Anne B.
December 2025
The location of this home was amazing. We loved listening to the waves, and watching the dolphins, snorkelers, and outrigger canoes come by each day. The house was well supplied for cooking, and we enjoyed preparing some meals at the house. We were there Thanksgiving week, and the traffic on Ali'i drive was pretty heavy. It was a bit hard to sleep in the rooms that were roadside due to traffic noise, and the louvered windows let sounds in even when closed. The host was very responsive and supplied a noise cancelling machine, which did help.Overall we had a lovely week.
David B.
October 2025
Absolutely stunning.It really is on the ocean and it takes a couple of days to adjust to the sound of the surf but it really changes how you see the world.....loved it.
Craig R.
February 2025
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We absolutely loved this house, the location, the intimate setting on the water and the Old School Hawaii charm it exudes. It was the perfect house for us to relax on the open-air deck watching the massive surf come in. Whales were out front on our last day playing and breaching which was a nice ending to our trip. The house, the amenities, the location were ideal, and I would recommend to anyone that wants the true Hawaiian house experience.
Alan L.
October 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We stayed for 16 days.Great location and view, updates throughout the house were very well done, amazing lanai with incredible view and sunsets, new appliances, comfortable beds. Ceiling fans and extra fans were key to keeping the house at reasonable temps. Amazing view from the lanai and when sitting in the living room, all you can see is water. Nice overhang of the roof over a portion of the lanai protects from rain when needed. Great snorkeling less than a quarter mile away with hundreds of gorgeous fish. Management company, Knutson, was extremely responsive and ensured we had everything needed. When we asked a Keurig, they purchased and provided it the next day. Was good being 4 miles outside of Kona, as the town gets very crowded and when cruise ships are in, it gets even more congested. After eating on the lanai, we realized no restaurant could match the view of where we were staying so we ordered delivery when we didn't feel like cooking.The only significant con was the almost ever-present noise, which is beyond the control of the owners or management company. The road is only about 25 feet away from the house and frequently cars, trucks and motorcycles had loud exhaust, and booming sound systems that actually vibrated the house as they accelerated past. It was particularly loud in the living room and non-MBR bedrooms, but better in the MBR and on the lanai. Fortunately, traffic diminished significantly between 10pm and 6 am. The shojii doors are very attractive but if guests are staying in either of the 2 extra bedrooms, they do allow sound and light to pass through. The uneven lava rock steppingstone pathway from the driveway to the front door was difficult for my mobility challenged mother.There was a house renovation next door and it was quite loud every day but Sunday, especially on the lanai. It appeared this renovation may continue for some time, so suggest checking to get latest status before committing to a rental in the next month or
Robert R.
July 2024
The house is nicely located on the water and close to two great beaches. However, the two back bedrooms are along the street and extremely noisy. If you’re a light sleeper don’t plan on sleeping due to loud cars, motorcycles or people playing music as they pass by. The main bedroom is fine and has ocean sounds which is a good bit different from street sounds. We effectively consider this a one bedroom house since two were too noisy to be used. I slept outside on the deck after the first night (with bug spray). During our stay, the house next door is being renovated so you get construction sounds during the day. In the past, if construction was happening, the landlords would at least tell you. In fact the last time in Kona in a different property they not only told us but gave us a discount. Not here.
The house does come with a fully stocked kitchen and beach stuff. The deck overlooks the ocean and you can watch sunsets. You’re close to beaches and great restaurants as well as grocery stores.
Overall, I give it a poor rating because if you can’t sleep it’s not worth what they charge. I’m not the only person who has written about the noise issue—I didn’t realize how loud it was.
William E.
July 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Just stayed at Makana Kai Hale. Loved, loved loved the view sitting right on the water. It’s absolutely beautiful and is so relaxing. The location to Kona, shops and beaches was excellent. Being in the center of everything was super convenient to our stay. The size of the property for 5-6 people is small. Property manager was excellent and was very responsive and met us upon arrival. It must be noted the road noise is very load. The house sits about 1 car length from the road. If you don’t have sleepers that can sleep through very noisy things, sleeping in front 2 rooms will be very difficult. It’s loud. The master bedroom is on the ocean, but the front two rooms are on the street.
Christina M.
February 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Met expectations. Views were amazing. On the beach as advertised. Nothing better than sleeping to the waves.
Tracy s.
February 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This was a great place for our Kona vacation. The deck is large and comfortable and is right on the ocean with spectacular sunsets. Expect some street noise from Ali’i, but most of it is muted by the surf.
Kelli S.
January 2024
We loved this property! The location is ideal and the view is outstanding . It is clean and comfortable. We would
stay here again if returning to Kona for sure!
Kelly C.
January 2024
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Our stay at Makana Kai Hale was spectacular. We were warmly greeted at the property by a Knutson & Associates team member who showed us around the house, all the amenities and answered questions. (Thank you for the thoughtful welcome gifts!) The house is even better than the description. It is a lovely balance of cozy and island chic with a perfectly appointed modern kitchen complete with pass-through windows, comfy beds and updated bathrooms. But the Christmas miracle?...the breathtaking view from our private deck making outdoor living a dreamy experience. (Think "Dorothy opening the door to Oz.") We created so many new and lasting family memories with our two adult children and their spouses, just hanging and eating together at the house. But every one of us had plenty of space to just hang and "be." Reading a book, taking a nap, drinking in the view of whales, fishes and boats and the mesmerizing ocean waves added up to pure relaxation.The house is ideally located to explore all the wonders of the island. Every day was a new adventure! We highly recommend renting dune buggies for a day from Big Island Buggy who delivers to your doorstep.We would definitely recommend this property to others and plan to come back again soon!
Marilynn C.
November 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This was a wonderful home -our time in Kona for the wedding of our son was enhanced by this stay in Makana Kai Hale. The amenities were abundant and cleanliness immaculate. The setting was enchanting. Gorgeous views of the water were spectacular. Loved it!
Hans-Peter W.
September 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Dieses Haus hat einen tollen Ausblick auf das Meer und ist sehr hübsch eingerichtet. Für unsere Ausflüge war es der perfekte Ausgangspunkt. Hinter dem Haus verläuft direkt eine vielbefahrene Straße (auch nachts). In den zwei Schlafzimmern zur Straße gibt es lamellenfenster, die nicht gegen Lärm schützen. Zwei von drei Doppelbetten sind sehr schmal. Das Haus verfügt hauptsächlich über asiatische Schiebetüren, die sehr schwergängig sind. Privatsphäre daher sehr schwierig. Die Hausverwaltung hat eine Mangel umgehend gelöst, dass war sehr positiv.Wir (6 Personen) hatten das Haus für 2 Nächte im August gebucht und das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis war aus unserer Sicht nicht in Ordnung.
Lawrence W.
September 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The house and location are wonderful! This is one of the most quaint peaceful wonderful places in Kona, wish I could live on the lanai!
Jonathan L.
August 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Pro: Amazing location, sunsets are incredible, best snorkeling ever, main bedroom opens to deck, kitchen sliding windows open to combine space with deck.Con: Road car/traffic noise can be loud but unavoidable and worth the location trade off, a little tricky getting into and out of snorkeling, can get a little warm in house but fans helped tremendously.
Laetitia L.
June 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We enjoyed our week in paradise, staying at Makana Kai Hale tremendously! The house is well appointed and we absolutely love being on the ocean. Even saw Yellow tangs and turtles swimming right below us. Only downside was the construction going on next door. But we understand it is something outside of the home owners' and rental agency's control. We would definitely consider this house next year!
Sydney H.
May 2023
My family and I stayed here for three nights and had the very best time! We absolutely loved the back deck with stunning views. The house was well stocked with beach supplies and other household amenities/condiments/cooking supplies. We would 1000% stay here again! Thanks so much for hosting us on the big island!
Darcie L.
April 2023
While the views and the deck are amazing, there were several issues with this property that made our stay less than ideal.
1. The bedroom ceiling fan was not working (fixed on our last day) and no AC so the bedroom was fairly uncomfortable despite a plug in fan.
2. Bathroom body wash had not been filled so I was told to purchase my own and submit receipts for reimbursement. Not worth the headache.
3. None of doors (sliding wooden) close/open. Like none. They all requires two hands to use. When running to the bathroom and kids this was a pain.
