Royal Kona Resort

Big Island, Hawaii

Star rating

Don's Mai Tai Bar
Ocean View
Standard Room
Ocean Front Room
Corner King Room
Don The Beachcomber
Don's Mai Tai Bar
Ocean View
Standard Room
Ocean Front Room
Corner King Room
Don The Beachcomber

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 (1845)
  • Very good (2096)
  • Average (946)
  • Poor (420)
  • Terrible (297)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Good value and location in Kona

Aug 3, 2025 richvinrootjr Phoenix, Arizona

Very well located. Excellent view. Good value. But very shabby and has feel of a hotel that caters to package travelers. Also was placed in a tower undergoing construction, without notice and it definitely made the stay feel not as enjoyable. Hopefully they will complete and it will be a better place going forward
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful Resort in Every Way!

Jul 30, 2025 katiesH5620QP

My husband and I recently stayed at the Royal Kona Resort for 6 wonderful days and would highly recommend the Resort! The Resort is gorgeous and definitely gives a Hawaiian vibe that we greatly enjoyed. The location in Kona cannot be beat. All staff we encountered, from front desk personnel, pool attendants, restaurant bartenders, waitresses and… Read more
My husband and I recently stayed at the Royal Kona Resort for 6 wonderful days and would highly recommend the Resort! The Resort is gorgeous and definitely gives a Hawaiian vibe that we greatly enjoyed. The location in Kona cannot be beat. All staff we encountered, from front desk personnel, pool attendants, restaurant bartenders, waitresses and hostesses, and housekeeping and maintenance staff were exceptional. We had a corner ocean view room with a huge balcony that had fabulous views of the ocean and the luau. The room was immaculate and we had no issues during our entire stay. The pool was great with plenty of chairs and towels. Don's Mai Tai Restaurant was the best serving excellent cocktails (Mai Tais and Black Rock Sundaes were our favorite), great appetizers (especially the chicken wings), and awesome dinners (highly recommend their prime rib). Wait staff was spot on (kudos to Diane C.). Again, we highly recommend the Royal Kona Resort. Enjoy! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointing, Dirry, Unsafe

Jul 26, 2025 rickr941 Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Undergoing construction with floors throughout the Lagoon Tower covered in cardboard - which was buckled in places creating trip hazards. Even more alarming, the elevator doors opened before the car stopped level with our floor. That’s a serious safety issue. For the most part, the staff was nice except for the pool attendant and two night front… Read more
Undergoing construction with floors throughout the Lagoon Tower covered in cardboard - which was buckled in places creating trip hazards. Even more alarming, the elevator doors opened before the car stopped level with our floor. That’s a serious safety issue. For the most part, the staff was nice except for the pool attendant and two night front desk clerks. The only nice thing I can say about this place was the laundry facility was clean and convenient. Otherwise, they should close until all upgrades, construction and remodeling is complete. It has potential. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Makes me not want to come back to the Big Island

Jul 26, 2025 JulieS5430

I don’t normally write reviews but when you spend this kind of money for a once in a lifetime Honeymoon I feel I need to warn all Mainland visitors. This resort was the worst resort I have ever stayed in. Service was non existent. Staff at the one and only restaurant onsite that was actually open was downright ridiculous. Rude and blatantly… Read more
I don’t normally write reviews but when you spend this kind of money for a once in a lifetime Honeymoon I feel I need to warn all Mainland visitors. This resort was the worst resort I have ever stayed in. Service was non existent. Staff at the one and only restaurant onsite that was actually open was downright ridiculous. Rude and blatantly ignore you at that. Rooms well hmmmm outdated. 2 bath towels for a 4 night stay. The balcony overlooking the ocean oh and your neighbors on either side as there is no privacy and the door can be heard opening from the floors above and below because it takes 2 hands to get them open! The only time I felt special was when I left the resort. We had to eat all meals and do all activities outside of the resort to actually enjoy our stay. Stayed on Kauai first and would go back there in a heartbeat! Real Hawaiian experience on Kauai. Please look elsewhere when looking to stay in Kona or you will just be wasting your money. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating We have a great time!

Jul 21, 2025 Willie L

The room was great! The staff were wonderful! The hotel is upgrading but everything was easy to move around in the building.