Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

The hotel was a lovely place to start our first Big Island trip. We were between two Kailua-Kona hotels, and after hearing about problems at the other one, I’m glad we chose Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha. The staff were welcoming everywhere, from check-in and the hallways to the pool and restaurant. We had a comfortable room that worked well for a few days, with toiletries, a desk, couch, and safe. Parking was easy to find in the self-parking lot. The hotel’s holiday decorations were fun, especially the local figures on the tree and the market selling local goods. The pool always looked packed, so we skipped it and made a couple of visits to Ululani Shave Ice instead. The welcome drink was just okay, but the poolside bar and restaurant had lovely seating and views. It’s close to the beach, and you can see the luau in the distance. We really enjoyed our stay.

The room had a few problems from the start. The overhead light didn’t work, so we were using lamps until maintenance came and replaced it. I appreciated that fix, but the toilet paper holder was loose and nearly coming off, the luggage rack was broken, and the shower wasn’t clean. Black hair was in the shower, drain, floor, and even on the white bedding. I have blonde hair, so it clearly wasn’t ours. The shower drained so slowly that water pooled while we washed, leaving us standing in stagnant water mixed with hair, and it took a long time to clear afterward. The buffet at the bar was disappointing for the price. The crab wasn’t fresh and was overcooked, as was the prime rib. It was the most expensive meal we had in Hawaii, and unfortunately both of us ended up with stomach issues. We’d gone for the main dishes, not the sides, and didn’t enjoy it. The hotel cost us over $2000, so I felt I had to write this, even though I’ve never left a review before. I can’t tell if we were just unlucky or if the reviews are paid for, but I wasn’t impressed.

The beach access right in front of the hotel and how easy parking was made a big difference during our week at the King Kamehameha Courtyard. We had an oceanfront room, and the beds were comfortable, the room spacious, and the balcony a nice spot to relax. An ABC store, coffee shop, and shaved ice shop are downstairs, and downtown restaurants and shops are an easy walk away. Every staff member we met was friendly and helpful. A few things could be better. Our door slammed whenever it opened or closed, and we worried about disturbing nearby guests. The bathroom fan was loud and couldn’t be switched off, though we stopped noticing it after a couple of days. There were a few dusty spots despite the room being generally clean, and at busy times the front desk sometimes had only one person, so the line could take a while. We’d seen some worrying reviews before arriving, but we had a wonderful stay and would happily come back. The hotel didn’t take us to the pool because it always seemed packed, but none of the small issues spoiled the visit.

The location is lovely, and the rooms are spacious, clean, and well maintained. Service, though, left a lot to be desired, and it felt like they were short staffed. There was no one at the valet stand even with guests waiting, one person at the desk facing a line of over 20 people, and only one bartender for the restaurant until more waiters showed up near the time we were leaving. The man at the towel area was rude and clearly didn’t want to deal with us. I don’t think we’d return.