If your dream of a Hawaiian vacation is a place with a view that looks over the pool to the ocean beyond, the Aston Kona by the Sea is the hotel for you. The twin four-story buildings house one and two bedroom condominium style accommodations with full kitchens and two bathrooms each. Located in a cove that is popular for snorkeling and surfing, the hotel is popular for its proximity to Kona’s town activities, yet still a tropical retreat.
The Aston is located right on the ocean and provided some great whale watching.
When we arrived we received a room with a great view of the Lobby. Our request to move was granted immediately and the new room had a great view of the pool and the ocean.
The staff were helpful and friendly. The rooms were clean and the grounds were mellow and not busy. Common bbqs were available and we used them one night for supper.
A nice stay for 5 of us the Aston.
Fantastic
sharsoren
(Eden Prairie, Minnesota)
I found this hotel/condo last Spring through Trip Advisor after spending a week in North Kona (Waikoloa) and knew I wanted to stay south on Ali’i Drive.
Through a little research at All Things Big Island Facebook group page, this establishment is a hidden gem.
Upon checkin, we were hoping for the 4th floor but 2nd floor room was available. Lucky us!! Perfect views, updated room, 2 king rooms/2 baths and PLENTY of room to spread out. The lanai is a nice size complete with 4 chairs, table and lounge chair!
Parking is easy, the building access is very secure for elevator, restrooms and pool areas. Daily maid service and replenishment of towels for bathroom & pool.
Management has been very helpful and very friendly, especially Melody upon checkin.
What a pleasant way to spend a week in Kona!
JSWKingsfield
(Seattle, Washington)
We were looking for a place to rest and be lazy in the sunshine by the sea. Booked a two bedroom, two bath condo so that college aged kid on mid-winter break would have his own space. Great set-up -- kiddo got his own bedroom suite at one end of the condo, with his own TV and ability to slip in and out without bothering the parents. We had the large master suite on the other end of the condo.
We prefer renting a condo for family trips, because we find it more restful to stock a kitchen with breakfast supplies from the local supermarket (cold cereal, bread for toast, butter, fruit, yogurt, milk), snacks, and some simple dinner ingredients. Kona by the Sea has 3 gas grills out by the pool, very handy for grilling burgers, steaks, fish (you might want to buy foil at the local grocery store). The granite counter-top kitchen was compact yet well equipped with plates, bowls, cups, glasses, mixing bowls, utensils, cooking tongs, toaster, coffee maker, microwave, large fridge, electric range w/oven, coffee maker, even place mats. There was salt & pepper, one daily packet of Kona coffee (enough for about 6 cups of drip coffee), some coffee service items. Full size dining table large enough for 8 was very welcome.
Great to have a living room to enjoy a movie (free DVDs are available to borrow on site, plus there was a Playstation) or read in the evening. Even better place to read, was the deck facing the water. What a lovely spot to enjoy a glass of wine.
A/C worked very well. Good wifi reception. Concierge was very helpful, as was the front desk when it was time to print out boarding passes for our departure flight. Very convenient to have a washer & dryer in our unit -- really needed that dryer after a day in the downpour on the Hilo side of the island.
The grounds are well kept. Daily housekeepers were cheery (they do not service the kitchen, other than to empty the wastebasket and keep the coffee stocked). Pool and hot tub very welcome, with the background sounds and view of crashing waves. There is a sandy area to sit and read. The shore is black volcano rock, but fun to spot green turtles coming near to eat algae in the tide pools. My husband saw a whale spouting in the distance. On a particularly high tide day, surfers were out catching the waves (not the best spot to surf).
Our unit was very clean, but clearly had some wear & tear, none of which bothered us particularly. Just happy to be comfortable in relaxing surroundings.
This is not an "all services" resort. There is a convenience store two properties north.
Limited places to eat in the area -- the Poke Shack is few blocks south, and there also is a BBQ place a little further south (closes at 5 p.m.). A vegetarian food truck and a shaved ice stand is in the nearby open air Marketplace that is open Tuesday - Sunday. Best to have a car with you -- the Safeway is a 10-mile drive north (towards the airport), has all the supplies you could want. There are a couple of KTS supermarkets nearby, our favorite being the one at the Keauhou Shopping Center which is 10 miles south off of Ali'i Drive. The Keauhou Shopping Center has a variety of good places to eat, plus a Saturday farmer's market.
If you're looking for a big fancy resort to be fussed over and constantly entertained, go to Waikoloa or something like that. Kona By The Sea is for a restful, non-touristy, easy-going environment.
Poor installation between units. We could hear our neighbors day and night
Marthadoe
We were in the three story towers in a ground level one bedroom, Room 101. We asked for an upstairs unit but we were told that one bedrooms were all ground units. We could hear all of the plumbing from toilet flushing to dish washers and washing machine. You could hear neighbors foot steps and conversations. We could hear drawers, doors, windows and closets opened and closed. We will never book a stay with this property again. The problems appear to be related to poor design and sound installation.
Christmas week at Aston Kona by the Sea
Tankbou
(Austin, Texas)
My family booked a 2-bedroom condo at Aston Kona by the Sea, through Donna Bender of MauiCalls, for the week of Christmas 2018. My husband and three teen-agers thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing stay at this beautiful ocean-front location. Having lived in Hawaii in years past, I like to avoid areas which are too touristy, preferring a more low-key and relaxing location where we can experience the true ambiance of the islands. Donna booked a two-bedroom condo at Kona by the Sea, and it was clean, had daily maid service, and two things I hold near to my heart: a balcony where we can leave our door open to listen to the crashing waves at night, and a washer/dryer! Kona by the Sea is close to restaurants and shopping, yet still offers a beautiful place to watch the sunrise or sunset in quiet solitude.
The property’s original owner built a giant saltwater pool out in the bay. You can access it directly from the shore and once you’re in you can gaze out to the sea beyond.
In the Hawaiian language, the word kona means leeward - the dry side of an island. A fitting name for the disctrict of Kona which is the drier sunny side of Hawaii Island, in comparisson to the wetter Hilo district on the east side of the island.
Perfect Kona days are made when lounging at our saltwater pool, cooking meals at the outdoor barbecue, and watching sunsets from our oceanfront lawn. Enjoy these amenities and more!
