Where to stay on Big Island – a neighborhood guide

Throughout the Big Island’s scenic shores you’ll be able to locate everything from world class luxury resorts to incredible golf courses, from sacred historical sites to green and verdant rainforests. Choosing where to base yourself is an important part of making the most out of your stay, and budget. But, whether you opt for all out seafront luxury, a cosy inland hideaway or somewhere full of local charm off the beaten track, you are sure to arrive to a warm Hawaiian welcome.

Kailua Kona

 

With a wide assortment of accommodation options here, Kailua Kona is your first port of call when exploring ‘Big Island’. Stretching from the Gold Kohala Coast north of town to the areas south of it, you’ll find everything from multi-million dollar exclusive resorts, to quaint bed and breakfasts, to economic condo rentals. For the best location, try and aim to either stay north, or inland on the foothills of Hualalai, so you can avoid the volcanic smog that often drifts around the island. The area is also a great location for exploration of the island’s western attractions – including world class beaches, historic and cultural sites, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

 

Hilo area

 

One of your best bets in the Hilo area is to choose a small hotel within Hilo town, where you’ll be able to take in some magnificent views of Hilo Bay and the Pacific Ocean. If you’re looking for something away from the hustle and bustle of town, make sure you head to the variety of rustic inns and lodges just outside of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Be warned though that it does rain here a fair bit – the ground is lush and verdant for a reason! This is a fantastic location for exploration of the national park – a UNESCO heritage site and one of the Hawaiian archipelago’s signature attractions.

 

Puna

 

Puna is another great location in which to base yourself for exploration of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Note that there are fewer options here than in Hilo so it is worth booking ahead, particularly when there is an eruption occurring!

 

Waimea Town

 

Located close to many of the island’s top attractions, Waimea Town is a great place to stay if you’re doing a round trip of ‘Big Island’. As the interior’s largest town, there are plenty of shops and restaurants and the volcano Mauna Kea offers a pretty impressive backdrop.

 

Hamakua Coast

 

Arguably one of the island’s most tranquil locations, the Hamakua Coast has fantastic beaches and a lush almost jungle scenery. This is a great place to be at one with nature and hike many of the island’s best trails. Accommodation options are scarcer here than elsewhere on the island.

 

Kau

 

Right on the island’s southern coast, Kau offers a proximity to Ka Lae (the most southern point of the USA) and Punalu’u Beach, so it is worth staying here for a few days if you want to check these out. There aren’t many other attractions in the area however, so it wouldn’t be advisable to stay for the whole length of your stay.