Captain Cook & Holualoa Area

(800) 392-1812 or (808) 324-1121
76-5932 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

What a great find this inn is! This 30-acre property in Holualoa town above Kona began its life in 1978 as the vacation retreat for Thurston Twigg-Smith, publisher of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser newspaper, and his eight children. It was remodeled in 1987 to a boutique inn, and so it remains today with the current owner taking over in 2005. Some of the original furnishings remain with added touches from Bali and other places. The flooring is all eucalyptus and immaculately maintained. (You are asked to leave shoes outside and they offer booties.) The spectacular views include 16 miles of Kona coastline and can be enjoyed from many of the rooms, the pool, the hot tub, the massage hale (therapist on-call), event pavilion and ohana room.

Each guest room and suite enjoys its own private bath and expensive bedding. (They sell the sheet sets.

(808) 324-1155
76-5908 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

This ultra-pink 1926 building is up at the 1,400 foot elevation level in Holualoa (above Kona town) where it may get chilly at night. It’s fallen into disrepair over the years, but new management is making an effort. However, it did have a musty smell to us on our visit, and we felt it could be cleaner. No mints on your pillow, no phones, no TVs, no mini fridges, shared bathrooms (male- or female-only). The best view of Kona may be from the old bathroom out back, if you don’t get an ocean-view room. Rooms are $45–$55 for a single, $10 more per additional persons. Prepaid or cash only. 2-night minimum.

(808) 323-2642
82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy (11), Captain Cook

Not-too-close, not-too-far from the more touristy Kona, this hotel was built in 1917 by a Japanese mail-order bride and her husband (with an initial investment of $100) as a restaurant with futons for their customers to sleep on (the rate was $1 a night back then). Happily, this still retains the feel of old Hawai‘i. No phones or TVs in the rooms (people congregate in the lobby at night to watch TV) and no laundry facilities. Nice folks abound here; the place has a very comfortable family feel. They tried to upgrade the rooms with TVs, but the regular customers balked. Lanais only on private rooms in back building. Upper floors have good views, as does the back building. And you’ll be happy to know that the place is very clean (for its age). Their restaurant (closed Mondays) has outstanding pork chops made in an old cast-iron skillet. Rooms are around $82–$104, and their “Japanese Rooms”—which include a Furo (Japanese-style bath), tatami mats and futon—start at $101. Weekly rates available.

(808) 323-2224
81-6363 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua

This is a hostel close to Kealakekua Bay. There are five rooms with shared baths, eight rooms that have their own bath, women-only dorms and a co-ed dorm in a scattering of three buildings with a shared kitchen. Overall, we found the place to be clean and eclectic, with the private rooms pretty decent for the money. There is a phone for local calls available, computer and TV in the lobby. They provide linens, shampoo and soap, but you need to bring a towel or rent one for the dorms. There are lockers available for use. Bring a photo ID to check in. They have no minimum stay but a 14-day maximum, and they reserve the right to refuse people. The on-site mascot, Lily the dog, is a charmer. Dorms are $55–$60, shared bath private rooms are $120, and private room and bath are $150–$170 (for newer building). No one under 18 allowed.