15 Best Hotels in Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaii's oldest hotel—and the only one in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—is committed to sustainable practices and promoting Hawaiian culture and history through its locally sourced restaurants, artisan-crafted decor, and eco-focused guest programs. Established in 1846 (the current hotel was built in 1940), Volcano House overlooks the Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea, boasting what's considered Hawaii's most unique hotel location. Guest rooms have simple, rustic-chic decor, rain forest or volcano views, and free Wi-Fi. The main lodge also houses The Rim restaurant, with panoramic crater views, and the adjacent Uncle George's Lounge. The hotel's main attraction, though, is its proximity to the park's rain forests, lavascapes, and diverse ecosystems. Volcano House offers bike rentals for guests, as well as guided walking tours.

This small, oceanfront, walk-up hotel about a mile south of downtown Kailua Village, with modest, pleasantly decorated rooms on the ocean, is probably the best deal in town. Some might call it dated or old-fashioned, while others would say it imbues a cool vintage Hawaiiana charm. All rooms have fridges, but the lack of TVs is a proud tradition the hotel has maintained since the 1950s. Who needs TV when you have the ocean this close? A deposit is required, and you will need to book well in advance to secure a room.

Years after being destroyed by a tsunami, one of Kona's most beloved resorts has reopened, completely remodeled, yet retaining much of what made the original so special. The Standard 600-square-foot rooms (called hales, or homes) are all freestanding and feature thatched roofs and luxurious interiors. Suites and oceanfront bungalows (which come with a butler) offer the ultimate private getaway. Serenity abounds here with gardens, pools, and the ever-present sounds of the surf. Sustainability is a mission of the new resort: they have a solar panel field and an on-site farm where they source their own ingredients for their restaurants. The classic Shipwreck Bar is also back in business. There's a spa, yoga, a gym, complimentary bikes, and four pools available on-site.

If you are on a budget but still want to be near attractions such as Kealakekua Bay and Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, this 42-room historical hotel is a good option. Don't let the dated front TV room concern you: it's by design and part of the authentic old Hawaii vibe. The restaurant serves great pork chops and other island favorites. Dwight Manago—whose grandparents, Kinzo and Osame Manago, built the main building in 1917—has maintained one Japanese-style room with tatami mats and a furo, a traditional Japanese bath, and this is the room to book. The other rooms are basic and clean, and those in the newer wing have great views high above the Kona Coast. They do not take same-day reservations. 

This landmark hotel has large bayfront rooms offering spectacular views of Maunakea and Coconut Island on Hilo Bay; street-side rooms overlook the golf course, and the hotel is within walking distance of Liliuokalani Gardens. Most accommodations have private lanai; kitchenettes are available in the Banyan and Ocean suites, and the custom-made furniture in every room evokes a feeling of Hawaiiana. More bay views are on tap from first-class WSW The Steakhouse, billed as Hilo's only authentic steak house. At the hotel's bar and lounge, you can get a grab-and-go lunch or enjoy cocktails and appetizers. Nearby parks, shops, and restaurants are easy walks.

Right on the beach in the heart of Historic Kailua Village, this landmark hotel built in 1975 offers good vibrations and authentic local hospitality—all for less than the price of a Kohala Coast resort. The entire property highlights Kona's rich history, whether on the grounds where King Kamehameha I spent his final years or in the jazzed-up lobby, which displays an impressive array of historical Hawaiian artifacts. The hotel has the state's largest collection of Herb Kane artwork, a cache of billfish trophies, and an authentic koa canoe. Rooms include sliding plantation-shutter screens and carved wood furnishings in Polynesian motifs. The open-air Honu's on the Beach and the Billfish Poolside Bar and Grille are adjacent to Kamakahonu Bay and Ahuena Heiau, site of the first capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Amenities abound, from water sports to a fitness center to a spa. The lobby's plush business library provides complimentary computer use and private seating enclaves with flat-screen TVs. Many of the rooms offer only partial ocean views.

Units in this circa-1950s motor lodge are modest but charming, as well as clean and inexpensive; a glowing lava-flow sign marks the office and testifies to owner John Alexander's passion for the volcano. Stunning lava pictures adorn the common area, and Alexander is a great source of information for visiting the national park and for exploring the back roads of Hilo. Coffee and fresh fruit are offered daily with banana bread. Four blocks from downtown Hilo, in a historic residential area called Puueo, the hotel borders a verdant two-acre Hawaiian garden with jungle trails and shady places to rest. Guests of the hotel return repeatedly, and it's ideal for families who seek a home base. Six additional units across the street are for long-term stays.

Hilo isn't known for its fancy resort hotels, but the Grand Naniloa, built in 1939, attempts to remedy that situation in grand fashion, paying homage to hula, Hawaiian culture, and Big Island adventures. Art photography of the ancient style of hula graces the walls, halls, lobby, and guest rooms, and the open-air lobby unveils stunning bayfront panoramas from its vantage on the peninsula. Rooms are contemporary in style, nicely appointed, and outfitted with standard amenities. The corner oceanfront rooms offer prime views, while harbor views prevail from other rooms. Just off the lobby, KapohoKine Adventures operates an on-site store and activities desk where guests can easily book zip-lining adventures, volcano tours, and other treks. At the hotel's main entrance, the Willie K. Crown Room is a concert hall and theater. Located poolside, Hula Hulas restaurant has open-air dining overlooking Hilo Bay. The Hula Lounge lobby bar presents live Hawaiian music nightly.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.