By the Where to Stay in Hawaii editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay at Mauna Kea or Hāpuna, at the north end, for two of the island's best-known white-sand beaches. Our pick is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Kaunaʻoa Bay, which reopened in 2026 after a major renovation and charges no resort fee.
- Mauna Lani, in the middle, is quieter, with the Fairmont Orchid's snorkeling lagoon and condo rentals at Mauna Lani Point.
- Waikōloa Beach Resort, on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay, has mid-range resorts, villas and shops you can walk to, plus the family-focused Hilton Waikoloa Village.
- Waimea, about 15 minutes uphill from Hāpuna Beach, is a cooler budget base in ranch country.
The Kohala Coast's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Beach | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waikōloa Beach Resort | Families, shops, mid-range prices | ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay | Busier and more built up |
| Mauna Lani | Quiet luxury, snorkeling | Pauoa Bay lagoon | Lava-rock shore in places |
| Mauna Kea & Hāpuna | Swimming beaches | Kaunaʻoa and Hāpuna | Few places to eat outside the resorts |
| Waimea | Budget, cool weather | About 15 min by car | Inland; drive to the beach |
Map of Kohala Coast Hotels
Waikōloa is at the south end, Mauna Lani is in the middle, and Mauna Kea, Hāpuna and inland Waimea are to the north.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Kohala Coast stays →Beach Resorts
Full-service resorts on the sand, from the classic Mauna Kea to a lagoon resort at Mauna Lani.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Kaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast
Our top pick: the classic resort on Kaunaʻoa Bay, reopened in 2026 after a major renovation, with no resort fee.
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
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Hāpuna Beach, Kohala Coast
Every room faces the ocean, above long Hāpuna Beach.
Best for: Long beach walks
- Every room faces the ocean
- Adults-only and family pools
- Grill steps from Hāpuna Beach
More about this hotel
Every room faces the ocean at this resort above Hāpuna Beach, a long white-sand beach. There are adults-only and family pools and an Arnold Palmer golf course.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Fairmont Orchid
Pauoa Bay, Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast
A snorkeling lagoon and a big oceanfront pool at Mauna Lani.
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
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay), Kohala Coast
A mid-sized resort on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay, within walking distance of shops.
Best for: Mid-range beach resort
- On ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay
- Every room has a lanai
- Several pools and Mandara Spa
More about this hotel
A mid-sized resort on ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay with renovated rooms that all have lanais, several pools and a spa. You can walk to the Waikōloa shopping centers and their restaurants.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Family Resorts, Villas and Condos
Room to spread out, with kitchens or a resort built for kids.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Waikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast
A huge family resort with trams, boats, slides and a saltwater lagoon.
Best for: Families with kids
- Saltwater lagoon with a sand beach
- Trams and canal boats
- Waterslides and Dolphin Quest
More about this hotel
A huge resort where trams and canal boats link the towers, with waterslides, winding pools, Dolphin Quest and a 4-acre saltwater lagoon with a sand beach. It is built for kids; for an ocean beach, ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay is a short drive or walk away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Castle Hali'i Kai at Waikoloa
Waikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast
Two- and three-bedroom villas for families, with a 3-night minimum.
Best for: Families and groups
- Two- and three-bedroom villas and townhomes
- Full kitchens and washer-dryers
- Private pools for guests
More about this hotel
Two- and three-bedroom villas and townhomes inside the gated Waikōloa Beach Resort, with full kitchens, washer-dryers and pools just for its guests. ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay is a short drive away, and there is a 3-night minimum.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: benmacaskill, CC BY 2.0
Mauna Lani Point
Mauna Lani resort, Kohala Coast
Condos with full kitchens inside the Mauna Lani resort.
Best for: Families and groups
- Condos with full kitchens
- Outdoor pool
- Inside the Mauna Lani resort
More about this hotel
A complex of 116 condo residences with full kitchens at the end of Mauna Lani Point Drive, on the lava-rock coast inside the Mauna Lani resort. It suits travelers who want apartment space; ask whether your rental includes Mauna Lani Beach Club access before you book.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: troy mckaskle, CC BY-SA 2.0
Budget Base Uphill
Simple rooms in Waimea town, a short drive from Hāpuna Beach.
Castle Waimea Country Lodge
Waimea town, inland, Kohala Coast
A simple, cooler budget base in Waimea town.
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
Kohala Coast 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 -
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Hilton Waikoloa VillageWaikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast · Mid-rangeFamilies with kidsCheck prices -
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & SpaʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay), Kohala Coast · Mid-rangeMid-range beach resortCheck prices -
Castle Hali'i Kai at WaikoloaWaikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast · Mid-rangeFamilies and groupsCheck prices -
Castle Waimea Country LodgeWaimea town, inland, Kohala Coast · BudgetBudget base for KohalaCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Beachfront resort
|
Kaunaʻoa Bay, Kohala Coast | Splurge | Beach lovers | Check prices |
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The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Beachfront resort
|
Hāpuna Beach, Kohala Coast | Splurge | Long beach walks | Check prices |
|
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Fairmont Orchid
Beachfront resort
|
Pauoa Bay, Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast | Splurge | An all-round resort base | Check prices |
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Mauna Lani Point
Oceanfront condo resort
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Mauna Lani resort, Kohala Coast | Splurge | Families and groups | Check prices |
|
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Hilton Waikoloa Village
Large family resort
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Waikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast | Mid-range | Families with kids | Check prices |
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Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Beachfront resort
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ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay), Kohala Coast | Mid-range | Mid-range beach resort | Check prices |
|
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Castle Hali'i Kai at Waikoloa
Villa resort
|
Waikōloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast | Mid-range | Families and groups | Check prices |
|
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Castle Waimea Country Lodge
Country lodge
|
Waimea town, inland, Kohala Coast | Budget | Budget base for Kohala | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to the Kohala Coast
- From Kona airport (KOA): 25–40 minutes to Waikōloa and Mauna Lani, a little longer to Mauna Kea and Hāpuna.
- From Waimea: 45 minutes to an hour to the airport.
- To the national park: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is on the far side of the island, more than 2 hours from Kona, so most people stay a night in Volcano or Hilo rather than drive there and back.
- To Kailua-Kona: for restaurants and town life, see Kona.
Resort Fees and Beaches
Most Kohala Coast resorts add a daily resort fee and charge for parking; the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel says it charges no resort fee. Hawaiʻi's beaches are public, so you can spend a day at Hāpuna or ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay wherever you stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.