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Outrigger Kona Resort Review

I am excited to share an Outrigger Kona Resort Review. We recently stayed for 3 days to bring you this review of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.

First, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is undergoing massive renovations. I will share what has been renovated, what is still being renovated, and what I think of the resort after the renovations. Let’s get to it!

Do you need a car rental on the Big Island of Hawaii?

Before we get to the Outrigger Kona Resort Review, let’s quickly talk about rental cars. You need a rental car on the Big Island! You’ll find the best pricing at Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. The Big Island is a place to explore; everything is spread out, and public transportation is inconsistent. Trust me, you need the car!

Where is the Outrigger Kona Resort located?

Unlike most of the resorts on the Big Island, which are further north, the Outrigger Kona Resort is located just south of Kona town. Located on beautiful Keahou Bay, the location of the resort is perfect for those looking to be close to some of the best things to do on the Big Island.

Night snorkeling with manta rays – a Big Island exclusive – is available directly outside of the hotel! The Kona coffee farms are nearby, and you can drive a quick 5-10 minutes to Kona for all the dining and shopping you could ever need. If golfing is important to you, Kona Country Club is just next to the resort. Check out the 15 best golf courses on the Big Island for even more. 

Since you’re south of Kona, you’re also well on your way to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes National Park, and Kealakekua Bay, which offers some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii. 

I highly recommend a snorkeling tour of Kealakekua Bay or a guided Outrigger canoe tour because there are almost always spinner dolphins. We also hiked down to the bay, which you can see in our Big Island vlog on YouTube. Just a warning: it’s a moderate/difficult hike!

Who is the Outrigger Kona Resort for?

As a Hawaii Travel Agent, the Outrigger Kona Resort is my “go-to” for families with a lower-mid-range budget. It’s a fantastic option due to its price point, the pool with a fun slide, and the proximity to Kona, where there are lots of fun family activities.

I’ve also sent honeymooners here! The adults-only pool is nice (biggest complaint: no hot tub!), the resort has a spa, and again, that price point! 

If you want a nice place to stay, in or near Kona (most of the resorts are about 30 minutes north), and want a more affordable option, you definitely need to consider Outrigger Kona Resort!

Just to be clear, it isn’t inexpensive, but it is far less expensive than some of my other family favorites, such as the Westin Hapuna Beach. 

Outrigger Kona Review

In this review of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, we’ll discuss the rooms, restaurants, pools, Voyager Club 47, and activities at Outrigger Kona Resort. 

Does Outrigger Kona Have a resort fee?

Like almost all resorts in Hawaii, Outrigger Kona does have a resort fee. Make sure to take advantage of what is included in your resort fee!

Included in resort fee: $30 USD daily

• Welcome Shell Lei upon arrival
• Tote bag (1 per stay)
• Cultural activities, including hula lessons, lei making, slide races, and more
• Guided cultural and historical tours of Keauhou Bay
• Manta Talk at Manta Learning Center
• Enhanced Wi-Fi access
• Daily pool refreshments
• Daily yoga or fitness class
• Daily access to outdoor games (tennis, basketball, bocce ball – complimentary equipment)
• Daily paddleboard rental (includes 1 board for 2-hour use)
• Discounted green fees at Kona Country Club
• 10% discount on all boat tours booked directly from Keauhou Bay Adventures

Self-parking is $20/day, and valet is $30/day. Valet is included with a club-level stay, which I recommend! More on that later. 

The rooms at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

The Outrigger Kona Resort has 509 rooms and suites. All rooms are currently being renovated, and most of them are finished as of May 2024! We stayed in a renovated room and I really love the changes they made. 

Choose from resort view, partial ocean view, ocean view, oceanfront, and club-level rooms. ADA rooms are also available on request. Contact me if you need a Hawaii Travel Agent, and I’ll make sure you get the room you need!

Don’t forget to check out our Oceanfront Club Level room tour at Outrigger Kona Resort on YouTube for even more details. 

Is Voyager 47 Club Worth it at Outrigger Kona?

We decided to upgrade to the 47 Club and test it out just for you! Here’s what to expect:

Voyager 47 Club gives you access to a full, continental breakfast with fresh Kona coffee from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM. You can also get evening appetizers and drinks from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The evening appetizers are honestly enough to make a meal out of. We don’t really drink, so the drink part wasn’t worth it for us, but if you regularly buy cocktails, it would save so much money! 

