The following executive summary is based on a comprehensive and impartial AI analysis of guest reviews. Keep in mind that all units are individually owned, and review scores among units can vary considerably.
Hale Kona Kai consistently wins guests over with its unbeatable oceanfront setting. Many condos feel perched directly over the lava rocks, so you’ll watch sunsets, turtles, yellow tangs, dolphins and even seasonal whales from the lanai while the sound of the surf becomes your soundtrack. The location is a standout: a quiet side street just a short, safe walk to Kona’s restaurants, coffee shops, farmers market, and nightlife, with assigned covered parking when you return. Most guests describe a peaceful, intimate complex where the pool is rarely crowded and evening ocean breezes make al fresco dining a daily ritual.
Inside, experiences vary by unit, but many are clean, well equipped, and some are newly updated and thoughtfully decorated. Kitchens are typically stocked for cooking, and lots of condos include handy extras like beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, and snorkel gear. Coin‑op laundry on each floor is convenient (bring quarters), and several reviewers praise responsive, friendly on‑site managers who add welcome touches (local coffee, fruit, anniversary surprises) and communicate well.
Trade‑offs reflect an older, truly oceanfront property. A recurring theme is air‑conditioning: central AC has had periodic building‑wide outages, so units may rely on portable/window ACs that cool bedrooms well but can be noisy and won’t chill the whole condo; many guests are fine with trade winds, others prefer stronger AC. Expect some salt‑air wear (rust/corrosion), occasional mustiness or tropical pests, and small bathrooms; individual maintenance and furnishings can feel dated in places. You’re above a rocky shoreline (great viewing, not a swim beach), though a small beach and a lagoon next door are walkable. Sea spray, loud surf, intermittent construction nearby, cruise ships in the bay one day a week, tight parking spots, and the need for quarters for laundry are occasional nuisances. If you prize modern hotel polish and silent, powerful AC, look elsewhere; if spectacular views, walkability, and a relaxed, ocean‑immersed vibe top your list, this complex delivers.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
The unit was amazing! It had the perfect view for relaxation. It was well supplied with the essentials: linens, towels, beach towels, even kitchen necessities such as spices (not just salt and pepper like the others). There were a variety of pots and pans to use and other kitchen utensils too. I appreciate the welcome snacks but would have been great if there were also at least welcome bottles of water.Just a little side comment: there was not enough spoons and forks though. Also need to change the toilet paper holder. Because of the one end open design the whole toilet paper falls off frequently. And the whole toilet paper holder rotates too so the more the roll keeps rolling off.I used the common laundry located on our floor the 4th. I put 4 quarters to get Tide soap but nothing came out. Either the thing was empty or broken. Maintenance team should check that often and put a sign so no money (like mine) gets wasted.Same unfortunate incident happened when I used the dryer. No sign was put on saying it was broken. It just ate my coins as well.If there’s a way they can upgrade the washer dryers to using credit cards that would be great. Or better yet install inside the unit itself.Other than those minor stuff everything was great! I highly recommend this condo. No regrets at all.
July 2025
Cozy condo by the sea. Beautiful views.
Somali S.
July 2025
The unit was a dream! Very walkable location to the downtown shops and restaurants, well-stocked with everything we needed, extremely comfortable and loved hearing the sound of the waves crash on the rocks!
DANIEL P.
July 2025
This place is absolutely amazing!! The unit was just as described, there is something new to the view every day and night, it had everything and i mean everything that someone would need ie. Shampoo. Spices, towels, beach equipment, laundry detergent and a laundry area on each floor. Very well maintained place. Lots of food, stores , a luau less than a 3 minute walk. This place and area for piece quiet , and beauty took 1st place in my book.
Deb J.
July 2025
We loved this property. It is so close to town and write on the beach where you can view. Beautiful Hawaiian sunsets from the lanai. The condo is equipped with everything y’all need to get started on your vacation. It has almost everything you need for the beach. Just checking in and enjoy.!
Michelle F.
