Kanaloa At Kona 3303

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Kanaloa At Kona 3303, I wasn’t expecting much from what looked like your typical condo complex. But you know what? Sometimes the best places are the ones that don’t try too hard to impress you from the outside.

This place sits right in that sweet spot where you’re close enough to everything but far enough from the cruise ship chaos that hits Kailua-Kona. I mean, you can actually hear the ocean at night instead of traffic, which is honestly harder to find than you’d think along this stretch of coast. The unit itself – well, it’s got that lived-in vacation rental vibe that some people love and others find a bit tired. The kitchen’s actually pretty well-stocked (I was surprised to find decent knives and real plates, not just plastic everything), and there’s this lanai that catches the afternoon trade winds perfectly. You’ll want to grab some coffee from that little place down on Palani Road and just sit out there around 4 PM when the light starts getting golden.

What really sold me on this spot was how it feels like staying in someone’s actual Hawaiian home rather than some sterile resort room. The complex has this old-school Big Island charm – you know, where the buildings actually blend into the landscape instead of trying to dominate it. Parking’s easy, which anyone who’s tried to find a spot near the pier will appreciate. The pool area gets busy with families during the day, but early morning and evening it’s practically yours. One thing though – the walls aren’t super thick, so if you’re unlucky enough to get neighbors who think everyone wants to hear their vacation playlist, well… just pack some earplugs. The trade-off is worth it because you’re getting way more space than a hotel room for less money, and honestly, the 8.0 rating feels about right. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it delivers exactly what it promises. Plus, being this close to some of the island’s best snorkeling spots (Secret Beach is maybe ten minutes away if you know the back roads) means you can actually experience the real Kona instead of just the tourist version.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 3 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 large double bed, extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 8 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities