55 Best Hotels in Big Island, Hawaii

While the location feels more parking lot than island paradise, this practical and comfortable hotel (one of Kona's newest) isn't far from the ocean and still offers lots of pluses, from nicely appointed rooms to a fitness center. You'll also find a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a lobby with fireplace, as well as a complimentary breakfast (rare for a Kona hotel). All rooms have fridges, microwaves, and 42-inch TVs. Just steps away are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops, not to mention the historical landmarks and waterfront attractions of Historic Kailua Village.

Tucked away by Keauhou Bay amid a plethora of coconut trees, this well-maintained enclave of blue-roofed villas offers lots of amenities, including a 27-court tennis and pickleball center, swimming pools, hot tubs, a fitness center, waterfalls, and covered parking. Guests are minutes away from the island's best snorkel cruise, plus the many dining and grocery options at nearby Keauhou Shopping Center. The tennis center has hosted international tournaments featuring top WTA tour professionals, and has been recently upgraded to include 20 pickleball courts. 

Surrounded by McCandless Ranch on 40 acres in South Kona, this place may seem remote, but it's actually just a short drive from some of the best water attractions on the island, including Puuhonua O Honaunau, Kealakekua Bay, and Hookena Beach. The gated driveway winds past herds of goats, donkeys, horses, and cows. Offering four suites with private entrances and lanai, plus beautiful ocean views, this tastefully appointed inn has an open-air living area, plus a media room with a DVD library of 1,500 titles. Buffet breakfast is served by the owner, plus there's a barbecue facility by the pool. Snorkel and beach gear are available. Minimum stays are required. 

Overlooking downtown Hilo and the ocean beyond, this inn sits next to a 120-foot waterfall that tumbles into a 300-foot-wide natural pond—enticing for swimming, conditions permitting. Powered by its own hydroelectric facility, the compound consists of a main residence with four guest rooms; the six-bedroom Harmony home; and the three-story Pagoda Guest House, with a bedroom and 1½ baths, perched near the cliff above the falls. All rooms have a private bath. Adding to the resort-style offerings, the chef's table dinners showcase local ingredients. Guest activities include waterfall rappelling and cooking classes. The addition of rustic off-grid cabins provides an affordable glamping option akin to a communal hostel experience. The inn offers a day-pass program for nonguests to enjoy the waterfall.

You wouldn't expect to find a top-notch B&B in Kau, but this grand residence offers large private suites with locally harvested hardwood floors and private lanai with ocean and mountain views. Choose between a full hot breakfast or a farm-to-table breakfast that presents locally sourced fruits and baked goods—and comes with award-winning Kau estate coffee. For those who want to explore the area's green- and black-sand beaches, or hike to the Kahuku unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hosts Kenny Joyce and Kilohana Domingo are happy to share their knowledge of the area. The inn prides itself on its programs involving Hawaiian cultural arts, and guests may take part in Hawaiian feather arts or weaving workshops.

With a prime location in the center of Waimea, this newly renovated boutique inn offers beautiful accommodations that feature Hawaiian-style bed linens and paniolo (cowboy) art, along with polished, upgraded decor such as barn doors, high-definition TVs, granite countertops, and rainfall showerheads. Some rooms even have kitchenettes, but a continental breakfast is included in the price. Baths are equipped with locally made, eco-friendly Hawaiian body products and plenty of fluffy towels.  

The 16-acre grounds provide a peaceful and verdant background for this low-rise condominium complex bordering the Keauhou-Kona Country Club and within a five-minute drive of the nearest beaches, Kahaluu and Laaloa (Magic Sands). The property has three swimming pools, two tennis courts, hot tubs, and barbecue areas. Large units have koa-wood cabinetwork and washer-dryers. Cleaning fees apply. The proximity of Keauhou Bay and Keauhou Shopping Center makes this complex an excellent choice for families.

The former home of the late legendary artist Herb Kane, this luxury boutique guesthouse occupies a 16-acre avocado farm overlooking the South Kona coastline. Internationally traveled proprietors Michael and David leave no stone unturned; amenities include fresh flowers, evening turndown, robes and slippers, Molton Brown products, and tropical fruit baskets. Kane's iconic artwork is displayed in all the suites. Detached from the main residence, the Kane and Kanaloa suites are spacious and private. The Kane Suite opens onto a water garden and porch, and includes koa furnishings designed by the artist along with a minibar, library, marble bathroom, and atrium Zen garden. Breakfast features ingredients grown on the property.

