Royal Kona Resort

Big Island, Hawaii

Virgin 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 (1741)
  • Very good (2053)
  • Average (928)
  • Poor (404)
  • Terrible (283)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Close to everything, not for hanging out or socializing.

Jul 15, 2024 Nancy H

Pros: The resort is close to the heart of Kailua Kona. The beach and everything else is only a walk or a short drive away. The lagoon on the side is a great place to swim in private. The rooms are older but the ocean view rooms give a great glimpse of the ocean and possible sunset. Staff was friendly and kind. Cons: There is no outdoor common… Read more
Pros: The resort is close to the heart of Kailua Kona. The beach and everything else is only a walk or a short drive away. The lagoon on the side is a great place to swim in private. The rooms are older but the ocean view rooms give a great glimpse of the ocean and possible sunset. Staff was friendly and kind. Cons: There is no outdoor common space. The pool is closed at sunset. The lagoon even sooner. With the exception of a few lounge benches, there is lilttle outdoor space to just hang out and talk with friends. They have security guards who will usher you if you are standing around too long. The Luau was okay. The bar/food area closes early. If you are looking to mingle and hang out with friends, this is not the place. If you want to swim or hang out a little bit longer at the pool, this not the place. If you just want to be close to everything, this is it. This is disappointing since they do charge a resort fee but there is very little resort amenities to make it worth it. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful mini staycation!

Jul 12, 2024 fishgirl6 Keaau, Hawaii

Check in was a breeze! We were upgraded to an ocean view room with a lanai to watch the fantastic sunsets each night. We loved the dining area overlooking the ocean. Meals were all top notch and portion sizes are large so we were able to share. Hotel is located right in the heart of Kailua-Kona so shops, restaurants, nightlife, farmers market and… Read more
Check in was a breeze! We were upgraded to an ocean view room with a lanai to watch the fantastic sunsets each night. We loved the dining area overlooking the ocean. Meals were all top notch and portion sizes are large so we were able to share. Hotel is located right in the heart of Kailua-Kona so shops, restaurants, nightlife, farmers market and even a beach are a short walk away. Tip: ask at desk for monthly event calendar. Thursday nights, there are concerts in the lobby area and performers are renowned Hawai’i musicians and recording artists! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Living the dreams!!

Jul 8, 2024 Rajiv S

Super views, impeccable service, friendly staff and reasonable pricing. Couldn’t ask for anything more!! I think service is best I have experienced in USA. If I happen to visit again, I know where to stay. Being in historic city center adds to the experience
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Stunning views and perfect location!

Jul 8, 2024 Jennifer S

The view from our room was stunning, the courtyard was gorgeous, and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely give the hotel a 9 out of 10. The pool was nice and even the food was fantastic. I would even say their Luau was great and THAT food fantastic. The only downside was that they charged $25/day for parking and… Read more
The view from our room was stunning, the courtyard was gorgeous, and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I would definitely give the hotel a 9 out of 10. The pool was nice and even the food was fantastic. I would even say their Luau was great and THAT food fantastic. The only downside was that they charged $25/day for parking and additional charges when you checked in. Not a fan of nickel and diming. But overall, I don't agree with the other complaining it was run down, it was just more vintage Hawaii. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A refreshing little bit of "old Hawaii".

Jul 8, 2024 Bud C Cape Coral, Florida

We stayed 4 nights there and it was great. Rare to find a resort that, rather than being isolated (where the idea is that you not leave the grounds, this place is located a short walk from "town" (the upper end of Alii Drive) and the main city marina (where the water-bourne tours depart from) where you will find a wide variety of restaurants,… Read more
We stayed 4 nights there and it was great. Rare to find a resort that, rather than being isolated (where the idea is that you not leave the grounds, this place is located a short walk from "town" (the upper end of Alii Drive) and the main city marina (where the water-bourne tours depart from) where you will find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes. sushi places, bars, breakfast joints, you name it, lots of places to go and do. RCR has a cool, relaxing, unique old Hawaiian vibe to it. It's not modern and we came to love that about the place. Don the Beachcombers is the heart of the place and we hung out there. a lot. We also enjoyed swimming the saltwater lagoon. No doubt the best place to stay in that part of Kona. Read less