Are you planning a trip to Hawaii’s Big Island and are confused which side of the island you should find a hotel? Let me break down whether you should stay in Kona or Hilo when traveling to the Big Island. Scroll for all the info!
This post about where to stay on the Big Island: Kona or Hilo 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.
Here’s the thing about the Big Island that nobody tells you upfront: choosing between Kona and Hilo isn’t really about picking the “better” side.
It’s about figuring out which vibe matches your vacation style.
I’ve stayed on both sides with my kids, and they couldn’t be more different.
When my youngest and I went to Kona for his first Big Island trip, we stayed at the Royal Kona Resort. It was quiet, low-key, perfect for us.
Then my oldest and I did Hilo for his first time, and we loved how chill it felt with all the local food spots.
So let me break this down for you as a Hawaii travel expert who’s been to the islands 40+ times.
Think of Kona as your sunny resort town with white sand beaches and tons of tourist activities. Hilo is your green, rainy, authentic local town with waterfalls everywhere and way fewer crowds.
Want to know which one’s right for you? Let’s get into it.
When to Choose Kona (The West Side)
Pick Kona if you want sunshine, beaches, and easy access to typical Hawaii vacation stuff.
The Kona Coast gets sun almost every single day. While Hilo is lush and green from all that rain, Kona is dry, rocky, and perfect for beach days.
This is where most tourists go because the weather is predictable and the infrastructure is set up for visitors.
What You Can Actually Do in Kona
The west side has all the classic Hawaii activities. You can book a submarine tour to see fish without getting wet, swim with dolphins at Dolphin Quest, or go snorkeling in crystal clear water.
The manta ray night snorkel is hands-down one of the coolest things you can do in Hawaii. Book it through Viator and thank me later.
If you’re into coffee, you need to visit at least one Kona coffee farm. The Kona Coffee Festival happens every fall if you’re timing your trip.
The beaches on the Kohala Coast are gorgeous. Swimming, snorkeling, just hanging out. In winter, you can spot humpback whales from shore.
Want to zipline? This volcano zipline tour gets great reviews.
And if you’re planning to do a luau, Kona has several good ones. This Voyagers of the Pacific luau at the Royal Kona Resort is really well done.
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Best Places to Stay in Kona
Let me give you my actual top picks for where to book.
If Money’s No Object: Four Seasons Hualalai
The Four Seasons Hualalai is as good as it gets. They just renovated everything and opened two new restaurants in 2025.
King’s Pond (their 1.8 million gallon aquarium pool) is insane. Kids love it, adults love it. The spa, the golf course, the food. It’s expensive but if you can swing it, book it.
For Families Who Want It All: Mauna Lani
Mauna Lani is part of the Auberge Collection now and they’ve kept it stunning.
The beach is great for kids, they have cultural activities, and you’re close to everything on the Kohala Coast.
Fun fact: it’s also one of the best hotels in Hawaii with Peloton bikes if that’s your thing.
My Personal Budget Pick: Royal Kona Resort
Okay, I mentioned this earlier but Royal Kona Resort is where I stayed with my youngest.
It’s right in the heart of Kona town so you can walk to restaurants and shops. The price is so much more reasonable than the luxury resorts.
They’re doing renovations through the end of 2025, but honestly, I loved how relaxed it felt there.
My son and I just hung out, swam in the saltwater lagoon, enjoyed the view. No stress. That’s the vibe.
They also host the Voyagers of the Pacific luau which I already mentioned. Good food, good show, and you don’t have to go anywhere because you’re staying there.
Good Mid-Range Option: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa
The OUTRIGGER just finished major renovations. It’s in Keauhou Bay (about 10 minutes south of Kona town), and they have a killer pool with a water slide that my kids would live in if I let them.
The spa is temporarily closed as of 2025, but the rest of the property is great. You can see manta rays from certain rooms at night, which is pretty cool.
If You Want Downtown Access: Courtyard King Kamehameha
The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is smack in the middle of downtown Kona. You can walk to everything.
It’s a Marriott so you know what you’re getting. I stayed here recently and wrote a full review.
Just know that in 2025, some guests have reported inconsistent housekeeping service (they only clean every other day now) so set your expectations accordingly.
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When to Choose Hilo (The East Side)
Choose Hilo if you want waterfalls, rainforests, local vibes, and don’t mind some rain.
Hilo gets about 132 inches of rain a year. That’s a lot. But here’s the thing: that’s why everything is so GREEN and gorgeous.
The waterfalls are incredible, the hiking is better, and it feels way more authentic than Kona.
When my oldest son and I stayed in Hilo for his first Big Island trip, we loved how chill it was. Way fewer tourists. Tons of amazing local food that didn’t cost a fortune.
It felt more like real Hawaii, not resort Hawaii.
What You Can Actually Do in Hilo
Hilo is all about natural beauty. Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls are must-sees. The drives along the Hamakua Coast are stunning. Black sand beaches, green sand beaches, sea turtles.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is only about 45 minutes from Hilo. This is huge. If you’re planning to spend serious time at the park, stay in Hilo instead of driving all the way from Kona.
Helicopter tours over the volcanoes are incredible, though pricey. Book through Viator if you want to do one.
Mauna Kea is accessible from Hilo if you want to do stargazing. The planetarium in town is also cool for kids.
Downtown Hilo has that old Hawaii town feel. The farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays is worth going to.
Best Places to Stay in Hilo
Hilo has fewer hotel options than Kona, but here are the best ones.
Best Full-Service Hotel: Grand Naniloa
The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is a DoubleTree property right on Hilo Bay. It has a golf course, a pool, restaurants, and the views of Mauna Kea are killer.
It’s close to the airport (like 10 minutes), which is handy. The resort fee includes drink coupons, golf, and snorkel gear. Not a bad deal.
The Classic Choice: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (it’s now a Trademark Collection by Wyndham, but most people still call it Castle Hilo) has been around forever.
It’s on Banyan Drive overlooking the bay. The location is great, rooms are clean, and WSW Steakhouse (their restaurant) is actually really good. It’s not fancy, but it’s solid.
Budget Pick: SCP Hilo Hotel
If you’re watching your budget, SCP Hilo Hotel is basic but clean and cheap. It’s away from the main hotel area so it’s quieter. Don’t expect luxury, but for a place to sleep while you’re out exploring all day, it works.
For Something Different: Inn at Kulaniapia Falls
The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is about 15 minutes from Hilo town and it’s SO cool.
You’re literally staying next to a 120-foot waterfall. They have waterfall rappelling if you’re adventurous. Great for families who want something unique.
I stayed here with my oldest a couple of years ago and he had the best time hanging with the local cats.
How to Get From Kona to Hilo (And Should You Do a Split Stay?)
The drive from Kona to Hilo takes about 3 hours along the coast. It’s not terrible. You pass through Waimea, you can stop at beaches along the way, it’s actually a nice drive.
Should you do a split stay? Honestly, if you have a week or more, yes. The two sides are different enough that you’d be missing out if you only pick one.
Stay in Kona for the first half of your trip, then move to Hilo for the second half.
If you’re doing a split stay, you’ll want to rent a car. Public transit exists but it’s not convenient for tourists.
There’s also a Hele-On Bus that runs between Kona and Hilo for just a few dollars. It takes 3 hours but if you’re on a serious budget, it’s an option. Check heleonbus.org for the schedule.
Both airports (Kona and Hilo) have commercial flights, so you could also fly into one and out of the other if that works better for your itinerary.
So Which One Should You Pick?
Pick Kona if:
- You want guaranteed sunshine
- You’re into water activities (snorkeling, swimming, diving)
- You want nice beaches with soft sand
- You prefer having tons of restaurant and shopping options
- You want luxury resort amenities
- You’re planning to spend most of your time on the west side of the island
Pick Hilo if:
- You want to spend a lot of time at Volcanoes National Park
- You love waterfalls and rainforests
- You’re okay with rain (it usually comes in short bursts, not all day)
- You want a more authentic, local experience
- You’re on a tighter budget
- You prefer nature over beaches
Do a split stay if:
- You’re staying 7+ days
- You want to see the whole island
- You have the energy to pack up and move hotels mid-trip
- You want both the beach vacation AND the nature vacation
Look, I’m a professional tourist who’s been going to Hawaii since I was 10 years old.
As a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist, my honest take is this: most first-timers should start in Kona because it’s easier.
The weather is reliable, activities are set up for tourists, and you get that classic Hawaii beach vacation vibe.
But Hilo has my heart for repeat visits. It’s where you go when you want to dig deeper into Hawaii beyond the resorts.
Can’t decide? I talk about this exact topic in episode 69 of my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy. Listen here.
Planning Your Big Island Trip
Still feeling overwhelmed? I get it. Planning a Big Island trip is a lot.
If you want someone to just tell you exactly what to do day by day, grab my Big Island Travel Guide for Families. It has daily itineraries, where to eat, what to skip, everything.
Or check out my free email courses:
- 5-Day Course: How to Travel to Hawaii Like a Pro
- 5-Day Course: How to Save Money in Hawaii
- 7-Day Course: How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island
If you’re really stuck and want personalized help, I do one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where I’ll build you a custom itinerary based on your family’s specific needs.
Keep Reading
Want more Big Island info? Check out:
- Where to Eat on the Big Island with Kids
- Best Kid-Friendly Beaches on the Big Island
- Big Island Waterfall Hikes
- Free Things to Do on the Big Island
- Planning a Big Island Vacation (First Timer’s Guide)
Kona or Hilo? Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one. Both sides of the Big Island have something special.
Pick the one that matches your vacation style and you’ll have an incredible trip.
