Are you looking for where to stay in Kona with kids? Keep scrolling for my honest Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel review so you can decide if it’s one of the best hotels on the Big Island for families.
This Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Looking for an honest King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel review? I’ve got you covered.
After visiting over 40 times since I was 10, I’ve learned what makes a Big Island hotel work for families.
The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel kept popping up on my radar, so I finally booked a few nights to see if it lives up to the hype.
Spoiler: The location is AMAZING. The food? Not so much.
Keep reading for the full scoop on whether this Kona hotel is right for your family.
Want my complete Big Island planning guide? Grab my Big Island Travel Guide for Families with daily itineraries, kid-friendly activities, and money-saving tips.
Where Is the King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona?
The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel sits right on Ali’i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona, about 20 minutes from Kona Airport (without traffic).
The address is 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
You’ll need to either grab a taxi or rent a car. I always book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they compare all the rental companies and I always get the best rate.
No airport shuttle is available, so plan your transportation ahead.
Why I Finally Booked This Hotel
I’d been eyeing this place for years. On our last Kona trip, we stayed nearby and I walked through the property. That’s when I realized how insanely convenient the location was.
You can walk to EVERYTHING. Restaurants, shops, the pier, historic sites. Plus, the Atlantis Submarine and glass bottom boat tours leave right from the property.
For families who hate driving around constantly, this location can’t be beat.
When it was time to book our next Big Island trip, I added a few nights here specifically to give it a proper test run.
Check rates and availability on Expedia.
Our Room at King Kamehameha Hotel
We stayed in a standard double queen room. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable.
The bathroom had an interesting setup with two sliding doors instead of one. My son thought that was pretty cool.
One feature I LOVED: dimmer switches on the bedside lamps. When you’re waking up at 5am for a sunrise tour, you don’t want to blast everyone with bright lights while you’re fumbling around for your clothes.
The small desk area got taken over by shopping bags and snacks pretty quickly. My son ate a few meals there, but mostly it became our dumping ground.
We had a partial ocean view that overlooked both the pool area and the lagoon. Even though there was live music at the poolside bar, we barely heard it in our room. My son actually loved sitting on the lanai at night listening to the waves.
The hotel has different room types and views. If you want guaranteed peace and quiet, skip the pool-facing rooms and go for ocean or mountain views.
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Food Options at the Hotel
This is where things get tricky. The hotel has several dining options, but the quality was hit or miss.
Kings Coffee Company
This replaced the old Menehune Coffee spot in the lobby. They open early (6am) which is perfect when you have morning tours booked.
Good coffee, decent breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Nothing groundbreaking, but convenient when you need to grab something quick.
They validate parking for 3 hours with a $10+ purchase, which is a nice bonus.
Ululani Shave Ice
Okay, this is legitimately why we booked this hotel.
Ululani’s is our FAVORITE shave ice in Hawaii (yes, even better than most Maui spots). We discovered it on Maui years ago, and when I found out they had a location right by the pool at this hotel? Sold.
We got shave ice on our first full day as soon as they opened. Then we got it every single day of our stay. Sometimes twice a day. No shame.
If you’ve never had Ululani’s, their ice is super fine and fluffy, and the syrups taste like actual fruit instead of fake sugar syrup. Get the liliko’i (passion fruit), trust me.
Billfish Poolside Bar & Grille
This is the casual restaurant right by the pool. When we visited in February 2023, they were doing kitchen renovations and it was closed most of our stay.
We finally ate there on our last day. The food was… fine. Very standard hotel food that you could get anywhere.
I ordered the huli huli chicken and it was pretty bland. My son loved his plain hamburger with ketchup, but that’s not exactly a high bar.
Service was slow, but the bartenders were friendly and the poolside location is nice if you just want to grab a drink while the kids play.
Honu’s on the Beach
This is the main sit-down restaurant with breakfast buffets and dinner service.
We ate here our first night. They had to close their grab-and-go option because of weather, but they let us do the buffet and take food back to our room, which was nice.
The breakfast buffet is available if you want it. We chose to eat elsewhere most mornings, but I appreciated having the option.
Saturday nights they do a Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet, and Sundays feature a brunch buffet with crab legs and omelets. We didn’t try these, but they sound solid.
Bottom line: The food at this hotel won’t blow your mind. The good news? You can walk to dozens of amazing restaurants within 5-10 minutes. So don’t stress about the hotel dining.
The Pool and Lagoon
The pool is pretty basic with a small hot tub. Nothing elaborate like you’d find at a big resort.
At check-in, you’ll get a wristband that lets you use the pool. They also have lounge chairs and cabanas available.
Cabanas run $125 for a half day or $200 for a full day if you want some shade and privacy.
But here’s the real gem: The lagoon is steps from the hotel.
Kamakahonu Beach (also called King Kam Beach) is a calm, protected lagoon that’s PERFECT for little kids.
The water is super calm, great for beginning swimmers, and you can snorkel right there without dealing with big waves.
This isn’t a private beach, but it’s incredibly convenient for hotel guests. If you’re traveling with babies, toddlers, or preschoolers who get nervous about big ocean waves, this lagoon is a huge selling point.
Beach chairs and umbrella rentals cost about $50 per day if you want them.
Activities Right on the Property
Atlantis Submarine
We did the Kona Atlantis Submarine tour on a previous trip and it’s still our favorite submarine tour in Hawaii. Way more interesting than the Oahu or Maui versions.
If you’ve never done a submarine tour, this is a fun activity for kids who like sea life but don’t want to snorkel. You go 100+ feet underwater in an actual submarine.
Book your Atlantis Submarine tour on Viator or Get Your Guide for the best rates.
Kona Glass Bottom Boat
On this trip, we tried the Kona glass bottom boat tour instead. We went during a light storm and the water was choppy, but we still saw tropical fish and learned about the area’s history.
It’s a shorter, less expensive alternative to the submarine if you want to see underwater life without getting wet.
Island Breeze Luau
This was another reason we booked this hotel. We wanted to check out their luau.
Unfortunately, our experience was NOT great. The luau was scheduled for 6pm but started an hour late. Then they moved it inside the ballroom instead of on the beach because of weather.
The performers were good, but there were a lot of communication issues between the luau company and hotel staff. We heard from friends who attended when it was held outside that they had a much better time.
Honestly? Skip this luau and do the Royal Kona Luau instead. It’s just down the road and way more reliable.
The Island Breeze Luau runs Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings if you still want to try it, but manage your expectations.
ABC Store
There’s an ABC Store right on the property, which is clutch for grabbing drinks, snacks, sunscreen, beach toys, charging cables, and other stuff you forgot to pack.
They also have grab-and-go musubi and other quick breakfast options.
Ahuena Heiau (Hawaiian Historical Site)
This is actually really cool. The hotel sits on the site where King Kamehameha the Great spent his final years and eventually died.
You can see a replica of his home and some impressive tiki statues. The hotel offers historical tours that sound fascinating if you’re into Hawaiian history and culture.
The Island Breeze Luau is usually held right next to the heiau when weather permits, which adds to the cultural significance.
Cultural Activities
The hotel offers free cultural activities like lei making, hula lessons, and makahiki games (traditional Hawaiian games).
We couldn’t fit them into our schedule, but I love that these options exist. Check the schedule in the lobby when you arrive.
Herb Kane Art Collection
This deserves a special mention. The hotel showcases an incredible collection of artwork by Herb Kane, one of Hawaii’s most famous artists.
Take 10 minutes to walk through the hallway near the pool area and check out his paintings. There’s also a massive canoe display in the lobby that’s worth seeing.
I don’t usually mention hotel artwork in reviews, but this collection is genuinely impressive.
The Spa
We didn’t use the spa, but it’s conveniently located near the pool if you want to book a massage or facial. They offer all the standard spa services plus a daily yoga class.
Other On-Site Businesses
There are several shops in the lobby area where you can find souvenirs, swimsuits, and kids’ items.
Plus tour companies like Kona Style (manta ray snorkeling) have offices right there, which makes booking activities super easy.
Parking at King Kamehameha Hotel
There’s a big parking lot behind the hotel. Parking currently costs around $35-40 per day, though rates can vary.
They’ll give you a key card to swipe when you enter and exit the lot.
Some booking packages include discounted parking, so check when you reserve. There’s also a $22 per night destination fee.
Money-saving tip: If you don’t plan to drive much, consider renting a car just for the days you need it instead of your whole stay. Target and Walmart are only 5 minutes away if you need to make a supply run.
Things We Didn’t Love
Let me be real about the downsides.
When we visited in February 2023, housekeeping only came once a week. They did come daily to take trash, give us bottled water, and tidy the beds, but full room cleaning was limited.
Based on recent 2025 reviews, this policy seems inconsistent. Some guests report getting housekeeping every other day, while others say it’s still limited. Ask at check-in what to expect.
The food quality was the biggest disappointment. Nothing was terrible, but nothing was memorable either. Bland, overcooked, standard hotel fare.
Again, this doesn’t matter much because you can walk to SO many good restaurants. But if you were hoping to eat most meals at the hotel, adjust your expectations.
And like I said, our luau experience was frustrating. Lots of miscommunication and delays.
Things Families Should Know
This hotel is PERFECT for families who care more about beach time than pool time. The pool is basic, but the lagoon is fantastic for kids.
The location at the end of Ali’i Drive means you can walk everywhere with a stroller. There are paved sidewalks the whole way.
Target and Walmart are 5 minutes away by car if you need to stock up on diapers, snacks, or anything you forgot. The Hawaii Keiki Museum (an indoor play area) is right by Target, which is great for rainy days.
The hotel is also the headquarters for the IRONMAN World Championship Triathlon, so if you’re visiting in October, expect it to be busy with athletes.
Need help planning your Big Island trip? I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where I’ll create a custom itinerary based on your family’s needs and interests.
As a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii 40+ times, I’ll help you avoid the tourist traps and find the best kid-friendly activities.
FAQ About King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
What amenities does the hotel offer? Outdoor infinity pool, fitness center, spa, two restaurants, poolside bar, Ululani’s Shave Ice, coffee shop, on-site luau (Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday), ABC Store, cultural activities, and direct beach access.
How far is the hotel from Kona Airport? About 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. No shuttle service is available.
Does the hotel have free parking? No. Parking costs around $35-40 per day. There’s also a $22 per night destination fee.
Is there a beach at the hotel? Yes! The hotel sits right on Kamakahonu Beach, a calm lagoon that’s perfect for families with young kids.
What time is check-in and check-out? Check-in is at 3pm, check-out is at 11am.
Are there restaurants at the hotel? Yes. Honu’s on the Beach (breakfast and dinner), Billfish Poolside Bar & Grille (lunch and drinks), Kings Coffee Company (coffee and quick bites), and Ululani’s Shave Ice.
Would We Recommend King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel for Families?
YES. The location alone makes this hotel worth considering.
You can walk to restaurants, shops, and historic sites. The Atlantis Submarine and glass bottom boat tours leave right from the pier. And having a calm lagoon steps from your room is perfect if you have little kids.
The food situation isn’t ideal, but honestly? With so many great restaurants within walking distance, it doesn’t matter.
As a Hawaii travel expert and professional tourist, I think the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Kona for families who want walkability and beach access.
Check current rates and availability on Expedia.
Looking for more Big Island hotel options? Check out my Hilton Waikoloa Village review, Royal Kona Resort review, and guide to where to stay on the Big Island with kids.
Want professional help planning your Big Island vacation? Book a consultation with me and I’ll create a custom itinerary that takes the stress out of planning.
I’ll help you choose the best hotels, activities, and restaurants based on your kids’ ages and your family’s interests.
I also host the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast where I share insider tips and answer common Hawaii travel questions. Perfect for listening to while you’re planning your trip!
Looking for more places to stay in Kona? Check out our Hilton Waikoloa Village review, Royal Kona Resort review, and where to stay on the Big Island with kids!
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
