Resort Details
- Various Lounges/BarsDon's Mai Tai Bar - Try an original Mai Tai and island-style appetizers while enjoying live entertainment. Also, serves lunch daily.
Don’s Breezeway Lounge - Various RestaurantsDon the Beachcomber - Pacific Rim Fusion cuisine with a unique Island flair that promises to satisfy any appetite. Set right on the water's edge, Don the Beachcomber specialty-themed restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. A-la-carte menu items are also available for breakfast.
- 24-hour front desk
- Accessible facilities
- Accessible rooms
- Airport shuttle service†
- ATM/Cash machine†
- Babysitting,Offsite†
- Baggage hold†
- Bell staff/porter
- Children welcome
- Elevators
- 24-hour front desk
- Complies with Local/State/Federal laws for disabled
- Accessible rooms
- Airport shuttle service†
- ATM/Cash machine†
- Babysitting, Offsite†
- Baggage hold†
- Bell staff/porter
- Children welcome
- Elevators
- Gift/News stand†
- Golf, Offsite†
- Housekeeping - daily
- Internet services†
- Laundry/Valet service†
- Lounges/bars†
- Non-smoking rooms available
- Parking†
- Pool
- Restaurant†
- Safe deposit box†
- Sauna†
- Spa†
- Tennis court†
- Tour/sightseeing desk
- Wakeup service
- Water sports†
- Internet Access†
- Meeting/Board Rooms†
- On site Wedding coordinator and full wedding services.
† Fees may apply
- Children's poolThere is 1 children's pool on site.
- Non-Motorized Water Sports †Snorkeling
- PoolThere is 1 pool on site.
- Sauna †
- Spa †
- Steam bath †
- Tennis court †There are 4 tennis courts onsite. There are 4 lit tennis courts onsite.
- Golf †Golf Course located within 10 Miles of Property.
- On-site Entertainment
VOYAGERS OF THE PACIFIC - a Tihati Production.
Enjoy interactive activities such as the Polynesian tattoo station where our artisan will draw simple Polynesian designs on willing guests. Create a floral piece to wear for the evening.
VOYAGERS OF THE PACIFIC show with stories of our precious island home of Hawaii and songs and
dances from across the South Pacific featuring the most dangerous dance in all of Polynesia, the Siva Afi or Samoan fire knife dance!
- Hulihee Palace
- Imiloa Astronomy Center
- Volcanoes National Park
† Fees may apply
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
5711 reviews
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Mar 20, 2026Great Holiday Spot
Royal Kona Resort is well situated in Kailua Kona - their open-air restaurant overlooks the ocean which splashes onto the rocks - quite nice! Our room was sizeable with almost a full wall of windows that could be covered with louvers for sleeping/darkness. And a deck with table and chairs. The fridge in our room meant that we were able to drink and eat there and make lunches for going to the volcano, a whole day trip. When a big storm forced the Royal Kona to close their only restaurant, the management saw fit to feed everyone a box dinner that night, and a box breakfast the next morning, a step above and beyond. Thank you!! Also, when we were stranded by a cancelled flight, the front desk was very accommodating. Didn't love paying the parking AND resort fees, though. But good staff!! I would recommend the Royal Kona to anyone I know.
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Mar 18, 2026
What to Know About this Storied Jewel in the Heart of Kona
We're back from a week at the Royal Kona and I want to tell you about this world-class hotel. Originally opened in 1968 as a Hilton and the first resort on the western side of the Big Island, the graceful curve of the main Lagoon Tower was designed to evoke the slope of Mauna Loa volcano. The Royal Kona sits on the most prominent geological feature on the Kona Town coast, dominating a coastal promontory in the center of the town that has since grown up around it. It introduced the legendary Don The Beachcomber tiki bar franchise to the island and it remains the best mai tai bar and restaurant in Kona. The property has undergone three major restorations, the latest currently underway, and remains a destination for enthusiasts of midcentury Polynesian-motif architecture and tiki culture -- as well as golfers, tennis players, families, international visitors, and discerning guests. I was concerned reading reviews describing the property as "dated" and wondered whether Hilton's surrendering the property years ago meant it was now suffering the benign neglect of a foreign holding company making minimal investment. This is not the case at all, and staff told us with great pride of the Honolulu family that now owns the Royal Kona and is investing in its restoration and reinvigoration. The southernmost tower currently is under renovation, and we were told that the Lagoon Tower and original restaurant pavilion are next on the schedule. We were much relieved to learn that Hawaiian owners are now attentive stewards of this iconic property, committed to preserving its legacy. The exterior of the towers show signs of aging but the property and the rooms are lovingly maintained by a dedicated crew: the housekeeping staff is terrific and our room was immaculately clean on arrival and thoroughly refreshed each day. Custom original furnishings have been reupholstered, beds are comfortable, and the in-room wet bar is a welcome feature. The hotel's bar and restaurant feature live music on the evenings when the luau is not taking place, and the staff and varied menu are excellent (shout out to Jamila, who answered our questions about life on this side of the island). Kailey at the front desk could not have been more welcoming or accommodating, and Monica brings an elegant and gracious feel to the shop where you'll find one of the best aloha shirts you'll see during your visit to the islands (spoiler alert: it carries the "Don the Beachcomber" logo design on the back with tiki embellishments on the front). The pool and lagoon will become your favorites escapes. We booked an ocean-facing room and were rewarded with a spectacular sunset out our window on our first night. The hotel is literally just feet from the shore and the soothing sound of the rolling surf breaking against the lava shore creates as serene an environment as you could wish for. Our sheltered balcony offered exactly the relaxation and ambience we were seeking. We'd had an improbable unbroken streak of great vacation weather prior to this trip, but Kona experienced a violent, prolonged storm beginning the second day of our stay. The staff bent over backwards to continue delivering sterling service and when strong winds and rain forced the closure of the outdoor restaurant and most nearby restaurants on our last night (a spectacularly rare occurrence), they set up indoor dinner and breakfast buffets free to all guests. The Royal Kona is sequestered off Kona's main coastal artery, with bars, restaurants and an ABC store within easy walking distance. The island is easily traversed by car and we made Kona our base for exploring the island. Pardon the length of my commentary, but this exceptional property deserves more than a brief passing review, and you deserve context to reviews noting the ongoing renovation. I can't offer up a better summary than to say we can't wait to return. Thanks to the Kona staff for a wonderful guest experience, you live the aloha spirit.
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Mar 14, 2026Ok
Nice resort, clean, reasonable, great views, great location to walking to Kona shops... My only complaint is I was basically asked to leave the restaurant/bar two different times by a rude greedy waitress as I was only drinking coffee for an hour, but waiting on friends to join me. She kept coming back and asking are you going to order food? Then explained they really only want you seated if your going to eat.
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Mar 14, 2026
Royal Kona is Excellent
This is a very nice resort, right of the water. The views out the windows are excellent. Many small boats moving around the in the water and shore line to walk around and smell the sea air. The sun was amazing here. It was in the 80's the whole time we were there. Staff at the hotel is always happy to help with any problems. There is a restaurant and gift shop in the hotel. It is easy walking a few blocks to other shops and restaurants. Rooms here were cleaned daily and restocked with anything needed. Maids were kind and well trained to help guests. I enjoy meeting many of the workers here. We enjoyed our time here very much.
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Mar 13, 2026
Great place in the heart of Kona
We spent the last three days at the Royal Kona. This was my first time to the big island and I think this was the perfect place to stay on my first trip. We were in the heart of Kona walking distance from all of the shopping and restaurants. The resort location was beautiful on the rocks. We really enjoyed spending time in the lagoon and even snorkeled there, there was quite a bit to see in that small area. We were there when a Kona storm came into the area so it was nice to have a calm place to get in the water when the waves were more aggressive at the beach. We spent very little time at the pool, but the area was nice. The staff were friendly and helpful. We also enjoyed our free Mai Tia when we arrived. I also appreciate the filtered water access so i could refill my bottles daily. We got an ocean view room with a king bed and we were in the Alii building on the top floor (7). The view was beautiful. My only points for improvement were the bed was not the most comfortable (3 out of 5) which is pretty important. Otherwise I may have rated it 5 stars.
- AdvisoryThe Royal Kona Resort is now a 100% non-smoking hotel. All guestrooms are non-smoking. Smoking is not permitted in any public areas. There are three designated smoking areas throughout the resort, please contact resort staff for further information. A $200 cleaning fee will be charged to those who violate this policy. The fee will be assessed by the hotel and charged to the guest's folio. Cleaning fee is subject to change without notice.
- AdvisoryA minimum self parking fee of $25 (plus tax) per room, per night, per vehicle will be charged and collected by the hotel at check-in or check-out. Parking fees are subject to change without prior notice. The information published here is to give the client an estimate of additional fees they may be responsible for, but not a guarantee of the final amount due.
- AdvisoryA minimum mandatory hotel-imposed resort fee of $25.00 (plus tax) per room, per day, will be charged and collected by the hotel at check-in or check-out. This fee is subject to change without prior notice. The information published here is to give the client an estimate of additional fees that they may be responsible for but is not a guarantee of the final amount due. For a detailed description of what is included in the mandatory fee, please see hotel policies.
- AdvisoryThe Royal Kona Resort’s Lagoon Tower restoration will continue until December 19, 2026. Guests will be accommodated in the Bay and Alii Towers, unaffected by construction, while discounted “Lagoon Tower Renovation” rooms remain available. Those opting for renovation rooms may upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability. Work is limited to 9 am–4 pm, with minimal noise expected. Scaffolding and exterior repairs will be visible, but guest comfort remains a priority.
- Check In: 4:00 PM
- Check Out: 11:00 AM
- Minimum Check-In Age: 18
- General Policies: Check-in Policy:
Hotel requires a credit/debit card authorization or cash deposit upon check-in for incidentals; this will place a hold on your funds.
Convention Policy:
Individuals attending a convention cannot book this property for their stay. If found attending a convention, guests may be subject to higher room rates upon arrival.
Hotel Spring Break Policy:
This hotel cannot guarantee a spring-break-free environment.
General Information:
Room taxes are included in vacation price.
Minimum night stay restrictions may apply.
Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.
Resort Fee - A mandatory hotel-imposed fee is charged and collected by the hotel either at check-in or check-out.
Amenities included in the resort fee are:
• Welcome to Paradise Mai Tais (one coupon good for two Mai Tais per room/stay)
• Bottled Water on arrival (two per room/stay)
• Filtered Water Stations
• Enhanced Guestroom Wi-Fi
• Fitness Center Access
• Guestroom Safe Usage
• Local & 800 calls
• Daily Yoga/Fitness Classes
• Daily Hawaiian Cultural Activities (weekly schedule and sign-up available at Front Desk)
• Reef Safe Sunscreen (available at the pool)
• Complimentary Tennis Racquet Rentals, Tennis Balls & Water (available at Royal Kona Resort Tennis Club)
• $25 Island Activities & Tours Credit (valid when purchasing tours/activities valued at $200 through the Activities Desk)
• $20 Lotus Center Spa Credit (available on 90-minute massages)
• $20 greens fee credit plus 50% discount on club rentals at Makalei Golf Club ($25 value)
• 20% off green fees and club rentals at Makani Kai Golf Course ($33 value)+++• Welcome to Paradise Mai Tais (two coupons per room/stay)
Inclusions subject to change and are based on availability. Some activities require reservations.
- Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed