Kona Tiki Review: Affordable Oceanfront Hotel Hawaiʻi 2024

A deep dive into the most affordable oceanfront hotel in Hawaiʻi – Kona Tiki Hotel Review.

A view of Kona Tiki Hotel from the sky. We can clearly see parasols, palm trees and the solar panels lining the roof. — Kona Tiki is right on the oceanfront and the waves often splash into the pool

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Do you dream of vacationing in Hawaiʻi, watching the sunset from the pool of your hotel and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean? We’ve just had that exact experience and have discovered the best Kona hotel for you too. A stunning oceanfront property, Kona Tiki is a beautiful, budget boutique hotel just one mile south of Kailua-Kona. You might wonder what sets Kona Tiki apart from the many other Hawaiʻi hotels on Big Island, and it’s that it couldn’t be further from the large, commercial resorts you find in Kona. In contrast, it’s a charming and intimate hotel with all the benefits of a luxury resort without the price tag. Read on to discover why Kona Tiki could be the perfect base for your dream Hawaiian vacation.

POV: You're resting on a clean bed with pillows and towels decorated with pineapples and fish. — Every room at the Kona Tiki Hotel has an oceanfront lanai

About Kona Tiki

Built in the 1950s, Kona Tiki has a scaled back, raw charm and has retained its Hawaiian authenticity. Overlooking Kahului Bay, it is actually the only hotel in Kona where every single room has a private, ocean view lanai, a Hawaiian term for an outdoor area like a balcony – the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of Kona coffee or watch the sunset over the ocean on an evening. It is also one of the most affordable oceanfront hotels in Hawaiʻi. Room occupancy is for two people, making it a great option for couples, but it is also popular with families and solo travellers alike. An independent, locally-owned hotel, Kona Tiki’s owners are always available via phone, email or WhatsApp and are keen to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Staying local can also be a great way to combat tourism leakage and is a small change travellers can make to be more sustainable. Kona Tiki also has a sister property, Big Island Retreat, which we’ve also reviewed here.

Read next: Big Island Retreat Hawaii Hotel Review

Palm trees surround the charismatic exterior of Kona Tiki Hotel. The sun is setting and the ocean is calm. Each room has a generous balcony and view of the sea. — Kona Tiki Hotel is the most affordable oceanfront hotel in Hawaiʻi

Where is Kona Tiki?

Kona Tiki is located on the west coast of Big Island, one mile south of Kailua-Kona town. Kona is the district, while Kailua is the historic town. But the town, while being called Kailua-Kona, is most commonly referred to simply as Kona. The commercial centre of Big Island’s tourism industry, Kailua-Kona boasts plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. There are numerous large-scale resorts and chain hotels, as well as shops, bars and restaurants, so it can be nice to escape the hubbub of the town centre.

Read more: The Thorough Guide to Kailua-Kona

A white sign reads "KONA TIKI HOTEL". It is decorated with hawaiian images and sits against a backdrop of palm trees. — Kona Tiki Hotel is very accessible from Kailua-Kona town

Kona Tiki’s location means you have immediate access to Kona’s bars, restaurants and shops but are away from the crowds and noise of the larger resorts. The atmosphere is calm and quiet, perfect for relaxing by the pool or on your lanai.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller and quieter, Kona Tiki is the hotel for you. Kona Tiki allows you to avoid the crowds in Kona and is also a short walk from Honl’s Beach, a cosy little beach surrounded by palm trees. It is also only 1.4km from Magic Sands Beach Park, one of the best snorkelling spots on Big Island.

The large pool at Kona Tiki Hotel boasts luxury views of the sea and of the surrounding palm trees. The bottom of the pool is decorated with patterned blue tiles. — By choosing Kona Tiki Hotel you can avoid the crowds in Kona

What rooms does Kona Tiki offer?

Kona Tiki boasts sixteen newly renovated and uniquely decorated rooms across three stories, all with a balcony or outdoor area. The ground floor rooms are accessibility-friendly and feature a nice grassy area in front of their patio sliding doors.

All rooms feature a super comfortable King Bed and come in different sizes, including Deluxe, Standard, Petite and a corner Suite. We had the pleasure of staying in a King Deluxe on the middle floor. The room was very spacious and equipped with everything we needed. The balcony featured stunning views of the water and we particularly cherished falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.

The hotel operates on a room-only basis, so breakfast is not included but this gives you the perfect excuse to get out and try local restaurants and cafés – you might discover some really great hidden gems.

A king sized bed fills the view. The towels and blankets are decorated with animal and pineapple shapes. In the background, a large beach bag hangs on the wall. — Every room at Kona Tiki has a king sized bed

What’s in the rooms at Kona Tiki?

Aside from the super comfy king bed, which is sandwiched/bordered between ambient touch lamps and small bedside tables, the rooms also feature a work area with desk, chair and lamp, reading corner with comfy chair, outdoor balcony or ground-floor space with coffee table and chairs, and a standing fan. There is plenty of hanging space, as well as luggage stands and storage racks for your belongings.

There is no air conditioning in the hotel, which reduces the use of water and electricity. Instead, you can use the natural ocean breeze to cool the rooms down, leaving the sliding bedroom doors open (don’t worry about bugs, there are large screens to protect the doorway). Leaving the doors open also allows you to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. There are also no TVs in the rooms, a tradition maintained since the 50s, so you can really unplug and appreciate the authentic Hawaiian atmosphere. If it’s really important to you to wind down in front of a screen, the WiFi is strong so you’ll be able to enjoy all your usual streaming services on a laptop, tablet or phone.

A colourful piece of Hawaiian art hangs from the wall. Below it is a painted wooden desk and chair. — Step into a laid-back vibe at Kona Tiki Hotel

Each room features a compact ensuite bathroom, which is equipped with toiletries, towels, facecloths and a hair dryer. The brightly tiled, walk-in shower is also stocked with refillable shampoo and body wash.

The hotel lends itself perfectly to those who prefer to self-cater, as each room also has an extensive kitchenette area – more on this in the next section!

A beach bag hangs on a wall hanger fixed to wooden oars. — Magic Sands and Kahalu’u Beach Parks are only a short drive away from Kona Tiki

Dining at Kona Tiki

Every room in the Kona Tiki hotel is equipped with a well-stocked kitchenette. Featuring a stainless steel sink, drying area and plenty of worktop space, having a kitchenette is a great way to save a bit of money on your holiday. They’re also super easy to cook a variety of meals in as they include a fridge, coffee maker, microwave, skillet cooker, kettle, toaster, crockery, cutlery and glassware.

If you’d rather eat out, you can start your day with coffee from Green Flash Coffee which is a 3 minute walk down the road from the hotel. Basik Açaí and Journey Café are great options for breakfast and Huggos on the Rocks and Papa Kona feature ocean views and extensive lunch and dinner menus. Check out more food and drink recommendations in Kona in our Thorough Guide to Kona.

We see a kitchenette complete with sink, coffee maker, microwave and fridge. A wooden carving hangs on the the wall. — Save money for Hawaiʻi excursions by making the most of the kitchenette

What facilities are there at Kona Tiki?

A key highlight of any stay at Kona Tiki is the oceanfront pool. Guarded by a low lava rock sea wall and surrounded by sun loungers, the pool is medium in size but long enough to swim laps in, and the perfect place to cool off from the effects of the strong Hawaiian sun. It’s so close to the ocean that sometimes waves even crash over the wall into the pool! A benefit of the hotel having a small number of rooms is that there is plenty of opportunity throughout the day to actually have the whole pool to yourself. This alone makes Kona Tiki one of the most idyllic places to stay in Kona.

POV: You're sat relaxing by a pool in the Hawaiian sunshine. A short distance away, palm trees stretch up to the sky. — A secluded spot by the pool is a perfect place to enjoy the tropical breeze

The pool deck also features a communal grill area which guests are free to use, and umbrella-shaded dining tables and chairs. Kona Tiki also has pool gear and beach equipment available for guests to borrow, which is great if you left your snorkel at home or didn’t pack your pool toys. The pool area is also a great location to watch a Hawaiian sunset, as the sky turns multiple shades of yellow and pink on an evening.

