Which one should I stay at Kona Coast or Mauna Loa Willage on BIG ISLAND

[travelove]

I’ve never been on Big Island. Which of these 2 resort should I stay in May/June for just 1 week. I can’t decide as don’t know anything besides some reviews. I’m going with my husband so no kids. Thank you for recommendation.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Kona Coast is generally pretty nice. Never have stayed the Mauna Loa Village. Are you exchanging in, or are you renting from someone?

 

[Luanne]

Of the two we have only stayed at Kona Coast. I liked the unit, The resort is set up on a bluff so you can get a nice view of the ocean, but no direct access.

I think @slip has stayed at Mauna Loa.

 

[travelove]

Kona Coast is generally pretty nice. Never have stayed the Mauna Loa Village. Are you exchanging in, or are you renting from someone?

Yea I red lots of good thing about Kona
I’m going to rent as I used my weeks already. I see that you going to Big Island soon too. I’ve been thinking about King’s Land too.

 

[travelove]

Of the two we have only stayed at Kona Coast. I liked the unit, The resort is set up on a bluff so you can get a nice view of the ocean, but no direct access.

I think @slip has stayed at Mauna Loa.

Thank you . Is Kona near good swimming beach? I was reading that it located near restaurants and shopping.

 

[jacknsara]

Aloha,
15 - 20 years ago we did stay at Mauna Loa village. The one potentially useful detail I remember is that we had to park a non trivial distance from the unit. If you like to come and go several times a day that could be a negative.
This link should show both Kona Coast and Kahaluu Beach Park in the same screen

Kona Coast Resort · 78-6842 Aliâi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

âââââ · Resort hotel

www.google.com

Jack

 

[Luanne]

Thank you . Is Kona near good swimming beach? I was reading that it located near restaurants and shopping.

I don't think the beaches in the Kailua-Kona area are good for swimming. If you are renting I suggest you do look at Kingsland. It's much closer to Hapuna Beach, which is one of the best on the island.

Kona Coast is not all that close to restaurants and shopping. Pull it up on Google maps. You would have to drive anywhere you wanted to go. Kingsland, which is in the Waikoloa resort area, has two shopping areas and some restaurants around. Again, you would probably want to drive to them, but it's much closer than driving from Kona Coast to shops and restaurants.

 

[slip]

I’ve never been on Big Island. Which of these 2 resort should I stay in May/June for just 1 week. I can’t decide as don’t know anything besides some reviews. I’m going with my husband so no kids. Thank you for recommendation.

We stayed at Moana Loa in 2023. It was a two bedroom and they were on the first floor. Then you had to walk upstairs for the kitchen, living room area. We liked it, slightly dated but everything was clean and comfortable. We were close to a pool and a BBQ.

Like someone else mentioned, you have to park in a covered lot so depending on your building you could have a way to walk. The front desk does help with a golf cart for luggage and groceries. We were close enough and didn't have to use that though.

If you really want to be closer to a beach, I guess I would choose Kings Land. For what we wanted to do, Moana Loa was in a great location. It's close to things you need but not too far from downtown.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Another factor to consider "might" be air conditioning. I know that Kona Coast 2 does have it (optional - you pay if you use). But I read recently that Kona Coast 1 might not have AC. Perhaps others can opine/comment.

 

[travelove]

Aloha,
15 - 20 years ago we did stay at Mauna Loa village. The one potentially useful detail I remember is that we had to park a non trivial distance from the unit. If you like to come and go several times a day that could be a negative.
This link should show both Kona Coast and Kahaluu Beach Park in the same screen

Kona Coast Resort · 78-6842 Aliâi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

âââââ · Resort hotel

www.google.com

Jack

Thank you for the info and for posting the link. Going to research it

 

[travelove]

Another factor to consider "might" be air conditioning. I know that Kona Coast 2 does have it (optional - you pay if you use). But I read recently that Kona Coast 1 might not have AC. Perhaps others can opine/comment.

