Big Island Keauhou Punahele by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations

Hotel Description

So here’s the thing about Big Island Keauhou Punahele – it’s one of those Coldwell Banker Island Vacations properties that honestly surprised me. I mean, when you first hear the name, it sounds like some corporate vacation rental, but once you’re actually there in Keauhou, you realize this place gets what Big Island living is really about.

The location is pretty sweet – you’re in this quieter pocket of the Kona coast where locals actually hang out, not just the resort strip. Keauhou has this laid-back vibe that’s hard to find elsewhere on the island these days. You know what I love? You can walk to some decent local spots without fighting tourist crowds, and the snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park is just a quick drive down the hill. The property itself feels more like staying at someone’s well-maintained vacation home than a sterile hotel room. I was expecting basic accommodations (it’s a 3-star after all), but the units are actually thoughtfully set up with full kitchens that work – and I mean really work, not those sad hotel kitchenettes with one burner. The lanais face different directions depending on which unit you get, so mornings can be quiet coffee-and-bird-sounds peaceful or you might catch some of that afternoon trade wind action.

What really won me over was how the place doesn’t try to be something it’s not. The furnishings are comfortable island-style without going overboard on the tropical theme, parking is straightforward (thank god, because some places around here make you hike half a mile with your luggage), and honestly, the whole check-in process was refreshingly simple. The 8.0 rating makes sense – it’s not luxury, but it delivers on what matters when you’re spending most of your time exploring the island anyway. You get a clean, comfortable base with actual kitchen space to store all those amazing local fruits you’ll inevitably buy at the farmers market, plus you’re close enough to both the tourist stuff and the real Hawaii that locals haven’t abandoned yet. I stayed during shoulder season and it was perfectly quiet, though I imagine it picks up when the mainland gets cold and everyone flocks here. If you’re looking for that authentic Big Island stay without the resort markup – and you don’t need someone to fold your towels into swan shapes – this place actually nails it.

Rooms

• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 4 × 2 single beds for 6 adults
• Superior Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 4 × 1 single bed and 1 double bed for 6 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 2 single beds for 4 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities