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The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona is not a resort. Itโs a basic hotel, and I donโt recommend a long stay for your dreamy Hawaiian vacation. However, if you want a quick one-night stay or you want to stay by the airport for one night, itโs a good lodging option to use your IHG Anniversary Free Night.
Location
Located in Kona, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona is merely a 15-minute car drive from the KOA airport. The hotel is also within walking distance of Historic Kailua Village and Aliสปi Drive, where you find all the restaurants, shopping centers, marketplaces, and entertainment the Big Island offers.
Room Upgrades
While the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona operates under the IHG One Rewards program, BMI Hospitality owns the franchise, so they can choose not to honor any IHG elite upgrades. However, the good news is that the standard reward redemption at this property allows you to book directly into an Oceanview Suite, subject to availability. Still, please lower your expectations, as this is a basic hotel, and the ocean view is nothing to write home about.
Moreover, the standard reward rate remains constant at 40,000 IHG points per night all year round, which is an excellent way to use your IHG Anniversary Free Night.
Room Review
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona is an all-suite hotel, as its name suggests. Therefore, you can appreciate the spacious room. The suite room I had is a large studio room that comes with a sofa/couch, a king bed, and space to walk around. Other than the size of the room, thereโs nothing else that really stands out for me.
The ocean view was not available for my one-night check-in date. Therefore, my view was the back of the hotel, which includes the parking lot and the mountain view. However, they assigned me the highest floor.
The bathroom is also old-style but clean, and the water pressure is super strong.
Overall, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona hotel is ideal for a quick stay. It offers ample room space, a comfortable bed, a clean shower, and the other amenities listed below.
Club Lounge
None
Welcome Amenity
As an IHG Platinum Elite member, you have a welcome amenity choice of 500 IHG points or gifts of two bottled water and two mini macadamia nuts.
Food & Beverage Credits
None for IHG Platinum Elite members. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona hotel does not have on-site dining options.
Free Breakfast
Another good thing about staying at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona also includes the complimentary hot breakfast in the morning. If you are a frugal traveler, you will appreciate the free breakfast because Hawaii is not a cheap destination to begin with. That also makes yourย IHG One Rewardsย points, or your IHG Anniversary Free Nightย goes a long way with a completely free room stay and free breakfast.
Dining
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Konaย only offer complimentary breakfast in the morning, and there are no on-site restaurants. However, the hotelโs excellent location is within walking distance of several restaurants nearby. The hotel front desk recommended a 5-minute walk to the seafood restaurant, Fish Hopper, which did not disappoint, but itโs not inexpensive.
Resort Fee
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona hotel is not a resort, so there is no resort fee. Therefore, your free night redemption is completely free.
Parking
Thereโs a $10 self-parking fee at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona.
Pet Policy
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona do not allow pets.
Housekeeping
Yes, available.
Internet/Wi-Fi
Internet/Wi-Fi is complimentary. You will receive the information at check-in.
Bottled Water
Being an IHG Platinum Elite and above does not give you free bottled water. Instead, you can choose that as your welcome amenity in lieu of points at check-in.
Early Check-in
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona hotel does not recognize IHG elite members, so please lower your expectations for an early check-in benefit. The regular check-in time is 3 p.m.
Late Check-out
I think it is quite generous that the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona offers guests a noon check-out time. However, if you wish to check out later, you must inquire about it on the morning of your check-out date.
Spa
None
Fitness Center
Yes, thereโs a fitness center on the lobby level at Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona.
In-Room Safe
Yes, thereโs a room safe inside the room.
Robes & Slippers
None
Swimming Pool
Thereโs a good-looking shape swimming pool at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona. It is on the ground floor, and you can obtain the pool towels from the front desk.
Contact
- Phone: 1-808-329-2599
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona
How to Stay at Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona Free?
Hawaii is an expensive destination, but if you are looking to stay free at a hotel on the Big Island and receive a complimentary hot breakfast, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kailua-Kona is not a bad option. However, as an IHG Platinum Elite and above member, you may want to lower your expectations for the upgrades and benefits.
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