I do remember seeing it somewhere… I don’t want to be without AC in the summer

 

[travelove]

I don't think the beaches in the Kailua-Kona area are good for swimming. If you are renting I suggest you do look at Kingsland. It's much closer to Hapuna Beach, which is one of the best on the island.

Kona Coast is not all that close to restaurants and shopping. Pull it up on Google maps. You would have to drive anywhere you wanted to go. Kingsland, which is in the Waikoloa resort area, has two shopping areas and some restaurants around. Again, you would probably want to drive to them, but it's much closer than driving from Kona Coast to shops and restaurants.

Thank you for suggestion. I will look into Kingsland

 

[travelove]

We stayed at Moana Loa in 2023. It was a two bedroom and they were on the first floor. Then you had to walk upstairs for the kitchen, living room area. We liked it, slightly dated but everything was clean and comfortable. We were close to a pool and a BBQ.

Like someone else mentioned, you have to park in a covered lot so depending on your building you could have a way to walk. The front desk does help with a golf cart for luggage and groceries. We were close enough and didn't have to use that though.

If you really want to be closer to a beach, I guess I would choose Kings Land. For what we wanted to do, Moana Loa was in a great location. It's close to things you need but not too far from downtown.

Thank you for pointing this out. We live in 2 story house and I wish it was 1 story so on vacation I would rather have 1 floor

 

[JeffC]

Mauna Loa village units are equipped with AC at no extra charge. Parking is a distance from the units near the entrance. There’s a snorkeling beach on Alii Dr a short drive away.

 

[Luanne]

@travelove I don't know where you are looking for rentals (meaning what platform) but I suggest you check Redweek. They show available rentals at all of the Hilton properties in the Waikoloa resort area: Kingsland, Kohala Suites, Bay Club

 

[Rjbeach2003]

We have stayed at both. With points through Shell Vacations. Mauna Loa is cheaper, usually. There are a number of small pools with hot tubs. Parking is in a parking structure and you either walk to unit or they will have a cart driver to take you. It is quiet. Restaurants are all a drive, though you could walk to the Outrigger. The Kona Coast is newer, a larger pool with bar, so it is better if that is important. The grounds are nicer. It isn't that far from the Mauna Loa, but it is closer to the Keahou Shopping Center that has some restaurants and a KTA. No swimming beaches at either, in fact I don't recommend any beaches for swimming in Kailua-Kona. Getting to nice beaches require a drive north to the South Kohala Coast. Next time we will stay at another Shell property, Paniolo Greens in Waikoloa Village. It is up the mountain, but much closer to the good beaches. It is the least costly, with points, of any of the Shell Properties. Last February we stayed at Mauna Loa, reserved a one bedroom and when we got there we were put in a two bedroom. Guess there weren't enough guests. Maybe it will be the same this year with fewer Canadians traveling to the US.

 

[Luanne]

Next time we will stay at another Shell property, Paniolo Greens in Waikoloa Village. It is up the mountain, but much closer to the good beaches. It is the least costly, with points, of any of the Shell Properties. Last February we stayed at Mauna Loa, reserved a one bedroom and when we got there we were put in a two bedroom. Guess there weren't enough guests. Maybe it will be the same this year with fewer Canadians traveling to the US.

We stayed at Paniolo Greens a couple of times on RCI trades. The units are large, all are two bedroom. But it's not my first choice of where to stay, too far from the coast for me.

 

[WinniWoman]

We have stayed at both. With points through Shell Vacations. Mauna Loa is cheaper, usually. There are a number of small pools with hot tubs. Parking is in a parking structure and you either walk to unit or they will have a cart driver to take you. It is quiet. Restaurants are all a drive, though you could walk to the Outrigger. The Kona Coast is newer, a larger pool with bar, so it is better if that is important. The grounds are nicer. It isn't that far from the Mauna Loa, but it is closer to the Keahou Shopping Center that has some restaurants and a KTA. No swimming beaches at either, in fact I don't recommend any beaches for swimming in Kailua-Kona. Getting to nice beaches require a drive north to the South Kohala Coast. Next time we will stay at another Shell property, Paniolo Greens in Waikoloa Village. It is up the mountain, but much closer to the good beaches. It is the least costly, with points, of any of the Shell Properties. Last February we stayed at Mauna Loa, reserved a one bedroom and when we got there we were put in a two bedroom. Guess there weren't enough guests. Maybe it will be the same this year with fewer Canadians traveling to the US.

