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Accommodation options on the Big Island range from $10 hostels to pleasant, family-owned B&Bs to outrageously priced luxury hotels. Most hotels are located in one of a few districts, but the B&B's and guest homes are sprinkled all around the island. Consistent with the normal Hawaii layout, the populated areas are along the coastline; the majority of the inland area is designated park area or ranch land.
Kona
Most of the Big Island’s mid-range hotels and condos are spread out along the Kona Coast. The hotel district starts in Kailua-Kona and continues down the coastline to Kona-Keauhou. After Kealakekua begins the area known as South Kona. Accommodations in South Kona are sparse; however, there are a few B&B's and small guest homes.
The landmark hotel that acts as the unofficial beginning of the Kailua-Kona tourist district is the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Two other hotels in downtown Kailua-Kona are Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel, a great spot for families, and further down the way, the Royal Kona Resort.
The Royal Kona Resort is just the first of more than 20 mid-priced hotels and expensive seaside condominium complexes located along the Kona Coast. Two of Hawaii’s best-known hotel chains, the Marc and the Aston, have properties in the Kailua-Kona area. The Aston Royal Sea Cliff Resort is next to Sunquest’s modest Casa de Emdeko, while the Marc’s Kona Bali Kai is at Banyan’s Beach.
Right below Kailua-Kona is Keauhou Bay. Here you’ll find the Outrigger Kanaloa and the Aston Keauhou Beach Resort, among others.
Kohala Coast
In terms of sheer glamour, the Kohala Coast is the most impressive part of the Big Island. It’s comparable to Maui's Wailea district, with one major difference: the space. Resort districts along the Kohala Coast are miles apart from each other on the highway, and each resort only has a few hotels and condominiums on it.
The first resort area along highway is Ka’upulehu. This is a gated resort, and only people with reservations at one of the hotels, golf courses or restaurants are allowed onto the property. Here, at the prestigious Kona Village Resort or Four Season Resort, CEOs and celebrities put on their swimsuits and throw away their everyday cares. Further along the highway is Waikoloa Beach Resort, site of the Hilton Waikoloa, the Bay Club, Outrigger Waikoloa Beach and The Shores at Waikoloa. There are a dozen restaurants at the Hilton alone. Other activities on the resort include golf courses, beaches and a dolphin habitat (on the Hilton property).
Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea are the last two resort districts on the Kohala Coast. The Mauna Lani is just a few miles south of the Mauna Kea. It is a beautiful place, lush and green and peaceful. The beach park behind the Orchid at Mauna Lani is always quiet; it’s a great place for walks and lovers’ picnics. The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is the very picture of tropical elegance. The Westin Mauna Kea and the Westin Hapuna Beach Prince, located in the northernmost resort on the Kohala Coast, are sophisticated, modern properties.
Hilo
While Hilo is considered to be the "real city" on the Big Island, it’s not entirely cosmopolitan by mainland standards. Located in one of the rainiest spots in the world, the town is populated by university students, laid-back locals and scientists doing field research.
The stand-out hotels in Hilo are Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Waiakea Villas. Economy lodgings can be found at the Dolphin Bay Hotel. Bed & breakfasts abound here. Stay by the sea at Hilo Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, or relax in an outdoor hot tub at Hale Kai Bjornen.
Upcountry/North Coast
Above Hilo Town lies the area known as the Hamakua Coast. It stretches all the way over to tiny Honoka’a Town, which is situated just above ruggedly beautiful Waipio Valley. A few private guest homes are in Honoka’a, including the Waipio Wayside B&B Inn.
Inland from Honoka’a and the North Coast is the quaint town of Waimea, also known as Kamuela. This is genuine paniolo country (that means cow country, to mainlanders). Accommodations here tend to be laid-back family-owned inns such as the Jacaranda Inn or the Waimea Country Lodge.
Above Waimea is North Kohala. While this area often gets grouped with the Kohala Coast, its ambience and pace of life are a lot closer to that of Waimea or Honoka’a. There aren’t any fantasy resorts in North Kohala; instead there are two- and three-unit places such as Belle Vue Cottage & Suites and Hale Ho’onanea. Nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, horseback riders and free spirits should stay on the North Coast.
Volcano
There are many hotels, inns and lodges clustered around Hawaii’s most famous attraction. These run the gamut from dirt-cheap to five-star. Volcano House, the oldest continually running hotel in Hawai'i, is actually inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Perched on the rim of the crater, it offers a truly stunning view. There are a few privately owned inns in Volcano Village, one of the best-known being Kilauea Lodge, but most of the properties operate under the Chalet Kilauea umbrella.
South Point
The southern coast of Hawai’i is also the southernmost point in the U.S. It’s a fairly barren area. There are a few condominium complexes scattered around, among them the Sunterra Resort and the Colony 1 at Sea Mountain at Punalu'u. B&B options include the Bougainvillea Bed & Breakfast and Macadamia Meadows B&B.
When planning a trip to the Big Island, start by deciding what exactly you want to see and do. Figure out the district that is most appropriate, and make that district your home base. Each area has lodging choices that represent the full spectrum of prices.
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 Hawaii Volcanoes Natl Pk Hotels Guide
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