Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

In a nutshell: Incredible downtown Kailua-Kona location right on the beach.

Overview of the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

While this Courtyard Marriott gives you a pretty basic experience as far as the hotel itself goes, it has a phenomenal location and a good luau. Being steps a way from downtown Kailua-Kona means no rental car required. Plus the hotel sits on a small sandy beach, which is a bit harder to come by along the rocky Kona Coast.

The luau on site, while a bit pricey, does have a buffet and open bar. It may not be the best food you’ll eat on your vacation, but you can fill up. Overall this is a great spot for travelers looking to spend a lot of time downtown and want to be part of the high energy atmosphere that the location brings.

The Courtyard Marriott Kona Key Facts

The Courtyard Marriott Kona Location:

It really doesn’t get more central Kailua-Kona than this! The biggest benefit of staying here is the location: step right onto Kamakahonu Beach, Kailua Pier, or into downtown. It’s all right outside the door. Plus two of our favorite walking tours leave from the pier outside.

The Courtyard Marriott Kona Pool:

There is one large pool with a spa overlooking the beach.

The Courtyard Marriott Kona Review: why we love it

• Location: Everything you need is in walking distance, so a rental car is not necessary which is a huge plus. Casual and fine dining, entertainment, breweries and bars, grocery stores, shopping, and the beach are all within a 10 minute walk.
• Beach: The Kona Coast is pretty rugged and rocky, so you won’t get miles of sandy coastline like you do on the Kohala Coast (I’m talking about you, Westin Hapuna). That being said a nice sandy beach right outside your hotel is a great perk when staying in Kona.
• Good luau: The He ‘Ohana Kakou luau made it on our 6 Best Big Island Luaus for 2023 and is enriched by the presence of the Ahu’ena Heiau, a structure built in the early 1800s dedicated to the Hawaiian god of peace, agriculture, and prosperity. 

Things to Know Before Booking The Courtyard Marriott Kona

• Crowded: While crowds are to be expected in downtown Kailua-Kona, it is worth noting that this won’t be a tranquil location for your vacation. The pool and beach areas fill up quickly and overall it’s a very busy environment.
• Paying for location: You’ll be paying up for the prime location without many extras from staff or in the way of amenities.
• Marriott loyalty doesn’t get you much here: Unfortunately, having status in the Marriott Bonvoy program doesn’t go as far here as it does for many other hotels. So room upgrades and other special perks are hard to come by.
• Resort and parking fees: Unfortunately, high resort and parking fees are par for the course in Hawaii. Like many resorts, the Courtyard Marriott charges both a daily resort fee and a daily parking fee, which is not included in the room rate. This can be sticker shock if you’re not expecting it.

Want to check out other options on Big Island? Read our reviews:

Westin Hapuna Beach: wake up on the best beach on the Big Island
Waikoloa Beach Villas: central and walkable
Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

The Best Big Island Itinerary

Ready to plan the rest of your vacation? We have you covered with our Big Island itinerary. This download and go itinerary takes you on a planned out route around the island seeing the best sights and eating at the best restaurants.

We just got back from the Big Island and we used 3 different itinerary days from your guide. You helped us use our limited time well, and we’re grateful!  We hope we can visit Hawaii again sometime and explore a different island. 

Thanks again!

Amber M.