Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona by IHG

The hotel stands out for its prime central location, offering unparalleled access to downtown Kona's vibrant shops, diverse restaurants, and the picturesque oceanfront, making it a perfect base for sightseers and families exploring the area. Its spacious rooms and generally attentive staff contribute to a comfortable stay, often exceeding expectations for a non-resort property. Many guests, including Ironman participants and their supporters, appreciate the hotel's convenience and the staff's willingness to go the extra mile, such as providing early breakfast options during events. The hotel is also well-suited for couples seeking a convenient and comfortable hub for their island adventures. To enhance your experience, consider requesting a room on a higher floor to minimize potential noise from adjacent rooms or the street, and be aware that while parking is available, spots can be tight and often incur a fee.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's facilities to be well-maintained and convenient, enhancing their stay. The outdoor pool and hot tub are popular features, providing a refreshing escape, though some guests noted occasional issues with the hot tub being out of service or the pool's cleanliness. A fitness center is available for those wishing to maintain their routine, although some equipment, like the treadmill, has been reported as out of order. The hotel provides essential in-room amenities such as a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker, adding to guest convenience. Additionally, guests appreciate the availability of laundry facilities and vending machines. Free Wi-Fi is provided, though some reviews indicate it can be spotty or slow at times.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Most guests praise the hotel's cleanliness and the comfort of their accommodations, describing rooms as spacious and well-appointed. The beds are frequently highlighted as comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, and the showers receive commendation for their excellent pressure. In-room amenities like Dove soap products are a nice touch. However, feedback on cleanliness is mixed, with some guests reporting issues such as sticky floors, stained sheets, or the presence of bugs, including roaches and ants, which necessitated room changes for some. Noise levels can also impact comfort; some guests experienced disturbances from upstairs neighbors due to thin walls, or from street noise and loud vehicles, particularly in rooms without carpet.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast is a significant draw for many guests, offering a convenient and cost-saving start to the day. The selection typically includes hot food options like eggs, sausage, bacon, or local specialties such as Portuguese sausage and pulled pork with gravy, which are often well-received. Pancakes, cereals, yogurt, and fresh fruit are also generally available, along with coffee and juices. However, feedback on the breakfast quality and variety is mixed; some guests found it basic or repetitive, while others noted issues with items running out quickly, machines being out of order (like the pancake maker or juice dispenser), or a lack of healthy options. Seating in the breakfast area can also be limited during peak times.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently lauded as a major advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of Kailua-Kona's main attractions. Guests appreciate being just steps away from Ali'i Drive, offering access to numerous shops, restaurants, and the oceanfront. Proximity to larger stores like Walmart and Safeway is also convenient for stocking up on essentials. The hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring the Big Island, with easy access to the airport and various coffee farms. While the location is highly convenient, navigating the area by car can be tricky due to one-way streets and heavy traffic. Parking is available on-site, though spots can be tight, especially for larger vehicles.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature. Many guests highlight specific individuals who went above and beyond, providing excellent recommendations for local attractions and ensuring a pleasant stay. The check-in and check-out process is generally described as smooth and efficient. Guests appreciate the staff's responsiveness to requests, such as providing extra towels or assisting with room changes. However, some isolated negative experiences were reported, including instances of unwelcoming interactions at the front desk, perceived slow service during busy periods, or issues with housekeeping consistency, such as not replenishing amenities or cleaning rooms adequately. Overall, the staff's dedication to service is a recurring positive theme.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several important details that can impact their stay. The hotel has undergone refurbishment work, which has occasionally led to noise disturbances during the day and temporary unavailability of facilities like the laundry room. Some guests reported issues with the in-room air conditioning, finding it difficult to regulate the temperature, often resulting in rooms being too cold without an effective way to warm them. While Wi-Fi is provided, its reliability can be inconsistent, with reports of slow or spotty connections. Furthermore, housekeeping service can be inconsistent, with guests sometimes needing to specifically request towel replenishment or full room cleaning, and a policy of charging for unreturned pool towels is in place.