where to stay on the big island

The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls – This charming 11-room inn is probably the best place to stay in Hilo. There are a lot of choices, but now that you know how to spend your time and which routes to take you can begin narrowing down your options. The latest volcano eruption in 2018 left a lava flow that stretches from the lower Puna (Leilani Estates) out to the southeastern tip of the island. Here are some tips on making this division work in your best interest... plus, they'll save you some driving time. A stunning custom-tiled mosaic pool, hot tub, six exquisite guest rooms, a private honeymoon cottage, rooftop pool, and garden gazebos have delighted guests for years. This is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands and the most alive. the upper roads through Hamakua and Waimea (2.5 hours) through valleys and pasture. Cons: Prices for everything are usually really high; groceries, resort fees, restaurants, and fuel. Hilo Seaside Hotel – Comfy 2-star hotel with an outdoor pool and leafy rainforest garden. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each of the areas we've briefly discussed above. … Mahalo! The volcano is very unpredictable, so if it's doing something spectacular at the start of your trip, make sure you see it because that activity could end the next day. Best of luck as you finalize your plans to visit the place of incredible diversity that is the Big Island of Hawaii. Kailua-Kona is the more popular place to stay on the Big Island because of the beaches, ocean sports, and dining and luaus due to all the resorts. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. South of Kailua-Kona you'll discover the resort area of Keauhou. LOCATION: The Fairmont Orchid is located on the west side of the Big Island. Grand Naniloa Hotel, a Doubletree by Hilton. Today you’ll be seeing … Finally, I go more into the details for each area, based on your type of trip (family, couple, budget etc). Then the Waikoloa area is the best place to stay on the Big Island. You won't find a lot of great swimming beaches in Hilo, but there is a good variety of shops and small restaurants here. Beaches. Besides being the best area to stay in Hawaii Big Island on budget, the South Eastern Shore is the best side also to use for visiting the Kilauea volcano. Driving across the island from the east side to the west side will take you around two hours, so it’s best to position yourself carefully. Sunshine and dry conditions make the west coast one of the most popular areas to visit in Hawaii. Check availability at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Each drive offers very different scenery, so with enough time, you’ll want to tour them all. On the east side of the Big Island, Hilo is the obvious base. Situated on the coastline of Hilo Bay, the … Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. You'll likely want to split your stay between Kailua-Kona on the west side and Hilo (or Volcano) on the east side during your trip. We love to stay in Kailua-Kona because there is more to do on the leeward side of the island. Each direction has its own unique setting, from north to west to south to east. It’s also facing the sea, which is gorgeous. Just below Waikoloa is the town of Kona, which is where the first king to rule the islands, Kamehameha the Great, chose to live. The Big Island of Hawaii (also called, simply, Hawaii) is, of course, big. Plus, it has its own international airport, making it a great spot to stay if you want to explore the alternate side of the island. Which means that where you stay matters. I agree with the Mauna Lani resort area...the snorkeling at Makaiwa Bay is great ( this is the beach you will get a gate card access to for parking with a condo in the Mauna Lani resort). With the rains to the east, the sun is left alone in the west. Hilo Bay Hostel – The Hilo Bay Hostel is a great option with dorms and private rooms in the heart of downtown, and it has lots of gre at reviews. Expect to spend about two full days exploring the park, especially if you're fortunate enough to find it's geologically active during your visit. When you fly into the Big Island you will be arriving in either Hilo on the eastern side or Kona on the western side. Here you have more of a town feel, with restaurants, parks, playgrounds and supermarkets. And don’t forget to visit the petroglyph fields on the way to the beach. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. Once settled, you’ll want to delve into some of the many romantic day-trips – frolicking in the exotic rainforests, exploring the volcanoes and lava fields, and embracing togetherness with the amazing views at places like Pololu Valley and Waipio Valley. From Hilo and all along the eastern coast is an area of lush greenery and rainforest brilliance prompted by a seemingly continuous flow of rain or drizzle. The Hilotown Hale is a great accommodation, very clean, offering spacious rooms at a bargain price, considering you are in Hawaii. One of our absolute favorite places to stay on the Big Island is just south of Kailua-Kona. Hilo. Guests love the comfortable rooms and the wonderful view. There is a hotel, resort or accommodation that will satisfy every taste and price range, from world-class resorts to charming inns and spacious vacation rentals. Hilo side is what we refer to the East side of the island, including downtown Hilo (the second largest town in Hawaii) and the Volcano area. The Kona Islander Inn Hotel is one of the most economical places on the Big Island. Hilo is considerably less touristy than the west side of the island and offers a variety of good budget options for accommodations. Here below a map, later I quickly answer a few questions I usually get. Ka’u. But the weather is considerably drier here than on the east side and the beaches are far superior on this side of the island too (even if some of them take a little work to access). Hotel in Hilo. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The Kailua-Kona area offers a variety of budget accommodations, making it ideal for those looking to stay on the West side but not splurge as much as is required by staying on the 'Gold Coast.' Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii: Kona or Hilo? This is an Italian inspired restaurant with homemade pasta, which is a great plus. As an exclusive excursion to Kohala, you will want to look into the Fairmont Orchid, a luxury resort surrounded by waterfalls, lush tropical gardens, and an amazing lagoon fronted by an exquisite white sand beach. Where to Stay on the Big Island: The island of Hawaii is a land of diversity and choices, and that includes the island’s accommodations. From Hilo, you can also organize day trips to the Mauna Loa Volcano (a 1-hour drive) and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. © Copyright 2021 — Guide of US, LLC. Depending on your interests, you may want to give yourself more time in Kailua-Kona or Hilo- it's really up to you. Kona’s overnight options vary from quaint to quality for the traveler; Kona reef rentals, kona reef condos, and kona reef resorts, are all available in this area of the Big Island. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. North Hamakua Big Island Hiking Trails Guide. The homestay is run by two amazing hosts, Ludyme and Ruebon, that make this place more of a home away from home than a b&b. All Rights Reserved. The serene north has rolling hills and pastures, while the south is alive with volcanoes and black sand beaches. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. From days spent on the chilled beaches (Mauna Kea Beach) and parks (Hapuna Beach Park), to spending the evenings sipping cocktails and watching the sunsets, and in the evening experiencing a live Lua. That said, it lacks any real budget accommodations, is mostly situated in barren lava fields, and is further away from many of the great attractions on the north (Hamakua) coast and east side of the island (like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). An area known for its luxurious resorts, up on the northwest end of the island, you could find your entire honeymoon drenched in relaxation and luxury. The park is so large that it takes about two days to explore, especially if there is any lava activity you want to see. With over 4,000 square miles to choose from, picking the best place to stay on Hawaii Island, also known as Big Island, is no simple task.While most visitors tend to lean towards either Kailua-Kona on the west side or Hilo on the east side, there are several other areas on Hawaii Island that shouldn’t go overlooked. If the volcano in Hilo is doing something special (another reason to call the Park in advance), then it's worth staying on the Hilo side first so you can explore the park during the first or second day/night of your visit. It’s definitely worth a visit to Issac Hale Beach Park and MacKenzie State Recreation Area to see nature’s latest remodelling efforts. Knowing where to stay on the Big Island is important. There are also a variety of shops and restaurants here; this area is all about luxury. Hotel in Hilo. Holualoa Inn is a luxury Big Island Bed and Breakfast that features spectacular Pacific Ocean views on 30 lush acres of well-tended tropical fruit and flower gardens. Talking of restaurants, make sure to book a dinner On the Rocks. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation on the Big Island… For example, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability, Explore accommodation options in the north, Fly into one of the major airports at either Kailua-Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO) and depart from the other. The cost of accommodations varies mostly based on the type of property, hostels being the cheapest and luxury resorts the most expensive. This includes the Waikaloa area. Hawaii's Big Island is incredibly large and diverse, offering plenty of places to call home during a vacation. ft oceanfront pool with massage and spa facilities to elicit some true romance. When it comes time for dinner, you’ll definitely enjoy one of the many Luau options, or a beautiful sunset dinner cruise. Avoid Waimea town and Kailua-Kona (especially north of town) during rush hour. Many people become surprised by the actual size of the island once they arrive. We love the Volcano area not only because of its proximity to the park but also because of the lush scenery. Located just outside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, surrounded by ferns and other lush vegetation, this area makes for an excellent place to set up camp to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or other sights along the south (Kau) shoreline of the Big Island. Hilo is the second-largest city in the state after Honolulu, at just over 40,000 residents, and it’s a great base for a lot of the outdoor and adventure tourism offerings on the Big Island. Enter your trip dates to search Big Island hotels, resorts, and other Big Island accommodations. The average daily rate for hotel rooms on the Big Island was $267 in 2019 . A great alternative, in the middle of nature and lots of birds, is this Holiday House offering simple, however clean, bedrooms with shared bathroom and facilities. It’s clean and affordable, with a good size pool for kids. Fit for a king, Kona offers some of the best beaches on the islands, and plenty of family fun. Hawai’i Island (also known as The Big Island) is one of the most beautiful places on earth.. With 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones in one place, there is so much to explore and experience from lush jungles and waterfalls, to dry desert land and beaches, to vast expanses of lava rock.. It’s the size of all the Hawaiian Islands combined or roughly the size of Vermont. Located on the Big Island, and plenty of family fun, make sure to read our Big Island Waimea... Bet is settled into Hilo with the great help of our local expert, Charlie Rice Kona Islander Inn is. 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Flows, and other Big Island sure you allocate enough time to actually see the entire Island catered to.... Possible dolphins playing right in front of your table ( it ’ s clean affordable! Most expensive Eastern side or Kona on the islands combined beaches and a variety of resorts that offer more pricing..., including the local beaches, parks, hideaways and restaurants where is the best places to stay in and! 3,500 feet ( ~1,100m ) and back down and fauna around is unique to the east side 's proximity the... To visitors nice selection of dining options Hilo Seaside Hotel – Comfy 2-star Hotel an...

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