Kona Seaside Hotel

Located at the top of Ali'i Drive, this vintage hotel has been family run for over 60 years and is popular with repeat guests. The casual atmosphere, affordable prices, and unbeatable location makes it fill up quickly with canoe paddlers during race season and triathletes during Ironman season. It's fairly bare bones, with little more to offer than pleasant rooms and a small pool, and most guests are out and about exploring Kailua-Kona or hitting the beach during the day. The hotel appeals to those who don't need the bells and whistles of a major resort, and draws a wide swath of guests looking for reasonable rates and convenience. Most of those staying here are families and couples on vacation, though some business travelers pass through as well.

Positioned at the intersection that separates the tourist area from the local shops and businesses, this hotel is about as convenient as it gets for those looking to be in the heart of Kailua-Kona. Within two blocks of the hotel are a fabulous oceanfront luau, glass-bottom boat rides, para-sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There are countless coffee shops and boutiques, and restaurants in the area range from sushi stands and shave ice to steaks and seafood. Kailua-Kona's pier, which has a very small sandy area and is great for swimming, is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. A bit farther along the coast are two of Kailua-Kona’s historic sites, Hulihee Palace and Mokuaikaua Church, both under a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Another block over is a daily farmer’s market filled with fresh fruit and vegetables as well as souvenirs. The Kona Trolley also makes stops at the Kona Pier and offers transportation for a nominal fee to other beaches and resorts along Ali’i Drive. The beach at Old Kona State Airport Recreation Area is a five-minute drive from the property. Kona International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the property, while it will take about 90 minutes to reach Hilo by car.

We've seen plenty of dated tropical hotels in our day and while the rooms here aren't exactly fresh and modern, they are well kept and the look is homey rather than unpleasant. The bright color schemes -- in large part due to the colorful aqua rugs -- look sharp next to mostly white walls and dark rattan and wicker furniture. A bit of classical tropical art hangs on the walls, and sliding doors to furnished balconies let in plenty of natural light. Rooms are set in three different buildings, and the two three-story walk-up buildings are more intimate and quieter, as the rooms in the main building that overlook the pool and road can be noisy. All rooms include mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers with free coffee and tea. Air-conditioners are window or wall-mounted units, lending the rooms a bit more of a budget vibe. Bathrooms are small and motel-like, with single vanities and shower/tub combos. 

The small swimming pool is a popular gathering place at this resort. It's quietest in the morning hours when the shadow of the building blocks the warm tropical sun. It's surrounded by two small lawns and tall hedges for privacy, as well as a few lounge chairs. The space does get a bit more crowded in the afternoon. An open-air lobby serves as a large gathering place for guests to meet up with tours or to relax. Free coffee is available for guests in the morning while fruit-infused water is nice to have to ward off the afternoon tropical heat. The lobby also has a lovely reading area and plenty of seating. Although there is no room service, the Kona Seaside shares the property with numerous eateries next door, including several lively bars that serve cold beer and an army of umbrella drinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and parking is also free. Unlike many island hotels, there is no daily resort fee here.