Personally I didn’t care for the Kona area and was glad we stayed at Paniolo Greens many years ago. It’s close to Hapuna Beach and we were able to drive and sightsee everywhere on the island.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I agree that if you are renting from an owner, Hiltons are the best on the island. Marriott is probably very nice as well. I just love the Waikoloa Village where the Hiltons are located. There are three timeshares, really four if you count the hotel ones, if they are even finished (?). Kohala Suites seem to be all 2 bedrooms. Bay Club has different unit sizes. KIngs'Land is the top property, my personal favorite, and has a fantastic pool. The units are just beautiful.

You can take the shuttle to the hotel and swim there, if you want. You can take the little train around the property, too, or the boat. The grandkids loved it. My daughter-in-law asked how to get a hotel timeshare they were apparently selling. I told her I don't see me ever having an exchange opportunity for those, but you never know, maybe some day.

I am hoping for opportunities to stay at Maui Bay Villas, when the resort is complete. The owners are enjoying it for now.

Hilton is (maybe) the only company that has resorts on all islands, but Point at Poipu is not even on my radar. Maybe WorldMark has something on Oahu, which would mean that WorldMark may also have a resort on all islands. I am never tempted by anything WorldMark has on Maui or any other island. When you can get Marriott, Westin, Hilton or Wyndham Shearwater, no need to book WorldMark.

 

[geist1223]

We have stayed at Paniolo Green on an Exchange. AC was extra for nonowners. We did not need it. Becareful on 2 Bedroom Units. If your Front Door is up a flight of stairs then the Livingroom, Kitchen, and Dining area are on the 2nd Floor of the Building. The Bedrooms and Bathroom are on the 3rd Floor. There are 2 Bedroom Units on the Ground Floor.

 

[WinniWoman]

We have stayed at Paniolo Green on an Exchange. AC was extra for nonowners. We did not need it. Becareful on 2 Bedroom Units. If your Front Door is up a flight of stairs then the Livingroom, Kitchen, and Dining area are on the 2nd Floor of the Building. The Bedrooms and Bathroom are on the 3rd Floor. There are 2 Bedroom Units on the Ground Floor.

Wow. That AC thing must be somewhat new because that wasn’t the case when we were there.

We had a two bedroom. I remember it over looked the golf course ( balcony) with the volcanos steaming in the background.

 

[Luanne]

We never had to pay for a/c at Paniolo Greens either. Only place we stayed on the Big Island where we had to pay (it was optional) was Kona Coast. Waikoloa Village, where Paniolo Greens is located, can get very windy.

 

[travelove]

Thank you everyone for suggestions. I got soooo sick and now getting back to you.

 

[Laurie]

It's been awhile for us. We've traveled to Big Island 4x, and stayed in both timeshares and private rentals. Of our 2 timeshare stays, loved Royal Sea Cliff in Kona, didn't care for Paniolo Greens -- I was quite disappointed, btw as I recall it was two stories, and wouldn't return, even tho it's not a bad drive to some pretty beaches. If you want to be close to those, better choices IMO would be the Hiltons closer to them. We toured Kona Hawaiian Village while we were at Royal Sea Cliff, lovely grounds but I was glad to be seafront at Royal Sea Ciff, where we had a lovely ocean view as it turned out, and you could also sit on the rocks along the shore near the crashing waves. We liked snorkeling at the little Kahaluu beach, and appreciated the proximity since we went there most afternoons after other sight-seeing.

We've also stayed on the East coast, probably my very favorite areas at the time, but much of that geography has drastically changed since our visits.

Hope you're feeling better!