Island of Hawaii Hotels | Places to Stay in Island of Hawaii

June 22, 2022 Velvet Champine

Life on the Big Island is a little bit slower… and locals like it that way. The natural beauty and ecological features of the island are a draw for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Test your chutzpah at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the longest volcanic eruption in recorded history, or climb to the indescribably beautiful summit of Mauna Kea. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a quivering plate of fresh poke, followed by a fruity shave ice.
Things to do in Island of Hawaii

1. SCP Hilo Hotel

126 Banyan Way, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720 1 (808) 204-4241
Excellent
76%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 86 reviews

SCP Hilo Hotel

SCP Hilo brings the vision of Holistic Hospitality to The Big Island’s adventure aesthetic and lifestyle. Known for offering authentic and genuine experiences, guests at SCP Hilo will leave with a deeper respect and appreciation of the spirit and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. With an ideal location on the eastern side of The Big Island, SCP Hilo offers guests easy access to nearby Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, Nani Mau Gardens, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Mount Mauna Kea. Guests seeking a truly regenerative tourism experience will appreciate all that SCP Hilo has to offer including local workshops from sustainable farm tours to lei making and coconut tastings.

Great stay for Kamaaina

Reviewed By C and S M

SCP hotel is centrally located to all the sites and eateries in Hilo. The front desk and hotel service staff are friendly and helpful. The lobby is a great gathering place with computer access, coffee and water 24 hours a day. We were able to get a room with three beds which accommodated our family of 5. The pool offered a great place to rest and cool off from the hot and muggy Hilo summer day. The ice pond is located directly across the hotel, which is a popular swimming hole for locals. Parking was plentiful and free. Hotel is in walking distance from Popular Kens Pancake House and Ponds Restaurant.

2. Royal Kona Resort

75-5852 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740-1310
Excellent
28%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
8%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 4418 reviews

Royal Kona Resort

With its dramatic setting overlooking Kailua Bay, the Royal Kona Resort is an oceanfront landmark in the heart of Kona town, conveniently located just steps from many fine restaurants, shops, historical sites, and activities. Completed in 2021, guests will enjoy the $15-million renovation to the resort’s 436 guestrooms and suites, and oceanfront pool deck. Drawing inspiration from the tropical surroundings and sheer beauty of the islands the new Deluxe guestrooms and suites are designed with modern coastal inspired décor and finishes, rich teak furnishings, colorful natural fabrics, and beautiful marble wet bars outfitted with coffee makers and mini refrigerators. The relaxing open-air lobby, surrounded by a tropical saltwater fishpond, leads out to an expansive newly refinished oceanfront sundeck impressively set directly above the ocean featuring luxurious teak loungers, beach umbrellas, and pool cabanas. The Resort also offers a private sandy beach cove and sheltered saltwater swimming lagoon perfect for beginner snorkeling. Guests will find light meals and a variety of tropical beverages, including the Original Mai Tai, showcased in a world-class oceanside setting at the signature Don the Beachcomber Restaurant & Mai Tai Bar. With its open-air setting, right on the water’s edge, Don’s is the perfect spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of all the activity taking place on Kailua Bay, and it’s a great place to catch a breathtaking Kona sunset. Several nights a week, the Resort is home to Kona’s best oceanfront Luau, the "Voyagers of the Pacific Luau” presented by the award-winning Tihati productions. Other resort amenities include four tennis courts available for day or evening play; rejuvenating massage and spa treatments; a fitness center; Hawaiian cultural activities; yoga classes; and a great sundry shop. Island specialists are available at the Resort’s Activities Desk to assist guests in booking tours and to recommend other island attractions, and specialists are also available on-property to assist couples with destination weddings and vow renewal ceremonies. For a great location in the heart of Kailua-Kona, gracious Hawaiian hospitality and service, and the Big Island’s best value, choose the Royal Kona Resort.

Our Favorite Place on This Side of the Island

Reviewed By PegLegOctopus

This was our second stay at the Royal Kona, and we were more than pleased. The rooms are large and airy with large lanais. We were in the Ali'i tower this time, but have stayed in the Lagoon tower previously. We truly enjoyed both. The Royal Kona has that feel of what I imagined a Hawaiian resort to be - outdoor open air in most areas, right on the water, gorgeous lush landscaping. The resort is also walking distance to the bay area restaurants and shopping areas, making it super convenient! We were also thrilled to receive a bottle of champagne as an anniversary gift, which we enjoyed outside on our lanai watching the ocean. Pretty damn perfect, really.

3. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr, Puako, Island of Hawaii, HI 96743
Excellent
85%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 401 reviews

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

Nestled along the dramatic Kohala Coast and in the piko, or center, of five great mountains, Mauna Lani-- meaning "mountain reaching heaven"-- is a sacred oasis where generations of families and friends have made memories together on soulful lands once cherished by the greatest of Hawaiian royalty. Greet the morning sun as it rises above the mountains’ peaks from the seat of an outrigger canoe. Talk story with friends old and new at the Great Lawn as the sounds of ocean waves and laughter mingle. Dine amongst the company of loved ones at CanoeHouse, where locals have savored the island’s bounty for decades. As you walk this storied coastline, breathe the rejuvenating salt air and swim in the crystalline waters, you feel the same mana, or spiritual energy, that first captivated legends like King Kamehameha I and Francis H. I’i Brown.

They are better than this

Reviewed By Stoo_Land

I must say that I’m very surprised at a hotel of this caliber/price to show up and find that the beach amenities are closed for a private event… apparently for the “big boss man” If mauna lani is reading this - you can do better. Please don’t take your guests for granted.

4. Fairmont Orchid

1 North Kaniku Drive, Puako, Island of Hawaii, HI 96743-9731
Excellent
64%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5517 reviews

Fairmont Orchid

Inspired by culture, well-being and genuine aloha, Fairmont Orchid is a luxury Hawaii Island resort and spa beautifully located on the majestic Kohala Coast. Resort amenities feature our award-winning Spa Without Walls, a 10,000 square foot oceanfront pool, Hui Holokai Beach Club offering ocean and cultural activities, six restaurants, year-round children's program, golf, fitness center and tennis pavilion.

Beautiful Grounds

Reviewed By Brook O

All the staff was so friendly and helpful! Truly appreciated it. I had an issue with my watch and front desk staff went above and beyond to help me out! Every time I had a question someone was there to assist.

5. SCP Hilo Hotel

126 Banyan Way, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720 1 (808) 204-4241
Excellent
76%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 86 reviews

SCP Hilo Hotel

SCP Hilo brings the vision of Holistic Hospitality to The Big Island’s adventure aesthetic and lifestyle. Known for offering authentic and genuine experiences, guests at SCP Hilo will leave with a deeper respect and appreciation of the spirit and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. With an ideal location on the eastern side of The Big Island, SCP Hilo offers guests easy access to nearby Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, Nani Mau Gardens, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Mount Mauna Kea. Guests seeking a truly regenerative tourism experience will appreciate all that SCP Hilo has to offer including local workshops from sustainable farm tours to lei making and coconut tastings.

Great stay for Kamaaina

Reviewed By C and S M

SCP hotel is centrally located to all the sites and eateries in Hilo. The front desk and hotel service staff are friendly and helpful. The lobby is a great gathering place with computer access, coffee and water 24 hours a day. We were able to get a room with three beds which accommodated our family of 5. The pool offered a great place to rest and cool off from the hot and muggy Hilo summer day. The ice pond is located directly across the hotel, which is a popular swimming hole for locals. Parking was plentiful and free. Hotel is in walking distance from Popular Kens Pancake House and Ponds Restaurant.

6. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa

69-699 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, Island of Hawaii, HI 96738-5712 1 (877) 214-9175
Excellent
65%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3051 reviews

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa resort is a stunning hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii in the heart of Waikoloa. Reminiscent of a lush, Hawaiian plantation and nestled among championship golf courses and the beauty and serenity of the Kohala Coast. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa hotel provides the perfect setting for your vacation in the South Pacific. Treat yourself to spectacular hotel accommodations with spacious one and two bedroom suites incorporating a casually elegant tropical style and featuring a superb variety of upscale amenities and furnishings. The suites offer all of the convenience of home including separate living and dining areas with wood-style flooring, a fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer and granite countertops throughout. Enjoy flat-screen HD TVs, an enhanced entertainment sound system, and Wi-Fi. The master bedroom has a king bed, while the master bath has a luxurious sculptured tub and shower. Step out onto your own private lanai equipped with comfortable sofas and chairs, and enjoy the serene surroundings and tropical breezes of Waikoloa.

Royal Treatment!

Reviewed By Irene4re

Beautiful Property! The manager, Noe, epitomizes the "Aloha Spirit"! It is reflected in her awesome staff, Koa and David. I felt like I was Royalty! The location is ideal. The Shuttle takes you to Shopping, Dining, and the Ocean! This is the Best of everything...I highly recommendHilton Grand Vacations Kings' Land!

7. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

62-100 Kauna'oa Drive, Puako, Island of Hawaii, HI 96743-9749
Excellent
54%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4382 reviews

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Stretched along its namesake white-sand beach, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort offers contemporary style contrasted with lush, manicured gardens and the endless blues of the sky and ocean. Our resort is located along the Kohala Coast at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii and offers easy access to the cultural and archaeological gems nestled between centuries-old lava fields. Enjoy premium resort amenities like four on-site dining venues, sparkling outdoor pools, an inviting spa, a 24-hour fitness center and flexible meeting rooms.

A Fabulous Resort

Reviewed By Ray A

This is by far, one of the most wonderful, super comfortable, fabulous hotels we have ever stayed in in Kona - Hawaii. Staff: We just about connected with most of the front desk staff during our 9-day stay. They were all truly helpful, most friendly and just superb in every way. The valet staff were always getting our car quickly. They were courteous, respectful and attentive. The room service staff were always amazingly helpful, attentive and most thoughtful!!! We loved them all. Hotel Grounds: As you walk through the lobby there is a beautiful open view of the ocean. Just about anywhere in the grounds the hotel has a what I called “my own space”, where one can sit, relax and enjoy the ocean view. These “spaces” even had an outlet for charging your laptop and or a PDA. The Beach: Access to the beach is very convenient and easy to get to. The hotel provides all the towels you need, chairs and umbrella right on the beach. You can relax and then go for a swim. The snorkeling is absolutely wonderful!!! Yes, you get to see the beautiful sea turtles. I recommend to go snorkeling early in the morning and then get out of the water by around 10:30 before the tides come in. Hotel Pools: Two pools, one for the adults and the other for the kids. Plenty of umbrellas and lounge chairs. The water is wonderfully warm and very clean. Restaurants: They have a quick grab and go restaurant that also had terrific coffee and tea. They have a formal buffet restaurant as well, where you can also order either a continental and or full breakfast. For lunch: They have a bar and a pub food that you can order. You can also sit by the pool and order food to be brought by the poolside. For dinner, they have a formal restaurant called the Meridia, great food and cocktails. We truly had a wonderful time staying at the Westin Hapuna Beach. To us the staff’s warm hospitality made our stay extra special!!!

8. Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant

19-3948 Old Volcano Rd, Volcano, Island of Hawaii, HI 96785 1 (808) 400-1586
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1471 reviews

Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant

Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant is located in the quiet village of Volcano a mile from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Park, home of Hawaii's active volcano Kilauea, offers miles of scenic overlook and trails. Romantic rooms and cottage are available with private bath, towel warmers, central heat and some with fireplaces. Hot tub and Wi-Fi available.

Trip to Volcano

Reviewed By Art M

Everyone at the lodge was very helpful. Very close to the national park. Thanks to the young girl in gift shop who advised us to go counter clock wise around the crater as when we encountered people coming the opposite direction they had the rain in their face's which made it hard to see

9. Hilton Waikoloa Village

69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, Island of Hawaii, HI 96738 1 (855) 605-0316
Excellent
38%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
9%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 10562 reviews

Hilton Waikoloa Village

Let the aloha spirit wash over you in one of the world's largest and most beautiful resorts: Hilton Waikoloa Village. Experience the magic of Hawaii at our hotel, an oasis dotted with lagoons, pools, water slides, a wide variety of restaurants and bars, and staffed by a team of accommodating hospitality professionals who are here to make sure you're enjoying your island time. Settle into your well-appointed guest room, explore all that we have to offer, and soak up the Hawaiian sun.

Beautiful grounds - short staffed

Reviewed By 19Cam

There is a lot of great stuff about this resort, I can see that once it was quite the jewel in the Hilton crown. The grounds of the hotel are absolutely beautiful. The landscaping team have done an amazing job maintaining and caring for the gardens. The entire ambiance of the external property and location is great. The staff we met and interacted with were great, across the resort they genuinely seemed to care and go out of their way to deliver excellent service. We were staying in Makai tower, the room was adequate but not a ‘luxury resort’ experience. There were a few nice touches like the toiletries and the leis but everything else was very generic. From the room you wouldn’t know you were in Hawaii, it could have been Pittsburgh. The hotel seems to have some MAJOR staffing issues. The buffet breakfast was closed, the bar and restaurant hours of the open locations was limited. The staff that were working were totally swept off their feet and overworked. I understand that the cost of living in Hawaii is very high and it’s therefore difficult to fill jobs, but given Hilton’s scale, perhaps they should be looking at some more creative solutions like providing staff accommodations like ski resorts do. Some elements of the resort were quite tired and needed updating. The waterfalls at the pool were closed for maintenance. There was worn paint on hand rails, peeling wallpaper in rooms etc. Nothing major but not great. From an operational perspective this is one of the few Hilton properties both owned and operated by Hilton so there’s really no excuse for anything less than the standards defined in the brand manual. Finally - personal opinion but the ‘dolphin quest’ attraction should absolutely be shut down. I know the marketing spin about how they are helping the dolphins, they they are keeping wild animals in a tiny pen by the lagoon and it’s cruel. Shut it down and focus on running a top resort, you don’t need cruel animal attractions to be a great destination.

10. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI 96740
Excellent
37%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 3748 reviews

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel welcomes you to the Big Island of Hawaii for a memorable vacation. Located on the historical site where the famed Hawaiian King Kamehameha once lived, our beachfront hotel in Kailua-Kona provides ocean views and direct access to Kailua Pier. Our Kona hotel is also a short distance from downtown Kona, Kahaluu Beach Park, Kealakekua Bay, and Kailua Village. Following a day of Big Island sightseeing, settle into a hotel room or suite at our hotel featuring a private lanai, 37" flat-screen TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi. During your stay, you'll also enjoy our infinity pool, onsite gym and yoga studio, day spa, and white sand beach. Choose from 2 savory restaurants for a delicious meal, complemented with beautiful ocean views. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is here to deliver your ultimate island adventure.

Poor value, poor service

Reviewed By Vonkarpf

We came to stay for a wedding and a honeymoon for us. We booked ocean view which picture was cropped to be full ocean, but shame in me for not seeing the fine print partial view. Our first room was a decent partial view. The bathroom smelled like a mechanics worked in it and his sweaty clothes had been sitting in it for two days. They had what looked to be wonderful shower gel which was mounted on the wall and empty. The bathroom doors didn't work. The lock on the main door didn't work and the windows where filthy and smeared with what looked to be butter and someone's initials were written in the patio windows. We called and asked to switch twice, the girl sounded half asleep and was more than rude. We got switched to another "ocean view that stares at the other tower but if you really lean over the balcony you see the top of the rest of the building and a pinch of the ocean. I asked if we could upgrade and I was told there were no rooms available and then went on the app and there were. This trip was BEYOND overpriced and disappointing. As a silver bonvoy member, and now having a similar old dirty room experience in Florida, I question my loyalty. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for a dirty room.

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