Our Stay in Paradise: 4 Nights in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

On our first day, we landed at Kona International Airport and picked up our Jeep from Alamo's rental service. The drive to Hapuna Beach was our first taste of the island's beauty, and we made it even better with a stop at Manuela Malasada Co. for some fresh malasadas. For lunch, we discovered Waikoloa Shrimp Co. tucked away in a shopping center — definitely worth the stop. We eventually made our way to our home base, the Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona. The evening was perfectly spent relaxing on the hotel's beach, watching a spectacular Hawaiian sunset with music played by local musicians.

Day two was our ambitious road trip day, starting with a drive to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. The beach is a stunning sight, lined with palm trees, and the black sand is surprisingly soft beneath your feet. Just be mindful of the high tides. A highlight of our trip was finding Japanese curry pan at a KTA grocery store - it was so good we went back three times during our stay! Each KTA store is different, with its own selection of fresh-baked goods and sushi made by different chefs. From there, we explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where the Thurston Lava Tube was a fascinating highlight. Our journey continued to Hilo, where we explored the local farmers' market and enjoyed fresh coconut. Lunch at Tetsumen, an authentic Japanese restaurant, was an amazing spot with generous portions. Note that we visited on a Monday when many other restaurants were closed, but Tetsumen was fortunately open. We ended our day at Carlsmith Beach Park, swimming in tide pools with sea turtles. While the water was refreshingly cool, the grassy areas provided perfect spots for relaxing.

The third day began with a morning stroll along the shore in Kailua-Kona, followed by a delicious acai bowl at Kona Wave. We then visited the Turtle Site at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, which offered easy access and plenty of shade while we watched lots of turtles in their natural habitat. For dinner, we couldn't resist trying the famous fish and chips at Quinn's Almost By The Sea. The highlight of our day was the night's manta ray snorkeling excursion. I recommend the Dolphin Discoveries as your guides for this — they were amazing at sharing facts about the mantas and making us feel comfortable. Despite the chilly water (warm swimwear is a must since you're not moving much), seeing these magnificent creatures glide so close was an unforgettable experience.

Our final day was more laid-back, spent at Pine Trees Beach. It's a great spot for surfing, though you need to watch out for rocky breaks. The beach also features tide pools that were perfect for our toddler to play in. The whole area has a wonderful local vibe with convenient parking and bathroom facilities. We wrapped up our trip with some comforting pho for dinner, and spent our last moments either poolside or at Kahalu'u Beach.

Overall, we absolutely loved our trip to Kona. The Marriot King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel is the perfect spot right in the center of town alongside the water. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone considering visiting the Big Island of Hawai'i.

Some key tips for future travelers: A Jeep rental makes it much easier to access various beaches and attractions across the island. Don't miss the Japanese curry pan at KTA — it's worth making a special trip for. If you're planning to eat in Hilo, check restaurant schedules as many are closed on Mondays. For the manta ray excursion, having warm swimwear is essential. And always check beach conditions before swimming — Hawaii's waters can be unpredictable but are always beautiful.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Hawai'i page.