coffee
More about this hotel
A renovated, eco-minded hotel by Reeds Bay with a pool, free bikes and stand-up paddleboards, and a 24-hour market. There is no restaurant on site.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Yoshi Canopus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Big Island 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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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph CollectionKaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast · SplurgeBeach loversCheck prices -
Four Seasons Resort HualalaiKaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport · SplurgeLuxury for all agesCheck prices -
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach HotelKamakahonu Bay, by Kailua Pier, Kona · Mid-rangeA walkable town baseCheck prices -
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Castle Waimea Country LodgeWaimea town, inland, Kohala Coast · BudgetBudget base for KohalaCheck prices -
Hilo Hawaiian HotelBanyan Drive, facing Coconut Island, Hilo · Mid-rangeEasy Hilo staysCheck prices -
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Volcano HouseCrater rim, inside the national park, Volcano · Mid-rangeVolcano views at nightCheck prices -
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fairmont Orchid
Beachfront resort
|
Pauoa Bay, Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast | Splurge | An all-round resort base | Check prices |
|
|
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Beachfront resort
|
Kaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast | Splurge | Beach lovers | Check prices |
|
|
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Beachfront resort
|
Kaʻūpūlehu, north of Kona airport | Splurge | Luxury for all ages | Check 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 |
|
|
Castle Kanaloa at Kona
Condo resort
|
Keauhou, Kona | Mid-range | Families who cook | Check prices |
|
|
Castle Waimea Country Lodge
Country lodge
|
Waimea town, inland, Kohala Coast | Budget | Budget base for Kohala | Check prices |
|
|
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Bayfront hotel
|
Banyan Drive, facing Coconut Island, Hilo | Mid-range | Easy Hilo stays | Check prices |
|
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SCP Hilo Hotel
Eco hotel
|
Banyan Way, Reeds Bay, Hilo | Budget | Active budget travelers | Check prices |
|
|
Volcano House
Historic lodge
|
Crater rim, inside the national park, Volcano | Mid-range | Volcano views at night | Check prices |
|
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Kilauea Lodge
Country inn
|
Old Volcano Rd, Volcano Village | Mid-range | Couples near the volcano | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Eruption status changes. Kīlauea has been erupting in episodes inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater, within the park. Check the National Park Service's eruption page shortly before you go, and don't build your trip around seeing lava.
- Entry: about $30 per vehicle. The park is open 24 hours a day, every day.
- Construction: the park warns of closures and delays from a two-year construction project in the summit area, so check its conditions page.
- Drive times: about 45 minutes from Hilo (30 miles on Highway 11); 2–2.5 hours from Kailua-Kona by the southern route, or 2.5–3 hours via Waimea and Hilo.
- Staying inside: Volcano House is the only hotel inside the park. Volcano Village, just outside the entrance, has small inns and cottages.
Getting Around the Big Island
- Two main airports: fly into Kona (KOA) for the west coast and Hilo (ITO) for the east. If the flights work, arrive at one and leave from the other.
- From Kona airport: 15–20 minutes to Kailua-Kona, 25–40 minutes to the Waikōloa and Mauna Lani resorts, and 45 minutes to an hour to Waimea.
- Across the island: Kona to Hilo takes about 1.75–2 hours.
- Storm damage: in late September 2026, Hurricane Nolo dropped 8–15 inches of rain and caused flooding and closures in Kaʻū and Puna, including along Highway 11. Check road conditions before driving the southern route to the park.
- You need a car for almost everything outside the resorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.