Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona in Kailua Kona, HI

We found this hotel in a convenient location to the Kona area. The hotel was comfortable and reasonably clean except for the hallways. There are no USB charging ports near the bed, which seems standard in many hotels now. The towels were starting to show wear and tear and were thin rather than fluffy. Unfortunately, while breakfast is included, we still find breakfasts in the many American hotels we've stayed at, to be sub-par on good healthy options. Cereals were the type high in sugars and refined everything, Yoghurt low or no fat and no real dairy taste, but high sugar which combined with highly processed flour in breads, muffins etc is not a healthy start. Whole wheat bread was available but slightly sweet rather than savoury. To their credit, the Holiday Inn had fresh apples, oranges, and bananas, which were amply replenished, so this was greatly appreciated at the breakfast. I also noticed some people had a raisin bran which I think would be marginally better than the more refined ones, so a suggestion that cereals be dispensed from glass tubes and paper bowls (ceramic better) which means cereals bought in bulk, less plastic, no handling of food as dial turns the dispenser wheel to dispense the cereals. But I understand this may be the style of breakfasts most Americans want, but maybe sometimes they have to rethink choices We've had better breakfasts in other Holiday Inn Express hotels, so a 2 only for this breakfast. As is one of my main issues, the use of plastic kettles in today's world, especially a large multinational organisation brand such as this could set higher standards for their Holiday Inn franchisees or lessees. Invest in stainless steel coffee machines (I understand Americans like drip style coffee but there must be more tea drinkers as well for a stainless steel kettle) provision of a proper ceramic cup or microwaveable cup for use when a microwave is provided - the plastic cups provided in the room were totally unsuitable for the microwave and there was nothing else to boil water. My other issue with Kona Holiday Inn is NO ceramic plates, bowls, or stainless steel cutlery for use, but rather always resorting to massive wastage of paper plates, paper bowls, plastic cutlery, throw away plastic and paper cups. Our room was very spacious and comfortable, but not very soundproofed as you can hear people walking across the floorboards above our room. Also, in our room, a constant humming sound can be heard but was not overly disturbing, but I presume from the air conditioning. I must qualify my comments for the Kona Holiday Express in that I do notice the use of a lot of disposables in American hotels rather than the international franchisees.

Check-In and Out was Easy:) Nice employees! Room came off clean:) QUIET night:) Comfortable bed and pillows:) Nice TV and nice channel selection:) Nice shower pressure and plenty of pressure:) Love your Dove soap products:) Breakfast was alright, stove not wot so no warm food:( but made do:) Love the breakfast setting with outdoor view, seat was HARD to come by:( Parking is TIGHT spots and seem few, just found one coming in late😳 I HATE being a guest at a hotel and paying a HIGH cost and still being charged for parking, in this case, $15! It’s a $$$$ grab🤬

This hotel is in a terrific location. I've stayed here twice and consider it a great value. The room size is good, the accommodations are clean, and the air conditioning works beautifully (important after lying in the Hawaiian sun all day!). Kona's main drag is a half-block away. Super easy to walk there for browsing the many shops, grabbing dinner, and taking in the ocean view. Walmart and Safeway are less than 5 minutes away. (If you're looking for food or snacks, I'd recommend the Safeway. The Kona Walmart grocery selection is pretty weak.) Speaking of the Walmart, it's perched on a hill overlooking Kona town and is an *amazing* spot to watch the sun set over the village and ocean. In fact, there are usually a dozen or so people there every night, just to take in the view as day turns into night. Back to the hotel: The free breakfast at this location is not a winner in my estimation. Variety has been pretty limited. Last time I was here they had an odd combination: gravy (the kind served with biscuits and gravy) with rice. No biscuits. Rice and gravy. Maybe it's an island thing, but I passed. Fruit selection was also pretty weak, which is surprising considering we're in Hawaii. Still, the overall value here and the great location cannot be beat. If you, like me, are not a big fan of resort accomodations, this is an option to consider.

Hotel staff were super friendly and helpful. The room was very clean. I had just come from 4 nights in a less-than-clean Airbnb in Hilo and said prayers of thanks when I walked into my room and caught the faint smell of bleach. Bleach equals clean clean. I had a beautiful view of the ocean, where the cruise ships park. I could watch the sunset from my window. There is also a great sunset view from the 2nd floor elevator landing (its outside.) I didn't use the pool, but it looked clean and well kept. Breakfast was typical holiday inn breakfast, but they added spam or Portuguese sausage every morning. I stopped in every morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee and breakfast on my way out to explore. Loads of shops and restaurants are within walking distance. I only used my car when I went coffee farm hopping. I did take advantage of their laundry facility and had no issues, it's pay and you can use cards. If I ever return to the Big Island, this is where I will stay.

m took excellent care of us when our night flight was cancelled and there were NO rooms anywhere at 3 am in the morning. Went above and beyond to help us and 2 other families with small children. Staff was SO nice - and checked on us and updated the status of getting a room- as soon as someone checked out....thank you