The Kona District is on the west side of the island of Hawaii and offers a huge range of attractions and activities. When you spend some time in Kona, you’ll have the chance to see historic sites, tour coffee farms, traipse through beautiful natural areas, and learn more about the culture from the locals. You’ll also be able to get out on the water and see some of Hawaii’s most amazing marine life.
Unless you’re a big fan of traveling to Hawaii, you probably haven’t heard of Kona before. This will make it a little difficult to find the best neighborhood in Kona for your first time or even on a return trip. But now, when you’re planning your trip, all you’ll have to do is check with this Kona neighborhood guide and you’ll find all the best areas to make your base for a relaxing, memorable trip to this part of the world.
With that in mind, let’s get started.
Quick Tips – Where to Stay in Kona?
- Where to stay in Kona first time – Kailua Bay
- Where to stay in Kona on a budget – Wai’aha
- Best neighborhood in Kona for families – Kukailimoku Point
Where to Stay in Kona
If you’re ready to book and go, here are some great accommodation options that will almost every type of traveler.
The hotel offers comfortable guest studios with patios and kitchenettes, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub, all at budget-friendly prices.convenient stay in Kona. The hotel features modern rooms which have nature-inspired designs and private balconies.
If you want to be close to the best neighborhood in Kona for nightlife at a good price, then stay in this hotel. It offers a private beach, an outdoor swimming pool, and its own restaurant for your convenience. The rooms are softly decorated to encourage relaxation and have their own lanais with ocean or mountain views. In case you can’t get enough of the outdoors, there are tennis courts on-site as well as a spa and wellness center.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
- Beachfront
- Outdoor swimming pool
- 1 minutes’ walk of Atlantis Adventures Kona, an underwater tour.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
- Beachfront
- Outdoor swimming pool
- 1 minutes’ walk of Atlantis Adventures Kona, an underwater tour.
This all-inclusive hotel provides all the necessary amenities for a luxurious, comfortable, and convenient stay in Kona. The hotel features modern rooms which have nature-inspired designs and private balconies.
Kona Neighborhood Guide
The Kona district is a large area that stretches from south of Anaehoomalu Bay (Waikoloa Beach Resort) to Manuka Park (Kau). It’s a large area but there are surprisingly few places to stay as most of it is covered with forests and other natural features. This means you’ll have relatively limited choices when you’re deciding where to stay in Kona close to everything.
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Kona for your first time, then you need to be near Kailua Bay. This is the main tourist area in Kona, because it’s right on the beach and it’s also where you’ll find the most hotels.
The next area to look at is Wai’aha. This is still on the coast but a little further from the village. It’s still within a walkable distance, but the extra distance means that the accommodation options are a little more budget-friendly.
The last area is Kukailimoku Point. This area is as close as you can get to the restaurants, shops, and attractions of the village. This makes it the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Kona for families with kids who don’t like to walk far!
Kona’s 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Are you still having trouble making a choice? Well, here’s a closer look at what each area has to offer.
Neighborhood#1 – Kailua Bay
Where to stay in Kona first time
- COOLEST thing to do in Kailua Bay – Grab some local produce and mingle with the locals at the Kona Farmers’ Market
- BEST place to visit in Kailua Bay – Kona Farm Direct Coffee for a cup of coffee as it was meant to be
Kailua Bay is right on the coast of Kona and the area with the greatest concentration of hotels. It’s also close to all the restaurants and shops in the main village, so you definitely won’t go hungry or get bored when you stay in this area.
Kailua Bay is the best neighborhood in Kona close to everything simply because it’s on the beach. After all, why would you travel to Hawaii at all if you didn’t want to enjoy the famous coastlines and water adventures!
- Have a meal at Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar or On the Rocks
- Explore the summer home of Hawaii’s royalty at Hulihe‘e Palace
- Learn about the area’s past at the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark
- Head up to ‘Alula Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and diving
- See a show with your dinner at Island Breeze Lū‘au – He ‘Ohana Kakou
- Relax on Kailua Bay Beach or Kamakahonu Beach
Best Budget Hotel in Kailua Bay
Kona Islander
Located close to all the attractions of the downtown area, the best neighborhood in Kona for nightlife, this hotel is a great budget choice. It has comfortable guest studios with patios and kitchenettes as well as an outdoor pool and hot tub on the property. It’s also just across the road from the beach for convenience at a good price.
Best Mid-Range Hotel in Kailua Bay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Located right in the heart of Kailua Bay, the best neighborhood in Kona close to everything, this hotel has a gorgeous outdoor pool, fitness center, and serves a great continental breakfast every morning. The rooms are comfortable and clean and include private bathrooms, bed linen, a microwave, coffee machine, and a desk in case you need to work during your stay.
