Big Island
 

We are going to Big Island, Hawaii from 8/29/15 through 9/12/15. Can someone recommend where to stay? We would like to rent a condo - studio or 1 bdrm, 1 bath, preferably ocean view; would not want to pay more than $120 per night. I did read some posts on this forum; however, they didn't answer my questions. Hotels were discussed, but not much info on private rentals. Also, I would like to get some recommendations as to the restaurants/places to eat that are owned by locals - delicious and good-priced food. Are there farmer markets on the island? If yes, where and when. Thanks all for taking your time and helping me with planning my trip. I have never been there.

Two places we have stayed in south Kona and have enjoyed both on VRBO-- #293127 and #141871. Please take a look.

The best beaches on the Big Island is north of Kona but probably out of your price range. We stayed in Kona for 6wks and enjoyed out location. We drove all over the Island to explore. Our location in Kona was Kona Reef Condo's they are individually owned so it all depends on what the owner has done to the unit as to how nice it is. They are older so some are dated. Ours was ocean view and very clean. They are in your price range and within walking distance of the little town of Kona that is on the Ocean. There are lots of restaurants and a downtown market that is opened every day. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ii_Hawaii.html
These condo's are located next to a very small sandy beach but you have to crawl over rocks to get to it.

One of our favorite place to eat was north of Kona next to "A" Beach. We loved sitting on the sand sipping cool drinks!
http://lavalavabeachclub.com/bigisland/

We're going to be on the Big Island later this year , so I'm looking forward to the restaurant recs. Thanks for the first one cd!

You're welcome sf If you are in Kona, this is a great place to be for sunset!http://www.royalkona.com/Dining.cfm

Thanks! We're staying in the Waikoloa area.

There are many condos in your price range in the Waikoloa Beach Resort (not village).
Here's a place we've liked a couple of times (2b/2b):
http://www.vrbo.com/413069
In that complex, there are several places: The Colony Villas, the Fairway Villas, Beach Villas, etc.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...aikoloa-resort

I've stayed at the Marriott Waikoloa a couple of times. I love this location! Much less traffic. Much more quiet than Kona. I always have a car and love to drive up to Waimea (cowboy country). There are some marvelous views when you are in the up country hills.

I visited a market in Hilo and bought some hand made souvenirs a few years ago. I can't tell you what days of the week or hours that market observes. We just happened onto it.... Good shopping in any case.

This site has aerials, reviews and rates on almost every lodging in Hawaii: www.hawaiirevealed.com

For beaches and less voggy conditions, stay Kohala Coast area (NW).
Many visitors split a stay between there and Volcano (SE). It's a long drive between the two sides of the island, and activity at the volcano is best viewed after dark. Can you fly in to one side and out from the opposite side? (KOA and ITO)

This is the only island where we routinely rent a mid-size or larger car, because there's more driving involved. Do your driving in daylight hours.

Places to eat:
Bamboo in Hawi (funky, reasonable, good food): www.bamboorestaurant.info/

Cafe Pesto in Kawaihae harbor: http://cafepesto.com/cafe-pesto-kawa...e-dinner-menu/

The Marriott in Waikoloa resort has a wonderful setting for their indoor/outdoor restaurant, "Hawaii Calls"; there are 2/1 specials and a very good Friday(?) buffet.

Hilo Bay Cafe is a beautiful setting, especially for lunch:http://hilobaycafe.com/#/id/i7950094

The dining room at the Volcano House in the National Park has awesome views of the caldera and an ok menu. http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/

Oh, and the supposed best poke in Hawaii is Da Poke Shack; two locations now: http://dapokeshack.com/

Look at whatever you can find in your price range in the Waikoloa area, because the better beaches are on the Kohala Coast. Try VRBO and enter Kohala Coast, Big Island in the search. You might be able to find a place in Puako...there are some condos there. It's a tiny town and you will have to get groceries in Waikoloa, but Puako is ideally suited for access to great beaches.

I agree to stay in the Kohala coast near the best beaches. We prefer the Mauna Lani (Palm Villas or Mauna Lani Terrace) area to the Waikoloa area but either is great. Whatever you do, in August and September, make sure the rental has AC.

There is little beach front in terms of condos due to the way the Big Island develeoped. Unlike Maui, for instance, development on the BIg Island left the beaches uncluttered and marked by condos. So, the beaches are nice and clear and the condos tend to be located a short walk or drive from the beaches. If you want ocean front, there are some in both Waikoloa and Mauna Lani but many more in the Kona area. The Kona condos tend to be much older and without AC and far from the great beaches but there are tradeoffs with anyting in life.

In terms of restaurants, we really enjoy the Beach Tree and Ulu Grill at the Four Seasons. Da Fish House in Kaiwahee is good. The poke bars at the Foodland are great. Tommy Bahama's has a good happy hour. Thai Thai in Volcano was good.

Happy Planning

We recently stayed in the condos at Waikaloa Beach villas, no ocean views that I know of, but walking distance to shops and restaurants. Condos were really nice and well stocked.

Sylvia is so right, Da Poke Shack for poke!

The reason we stayed in Kona is a oceanview from our condo rental is our #1 priority. We could not afford an ocean view on the Kohala coast so Kona was our choice. I would much prefer to sit on my balcony/patio/lanai having coffee in the morning, drinks at night with the ocean as my scenery.

For a nice oceanfront/oceanview condo complex, we have stayed a few times at Sea Village, just below Kona. There is a farmer's market in walking distance, between Kona and the condo complex.

Ordinarily prices there are very reasonable. It's a well-kept little place, with a few three-story buildings surrounding a garden area, including bbq pits, free tennis courts, and an oceanside pool. We have always stayed in a top floor unit, directly facing the rocky shore. Fantastic views. (No elevators, if that's a problem.) Free parking.

You can google Sea Village and find lots of VRBO options. They are individually owned, so are all decorated differently.