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.
Kona Makai delivers a classic Kona experience: a peaceful, oceanfront complex on Ali‘i Drive with lush, meticulously kept gardens, dramatic lava-rock shoreline, and nightly sunset gatherings by the pool/BBQ area. Guests love lingering on lanais for ocean breezes, dolphin and whale sightings, and the constant sound of the surf. The location is a standout—about a mile from downtown shops and restaurants (walk or a short drive) and well placed for day trips north or south along the coast.
Most condos are clean, comfortable, and well equipped, often with full kitchens, in‑unit laundry, reliable Wi‑Fi, and plenty of beach gear (chairs, coolers, boogie boards, snorkel sets). Many units have air conditioning, though coverage varies (often bedroom-only; lofts can run warm), and hosts/property managers are widely praised for fast, friendly communication and quick fixes when needed. Onsite amenities—oceanfront pool and hot tub, gas grills, ping-pong, and tennis—enhance the laid-back vibe, but note there’s no sandy beach on property; ocean entry is over lava and better for confident snorkelers, with sandy beaches a short drive away.
The consistent caveats: this is a quiet, rule-forward HOA. Pool use is conservative (no splashing/floaties/loud play), phone calls on lanais may be restricted, and quiet hours are enforced—great for serenity, less ideal for energetic kids. As with any individually owned condos, interiors and upkeep vary; a few guests noted dated furniture, occasional cleaning lapses, bright bedrooms without blackout curtains, or loud/limited AC, though most issues were addressed promptly. Periodic building projects (spalling/painting) and the dated gym appear in several reviews, and upper floors require stairs (no elevators). Overall, Kona Makai suits travelers seeking oceanfront sunsets, tropical gardens, and a calm home base near town; those wanting a sandy beach and a kid-centric, free-form pool scene should plan to drive to nearby beaches.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 907 reviews
This was a fantastic place!
Maral S.
June 2026
The check in process was relatively smooth. The description of the property is described as newly remodeled. Upon arrival, the unit smelled musty. The room had the amenities needed but the unit never cooled off. I reached out to the host and was met with rude responses. We would not rent the unit again.
Debbie L.
June 2026
This property is lovely! Wonderful view and really cute and thoughtful inside the unit. They also had plenty of beach equipment, that was really nice. There was an issue with the washer, but they were very nice about it and there was resolution in the end!
Peggy s.
June 2026
Great location! Beautiful views and quick drive to shops and restaurants.
Amy C.
June 2026
The condo was lovely! The host responded quickly and handled a broken shower head within hours of informing them. The property was clean and a perfect home base for adventures!
Paula B.
June 2026
The place was wonderful. The kitchen was stocked and everything was well kept. Very great location.
Thanh Thanh L.
June 2026
Great property in a great location. Absolutely loved having the wrap around lanai, it gave ample space for lounging and enjoying dinner/games outside. Place stayed cool with no AC by leaving sliding doors open (there was AC if needed) but we didn’t have to use it at all. Ample beach gear and towels for all of our needs and the sunsets were breathtaking! Absolutely loved this place and would stay here again in a future visit! Mahalo!
Tessa M.
June 2026
This unit was fabulous for my family and I for many reasons. It was clean and had everything we needed for our week of stay. The location was perfect to downtown and my wife walked to the Green Flash coffee shop daily. Having the pool and hot tub was an added bonus, not to mention the beautiful outdoor patio area to watch the sunset. Highly recommend!
William K.
June 2026
Great location in Kona with beautiful sunsets. Excellent communication and easy check in. Unit had everything we needed.
Krista R.
June 2026
The condo has been upgraded with beautiful counter tops and tiled shower. The kitchen has everything you need. Fabulous view. Mo took care of any issues very quickly.
Eric P.
June 2026
Place was amazing and we had such a good time. Best location you could possibly have and would absolutely stay here again.
Nate B.
June 2026
Lovely property! Wrap-around lanai was beautiful, facing the ocean and the pool. Unit was plenty of room for 4 people and was not lacking in anything you would need!I would highly recommend.
Debra F.
June 2026
This condo suited our families needs. Lainis ocean view was decent. The property management company should know which streaming or cable company the condo uses along with instructions. Sad seeing Kona town with all of its retail vacancies
mike s.
June 2026
It was a great place to stay! The condo was very clean and well maintained. The beds were very comfortable, which made for a relaxing vacation, especially with 2 teenagers. The kitchen was well stocked, and we appreciated the beach gear, like chairs, towels and boogie boards. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend this condo to anyone looking for a comfortable and convenient place to stay.
Shannon R.
June 2026
Wow! This location was amazing. Right by the ocean. An amazing balcony that overlooks the ocean and the daily sunsets. It was truly a postcard. The unit had everything you could need for a great stay.
Kirk W.
June 2026
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:
We spent a month on the island of Hawaii. We had a very enjoyable stay. We have used Knutson managed rental the many times we have come to Hawaii.
Kenneth P.
June 2026
Second stay here and booking again. Perfect place in Kona!!!
cynthia c.
June 2026
Very nice accommodations and a very nice view of the beautiful garden and ocean. The bathroom could use a little updating but it was okay. Good shower nozzle. The host was terrific to work with and accommodated our late flight with a late check out. Mahalo, Carey
Carey H.
June 2026
Lovely trip to our favorite destination and condo, we love hanging with the full timers and the view was amazing! We will be back!
Tony & Jennifer B.
May 2026
We loved this condo!! Perfect location and the view was amazing!! We would definitely come back and stay here again!
Ashlee B.
May 2026
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:
Very comfortable for our family of 5 with wonderful views. The location also made getting around easy.
Joanne F.
May 2026
Great place to stay with family. The kids really enjoyed the pool. We really enjoyed the patio and pool.
Rose S.
May 2026
We really enjoyed our time here. The views from the lanai were spectacular. It was relaxing to sit out there and listen to the sound of the waves coming in. The kitchen was stocked with many items that were unexpected. There were also beach towels and items available to make our stay enjoyable and more comfortable. The decorations gave the unit a beautiful Hawaiian vibe. It truly felt as if we had been welcomed into your home.If we are ever lucky enough to return to the Big Island, we would love to stay here again.
Dove H.
May 2026
Wonderful condo, excellent hosts, beautiful Aloha community. Thank you!
Kimera H.
May 2026
This stay was our best vacation rental experience yet! The condo was immaculate and had everything we needed. The ocean view was so relaxing all day. The neighbors were friendly, too. Just an overall great experience.The location was great for exploring the entire island. Hopefully, we can return some day.
Ginny P.
May 2026
Room is cleanYn
Yuan T.
May 2026
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
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 was great! The place was in a great location. The bathroom was big and nice for post beach trips. I love having a large balcony in Hawaii to eat meals on. My only con was the kitchen could be improved. Utensils were not entirely clean. The black plastic utensils and plastic plates were scratched which are concerning for micro plastics and toxins.
Caitlin A.
May 2026
Mahalo for a wonderful time , unit was nicely appointed with full beach gear , kitchen supplies A/C in bedroom and living area. Beautiful ocean front complex with tropical vegetation , several gas grills , pool and spa . Work out room. Nice proximity to both north and sound Kona sights . Easy parking, building 5 has parking right next to the unit . Appreciated this unit being on the first floor . 2 lanais one with a peek a boo ocean view . Quiet , clean complex and unit . This is my second stay at Kona Makai , highly recommend the unit . Has everything you need , reasonably priced and responsive hosts . I would stay again on my next trip to Kona .
Danae R.
May 2026
A few minor glitches, but generally very good. And a nice, convenient location. The owner was very responsive to requests and questions.
Louis L.
May 2026
The condo was beautiful and nicely furnished. It was a very convenient location. The bathroom had obviously been renovated. We loved the rain shower head! We now want to install one at home. Communication with Janet was great. The complex was beautifully landscaped with lush plants and flowers. I highly recommend it for a couple.
May 2026
The condo was very clean and comfortable with minimal bugs, but needing some slight updates/renovations. It was also located in a prime area, walking distance from the main strip of bars/shops/restaurants. Having laundry and a fully stocked kitchen on site was super helpful for a long stay. The Host provided some basic home/beach supplies which were extremely appreciated and made staying here that much more convenient. The lanais were beautiful, a great place to have a morning coffee or read a book. The ocean access is not quite a beach, but more of a rocky alcove. Regardless, we made good use of it and really enjoyed our time here.
Megan A.
May 2026
We loved everything about this rental. Amazing views!!
Gina Y.
May 2026
Such a lovely place!
Brian & Sarah B.
May 2026
Great condo. Clean, gorgeous view from the lanai. Stays cool due to the ocean breeze. We have stayed in many of the condos in Kona Makai, all have been very nice, but this one is by far our favorite.
Rich H.
May 2026
![Kona Makai End Unit]()
This place was stunning! Was looking for a retreat with friends for the first time on the Big Island. It’s difficult to find a clean, spacious, comfy spot that has two bedrooms and two bathrooms with living and kitchen areas at a decent price in Hawaii. Our unit was older but well cared for, fully stocked and so very comfortable for the days we had downtime between adventures. Not just a fully stocked kitchen, but all of the beach things you would need.- umbrellas, chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, and even coozies for our beverages! The beds were comfortable, the lanai provided beautiful views, the grounds are immaculate and stunning. The location is on the ocean, with snorkeling, restaurants, shopping close by and one of the most beautiful white sand beaches I’ve seen only an hour away.I would have given it four stars, but one of the drawbacks to beautiful grounds is that there was a full day of lawnmower sounds. The other is that there are postings of all the things you can’t do all over the place which made it feel like you couldn’t really freely enjoy the space. Sound does carry so it made us feel we couldn’t play music, have a phone conversation on the lanai, etc. Note that there is a cleaning fee, but they also ask you to take out the trash when you leave, wash and dry beach towels, and start a load of sheets. It is stunning and I would stay here again, with the understanding that it is for a very quietly maintained retreat.
David L.
May 2026
Wonderful apartment on the third/last floor with a beautiful view of the ocean and the property from the lanai. Perfect for 3 adults and 3 kids. Well equipped kitchen, laundry in the apartment and beach and pool stuff (chairs, boogie boards, etc.).Great communication with the host as well. Easy check in and late check out (very helpful). Wish we could stay longer.Great location, already miss my morning runs. A few minutes drive to downtown Kona and walkable distance to a coffee place, fruit/veggie stand and so on. Thank you so much for hosting us!
Gabriela K.
May 2026
Absolutely great stay at this condo! We really enjoyed the place for the time we were there. The best part was how close it was to the beach and also the view from the balcony out to the ocean, where we saw a couple very spectacular sunsets. My only complaint was the ceiling fan inside the bathroom, which the blades hit the door when turned on. I also nearly injured my hand badly putting on my t shirt and forgetting it was there and it was turned on, since no one in the mainland where were from has ever installed a ceiling fan inside the bathroom as far as I know. Anyways it was a great place to stay and we will be returning!
Bruce W.
May 2026
![Kona Makai 6301]()
Pros: The condo was comfortable and the view from the lanai beautiful. The kitchen was well stocked with cookware. The pool and the hot tub were clean and quiet. Sunsets were the best.Cons: The AC in the master bedroom was a little tricky to set so that it was comfortable at night yet not so loud that it kept up awake. The condo is right on the ocean, so the waves were too loud for us to keep the doors open at night.The biggest problem with this condo was communication with Gather Vacations. We have family in Kona and had planned on having them over for dinner, as we have at every condo we have stayed in on the Big Island. The week before we arrived, we were told by Gather Vacations that we were not allowed to have any guests over because there was a very strict maximum policy of 4 guests at the condo, and that included even having someone over for dinner. This is NOT listed on the website anywhere. After several days of back-and-forth messages with Gather, we were finally told that they were wrong and we were allowed to have guests over for dinner. Then immediately after that we received a message that the deck was going to be painted while we were there, and we would not have access the deck. They offered to reduce the price or move us to another location. A few hours after that stress, we were told the painting would not take place while we were there. The visit turned out fine but the stress created by Gather Vacations was completely unnecessary.
Jimmy H.
April 2026
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:
Amazing and highly recommended rental!Outstanding location, top floor, wrap around balcony, right on the waterfront! The location really can't be beat.We've stayed in a lot of rentals, and this was the cleanest we've ever experienced. The cleaning crew is clearly top notch. Very impressed.The environment around the unit is very quite and relaxing. Exactly what we were looking for.The only minor critique would be that it can get pretty warm during the day. The only air conditioners are in the bedrooms and they just aren't powerful enough to keep up with the entire space. You get used to it, and it cools down at night. But it can get pretty warm in the main living area during the day.
Tyson C.
April 2026
Clean space. Great ocean view. Easy parking. Property management was very responsive to unexpected hiccups we encountered.
Dean-Lorenz S.
April 2026
2nd time at this unit and will definitely stay here again. The unit is perfect and the property is amazing.
Melanie M.
April 2026
Kona Makai never disappoints. We stayed here before and were more then happy to do it again.
Vladi T.
April 2026
Was a great central location for exploring the island. Pool and hot tub were a nice way to wrap up the day. Loved the lanai…enjoyed our coffee and the birds every morning.
debbie n.
April 2026
Great place in Great location! Nice AC units in the bedroom! Smart TVS in every room! Great Kitchen! Easy short walk both to nice swimming pool and hot tub and beach!
roger k.
April 2026
Had a great trip.
David C.
April 2026
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
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:
Cute place to call home for our week long stay in Kona! We enjoyed the jacuzzi after a day of exploring and the ping pong tables were so fun as well. Place had everything we needed to make us feel at home. Has snorkel gear, cooler, water filter for fridge, and camping chairs. Only thing we wished were the chairs were beach chairs!
Jamie B.
April 2026
Yes, the ocean view was so beautiful.
Brooks K.
April 2026
All was good. Very nice stay. Should consider a new hair dryer
Brian M.
April 2026
The air conditioning was a lifesaver. The pool does have a lot of rules but it’s nice. There isn’t a beach at the condo. The sofa bed could use an upgrade.
Rebecca B.
April 2026
Our stay was great, we had everything we needed.
Sadie W.
April 2026