8 of the Best Big Island Hotels

So you booked your ticket to paradise, but don't know where to stay? No problem. Honolulu is a gorgeous getaway and one of the world's most popular vacation spots, so who better to look to for lodging advice than the travel agents that book there? Check out these eight Big Island hotels that are fan favorites among travel agents and travelers alike. 

1. Royal Kona Resort

Perched upon the dramatic lava shoreline of Kailua Bay, the Royal Kona Resort offers views for days paired with unmatched island hospitality. Equipped with all the amenities one would expect from a fabulous resort experience, Royal Kona Resort is an excellent choice for any traveler. Relax in the sun at the oceanfront swimming pool or saltwater lagoon, enjoy delicious cuisine at Don the Beachcomber Restaurant or sip a cocktail or two on your way to The Lotus Center Spa. As for sleeping arrangements, there's room for everyone with a variety of room sizes and suites to accommodate families, couples or solo travelers.

2. Hilton Waikoloa Village

With sixty-two acres to explore, a stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village is an experience in itself. The property has two fabulous resort towers to choose from and a number unique on-site offerings such as a four-acre ocean-fed lagoon with a white sand beach and watersports, three pools (complete with waterfalls and waterslides), mahogany canal boats for transportation around the resort and Dolphin Quest, an interactive dolphin experience. In addition to these unique features that set Hilton Waikoloa Village apart, the resort also offers more traditional experiences like award-winning dining, shopping and spa services.    

3. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

Inspired by the aloha spirit, Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is a luxury Hawaii Island resort and spa located along the breathtaking Kohala Coast. Travelers who choose Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii can expect to immerse themselves in nature as the hotel is surrounded by 32 oceanfront acres of blooming tropical gardens, rushing waterfalls and a zen-invoking white sand beach and lagoon. Taking luxury to the next level, one of this resort's most popular offerings is its Spa Without Walls, an award-winning experience that blends the area's naturally therapeutic environment with ancient Hawaiian healing arts for a spa experience not soon to be forgotten.

4. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay

With its tantalizing combination of adventure, culture, heritage and hospitality, Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay is an ideal choice for a Hawaiian vacation. It's located along Big Island's Kona Coast and is nearby some of the area's best attractions such as Kona Coffee farms, Volcanos National Park and Keauhou's giant manta ray coastal feeding grounds, which the hotel overlooks. Each room at the Sheraton Kona was styled with warm colors and indigenous accents, making it easy to unwind on your own private lanai (patio) after a long day of fun. 

5. Aston Kona by the Sea

Make your dreams of living in an oceanfront apartment a reality (if only for a week) at Aston Kona by the Sea, twin condominium-style buildings with everything you need for the perfect vacation. Each suite at Aston Kona by the Sea comes fully equipped with a full kitchen and two bathrooms. Plus, the complex is nearby all of Kona's best activities including snorkeling and surfing making it a great lodging options for travelers who want to explore the surrounding area or get lost in a tropical retreat.

6. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa makes for the perfect home away from home for every kind of traveler with three sparkling outdoor pools, two championship golf courses, an immaculate white sand beach and exceptional dining options. Looking for the ultimate wedding venue? Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa has 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor venue space to accommodate you and hundreds of your closest friends.

7. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

The official headquarters for the IRONMAN World Championship, Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is all about staying fit while enjoying your time on the Big Island. Train on the official IRONMAN course, stay active in the outdoor pool or visit the 24-hour fitness center to break a sweat. No worries if getting shredded isn't your idea of an ideal vacation; King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel has plenty of less physical offerings such as spacious accommodations, a poolside bar and a weekly Island Breeze Luau showcase.

8. Fairway Villas Waikoloa by Outrigger

Want to get away from the crowds? Find privacy at Fairway Villas Waikoloa by Outrigger, a gated community of one- to three- bedroom vacation condos hidden away on Hawaii Island's Kohala Coast. While the Villas may be smaller in scale than some of the mega-resorts on Big Island, they still offer the best in luxury and relaxation with an onsite infinity pool, lava-rock whirlpool spa and a fitness center. And finding amazing food is no problem with eight fantastic restaurants to choose from, all within the Waikoloa Beach Resort community.