8 Best Resorts in Kailua-Kona Hawaii – Hand-Picked for 2025

We researched every property to determine the best resorts in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii that offer top-tier experiences, lush beachfront settings, and a relaxing Hawaiian atmosphere for travelers of every kind.

best resorts in kailua-kona hawaii

From cozy, wallet-friendly properties to lavish, full-service resorts, these resorts in Kailua Kona combine convenience, comfort, and luxury in one of Hawaii’s most stunning coastal areas.

In other words, if you’re looking for unforgettable resorts in Kona Hawaii, this updated guide covers the very best.

Methodology

To put this list of the best resorts Kailua-Kona has to offer together, we analyzed thousands of user reviews across TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Google Reviews, and Expedia, taking into account both glowing comments and recurring critiques.

We also took location, beachfront access, amenities, and value into account—so, naturally, the final list offers a mix of experiences from quiet retreats to vibrant Kona resorts buzzing with activity.

Each Kailua-Kona resort listed below has been selected for its overall guest satisfaction, beachfront quality, and unique features that elevate it among the best resorts in Kona.

The 8 Best Resorts in Kailua-Kona Hawaii for 2025

8. Club Wyndham Mauna Loa Village

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • Spacious condo-style suites with full kitchens and private balconies
  • Just a little under 1 mile from Keauhou Bay
  • Multiple swimming pools and hot tubs across the complex

This Kailua-Kona resort gives you more of a homey condo vibe than your typical property, yet still manages to deliver resort-level comfort. It’s nestled close to Keauhou Bay, which is great for kayaking and snorkeling, though it’s not exactly a sandy swimming beach.

Units here are more or less apartment-sized, typically featuring full kitchens, laundry machines, and a bit of privacy you wouldn’t find at more traditional resorts in Kona Hawaii. For those who want to settle in for a longer visit, it’s incredibly practical, yet still relaxing.

There are several swimming pools scattered across the resort, and while there’s no on-site restaurant, the kitchens make self-catering easy. The lack of direct beachfront might be a downside for some, but the scenic walking trails and quiet atmosphere tend to make up for it.

It’s especially good for families or groups looking for space to spread out. That said, it’s also pretty close to Keauhou Shopping Center, so grabbing groceries or a bite nearby is never a problem.

7. Royal Kona Resort – Most Affordable

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • Expansive oceanfront property with incredible sunset views
  • Saltwater lagoon for protected swimming
  • On-site restaurant and bar with live entertainment

This might be the most budget-friendly among the best resorts in Kailua-Kona, yet Royal Kona Resort still manages to pack in plenty of appeal. It’s perched right on the edge of the ocean, giving you front-row seats to some seriously stunning sunsets.

The saltwater lagoon is a standout feature, especially for families with younger kids who want a safe and calm swimming area. There’s also a traditional-style pool and spacious sun deck if you’re more of a lounger.

The resort’s Don the Beachcomber Restaurant and bar is an open-air setup offering nightly tiki shows and classic island cocktails. It’s an older resort in terms of age, but the location more than makes up for it—and, in that case, you’re scoring big value for money.

If you’re looking for a Kailua resort that won’t break the bank, yet still puts you steps from all the Kona waterfront action, this one checks all the boxes.

6. Pacific 19 Kona

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • Recently renovated boutique resort with chic modern design
  • Located a block from Kailua Pier and Ali‘i Drive
  • Outdoor pool and adventure concierge for excursions

For those craving something a little more stylish, Pacific 19 Kona offers a refreshed and modern take on Kailua-Kona resorts.

It’s basically one block away from the action near Ali‘i Drive, so it’s close enough to stroll to restaurants, bars, and waterfront views without dealing with crowds.

Rooms are spacious and comfortably designed, with local artwork and furniture that gives off a kind of elevated Airbnb feel. It’s not a huge property, which makes it feel more personal and relaxed compared to some of the larger resorts in Kona Hawaii.

The on-site pool area is well-kept and trendy, though compact. They also offer bike rentals and have a team that helps organize excursions—from volcano hikes to snorkeling tours—so it’s perfect for adventurers who want to explore the Big Island.

All in all, Pacific 19 is one of the newer entries to the Kailua resorts scene, and for those who appreciate design and simplicity, it’s a fun and unique stay.

5. Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel – Best-Seller

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • Located on Kamakahonu Beach—one of the few sandy beaches in Kailua-Kona
  • On-site luau and cultural programming
  • Direct access to Kailua Pier and historic landmarks

This Kailua-Kona resort practically defines convenience. Sitting right on Kamakahonu Beach, this hotel offers actual walk-out sand, which is a bit of a rarity along this rocky stretch of the coast.

It’s got everything you’d need—on-site dining, beach rentals, a cultural center, and daily activities that often include hula and ukulele classes. Rooms are bright and come in a range of configurations, including larger suites with lanais that look out to the bay.

Families love the easy access to Kona’s main drag, and the beach here is mellow enough for safe swimming. There’s also a small pool and hot tub area for relaxing after a day of sightseeing or snorkeling.

Whether you’re looking to learn about Hawaiian history or just unwind in a prime beachfront location, it’s easy to see why this one stays full year-round.

4. Kona Tiki Hotel

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • All oceanfront rooms
  • Adults-only property with peaceful atmosphere
  • Walking distance to downtown Kailua-Kona

This retreat is for the chill crowd—Kona Tiki Hotel is a no-frills yet entirely ocean-focused escape that tends to attract couples and adults looking for quiet.

Every room faces the water, and you’re so close that waves often crash right below your balcony.

The view and atmosphere are unbeatable if your goal is tranquility. The vibe is relaxed, and there’s no TV—just ocean breezes and the sound of the Pacific to lull you into full vacation mode.

The pool overlooks the sea, and there’s a sundeck where you can sip your coffee or unwind after a swim. In other words, this is the kind of Kona resort where doing nothing feels like doing everything.

It’s within walking distance of the main part of town, making it easy to try out local restaurants, bars, or markets without hopping in a car.

3. Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • 81 upscale bungalows across 81 acres
  • Private beach and lagoon
  • High-end dining and curated wellness experiences

This Kailua-Kona resort is one of the most luxurious retreats on the Big Island. Rebuilt and reopened as part of the Rosewood collection, Kona Village spans over 80 acres with bungalow-style villas that feel like private sanctuaries tucked into lush tropical foliage.

The resort has its own private beach and lagoon, along with a reef area for snorkeling. It’s got several high-end restaurants serving locally sourced Hawaiian fare, plus a seriously impressive spa and wellness menu that includes full-day programs.

This property might be one of the most secluded resorts in Kona Hawaii, but the personalized service, privacy, and immersive setting more than make up for the remote feel.

Bungalows are outfitted with outdoor showers, soaking tubs, and ocean views that’ll have you wanting to extend your stay.

It’s a peaceful, high-end option that still carries a strong connection to Hawaiian culture and nature—very few places balance both as gracefully.

2. OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa – Top Value Pick

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • Multiple pools including a 200-foot water slide
  • On-site spa with oceanfront treatment rooms
  • Adjacent to cultural and historical attractions like the Keauhou Heiau

This Kona resort blends affordability and fun in a way few others manage. Located just south of Kailua town, it overlooks Keauhou Bay with panoramic views of the lava cliffs and open ocean.

Families love the massive pool deck, complete with a waterslide, while the wellness crowd appreciates the Ho‘ola Spa, especially the oceanside treatment rooms. Dining here is casual but tasty, with poolside bites and island-fusion dinners.

Rooms are clean, comfortable, and come in a range of styles from ocean-view kings to family suites. It’s arguably one of the most complete resorts in Kailua-Kona when it comes to value for money.

For travelers wanting easy access to both nature and amenities, the OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa is one of the best resorts Kailua-Kona offers—and the one we would personally spend our money on.

1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – Top Overall

Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:

  • 865-acre 5-star oceanfront resort with multiple white-sand beaches
  • Seven swimming pools and a Jack Nicklaus golf course
  • Upscale dining, spa, and cultural programs

The Four Seasons Hualalai sits on nearly 900 acres of prime oceanfront and is the gold standard among the best resorts in Kona.

With soft white-sand beaches, swimmable bays, and polished service that lives up to the brand’s global reputation, it truly has established itself as the best resorts in Kailua-Kona, period.

There are seven pools, including a saltwater snorkeling lagoon stocked with tropical fish. Suites and villas are sprawling, with deep-soaking tubs, lava rock showers, and outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the landscape.

The resort’s dining scene is world-class, offering everything from sushi bars to oceanfront grills. Their spa features open-air hales for massages and wellness treatments, all rooted in Hawaiian healing practices.

If you’re searching for the most complete and luxurious Kailua-Kona resort experience, this is absolutely the one to beat.

Articles You Might Also Like