OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa

We embarked on a long-awaited trip to Hawaii. Our first stop was the Big Island, which took two stops and a day to reach. We chose to stay at the Outrigger near the Kona airport because we weren't driving and it was conveniently located near a night manta ray dive. We stayed at the hotel for three nights and changed rooms once. We were assigned a third-floor oceanfront room facing the pool and slide, but the view was obstructed and noisy during the day. On our second night, we moved to the fourth floor, which was quieter and had a better view. Of the three hotels with the best ocean views, Manta 1 and 2 were better than the three Lu'ao buildings I stayed in, with direct views of the Pacific Ocean and the sunset. The breakfast at the Outrigger was lackluster, but my Chinese stomach is used to eating in the morning, so I couldn't miss it. If I were to visit the Big Island again, I'd stay at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kona Town. The beach is right outside, and there's snorkeling nearby. The Chinese food in town is excellent, with fresh seafood and affordable prices. I always take an Uber from the Outrigger, and it costs $20 each way. More importantly, the stargazing tour pick-up and drop-off location is at the Courtyard by Marriott, making it perfect for those who don't drive. Oh, and I went for the manta ray night dive, which was truly breathtaking, but the waves were strong at night, so those who don't know how to swim shouldn't sign up, as you can't wear a life jacket, and the strong waves at night can be quite scary.