Where to Stay in Kailua-Kona: Royal Kona Resort

I arrived at Royal Kona Resort to a tranquil pond and the soft, trickling sounds coming from their water feature – it immediately helped to set a tone of relaxation. Just past the pond was an open-air lobby and front desk, with a giant stuffed Marlin guiding me to my vacation. This, I learned, is the Ali‘i Tower, where guests can find pretty much everything they need from directions to the best plate lunch to an icy-cold cocktail.

A weekend (or a whole week) at the Royal Kona Resort is a perfect getaway, no matter where you’re coming from and no matter what your group looks like. It sits oceanfront in the middle of Kailua-Kona’s busiest area for tourists, making it convenient and lively, yet relaxing and beautiful. It’s hard to go wrong at a hotel with a Mai Tai bar and live music just steps from your room.

The Royal Kona Resort immediately transports you from the hustle and bustle of Ali‘i Drive — Kailua-Kona’s main tourist strip — to old Hawai'i. The property is beautiful, yet humble, and gives guests the feeling they’re stepping back into the past thanks to the overall vibes and decor, complete with dark lava rock walls, large tikis, towering pillars and thatched roofs.

The property’s white room towers are a staple along the Kailua-Kona skyline. Perched along the ocean’s edge, you’ll hear Kailua Bay’s waves crashing against lava rocks while enjoying the ocean view.

Though it’s on 12 acres, the property, itself, doesn’t feel huge, which is one of the things I love about it. It only takes a minute to get from your room to the lobby, restaurant, bar, shops, activities desk, lūʻau grounds and main pool deck. I didn’t have to climb a bunch of stairs or pull out a property map to figure out where I was, it was all right there in front of me.

Recently refreshed rooms span three towers, with variations based on views (standard, partial ocean view, ocean view and ocean front) and bed sizes (two doubles or one king) — all decorated in earthy tones with relaxing beachy vibes. Between the room and the lanai, my family of four felt like we had plenty of room to spread out. Basic amenities like coffee makers, a mini-fridge, wet bar and television made it feel like a comfortable home base.

This is one hotel where having an ocean view is absolutely necessary. One of my favorite things to do at this resort is to just hang out on my room’s lanai, especially in the morning. I watched pods of dolphins cruise by and swimmers make their daily outing to the ocean. In the evenings, parasailers and sunset cruises steal the spotlight. Even if you don’t participate in these activities, you can still enjoy watching them from the comfort of your room. I personally prefer the Ali‘i Tower when traveling with kids since it’s got great views and it’s just a quick elevator ride between our room and the pool and dining area.

Standard rooms: Typically $220 to 296 per night, before taxes and fees, depending on the season.

Corner King rooms: The largest rooms with the best views, perfect for couples. Typically $404 to $544 per night.

*Note: The exterior of the Lagoon Tower is currently under renovation. Guests who book rooms in this tower are offered a discounted rate during construction, which is expected to be complete during summer 2026.

One of the best parts about staying at Royal Kona Resort is taking advantage of happy hour at Don the Beachcomber Restaurant & Mai Tai Bar, located oceanfront in the Ali‘i Tower, just past the pond and the giant Marlin. This lively spot is known for its live music on Thursdays and Saturdays, stunning views, fun tiki decor and, of course, its Mai Tais (be sure to try a flight). In addition to happy hour, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

When I visited the hotel with my family last summer, we met a family from Idaho on a manta tour and ended up inviting them to join us for happy hour before their flight home. It was the perfect place to hang out and enjoy food, drinks and the sunset while getting to know some very nice folks. This is a pretty popular spot for both residents and visitors, so it can get pretty crowded, but if you’re a guest of the hotel you can stop by early in the day and ask them to hold a table for you (if one is available). Otherwise, tables on nights with live music are first come, first serve.

If you are looking for a lūʻau, the Voyagers of the Pacific Lūʻau by Tihati Productions is held on the resort grounds every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and is great fun. The resort also hosts cultural activities during the week, including ‘ukulele lessons, hula lessons and a marketplace with locally-made goods. On Friday mornings, you can learn how to string a lei.

Just off Don the Beachcomber Bar & Restaurant is the main pool. While the pool area, and the pool itself, are on the smaller side, it’s a beautiful space with lounge chairs and cabanas right along the ocean edge, giving you an ocean view from the pool. When you’re ready to get into the ocean, the resort’s lagoon pool is just a few steps away. This protected lagoon includes a small sandy area for lounging, a handrail and steps down into the ocean. There’s a sandy-bottomed area great for kids or folks who want to practice snorkeling before heading out into the open ocean.

The property also includes a gym, tennis courts and daily yoga classes. For a little added relaxation, The Lotus Center Spa is also on property, offering treatments like massage, facials and scrubs — book an Aloe Sunburn Relief treatment if you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun.

Royal Kona Resort is in a near-perfect location if your trip is focused on the Kailua-Kona area. It’s right in the middle of Ali‘i Drive, surrounded by plenty of shops, restaurants and activities, all within walking distance. Parking is ample and easy, so going out to explore the island during the day is also quick and convenient.

Some of our favorite places to dine within walking distance include Huggo’s, Island Lava Java and Gecko Girlz Shave Ice and Ice Cream. The Coconut Grove Marketplace includes a lively grouping of restaurants and bars, as well as a sand volleyball court which is fun to hang out at and enjoy a shave ice. Although nightlife isn’t huge on the Big Island, there are a handful of bars with live music and dancing within walking distance of the resort.

This resort is a bit of a unicorn in that it appeals to all sorts of travelers. It’s one of the more affordable hotels on the island, so it appeals to those looking to save money, but it doesn’t compromise on quality. You’ll find a lot of travelers from other islands; we were there at the same time as a youth baseball team from O‘ahu. Families are happy here, my kids loved it, but since it’s not a resort that explicitly caters to kids, adult groups and couples will enjoy it too. I find this property to be particularly nice for solo travelers — it’s intimate enough that it’s easy to strike up a rapport with the staff and they really make the effort to help you feel at home.