A mile from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this lodge built as a YMCA camp in the 1930s is now a pleasant inn, tastefully furnished with European antiques, photographs, and authentic Hawaiian quilts. Of the 12 accommodations on the property, all are heated and have private baths; seven have gas fireplaces, and one has a wood-burning fireplace (the Honeymoon Deluxe Room). The charming one-bedroom cottage on the property is perfect for romance. A central common room, the Hale Aloha Building, offers a wood-burning fireplace and library. For a quintessential Volcano Village experience under the stars, guests can use the covered outdoor hot tub, which seats seven. The Lodge's restaurant is open to the public and features island-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Just below Keauhou Shopping Center, this timeshare resort offers furnished condos on 21 acres with pleasant ocean views and a host of on-site amenities, including two swimming pools, dry sauna, beach volleyball, a cocktail bar, barbecue grills, a hot tub, tennis courts, a fitness center, hula classes, equipment rentals, and children's activities. There is even a small restaurant on-site. The complex is within walking distance of a movie theater, grocery store, Longs Drugs, and cafés and restaurants. Scuba and snorkel trips depart from nearby Keauhou Bay.

This B&B, with its rare location within walking distance to splendid Kealakekua Bay, offers three high-luxury rooms with kitchenettes in the main house that share the pool-patio area, as well as two suites with more room and privacy in the detached Ohana Cottage. Gorgeous, well-appointed rooms feature plantation-style furnishings and decor with Hawaiian touches. The property, renovated in 2019, includes a sparkling, chlorine-free pool. Romantics take note: facing the emerald pali (cliff) is a lovely, grassy space with a small gazebo, should you wish to renew vows or pop the question.

Surrounded by the emerald greens of a world-class oceanside golf course, the private, independent, luxury condominiums at Islands at Mauna Lani offer spacious two-story suites, while Mauna Lani Point's villas are closer to the beach. In the former, the privately owned units, individually decorated according to the owners' tastes, have European cabinets and oversize soaking tubs in the main bedrooms. The latter are smaller but have better views and are steps away from the water. Both properties are a short distance from the shopping, dining, and gourmet groceries at the Shops at Mauna Lani.

What the hotel's concrete architecture lacks in intimacy, it makes up for with its beautifully manicured grounds, historical sense of place, stylish interiors, and stunning location on Keauhou Bay. Many rooms have great views of the bay and feel like they're right on the water, and each is decorated in a modern Polynesian style. Those traveling with kids appreciate the pool complex, one of the coolest on the island, with a slide, waterfalls, sand-bottom kids' pool, and an ocean view. There are plenty of activities, including daily historical walking tours, beginning hula, and puka shell bracelet making. A first rate luau, held on a grassy lawn with a backdrop of coconut trees, features the live Polynesian show Feast & Fire, which immerses guests in the area's history and culture. Take a walk in the evenings and spot the mantas that glide below the lanai in the glow of a spotlight.

Stocked with a plethora of adventure gear (for sale) such as snorkels, coolers, and sunscreen along with drinks and snacks in each room's "macro" bar, Kona's newest hip boutique hotel caters to the younger, more adventurous traveler. Rooms are decorated with photography by local artists, and guests can expect ultra-premium linens and towels. The location in the heart of town assures shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés are an easy stroll away, not to mention the beach and pier.  

This iconic Kona hotel is a great option: the location is central; the bar, lounge, pool, and restaurant are right on the water; and the rooms feature comfortable, contemporary Hawaiian decor with Polynesian accents. The hotel is adjacent to numerous shops and restaurants in the heart of Kailua Village. A luau with Polynesian entertainment (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday) is fun and quite popular, and the Lotus Center spa offers massages, facials, and chiropractic. There's also a fitness room on-site. Don's Mai Tai Bar (check out the restaurant's classic South Pacific architecture and authentic tiki decor) unveils incredible oceanfront views of Kailua Bay with a backdrop of authentic Hawaiian music. 

This mindfully designed boutique hotel features a minimalist Zen style combined with Hawaiiana accents. Of the 128 rooms, some have private lanai, and the nicest ones overlook the koi-filled lagoon, plus there are poolside rooms. A workout studio offers Peloton bikes, TRX system, weights, and yoga mats. Complimentary bikes and stand-up paddleboards are available for exploring the surrounding neighborhood, including Reeds Bay across the street. On-site, the 24/7 Provisions Market presents locally sourced, fresh consumables. Beautiful parks and bayfront attractions are within walking distance of the hotel, as are a handful of nice restaurants. The Coconut Grill restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Three private cottages set on a 10-acre working ranch afford total privacy, with a few more amenities than a vacation house or condo. Owners Mark and Amy drop off a welcome basket with breakfast goodies your first day, and there's a washer and dryer in each unit, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub. The ranch is great for animal lovers, as it is replete with sheep, friendly goats, and chickens throughout.