I have Celiac disease – meaning I am strictly gluten-free – and a large amount of the food they had was gluten-free. Once the staff found out I was gluten-free, they brought out gluten-free muffins every morning! 

Another perk of Club Access is free valet parking. You have to pay to park either way, so you might as well enjoy the free valet parking vs. self-parking because it’s a pretty long walk. 

For us, it was definitely worth it. We found that the appetizers were enough for dinner, especially if we had a bigger lunch (which is our preferred way to eat.) Even if it isn’t a full dinner, it’s still worth it for “Happy Hour” and apps if you tend to spend a lot on cocktails. 

The spa at Outrigger Kona

The spa was closed due to renovations. Once it reopens, I will add more information about the spa to this section. Prior to the renovations, the spa offered typical spa services such as massages and facials. 

Restaurants at Outrigger Kona

There aren’t many restaurants at Outrigger Kona, but there are a few. Don’t worry; there are plenty of places to eat in Kona, and the Outrigger Kona is just a short drive to the “main area” with all the best places to eat. 

Piko

Piko is brand-new and part of the renovations at the Outrigger Kona. You can grab morning coffee and breakfast here. 

Wailele Cafe

We had lunch at Wailele Cafe one day. My husband had a burger and fries, and I had fish tacos. There are so many great places to eat in Kona that I don’t know if we’d eat here again, but it was really good! If you’re tired from a day of adventure and don’t want to leave the hotel, it’s a solid place to eat!

Holoholo Market and Cafe

Holoholo Market and Cafe offers quick meals, snacks, and pretty much anything you might have forgotten.

Holua Pool Bar and Lounge

The food from Holua comes from Wailele Cafe, but you can order and eat it poolside. There’s also a full bar with snacks. 

Luau at Outrigger Kona

The Feast & Fire Luau is a dinner show that pays homage to the Polynesians who first landed in Hawaii. The menu features slow-cooked Kalua pork, taro rolls, and sweet butter garnished with Hawaiian alea’a sea salt and fresh local fish. The luau and dinner show offers a full bar with beer, wine, and Outrigger Kona Resort’s signature Mai Tais.

The pools and fitness center at Outrigger Kona

The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa has two pools and a nice fitness center. One pool (on the inner part of the property) is for adults only, 21 and up. It’s a quieter pool, and while it doesn’t have great ocean views, it is a nice oasis away from the noise of the main pool. 

The main pool has a large water slide and beautiful views of the ocean. Make sure to get some good chairs to catch the sunset! There are also two hot tubs by this pool. I really wish the adult pool had a hot tub!

The fitness center has everything you need for a good workout, from cardio equipment and machines to free weights.

The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa also offers tennis, bocce ball, and basketball courts. Use of the equipment is included in your resort fee. Ask for equipment at the front desk. 

There are some nice semi-feral kitties at the Outrigger Kona and in many other areas of Hawaii. Generally, these cats have been TNR’d (trapped, neutered, released) and are taken care of. Please be kind to them!

Manta Ray Activities at Outrigger Kona

One of the Outrigger Kona’s most unique features is its prime location, which is a prime spot to see manta rays. The Outrigger Kona even has a manta viewing deck where you might get lucky enough to see them without getting in the water. However, I recommend booking a night snorkel with manta rays to get a better look!

The hotel offers a manta learning center for kids and curious adults, which is currently open two days a week. During a presentation, you can learn all about manta rays. 

More things to do on the Big Island

Check out some of my other Big Island blog posts for more Big Island travel tips.

• 7-day Big Island Itinerary
• The Best Happy Hours in Kona
• 25 best things to do in Kona
• Where to find sea turtles on the Big Island of Hawaii
• 20 things to do in Hilo

Outrigger Kona Resort Review

I hope this Outrigger Kona Resort Review helped you decide if this is the right place to stay in Kona. If you’re unsure, contact me! I’d love to help you plan the best Big Island vacation. 

If you need some help planning your Big Island vacation, reach out! I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. I am selective about how many clients I work with, so reach out as soon as possible for the best availability. You can contact me to learn more.

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