Luke L.
June 2024
The location is great- near beach, shops, and restaurants. The beaches within walking distance have tide pools and a mix of sandy/rocky terrain. The beds are nice, and my kids didn't complain about the fold out bed. Stove/oven is quite small.
Kevin W.
June 2024
Good stay, nice place. Liked the convenience of Magic Sands Grill for food. Would stay there again.
Allison C.
May 2024
Bryan was so helpful, the booking process was easy and the space lived up to its photos. It was super easy to find and we really appreciated the extra directions Bryan sent ahead of time. The space was super welcoming, we settled in super quickly. And there was everything we needed; dishes, cooking stuff, beach stuff. And the view was fantastic. We fell asleep every night to the rhythmic waves. And the view! Our stay was spectacular.
Danielle L.
May 2024
Ocean front condo. Restaurant on site, with good food and great service. Super comfy bed, amazing views. Right next to Magic Sands Beach, go early as its a small beach and fills up fast. Beach gear in closet.
Steven C.
April 2024
Enjoyed stay
Kirsten M.
March 2024
We had a great stay here! It's small but totally functional and such a fabulous spot. The restaurant is fabulous and you just can't beat the sunsets!!!
Melissa P.
January 2024
You cannot get any closer to the ocean than we are here! The room is just as described and has everything you need. Very close to shops if you wanted to walk to dinner. Parking space is a little tight - luckily while we were here there was an open space next to us and behind us so we could make adjustments (my husband is a UPS driver so he's very good at getting into spaces and he said this would have been difficult if those spots were full so just a heads up). You can hear some traffic noise but nothing crazy. It was a great spot for us to spend a few days.
paul b.
December 2023
Enjoyed our stay here and would recommend it. The location is ideal. The unit is dated. The AC is a portable unit and it does get toasty. The washer/dryer is not in unit, it’s downstairs and coin op. It has a small cooktop but sufficient to make simple meals. Communication was good. There was a leak from the upstairs, we called and the property manager and plumber resolved it quickly. Equippedcwith beach gear, all you need to walk steps to the Magic Sands beach.
Tracy W.
December 2023
We had a great time at this cute condo! It was a beautiful view of the ocean, we saw dolphins both days we were there. The room was well stocked. Check in was easy and convenient. The only inconvenience was that there are few restaurants within walking distance, but Uber worked very well. Most Uber drivers shut down earlier though during the week (11 or 12) so if you're more of a night owl you will need a plan to get back. Overall, would love to stay here again!
Catherine S.
December 2023
Greeted with an amazing view every time you walk in the door. We loved it!
Kirk J.
November 2023
Maybe I'm spoiled, but cheap silverware and inadequate lighting in the condo were a bit of a let down. It was impossible to get the condo cool enough for a proper sleep. For the price, all the above is easily corrected....
Mark Z.
November 2023
Terrific place. Highly recommend!
David S.
October 2023
We had a wonderful stay at Ocean Front Paradise. The property is exactly as advertised. We would definitely stay here again! Thank you!
Rachel C.
October 2023
We had a great stay. The unit was clean and had an amply stocked kitchen. In addition there are various items for the beach and snorkeling that you can use too. The unit is steps away from the beach which is great for snorkeling and boogie boarding. Ali’i Drive is very close to the building and at times it can be a bit loud when folks are blasting music from their cars, but it only seemed to happen during the day. If you love the thunderous melody of waves crashing, this is the place for you.
Sarah G.
September 2023
Great location on the beach! Beautiful!
Matilda K.
September 2023
It was a joy to realize that we stayed here once before in November of 2022, and it was verified by looking at the guest book in the room and finding our comments made on our first visit. Again we enjoyed listening to the waves and being so close to the ocean! We also noticed the remodel improvements made to the unit. Thank you Bryan for letting us enjoy this once again! Mahalo nui loa, Mr. and Mrs. Don Keith (kamaaina's)
Hannah K.
September 2023
Enjoyed our stay at this condo! It truly is right off the ocean with a great view, close to amenities. Enjoyed the free and reserved parking. Great communication from the host and were even able to CheckIn early. Loved our stay!
Kate W.
July 2023
A little removed from downtown Kona, this place is great. Right on the water so you fall asleep to the sound of waves, near a fantastic beach and by a bike rental if you want to avoid your car for a while. For my fellow back people - bed is firm without being hard.
Janet K.
July 2023
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed staying at Bryan’s place and would definitely stay again if we ever go back to the Big Island
Dawn C.
June 2023
I decided to stay at Kona Magic Sands while on the Big Island for my father’s celebration of life. When I was a kid my grandmother and other relatives lived there. It was a great home base for this trip. This second floor studio has a stunning view of the ocean and you can listen to the waves crashing all night long. The condo itself has the amenities you need for a stay. You can walk down to the beach (and they have beach gear for you to use), which I did early every morning and throughout the day. The pool is nice as well. And the property itself is clean. Yes it is an older building, but you cannot beat the location and the owners have it in a nice condition. I cannot wait to return. I will definitely stay here on future trips.
Suzanne C.
May 2023
I booked this rental because i wanted to be by the ocean for 2 nights. We were late planning our trip and this one seemed to best fit what I wanted. The cost was higher per night than the newer construction location we stayed near the airport, but this rental was right on the water. I was not disappointed with the view of the ocean and the roar of the waves. I could open the sliding glass doors as well as the screen doors and stand at the railing looking at the gorgeous sunsets. The night sky was full of hundreds of stars. During the day I enjoyed watching the ships, swimmers, snorkelers and kayakers go by. This is an older building. I knew there was no AC, but the ocean breeze, the ceiling fan and the floor fan kept us cool. It felt a little darker in the rental than the pictures portrayed. Possibly those pictures are awhile ago after the updating was completed. The shower appears to be older or possibly just needs a deep cleaning. The stove was older, but we only used it once and it functioned well. We realize that the HOA can make it difficult to do things, the price of getting materials on the island as well as the expensive of contractors can make it hard on owners of rentals. Some areas of the floor could use a deep clean. We appreciated the beach towels and chairs for our times at the beach. The bed was comfortable and we enjoyed the tv and wifi. Check in was very easy and the designated parking space was great. Bryan communicated well before our arrival all the information we needed.
May 2023
After staying in a resort for 3 days and then a bed and breakfast by the volcano national park we wanted to see what this part of the island was like. We chose this place based on the view of the ocean, proximity to a swimmable beach, and the active town.
This place delivered on all three categories.
Finding the right fit depends on small details so here is a bit more info:
The building is a converted motel with the ocean side balconies enclosed to make the rooms larger - meaning you get a bit more space but sacrifice having a balcony to sit on while viewing the ocean. The room is the size of a motel room but has a full size fridge (had mustard, mayo, ketchup but not sure if that was left by previous guest or owner), small microwave, and truly tiny oven but four burners (we never used). Dishes are basic. Coffee maker is newer (I think it was a Mr. Coffee brand) - filters provided but not coffee. The TV is large and has all the streaming apps. WiFi was strong.
Bed is on the firm side - too firm for both me and my husband. View goes on and on with beautiful sunsets. Sliding doors and screens are older and a bit hard to open and close. Spray from the ocean has made them hard to see out but just open them up and get a great view.
Unit is loud - either from the crashing waves from open doors (which we liked) or from the very busy street (think garbage trucks, revving up motorcycles/cars, horns honking, morning leaf blower at 7:30 am!!). Bathroom is spacious with a high open window vent which adds to the noise and common island dust accumulation. Shower wasn't great but did the job. Closet in bathroom contains multiple beach supplies like chairs, snorkel equipment, beach umbrella, etc.
Right across the parking lot was a beach that had a manned lifeguard station and easy access to the ocean (meaning sand and not hard volcanic rock). This is not a large beach but plenty of room to not feel like packed sardines.
Easy access to the main highway and not far from shopping. About 20 minutes to the airport - mostly due to stoplights not distance - maybe more during rush hour periods.
Aloha
Karl U.
April 2023
My only complaint would be that the bed was very stiff and I woke up on several days with a sore next. If you don’t mind a stiff bed no problem but just be a bit aware. I would rent this unit again in a heartbeat!
Tammy L.
April 2023
Our stay at Magic Sands Beach was great. The place is in a perfect location. Clean and comfortable. Very close to all the local conveniences with an excellent waterfront view. I recommend this accommodation.
Greg G.
March 2023
very cute and well appointed studio, which surprised us with how much was in it.
loved the salt water pool
Mark M.
March 2023
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. This is about as good as it gets if you want to walk from your place in Kona. The view is spectacular, you can literally see the yellow tang in the water from the window. It’s close to one of the best beaches in the area and relatively far from the overly commercialized city center. The bar next door has some great Mai Tais! The amenities are comfortable but average. Save your time by eating out and enjoy time on the beach.
Joel C.
March 2023
Unit #212 was perfect for us -- level 2 enjoys all the advantages: the glass sliders are inaccessible to a stranger seeking entrance from outside, great views over the wall, but closer to the water than level 3 so the fish in the shore break are easy to see. The bed is set up away from the windows so you can access the windows throughout the day -- for dining with a view, for relaxing on the sofa, or for checking out the activity on the water with the binoculars the host has thoughtfully provided. There is plenty of storage (including hanger space and hangers -- not commonly found in these parts), and the reserved parking space couldn't be more handy.
Bryan is an exceptional host. When the cable company had an outage we thought the the router had failed. Bryan immediately suggested a simple test for us and, sure enough, the problem was not the router. Bryan contacted the cable provider, updated us on the fix, and gave us a proper tip to get back online easily. All of this he did remotely, and professionally.
Top marks for unit #212, and for it's host!
Paul R.
March 2023
Great location. Great ocean view. Condo has many nice items. Beach chairs maps nice kitchen supplies
David M.
February 2023
Everything was great, would definitely stay there again
suzanne s.
February 2023
Unit was satisfactory especially a comfortable bed. Stove was very old but I managed. This is a studio not a one bedroom. Water pressure was great but shower head needed replacing, very little water came out. There was plenty of storage for our things. We purchased new beach chairs from Costco and owner kindly reimbursed us.
Amazing sunsets every night and sleeping to the sound of the surf made up for any negatives.
Robyn C.
February 2023
Our stay was amazing. It was so nice to wake up to the ocean every morning and just sit and enjoy our coffee. The convenience of having a kitchen was excellent. Due to our 3 hour time difference and waking up at 3am made life so much easier. The location was easily accessible and overall was just super cozy and relaxing. We did so much on our trip to the Big Island that it was nice to be able to come back and relax and actually feel relaxed. The front door took some getting used to, as it is not your typical front door but it gave us more of that island feel. Overall, I would highly recommend this place to others. Bryan was super easy to get in touch with and responded quickly to any questions we had and super accommodating. We loved our stay!
Mary Ann F.
February 2023
We enjoyed the location and the apartment was clean and comfortable.
Bill G.
January 2023
Great View
Roy F.
January 2023
Great view, loved it.
Sara H.
January 2023
We loved the condo, perfect for a couple. it was small, but had everything we needed.. It was convenient to the beach, had a pool, restaurant on premise, and a short drive to town restaurants and shopping.. Beautiful view, overlooking ocean. Owner was quick to respond to our questions, and gave us several recommendations of restaurants and things to do. We enjoyed our stay, we would stay here again! Thank you Bryan!
Melissa L.
January 2023
Amazing location. Well stocked with coolers, beach accessories.
Karen R.
December 2022
This is the closest to the ocean i"ve ever stayed! The crashing waves was magical! Location amazing (we snorkeled in the morning in front of condo, or rented bikes - local rate $25 for 300 mins - and biked 10 mins to another beach, then went to the outside cafe that is part of the condo for fab breakie...then poolside - which we basically had to ourselves. The studio condo is small but adequate. We chose to eat out mostly (except for fruit salads). The free open-air trolley came by every hour. Snorkel, swim, read, repeat. Twas perfect!
Carrie I.
November 2022
The place has everything one could.possi my ask for and more! Highly recommend.
Benjamin M.
November 2022
This place didn’t have air conditioning, which wasn’t listed on the description. We got here and stayed for about two hours before we had to leave because it was too hot. You have a view of the ocean from the place but the beach near the property is not family friendly. Saw a rat and smelled of weed. Left and found a different place to stay on the island.
Kelly W.
November 2022
The photos are accurate. There is a beautiful view of the ocean with water so clear you can see the yellow tang along the shoreline. In the mornings, watch for a pod of spinner dolphins. Such a cool way to start the day! The condo is conveniently located near a restaurant and sandy beach, which was great when we just wanted to relax. There is some traffic noise, but it quieted down by 8:30 or 9pm, so not a big deal. I was a little worried about the lack of AC, but there was a great cross breeze and plenty of fans. No problems sleeping!
Barbara E.
November 2022
Great sunset viewing but otherwise very dated despite owner efforts to modernize. The whole building needs work. Photos on vrbo were well done, but in person things are cramped and dated. The sandwiching between the surf ( during our stay) and Ali’i drive made for a noisy stay. No dishwasher, so you are depending on other peoples ability to wash dishes throughly. Value for the $$$ didn’t match other options near by.
Nicholas J.
September 2022
My family of 3 enjoyed our stay at this apartment. The living room doors open right on to the ocean and the property was near shopping and restaurants. There is nothing better than forgetting to charge your son’s white noise machine in this property because we were able to use the ocean waves as white noise. THATS how close and loud the water is. Bryan, the property manager, was responsive and accommodating. There’s a restaurant on the ground floor, we didn’t try it, but it had good google reviews and live music! We will definitely be back for another stay
Sarah C.
September 2022
This location was just perfect for us! We stayed for just one night, but the condo has everything you might need for an even longer stay, including beach gear and kitchen supplies for cooking. We loved being able to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean and you can't beat that view!
sara g.
August 2022
We arrived to convenient island paradise, instantly, upon entering this unit with a stellar ocean-front view. We will stay again upon flights into Kona.
Jen D.
August 2022
This rental was perfect for our needs! From the unit, we watched the sun set over the ocean. We saw fish swimming in the clear turquois water of the ocean. There were beach towels and beach chairs and other items for us to use at the beach that were so helpful! We really appreciated the use of the kitchen as well. We can't wait to go back; it was a great stay!
Kendahl L.
July 2022
This rental was the perfect size for my husband and I. It was great having a full size fridge & all things needed in the kitchen. Love that it's literally right on the ocean. The only drawback was it was very warm. Even with fans, we had trouble sleeping. Would definitely stay again, but not in the summer.
Rena D.
July 2022
This was a decent and affordable stay in a good location, close to Kona activities and other sights. The unit was clean and the views are unbeatable. Biggest downside is the heat, as there is no AC. There are fans but it’s still very warm at night. That said, the unit had everything else we needed from a kitchen to bedding to storage to extra beach supplies. The property also has a nice pool, which our kids enjoyed. It’s right next to a nice beach and good restaurant.
David M.
July 2022
A really cute and unique unit that sits
just about on and above the rocky coast. Needless to say the interaction with the coastal swells is spectacular. Worth even a one night visit. Great location, beach, and amenities.
Alex M.
July 2022
Easy check in instructions. Condo was clean and comfortable. Great location. Amazing ocean views. Beach supplies were a bonus. Would definitely stay here again! Magic sands beach!
MaryAnne M.
July 2022
Perfect location, off the beaten path (compared to resort lifestyle) & just perfect.
Victoria L.
June 2022
The view is obviously the best part of this booking. It was one of the main reasons we booked this place for our Hawaiian vacation. It was next door to Magic Sands beach. The first couple days that we were there Kona had a high surf advisory which made the ocean waves incredibly loud they were beautiful during the day however at night it sounded like cannons going off so unfortunately we had to keep the sliding glass doors closed at night. The rest of the nights it was nice
Pros:
-Right next door to Magic Sands Beach
-Complex’s pool was great
-The condo had beach chairs, umbrella, beach towels, and a cooler to use during our visit which was AWESOME very helpful for our beach days
-Brian replied to us very fast
-Kitchen was great for us!
Cons:
- our number one con was the front door. It is a slated front door to allow for airflow.
However this means that it acts almost like a screen door, if someone was standing In the hallway it basically sounded like they were in the condo which happened several mornings. I would wake up from peoples voices and think that they were actually in the condo with us which was a bit frightening before realizing that they were just in the hallway outside of the condo. We got used to it but I didn’t really love that aspect and honestly wish that there was an actual front door for safety reasons
-there is no AC in the condo which we knew about, there are ceiling fans above bed(which definitely helped! And one stand fan) I do wish that there were several more fans throughout the condo. For example the bathroom was incredibly humid and I wish that I could’ve Multiple fans in the condo to have in each room as it was VERY hot.
Overall we enjoyed the complex and would recommend just be aware of the noise level!
jennifer b.
June 2022
Right next to the ocean, can hear waves which was nice but sometimes can get really loud in the middle of the night, great location walking distance next to a beach and a restaurant.
Jamie M.
May 2022
Although we only used the room for a few hours on our wedding night, we absolutely loved the gorgeous ocean front view and booming waves all night
Heidi C.
May 2022
We were delighted with the view and the unit with all of the little extras that were provided, like condiments, spices, and even a few complimentary beers! Also, Having beach chairs, towels, umbrella and snorkel equipment was a real plus. Location was great for exploring both north and south. A pleasant stay! Thanks!
Ashleigh L.
May 2022
Great location, right on the ocean and excellent view. Unfortunately the onsite restaurant was closed for renovations and someone was flying a drone looking into windows one late morning which was kinda weird. Would recommend and return.
valerie a.
May 2022
Thank you for such a wonderful stay. The view was spectacular! The condo had everything you would need including lots of water shoes, masks, fins, and snorkels. The beach next door was lovely also. We had a fabulous time on the Big Island. I would definitely recommend Bryan's property!
Carolann D.
May 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Great location. Good communication with the host. Would love to come back.
Pam O.
May 2022
Beautiful condo that felt like you were in the ocean. Sounds of waves so relaxing. Easy walk to beach and short trip to town. Condo well supplied and owner communication was great. Wish we were there longer.
Tracy B.
April 2022
Lots of Bach extras to use, great patio doors overlooking ocean, good central location
bruce l.
April 2022
Loved listening to waves all the time.
Alan R.
April 2022
Had such an amazing stay. Everything was exactly as described. You can’t find a better location in Kona and the condo was so convenient with an incredible view. Even quiet at night! Highly recommended
b R.
April 2022
We had a great time and much of it was because of the convenience of this place. It is sandwiched between two parks. The one (Magic Sands) is practically the only swimmable beach in the Kona area. Restaurants are limited in the nearby vicinity, but we stocked the fridge and enjoyed relaxing days at the beach and spent some time just chilling out in the condo. We watched and listened to the sounds of the ocean crash; it was just incredibly relaxing. You will be pleased with this charming and comfortable place.
David T.
March 2022
Initially I was a bit hesitant about staying in a studio. I was very surprised at how spacious this unit feels. The view was magnificent and it was wonderful sleeping every night with the sound of the waves. Plenty of supplies in the kitchen and lots of beach towels. The place was also very clean and it was nice being right next to the beach. The owner has obviously tried to include convenience items such as cell phone chargers, several cooking sauces in the fridge and he even left two cans of beer there!
If we were to have any critique of the place, it is just road noise. Apparently in this town it is very much in vogue for the locals to be driving around with loud rap music and thumping bass. Also, we would have liked to have seen more towels for the kitchen area.
All in all we would definitely stay here again!
Tyra H.
March 2022
Great location and amaZing view! Loved our two night stay. Perfect to explore Kona but still be away from the main part of town a bit. Close to our favorite snorkel location!! Thanks for sharing your home!
Pam L.
March 2022
This was the second time my husband and I visited Kona, Hawaii.
The Magic Sands is a lovely location right by the mighty ocean.
The stars over the ocean at night are magical. The condo is small but adequate for two people. We had a lovely time!
Smruthi V.
March 2022
Good
Woody, Judith G.
January 2022
Very well equipped unit combining bedroom, living room and kitchen with great view of ocean. Can sleep 4 but not with privacy. Good drawer and closet space. Nice bathroom. Noise from street and ocean waves but tolerable. Well located.
Rupakshi B.
January 2022
Such a beautiful view, I woke up at 4 am one day to just look outside. I am NOT a morning person! We got a surprise visit from the dolphins one morning - they played and jumped in the water right in front of our room. Absolutely loved falling asleep to sounds of ocean waves. I didn't want to leave!
The location is very convenient. Short drive to the restaurants, not too loud, and being right next to the beach is always great! We had some issues with the lock when we first checked in but Bryan helped us with it.
The only inconvenience would be waking up to the roosters' sounds early morning. I realized they are all over the big island! Keeping the bathroom door shut during bedtime helped with this.
Lauren B.
October 2021
This is a perfect spot! It's close to downtown and we loved the beach right next door. The ocean view was amazing - I never seen so many fish in the waves before!
Stephen S.
October 2021
We had a wonderful time. Couldn’t get any more Ocean front. Our only issue was no a/c. We would rent again.
Lukas S.
September 2021
Brian's condo is awesome. The view is better than you can imagine. The beach next door is nice, but it gets very crowded; check out the public access to beaches north of Kona. We appreciated the snorkeling gear; bring a GoPro. The kitchen in the condo is great for small meals. Rent a Jeep and explore the island. It's mind-blowing moving in and out biomes. Don't get too attached to an itinerary. Explore, and you'll see some things you didn't know you couldn't miss. Do yourself a favor and find some mac nut pie.
Bobbi M.
September 2021
Studio right on the ocean with waves crashing on the rocks right outside your window. We lived the huge sliding doors allowing a gentle breeze in. Comfy bed, large screen TV. Complete galley style kitchen. Very good restaurant and bar downstairs and of course, Magic Sands beach right next door!
Kendal M.
September 2021
Great location on alii drive next to beautiful beach. Condo felt cozy and inviting. All the essential amenities
Brandon P.
September 2021
Located next door to one of the best beaches on the Island, as well as a walk-up coffee shop / açaí bowls and wonderful sit down restaurant, everything we could possibly need was right at our finger tips. The ocean view and sound of the waves crashing was extremely soothing. We had a wonderful time staying at this property and are already planning our next trip back to the Island!
Mahalo,
Juliet and Brandon
Brenda H.
July 2021
The amazing location, literally right on the ocean, is a phenomenal attribute! The condo was clean, and had everything we needed to be comfortable and to explore this side of the island. Bryan was very responsive and friendly. There is a restaurant attached to the complex, which was completely booked when we tried to get dinner our first night…no worries! We went to the grocery store and bought steak/fish/vegetables and grilled on one of the two large propane grills available to guests. The small kitchen is well-stocked and had everything we needed. Would absolutely recommend and stay here again in the future! Thank you to Bryan for a great experience in Kona!
Coralyn S.
June 2021
Super nice view of the ocean. Right next to one of the only swimmable beaches on island and perfect for our quick over night stay.
Dustyn S.
June 2021
It's next to everything to do in Kona.
Jennifer W.
June 2021
We absolutely loved our stay. It was incredible to be right on the ocean, sleeping with the patio doors open listening to the waves. Brian was great to work with and very helpful. Positively recommend!
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.