Sticking to a budget when visiting Hawaii Island can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. One of the easiest ways to be kind to your wallet is to find affordable, comfortable hotel accommodations. PACIFIC 19 Kona offers just that in an ideal location in the heart of the popular town of Kailua-Kona.
Formerly known as the Kona Seaside Hotel, the property features 122 rooms spread throughout five floors. (Plans are in the works to take over two neighboring buildings by years’ end and expand to 147 rooms.) The open-air lobby feels more like a casual living space than a traditional hotel lobby.
Check-in takes place at large table made by a local wood worker with reclaimed monkeypod. Custom, eye-catching wallpaper, designed by a local artist, highlights recognizable flora like papaya, royal palms, as well as flowering ohia, and koa trees.
I stayed in a room with two full beds on the fifth floor. All accommodations are the same size and identically designed – guests simply choose whether they need one king or two full beds. Compact, the room was doable for my family of three, but there was admittedly little room to spare.
Wood furnishings, taupe walls and green bedding combined to give the room an earthy but also hip feel. Clearly inspired by its Hawaiian island backyard, guest rooms also feature Big Island photography that much like an art exhibition, will change quarterly to highlight different locations and takes on Hawaii Island.
Along with offering a birds-eye view of Kailua-Kona, a large balcony provided extra living space that went a long way to ensuring a comfortable stay. Sparsely furnished – there was just a bench and drying rack – it provided a much needed spot to place wet swimsuits and assorted outdoor gear.
Once considered the most basic amenity of a hotel stay, the pandemic has led many properties to rethink daily housekeeping. PACIFIC 19 Kona offers housekeeping every three days or upon request.
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Microwaves and electric tea kettles are available upon request at no additional charge. All rooms have small refrigerators, but they are fully stocked with mini-bar items, so personal use is limited. Notably missing from the room was a coffee maker. Waimea Coffee Co. operates a coffee cart steps outside the hotel lobby called P19. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; but if you need a caffeine fix outside those hours, you’ll have to leave property.
Lingering around the property’s pair of firepits is especially easy on Saturday nights. Along with live music, rotating food trucks are on hand. For those seeking a more traditional dining experience, a number of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops are within an easy walk along bustling Alli Drive.
The pool is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; a nearby grassy area is stocked with assorted lawn games. Poolside yoga is available daily at 8 a.m.
Although there is a not a dedicated concierge, hotel staff are happy to provide guests with tips and suggestions to make the most of their time in Hawaii. The hotel has also partnered with a handful or local, well-known tour operators like Kona Boys and Hawaii Forest and Trail, to provide guests with easy access to unique experiences like outrigger canoe paddling and guided hiking excursions.
It’s just shy of an 8-mile drive from PACIFIC 19 Kona to the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA). Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located southeast of Kona, and approximately a 100 mile trip.
Rates start at $189 a night. Be sure to budget for the daily $25 amenity fee. It covers Wi-Fi, two welcome drinks from the in-room minibar, daily yoga practice, and use of beach chairs, umbrellas, and a handful of bicycles. Self-parking is an additional $20 per day.
PACIFIC 19 Kona is pet-friendly. Dogs must weigh 35 pounds or less with a maximum of two pets in every room. Pet fees are $35 per day, per pet. A refundable $50 deposit is required. Pets beds are provided at no additional charge. Compare rates at Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Pacific 19 Kona, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
