Honls Beach Hale Big Island

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Honls Beach Hale, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Big Island has so many places that promise “authentic Hawaiian experience” and half of them feel like they’re trying way too hard. But this place? It actually gets it right.

The thing about this spot is the location – and I mean the real location, not just “beachfront” nonsense. You’re literally steps from Honl’s Beach, which honestly most tourists skip because they’re all crowding Kailua-Kona’s main drag. That’s their loss, because this little stretch of coastline is where locals actually hang out. I watched kids jumping off the small pier while sipping my morning coffee, and you know what struck me? The sound. Not just generic “ocean sounds” but that specific Big Island combination of waves hitting black lava rock mixed with the distant hum of Ali’i Drive traffic. It’s weirdly soothing once you settle into the rhythm.

The rooms themselves feel like someone’s well-loved beach house – and I mean that in the best way possible. Everything’s clean and comfortable (solid 4-star quality), but there’s this lived-in vibe that makes you want to kick off your flip-flops and actually relax. The lanais face different directions depending on which unit you get, so definitely ask when you book if sunset views matter to you. Some face more toward the coconut palms, which is honestly pretty nice too – less dramatic but more private. Parking was easier than I expected, which… if you’ve dealt with Kona parking during cruise ship days, you’ll appreciate that small miracle. Check-in was straightforward, no corporate hotel rigmarole, just folks who clearly know the area and aren’t trying to upsell you on activities you can book yourself for half the price down the street.

What really sold me was stumbling onto the local rhythm of the place. Early mornings, you’ll hear the outrigger canoe groups launching from nearby – it’s like a gentle alarm clock that doesn’t make you want to throw your phone across the room. Evenings, families show up for picnics on the grass area, and there’s often someone with a ukulele. Not touristy performance stuff, just… life happening. The snorkeling right out front is decent if you’re not expecting Molokini Crater levels of fish action, but I saw several green sea turtles without even trying hard. Fair warning though – this isn’t white sand beach territory. It’s that chunky black and white Big Island sand that gets everywhere, so pack accordingly.

I’d definitely stay here again, especially if you want to feel connected to actual island life instead of resort bubble existence. The 8.0 rating feels about right – not perfect, but genuinely good in ways that matter more than thread count or fancy lobby art. Just don’t expect room service or a concierge desk. This is more “grab some poke from the market and eat it watching the sunset” territory, which honestly? That’s exactly what Big Island evenings are supposed to feel like.

Rooms

• Three-Bedroom Holiday Home with 4 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 1 large double bed for 6 adults, 5 children

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities