Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona, an IHG Hotel

Hotel Description

So you know how some Holiday Inn Express hotels feel like they’re in the middle of nowhere? Well, this one in Kailua-Kona actually gets it right. I mean, you’re still getting that reliable Holiday Inn vibe – nothing fancy, but everything works – except you’re in Hawaii, which honestly makes all the difference.

The thing about staying here is that you’re close enough to the action without being right in the thick of tourist chaos. Kailua-Kona can get pretty hectic, especially when the cruise ships roll in, but this place gives you a decent home base without breaking the bank. The rooms are exactly what you’d expect from an IHG property – clean, functional, with that slightly generic but comfortable feel. Air conditioning works great (trust me, you’ll need it), and the beds are actually pretty decent. I was worried about street noise since Kona can get busy, but it wasn’t bad at all, even with the windows facing the main drag.

What I really appreciated was how the staff seemed to know their stuff about the area. The front desk folks didn’t just hand you a generic tourist map – they actually gave solid recommendations about which beaches to hit when (locals know Kahalu’u gets packed by 10 AM) and where to grab decent food that won’t cost you a fortune. You know what’s funny? The free breakfast here is the same Holiday Inn Express spread you’ll find anywhere, but somehow eating those rubbery eggs while looking out at palm trees makes them taste better. The coffee’s still hotel coffee though – you’ll want to find a proper local spot for your real caffeine fix.

The pool area is nothing special, but it does the job when you need to cool off between beach trips. Parking was easy, which honestly is a bigger deal than it sounds like in Kona – some places in town you’re circling blocks looking for a spot. And here’s something that might matter if you’re planning to do the tourist thing: you’re close enough to walk to some decent restaurants and that little stretch of shops, but far enough that you’re not dealing with the late-night bar crowd stumbling around.

Look, this isn’t going to be the most Instagram-worthy place you’ll stay, and it definitely doesn’t have that “tropical paradise” lobby with the koi ponds and whatnot. But for a solid 3-star place that does exactly what it promises? It works. The 8.0 rating makes sense – it’s not blowing anyone’s mind, but people leave satisfied. If you’re the type who spends most of your time out exploring the Big Island anyway and just needs a clean, comfortable place to crash with decent Wi-Fi and a good shower, this hits the mark. Plus, you know, it’s Hawaii – step outside and you’re still in paradise, even if your hotel lobby looks like it could be in Ohio.

Rooms

• Standard Room with 1 double bed, or and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Standard King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Standard Room with Two Queen Beds with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Standard Room with Two Queen Beds – Communications Accessible Tub with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• King Suite with Sofa Bed – Communications Accessible with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• King Suite with Sofa Bed with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Standard Queen Room with Sofa Bed – Communications Accessible with 1 sofa bed and 2 large double beds for 6 adults, 4 children
• Queen Suite with Two Queen Beds and Sofa Bed with 4 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 4 children
• King Room – Disability Access with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Queen Suite with Hearing Accessibility – Non-Smoking with 4 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 4 children
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds – Disability Access with Bath Tub with 1 sofa bed and 2 large double beds for 6 adults, 4 children
• King Suite with Ocean View and Sofa Bed with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Queen Suite with Ocean View and Sofa Bed with 4 × 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 4 children

Reviews

• Christopher from Guam (8/10)

  I absolutely loved the complementary breakfast bonanza !!! That automatic pancake machine was the bomb 👍🏼

• Nielson from United States (7/10)

  The staff was friendly. The location was awesome

• Stella from Singapore (8/10)

  Staff at front desk when we checked in was friendly. The room was spacious for our family of 5. The beds were comfortable to sleep on. The water pressure in the shower was nice and strong. Good location.

• Maryann from United States (8/10)

  The room was clean, and the bed was comfy! What surprised me was the desk, chair, and free wifi. Unfortunately, the lighting in the room and the weak network connection made working online a challenge.
  
  The complimentary breakfast included hot oatmeal or cold selections. One odd thing was the Kalua pig and cream of mushroom soup, also served for breakfast.

• Mieke from United States (8/10)

  Beds and pillows were comfortable. Breakfast was good and the room was clean.

• Jane from Canada (8/10)

  Great location, comfortable bed, room. Nice breakfast.

• Changkyung from United States (9/10)

  Location, nice staff, spacious room

• Ashley from United States (7/10)

  The AC was nice and the room was updated and clean. Central location.

• Zhanna from United States (9/10)

  Breakfast was great. Always on time and sitting area was clean. Great location, close from restaurants, stores and ocean ☀️🌼

• Daniel from Colombia (8/10)

  The cleanliness and the location were really good, also bed were very comfortable!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities