Great View!! Great Location!! Terrible Beds!!!

Stayed at Kona By the Sea for three nights last week. The view from our "ocean-front" condo was superb. Beautiful sunsets from the lanai - wonderful coffee-drinking views in the morning moon-light. The location of the condo was superb - convenient to the southern snorkeling sites and parks, near enough shopping but not right in the middle of all the bustling traffic.

The interior of the condo could use a fresh coat of paint and an update to their furnishings. It had a definite '70's feel to it. The condo was spacious with a strange sliding-wall that divided the master bedroom from the livingroom (wen had a 2/2). This was nice when open because it added to the spacious feel, however, privacy could be an issue (if you have people that want to go to sleep earlier than those that want to lounge in the livingroom or the lanai).

The kitchen was well-stocked with dishes but bring your own paper towels. Staff was friendly.

About the beds....all 3 beds (1 king, 2 twins) were hard as a rock! It was like sleeping on a box-spring with a sheet on it. After the second night (I was too travel-weary to mention it after the first night - my fault) I told the staff and they promptly sent the housekeeper to add "padding" to the mattress - she put two quilts underneath the top sheet. They said that if this didn't help I could see another unit.

Since we were leaving the next day and was able to switch sleeping arrangments so that I could sleep on the much softer and more comfortable sofa-sleeper (not kidding), I left it alone. Lesson learned: check the beds immediately and switch. Our vacation was wonderful - with the exception of the two sleepless nights I spent on these beds.

Price is right

We reserved 2 bedrooms oceanfront rooms. The view from Lanai is awesome. Their condo bathrooms are very small. Wish the condo provided us salt and pepper plus the paper towels for the kitchen. The rooms need new furnitures and some face lift. Overall, we enjoyed our stay.

(Jan. 2004)

Will definitely be back

Just returned from Kona By the Sea and agree with all of the positive comments on this site. You cannot beat the view from any of the condos and the staff were excellent right down to the activity desk in the lobby. One of the most fun things we did was take a sunset dinner/party cruise on Captain Beans catamaran. We highly recommend it...great staff, singers, dancers, all you can eat food and drink. Well worth the price (around $50 if you have CAA/AAA cards) and that includes bus pick up from right in front of the condo! We think they lost money of us that night!

If you are just renting a one bedroom, the bedroom will be in the back facing the street. We lucked out in that we booked a one bedroom but got a two bedroom since the owners lock up the back bedroom to keep their stuff in. We ended up with only one bathroom but then had a beautiful king master suite facing the ocean. The staff will let you look what they have available if you ask when you get there. We learned this is always the best thing to ask for when you first arrive.

If you have any questions, e-mail us, but we are definitely coming back!

Fantastic

Can't say enough good about this place. The location, the views, the size of the rooms, the 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom unit, the washer and dryer...all were top rate. Did I mention the view? Every morning was a delight waking up and enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee and reading the newspaper on the lanai while watching the surfers and the waves. Great value, great place to stay!

Pretty nice

We stayed at Kona by the Sea for 1 week in Sept, 2003. I was a little disappointed in the area it was in - it wasn't that tropical/resorty.

It is on Alii drive a couple miles south of Kona. One side of Alii Drive is lined with hotes/resorts, and the other isn't such a great view. The south end of Alii Drive has more of a resort feel to it, but then is farther from town.

Kona by the Sea is average-looking from the outside. We had a 1 bedroom oceanfront condo with a nice view, and it was nice. It was big and nicely decorated. One small comment - they need to replace the dark brown tile in the bathrooms and kitchens to modernize. I was unhappy with the air conditioner in that we couldn't control the temp very well - it was too hot or too cold (btw, I strongly recommend getting a place with a/c, I would've been miserable without it).

The staff was nice and helpful - we called for assistance on two occasions and got a response immediately.

The front of the hotel faces the ocean with a rocky beach - you can occasionally see green sea turtles there. Behind that, they have built a small sand beach, which is nice.

Overall it was a nice place but for the price, I was expecting a little bit more luxury.

Sea Turtles in the Backyard

Delightful condo hotel, the comforts of home with daily maid service.

Quiet location yet close to the action of downtown Kailua-Kona. We enjoyed watching the sea turtles sunning themselves right on the hotel's rocky shoreline.

Sweeeet Surprise

What a great base for exploring the Big Island. Stayed for a week (April 28 - May 5, 2003). Booked the place thru Priceline and weren't sure what to expect, but read the reviews on this sight, along with other sites, and figured it would be "ok." Well, it was much more than "ok." Nothing fancy, but more than adequate. Far enough away from "downtown" Kailua-Kona to be quiet, but only a 5 minute drive. Nice clean room (1 bedroom 2 baths is FANTASTIC), friendly staff, fully equipped kitchen, laundry in the unit, and a great view (even though it was called "partial," it was great, you either look down the coast in partial view, or straight out at the ocean with "full ocean view." Either we didn't have anyone above, below, or on the side of us, or this place is very well sound-proofed ... we didn't hear a soul. We only have two complaints (if you can call them that) ... no salt and pepper shakers in the kitchen and parking is kind of tight, so rent a small car!

Kona--Loved it!

A friend and I stayed at Kona-by-the-Sea for 2 nights, and we wished we could have stayed for a week. The lobby is "outdoors" and a little dark and plain, but once we checked out the ocean-view condo, we were in love with the place. Our spacious lanai overlooked the pool with the surf crashing right on the other side of a short lava rock wall (there's a small man-made beach if you want some sand). Our unit was immaculate, well-furnished with washer/dryer, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, etc. The first night we sat on the rocks and watched the sun set. Gorgeous. We didn't want to leave. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Fantastic experience!

We arrived in Hawaii after a week in Maui. May 2001, We met our son and his girlfriend at the airport and rented a car and off to Kona by the Sea. Upon arrival we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom Ocean front Condo. It was magnificent. The staff was very friendly. This property is conveniently located, although we drove to town and all around the island. We would definately stay here again!

Memorable Stay at a beautiful Hotel

26 of us went to "The Big Island" for out daughters wedding and most of us stayed at Aston Kona by the Sea. This has to be one of the most beautiful settings I've ever seen. We toured all over, looking at the volcanos, the waterfalls and the different beaches (black sand, green sand, etc.) but the beach where the hotel is located is just as beautiful. When I go back, I won't travel all over the island, or even rent a car, I will spend more time around the hotel and ride the trolley into town (about 5 miles) if I get bored. The rooms, the staff, the bar and restaurant are all first rate.

Wendall Maloy

wmaloy@cox-internet.com