The Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort might not be as upscale as the nearby Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa, but it boasts most everything a good resort should, including a wonderful location. Like the other Kona hotels, the Keauhou Beach Outrigger is close to great white-sand beaches, the attractive Kona Country Club, and Kona Town, where booking water-related tours and excursions is easy. If you don't have a rental car, you can always hop on the resort's shuttle to get to a nearby shopping center, and there is always plenty to enjoy on the resort grounds if you're not up for leaving.

There are three Outrigger brand resorts to choose from on the Big Island, and while the other two also are great places to stay, this one arguably boasts the best location. The ten acres on which the resort is situated front a lagoon and reef system that attracts sea turtles looking for a good place to rest. You're bound to spot some of these interesting creatures while exploring the coastal tide pools, and if you prefer relaxing on a white-sand beach, Kahaluu Beach Park is right next door. The snorkeling at this beach is among the best on the island, and if you don't have your own mask and snorkel along, you can easily rent the equipment nearby.

In addition to spotting sea turtles in the tidal lagoon that fronts the Keauhou Beach Outrigger, guests might also be treated to a whale sighting. The Kona Coast is one of the best places in Hawaii for whale watching, and guests who book a room with an ocean view at the Keauhou Beach Outrigger have been known to spot whales passing by offshore. For a better look at these creatures, you can also book a whale watching tour in Kona Town. Most of the rooms at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort boast ocean views, and you can save some money on rates by booking one that doesn't if that is not a main priority. Standard amenities in all the rooms here include a private balcony, cable TV, air-conditioning, a refrigerator, an iron, a hair dryer, a safe, a telephone with voice mail, data ports, a coffee maker, and a clock radio. Unlike most of the other Big Island resorts, free internet access is available to guests at the Keauhou Beach Outrigger.

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Outside of the 309 units at the Keauhou Beach Outrigger, guests will find a fitness center, an outdoor pool, half a dozen tennis courts, and a hot tub, and the two on-site restaurants are excellent places to grab a bite to eat when you don't feel like making the short trip into town. There are also a handful of bars at the resort, so you won't have to stray far for good drinks and light snacks. Even though there are four bars at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, the overall setting is relatively peaceful, and on-site partying does not extend long into the morning hours, which is a plus for those who prefer to get a good night's sleep before a day of hiking or other activities.

You can spend more money than you will at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach to stay at a more luxurious Big Island resort, and you can also spend less if you don't mind sacrificing some amenities and facilities. The other Outrigger brand hotels, which include the Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff Resort and the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona, are priced in the same range as the Keauhou Beach Outrigger, so if you are interested in a stay here, you might also consider them. The other Outriggers offer larger rooms with fully equipped kitchens, which will certainly pique the interest of some travelers.