Everyone loves Hawaii, and I mean everyone. In fact I can guarantee that you will love it too if you haven’t been. The key to a trip to everyone’s favorite State is to get away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. The best trips are always the ones that include a puddle jumper flight from the island of Oahu to one that is less overcrowded with tourists.
To the south are the islands of Maui and Big Island. With the pace taken a notch down, you’ll truly be able to appreciate the local culture and natural beauty here.
When planning for that perfect trip to Hawaii, you’ll undoubtedly need find a place to stay. This top 5 list lays out my recommendations for hotels in Kailua-Kona and Kihei if you plan on hitting any of these southern islands.
Read more about Hawaii
- Kauai in 3 days
- Top things to do in Maui
- Amazing hiking in Honolulu
- A travel guide to Lahaina, Maui
- Honolulu 2 day itinerary
- Best Big Island waterfalls you have to see
How to get the best deals in travel
- Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
- Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
- Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
- Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
- Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.
In This Article
Big Island
This is an island of many names. Some call it Kona, and others Big Island. Officially this island is named Hawaii. What makes Big Island so special is the fact that it’s a vast canvas of contrasts with its lush green rainforests juxtaposed with imposing active volcanoes, the most epic waterfalls and snorkel spots, sprinkled with colored-sand beaches.
Kona Seaside Hotel
This beautiful budget property is situated a short walk from the Kailua-Kona beach. It has a spacious outdoor pool and adjacent to it is the Kona Seaside Mall which makes it very convenient to grab a bite and do a bit of shopping. The Kona Seaside Hotel holds 2 stars but is surprisingly good and even includes Wi-Fi, which is rare.
Royal Kona Resort
If you have a bit more money to spend, the Royal Kona Resort is sure to impress. Right at the edge of Kailua Bay, guests are provided a ton of amenities including private lagoon, oceanfront pool, spa, fitness center, and tennis courts.
Maui
This is a favorite for many because it’s an island that has a little bit of everything. Situate yourself in a beautiful beach resort for a couple of days and get access to a wide range of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, biking, snorkelling, to surfing. The island’s highest peak, Mount Haleakala, is great for the early birds and if you take the road to Hana, you get access to some incredible off-the-beaten-path pools and waterfalls.
CRH – Maui Kamaole
If you’re looking for a fully furnished condo, CRH – Maui Kamaole is a great property that has everything you’ll need. Right across the street is the beach and on the property are two outdoor pools, hot tubs, and tennis courts. It’s the perfect spot for your family as your tropical home away from home.
Maui Banyan Vacation Club
The three-star Maui Banyan Vacation Club is another great budget property that is suite-based. This means you get a kitchenette that includes a fridge, microwave, and oven. This allows you to save money by cooking your own meals. You can also take advantage of the BBQ outside that is available for all the guests.
Maui Coast Hotel
The Maui Coast Hotel is a beautiful property with extremely large bedrooms, and a plethora of features. Right at your fingertips are the outdoor pool with poolside bar, a children’s pool, tennis court, bike rentals, and laundry facilities. What I really love about this hotel is its prime location, being close to all three Kamaole beaches, and the beach park across the street. Nearby are also fantastic dining options and lots of shopping on South Kihei Road.
For more on Hawaii, make sure you check out my posts about Lahaina, Maui, the best shaved ice on Oahu, and the perfect 2 day itinerary for Honolulu.
What you should read next
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
