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All prices as of time of publication: January, 2020
You have options for where to stay in Kona, depending on what you are looking for in your Hawaiian vacation. If you have a family member with special needs then you are probably looking for something that will allow you to have a vacation, rather than a trip.
Most people take into consideration things like location, noise level, space, and privacy. If you are planning a special needs vacation, and looking at where to stay in Kona, you should also be considering your specific needs for safety, comfort and ease.
So where to stay in Kona?
Over the years, we have stayed in almost every type of lodging available in Kona. Here is a summary of what we have learned. Remember, every family – and every trip – is different. Be sure to explore the options to create the best possible vacation for you and your loved ones. Happy vacation planning!
Budget Hotel
In Kona, the best budget option is Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel (sibling hotel to Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel). There may be cheaper options, but they won’t have Uncle Billy’s prime location. So if you want a truly budget-minded stay in the heart of Kona, look no further than Uncle Billy’s. In the middle of town on Ali’i Drive.
Price: starting at $400/night for a party of 8 (two hotel rooms, shared pool)
Local Hotel
The Royal Kona Resort hotel is a local institution. It is home to one of the most acclaimed luaus in town, as well as Don the Beachcomber and Huggo’s on the Rocks. Reportedly, the bar is where the Mai-Tai may have been first developed. It is half a block off Ali’i Drive, so it is a bit quieter than some other options.
Price: starting at $450/night for a party of 8 (two hotel rooms, shared pool)
Chain Hotel
The King Kamehameha Marriott is the anchor at the northern end of Ali’i Drive in Kona Town. It has adequate, comfortable rooms, a pool and a small beach area. It also has easy access to the restaurants and shopping in Kona (though the options at the southern end of town make for a further walk). The rooms are relatively small, but there are several common areas throughout the first floor of the property, many of which were quite empty on our last visit.
Price: starting at $600/night for family of 4 (two hotel rooms, shared pool)
Waterfront Condo
Hale Kona Kai is a small condo complex very near the Royal Kona Resort Hotel. It is within easy walking distance of Kona’s shops and restaurants, especially those on the southern end of Ali’i Drive in town. Full kitchen if you want to cook. The complex is small, but there is no guarantee that your two condos can be next to each other.
Price: starting at $400/night for a party of 8 – (two 1-bedroom condos, shared pool)
Condo in Waterfront Complex
One-bedroom condos with a shared pool and oceanfront barbecue and picnic area. Kona Isle is just one of the many complexes with a similar profile. Includes a full kitchen. The complex is made up of several buildings, so you may or may not be able to rent condos in close proximity to each others.
Price: starting at $350/night for a party of 8 – (two 1-bedroom condos, shared pool)
Oceanview Home:
Plenty of space and plenty of views. A little walk or drive to get to town, but zero concerns with privacy or ambient noise level. The only option with a private pool, and for up to 8 people to be together. If this is the best fit for you, we hope you’ll consider the Piece of Mind Retreat for your next vacation.
Price: starting at $350 /night for a party of 8 (whole house, private pool)
Still not sure where to stay in Kona? Check out this chart for a quick summary:
Want some tips to plan your next vacation – maybe even to the Piece of Mind Retreat? Click here to download our Ultimate Autism Vacation Planner.
Related Posts:
Autism Travel: 4 Rules for Where to Stay
Special Needs Vacations: 3 Ways to Find Peace of Mind
