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 (1848)
  • Very good (2097)
  • Average (946)
  • Poor (420)
  • Terrible (297)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice Resort

Aug 7, 2025 Dillon B Dillingham, Alaska

Royal Kona staff were helpful and prompt, facilities were clean and nice. I really enjoyed my trip and two complimentary drinks upon check-in. The proximity to the water and crashing waves was wonderful. I would definitely stay again.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Honeymoon in March

Aug 7, 2025 Jack W

My wife and I went. Stayed in the Bay Tower on the ocean front. Only a week but it was awesome! Enjoyed the open dinning. Loved meeting Zoe at the store and bought many things. I love my new shirts. The staff was great. Food was excellent as was the views. Going back in October this year for 11 days. Same tower. My wife and I can't wait. Oh, our… Read more
My wife and I went. Stayed in the Bay Tower on the ocean front. Only a week but it was awesome! Enjoyed the open dinning. Loved meeting Zoe at the store and bought many things. I love my new shirts. The staff was great. Food was excellent as was the views. Going back in October this year for 11 days. Same tower. My wife and I can't wait. Oh, our trip in March was for our honeymoon! Did I mention Zoe was great!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ocean views in Kona

Aug 4, 2025 YVONNE S

Staff are very friendly. Great ocean views. Restaurant food is great with a good variety, prime rib is delicious and great fresh fish options. Jenny and Crystal are stand outs for breakfast service. Easy walk to nearby restaurants and shopping. There is a free shuttle to take you to beaches and additional shopping. Always a choice for me when in… Read more
Staff are very friendly. Great ocean views. Restaurant food is great with a good variety, prime rib is delicious and great fresh fish options. Jenny and Crystal are stand outs for breakfast service. Easy walk to nearby restaurants and shopping. There is a free shuttle to take you to beaches and additional shopping. Always a choice for me when in Kona. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Pleasant stay

Aug 4, 2025 karoleigh North Carolina

I am going to try to be fair to this hotel. I purposely booked the room in the Lagoon Tower that was undergoing renovation and knew ahead of time that this was what we were going to get. I am not sure how nice the other rooms and hallways that were not under construction were. Overall, the hotel was nice, with a secure, gated parking lot that… Read more
I am going to try to be fair to this hotel. I purposely booked the room in the Lagoon Tower that was undergoing renovation and knew ahead of time that this was what we were going to get. I am not sure how nice the other rooms and hallways that were not under construction were. Overall, the hotel was nice, with a secure, gated parking lot that you will pay for when you check in if you park there. There appeared to be some street parking on a limited basis. The ladies who were checking in everyone gave a good amount of attention to explaining the details of the property and its amenities. Here is my impression of various aspects of the hotel: Room: We were given a large room in the Lagoon Tower with lots of windows and a balcony that overlooked the lagoon. We thought the room was nice for our three-night stay, and it was also quiet. If you are hesitant about booking the Lagoon Tower, I will tell you that the only bad aspect about it was having to carefully walk over cardboard or plywood on the walkway to get to the room. We never heard any construction noise. I am not sure how this will be in the future. Lagoon: If you have beach shoes and snorkeling gear, you can enjoy snorkeling in the lagoon. We saw a lot of fish there with our snorkeling gear. We didn't have beach shoes with us, so we carefully got down the steps into the lagoon. The lagoon is deeper as you go farther out into it, and the water everywhere was nice and clear. Restaurant: We didn't eat in the restaurant, but we thought it was nice that the hotel provided entertainment for those who dined there. We had originally signed up for a breakfast package room, but we cancelled it once we learned that the breakfast package included an a la carte breakfast, not a buffet. When people are eating in the restaurant, they can watch the sunset, which is quite pretty. Pool: The pool area isn't large. We went there late in the afternoon, though, and didn't have a problem getting a lounge chair. The view of the ocean from the pool is beautiful. Location: The hotel is located within a walking distance of some restaurants. We actually got into our rental car and drove to some cheaper and less touristy restaurants in town. You can also walk to the nearby shops. We found ourselves eating lunch and getting gasoline at Costco and also shopping for food at Safeway. Entertainment: The hotel provides a luau for guests. We happened to catch the tail-end of it as we were walking back to the room. If you've never been to a luau before, it might be worth your while to go to it. It looked like a standard luau to us, having been to luau's before. Read less
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