Hotel choice in North Kona or South Kohala area

We will be spending five nights on the BI this fall (I know many of you will tell me this isn%26#39;t enough, but we%26#39;re doing Kauai as well!) and we have two nights booked at the Teapot B%26amp;B at the Volcano. I%26#39;d like to spend the first three nights on the other side of the island and would like to avoid the heart of Kona if it%26#39;s as touristy as some say since that%26#39;s not our thing. Because we plan to travel to the Volcano the northern way, I thought it would make sense to look slightly north of Kona. The only day trip south of that area that we might take is to Capt Cook which it sounds like that might not be possible anyway. With that said, we don%26#39;t plan to spend much time in our room since we%26#39;re very active, but I want a decent, clean room. Would like to spend under $250/night if possible. Between this site and Big Island Revealed, I keep getting more confused about the best hotels in this price range. Thoughts?

Hotel choice in North Kona or South Kohala area

aloha minnow. rates are lower in the fall, but the weather is still wonderful. trythe Haouna Prince Hotel, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, the Fairmont Orchid, the Mauna Lani, the Hilton Waikoloa and the Marriott Waikoloa. all are fine, and are in the location you want. you can use the seach feature of the forum to type in each hotel name - or go to the TripAdvisor section where there are hotel reviews. you may not be able to get ocean front, but you can probably get ocean view rooms.

have fun.

Hotel choice in North Kona or South Kohala area

Aloha.....

North kona is for the mid price and budget traveler where you provide everything over the room and foray to see stuff you like It ranges from funky beach town to basic condo and hotel.

Restaurants ane good but not knock-out but offer good value

EXPECT PRICES AT 90 TO 130 A DAY AND FOOD AT 75 FOR 2

South Kohala is the resort turff where everything is provided to you and you can eat off the grounds IS IS ALL STUNNING.

The ambiance here is crafted and of the highest service and ammenity level. Here you don.t to have to have an idea of what you want.....it is catered to you...... but don%26#39;t expect costs under 250 a night and 150 A DAY FOR FOOD. FOR 2

HD

Aloha. If you like B%26amp;Bs, I highly recommend where we stayed in April: Silver Oaks Ranch (http://silveroaksranch.com/). The reviews for this place on the Tripadvisor Web site are awesome. I posted one after we returned. This is a real working ranch located at an elevation of around 1,400 feet, a few miles inland from Kona. The owners (who are so wonderful and accommodating) raise goats and have some other animals on the property, which you are free to roam around as you please. The views of the Kona coastline are beautiful, and the two private cottages available offer all of the comforts of home and then some. (We slept way better there than we do at home!) There%26#39;s a discount for five-night stays or more, so the cost, including tax, will be under $200 per night. If you%26#39;re looking for something nontouristy, this may be a great choice for you. Check it out!

Thanks everyone for your advice. Travelhappy, I had actually already investigated your suggestion as it sounded like something we%26#39;d enjoy, not the typcial place to stay. However, the website states in many places that they have a 5 night minimum stay and we%26#39;re only looking for a place that will take us 3 nights which is too bad...I love the suggestion. :(

MKL, most of the hotels you suggested look very nice and I think they%26#39;re what we have in mind. If we stayed as far north as Hapuna Prince, Farimont Orchid, Mauna Kea, etc., would it be a manageable day trip to go to Captain Cook and/or the Place of Refuge for a day? This area seems to be what we%26#39;re looking for and will make it easier when we head to the Volcano (we plan to do the Waipo Valley on our way there) but will this make it difficult to manage this other day trip? I know, we need more time here!

Minnow. Too bad about the Silver Oaks. I went to the Web site and saw that 5-night minimum requirement. That must be new; it used to be 2. Bummer. You could always call and ask if they would make an exception. Butter up the hosts and say how highly recommended their place comes! :-)

aloha minnow - you could do a day trip from the south kohala coast resorts to Captain Cook, Place of Refuge, etc - but it would be a long (but nice) day. if you stay at the Marriott or Hilton Waikoloa that would shave 15 minutes off the drive, but their resorts aren%26#39;t quite as upscale as the others I mentioned (IMO) - although they%26#39;re both very good.