Kona is a lava-rock coast - still pretty but it's not what some people expect, like Oahu. The hotel is in a great location and has a small beach (sand over lava rocks), pool, dining and activity access as advertised. There's also a luau on site - a bonus for many! The luau is only on select days so check dates and availability if this is on your bucket list. They also had talented live music at the pool in the evenings.||ROOMS: Third floor "Ocean Front" is not the clear, relaxing view you'd imagine; the "Ocean Front" rooms are actually "Ocean View" rooms if you can sneak a water view between structures and trees (keep the trees!). I'm highly disappointed in the cost of the 3rd floor "ocean front" room with a view of the cruise ship pier, canoe boats, pool, and you could clearly hear every word everyone said at all hours. If you want to spy on your teens at the pool, this is the room to get - not for the tranquility the price should provide. Maybe higher floors are better but costs should be adjusted appropriately for the view. The sun hit the balcony, which was nice. The unavoidable people watching from this balcony was excellent.||COST: The daily room cost was $85/day higher due to fees and taxes. EACH DAY was charged as follows: $325.60 (room) + $43.14 (Occupancy Sales Tax) + $15.34 (State Occupancy Tax) + $22 (Destination Amenity Fee) + $1.04 (DAF Tax) + $2.92 (DAF Occupancy Sales Tax) = $410.04 per night. Parking is $35 more per night; if you rent a vehicle and there's no other parking option near the hotel. ||TRANSPORTATION: Uber works for the local areas but is not massively available after 9pm unless you schedule a pick-up. There is a bus system with a stop right outside the hotel doors which can be useful but be sure to read the bus schedules. The bus does run to Waimea, if that's your groove, but beware of the very limited bus stop times. Renting a car for two full days (one night fee) is worth it to stretch your legs and see the rest of the island.||LOCATION: The location was worth it has a home-base for exploring on foot and vehicle. You're surrounded by shops and dining options and access to the pier which is nice for nearly all boat excursions. There are canoes for rent. The hotel provides designated beach chairs for guests (first come-first serve) and the pool is beach-front. Beware of the pool sitters who get there early and hog the few seats all day - not cool. Many people from local B&Bs came to the beach and rented chairs so having direct access is nice. There's also the luau on-site - a plus for many!||For walkers (or Uber), 1-2 miles north is an easy (but hot after 8am) walk to the Old Airport State Rec area with lava-rock and sandy beaches, some shade, a fenced playground, ball field, and picnic/pavilion areas that seemed popular with the locals and some homeless - but there's so much space to stay safe and private. One to two miles south is a nice walk past the palace and along the coast with some tiny parks - and more homeless but worth it. On this walk, you'll see more restaurants and shops and a Wed-Sun market with many mass-produced "Made in China" booths and some nice local items. ||MARRIOTT COMPARISON (KONA): We've stayed further up the island at the Waikoloa Marriott which is pricier and much more posh; it has more high-end, Vegas-like shops and a golf course in its own community built over lava rocks but with a bigger beach/pool complex. We felt trapped there due to the location and costs; we didn't want to stray too far when we paid so much. The King Kamehameha gave more freedom and more access to local diners and shops. It's a better base and you wouldn't need a care for at least 1-2 days if you do explore the local shops and/or take a water excursion - don't rent a car those days and save the fees.||HOMELESS: Welcome to another city overcome by the homeless. While we've never had issues, there are smells, stares, sounds, and behaviours that will stand out. Be careful if you drive as some have pets that come very close to the road. We had no begging from homeless but some from waitstaff for tips if that isn't ironic. ||TIPS: Tourist locations globally want the money, not the tourists - for varied, arguably legit reasons. Be aware of tips-before-service. At a few locations, we planned to tip cash after service in their jar. While paying, the workers watched our credit card entries for the tip which was zero because we tip at often 50% with cash AFTER service. We were skipped for our beverages, sloppy attitudes, and half-filled drinks. So watch your servers' at the to-go locations. We had zero issues with sit-down establishments.