Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii

Are you planning a tropical getaway to Hawaii and wondering where to stay on the Big Island to make the most of your vacation? Whether you’re seeking a luxury resort, a vacation rental, or a cozy bed and breakfast, finding the perfect accommodation is key to experiencing everything this bucket list island has to offer. From the lush landscapes of Hilo to the sunny shores of Kona, I’ll give you everything you need to know about where to stay on the Big Island for the ultimate Hawaiian adventure!

When I was planning my trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, my biggest struggle was deciding whether to stay in Kona or Hilo, when really, there are many more options on the Big Island than just these two main towns. Deciding which area of the Big Island you want to stay really depends on what you’re looking for on your trip. The good thing is that the Big Island is very accessible by rental car and you can easily explore the whole island no matter where you stay on the Big Island.

Renting a Car on the Big Island

Before deciding where you stay, I highly suggest renting a car for your Big Island adventure. This island has SO much to see and having a rental car is the best way to see all of the Big Island. The island really lives up to it’s name, it’s huge and can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to get to some of the main attractions on the island.

Renting a car on the Big Island is easy and they have shuttles at the airport for all the rental car companies so you can easily pick up and drop off your rental car on your way to and from the airport!

Now, let’s talk about each area to stay on the Big Island in Hawaii and why you should stay in each one!

Kona

Kona is the most popular area to stay on the Big Island. This is most likely where you’ll fly into if you are coming from the mainland but there is also an airport in Hilo.

The Kona Coast is popular for its lava rock coastline (like pictured above) but also has some amazing beaches! In Kona you’ll find Ali’i Drive which is right on the coast and home to all the touristy shops and restaurants. From Kona, if you have a rental car, it is about 1.5 hours to Hilo and 1.5 to Volcanos National Park and the black & green sand beaches.

If you’re staying in Kona there are many options for resorts and vacation rentals! Below are a few of the most popular options for where to stay in Kona.

Royal Kona Resort – If you’re looking to stay right in the middle of everything Kona has to offer, the Royal Kona Resort might be for you! Pricing for this resort is mid-range on average starting around $200 USD per night.

Outrigger Kona – Another mid-range resort option in Kona is Outrigger Kona. If you’re looking to experience a Big Island Luau, Outrigger Kona has their Feast & Fire Luau every Monday & Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm!

Four Seasons Hualalai – If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury stay near Kona, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is located just 20 minutes from the downtown area of Kona and Ali’i Drive. The resort even has it’s own saltwater lagoon that guests can snorkel in!

Vacation Rental – There is an endless amount of vacation rentals in Kona. This is a great option if you’re traveling in a group or just want to have more space. During my week on the Big Island, I spent 3 nights in Kona. I stayed at this 1 bedroom oceanfront condo with a pool (pictured above) and it was perfect for my time on the Big Island!

Hilo

Hilo is on the other side of the Big Island, the complete opposite of Kona. If you’re looking for lush rainforest and waterfalls, then Hilo might be for you. This side of the Big Island also receives more rain than the Kona side, which is why it is so green!

I personally drove over to Hilo from Kona just for the day and feel like I was able to hit all of the highlights in that amount of time. With that said, you may decide you want to split your Big Island vacation by staying a few nights in Kona and few nights in Hilo!

Hilo does not have as many large resorts like Kona but there are a few options to make your stay in Hilo perfect! The hotels in Hilo tend to be slightly cheaper than Kona as well.

SCP Hilo – This hotel is right in the middle of downtown Hilo with easy access to the farmers market and a quick drive to nearby waterfalls! SCP Hilo is the perfect hotel for adventure travelers!

Grand Naniloa – If you’re looking for an oceanfront resort in Hilo, check out the Grand Naniloa! This resort is actually a DoubleTree by Hilton and just 10 minutes from the Hilo airport. The resort also features a golf course!

Waikoloa/Kohala Coast

Just 45 minutes from Kona, you’ll find the village of Waikoloa and the Kohala Coast. If luxury beach resorts are what you’re looking for on your Big Island vacation, Waikoloa might be the perfect spot for you.

Waikoloa will give you the ultimate luxury experience while also allowing you to explore the Big Island. This is also where you’ll find Kauna’oa Bay, where you can snorkel and see the manta rays which is a must when visiting the Big Island. This is also the only place you can see manta rays in Hawaii and even one of the few places in the world!

Waikoloa offers some of the best resorts on the Big Island, and maybe even all of Hawaii! Below, I’ll tell you where to stay on the Big Island if you want to stay at some of the most luxurious resorts in Hawaii!

Fairmont Orchid – During my week on the Big Island, I spent 2 nights at Fairmont Orchid and it is one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at! The resort offers several restaurants including their fine dining restaurant, Brown’s Beach House which is perfect for watching the sunset over the Pacific. Fairmont Orchid sits on a lava rock coast with a private bay where guests can snorkel, paddle board, & kayak!

Mauna Lani – Mauna Lani is an Auberge Resort and another one of the most luxurious resorts on the Big Island. The resort is set on 32 oceanfront acres & also has a beach club!

Westin Hapuna – Westin Hapuna is a Marriott resort located on Hapuna Beach. Hapuna Beach is known for being one of the best beaches on the Big Island. It is also the Big Island’s largest white sand beach!

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel – Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is located on Kauna’oa Bay – the home of the manta rays! Mauna Kea is a public beach so even if you aren’t staying at this resort, I recommend coming one night for the best sunset on the Big Island! You can even grab dinner at their restaurant, Manta, and then walk down the path to the manta ray viewing area in hopes to see the manta rays swim under the light! One of the best experiences to be had on the Big Island!

Waikoloa Beach Marriott – This Marriott resort on Kohala coast offer everything you need for the perfect Hawaiian vacation on the Big Island. If you’re looking to upgrade your stay, the resort has its secluded Na Hale wing with upgraded accommodations.

Volcano

If your goal on your trip to Hawaii is to really connect with nature on the Big Island, consider staying in the Volcano area. Volcano is a small town right in the middle of Kona and Hilo, about a one and a half drive to each.

Staying in Volcano will give you easy access to some of the most bucket list experiences on the Big Island like black sand beach, green sand beach, and Volcanos National Park.

Because Volcano is such a small town, it does not have big resorts and hotels like other areas of the Big Island. If you decide to stay in Volcano, you’ll want to book an Airbnb or a VRBO. The good news is you can find some really cool accommodations here such as glamping domes and even treehouses!

I did not end up staying in Volcano on my trip to the Big Island, but I found some really unique vacation rentals that I definitely want to check out on my next trip to Hawaii and will share with you below!

Bamboo Treehouse – Perfect treehouse for 2 people just minutes from Volcanos National Park!

Big Island Treehouse – The most unique treehouse accommodation I’ve found on the Big Island!

Keola Retreat – If you really want to connect with nature and do some camping on the Big Island without sleeping in a tent, try doing some glamping by staying in a glass dome at Keola Retreat!

Restore at I’IWI – Probably my favorite vacation rental I found on Airbnb while researching where to stay on the Big Island is this cabin. A modern, luxury cabin in the rainforest that’s the perfect location for exploring the outdoors on this secluded side of the Big Island!

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has given some more insight on where to stay on the Big Island and is helpful when planning your next vacation in Hawaii! The Big Island is one of my all time favorite destinations because of everything there is to see!

If you’ll be on the Big Island for a week or longer, I recommend choosing 2 different areas to stay so you can really get a feel for the island. For me, I stayed 3 days in Kona and 2 days on the Kohala Coast with a one-day road trip from Kona to explore the Hilo side. That felt like the perfect way to spend a trip to the Big Island but it all depends on what you’re looking for when visiting this bucket list destination!