Kona Bali Kai #220

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Kona Bali Kai #220? The sound of waves literally becomes your white noise machine. I mean, I’ve stayed at plenty of oceanfront places that claim you can “hear the surf,” but this one actually delivers – you’re close enough that the rhythmic crash against the lava rock becomes part of your sleep routine.

The condo itself sits in this older complex that honestly doesn’t look like much from the parking area, but once you’re inside #220 and walk out to that lanai… well, that’s when it clicks. The view stretches straight across Keauhou Bay, and if you’re there during whale season (December through April, basically), you’ll spend way too much time scanning the water with whatever binoculars the previous guests inevitably left behind. The setup is pretty practical too – full kitchen that actually has sharp knives and decent cookware, which is rarer than you’d think in vacation rentals. There’s a Safeway about ten minutes up Ali’i Drive if you want to stock up, though I’d recommend hitting the KTA Super Store instead since it’s got better local produce and poke.

What really works here is the location on Keauhou Bay – you’re far enough south of Kailua-Kona to skip most of the cruise ship crowds, but close enough that you can still walk to places like the Sheraton’s manta ray viewing spot (definitely do this, by the way). The complex has this sort of weathered, lived-in vibe that some people might find dated, but I actually appreciated not feeling like I had to be precious about sandy feet or wet swimsuits. The pool area gets surprisingly busy around 3 PM when families come back from beach adventures, but mornings are pretty quiet if you want to do laps or just float around with your coffee. Parking can get tight during peak season – there are assigned spots but guests don’t always pay attention to the numbers, so just be prepared for some musical chairs action. The trade winds do their thing most afternoons, which keeps things comfortable, though you’ll want to secure anything lightweight on the lanai because those gusts can come out of nowhere. Honestly, for the price point and that direct ocean access, plus being able to walk down to the tide pools when the surf’s not too crazy, it hits that sweet spot between resort amenities and local authenticity that’s getting harder to find on the Big Island.

Facilities