Tell me your pros & cons of King Kam Hotel in Kona-race week

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m looking to stay at the King Kam hotel and comparing with the Sheraton… Looking for your pros and cons.

2

I think everyone has their own different opinions…
1.) Perfect location race morning - and in the hub bub of everything IM Hawaii
2.) If you want some peace and quiet and not be in the hub bub of everything, then stay someplace else.
On race day I always wished I stayed there…otherwise, I was always happy in a condo away from the mayhem.
However, some folks like that…Have fun!

3

I’ll second JJTwins, stay at the Kam if you want to be at the epicenter of the race site. Too busy and hectic for my blood, but some folks love it.

Other considerations not commonly presented:

Pros:

  1. No problemo race morning if you f$%ck up and leave your nutrition in the fridge. (I’ve done this)
  2. Nice viewing of the “local color” if you get my drift.
  3. You can drink too much at the Awards ceremony and not get a DUI.
  4. First in line for the post race merchandise.
  5. Family won’t have to find a parking spot for anything.

Cons:

  1. Foul mildewey smell in the Hotel carpeting
  2. Weird Japanese geeks
  3. Too easy to bag it at the end of the Bike or at the end of the out and back on Alii dr.
  4. Cheesy Hawaiiana music plays throughout this place
  5. Too easy to be called a Tri Geek there
4

I stayed there last year for my first IM - and loved being in the center of it all.

Pros :
you’re IN IT.
you can stumble into bed within 4 min of finishing

Cons:
Fancy it is not. But it’s fine.

I will stay there again this year.

5

sheraton Keahou vs king kam?

6

sheraton Keahou vs king kam?

Sheraton Keauhou is beautifully remodeled and the manta rays rock - but it might be a bit of a hassle to get home at the end of the day. Much nicer place than the King Kam though!

7

Like everyone else said… it’s in the middle of it all and you will run into the stars of the sport. In '01 I think I saw Macca, Welch, Zack, Widoff, ect during the one day / night I spent at the hotel.

People claim that it’s kind of dirty there. I found it to be fine and very convienent.

That being said, I wouldn’t stay there every year… I think the constant triathlete conversations reciting heartrates, V02s, and the big egos on display would get tedious quickly.