No guest has ever referred to the Kona Tiki Hotel as a "resort.'' But for those visiting the Big Island on a budget and with more interest in sightseeing and outdoor recreation than luxury accommodations, this could be just the venue for a pleasant stay. It is conveniently located just a mile south of Kailua-Kona Village, and the room rates are such that repeat visitors are quite common.
Two types of rooms with tropical dycor are available at the Kona Tiki Hotel. The Standard Rooms come with one queen and one twin-size bed, as well as a mini-refrigerator. They can accommodate two comfortably and are priced at just $72 to $86 per night. There are no phones or televisions in the rooms. Instead, the staff has "replaced them with the tranquility of the islands and the nightly serenade of the waves as you drift off to sleep.''
Indeed, the Kona Tiki Hotel fronts the Pacific Ocean and the surf readily makes its presence known. Some guests have described the waves pounding the shore at high tide as so loud that ear plugs were needed to sleep. Other says the surf sounds become hypnotic after a while. But for those who prefer natural acoustics and panoramas, there are no "garden view cheap rooms'' and each unit has a private lanai for enjoying the tropical breezes while watching local surfers take on the waves.
Apart from the no-frills Standard Rooms, there are a number of Kitchenette units available. They are priced at $96 per room night and come with all the amenities needed to prepare meals inside, including a double burner, small refrigerator, sink and full sets of dishes and utensils.
For guests' enjoyment, the Kona Tiki Hotel has an outdoor freshwater pool overlooking the ocean. There is also a lava rock BBQ pit facing the ocean that can be used for cooking outdoors. And each evening at sunset, guests are invited to help light the hotel's poolside tiki torches and blow the conch shell that signals the end of the day.
One aspect of the hotel that gets rave reviews from those who stay here is the complimentary continental breakfast buffet served poolside each morning. It includes fresh tropical fruit with toast, muffins or Danish, accompanied by fruit juice and Kona coffee.
Although the Kona Tiki Hotel has no restaurants, bars, shops, salons or spas of its own, it is within easy walking distance of all of these and any other amenities one might require during a vacation. The grounds are well maintained and everything, inside and out, is kept clean and neat by the staff. The manager, housekeepers, and maintenance employees take pride in creating a "family type atmosphere,'' where guests can easily mingle, exchanging stories of their travels and tips on getting the most out of their stay.
The Kona Tiki Hotel is located ten miles from Keahole-Kona International Airport. A taxi from the airport to the hotel costs about $25 one-way. For those who come by car, take the Queen Kaahumanu Highway (State Route 19) south to State Highway 11, and continue to Palani Road. Turn right on Palani Road, which becomes Alii Drive. Follow Alii Drive to the resort, located on the ocean side of the road. The address is 75-5968 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. Parking is available, albeit limited.
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It was nice to actually speak to to the Manager and get a feel for the property. After we made our required deposit, we received an email from the property with directions from the airport and general information about parking (which is free) and other helpful information. I am looking forward to our visit to the Big Island --
It was nice to actually speak to to the Manager and get a feel for the property. After we made our required deposit, we received an email from the property with directions from the airport and general information about parking (which is free) and other helpful information. I am looking forward to our visit to the Big Island --