Location for staying 6 nights in Big Island

Question

We are visiting Big Island for 6 nights in Big Island. Planning to stay on the Kona side. The main question is where to stay.

We visited a while back and we really enjoyed the Kahalu’u beach area for daytime water activities and the downtown area for shops and restaurants. The problem is they are pretty far from each other and also I couldn’t find any good accommodation option near Kahalu’u beach park. I was considering Outrigger, royal Kona resort and the downtown courtyard Marriott, but for each of them I need to drive to either Kahalu’u beach park or downtown and deal with parking ( the main issue). Wanted to get some thoughts on what is the most practical compromise. Can I rely on using Uber to mitigate this concern ?

Answer

When planning a 6-night stay on the Kona side of the Big Island, the key consideration is balancing access to the best beaches, daytime water activities, and convenient proximity to shops and restaurants downtown.

Since Kahalu’u Beach Park is excellent for snorkeling and daytime water activities, it would be ideal to be nearby, but the area has limited hotel options. Most larger resorts like the Outrigger, Royal Kona Resort, and Courtyard Marriott are closer to downtown Kona, which makes dining and shopping easier but requires a short drive to beaches like Kahalu’u.

Here are some practical options and considerations:

Royal Kona Resort: Located on Ali’i Drive in downtown Kona. Offers ocean views and easy access to shops and restaurants. You will need a 5–10 minute drive or Uber to reach Kahalu’u Beach Park. Parking is available, but sometimes limited during peak hours.
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa: Also downtown, right on the waterfront. Similar to Royal Kona in convenience to downtown but not particularly close to snorkeling beaches. Uber or a short drive is needed for beach activities.
Courtyard by Marriott Kona Downtown: Slightly farther north in downtown Kona. Offers modern amenities, parking, and proximity to shops. Still requires driving to Kahalu’u Beach Park for snorkeling.

Other alternatives to consider:

Look for smaller vacation rentals or boutique inns closer to Kahalu’u Beach. These are often limited but could save driving time to the water.
Consider splitting your stay: a couple of nights near downtown Kona for dining and shopping, and a few nights closer to Kahalu’u Beach for daytime snorkeling and beach relaxation.

Regarding Uber, it is fairly reliable in Kona but can be slightly more expensive and less frequent than in larger cities. Using Uber can mitigate parking concerns downtown, but having a rental car provides the most flexibility for exploring beaches, the Kona coffee region, and farther sites like Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau or North Kona sights. Many visitors find a rental car essential on the Big Island, even if staying in downtown Kona, since public transport is limited.

In summary, if convenience to both downtown and beaches is important, staying downtown and relying on Uber or a short drive to Kahalu’u is practical. If beach access is your priority, a small inn or rental near Kahalu’u could work, but you will need a car to explore restaurants and shopping downtown.

Location for staying 6 nights in Big Island

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