We stayed at Hapuna Beach 6 years ago. We loved it, it was October and it was pretty quiet [no kids at all] and we really like that a lot. It is pretty far out, so you are going to need a car. The beach is excellent! It was a bit more high end then, I hear it has gotten a bit less so and reports that it is sometimes won on Hotwire and Priceline.

That said, we stayed in Courtyard King Kam last year for 8 nights. We liked it a lot and got it for a good price. We rented a car and went up to Waikoloa twice to go to Anaehoomalu bay, or A-bay. Another great beach with walking trails and large amounts of turtles sleeping in little coves.

I would go for the free deal at Waikoloa, or stay at King Kam and just drive up there.

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/hawaii/big-island/anaehoomalu-bay/virtual-tour

The Marriot is closer to more shops and restaurants and has A-Bay for swimming. Rooms are nice, pool is nice and it's not too far (15 minutes) to drive up to Hapuna Beach to snorkel or swim. I'd use your points and stay free.

I was going to add that Hapuna Beach is fairly isolated as far as places to eat off property.

I'd throw away my free night certificate for KK, free or 50% off is too expensive for that place. While HP is better for location & often $150 on Priceline/Hotwire, I'd still use the points and stay at the Marriott

The two hotels are very different. Hapuna Beach is usually very quiet and peaceful. The Marriott usually has loads of kids, and is not that peaceful. Having said that, if you want to save some money, I'd go for the reward nights at the Marriott, as both are very nice properties.

Why do you say that, Frank? We found The King Kam clean, comfortable and well located. When did you last stay there?

The Courtyard/King Kam has been renovated since the Marriott purchase and tsunami, and is in a nice location for checking out Kona town.
Hapuna rooms are VERY pedestrian; you are paying for the beach location (which you can drive to and park for free in the public lot).
The Marriott is on a beautiful beach, there's nice snorkeling also, and the pool complex is quite large. Dining options are good (there are specials, like 1/2 price nights, and Friday buffet), and it is a short stroll (across the street) to several restaurants, shopping, and even a food court. I would disagree with the "Marriott usually has loads of kids"; I've noticed that (in many visits) only once, on the day before school starts (when it seems the locals thing to do to take a family resort vacay). The Hilton down the road, however, seems to be kid heaven, due to the almost water-park level of pool complex.
If you can get Marriott free, that seems like a no-brainer. Explore the fabulous beaches up the highway on your own!

Thank you all for the thorough evaluations! I am happy to hear so many positives for the Marriott! The added fact of more dining options across from the Marriott is also a draw. And I was not aware that Waikoloa Marriott was on A Bay. Your responses have prompted me to look further into the advantages of the location of Waikoloa Marriott.
You have helped me much! Will stay at the Courtyard King K with the Free certificate that is about to expire and will use points for Marriott Waikoloa.

Have a fabulous time! (p.s. There are ruins on the premises in addition to the King's fishing pond that you will enjoy.)

We loved staying at the Marriott Waikoloa. Loved the bay at sunset.

Went next door to the Hilton & came back glad we did not stay there.

Yay! I did good! Had tried to book the Waikoloa Marriott with points back in September.
They said there was NO vacancy EITHER WITH POINTS OR CASH! GLAD I CHECKED BACK AGAIN. APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT BOOK VERY FAR OUT.

great!
p.s. the swimming and snorkeling along the south part of the beach is nice (past the hotel and new restaurant); lots of tiny bays of sand, a little more private. My new favorite thing to bring along to the beach is a big rectangle of ripstop nylon; folds into a tiny parcel, nothing sticks to it, dries fast, great for sitting/lying on.

Why do you say that, Frank? <<

I havent stayed in Konatown in 30+ years, and why would I w/the Wiakoloa Coast options? I did attend an event at KK about 5 years ago, and KK was about as remembered and I wouldnt stay there 30 yrs ago.

30-40 years ago, Kona was a dream vacation, today I think vacations are too short to waste time there. Very recently I went to town just for some good thai food, its a concrete jungle..its not for me

The KK has been remodeled and refurbished when Courtyard took over, which I *believe* has happened since you were there; so I think your comments are outdated.

The KK has been remodeled and refurbished when Courtyard took over, which I *believe* has happened since you were there; so I think your comments are outdated.<<

When Marriott takes over all of Konatown and updates it and cleans up the VOG, then I will say my comment is not valid

Until then, my opinion stands. Life is too short to spend vacation time in Kona

sylvia
I am interested in the ripstop nylon for the beach that you mentioned. Where do you purchase this? Have only been to Hawaii once 20 years ago and then they were selling woven mats
for about $1. each to lie on the beach. Are these mats still used in Hawaii? Seems like
the condos we are renting in Maui and Kauai will have these mats? Which is better?
Again, thanks to all the posters.

We liked the Marriott too. Having saved some $$ by using points do get a car rental so you can then visit Hapuna beach and the rest of the island

Car is reserved for the 5 days on the BI.
Thanks.

I for one would use a free night or two in Konatown - which has some fun things to see/do. And enjoyed staying at the King Kam years ago and heard it had been recently remodeled.

And I would stay at the Marriott Waikola over the Hapuna - all things being equal - but since you have it for free - no Q.

And while Hapuna has a very good beach - we love the one next door at the Mauna Kea - where you can go as a visitor - but think they have now limited the # - so check ahead on what restrictions there may be. Sometimes - we have breakfast at the Mauna Kea - which usually makes it easier to get past the entrance gate, whatever.

I went to my local Joanne's Fabric store for the nylon (lots of coupons out there); it's pretty cheap per yard, comes in myriad colors, takes almost no room in the luggage or beach bag, and was a huge success for the beaches (nothing comes up from underneath, like it does in mats, and it's lots bigger, and more comfortable, IMO). We throw it down in front of our chairs , put sand on the corners to keep it down (clever people sew or glue the corners into open pockets for this), and it keeps towels and other stuff from getting sand, too. Best of all, sand does not stick to it at all, and it dries almost instantly!