Hoping someone will have some input about this hotel. We tried to get into the Hapuna, but they are booked up. We are thinking about the Mauna Kea, but it got some terrible reviews, and I'm not sure it's worth the money. We thought the Outrigger might be more central to some of the sites on the southeast side of the island. Also, how is the beach at the Outrigger for swimming? I know the snorkeling is great.

Thanks,
Loika

The Outrigger is more convenient yes, and as far as swimming, next door is the snorkel beach, just swim out a bit farther than the snorkelers and it's a nice even swim parallel to the shore.

Aloha Loika,
In answer to your other MK post, we have in fact instead stayed and saved $-) at the Outrigger and driven earlyto the MK to enjoy the beautiful golden sandy beach there.

The Outrigger is a good value and you can't get any closer to the water, the oceanfront rooms overlook tidepools with fascinating activity but it is not as upscale as MK or Hapuna and has more old Hawaii feel IMHO. The nearby grey sand beach is on the small side, and is interspersed with shoreline lava & well attended by locals as the snorkeling is great, and swimming should be fine as we have met long distance swimmers there. At Outrigger Keauhou you are only a couple minutes drive from downtown Kona with more dining and nightlife options than MK.

Kahaluu Beach Park info. (links to other B.I. beaches)www.letsgo-hawaii.com/beaches/kahaluu.html

I totally agree with the above posts. It's a great value, but not in the same class as the MK and Hapuna, and I enjoyed the adjacent beach. If you are only swimming you might buy reef shoes since there is quite a bit of lava rock and reef near the shore.

Thank you all for your help, and John, thanks for the link. When you mentioned parking at MK, do you have to get there early because it's too crowded? Do they charge?

Loika

We have stayed at Keahou twice, as everyone says it is not in the league of M.K. but we thought the location was very good and the hotel itself was quite nice. Parts of the hotel are over the lagoon and rooms that are ocean and lagoon view rooms really do have nice views. The pool is quite small and there is no real beach to speak of, lots of black lava rock to walk around on tho. Also, there are some Hawaiian artifacts onsite. I would stay there again.

Reply to Loika,
We go early in the morning to Mauna Kea not to beat the crowds on the beach but instead to get there early enough for when they hand out a limited number of parking passes to provide some public beach access as required by law.

We like driving in Hawaii, though I suspect the commute between the two resorts is not for everyone!

From:
Keauhou Beach Resort: 808-322-3441
78-6740 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona, HI 96740, US

TO:
Mauna Kea Resort: 808-882-7222
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr, Kamuela, HI 96743, US

Total Est. Time: 54 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 40 miles
(data from www.mapquest.com)

I agree it's best to get to MK beach early (by 9 if possible) not only to get the beach pass, but also to swim in the ocean when it's calm. Often times the wind picks up in early afternoon, making the water choppy.

Loika,
It actually will take longer with Kailua-Kona traffic to get from Keauhou to MKB.
I will say, I stayed at MKB in May and I LOVE, LOVE that resort. It is the first and still the best. It certainly has the best beach! And for less than $150/night my stay was cheaper than the Outrigger (I got a ridiculously good deal, I know). OK, so the Four Seasons Hualalai and the Kona Village Resort might be nicer than MKB, neither can touch the beach there, and are much, much more expensive.
When are you traveling that the Hapuna Prince is booked up? I have never encountered that. But I don’t like the Prince, much prefer the MKB.
I would check out the Outriggers neighbor, the Sheraton. Much nicer rooms, recently remodeled and not much price difference on Hotwire. For snorkeling get up early and get to Kahalu’u before 7 AM.

Good luck and happy travels!

Reply to echolynch,
Care to share what was involved to get the 150$-) rate @ MK

I've got the same inquiring mind as JD. How did you get that deal at the MKBH?
-Bill

Ah, yes. I am asked often, but I am not at liberty to discuss. Suffice it to say, not everyone qualifies for this discount? Sorry! I know it is no consolation, but I would have paid twice that for the room and still be very happy.