Big Island Hotel

Choose your primary Big Island hotel somewhere on the Kona side of the island. Most of the snorkeling is on this side of the island and you are likely to have less rain. There are many options for types of accommodations in this area, from simple hotels to upscale resort hotels, condos of all ranges, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rental homes or rooms. Search on Expedia.com for a Big Island Hotel. If you want hotel alternatives check out TripAdvisor's vacation rental listings for the Big Island.

We recommend you stay in a Big Island hotel in one of three areas: the Waikoloa Resort area in Kohala north of Kona, Kailua-Kona and Keauhou area, or Kealakekua Bay area.

Big Island Hotel - Waikoloa Resort Area/Kohala
There are many snorkel spots within reasonable driving distance of the Waikoloa Resorts. This is the area with the most upscale resort hotels like the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, The Fairmont Orchid, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Resort. These areas have numerous condos you can rent. There is also a small town called Waikoloa Village several miles east up Waikoloa Road where there are condos available. This can be an affordable option, and we have enjoyed the Paniolo Greens Resort up there.

You will find many restaurants and shopping options in these resort areas. The most accessible to the public are at Waikoloa and Mauna Lani.

Big Island Hotel - Kailua Kona and Keauhou
The snorkeling spots are not numerous in Kona and Keauhou, but you are within a decent driving distance of most of them if you stay here. There are many options for accommodation in this area, probably the most in terms of budget choices. In Kona there is a Big Island hotel for any price range, the higher end ones are more south toward Keauhou, like Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort and Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. You can find condos in any price range in this area too. Make sure to check the vacation rental websites for options here. You will likely find bed and breakfast choices here too.

Kona and Keauhou have many restaurants to choose from and the most reasonably priced groceries on this side of the island. And of course, there is a lot of shopping.

Kealakekua Bay
Since there are some fantastic snorkeling spots in this area, we suggest staying somewhere nearby. You may not want to stay here for your entire trip as the rest of the snorkeling is a fairly long drive north, but consider it. The accommodations near Kealakekua Bay are of the alternate type only. You will find vacation rental homes and rooms, some bed and breakfast and other unique coffee farm cottages. There are a few restaurant and shopping options up on Hwy 11.

One last tip: if amenities like internet, swimming pool, fitness center, laundry facilities, on-site spa or restaurant are important to you, be sure you look for those while you are searching for accommodations so you are not surprised when you arrive.

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