Hotel/condo reccomendation for Kona?
Diana
bringing my husband and two girls, ages 7 and 5, with me.
Thanks, Diana
rroof
Stay away from the very close King Kamahamaha hotel near the swim start
with kids. The Hilton Waikaola village (up north along the queen K
highway) is about the nicest resort that I have ever stayed at. It is
about a 20 min drive up the qeen K. They have a camp to drop off kids,
can train on the actual bike course, ocean swim, etc. Extremely nice
place for a little vacation prior to/after IM. I highly recommend it.
They have a very nice website as well.
--
IMKen
The King Kam is certainly not the nicest place to stay but it is about the
most convenient. Everything is centered around it. On race morning it
gives you the opportunity to sleep in a bit longer, access to all your
personal needs right up to the start canon. I have always tried to stay
there and found it acceptable though old. It is convenient for all the
pre race check in so that you are not stressed getting through the traffic
jams etc. Uncle Billie's would be my second choice but any that are with
in a 1/4 mile of the start line are fine even if not offering the upper
crust facilities. You will not be hassled trying to locate a parking place
early race morning.
Ken @ Kauai
"Diana" <dian...@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:cc8c4cb0.04041...@posting.google.com...
Diana
close by for convenience (especially with the kids wanting to see
Mommy start and finish, and staying further away but nicer
accomodations/more amenities.
I tend to like being away from all the commotion race week, but also
like being close by race morning and after the race. I also like the
idea of a condo to make some of our meals. Any thoughts on that?
Diana
M Kochanski
thinking I will wait until after my verification race in late July.
MK
"IMKen" <im...@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message news:<9UWgc.31525$GU.1...@twister.socal.rr.com>...
David Schoonmaker
> Can anyone suggest a nice place to stay for the Hawaii IM? I'm
> bringing my husband and two girls, ages 7 and 5, with me.
> Thanks, Diana
My personal favorite is the Kona Tiki, on Alii Drive about a mile
south of race headquarters. It's not fancy--no a.c. or t.v., for
example--but it is very comfortable, friendly and low key. Also
reasonable.
The last time I stayed there was '99, and nearly all of the other
occupants were Australians or New Zealanders. I had friends stay there
last year, and they loved it--but, then, they're my friends.
It's a two-story building with about 20 rooms. Second-floor rooms have
private lanais overlooking a small bay and have excellent crossflow
ventilation. You're no more than 50 feet from the water, and the swim
turnaround is immediately offshore. Learn more here:
David
Diana
or more away from the start:
Was it difficult driving in race morning? I could get a ride in and be
dropped off. However, is it hard for spectators to get around during
the day?
Diana
d.scho...@worldnet.att.net (David Schoonmaker) wrote in message news:<735a769.04042...@posting.google.com>...
Troy Drake
> For those of you that stayed a mile
> or more away from the start:
>
> Was it difficult driving in race morning? I could get a ride in and be
> dropped off. However, is it hard for spectators to get around during
> the day?
>
> Diana
>
Not if you go down to the pier early. I stayed several miles down
Alii Drive but easily drove down to less than 1/2 mile from the pier
and parked with no problem at about 5:00 am. Of course, then I had to
walk about 1/2 mile to my rental car after IM Hawaii, but it wasn't
too bad. I was also able to leave when I wanted to.
One of the advantages of Kailua-Kona is that it is small, and the race
venue is very centralized, so even though there are tons of people,
it's easy for spectators to wander around. You can forget about
driving through town on race day though. My wife is a pro at getting
to the good spots, but she told me that it was relatively easy to get
to see all the action. I saw her several times throughout the race.
I can't recall if they have T2 at the old airport still, but even the
split transitions are a pretty short walk apart.
About the place to stay...I prefer condos, far superior to hotels in
my opinion, and usually about the same cost. There are tons of them
along Alii, but you probably should book early. Triathletes tend to
make reservations waaaayyy in advance.
Have a great time! IM Hawaii and the week leading up to it is
awesome.
rsquared
news:c568b65a.04042...@posting.google.com...
><<SNIP>
> I saw her several times throughout the race.
> I can't recall if they have T2 at the old airport still, but even the
> split transitions are a pretty short walk apart.
>
Off topic alert... : )
When was T2 moved to the airport? I did this race in '88 and T2 was in the
parking lot of the Kona Resort, a few miles down Alii Drive.
I always assumed that the course layout had not changed(?).
I have never been back. Life came calling... : )
rsquared
PMcDC
were working on the pier (restoration or upgrade) so there was 1 T area, which
was the big area behind the king kam hotel. it made for a very, very long run
for both T times.
Witheld
Thanks - -
Very interesting... My most vivid memories were of trudging down the
hill where the "Pay & Save" is and experiencing the lights and sounds
of the finish area.
Then, on a parallel street, you had to run PAST (and away from) the
finish area again. Very cruel... ; )
It makes we want to check out a current course map to see how
different the "finish experience" is today.
The older I get, the better I was... : )
rsquared