Royal Kona Resort

Big Island, Hawaii

Star rating

The hotel

An established resort hotel, the Royal Kona is surrounding by 12 acres of tropical landscape, just steps from the sea. Its laid-back ambience ensures a relaxing stay with amenities such as an oceanfront swimming pool and a private swimming lagoon to tempt you. There are also tennis courts for those who’ve remembered to pack their whites and a fitness centre for keeping trim. A hot favourite we think will be the Mai Tai Bar, not only serving 10 types of Mai Tai’s but set in a spectacular location, against the backdrop of Kailua Bay. The Breezaway Lounge is also idyllic, with sofas and armchairs strategically placed to offer full ocean views. Grab yourself a seat, a Mai Tai (of course!) and admire dazzling sunsets night after night. At Don the Beachcomber, the dining is as sumptuous as the view, fusing Asian inspiration and European technique to create the most delightful of dishes. Not to be missed is the Lu’au — a feast of tropical delicacies, song and dance celebrating the legends and lore of Polynesia, the dramatic Fire Dance finale is breathtaking!

Amenities

  • Tennis
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • No Smoking
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

On the Island of Hawaii, beside the sea in Kailua-Kona, in the historical district and close to Hulihee Palace.

Hotel information

436 rooms and suites in 3 ocean front towers. All with air-conditioning, balcony, satellite TV with pay-per-view films, telephone, WiFi*, mini-fridge, coffee maker, safe, hairdryer, iron and board. Standard Room with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Partial Ocean View Room with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Ocean View Room with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Ocean Front Corner King offer full panoramic ocean views with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Don the Beachcomber Restaurant, Don’s Mai Tai Bar, Don’s Breezaway Lounge. Ocean front swimming pool, private swimming lagoon. Fitness centre. 4 floodlit tennis courts. Ocean front Voyagers of the Pacific Lu’au* (select evenings). Weekly Hawaiian Music Legends Concert Series. Regular live music. Activities desk. Hair salon*. Spa and Massage Centre*. Laundry self-service*. Shops. Self-parking $12 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

This hotel has a resort fee of $25 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1830)
  • Very good (2092)
  • Average (946)
  • Poor (417)
  • Terrible (296)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great stay at the Royal Kona Resort

Jun 2, 2025 Dari N

Room was clean. Stayed just 1 night. Pool attendant very friendly. Check in and out very friendly . Had a great time- Clean atmosphere. Would book another vacation here. I would definitely try the restaurant next time. Didn’t have time to go there. Stayed on a Saturday night but wasn’t at the hotel long enough to see if there was anything going… Read more
Room was clean. Stayed just 1 night. Pool attendant very friendly. Check in and out very friendly . Had a great time- Clean atmosphere. Would book another vacation here. I would definitely try the restaurant next time. Didn’t have time to go there. Stayed on a Saturday night but wasn’t at the hotel long enough to see if there was anything going on at the hotel. Had other plans somewhere else. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Was once my favorite hotel in all of Hawaii

Jun 2, 2025 gafiltafish Los Angeles, California

Most of the time when I stay in Kona I've stayed at the Royal Kona but now I'm going to look into what offers the most bang for my buck. They have a $25 fee each day if you need to use their parking lot as well as a mandatory $25 a day resort fee. I don't need drinks, their sunscreen, coupons, a yoga class, etc... On top of it, THEY DO NOT INCLUDE… Read more
Most of the time when I stay in Kona I've stayed at the Royal Kona but now I'm going to look into what offers the most bang for my buck. They have a $25 fee each day if you need to use their parking lot as well as a mandatory $25 a day resort fee. I don't need drinks, their sunscreen, coupons, a yoga class, etc... On top of it, THEY DO NOT INCLUDE BEACH TOWEL RENTAL WITH THE FEES!!! WTF? I'm not making this up! I get that there are places that get angry due to people not returning towels which is why you take peoples' room numbers and name or even take a deposit but the nerve to charge a resort fee and to not even include a basic beach towel? There was nothing I needed of the $25 a day resort fee yet you get charged for it. If you are a solo traveler like me, the $50 each day is a huge extra fee when Hawaii is already expensive especially with the additional lodging taxes. I don't even mind so much paying the $25 a day parking since you pretty much need to pay for parking everywhere in Kona Town today thanks to the state selling land to property developers who now made the parking fees excessive. I also thought it was weird that they include 2 bottles of water the first day and then none the rest of the days. Yes they have water refilling stations, but why even give water bottles the first day in your room if you won't do it the other days?IMO if you are going to include 1 day of bottle water, keep it downstairs at check in not in your room. As beautiful as the view was from my room (that I paid extra for), next time I'm in Kona, I'm going to find a place that offers more than what the Royal Kona offers. Unrelated, I was talking to an employee and apparently he operators of the Royal Kona charges employees to use their own parking lot when they go to work. Messed up!!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The two Mai Tai's included tasted great and are worth it!

Jun 1, 2025 Mitchell S Seattle, Washington

Overall, this was a lovely resort with a fun local Island feel. The staff was super friendly. The resort restaurant and bar on site has an excellent beachfront view, making for a pleasant and relaxing drink or casual dining experience while listening to the waves on the rocks on the ocean shore below the resort. They also offered two Mai Tais… Read more
Overall, this was a lovely resort with a fun local Island feel. The staff was super friendly. The resort restaurant and bar on site has an excellent beachfront view, making for a pleasant and relaxing drink or casual dining experience while listening to the waves on the rocks on the ocean shore below the resort. They also offered two Mai Tais included in the stay (as part of a resort fee perks). The Mai Tai drinks were nice, strong, and super tasty. Also, the place is close and great for walking from the resort, around Kona, and nearby restaurants and bars. Additionally, the Luau was worth it; my wife and I had a great time. We paid for the VIP seating at the Luau, and it was worth it (to us at least). The open bar drinks were strong and tasty, and the view of the show was fantastic. The tiki cups included in the price are lovely, making for a great souvenir. Lastly, the room was cozy but outdated, and another problem I noticed, but not until later, was some spiders in the corners near the sliding door to the balcony inside our room. I would recommend staying here, as it is mostly budget-friendly. It was a very relaxing experience for me and my wife, and we will likely stay here again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great every time!

Jun 1, 2025 Chris S

We always stay at Royal Kona when traveling to Kona. They have the friendliest, most helpful staff. The rooms are clean and comfortable. And we always enjoy the beautiful grounds and pool overlooking the ocean. We also like the fact that there are so many places to walk to for coffee, drinks, and all types of food.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating My son noticed what I missed

مايو 31, 2025 Curtis A

Got a email a month ago about 15% off and when I found out last Thursday I was off on Memorial Day I jumped at the chance to relax even for a day at your hotel. My son and I started staying at your lagoon tower because it is what I can afford, but we feel good about that place. This was our third stay in less than a year. The front desk was not… Read more
Got a email a month ago about 15% off and when I found out last Thursday I was off on Memorial Day I jumped at the chance to relax even for a day at your hotel. My son and I started staying at your lagoon tower because it is what I can afford, but we feel good about that place. This was our third stay in less than a year. The front desk was not too busy but I noticed the front desk associates were very friendly helpful and answered questions to the people in front of me. When it was my turn everything was smooth and quick. This time around we didn’t get the lagoon but the Ali’i tower was fine. I think lagoon may have been booked and my reservation was made the Friday prior. Having a room was good enough for us. Staff walking and working the area always friendly and helpful. The grounds and landscaping always enjoyable. My son finally noticed the plumeria growing and ask about it I told him they were little when I saw them last. I stayed at your hotel 38 years ago when it was the Kona Surf if my memory recalls and I never returned til last July. Will try to make it back again by the end of the year. We’re right across the other side of the island. Mahalo for your dedication in taking care of the Kama’aina, and showing the Aloha spirit to the visitors to our island. Read less