Kona Alii 304

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be straight with you about Kona Alii 304 – it’s one of those places that grows on you, even though your first impression might be “well, this is… solid.” I mean, it’s not going to blow you away when you walk in, but honestly? That’s kind of refreshing in a place like Kailua-Kona where everything either tries way too hard or costs your firstborn child.

The thing about this condo is that it sits right in the heart of things without all the tourist trap nonsense. You’re actually staying where locals hang out, which means you’ll hear real Hawaiian pidgin at the little market downstairs and smell proper plate lunch cooking instead of overpriced resort food. The building itself has that classic 80s Hawaii vibe – you know, the kind with lanais that actually matter and sliding doors that stick just enough to remind you you’re not in a sterile hotel. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night, especially compared to some of the places closer to Ali’i Drive where the party boats come and go. Sure, you’ll hear the occasional gecko (which is good luck, by the way), but mostly it’s just trade winds and maybe some distant surf.

The space itself is honestly bigger than you’d expect for the price point. The kitchen actually works – I made coffee every morning and even attempted some local fish I picked up at the farmer’s market. The lanai faces inland, which some people might see as a downside, but I actually loved watching the mist roll over the mountains in the early morning with my coffee. Plus, no direct afternoon sun means you’re not running the AC constantly. The 7.2 rating makes sense to me because it’s not fancy, but everything functions properly and the bed is comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up feeling like I wrestled with a rock. Parking was surprisingly easy too – there’s actually a spot that comes with the unit, which is worth its weight in gold around here. Check-in was smooth, though you’ll want to stop by the management office during normal hours rather than hoping for some fancy 24/7 concierge situation. The whole thing feels more like borrowing a friend’s place than staying in a hotel, which is exactly what some trips call for. If you’re the type who needs fresh towels every day and someone to ask about dinner reservations, this isn’t your spot. But if you want a genuine slice of local Kona life without the tourist markup, and you don’t mind that the shower pressure is just okay and the WiFi occasionally has moods, then you’ll probably love it here as much as I did.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children

Reviews

• Susan from United States (7/10)

  I loved the view from the balcony: we were able to see a pod of spinner dolphins & turtles swimming while having breakfast!
  It was nice having a washer/dryer in the condo.

• Allyn from Canada (8/10)

  location was superb, gorgeous water views and sunsets. easy to access the shops and restaurants. elite rep, Liam, was great.

• Jerry from United States (5/10)

  View from lanai

• David from Canada (5/10)

  the balcony was nice except it faces a park where homeless people slept every day

• Pauline from New Zealand (8/10)

  Location was excellent. Right in the heart of Kona on Alii drive. Walking distance to all the restaurants and bars. Free public shuttle on the main road which you could catch to take you to the less touristy shopping centre area. Fabulous views from the apartment of the ocean. Quieter round the back of the apartments where you can relax in the wonderful swimming pool. Lovely clean apartment, plenty of space good facilities.

• Michael from United States (8/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities