wellybint (Wellington, New Zealand) 04/15/2018

Our travel agent booked Aston Kona by the Sea from New Zealand and we had no idea what to expect. It totally exceeded our expectations in pretty much every way. Great room, very helpful and friendly staff (after 2 days with very little sleep getting to the Big Island and having to work out driving on the other side of the road etc), Dawn's kindness and friendliness was just wonderful. Our room on level 3 had full sea views and the room was very well appointed. It was also not too far from Kona and free parking so we could drive all over the island. We'll definitely be back.

bretzky63 (West Vancouver, Canada) 03/27/2018

Arrived around 10:30 pm Sunday night and a series of misadventures begun. 1. THE BAD: No keys waiting for us for our 2 bedroom. Visions of sleeping in the car...The security guard was nice and gave us keys for 2 1 BR condos 203 and 207. The keys were for a different family so we didn't know if we'd get a knock on the door to leave as we slept. Our boys are 14/18 so splitting us was ok but what if the kids were under 6? There was no hide a bed in either. Room 207 had this 1970s shag carpet that smelled and our younger son slept poorly as a result. (We were delayed flight/rental car so front desk closed but if they are leaving other keys what about ours?) 2. THE GOOD: Those condos were oceanfront so very nice to wake up to. Rm 203 was nice. The pool and oceanfront looked great early on so off I went to try and sort out our room at the front desk. 3. THE BAD: The front desk apologized and then told me around 8 am that they had our 2 BR oceanview ready. I asked about a credit or upgrade given our inconvenience. 4. THE GOOD: They said one option would be to stay in 203 and move the boys from 207 to 205 which needed guests to check out of it. This sounded good in terms of oceanfront vs oceanview but we were concerned our boys would have to share a bed and we wouldn't be together as a family as much. They also offered a $100 credit. 5. THE BAD: I checked out Rm 115 the 2 BR ocean view and while the suite was very nice, the view was obstructed and only visible standing - the view was mostly the buildings, front desk and parking lot. Ugh. When I returned to our room 203 to discuss with my wife the icemaker was making an awful sound which I fixed after 20 min. Sigh. It did stop making the noise and the maintenance man was very nice about checking on it. The front desk called and said they were too full to offer us 203 and 205. So now we had to go to 115. We packed up and moved - not how we planned to spend our first morning. During the night tons of noise from the highway and then from the parking lot w garbage trucks etc. in the morning. Another not great sleep. 6: THE GOOD? tbd - they claim we are first up to be moved to another 2 BR hopefully oceanfront or with a better view. Let's see if they live up to this before I make my final rating. We enjoyed Kona and the pool and saw turtles on the reef right in front - cool! The staff is very friendly and I think sincere. Make our day Aston - quieter room pls cmon...

Capnhi9er (Nanaimo, Canada) 03/26/2018

Our flight arrived near midnight. Our key and welcome package were waiting for us in the open-air lobby. When we walked into the suite, it took our breath away. Large, nicely decorated, fully equipped and actually right on the ocean front. If you like to be lulled to sleep by the sound of a gentle surf, this is the place for you. We were traveling with friends and the layout gave us privacy at night. One bedroom in the front and the other in the back, both with ensuite baths. Our balcony was only about 20 yards from the surf. The shore is rocky so no swimming here. But there is a lovely pool, hot tub and an artificial beach with lounges. And if you are fortunate, turtles come out on the flat rocks to sun themselves. We didn't see turtles here but there were hundreds of bright yellow trigger fish playing in the surf. The office staff was friendly and stored our luggage for us the day we checked out. The concierge is helpful and knowledgeable and we enjoyed the two activities she recommended. The one minor weak spot is the maid service. They change the towels daily and the sheets each 5 days. But they often forget to leave dishwasher detergent and/or coffee. If you are in the suite when they come, the service is rather perfunctory. Overall a great facility and a great vacation. Lots to do on the Big Island. And don't miss Ali'i Gardens Marketplace just across the street. The Kona Trolly stops very close by to get you into town.

trailrider1212 (Mequon, Wisconsin) 03/25/2018

We stayed 5 nights at Kona by the Sea. It was a quiet condo property. We had a one bedroom partial ocean view. It was partial but we could see it. They have a pool and you never had to fight for a lounge (not that type of place). Parking was free and resort fee was only $9. No onsite restaurant or bar. They had nice large, clean grills. They supply the gas, lighter and our condo had grill cookware. I saw people using them. we didn't. they had a small beach for lounges but you can't go in the water it is too rocky. Beautiful sunsets and we even saw a rainbow over the mountains one evening. There is a small market "Ali's market" that is a very short walk south. There are nice quaint shops. By your Kona coffee from Ferrari Coffee in there. They have their own little plantation and they are nice people. TJ barbaque is in there too. Reserve your ribs to pick up by 3;30. The cookie man has fabulous cookies, $3 each but incredible. They are closed Mondays. Our condo had a nice patio and we ate outside all the time. Large Living area and full kitchen. They had a blender and we made smoothies every day. W/D in unit. Bedroom in the back by stairwell, but Quiet. in room safe and wifi. they had a concierge but we didn't use them. We were too far to walk to town (30 min). But you can drive and park easily. we would come back. clean neat and staff was friendly.

JrVandy (Huntsville, Alabama) 03/25/2018

This is a great location for a family traveling and on the go. Full size condos with plenty of room to spread out the family. The location in Kona is near perfect and easy to drive anywhere on this side of the big island. Parking was tight, but we always manged to find a spot in the included parking garage. If you have your own car and are staying in Kona for a few days, this is a great base station. Go to the local store and pick up breakfast foods and stock the kitchen. Oh, yea the view is awesome! Loved waking up in the morning, brewing a cup of coffee and sitting on the balcony overlooking the ocean and the pool.