July 2025
This was a great way to visit Kona. Quiet with access to an ocean side pool, but only a few minutes walk from restaurants, beaches, farmers market and shopping. The sunset views were fantastic and the dedicated parking spot is great for anyone with a rental car.
Don G.
July 2025
This property exceeded our expectations. The balcony overlooks the pool and ocean and it was so relaxing to sit on the balcony or from the sofa inside and watch the waves. You are literally right on the ocean such that the sound of the crashing waves can be heard from inside the unit . I had my 9 year old son with us and he slept on the pull out sofa. These are typically very uncomfortable but he said it was super comfy- I think it has an upgraded memory foam mattress. The master has a super comfy bed and luxe linens. So inside the unit , when at the pool or watching the gorgeous sunsets from the seawall of the property, you feel secluded. But take a few steps and you are next to the Royal Kona Resort and a few more steps to the heart of town. It really was the perfect mix of relaxation and action. Was also close to the nighttime Manta Ray Snorkel which was other worldly. Thank you to our hosts for a lovely stay. We plan to return. Mahalo!
Kimberly B.
July 2025
Upon entering the condo, there is a strong mildew smell. There is no central air conditioning as advertised, just fans and a loud standing air conditioner in the bedroom. There were so many gnats it was impossible to brush one’s teeth without them flying in the sink. The whole place needs to be updated. I would not recommend.
Kathleen M.
July 2025
One can not get any closer to the ocean. We could seedozens of yellow tang fish and turtles from the 4th floor balcony.The owners have tried to anticipate their guests every need. The coffee and fruit were greatly appreciated.Also, there was plenty of beach gear.The unit was spotless.We would return anytime!
Dean F.
July 2025
My husband and I celebrated our 40th anniversary on the Big Island. This place was wonderful. The views!!! Oh my goodness. We watched sunset every night from the deck. We could easily walk into town to the ABC store, the Farmer's Market each morning for fresh pineapple, mango, bananas, etc. and lots of food choices. It was very quiet and the parking is covered and convenient. Would definitely stay here again.
Erin P.
June 2025
Great location
John B.
June 2025
Our stay was excellent. The accommodations were perfect for our group of 3.
June 2025
The living room A/C
tracy
June 2025
The unit was run down ect, in every aspect. Dripping water, carpet worn out, view incredible and the customer service eas great. We had to move to anither unit.
BRIAN L.
June 2025
Clean, great location, well appointed.
Stephanie K.
June 2025
Ocean was immediately below our unit, saw turtles from the patio.
Jay H.
June 2025
Action packed! Great location for everything! I appreciate the attention to detail and the communication with the host! Thank you!
John D.
June 2025
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION Spent all spare time on Lanai. Gorgeous sunsets, and the drama of the ocean. Only issue wasno AC after I checked ahead of time to ensure ac would be working. Bed too firm for my taste. Fully furnished. Wonderful management. Will be back
Susan S.
June 2025
![Hale Kona Kai 211]()
We loved this condo for our recent 10 day trip to Kailua Kona. It was in a great location, easy and safe walking distance to town, quiet but close to everything we cared about. The parking spot was excellent in 211, right near the stairs to go up to the unit. The condo itself was very good, with enough space for the two of us to have privacy and sound control while the other was still sleeping. The balcony is to die for, and we spent most of the time there enjoying the waves crashing and watching all the ships go by in the harbor. While the interior is a little worn, but it is as shown in the photos and as expected at this price point (it's probably due for refreshing in the kitchen and bathroom). The shower had great water pressure, and the bed was super comfortable for sleeping, so what more can you ask for? TV was easy to log into our streaming, and we LOVED how there were starter amounts of the kitchen basics like olive oil, salt, pepper, honey and even a few jams and jellies in the fridge. Those small touches really made it worthwhile, and the rental company also had nice boxes of necessities for the kitchen (dishwasher tablets, dish soap, laundry tablets) and bathroom (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, face wipe). They were also so kind in providing a starting bag of Kona coffee beans that we ended up liking so much we bought when we found it in a boutique. There's also a great selection beach chairs, coolers, towels, boogie board and umbrellas, as well as circular fans that helped to keep the living and sleeping areas air moving. There were also a few air fresheners provided that really came in handy.
There was a very minor maintenance need that happened early in our stay, and they quickly remedied the situation, which shows me they care about providing good service.
We'd love to stay here again if we return to Kona anytime soon! Thanks so much for hosting us.
Marylee V.
June 2025
Wonderful right on the ocean
John W.
June 2025
Great location, excellent view, well equipped kitchen, and some very pleasant extra amenities. But the place is very poorly maintained. Rust and corrosion everywhere. Mold in window tracks. The shade on the balcony didn't work - rusted. The warming plate on the coffee maker had a thick layer of rust. Chrome kitchen and bathroom fixtures pitted with corrosion. Little rust spots almost everywhere you looked.Clean? Well maybe. But it certainly didn't look like it.
John S.
June 2025
Great location, quiet building. I appreciated the beach equipment and good coffee.
Jennifer C.
June 2025
Nice cozy condo with good size bedroom, shower, fully stocked kitchen, clean and most importantly Fantastic View and Sound! Lulled us to sleep. Also the location to the restaurant district is ideal, just 5 minutes away. We loved this place.
Billy Bob C.
June 2025
Lovely condo located right next to the ocean and Kailua town. We loved Tanga watching as well as cruise ships, canoe teams, and even eels. We walked to Huggo’s and enjoyed an amazing dinner and 8 inch tall Hula pie.
Frances H.
June 2025
Nice stay, great location
Thomas N.
June 2025
The unit is clean and well supplied. The location, just off the main road is quiet and makes for an easy walk to town, shopping, restaurants or the beach. The balcony is above the pool and overlooks a popular surfing spot. I would recommend it to friends and would book it again when we return.
Nick G.
June 2025
Close to main area of Kona but also felt secluded. Beautiful view. Enjoyed watching the turtles. Close to beautiful beaches. Property is well stocked for beach activities.
Diane S.
June 2025
The property was beautiful. The decor was gorgeous and very fitting for the location. The special touches for our 40th anniversary was deeply appreciated. We enjoyed the chilled glasses with the Champaign while wearing our leis. The fresh fruit and treats were delicious, especially for our first night. The view was breath taking. We saw several turtles every day, along with a variety of so many fish! We loved every moment. Thank you!
Brenda B.
June 2025
We had a great stay at your beautiful place on your beautiful island. Thank you for sharing.
Leesa R.
June 2025
![Hale Kona Kai 302]()
The location and view were the primary reasons we booked this place. Inside, the interior felt dated but overall fine. There are portable AC units for each room that keep the rooms cool enough if needed but they are very loud. There were smart TVs that connected to our streaming services so that was nice. The kitchen was adequately stocked, although only seasoning was salt/pepper. Some oil is in the cabinets. The closet has tons of camping chairs, 1 beach chair, large cooler, fins, snorkel gear, and 1 broken umbrella (which we didn't know was broken until we got to the beach!) There are a LOT of gnats that come into the unit at night that are attracted by the lights. We didn't know where they came from and was told that they are just a fact of life in that unit and there wasn't much you could do except sweep them away yourself. There were so many gnats one night we had to use the vacuum to try to suction them away, but as we were running both the AC units and the vacuum at the same time the circuit breaker tripped and we had to call property management to tell us where the breaker was. As long as you are ok with some bugs at night then its nice to cook breakfast and eat out on the balcony that is right next to the water.
Christine H.
June 2025
This condo was very clean. The bed was comfy and the location was amazing. It was conveniently located close to many restaurants and shops. We loved our stay here!
Cambria W.
June 2025
The interior might be a bit dated but works fine. The view is breathtaking. We could’ve just sat on the balcony the entire week. I would totally do it again.
Johnny B.
May 2025
The condo was very comfortable in every way. We had a very nice side view of the ocean. The condo was supplied with everything you could possibly need or want. Laundryroom was just steps out the door. Great location in Kona! Taina in the office is super friendly, nice and helpful! Wish there was something they could do with the loudly whistling frogs outside at night. Bring earplugs! Its not so loud if you keep all the windows shut.We would stay jere again!
Val G.
May 2025
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there in Kona. Our unit had a fabulous view of the ocean onto two sides. We loved throwing open the doors and listening to the sound of the water day and night. The kitchen had all the amenities you could need. There was adequate space for both of us.
Peggy P.
May 2025
The location and view is amazing. 5 minute walk to restaurants and shops. Coffee on the balcony in the morning watching the yellow tang feast below in the ocean was a great start of each day with beautiful sunsets ending our afternoons. Convenient parking, fully stocked kitchen, snorkel gear, beach chairs and cooler available for guests. Highly recommend!
Lenny F.
May 2025
Great location and a very comfortable condo.
Jon J.
May 2025
This is our fourth visit to this property. My husband and I love the oceanfront lanai and that the bedroom also is on the ocean side so we can hear the ocean all night with the window open. Very conveniently located to walk to restaurants and stores in Kona. The assigned parking space at the property is also ideal for us. Looking forward to our next visit!
Lisa R.
May 2025
This was our first trip to Kona. The condo was beautiful and a great location to easily walk to restaurants and town.
Wendy K.
May 2025
We enjoyed the place a lot. It has a view that is amazing, we enjoyed sitting and watching the waves, the fish and the turtles. Everyday we saw turtles below our room and one was very large and we now call him big Eddy. The pool was nice and never crowded. The location was nice especially if you wanted to walk to the shops and good food close by.
Travis M.
May 2025
Property was clean and organized. View from lanai was very good for sunsets. Room has a/c which was a plus. The mattress was new and very comfortable. The bathroom and sink area is small but functional. Laundry was in a separate area which requires quarters to operate. Was very close to downtown Kailua village.
Andrew N.
May 2025
Property was as represented. Good laundry facilities on floor. Bathroom is microscopically small which you can’t really tell from the listing. It was functional but fairly annoying for a long stay. AC works but is erratic. It would go from warm to cold without us ever adjusting the temps ourselves. The lanai is worth it all though. The views could not be beat!
Kristen L.
May 2025
This is a very comfortable and well equipped condo. We spent hours on the balcony, especially since the swell was up and the waves were powerful. Saw surfers everyday as well as turtles and spinner dolphins.
Cathy C.
May 2025
The view from the balcony is absolutely breathtaking. Kitchen area is great.There are two window vented air conditioning units that can help keep the rooms cool, but there is no central air conitioning. Ceiling fans in the bathroom and living room are helpful for ventilation. Propert manager was very responsive and help when contacted.
Stephen K.
May 2025
Very well appointed condo! We had everything we needed and more.
Jerri M.
May 2025
313 is our favorite unit. Very tired now. Great location
Dorothy B.
May 2025
PRO: Couldn’t get more “ocean front”. A short walk into Kona town. CON: Needs some love. Shower door wouldn’t move, which according to previous reviews was reported as an issue 6 months prior. There was a strong smell of chemical bug spray.
Melissa F.
May 2025
We had a great stay and our view was amazing.
Tracey B.
May 2025
I couldn't have asked for anything more - very comfortable apartment in a beautiful setting.
Thomas J.
May 2025
Nice, clean, great views and location. Plenty towels and hot water. We play tennis at Royal Kona Resort. Samsung tv nice. Linens nice.
Could use a clock, usb ports in some electrical outlets. Front door sticks bad. Hard to find quarters for laundry, a change machine or credit card system would be desirable. Instructions to operate tv in bedroom would be nice. A blender would be nice. Never heard from manager.
john r.
May 2025
This condo was so dreamy for our adventurous getaway. The sound of the ocean, sunset views and countless creature sightings in the tide pools below really made our trip!It was extremely clean, homey, and had everything we needed for our stay. We also loved the walkability to countless great coffee shops, restaurants, etc.
Carrington H.
April 2025