We were very happy with the condo. The location is excellent, easy walk to town, beaches and stores. Erika was very helpful and the communication was strong.
Property was in excellent location. A little dated but clean. Bed was good. Lots of Restaurants that were walkable.
Erika’s home was a great place to stay for our visit to the big island. Erika checked in to make sure we had no issues finding and gaining access. The process was easy and detailed. We could walk to many restaurants, bars, coffee shops and shopping in general. We enjoyed our stay and would stay again!
I am giving this stay a 5 star rating because it was a budget friendly option for our family of 5 and was perfectly adequate for all our needs and the host was very responsive and lovely to deal with. If you read the description and reviews properly you will discover all there is to know about the property. However here is a summary From my perspective. Positives:Great Kona location with an easy walk to shops and town.Nice Clean condo.We felt completely safe the whole time.The condo is stocked with some extra items for use by guests (eg free coffee pods, but no creamer). Free car park (yes it’s small but it works fine).Budget friendly- great value for moneySome of the negatives, simply for others to consider - we didn’t mind about any of these and we enjoyed our stay, but for full transparency, I just wanted to point a few things out so that if any of these are deal breakers for anyone they know up front. If they are, then increase your budget and search again.no dishwasher.3rd floor with no liftno ability to block out light - meaning you can’t sleep in - except for the one front room.quite hot as it is a top floor condo. There was 2 air conditioning units which definitely helped a lot, but as it is such a large open living area it didn’t cool the condo until well into the night (we stayed in winter).The pull out sofa beds are not that comfortable- an extra topper mattress for both would be a great addition.Not really any option to eat inside - eat on lanai
Decent unit, but, I did not notice in the unit description that my 83 year old mother had to climb 3 flights of stairs to get into the unit. Unit is dated, but worked for us. It does not have a dishwasher which meant that instead of loading a dishwasher and leaving, we had to be sure to clean up each day before we left. Some of the utensils had debris on them, so, I don’t know if the owner washes everything between visitors or if they’re counting on the visitors to be sure dishes are properly cleaned. Pam t even yone
The beds and furniture are very comfortable, the kitchen is well-equipped, the AC works great, the tap water tastes pretty good, and the grounds are lovely and well maintained. We found all the neighbors to be friendly and this place is wonderfully quiet. The pool, hot tub, lanai, washer/dryer and the car rental through turo are all bonuses and much appreciated. Everything in town is very close by, but be aware that the steep hills and flights of stairs can be strenuous. Overall we love this place and would definitely stay here again.
The beds and furniture are very comfortable, the kitchen is well-equipped, the AC works great, the tap water tastes pretty good, and the grounds are lovely and well maintained. We found all the neighbors to be friendly and this place is wonderfully quiet. The pool, hot tub, lanai, washer/dryer and the car rental through turo are all bonuses and much appreciated. Everything in town is very close by, but be aware that the steep hills and flights of stairs can be strenuous. Overall we love this place and would definitely stay here again.
This property checks all the boxes. Great location and great host!
This property checks all the boxes. Great location and great host!
Stay away from this worn out unsafe place! Worst vacation rental experience ever!
I couldn't find the place as building and doors were not clearly marked and the check-in instruction was confusing.
There was NO mention in the ad that there is NO elevator!
Parking:
The designate parking spot was so narrow and short for my car rental (a 4WD Jeep wrangler). I could barely get out of the car after I parked as the is a door right in front of the parking space. When I asked the host if there are other parking spots or whether I get a parking permit. She just lectured me that parking is 'free and I should just go stay somewhere else, knowing that I will not get a refund. She doesn't care since she was already paid, and put the word 'host' in 'hostile'!! Hypocritically, in the bulletin board, the host said she can help arrange for additional parking if we have more than one car when all I needed was one.
Condition of the condo:
Since the unit is on the 3rd floor, it felt like an oven when we got in. I asked the host on how to operate the AC and instead of giving me the instructions, she just said it is nice and cool in the evening. The place was dusty (behind the TV, window ledges etc.) and the toilet bowl on the hallway had 'residues' on it and there wasn't even a toilet brush in sight. The fan only turned on periodically. The fridge was full of leftover sauces with unknown expiration dates and most of the spices and 'leftovers' are very cold and clumpy. I had to stop my son from opening a package of leftover oatmeal as it was a complete brick. There was no fan in the upstairs bathroom and it was so hard to turn on the shower. The toaster oven was very dirty and burnt.
Passive aggressive harassing reminders everywhere including the front door to remind me how 'incredibly expensive' electricity is in Hawaii. There were additional reminders on how the sink can clog easily, and that it is our job to put the lanai on to keep her condo cooler while blocking all the views. Yet, we must roll them back up when it is windy. Not my job to maximize her profit margins as I PAID!
This is NOT a resort: The pool is dirty & cold, and the spa is superhot with broken jet. There was no mention in vrbo that pool is closed to children after 6 pm. Lots of chain smokers and stray cats on the property. Very unsafe area with tons of drifters across the street & parking lot, and drunk people on the street on the side of the condo.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!
The property is close to all the shops and restaurants by either driving or walking. The landlord Erika is very nice and helpful, which made me feel like she’s there for us if any needs arise. The property has everything we need which is handy. Mahalo Erika for making our stay at Big Island a great experience.
The property is close to all the shops and restaurants by either driving or walking. The landlord Erika is very nice and helpful, which made me feel like she’s there for us if any needs arise. The property has everything we need which is handy. Mahalo Erika for making our stay at Big Island a great experience.
Very nice and a short walk into town
Very nice and a short walk into town
we really liked the place - matches the vrbo pics and description, and was very comfortable for four of us. Both bathrooms quite nice; kitchen fully functional, allowing us to do some eating in. Only a short walk to everything on Ali'i, including the nice small beach by the Marriott. Would definitely do it again
Easy, comfortable, friendly host.
We were there for a week, and it was the perfect size for my and my 3 kids.
Easy, comfortable, friendly host.
We were there for a week, and it was the perfect size for my and my 3 kids.
Excellent on all accounts so much so that I have already booked again for another work trip in a couple weeks.
Erika and her accommodation are fabulous. Aloha and Mahalo!
Excellent on all accounts so much so that I have already booked again for another work trip in a couple weeks.
Erika and her accommodation are fabulous. Aloha and Mahalo!
The condo has all you need. It’s located to close to town. Not the nicest area when walking into town, but convenient if you want to walk there.
We (a family of 5) stayed here for about a week and it was lovely! Perfect location, easy walk to shops and restaurants and grocery store. Beds were cozy and Erika provided everything we could want from guidebooks to kitchen supplies. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and host helpful and welcoming.
Most places in Kona don’t have ac, this one does. Awesome place for 4 definitely worth it
Close enough to walk to everything. Lovely place with everything you need for a wonderful stay in Hawaii!
Pro:
- Communication with the property owner was top notch
-Beds we’re comfortable and their was a couch to accommodate as well
-Towels ready to use for both beach and shower
- full kitchen equipped for cooking, with leftovers from other guests which I think is accommodating and helps with no food waste
-outside patio was wonderful with hooks to hang with things
- snorkel gear plus beach gear helps cut down with the amount for rent or purchase which is lovely
- Birds we’re present outside and their chirping is beautiful
Cons
-birds were present outside and took us a few days to get use to in addition to the jet lag
- it is up three flights of stairs so wouldn’t be accommodating to anyone who is handicapped
- I did see some roaches (like three) but it is a humid climate and in a condo where unfortunately you can’t control your neighbors activities. It wasn’t a crazy amount and as long as food wasn’t amount it wasn’t a big issue
Wonderful property. Wonderful owner.
Large condo with plenty of room. We have a 2 and 4 year old. Beach at the pier was great for them and an easy walk just under 1/2 mile. As others have commented you can hear quite a bit of traffic noise, but we also are not used to that. Not sure if it would actually be a problem in the bedroom vs the loft. Besides that we had a great stay. Pool and BBQ area was a great addition.
Large condo with plenty of room. We have a 2 and 4 year old. Beach at the pier was great for them and an easy walk just under 1/2 mile. As others have commented you can hear quite a bit of traffic noise, but we also are not used to that. Not sure if it would actually be a problem in the bedroom vs the loft. Besides that we had a great stay. Pool and BBQ area was a great addition.
