Waikoloa Hills #105: Pineapple Paradise

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard “Pineapple Paradise,” I rolled my eyes a little. But Waikoloa Hills #105 actually lives up to that slightly cheesy name, and I mean that in the best way possible. The moment you walk in, there’s this immediate sense of… well, paradise, I guess. The trade winds flow through perfectly positioned windows, and you can smell that distinct Big Island mix of plumeria and ocean salt that never gets old, no matter how many times you visit Hawaii.

What really got me about this place is how it sits in the Waikoloa Village area – you’re far enough from the resort madness down by the beach to actually hear yourself think, but close enough that you can easily hit Anaeho’omalu Bay or the shops at Queens’ MarketPlace when you want some action. The unit itself has this lived-in comfort that vacation rentals often miss – someone clearly put thought into the little things, like having actual good knives in the kitchen and blackout curtains that actually work (trust me on this one, the Big Island sun is no joke at 6 AM). I spent most mornings on what I’d call the lanai, though it’s more of a generous balcony, watching the myna birds argue over breakfast scraps while the distant sound of golf carts puttered around the Waikoloa Village Golf Course.

The whole Waikoloa Hills complex feels like a well-kept secret, honestly. It’s not flashy – this is a solid 3-star spot that knows exactly what it is. The pool area gets busy around 2 PM when families return from beach excursions, but mornings and evenings? You might have it to yourself. Parking is straightforward (no hunting for spots like you get at some of the beachfront places), and the neighbors tend to be a mix of long-term visitors and locals, which gives it this relaxed, residential vibe. You know what surprised me most? The kitchen actually had everything I needed to make real meals – not just the sad collection of mismatched plates and dull knives you usually get. After spending way too much on resort food during previous Big Island trips, being able to grab fresh fish from the KTA Super Store in Waikoloa and actually cook it properly was kind of a revelation. The location puts you right in that sweet spot where you can drive south to explore Kona’s coffee farms or head north toward Waimea’s rolling hills without feeling like you’re constantly in the car. It’s the kind of place where you start planning your next visit before you’ve even checked out.

Rooms

• Two Bedroom Apartment with 4 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults

Reviews

• Marilyn from United States (10/10)

  Clean, neat & spacious. . Nice large washer / dryer. Close to pool.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities