Kona Inn & Kona Inn Restaurant

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States

In 1928 the Kona Inn was built by the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company. This venture was considered to be a pioneering effort in the neighbor island hotel industry. Previous to the Kona Inn, the passengers aboard the company steamers had only haphazard room arrangements at outlying stops.

The rambling 2-story Hawaiian structure, carefully designed to blend with the Palm fringed Kona shore, found its 20 rooms booked solidly for months in advance. The Kona Inn became Hawaii’s favorite refuge for kamaainas as well as the world traveler. The new hostelry was responsible for the popularity of the colorful Kona Coast.

The Inn was also instrumental in developing the Kona Coast as one of the world's greatest fishing areas. With the Inn as unofficial billfish tournament headquarters, the place attracted marlin fishermen from all over the globe.

It was a celebrity hideaway in the 40s and 50s.

Although the hotel has been closed now for well over 30 years. The hotel's restaurant of the same name is still open (as of 2021) and a great place to sit and watch the sunset. The shopping area of the hotel is also open. The hotel rooms are used for storage and offices.

*NOTE: Cocktail menu is current as of 2024.