Royal Kona Resort - Big Island of Hawaii

[@LeonardHovell]

We were here for 6 nights last 2/2023 and it is a great place to stay. Location is great for anything you’re planning to do on the Big Island.Great food and hospitality. Drinks and the pool were awesome. Great views all around

[@millerforester6237]

I have stayed here once several years ago. It is as described. A good place to stay. I managed a small family hotel on the other side of town, call the Kona Tiki Hotel, also a good place to stay. Just 12 or so rooms, you can check it out on line and on youtube. The Tiki has full kitchenette rooms also. We referred many people to the Royal Kona, as we had a small hotel.

[@millerforester6237]

Now I learn that there is a resort fee, and a parking fee. Include me out on this one.

[@hollyzetlmeisl230]

Thank you so much for this great information! You convinced us to stay here- we are at the Royal Kona now and it is beautiful! 😊

[@GetawayGuru]

Aloha Holly, glad you enjoyed the video and your stay in Kailua-Kona, a favorite area of mine on the Big Island.

[@marilynmcphail9221]

Lovely hotel. We were there a couple weeks ago. Gorggeous sunsets for sure! They do have a resort fee now. Not sure what we got for that fee besides two bottles of water that we could refill. Excellect location. Enjoyed the luau music from the pool deck. Aloha!

[@Will-v3d]

Great Video, exactly the info I was looking for. Best Regards

[@ShermanCassidy]

thanks for showing the view for the deluxe ocean view. I really wanted to see that view but I just could not see pictures of that view, and I had to guess. Thanks for showing it!

[@GetawayGuru]

No worries! Thanks for tuning into my travel channel, the "Getaway Guru." Keep watching for more. I welcome your comments and participation. Safe travels!

[@seus2731]

Excellent video!! thank you!

[@billholt2198]

Looks fabulous! I'll have to keep this one in mind if I ever visit the islands.

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Bill, thanks for tuning into my "Getaway Guru" travel channel. I like the Royal Kona Resort. It's a solid 3-1/2 star resort. The rooms have just recently been refurbished. Pleasant exterior, though some areas need a paint touch up. Great location! Friendly staff. And no pesky "resort fees" which are nothing more than hotels picking your pocket. If you go, please drop me a note and let me know how your visit goes. Thanks!

[@judithschoner6433]

The Royal Kona is the best. I can only recommend it, visited on the late 1990s. Mahalo!

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Judith, thanks for your kind note. The Royal Kona Resort is a good 4-star hotel. I'm sorry to report they just introduced a $22 per night "resort fee" effective Feb. 1 of this year. Sadly, almost every resort hotel in Hawaii and elsewhere charges resort fees, which I consider nothing more than picking out pockets. Still, Royal Kona is a fun property.

[@judithschoner6433]

@@GetawayGuru Thank you for the update. Unfortunately, and as everywhere, it is about "the buck", very bad idea, in my opinion. Waikiki is worse, and the Beach is not the best on this part of Oahu. You need a lot of money to enjoy this Paradise or friends to stay with for free. I think, I will go with the "friend-option", but everything takes time. Mahalo and Aloha, and may God bless 🙏.

[@magalivilla15]

I will be there in September 2021 can’t wait for this vacation

[@GetawayGuru]

Aloha Magali, I'm sure you will enjoy your visit to the Big Island, the Kona Coast on the west side of the island, the seaside town of Kailua-Kona, and the Royal Kona Resort. You are perfectly located on the south end of Ali'i Drive. Safe travels!

[@erasmochacon7109]

Love the review! I definitely will be looking at more of your reviews. Have you visited the Modern Honolulu?

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Erasmus, thanks for your note. By "modern Honolulu" do you mean downtown business Honolulu? King Street? If so, yes, I've been there more times than I can count. I used to visit Chinatown in Honolulu, but it's now a far cry from the glory days!

[@MikeMike-fp8sm]

I’ve stayed at sister resort in Maui several times, and we love the location and especially the beach , but it looks like this resort doesn’t have a beach? Or does it?

[@ComplicatedCupcake]

Lucy and Desi beds lol. Love Royal Kona

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi BBF, thanks for your note. I enjoy the Royal Kona Resort. I give it a solid 3.5-star rating (some rate it 4-stars). Whilst you will not confuse it with a Hyatt Regency or JW Marriott, it is a good mid-priced Kona hotel property. I love the location. The staff is always friendly and anxious to serve. And, perhaps best of all, they do NOT levy a "resort fee", which most Hawaii hotels do. Resort fees are evil and just another excuse for hotels to pick your pocket. Thanks for tuning into my "getaway Guru" travel channel.

[@Charlie-Cat.]

I traveled to Kona, HI in 2007, 2010, 2012. The best hotel that we love is the Royal Kona Resort. Love their breakfast buffet. Thank you for sharing this with us. 8^)

[@GetawayGuru]

Aloha Charlie, thanks for your kind note. I always enjoy my stays at The Royal Kona Resort. Great location, reasonable rates, and, yes, the breakfast is great! I wish you and your family all the best.

[@chriswalls5831]

Pretty place vacation

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Chris, Comments fetched successfully Brittney K01 Brittney K01 • 2 hours ago BEST ROOMS REVIEW OF THIS RESORT! Sanctuary Cap Cana All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort in Dominican Republic Getaway Guru Getaway Guru • 1 second ago Hi Brittney, thanks for tuning into my "Getaway Guru" travel channel. the Sanctuary is a great and one-of-a-kind resort. Helen T Helen T • 4 hours ago Great info. Thanks! International Travel Tip - Two Important Web Site! Getaway Guru Getaway Guru • 1 second ago Hi Helen, thanks for tuning into my "Getaway Guru" travel channel. I use these sites all the time. Bill Holt Bill Holt • 7 hours ago Looks fabulous! I'll have to keep this one in mind if I ever visit the islands. Royal Kona Resort - Big Island of Hawaii Getaway Guru Getaway Guru • 1 second ago Hi Bill, thanks for tuning into my "Getaway Guru" travel channel. I like the Royal Kona Resort. It's a solid 3-1/2 star resort. The rooms have just recently been refurbished. Pleasant exterior, though some areas need a paint touch up. Great location! Convenient to everything in Kailua- Kona. Friendly staff.

[@reginabaker4049]

The resort fees were ridiculous in Vegas, it’s great to know a property has taken an alternative stance

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Regina, I agree. Resort fees are nothing more than robbery. They will continue as long as all we do is complain and still pay them. Search for hotels and resorts that do not levy a "resort" or "destination" fee. I realize that sometimes they are almost impossible to avoid, but whenever you can stay at a hotel that does not pick your pocket. Currently there are lawsuits pending against Marriott and Hilton re: resort fees. Thanks for tuning into my travel channel, the "Getaway Guru." Keep watching as I post one or two videos every week. Aloha!

[@williamking6095]

Just a heads up, the hotel does charge a resort fee.

[@juliefroehlich8632]

and a parking fee $25 per day. The Resort fee we were told at check in was going to be $50. They only charged us $25 / day

[@tanneraitken3768]

Good to know about no resort fees man. I have 2000 to spend down there and I don't wanna spend it on fees

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Tanner, great to hear from you. I like the Royal Kona Resort. It's not in the deluxe category, but is a solid choice. Resort fees are a total ripoff! I keep hoping the federal government step in, as they did with airlines, and require the advertised price to include all mandatory charges. Enjoy your trip. Hawaii no ka oi!

[@JBoardOnly]

You need to update your video (which is highly informative) as the Royal Kona Resort now charges a resort fee

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi J, thanks for your note. You are absolutely right. I was saddened to learn that the hotel now charges a resort fee, which I consider nothing more than an excuse to pick your pocket. All mandatory charges should appear in the advertised price. I would like to update the video, but have not been back to Kailua-Kona since we filmed this report. My apologies for the delay in responding. My wife is dealing with cancer and my attention has been with her. But good news! After surgery, chemo, and radiation, she is making wonderful progress toward recovery. During this time I have not been adding new posts, but will start again, likely in February. Thanks!

[@JBoardOnly]

@@GetawayGuru , thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear about your wife's health. Speedy recovery I hope. We are planning to visit Kona on our next trip, your video was very good and helpful. Much appreciated. Thanks again,

[@irishenterprisesllc7414]

Does The Royal Kona Resort Have A Parking Fee? A: Yes, Royal Kona Resort has an $18 per day parking fee. GG kind of glossed over that when he mentioned no resort fee.

[@GetawayGuru]

You are correct the Royal Kona Resort has a parking fee. It does not, however, levy a resort fee. Right now, I suggest you avoid renting a car as the prices are running anywhere from $200-400 a day. It's ridiculous! Thanks for taking time to write.

[@juliefroehlich8632]

@@GetawayGuru We were just there (March 3-9, 2024. The parking fee is $25 / day. The Resort Fee was $25/day

[@rachelsamson7541]

Looks like they have the resort fee now

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Rachel, and greetings from Cairo, Egypt. In the coming weeks watch for some Egypt videos. Yes, unfortunately the Royal Kona Resort, one of the last hotels in Hawaii NOT to charge an "evil resort fee" has finally given in! Darn! Effective Feb. 1, 2022, the hotel adds a $22 per day per room resort fee. You can review a list of amenities you receive at: www.royalkona.com/terms-and-conditions. Scroll down the page to "Resort Amenity Fee." Thanks!

[@josegarcia-mejia3958]

I was there in 2019 it is absolutely beautiful 😻

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi Jose, thanks for your note. Kailua Kona is one of my favorite places in Hawaii. And the Royal Kona Resort is a solid choice. Aloha!

[@medfordscoggins4871]

Be advised: They charge $29.49 a day for the resort fee now. Parking is an additional $25 a day. Ouch.

[@lf4801]

What was your room number?

[@GetawayGuru]

Hi LF, sorry I don't remember my room number, but it was a corner suite. Beautiful view with lots of room. It a solid 3.5-star hotel. Easy walking distance to thge ":main drag" through Kailua-Kona. I always enjoy my stay there.

[@johnmc6979]

Great blog. Thanks. I was thinking of either King Kam or the Royal Kona. Which has the.most closest restaurants and shopping and how far to get there. How far apart are the King K and Royal Kona to walk. Thanks in advance

[@maestrojon]

Just booked this hotel Feb/2022. They are now charging a resort fee as of 01-Feb-2022. It was something like $20 or $22 a day.

[@GetawayGuru]

Thanks for your note. Sadly, the Royal Kona Resort is now charging the evil resort fees, which are nothing more than an excuse to pick our pockets. Thanks for your note.

[@millerforester6237]

A resort fee is a ploy to list a lower room rate. I find this less than honest. One hotel is passed on had not only a resort fee, but also a parking fee - even though I had no car.

[@soniamartinez7987]

No resort fee? HaHa.Check again.

[@GetawayGuru]

Unfortunately in travel things change often. The hotel started charging a resort fee on February 1, 2022. This video was filmed in March of 2021 (posted in May of 2021).