The Kona Tiki Hotel has to be one of the best Hawaii deals on Big Island. Where else can you pay $69 a night for two and get a clean, comfortable, oceanfront room? Update: Rooms are now from $80 nightly.
We just returned from a 5 day stay and give Kona Tiki in Kailua-Kona our two thumbs up for budget accommodation.
What does $69 a night give you?
A spotless oceanfront room, free parking, generous continental breakfast, in-room refrigerator, daily housekeeping, swimming pool, beach towels and boogie boards.
What $69 a night doesn’t give you.
A large hotel bill at the end; in-room TV, phone or air conditioning (there’s a ceiling fan); and luxury.
Are you a good fit for Kona Tiki?
You are if you like the feel of a small B&B, value saving money over luxury, and don’t mind a busy resort area with traffic and tourists.
The Kona-Tiki Vibe:
Owned by the same family for over 50 years and well cared for. There are many return guests who book in for a month at a time. You may or may not fit into the sometimes older social scene. We didn’t but still had a good time.
What We Liked Best: Sitting on our lanai next to the ocean.
What We Liked Least: The beds were not too comfortable and parking lot not easy to maneuver. You have to back out onto busy Alii Drive.
Details: No credit cards accepted. Rooms range in price from $69 for a small standard to $92 for kitchenette. Book early; only 15 rooms and many return guests. Full payment required if you stay 3 nights or less; otherwise a $300 deposit holds your room.
Address: 75-5968 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona. Phone: 808-329-1425
Beat of Hawaii received no compensation for this review.
Jeff says
Hi Miriam,
As we recently wrote about, the VOG has been much better the past few months. I certainly hope that will continue to be the case.
Aloha, Jeff
Miriam says
Hi! I am coming to big island for my 60th mid July. We are staying at the Kona by the Sea. I am worried about the vog – is it going to ruin our trip. Please let me know what you think? Thanks alot. Miriam
Lisa says
Hmm, I wonder what they think of rambunctious children? $69 is a great rate – that must be a kamaaina rate, yes? because the website shows $72 as the lowest rate. We are planning a trip just after the ironman for a few days (and the night of if we can find a room) and maybe we’ll check out the Tiki. thanks! Lisa
Jeff says
Hi Jasmine,
Thanks for writing.
First, we really liked Kona Tiki, with the reservations we stated above. If you have any more specific questions about it, please do ask.
The Big Island is fabulous. However since March, as you must also know, VOG has been a big problem. It is all dependent on the winds, so you just never know. Today we have VOG, but the past few days have been very clear (we are on Kauai, some 250 miles north of the volcano). So just have that in mind. When we were at Kona Tiki, there were a couple of days where the VOG was quite bad.
It is fine to walk into Kailua from Kona Tiki, and it isn’t far or unpleasant. You’ll find everything you might want in town.
I don’t know about any tour operators. Have you checked the Big Island Visitor Bureau’s site (http://www.bigisland.org/)?
Aloha, Jeff
Jasmine says
Hi Rob and Jeff,
First of all, I must apologize for bombarding u guys with questions but this is the first website i’ve come across that actually seems personable. U guys are real people right?
I’m going to hawaii with my best friend late july.. is it a bad time to visit? We need blue skies!!!!!!!
We are looking at just the Big island… and have booked our accomodation with Kona Tiki Hotel at Alii drive at Kailua Kona. The only thing is, we dont drive. I know it’s bad news. I just hope we’re at least at a good location.
We’re thinking of booking day trips for Mauna Kea, Volcano hiking and dolphin watching. Can u recommend any operators which u personally like?
Thanks so much,
Jasmine
Rob says
Mahalo for your nice comments, Pua! We appreciate what you said. Thanks for sharing your Aloha with us. Rob and Jeff
Pua says
Aloha again Rob,
I really like your way of reviewing the places you stayed at in Hawaii…with ‘what we liked best and least and details’.
Keep quality reviews up like that and your site will find lots of blog visitors coming back frequently for more Hawaii vacation information! Aloha, Pua
Rob says
Hi Sheila,
The problem is I’m not a big fan of Kailua-Kona. The town is too busy for my taste. The Kona Tiki Hotel is fine, however, and a great place for budget travelers.
My favorite hotel on Big Island is Hapuna Prince. It’s not in the budget category but we get special rates as Hawaii residents.
I forgot to mention the sunset social every night at Kona Tiki. Someone is selected to light the torches and another person has the honor of blowing on the conch shell.
Sheila says
What a bargain find! Would you stay there again?