A view of the outside shower at Kona Tiki Hotel. The shower is mounted on the top of a wooden surf board. — Shower off the Hawaiian sand and relax in the comfort of Kona Tiki Hotel

Kona Tiki offers free, on-site private parking with additional parking available across the street. There is also a small garden where you may spot a variety of native garden birds. Paths around the property are lit by solar-powered LED torches at night (a more eco-friendly version of a Hawaiian lit torch).

The rooms also feature amenities to make your stay more comfortable, including blankets, beach towels and an ice bucket, which can be filled from the ice machine in the lobby.

A hotel can just be seen beyond a luscious green garden full of tropical plants and trees. A small path winds through the garden. — Kona Tiki is a small independent hotel – a perfect place to avoid the crowds in Kona

What services does Kona Tiki offer?

Upon booking, you will be issued with a confirmation email and you will also receive a reservation reminder with everything you need to know about your stay, including clear check-in and parking instructions and directions. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00 but early check-in and late check-out can be pre-arranged if required. The property managers also communicate clearly and will let you know when your room is ready. They are available round the clock via phone, text, email and WhatsApp and are super attentive. Kona Tiki also offers free luggage storage, which is a great service if you have an organised tour and don’t want to have to leave your bags in the boot of your car. Speak to a member of staff, who are very friendly and knowledgeable, if you would like help booking excursions or want some local recommendations.

Stepping out onto a balcony looking out at the sun as it rises between palm trees. — Kona Tiki is an ideal spot to watch the Hawaiian sunset

How much does it cost to stay in Kona Tiki?

Prices for Kona Tiki fluctuate depending on the time of year. Peak season in Hawaiʻi runs from December to March with Christmas and New Year being particularly popular. Travelling off-peak (April to June and September to November) is a great way to secure lower accommodation rates.

Rooms in Kona Tiki are available for a minimum booking of three nights. Depending on the room you book, room rates are typically between $269-$329 USD a night. In comparison to other three-star hotels in Kona, which can run between $400-$500 USD a night, Kona Tiki is very reasonable. And for an ocean-view room in any other hotel, you can expect to pay a minimum of $500-$1000+ a night, which is nearly three times the price of Kona Tiki! It’s by far the most affordable oceanfront hotel in Kona.

A small tropical bird with a red beak sits on the branch of a palm tree. The leaves glow in the golden light of the sun. — Often, early birds guarantee the best hotel room rate

Kona Tiki also often runs discounts, which can be found on their website. A recent promotion saw last-minute bookings, where the stay is within 10 days of booking, get 10% off the room rate.

As with any hotel stay in the USA, taxes are charged on the room rate, and Kona Tiki also includes a cleaning fee. But you have the benefit of avoiding any large resort fees, as Kona Tiki is an independent boutique hotel.

Check Kona Tiki Prices Directly

Check Kona Tiki Prices on Booking.com

Two dive masks and snorkels hang on hooks ready for a day of snorkelling. The hooks are fixed into a decorated surf board. — Kona Tiki is very close to some of the best snorkelling spots on Big Island

How to get to Kona Tiki

Kona Tiki is situated on Ali’i Drive and is easily accessible from the north or south. Before your visit, Kona Tiki will email clear directions and check-in instructions, and are available if you have any questions upon arrival. Most visitors to Big Island fly into the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole – Kona International Airport (KOA). This is also a great place to pick up a hire car for your trip around Big Island.

The view of the ocean at sunset from one of the private lanais in Kona Tiki Hotel. A palm tree pokes into shot from the right hand side and the sky is changing from blue to orange. — Every room at Kona Tiki has an oceanfront lanai

From the airport and north of the island, simply follow Queen Kaahumanu Hwy (Route 19) south for 6.5 miles (10.4km). Turn right onto Palani Road, which curves left at the waterfront and turns into Ali’i Drive. Continue south on Ali’i Drive through Kailua-Kona town for approximately 2 miles (3.2km). The hotel is located on the right-hand side, just past the intersection of Ali’i and Lunapule, across from the main entrance of the Wyndham Resort.

From the south of the island, head north on the Hawaiʻi Belt Rd (Highway 11). Take the road straight onto Māmalahoa Bypass Rd/Napoopoo Rd for around 5.5 miles (8.8km), then continue onto the Aliʻi Hwy for another 5 miles (8km). At the junction, turn left onto Aliʻi Drive. Kona Tiki is on the left just after you pass over the small bridge after the Royal Sea Cliff Kona by Outrigger.

A drone shot of Kona Tiki Hotel. Waves are crashing against the se wall right next to the pool. Greenery is dotted throughout the scene. The water is clear and blue. — Kona Tiki Hotel is easily accessible from downtown Kailua-Kona

How to get to Kailua-Kona from Kona Tiki

There are several ways to access the main town from Kona Tiki.

The first option is simply to walk. Ali’i Drive, the main road that services hotels along the west coast, has a clearly marked pedestrian area on each side of the road, making it totally safe to walk along. It can be difficult and expensive to find parking in Kona, but you can take advantage of Kona Tiki’s on-site private car park and leave the hire car behind. You can also enjoy the many cocktail bars Kona has to offer without having a designated driver.

Looking down into the pool at Kona Tiki Hotel we see a carving of a turtle. The artwork is made such that it looks like the turtle is breaking free from the bottom of the pool and leaving a tutle-shaped hole in its place. — The pool at Kona Tiki is newly refurbished and right on the oceanfront

Another way to get from Kona Tiki to Kailua-Kona is by bus. The Hele-On operated Kona Trolley Bus (route 201 ) runs regularly up and down Ali’i Drive and is completely free! Running roughly every hour, the timetable can be found on the Hele-On website and is also available to view on Google Maps public transport feature. A Trolley Bus Stop is not 100 metres from the hotel entrance and you can simply flag the bus down from there.

There are plenty of taxis in Kona too, if you’re looking for a more immediate form of transport. Uber and Lyft also operate in Kona, so you can just whack out your app and have a ride booked in seconds.

A bright pink and green bus stop sign stands out against the blue sky. — The Hele-on bus is a great way to get around Hawaiʻi Big Island for free

Things to do near Kona Tiki

There are so many things to do near Kona Tiki. There are several long sandy beaches along the west coast, which are great for snorkelling and surfing. Magic Sands and Kahalu’u Beach Parks are a short drive from the hotel are and great, family-friendly beaches. A little further away, you can hike to the Captain Cook monument or Kiholo Bay. Kailua-Kona town has plenty going on too. You can bar hop, try local delicacies in some of the many restaurants and shop til you drop.

A spiky cactus plant is set against the orange sky of sunrise. In the background, a palm tree leans into view. — Add Kona Tiki to your list of affordable oceanfront hotels

You may spot dolphins and whales right from the hotel, but if you’re keen to get a closer look, we’d recommend going whale watching. If you’re an ocean lover like we are, an Ocean Safari might be more your style, where you can encounter several marine species in one trip. And there are several snorkel tours available to book, where you can explore multiple snorkel spots in a day.

Read next: Ethical Wildlife Tourism in Hawaii

A huge humpback whale leaps from the calm ocean. Water runs off its dark body as it jumps up, ready to splash back down again. — Humpback whales can often be spotted from the west coast of Hawaiʻi

Kona Tiki is also a great base to explore the rest of the island. Easy day trips include Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and Waimea. You could even explore the tropical town of Hilo in a day, although staying there a few nights can cut down the driving times. Those interested in history should check out Kaloko-Honokōhau and Puʻuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Parks, as well as the Puakō Petroglyph Walk.

The image of a man and a fish can clearly be seen carved into the face of a piece of lava rock. This piece is part of the Kona Tiki Hotel walls. — Look out for this little mock petroglyph by the Kona Tiki pool!

Book your stay at Kona Tiki

Have we convinced you to stay at Kona Tiki? Book your stay using the information below:

Phone: 808-329–1425

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.konatikihotel.com

Booking.com: Kona Tiki on Booking.com

Kona Tiki also has a sister hotel: Big Island Retreat. Two beautiful open-air guesthouses, Big Island Retreat is surrounded by nature and right next to one of Big Island’s most popular snorkelling and surfing beaches. Find out more about Big Island Retreat in our Big Island Retreat Review here!