4. Broken kitchen cabinets.
We really did enjoy the location and the beautiful views of the ocean but for what we paid, this home fell a little short of expectation.
bruce b.
March 2023
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
My group of 5 spent a fantastic week at Makana Kai Hale. The deck is right on the water and we spent hours watching the surf, whales and spinner dolphins and great sunsets. The house was well equipped. Kitchen great. The house is right on Alii drives there is some early morning traffic noise audible from 2 of the 3 bedrooms. Location very convenient for restaurants, and a tope snorkeling beach a short walk away.
Pamela A.
February 2023
This beach home is paradise. We had plenty of room for our family with the three bedrooms. The deck and the view is what makes this perfect. Watching whales and dolphins while having breakfast or lunch or supper or just hanging out!
February 2023
We loved it!
Shaunna G.
December 2022
Comfortable charming home. The deck and ocean was fantastic. Swimming everyday off the rocks was so great! Relaxing to a beautiful sunset was fabulous The dolphins every morning was a treat!
November 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was somewhat unhappy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This house was so quaint, nice, and very clean. Unfortunately, its location on Ali’i Drive was very noisy with traffic. Since the house had no AC, we had to keep all the windows open, making it even louder. We were disappointed make a change because everything else was great!
Brian S.
October 2022
We had a great stay. The house is really nice and the views are fantastic. Perfect for our family of 4.
Jeff V.
October 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We enjoyed watching the water activity from the deck that is perched on sturdy concrete posts that offer a view right from over the rocks the waterfront.
Alice I.
August 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This house is very comfortable and beautifully located right next to the ocean. Although it’s on lava rock we found several points of entry so that we could snorkel right off the beach. Everything was perfect about the house from its layout to its cleanliness. It also had a very well stocked kitchen considering the price of groceries on the island. it had things like salt and pepper and seasonings and olive oil which made life easier overall. Our very favorite part about the house is the ancient Hawaiian game carved into the lava rock under the back porch. It’s a living piece of history. We played the game several times using that ancient board and left the appropriate pieces of lava and coral so that subsequent visitors could enjoy it as well. I highly recommend this house.
Leanne N.
August 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Loved this place!!!Everything you could possibly want.We will stay here again the next time we visit the Big Island.
Debora R.
August 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This home is for a true Hawaiian vacation. The house can be opened up fully to let the Big Island in. We enjoyed the sound of the ocean and seeing the colorful fish from the lanai. The kitchen was well equipped with the essentials and more. The location on Alii Drive was close to popular snorkeling and surfing spots.
georgia h.
May 2022
Beautiful five day stay at Makana Kai Hale. Simple, uncluttered home perched above the water and waves with all the basics (and a bit more) needed for a very comfortable stay. Great deck! Great sunsets!
Erica S.
April 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Makana Kai Hale is an amazing spot, just on the water and close to everything. It is beautifully appointed and perfect for a family of 4 to use as a base to explore the island. We had a truly amazing stay and are looking forward to returning!!
Christy I.
April 2022
Gem of a cottage right on the water. Thoughtful amenities provided, .4 mile easy walk to Magic Sands Beach with beach volleyball, .7 mile easy walk to Kahaluu Beach with surf lessons. Perfect for family with adult children to have independence.
MARIO G.
February 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was very dirty.
I was very unhappy with the location.
I was very dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
I'v never been there. I booked for beginning jan, then for the covid I negotiated with difficulties a dates shift in June. They agreed, please check the log. Then a strange booking for end jan appeared on the web. One night in jan from Italy... tell me what's happened.
Michelle M.
January 2022
Our group of 6, 4 adults and 2 kids spent a week at this wonderful property. The owners have recently renovated and the house is immaculate! They have all of the necessary amenities you will need when staying at their house, including extra towels and beach towels, bathroom toiletries, a nice bbq and a well stocked, very nice kitchen. The main highlight of this house for us was the amazing view!! We enjoyed many mornings and afternoons out on the back deck overlooking the water and the beautiful sunsets. Would love to stay at this house again!!
brian f.
January 2022
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great beach house right on the water. Wave noise to lull you to sleep at night
Amy H.
January 2022
Great property right on the ocean. Perfect for a holiday with my family of 5. Great communication with the property manager. Highly recommend!
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.