There’s so much to do and if one of those things is booking a room, you still have time!

Chelsea Sodaro Winning Ironman World Championships 2022

 

Qualifying for the Ironman World Championship is a dream come true for many athletes and even for their supporters. One of the first steps in planning your trip to Kailua-Kona is finding the perfect place to stay for the event! With its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and rich history, the tropical paradise on the Big Island offers a unique and memorable experience. Here’s a guide to help you navigate your last-minute accommodation options.

Location Considerations

When choosing your accommodation, consider what part of Kailua-Kona you’d like to stay in. With its shops, restaurants, and water activities, Ali’i Drive is a popular choice for its proximity to the Ironman events before and on race day. If you prefer a quieter setting, look for options farther away from the town center.

Vacation Rentals

If you’re looking for a more private and spacious option, vacation rentals can be a great choice. There are numerous vacation homes, condos, and villas in Kailua-Kona. With multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and outdoor spaces, vacation homes provide ample room for everyone to spread out and unwind. Renting a private residence allows you to have a home away from home and experience local life. Plus, you will generally have a full kitchen to be sure you are fueling properly for the big day. Check out some of our properties closest to the course.

Vacation Rentals Near Ironman Course

Hotels

Kailua-Kona has a variety of hotels to suit different budgets. You can find well-known chains like Marriott, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn, as well as locally-owned boutique hotels. Staying in a hotel can provide you with a convenient and hassle-free experience, often with on-site dining and other amenities.

Bed and Breakfasts

For a more intimate and personalized experience, consider staying in a bed and breakfast. Kailua-Kona has charming B&Bs that offer comfortable rooms and homemade breakfasts. This option allows you to connect with locals and get insider tips on exploring the area.

Resort Experience

Kailua-Kona boasts several luxurious resorts that offer unparalleled comfort and amenities. These oceanfront properties typically feature beautiful pools, private beaches, world-class dining, and spa facilities. Popular options include the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, and the Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection. While these are great options you’ll want to consider the distance to Kona and the limited access to Queen K Highway on race day.

Finish Line on Ali'i Drive Ironman World Championships 2022

Book soon

Kailua-Kona is a popular tourist destination even without the race, so it’s wise to book your accommodation well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. This ensures you have the widest selection of options and the best rates.

Special Considerations

If you have specific needs or preferences, such as accessibility requirements or pet-friendly accommodations, be sure to communicate these with your chosen lodging to ensure a comfortable stay.

 

The journey to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona is an extraordinary one, filled with anticipation, training, and dedication. Securing the perfect place to stay is a vital part of this adventure, offering you not only comfort but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique beauty and culture of this tropical paradise. Whether you opt for the bustling Ali’i Drive, the privacy of vacation rentals, the convenience of hotels, the charm of bed and breakfasts, or the luxury of resorts, there’s a perfect accommodation option to suit your preferences. As the race day approaches, don’t delay in making your reservation, considering the high demand for lodging in this sought-after destination. Be sure to communicate any specific needs or preferences with your chosen lodging, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable stay in Kailua-Kona as you prepare to tackle the Ironman World Championship.

As you’ve surely seen in the news today Mauna Loa erupted at 11:30 p.m. last night and there is lava flowing.

We are monitoring the situation but the eruption is on an unpopulated area of the island in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and no as of now the Kona area is unaffected. Although officials in the area of the volcano are warning residents to be prepared and everyone should stay vigilant and monitor the situation.

Otherwise operations in the Kona area have been running smoothly all day.

We will keep you updated if there are any changes and if you are a current guest we will send text messages.

AP News Updates: Here

 

USGS Volcanoes Twitter Updates: Here

 

Sunrise at Kona Coast Resort 5203

Sunrise at Kona Coast Resort 5203.

A great quiet location with AC and other amenities. But nothing beats the sunrise and sunsets. For more information click here: 5203.

Keahou at Night

Happy Fall! I thought I’d run down a list of some of the best, biggest upcoming Fall Festivals and Events in Hawaii!

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival will run from November 4-13th! This is Hawaii’s longest running food festival. It kicks off with a lantern parade and is not just a celebration of food and coffee but also includes; art, shopping and even a scholarship competition.

The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival runs from October 21st to November 6th in Honolulu. This is the 12th Annual one and you can find more information on events and tickets at the link.

You also may want to check out the schedule and events for the Festivals of Aloha!

There’s everything from luncheons and golf to music and classes and takes place in different locations so do pay attention to the schedule.

chocolates

So much delicious food at these events!

There’s also film! The Hawaiian International Film Festival will be taking place in Honolulu in November. More information on this one here: HIFF.

And of course there is Ironman taking place early October in Kona but I’ll have more details on that in another post.

Last but definitely not least you may want to check out Hawaii Volcanoes National Park No Fee Free Days. Which this fall includes September 24th and November 11th and is a great chance to visit if you are there!

Hawaii tourism

Wonderful news! At midnight on March 25th the Safe Travels Hawaii Program is expiring for all domestic vacationers to Hawaii!

What does this mean?

That starting March 26, 2022 you can travel to Hawaii without filling out any online forms or codes, not having to show proof of vaccination or any pre-flight testing! Again this is for DOMESTIC flights (at this time). International travelers must still follow the federal guidelines. But the situation is always fluid and moving so we will keep you updated.

Again anyone traveling to Hawaii starting on March 26th from the mainland on a domestic flight will no longer have any travel requirements to fulfill!

Just in time for a beautiful Spring and Summer on the Island 🙂

 

Kona Sunset

 

There’s been a lot of rumors about changes to the Safe Travels Hawaii program (and travel updates for the Big Island/Hawaii overall) so we want to clear some things up.

Thanks to decreasing case numbers and the islands good vaccinations rates the Governor has decided not to require boosters in order to be fully vaccinated/up to date as was being discussed. Basically nothing changes in that regard. When traveling to Hawaii you need to upload your vaccination papers to the Travel Hawaii Website or provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of your flight. This is all to avoid the 5-day quarantine.

On the island be respectful of the local businesses and the rules they have in place!

There are some rumors that if things continuing going as they are (fingers crossed!) even more restrictions and perhaps the program as a whole will be set aside by Spring but for now the Safe Travel Program is still in effect. We’ve come to learn that the easiest, best way to travel is to make sure you follow the instructions on the site and take care of everything before you get on the plane!

We will keep you updated as travel updates for the Big Island and Hawaii change! We hope to see you on the island soon… As always safe travels!

 

 

 

HOLIDAY EVENTS IN KONA! 

Below are some upcoming holiday events in Kona to help you celebrate and enjoy the season Kona Style!

 

Lanihau’s Holiday Market is tomorrow (Saturday December 4th)!

There will be crafts, live music, sidewalk sales and other fun things not to mention pictures with Santa (from 10-1 per the website). The fees from this event are donated to the Donkey Mill Art Center so you can enjoy the Hawaii Holiday spirit all for a good cause.

Go for a Christmas Stroll at Kekuaokalani on Saturday, December 11th from 5:30-7:30!

This event will feature food trucks (yum), crafts, parade floats and live music as well as Santa 🙂 Check out the website for more information and directions as it’s out by the old Airport and strongly suggested to bring a flashlight for strolling. *They will also be accepting canned food for donations.

Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts on December 11th & 12th from 8-4!

Enjoy locally made arts and crafts, gift shopping and live music! Not only will you be supporting local but this event takes place at Keoki’s South Kona Grindz and breakfast and lunch specials will be available 🙂

Address: 83-5315 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook

 

 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Happy Turkey Day from Kona! Where the birds are always having a good time!

We hope everyone has a peaceful fun-filled weekend whatever you might be doing 🙂

Welcome Back to Kona (Again!)

 

Welcome back to Kona (Again!)

As of today (Nov. 1st) Governor Inge has announced Hawaii is officially welcoming back all travelers!

The Safe Travels Program continues as is throughout the end of the year at least. Though as numbers continue to go down (fingers crossed!) and vaccinations rates go up local restrictions will be dropped.  

Make sure to keep an eye on your destination and as always please be respectful of the local businesses rules.

On November 8th the United States is lifting some of the most severe International Travel restrictions that were put in place. There are many caveats to that one including which vaccines countries are using and as you know these things change fast… so definitely look into that based on what country you wish to travel from. You can also reach out to us directly through phone or email and we can help you find the most current and up to date information.

This is an especially beautiful time of year in Kona and the holidays always make for a great and peaceful time to visit the island! We look forward to seeing you again and celebrating as recovery continues and we hope for (even better) times ahead!