Tis the time of year to come to Hawaii for the holidays, right? Have you booked your Big Island vacation rental yet? If you were smart or experienced, you would have booked your lodging sometime around August, but perhaps you’re finally realizing you need a break from a post election world or a blizzard.
When we lived at Keauhou Resort, six miles south of Kona town, we would see MANY returning guests who would book their vacation condo the day they left for the following year. Yes, that is how people get great deals and great locations to stay during the peak winter months each year. Many times my friends would start asking me to help them find places to stay after Thanksgiving for Christmas. If you can avoid having to wait that long, the chances of finding either a prime home or an affordable condo will be easier.
Don’t forget that there is only a finite amount of homes in West Hawaii in general and many of those are owner occupied during the high season and rented out to the locals during the low season. Of course, if you enjoy staying in one of the resort hotels, you can do that, as well, but having the opportunity to make your own meals, enjoy a private pool and lounge on your own deck at sunset is a pleasurable experience on the Big Island!
Something to note: Transient taxes are 13.25%, so be sure to add that into your budget for a rental or hotel room.
Ideas for great places to stay for your vacation rental on the Big Island
Luxury: If you are looking to stay on the Kohala Coast in a prime luxury vacation rental, check out Big Island vacation rentals for homes that will MAKE your stay on the Big Island. Many fine ocean front restaurants and swimming beaches are located in Kohala. (Check out LavaLava Beach Club for ocean front Mai Tai’s and Hapuna Beach for swimming and sunbathing). If you DO plan on staying on the Kohala Coast in a vacation rental home or at the resorts, I wrote a blog post about fun things to do during the holidays in Waikoloa.
Family Vacation: In Kona, many vacation property owners have placed their homes and condos on VRBO/HomeAway and AirBnB. Friends of mine, Bob and Marty Dean, are property managers for vacation rental homes close to Kona and Holualoa. Within an easy distance from many of these homes is shopping in Kona town, the eclectic ocean front scene of All’i Drive and you can take your family swimming near the downtown Kona pier or at Magic Sands beach and snorkel at Kahaluu Beach Park for amazing turtle and tropical fish sightings.
Condo: My sister and brother in law own the vacation condo two doors down from where I lived for six years if you want enjoy the “365 Kona” lifestyle of walking to the Sheraton Keauhou Resort for coffee, walk to Keauhou Bay, and walk to the end of the golf course at sunset with a glass of wine and watch whales breach from the shore.
Budget: If you can’t spend over $1000 a night for lodging or even $100, here is a nice place to stay: My Hawaii Hostel, which may run you $50 a night. Located a few miles south of Kona town right on All’i, you can hop on the shuttle right in front of the hotel or walk across the street to the Banyan’s surf spot.
However you plan to spend your time on the Big Island or in West Hawaii, make sure you take time to slow down, enjoy the pace and culture of the island and allow the ocean water to ease those cares away. Happy Holidays!
http://www.365kona.com is a very informative website, and I’m thankful for it.
There seems to be some confusion about what Kona is. Since the authors of this site seem to be very well informed, perhaps you could define it on the website. Is it the wind on the Big Island, is it a defined area on the west coast of the Big Island, or is it the whole island? Could you please define exactly what Kona is?
Thanks
You guys are awesome I’ve seen you on YouTube and bought your book …. I hope to be there next year at your IronMan event I’m guessing will be very expensive time to be staying there in October any suggestions?