77-6386 Hale Alii Honu KaiN°001
Big Island, USA
From $3,579 per night
Photo by Martin Zangerl on UnsplashAn island of volcanoes, coral coasts and resort-side calm
Hawaii's Big Island is the archipelago's largest and most varied, pairing the resort coastline of Kohala with volcanoes, rainforest and snorkelling bays. Renting a luxury villa here places you on the sunny Kona-Kohala side, with private pools, ocean views and concierge support for an unhurried island stay.
- Sunny, resort-lined Kohala Coast: Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea and Hualalai
- World-class snorkelling and diving at Kealakekua Bay and along the Kona Coast
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the dramatic Kilauea landscape
- Mauna Kea summit stargazing, among the clearest skies on Earth
- Private-pool villas with ocean views and dedicated concierge service
Known forKohala Coast resorts, black- and white-sand beaches, Volcanoes National Park, snorkelling and Mauna Kea stargazing
Best time to visitApril to October for the driest weather; December to March for whale watching and surf
Nearest airportKona International (KOA) on the west coast; Hilo (ITO) for the east side
Ideal forFamilies, couples and multi-generational groups seeking a sunny, resort-side island base
Hale Hui Kai 208 - Ocean View Luxury Condo on the best beach on Maui, Split AC!N°002
Big Island, USA
Ocean viewBalconyAir conditioning
From $1,204 per night
KE264 Keauhou LaniN°003
Big Island, USA
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Kai VistaN°004
Big Island, USA
From $1,155 per night
Oceanfront Hale Hui Kai 313 Large Lanai, AC, Incredible Views on Keawakapu BeachN°005
Big Island, USA
Ocean viewBeachfrontBalcony
From $1,109 per night
Hale Hui Kai 202 - Keawakapu Beach, Garden Views, Steps to the Beach, Split AC!N°006
Big Island, USA
BalconyAir conditioning
From $1,075 per night
98homes available
1–6bedrooms
up to 12guests
5with a pool
Big Island in pictures
Events not to miss in Big Island
- April (the week after Easter)
Merrie Monarch Festival
Hilo hosts the world's most prestigious hula festival, a week of competition, craft fairs and parades that fills the east side with Hawaiian culture at its finest. Tickets and rooms go far in advance.
- October
Ironman World Championship
Kailua-Kona is the spiritual home of the legendary triathlon, when athletes swim the bay, cycle the lava fields and run the coast while the town takes on a festival atmosphere.
- November
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
One of Hawaii's longest-running food festivals celebrates the Kona harvest with farm tours, tastings, parades and cultural events across the coffee uplands above Kailua-Kona.
Big Island through the seasons
- Winter (December – March)
Humpback whales and snowy summits
Migrating humpbacks breach offshore, surf builds on the west coast and Mauna Kea's summit occasionally wears snow above the sunshine.
- Spring (April – May)
Merrie Monarch and the dry season's start
Hilo's great hula festival crowns the calendar just as the driest, most settled beach weather begins on the Kona-Kohala side.
- Summer (June – August)
Calm seas for snorkelling and manta nights
The year's gentlest water is perfect for Kealakekua Bay snorkelling, family swimming and after-dark manta ray encounters off Kona.
- Autumn (September – November)
Ironman energy and the coffee harvest
October's world-championship triathlon electrifies Kailua-Kona, followed by the Kona coffee harvest and its November festival in the uplands.
The Area and Where to Stay
The Big Island splits into a dry, sunny west coast and a lush, wetter east. Most luxury villas sit on the Kohala Coast and around Kailua-Kona, where reliable sunshine, golf and calm swimming bays make the easiest base. The Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea and Waikoloa resort areas offer manicured oceanfront settings, while Hualalai is the island's most exclusive enclave. South of Kona, Holualoa and the coffee-country hills give a quieter, upcountry feel, and the ranch town of Waimea sits cool and green between the coasts. On the east side, Hilo and the Hamakua Coast suit travellers drawn to waterfalls and rainforest. Our curated collection concentrates on the west coast, including Puako's low-key beach lanes, with private-pool residences and ocean-view estates supported by an island concierge.
Things to Do
Few destinations pack in this much variety. Snorkel or dive the clear waters of Kealakekua Bay, swim with manta rays after dark off Kona, or surf and paddle the calmer west-coast breaks. Inland, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reveals lava fields, craters and the restless Kilauea. Drive or tour to the summit of Mauna Kea for sunset and some of the world's finest stargazing. Golfers have championship oceanfront courses across the Kohala resorts, while waterfalls, botanical gardens and the green Hamakua Coast reward a day on the east side. Your concierge can arrange boat charters, guides, helicopter flights and private tours.
Food and Local Flavour
The Big Island is the heart of Hawaii's farm-to-table movement, with ranch country, tropical orchards and the only commercial coffee region in the United States. Expect just-landed fish, grass-fed Big Island beef, tropical fruit and the smooth, sought-after Kona coffee grown on the slopes above town. The Kohala resorts hold refined oceanfront dining rooms, while Kailua-Kona and Waimea add relaxed local kitchens, poke counters and farmers' markets. A private chef is an easy way to enjoy island produce in the comfort of your villa, and the concierge can secure sought-after reservations along the coast.
When to Visit
The Kona-Kohala side stays warm and sunny year-round, making the Big Island a genuine all-season destination. April to October brings the driest, most settled weather, ideal for beach days, snorkelling and golf. Winter, from December to March, is greener and a little wetter, with bigger surf and the chance to spot migrating humpback whales offshore. Evenings can feel cool at altitude, so pack layers for Mauna Kea. Whichever season you choose, a private villa offers a calm, sun-filled base from which to explore the island at your own pace.
Getting There
Most visitors arrive at Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west coast, the closest gateway to the Kohala and Kona villa areas, with direct flights from the US mainland and connections through Honolulu. Hilo International (ITO) serves the green east side. A hire car is essential for exploring the island's long coastal drives and upcountry roads, and the concierge can arrange private transfers, charters and inter-island flights. Driving times are real distances, so basing yourself on the sunny west coast keeps beaches, dining and golf close at hand.