Both rustic and Zen, this magical cottage in the rain forest features cathedral ceilings, spruce walls, cork flooring, and amenities not usually found at Volcano vacation rentals, like bathrobes, a Bose home theater system, and Trek mountain bikes. The outdoor patio feels like a contemporary lodge, with an enormous stone fireplace to warm those cool Volcano nights.

A near-perfect spot for couples seeking a romantic getaway in Volcano Village, this historical 1912 two-bedroom cottage evokes a vintage country feeling in keeping with the summer homes of the era. The claw-foot bathtub, hot tub, and fireplace add to the general coziness. Continental breakfast is included, and the restaurants of Volcano Village are nearby.

A stately and comfortable Queen Anne–style mansion, the Dillingham House is the centerpiece of the property and was built in the 1930s as a summer home for a wealthy Scotsman (the property is listed on the State Historic Register). There are three suites in the residence, two of which can be combined to create larger accommodations for families. The Grand Suite includes a fireplace, dining area, and two sitting areas. Also on the property tucked in near the rain forest, the Volcano Village Cottages offers six stand-alone cottages, some with full kitchens. Separate from the stand-alone cottages, there are five modern bungalows offering various luxury amenities including heated floors and towel racks. Continental breakfast is placed in your refrigerator while you're away in the afternoon so that you can enjoy it at your leisure in the morning.

Encompassing 15 acres replete with ancient fishponds, historic trails, and petroglyph fields, the Marriott offers rooms with sleek modern beds, bright white linens, Hawaiian art, and private lanai. The hotel has three pools: a heated infinity pool, a pool with a sandy entrance for kids, and one with a waterslide for the young and young at heart. The resort's two restaurants, Hawaii Calls Restaurant and Lounge (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and Akaula Lanai (a "coffee and cocktail" restaurant) showcase beautiful views of Waikoloa Beach. Experience a renowned luau and show Wednesday or Saturday. There are also many great eateries within walking distance at the Kings' Shops and Queens' MarketPlace. The hotel's Mandara Spa pampers with a full range of treatments in a spacious wellness center. Bordering the white-sand beach of Anaehoomalu Bay, the hotel offers ocean activities through Ocean Sports Hawaii, including stand-up paddleboards, hydro-bikes, kayaks, and wedding-vow renewals on a catamaran. The resort recently received honors for its efforts to enhance the local community. 

In the heart of cowboy country, this quaint ranch house–style lodge offers views of the green, rolling slopes of Waimea and a distant view of Maunakea. It's so quiet you forget you're close to busy Waimea. The rooms are large and clean, with Hawaiian quilts lending an authentic touch. A handful of studios with kitchenettes are also available, and the Paniolo Country Inn Restaurant is mere steps away if you'd prefer to eat out. Nearby shopping centers, farmers' markets, and cafés are just a short stroll down the road.

Surprisingly luxe yet cozy and quaint, the three charming country cottages and one suite at this historical Hawaiian homestead are surrounded by flowering private gardens and a backyard stream. One cottage (Kohala) and the Ohana Suite include a full kitchen, and the others (Waimea and the Garden Studio) a kitchenette. Each is stocked with provisions, including fresh farm eggs from the property, for a generous and hearty self-serve breakfast. All have beautiful hardwood floors. The Kohala Cottage features a luxury bath with whirlpool soaking tub, and the Garden Studio is equipped with a rain showerhead. The grounds are teeming with birds and plant life that will make you want to move in for good. Inquire for seasonal specials. The physical address is given out only after a confirmed reservation.

Nestled amid the avocado, mango, coffee, and kukui trees of a historical plantation estate (circa 1932), this serene home provides a retreat close to the Waipio Valley. Each room has its own character with touches like warm woods, Chinese antiques, or patchwork quilts. A sprawling garden has an orchid-covered deck, and a little gazebo has hammocks for indulging your lazy side. Many of the rooms have ocean views. A full organic breakfast is served in the dining room.

Known for its direct access to the Big Island's largest white-sand beach, this massive hotel has enormous columns and a terraced, open-air lobby with a rotunda ceiling, curved staircases, and skylights. All rooms face the ocean, creating an expansive property with long walking distances. At night, understated lighting transforms the hotel into an architectural showplace. Rooms are large, with marble bathrooms and plenty of in-room amenities like coffeemakers and robes, and the staff is exceedingly helpful. The spa offers both Balinese and Hawaiian therapies. The resort offers excellent cuisine—the Naupaka Beach Grill serves casual lunch and dinner daily, while Meridia features gourmet dining from its ocean-view perch. There's also a breakfast buffet each morning at Ikena Landing. An on-site deli-café provides affordable options for light meals on the go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The 18-hole golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, has topped many a "best courses" list.