Overall, our stay at this hotel was very nice, however, I felt the price we paid was excessive for what we received. I was hoping to have a nice romantic trip with my wife, so I paid about $200 extra for an oceanfront corner room with a wraparound balcony. We were really hoping to be able to sit outside on the balcony to enjoy the views, but the barstools were too uncomfortable. The total cost for this room was about $500 a night midweek. When we arrived at our room, the views were stunning, but the room and the balcony lacked furnishings. The wraparound balcony was approximately 300 ft.² and only provided a pub table and two barstools to sit at. That’s the same furniture that they provide on their standard room balconies. In the main living/bedroom there wasn’t any real lamps or any type of reading light by bedside. There was only one lamp to light the entire room There was also a sofa and one chair. It would have been nice to have a coffee table or end table to put my cup of coffee down on instead of on the floor. There’s plenty of space to add a table. The bed was comfortable, but they didn’t have any extra blankets or pillows in the closet like you will find at most other hotels. The bathroom and the room was clean, and they did provide daily housekeeping which was nice, considering most hotels no longer do this. This hotel also only offers one restaurant with a pretty limited menu.

We stayed 6 nights here, loved the location - very convenient to restaurants and shopping. There is an ABC convenience store just a few minutes walk away with food, drink, clothing, and souvenirs. We splurged and got an ocean view room, worth every penny! We didn't rent a car; we used Lyft and/or walked instead and that worked perfectly for us. No microwave but was nice to have a small refrigerator. Room in need of some updating, but our main complaint was choppy, unreliable WiFi which made uploading and sharing photos difficult. We threw away a lot of empty plastic bottles, hope the resort recycles but we saw no bins specific for that. We would definitely stay here again if we get the chance to go back to Kona!

Loved this property! Location, pool, restaurant and bar are fabulous.

The exterior is great! Interior is very run down and at least for us, wasn’t very clean. Views were great!

Despite claims that the hotel and rooms were fully renovated in Bay and Alii towers, both on the website and when I asked at front desk), it was clear it was not completed. Our friends had a much nicer room, despite ours also being ocean front. Hotel in general was run down and staff all seemed stressed, including in restaurant. Bathroom was old, balcony was old.

Always an amazing stay!

Just stayed one night. Updates are underway so there is some construction going on. Great location. Great views from our room. We only gor apps and drinks at the restaurant, but both were good. Would stay again.

Great place! Food Was Great! Service was great!

The views are the best, with amazing sunsets! The staff is very friendly and helpful. However, the rooms need some upgrades and it smelled of mildew the entire time we were there, which was very unpleasant. We had to buy a candle to help mask the smell.

Pleasant enough a little disappointed to find out via email after we had booked that renovation works would be carried out during our stay causing noise between 9am-4pm. Staff were friendly and room was clean. Shame about the noise and run down rooms/lobbys.

Best hotel in kona hands down

We loved our stay at Royal Kona Resort. It exceeded our expectation. We loved the ocean view from our room. The lagoon was our favorite spot to relax, swim and snorkel. Even though the rooms were a bit dated, but they were very clean and spacious. Staff were friendly and helpful. The restaurant offered amazing ocean view. We really enjoyed our breakfast and dinner there. Will come to stay again for sure.

Salt and sun battered, this Kona icon made for a fantastic staycation with a corner oceanfront lanai on the black rocks with a sunset view. The doors stayed open to sleep like the dead to the amplified sounds of the ocean. The staff all made for fun interactions and everything I consumed tasted great. When in Kona, you can’t beat the atmosphere of the entire resort grounds. I will definitely be back.

This was the first time visiting the island. The downstairs of the hotel is very royal looking, but that is where it ends. We traveled all day and upon arrival, there was nothing welcoming. The service was majorly slow in both the front desk and the restaurant/bar. Once you arrived at your outdated room, you receive a water bottle and a coupon for a Mai tai. The first tower we were in faced a little bit of the ocean (we requested ocean view) & two bars. The music from the bar overtook the sound of the crashing waves and for the first three nights we were unable to get to sleep through the bar music. The third night we requested a room change (we had many activities planned that required us to be well rested). They changed us over to the main tower, were we now faced..another tower. We requested ocean view so they switched us room (with an attitude). When we arrived, the room was pungent. It smelled like cats or something disgusting was impregnated into the carpet. We opened up doors, but it didn’t help. We had a roof over our head and good air conditioning.

The hotel is “tired”. Needs paint, carpet and improvements. We loved the look of the hotel in regards to the Royal Kona look. The restaurant has a great ocean view. Check in was disappointing. The women who helped us must have been having a bad day. She was not very friendly. Dinner was nothing to write home about either. We will not be returning.

We only stayed for one night, but would stay again!

In resort restaurant was solid

Location is excellent. Great restaurant and bar. Choice of swimming in the ocean or pool.

This is a difficult review. The location and staff / housekeeping was excellent. Our view was excellent after I complained about the first room not meeting the pictures advertised…however we were quickly and politely moved to a room of our liking, meaning we had a couple rooms to choose from. The public areas were excellent. What you need to know is that two of the four towers comprising the hotel are being refurbished, which is long over do. The tower we stayed in on the outside was cracking and peeling. Our room had some bugs. We have no problem with older properties in general, but this tower was pushing the limits. It’s difficult for me to understand why ownership has waited so long to refurbish a hotel in such a great location…perhaps it’s under new ownership. However we did stay, so that says something. The fourth tower looked fine, from the outside. If I was to stay there again that’s the one I would try. Remember this is just one review, from a mainlander.

Room was not good bad smell from room carpet and bugs in bathroom.not recommended

Overall a very nice place and the location on the edge of the ocean can’t be beat. The view from my room was unfortunately right over the loading dock and was awoken by the sounds of a reversing (beeping) laundry truck. I didn’t come to sit on my balcony though and I did go with a little lower rate. The hotel restaurant/bar overlooked the ocean and was open-air, so enjoyed that experience greatly. It shows its age, but there is evidence of updates throughout. I’d recommend.

A little bit noisy

View was amazing from our corner room. Balcony furniture was bar chairs which aren’t comfortable. Comfortable furniture on balcony would be a game changer. Hotel is dated in desperate need of an upgrade. Carpet is old and sticky. Location is perfect with walking distance to restaurants and shopping. Customer service is friendly. Rooms don’t come with microwaves but we were able to request one and it was delivered to our room. Will be happy to stay again in the future if renovations are complete

We stay at the Royal Kona every year when our Motorcycle club goes to Kona for our annual Luau. It is fun to see some of the same staff and be welcomed like Ohana.

Front desk staff customer service was excellent and so was waitress at the restaurant. Hotel is older but in good condition and the saltwater pool is great.

Where all should rest for vacation. near perfection!

We stayed at this hotel for 5 nights and enjoyed everything. The staff was helpful, our room was always clean, and the location was quiet. Our room also had a wonderful ocean view. I appreciated that there were plenty of dining options near the hotel, although the hotel’s restaurant was great as well. The food was delicious, and I’m grateful they were able to prepare a breakfast that wasn’t on the menu. Thanks to the staff for making our vacation wonderful!

Old property, old furnishing, I stayed there twice, the view is hit or miss but the property is on the water. Easy walk to shopping, cafe and restaurants.

We had a wonderful stay and a memorable dinner at the resort restaurant.

partial ocean views is awesome

The location is great... wonderful on site restaurant. They are doing a major renovation and I would love to see the outcome. Very, very dated. Our safe was broken and they did not have the parts to fix it. Not horrible but I hate carrying our passports and extra cash around.

Everything was excellent. I did, however, think the Luau was not worth the cost. It was mediocre, food was typical Buffett and the best part was the show. I am not sure how you can make it more authentic, but it could use improvement.