In Kona we checked into the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel which must be the World’s longest hotel name. Seriously. After staying at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel this place felt like a Ritz-Carlton. Marriott did a nice job keeping the Hawaiian feel of this old building and making it one of their comfortable, clean hotels. Rooms have flat screen TVs and the lobby has local Hawaiian artwork and a full size outrigger canoe. There’s also one of Hawaii’s million ABC Stores (like 7Eleven but better) on the ground floor that sells bottled water for just 99 cents which is key as the tap water tastes nasty. Another huge plus of the hotel is its central location so you can walk to all kinds of shops and restaurants. There’s also a small beach out front but it didn’t look too enticing. Rates begin at $159.

Restaurants worth eating nearby are: 

Kona Brewing Co.: I went for lunch and had a slice of pizza and local organic salad for $9.

Huggo’s: A scenic relaxing walk along the shore about a mile from the Courtyard is this excellent seaside restaurant. They opened in 1969 and continue to be a local favorite. Their specialty is fresh fish but their teriyaki steak is darn good.

 

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