Holualoa Inn
(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.