Kona Alii 302

Hotel Description

You know what? I was honestly a bit skeptical when I first pulled up to Kona Alii 302 – the building itself looks pretty standard from the outside, sort of that classic Hawaiian condo vibe from the ’80s. But once you get inside and especially once you see that lanai view, it all clicks into place.

The thing about this place is that it sits right in the heart of Kailua-Kona, which means you’re actually walking distance to everything that matters. I mean, you can literally stroll down to the seawall where all the locals hang out in the evenings, and Ali’i Drive is right there with all those little shops and restaurants. The Ironman finish line is practically around the corner too – which gets pretty wild during race season if you’re into that energy (though fair warning, it can get crowded then). What I really appreciated was how the unit itself feels way more spacious than you’d expect. The kitchen is actually functional – not one of those tiny hotel kitchenettes where you can barely make coffee. I ended up cooking breakfast most mornings because there’s something about having your coffee on that lanai while watching the ocean wake up that just beats any restaurant experience.

Parking was surprisingly painless, honestly. There’s a designated spot which is huge because anyone who’s driven around Kona knows that parking can be a total nightmare, especially near the water. The building’s got that old-school Hawaiian charm – not fancy or Instagram-perfect, but solid and comfortable in a way that feels authentic. The pool area is nothing spectacular, but it’s clean and usually pretty quiet during the day. I noticed most people seem to head straight to the beaches anyway, and you’ve got Kamakahonu Beach right there, plus Magic Sands is just a quick drive south if you want something with more waves. The check-in process was smooth – met the property manager at the unit itself, which I actually prefer to dealing with some big hotel front desk. She knew all the local spots and gave me the real scoop on where to go for the best poke (not the touristy places) and which beaches have the calmest waters for snorkeling. One thing to know is that the trade winds really do make a difference here – even on hot days, there’s usually a nice breeze coming through, especially in the afternoon. The unit stays pretty comfortable without cranking the AC constantly, which is both good for your wallet and just feels better than being in some sealed hotel room. It’s got that 4-star comfort level without any pretension – clean, well-maintained, with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities