King Kamehameha

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  • 75-5660 Palani Road
    Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740
    +808 329-2911Website
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Katarina
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews
10
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Editor Pick

Landmark Hotel on Ali'i Drive

  • October 14, 2008
  • Rated 3 of 5 by golden101 from Honokaa, Hawaii
Landmark Hotel on Ali'i Drive

This seems like a landmark hotel because it has been around for quite some time now. It sits in front of Kamakahonu Bay and to the right of the Kailua Pier. King Kamehameha the Great's royal residence was adjacent to the current site of his namesake hotel. There is a heiau (stone temple) in the back of the hotel on Kamakahonu Bay called Ahu'ena which was dedicated to the God Lono. I have stayed at this hotel many times and have seen the many changes that the hotel has experienced. It isn't as crowded as it used to be about 15 years ago. The hotel shows its age but hopefully it will get a big makeover soon. Guestroom categories include standard ($119 without tax), partial oceanview ($139 without tax) and oceanfront rooms ($179 without tax) as well as oceanfront suites. Each category is available with either two double beds or a king bed. Since I always get the kama'aina rate I always end up with the standard rooms that overlook the roof. Each guestroom has a coffeemaker, T.V., refrigerator and a nice bathroom. The balcony overlooks the roof if you get a kama'aina rate. The rooms is nothing fancy and the last time that I stayed at the hotel the room smelled musty. I paid the kama'aina rate of about $100 (without tax) which is a bargain compared to some of the other hotels along Ali'i Drive. The best part of the hotel is its location since it is within walking distance to the shops and restaurants that are on the main drag in Kona. They also have a very nice pool with a hot tub that is really popular during the summer months. Their pool is nothing fancy but it is large enough to swim and dive in. The Prime Rib and Seafood Buffet on Fridays and Saturdays are awesome and their daily breakfast buffets at the Kona Beach Restaurant is worth the wait. I had their Prime Rib and Seafood Buffet on numerous occasions with family and friends and it is awesome. The restaurant overlooks Kamakahonu Bay and the Ahu'ena Heiau. I would recommend coming to King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel if you want to stay at a nice Hawaiian Hotel located near the main drag in Kailua-Kona town on Ali'i Drive. There is paid parking in the hotel's large parking lot on the right. I would personally stay at another hotel because I don't like the lower floor rooms that overlook the roof which they always give to me since I pay the kama'aina room rate (Hawaii resident rate). Of all the hotels on Ali'i Drive, I prefer the Sheraton Keauhou and the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.

From journal Hotels and Resorts on the Big Island

Editor Pick

King Kamehameha

  • November 17, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by missjacksonatc from Charlotte, North Carolina
King Kamehameha

I stayed at the King Kamehameha hotel in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, during Thanksgiving week. The location was great. The ocean was right outside and there was a small private beach area behind the hotel. There was also a beautiful heated pool right next to the beach if you don't like the ocean. The hotel price was approximately $100/night, but I was there during a holiday. The size of the room was very similar to any normal hotel, but the decor was very tropical and "Hawaiian." My room had a little balcony, so you could see the sunset and the ocean. My room didn't have a great view, but there were many that had amazing views. The hotel was very clean and well taken care of, and we didn't have to worry about lizards or bugs or anything.

The hotel had a luau a few days at night, but I wasn't able to attend because I was in Hawaii on a business/pleasure trip. I heard from other members of my party that it was pretty cool. I would recommend checking in to the luau as soon as you arrive if you are interested in attending, because it doesn't run every night of the week, so you will want to plan ahead.

The hotel was within a few blocks of the main strip of shops and restaurants. As soon as you walked out of the hotel entrance, you could see a small cove and the ocean. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone. It had great service and was a little cheaper than some hotels, but was still in a great location and right on the ocean. Check out the pictures to see some more specifics!

From journal Aloha, Hawaii

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

  • May 18, 2003
  • Rated 2 of 5 by bokcrazy from Atlanta, Georgia
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

History, old-time Hawaii come together on a pretty beach, right on the water next to the Kona Pier, this large resort hotel occupies the site where King Kamehameha took up residence after unifying Hawaii. It's ideally situated for walking around Kailua-Kona Village.

Regulars return annually for the hospitality and casual atmosphere. In the hotel's hallways are numerous Hawaiian artifacts, such as a feathered cape and helmet, and portraits of Hawaiian royalty. Two mounted, record-setting blue marlin are also on display. Both artifacts and marlin pay tribute to Kona's special attractions and fascinating history.

However, I was a little disappointed in the general appearance of the hotel, which verges on the tacky and is in dire need of an update. The rooms in particular need an overhaul. If you are just looking for someplace to stay its not a bad choice as it on the ocean and is walking distance to the main drag.

A must do -- go for a walk at sunset on the main road next to the beach. Absolutely gorgeous! See photo below.

From journal A weekend on the "Big Island"

King Kamehameha

  • January 6, 2003
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Prosperine from New York, New York
We're not talking luxury resort here, but since the two travelers became unemployed prior to this trip, The Orchid ($400 per night) just wasn't going to do. This hotel, after many months of research, was the best bang for the buck. Home to the annual grueling Ironman Triathalon, this hotel may seem to appear as a high-class outfit. It came equipped with a museum of native artifacts in the expansive lobby, tennis courts with a tennis shop, the only air conditioned mall selling Hawaiian goods, one of the best protected sand beaches for kids, and it was centrally located in Kona--as close as one can get to the luxury of Kohala without being in the Kohala lava desert. Not to mention, this spot is next to where King Kamehameha lived the last years of his life.

So, it's a motel room with a partial view of the ocean with a friendly staff and a full-service concierge. So, their main "dining room" offers decent fare, but since I'm always on the go, I have never sampled any more than breakfast. They offer a luau, but after experiencing quite a few in French Polynesia, I've decided to skip them. I stayed here for five nights at a wonderful discounted price under $100 and have had some lifetime memories from this trip. (Parking is an extra $5.)

From journal Big Island: The Best Island

King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

  • August 20, 2001
  • Rated 2 of 5 by Katarina from vienna, Virginia
King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is the only central Kailua-Kona hotel with a pocket white-sand beach. The hotel is large, has some newly remodeled rooms and all are with private lanai (porch). The staff is very friendly, there are a lot of gift shops and good dining. There is a pool and tennis courts, a bar and hula shows. The hotel offers free tours explore the grounds and Ahuena Heiau. It is the most convenient of the hotels because it is right in Kailua Kona next to the Kailua Pier. The travel books have been raving about this hotel. However we found that other than the good location, this hotel is pretty shabby and stuffy.

And, don’t be fooled by the advertisement on the Imu sight and explanation on the preparation for the luau. The Imu was just a pit in the earth where man dressed like construction worker unceremoniously dump dirt over a pig covered with leaves and wood. The area was surrounded by an ordinary fence. The Imu was not a sight worth seeing.

From journal Our Most Favorite Island in Hawaii

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