Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,320
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona
Just a short note to say we had a brief day stay (booked it as we are doing red-eye so needed a day room).
Location in Kona is good and quiet. Rooms are all new and seems we were upgraded as Plat.
Room had fridge and microwave and comfy new king size beds and lots of work area/space. Small pool and grass area would be ok for short stays.
Not a fan of Kona itself and stay up the coast in Kohala but if you need to stay here, it is one of the best in my view. Staff were accommodating and friendly.
Can't comment on breakfast as we only stayed for the daytime until 8 PM.
Can recommend if the price is right and would go again.
Hotel needs a better sign on the road to find it--sign is on the front which faces a side street not the main highway (it is back from the main highway but visible from it--recognize by new HIX colors of the building)
Location in Kona is good and quiet. Rooms are all new and seems we were upgraded as Plat.
Room had fridge and microwave and comfy new king size beds and lots of work area/space. Small pool and grass area would be ok for short stays.
Not a fan of Kona itself and stay up the coast in Kohala but if you need to stay here, it is one of the best in my view. Staff were accommodating and friendly.
Can't comment on breakfast as we only stayed for the daytime until 8 PM.
Can recommend if the price is right and would go again.
Hotel needs a better sign on the road to find it--sign is on the front which faces a side street not the main highway (it is back from the main highway but visible from it--recognize by new HIX colors of the building)
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,779
Just finished a 3-day stay here, can confirm the comments. Place was brand new, everything nice and modern. Also got upgrade, room was spacious. In the middle of Kailua-Kona, everything in walking distance.
The most interesting part is booking on points is a great deal compared to the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha a few blocks away. The Holiday Inn is 20,000 on IHG points, vs 60,000(?) on Marriott points for the King Kam. The Marriott Courtyard is also cheaper to book paid nights vs the higher regular rate for the new Holiday Inn Express.
The most interesting part is booking on points is a great deal compared to the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha a few blocks away. The Holiday Inn is 20,000 on IHG points, vs 60,000(?) on Marriott points for the King Kam. The Marriott Courtyard is also cheaper to book paid nights vs the higher regular rate for the new Holiday Inn Express.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Just finished a 3-day stay here, can confirm the comments. Place was brand new, everything nice and modern. Also got upgrade, room was spacious. In the middle of Kailua-Kona, everything in walking distance.
The most interesting part is booking on points is a great deal compared to the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha a few blocks away. The Holiday Inn is 20,000 on IHG points, vs 60,000(?) on Marriott points for the King Kam. The Marriott Courtyard is also cheaper to book paid nights vs the higher regular rate for the new Holiday Inn Express.
The most interesting part is booking on points is a great deal compared to the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha a few blocks away. The Holiday Inn is 20,000 on IHG points, vs 60,000(?) on Marriott points for the King Kam. The Marriott Courtyard is also cheaper to book paid nights vs the higher regular rate for the new Holiday Inn Express.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,904
CY is 30k and sheraton is 10k spg (with 5th nt free both) - comparable given their oceanfron location...
Nothing against hi but imho it only makes sense for a night or two if you plan to wonder around the island all the time or need a bridging night for late arrival to save $
Nothing against hi but imho it only makes sense for a night or two if you plan to wonder around the island all the time or need a bridging night for late arrival to save $
#5
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: FAT
Programs: AA mm, Hilton Dime, Hyatt Xpl.& PC Plat, Miracle Fruit-su club
Posts: 1,694
CY is 30k and sheraton is 10k spg (with 5th nt free both) - comparable given their oceanfron location...
Nothing against hi but imho it only makes sense for a night or two if you plan to wonder around the island all the time or need a bridging night for late arrival to save $
Nothing against hi but imho it only makes sense for a night or two if you plan to wonder around the island all the time or need a bridging night for late arrival to save $
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,779
Everyone had free breakfast.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,779
I think that is done just offshore KOA, where the rays also gather. The way the boats by the Sheraton do it is either sitting on the boat which has a large light aimed downwards at the water, or everyone gets off the boat and floats holding onto an even larger light aimed downwards which gives you a pretty good view, I'm told.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
I think that is done just offshore KOA, where the rays also gather. The way the boats by the Sheraton do it is either sitting on the boat which has a large light aimed downwards at the water, or everyone gets off the boat and floats holding onto an even larger light aimed downwards which gives you a pretty good view, I'm told.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Charlotte NC USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat, Alaska 75k, IHG Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 862
I'm confused by the point redemption options at this property.
When redeeming points, you're only allowed to list two occupants for the room, because they only offer a king room or a double room slated for no more than two.
Surely they aren't suggesting that a family of two adults and one child are not allowed to stay on points?
I would call, but I'm not sure who the best point of contact for this would be...the hotel, IHG customer service, some other department?
We are IHG platinum. TIA for any clarification or suggestions.
When redeeming points, you're only allowed to list two occupants for the room, because they only offer a king room or a double room slated for no more than two.
Surely they aren't suggesting that a family of two adults and one child are not allowed to stay on points?
I would call, but I'm not sure who the best point of contact for this would be...the hotel, IHG customer service, some other department?
We are IHG platinum. TIA for any clarification or suggestions.
Last edited by DaveH; Oct 19, 2016 at 3:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Charlotte NC USA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat, Alaska 75k, IHG Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 862
Bump. Any recent reports on this property? Note it's been changed to 30K points/night, and thus is now more balanced between point and cash costs.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,967
Desk staff are helpful; rates are reasonable. It isn't fancy at all - but it's comfortable, secure and well looked after. $10 a day parking is annoying, but there you are - it's a city centre location.
I don't enjoy resort stays at all, so I'm biassed
#15
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LON
Posts: 386
Based on our June stay there (5 nights on points, nothing special done for Spire), I fully second IAN-UK's points above.
One thing to add is that we had a bug problem (small cockroaches) in the room that maintenance seemed to be aware of. Some spraying after we pointed this out did nothing to relieve this. Going by the comments on TripAdvisor, we were not the only ones ...
Personally, however, I would happily return for a night or two.
One thing to add is that we had a bug problem (small cockroaches) in the room that maintenance seemed to be aware of. Some spraying after we pointed this out did nothing to relieve this. Going by the comments on TripAdvisor, we were not the only ones ...
Personally, however, I would happily return for a night or two.