Kailua-Kona Hillside Apt Less Than 3 Miles to Beaches!

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw “Kailua-Kona Hillside Apt” in the listing, I wasn’t expecting much. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s one of those finds where the name doesn’t do it justice, tucked up on the hillside with that perfect balance of being close enough to everything but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the chaos down by Ali’i Drive.

The location is honestly what makes this place shine. Less than three miles to the beaches sounds like marketing speak, but I mean, you’re literally a quick drive to some of the best spots on the Kona coast. Magic Sands Beach (locals call it White Sands) is probably your closest bet for a proper swim, and Kahalu’u Beach Park – where you’ll see more sea turtles than tourists if you time it right – is just down the road. The hillside setting means you get those trade winds that actually make a difference when it’s humid, something you don’t always get in the oceanfront places where the air just sits there. Plus, being up from the main drag means you’re not hearing rental cars and tour buses at 6 AM.

What I really appreciated was how the place feels like someone actually lives here part-time rather than just another vacation rental that’s been stripped of personality. The kitchen has proper knives (miracle!), there’s local coffee in the cupboard, and the shower pressure is surprisingly decent – you’d be amazed how many Big Island rentals fail at basic water pressure. The rating of 8.0 feels about right; it’s not fancy, but it’s comfortable and functional with those little touches that matter. Parking was easy, which is worth mentioning because some of these hillside places have you doing three-point turns on crazy steep driveways. The Wi-Fi actually worked consistently too, important if you’re trying to upload all those sunset photos from Kona’s famous golden hour light.

Honestly, the biggest selling point might be what you’re not getting – you’re not paying resort prices, you’re not fighting for pool chairs, and you’re not stuck in Waikoloa where everything feels a bit artificial. Instead, you get to wake up, grab some Kona coffee from the farmers market (about ten minutes away), and decide whether you want to snorkel at Two Step, drive up to see the petroglyphs, or just hang out at one of the beach parks with a good book. The three-star rating doesn’t tell the whole story because it’s really about location and that local feel rather than fancy amenities. If you’re looking for a spa and room service, this isn’t it. But if you want a comfortable base to actually experience this part of the island without breaking the bank, it’s a solid choice that gets you into the rhythm of Kona life pretty quickly.

Rooms

• Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Edward from Canada (5/10)

  View, security, cleanliness, furnishings, neighborhood

• Matthew from United States (8/10)

  Fantastic location, short drive from town and amenities with killer views and also very pleasant to walk around the neighborhood. Frogs sing you to sleep at night, birdsong wakes you up. Leaving the windows open did fine for keeping it cool throughout the day. Loved the complimentary body wash/shampoo. Tho we didn’t use them, must acknowledge the onsite grill and laundry facilities.

• Charlie from United States (9/10)

  Loved the location and the host an excellent communicator. Very nice property, well maintained!

• Charles from United States (9/10)

  Location was convenient and had a tremendous view

• Cindy from United States (8/10)

  View is as shown. Nice amount of space, lots of windows. Really not far to drive to beaches and other Kona coast activities. Owner onsite, very nice. Lovely yard/gardens. Detailed instructions on access made it easy.

• Alessandro from Italy (1/10)

• Kelley from United States (8/10)

  Such a great location. Beautiful view. I’d recommend it to anyone.

• Jill from United States (5/10)

  Deck with view of sunset. Extras like beach chairs beach towels boogie boards. Well equipped kitchen. Comfortable bed. Keith manager was nice.

• Joseph from United States (8/10)

  The views, the quiet setting, bbq, washer/dryer access, geckos!

• Gilbert from United States (8/10)

  secluded, yet close enough to many beaches and sites. Nice kitchen to allow breakfast and dinner if desired.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities