Where To Stay On The Big Island: Complete Guides?

 Let the tropical atmosphere work its magic on you! Welcome to one of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands, the Big Island. I think the white sandy beaches, rainforests, lava fields and lush palm trees are enough to explain how unique this island is! The Big Island is the largest island in the United States and the Hawaiian Islands. With its breathtaking landscapes, this volcanic island allows you to snorkel in the best waters, explore beautiful national parks, see breathtaking waterfalls and take breathtaking photos on the black sand beaches.

You'll have the opportunity to discover all kinds of natural beauty, so there's no reason not to be excited! In this blog post I will talk about the 5 best areas to stay on the Big Island, with hotels ranging from luxury hotels to budget hotels to Airbnb’s. Before we begin, I would like to inform you that you can stay on unique places on big island. Big Island is a very popular and expensive tourist destination that is visited by tourists all year round. There are best places to stay on the big island for families.

Hawaii’s Big Island: Best Places To Stay

Deciding where to stay on the Big Island on your first visit will be the decision that will have the biggest impact on your trip. Therefore, you should spend most of your time thinking and researching it. The deciding factors when choosing the best accommodation will always be budget, walkability, manoeuvrability, climate, security and proximity to main attractions.

Finding Housing On Hawaii’s Big Island

If you're thinking about moving to the Big Island of Hawaii, the first thing you need to do is find an apartment. Whether you want to buy or rent an apartment, there are some challenges to consider when looking for an apartment on a large island. Firstly, there are no rental options, so there are not as many housing options as in populated areas on the continent. Secondly, the property market on the island can be very competitive, so you should be prepared to act quickly if you find a place you like. Here are some tips to help you find accommodation on a large island:

1. Start your search early. The sooner you start house hunting, the better your chances of finding something that meets your needs.
2. Expand your network. There are many different types of housing on the Big Island, so don't limit yourself to just one type of apartment. Try searching for apartments, vacation homes and houses for rent. You can stay on the big island with families also.
3. Be willing to compromise. The Big Island real estate market is highly competitive, so you may need to be flexible and willing to compromise with your housing needs.
4. Use online resources. There are a number of online resources available to help you find housing on the big island, including websites like Airbnb, VRBO. Facebook Marketplace, Furnished Finder, and Craigslist.
5. Contact local real estate agents .If you are having trouble finding an apartment on your own, you can contact your local real estate agent and ask for help. The Big Island of Hawaii is a beautiful place to live and with a little preparation you can find the perfect living environment for you and your family.

Read also: Budget Family Travel Guide to Travel with Kids on a Budget

On The Big Island, Where Do You Stay?

Think of a location where you have enough time to visit all the most popular attractions. On smaller islands like Kauai, Maui or Oahu, a week can be enough. However, the size of the Big Island requires more time to see all the interesting attractions. We recommend at least a week, but two to three weeks are ideal. Plan to split your time between the two main halves of the island: the western and eastern halves.

How To Make The Most Of Your Visit From The West To The East Of The Big Island 

We recommend splitting your stay during your trip between Kailua-Kona on the west side and Hilo (or Volcano) on the east side. This facilitates many additional excursions and allows you to explore both sides of the island. If you only have a week to explore the island, four nights in Hilo and three in Kailua-Kona are enough. Use the same factor for longer visits. Most visitors spend more time in Kailua-Kona, as this is where most of the Big Island's hotels, luxury resorts, rentals and motels are located. However, many of the Big Island's best attractions and attractions are nearby. Historic sites are closer to Hilo, so visitors should try to book accommodation in Hilo for at least half of their stay on the island.

Benefits of staying in Hilo

Locals call Hilo the eastern part of the island, which includes downtown Hilo (Hawaii's second largest city) and the volcano area. Ultimately, staying here is worth it due to its proximity to all of Big Island's major attractions on the east side. Hilo is much less touristy than the western part of the island and offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. This is where Hilo Airport is located, which, as previously mentioned, can be a great place to land or depart from the Islands.

Hilo is close to many famous landmarks and attractions. Many families and individuals who visit this base find it ideal for sightseeing. Nature and time: Enjoy the luxury of nature here. The humid climate promotes cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation, wildflowers and plant life. Hilo and the volcanic areas are lush because rain is common in these areas. For more information, see our article on weather on the Big Island of Hawaii. Famous Attractions: Hilo is an ideal base for traveling to the summit of Mauna Kea. Hilo is the best place to start your journey along Saddle Road. Hilo is best accessed from many northern towns (Hamakua) and Puna attractions.

1. Excellent proximity to Hamakua and Hilo attractions
2. Good base for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
3. Decent selection of shops and/or markets
4. Excellent access to Saddle Road and Mauna Kea attractions.

Benefits Of Staying In Kona Side

On the Kailua-Kona side, you'll have more time to explore the sights, beaches, historical and cultural locations, and attractions on that side, including day trips up to Pololu and Waipio Valleys. Depending on your interests, you may want to give yourself more time in Kailua-Kona or Hilo- it's really up to you. Knowing where to stay and knowing when to visit the big island  is equally essential.

Visiting Hilo’s (East) Side

We refer to Hilo as the east side of the island, which includes the downtown area and the Volcano region of Hilo, Hawaii's second-largest town. Contrary to the Kona side's arid lava plains, this side of the island is noticeably rainier than the west. However, the additional rain also provides a lush and verdant paradise. Here, just outside of Hilo, there are a lot of waterfalls. This is where the Hilo airport is, and as said above, it can be a great site to fly into or off of the island. The absence of quality beaches on the east side is a drawback; sadly, there are not many of them in this area. In the end, staying here is worthwhile due to the east side's accessibility to the top Big Island attractions.

Visiting West Side Of Kona

The entire western part of the Big Island, including Kailua-Kona town, is referred to as the "Kona side." Lava fields stretch as far as the eye can reach on this side of the island, which is dry and desolate. However, the beaches on this side of the island are far better than those on the east (even though some of them require a little work to access). The weather is also dryer here than it is on the east. This side of the island may serve as a great home base for exploring because to the abundance of lodging options, the main airport, and the location. We advise staying in a small inn or B&B for those visiting the Kailua-Kona side of the island.

Big Island Resorts By Region

Staying At Kohala (Gold) Coast Hotels:

Waikaloa and Kohala among others

The "Gold Coast" is a section of the Kona coast that stretches north of Kailua-Kona town toward Kohala. The Big Island's natural sights are diverse, yet there aren't any real affordable lodgings there. Here, explore the mostly desolate lava plains and volcanoes.

Staying In Kailua-Kona:

The Big Island's west side, which includes Kailua-Kona town, is referred known as the Kona side. Lava fields can be seen for miles in certain areas on this drier side of the island. This side of the island also has much better beaches. Some, though, could require some effort to access.

Here is also where the island's main airport is. The Kailua-Kona region has a wide selection of inexpensive lodgings, making it the perfect choice for those on a tight budget who want to stay on the Westside. It's a great place to start exploring this side of the island. Exceptional parks, family-friendly beaches, places with lots to do, and excellent dining alternatives can be found on the Big Island in addition to these hotel options.

Staying In Hilo Town

The Hilo side, which encompasses the Volcano region and downtown Hilo (Hawaii's second-largest town), is referred to by locals as the island's East side. In the end, staying here is rewarding due to the east side's close access to all the fantastic Big Island activities. Compared to the west side of the island, Hilo is significantly less touristy and has a variety of hotel options. This is where the Hilo airport is, and as said above, it can be a great site to fly into or off of the island.

Staying In Volcano Town:

In this region, which is close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, there are several decent low-cost lodging options. There are primarily holiday rentals.

This picturesque village is home to numerous quaint homes, a few hostels, and hotels that are encircled by ferns and other lush flora. To visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or the interesting locations along the Big Island's south (Kau) shoreline, this region is an excellent place to stay. If you're fortunate enough to visit the park when the lava is active, plan to spend around two full days visiting the park.

Staying On The Hamakua Coast:

Surfers can find nirvana at the Hamakua Coast. Surfers and lovers of water sports frequent a number of beaches on the North Shore. But there aren't any suitable accommodations there. Think about staying nearby and visiting the region for a day.

Staying in puna:

Staying in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii's east side is not an easy task. After the devastating effects of the 2018 Kilauea volcano eruption, much of the region is still recovering. As a result, it has no lodging for tourists.

Where to stay on the big island for couples?

Our suggestion for a secluded, intimate vacation is Papakolea Beach. In Ka, Papaklea Beach is a green sand beach that is close to South Point. Enjoy the adventure, stunning coastline vistas, and vivid green sand while you're here. Some places are to be avoided in Hawaii’s big island.

Conclusion:

There are many possibilities, but you may start to limit your choices now that you know how to fill your time, where to stay in Hawaii that is ideal, how to fly there, and where to stay while on vacation. Wishing you success as you finalize your travel arrangements to the Big Island of Hawaii, a place of incredibly rich diversity.

FAQs:

Q1. What places to avoid in Hawaii’s big island for families?

Ans. Go to less popular beaches like Waimanalo Beach and Kaimana Beach on Oahu or Ke'ei Beach and Shipman Beach on the Big Island to enjoy a dip or catch some rays in peace and quiet if you want to avoid the crowds.

Q2. Where to stay on the big island for couples?

Ans. With Kauai being the first on our list of the most romantic Hawaiian islands to visit, we aren't just being prejudiced; it's actually one of the top spots for couples to stay. The northernmost island of the archipelago, Kauai, is a true paradise with some of Hawaii's best landscapes.

Q3. What are the unique places to stay on the big island?

Ans. Our Top Beaches, Destinations, and Activities for the Big...

Of all the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island is the biggest and most volcanically active. Even if you stay for more than a month, it is nearly hard to squeeze everything into your holiday due to the area's famed beauty and abundance of fun activities.

 

 Also read: WHERE TO STAY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK