Where to stay on the Big Island
Where to stay in North Kohala
Hawi and Kapaʻau sit at the end of the highway, above Pololū Valley. Most visitors come for lunch and leave. A night here only pays off if this end of the island is the point of the trip.
Stay here if
You want a slow base, the valley when it opens, and you already have nights on the Kona side — or you are not chasing resorts.
Skip it if
It is your only base for a first trip. The volcano is a long way, and so is almost everything else.
Hawi
A short main street, a few inns and rentals. You can walk to coffee in the morning.
Kapaʻau
A few minutes further, even quieter. Fine when the house itself is good.
Up the hill
Wind and views, not a town. Check the drive to Pololū before you book.
Hotels and rentals
Live availability around this base. Prices update on the booking site.
The map and the Booking.com link are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a commission, at the same price you would pay anyway. It does not change which base I recommend.
Other bases
- Where to stay in KonaThe default base. Sun, restaurants, snorkelling and the manta boats.
- Where to stay on the Kohala CoastThe best beaches on the island. Quiet evenings, higher prices.
- Where to stay in HiloA real town on the rainy side. Close to waterfalls and the park.
- Where to stay in VolcanoSleep at the park. Cold nights, one or two of them is enough.