The low-key, 436-room Royal Kona has long been an architectural landmark of the Kailua Bay coastline. Its convenient downtown location, affordable rooms, and private lagoon access are all pluses, but be prepared to sacrifice a few frills. There is no Jacuzzi and the pool is small. Rooms are clean and bright, but basic, with small bathrooms and dated furniture.

With its pristine beaches, eight unique pools, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, this luxury resort promises an unforgettable Hawaiian getaway—but is it really worth the high cost? Read our in-depth review to find out if this island oasis justifies the price.

The Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona is located on 18 acres of beautifully landscaped coastal property, directly across the bay from the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. The condo-style units are cute and comfortable, with plenty of the owners' personal decorative touches, as well as large master bedrooms (featuring huge bathrooms, some with Jacuzzi tubs), full kitchens, and private lanais. Aero beds (in lieu of rollaways) are available for larger groups or children. It's next door to the Kona Country Club, but you'll need a car to get to downtown Kailua-Kona, local shops, and the beach.

The three-pearl Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kuna is an affordable, casual, and clean option within walking distance of Kailua-Kona and the sea. This 75-room hotel offers a free daily breakfast buffet, a modern (if compact) fitness center, and a coin-operated laundry room plus a small outdoor pool. Contemporary rooms are simple and sharp, with amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi plus a pillow menu. Coffeemakers and microwaves also come standard, though views are generally unimpressive and are of the parking lots all around. For something that's a little cheaper, the Kona Seaside Hotel is closer to the center of town, though it's not as thoroughly up to date.

The Kona Seaside Hotel is a vintage gem with pleasant interiors right in the heart of Kailua-Kona. This budget hotel draws repeat guests year after year, though features are slim -- there's not much to see or do on-site beyond the hotel's lovely, but tiny, pool. The 217 rooms are bright and light-filled, with homey tropical style, and include flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies, some with views of the pool. There are shops and eateries next to the hotel, and swimming at the pier is a five-minute walk away. This is an unpretentious place for those looking to be amid all that Kailua-Kona has to offer, though for a bit more money the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona has more modern rooms plus a fitness center.

For those who like apartment-style conveniences, the three-pearl Kona Reef is an affordable and well-located option. Tropically homey one-bedroom, one-bath suites come with full kitchens and offer views of the gardens of the ocean and can accommodate up to four people. However, some units are more dated than others. Although this resort has no dining or activities, restaurants, shopping, bars, and historical sites are within a 10- to 15-minute walk along Alii Drive. The adjacent beach, while unswimmable, is a popular surf break. There's also an oceanfront pool, jetted tub, and sundeck plus a pavilion and gas grills. As an alternative, the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona has similar features and is even cheaper, though it's farther from the heart of town.

The Holua Resort at the Mauna Loa Village is a bungalow-style condo complex, located to the south of Kailua-Kona in the Keahou Bay area. These large units feature full kitchens, living/dining areas and expansive lanais. The decor is generic and overly bright, but the beds and furniture are extremely comfortable. Eight fenced-in pools with hot tubs are located throughout the property, which prevents overcrowding. But there's no beach access, and having a car or rental is a necessity if planning to leave the property.

Situated in the heart of Kona town and right on the beach, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is an upper-middle-range property that attracts business travelers and vacationers alike, including couples and families. The 452 rooms here are simple and comfortable, with soft lighting and good amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies -- but they're nothing particularly memorable and decor is a tad dated. Aside from a pleasant outdoor pool with loungers and rental cabanas, the hotel features a solid spa offering a host of body treatments and salon services, plus a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center and yoga classes (for a fee). The hotel also offers great perks for business travelers, including 16 meeting rooms and multiple dining options. Just note that breakfast isn't included and it's expensive. Travelers may also want consider the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona, which offers a free buffet breakfast, but lacks a spa.

Over 44 years and under more than one name, this hotel holds a special place in Kona Coast history. Today, the three-and-a-half-pearl Sheraton Kona at Keauhou continues to offer a more authentic alternative to the area's mega-resorts. The 508 spacious rooms include flat-screen TVs and oversized balconies plus mountain or ocean views, though some furniture is worn. The pool was cleverly designed with a quieter adult area and a livelier oceanfront section for families, though there's no swimmable beach at the resort. Rays on the Bay offers fine al fresco dining with sunset views, and local touches include locally roasted Kona coffee, locally-designed fabrics, and manta ray encounters. One of this hotel's closest competitors is the fanciful Hilton Waikoloa Village, though the Sheraton feels more intimate and has lower rates.