Best Luxury Hotel in Kailua Bay
Kona Reef Resort
Located right on the coast, this beautiful resort is oceanfront, with a sun deck where you can enjoy the views. It also has a hot tub and pool and is just a short drive from all the shops and restaurants of downtown Kona. The rooms are large, with private balconies and dining areas and there are BBQ facilities on site so you can even eat your meals in the great outdoors!
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Neighborhood#2 – Wai’aha
Where to stay in Kona on a budget
- COOLEST thing to do in Wai’aha – Go snorkeling or explore the rockpools at Honl’s Beach
- BEST place to visit in Wai’aha – Honuaʻula Forest Reserve for hiking, biking, and other nature experiences
If you want to save a bit of money on your accommodation, then you should stay in Wai’aha, the best neighborhood in Kona if you are on a budget. This area is a little further from the main center but still close enough that you can walk there whenever you want a meal.
Wai’aha is also on the coast, so you’ll have the same access to all the beach and water activities. It has its own collection of restaurants and hotels, so you really won’t have to travel far for any reason if you don’t want to.
- Stop at Island Lava Java or the Basik Café for a meal
- Take the kids to work off some energy at Pualani Park or Hale Halawai Park
- Try a cup of joe at the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
- Check out the local flora at the Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens and the Kona Educational Center
- Head down for kid-friendly swimming and snorkeling at Kahalu’u Beach Park
Best Budget Hotel in Wai’aha
Kona Pacific C421
A small family-run hotel with a super welcoming atmosphere and a brightly decorated interior, Kona Pacific C421, is a lovely place to stay in Wai’aha. The prices are also somewhat unbeatable in the area, so if you want to snap up a cheap accommodation option, this is the place to do so.
Best Mid-range Hotel in Wai’aha
The Kona Billfisher
Located in the best neighborhood in Kona if you are on a budget, this hotel is beachfront and has 1 bedroom condos with views of the ocean and garden. Each of the condos has a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom with a bath or shower. Along with all of these homey comforts, you’ll also enjoy lots of extras in the form of the hotel facilities like the BBQ area, hot tub, sauna, outdoor pool, and private parking.
Best Luxury Hotel in Wai’aha
Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort
This unique accommodation is designed to look like a traditional Hawaiian village, so you’ll definitely feel like you’re on holiday when you stay here. It’s all bungalows with palm roofs and paths winding through flowering tropical trees. It’s also just a short drive from downtown Kona and offers units with dining areas and kitchens as well as laundries. There are two swimming pools on site (one a children’s pool), hot tubs, a fitness center, and a BBQ area.
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Neighborhood#3 – Kukailimoku Point
Best neighborhood in Kona for families
- COOLEST thing to do in Kukailimoku Point – Enjoy the full beach experience at Kailua Beach
- BEST place to visit in Kukailimoku Point – The Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area for fishing, picnicking, surfing, and swimming
When you’re traveling with kids, you want to ensure that you stay in an area that offers plenty for them to do. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Kukailimoku Point. This area is close to the main village center which makes it the best neighborhood in Kona for families.
But you won’t miss out on the ideal beach experience in this area either, because it’s on the coast and boasts some of the area’s best beaches and beach parks. It also has a good collection of bars and clubs, making it a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Kona for nightlife as well.
- Go jogging or walking on Maka’eo Walking Path
- Have a relaxed drink at Ola Brew Co or the Kona Brewery and Pub
- Eat lots of local food at Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill or Chubby’s Diner
- Head up to the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park to see early fishponds and petroglyphs
- Get active by going during Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours
- Go bird watching at the Puu Waawaa Forest Bird Sanctuary
Best Budget Hotel in Kukailimoku Point
Hale Maluhia Country Inn
This hotel is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Kona for couples on a budget. It has a shared kitchen where you can prepare your own meals as well as a lovely garden air, perfect for relaxed evenings. The rooms have charmingly old-fashioned decor as well as private bathrooms. And you can always relax in the Inn’s hot tub and spa center if you need a little more time for rejuvenation during your stay.
Best Mid-range Hotel in Kukailimoku Point
Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort boasts luxurious facilities at mid-range prices, with the hotel featuring a private beach area, a saltwater lagoon, an outdoor swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant. Along with this, it has a fantastic location situated overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Kailua Bay.
Best Luxury Hotel in Kukailimoku Point
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
This hotel truly has everything you’ll need for a comfortable, convenient stay in Kona. With two restaurants, a tour desk, a private beach area, and a pool, you won’t have to go anywhere to enjoy your holiday when you stay at this hotel. The rooms have their own balconies and coffee machines and are modern in design with nature-inspired designs.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Kona
Kona is a beautifully wild, culturally rich part of Hawaii that’s full of amazing food, nature, and beach experience. When you visit this part of the world, you’ll either have an impossibly active holiday, filled with every kind of outdoor experience you can imagine, or one that’s based around relaxing on stunning beaches. Whatever holiday you’re looking for, make sure you use this guide to help you decide where to stay in Kona close to everything. Finding a comfortable and convenient base is key to having the best holiday possible!
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