We, like other folks, wish we could write a better review. Like the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, there are just many little things that add up to not being a great airbnb.
The good: the view is amazing, the parking spot outfront is very convenient, the community is mostly quiet and relaxing, the pool and landscaping around are gorgeous, and amenities like the pool are closeby (as are supermarket, restaurants, drug store, etc) via walking or driving, and you're just a 10-15 min drive south of Kona.
We checked in with the owners several times before we came to the Big Island to verify about check-in, codes, etc and the only thing we ever heard back was to 'pay attention' to the email from Air BnB when it came for details.
When push came to shove (see below) and we couldn't even access the unit, we were told that we should follow directions better. I said I reached out many times but never heard back. The owner's response? That he was working today and didn't see my emails.
On the day of check-in the code given to obtain the key did indeed unlock the keybox, but the box was empty. We tried to go to the office of the complex but nobody responded at the door. We messaged the owner who answered "I don't know how you have the key to the box and not the digital code too" as if to say we were imposters or folks that didn't know how to follow directions. Then we got an email saying to email the office that we agree to rules 1,2,3,4,5,6 with a long list of rules that we needed to follow and adhere to at a moment's notice.
We finally got into the unit and again it was just the little stuff: no soap in the bathroom, the ceiling fan was broken, the screen doors to the lanai were off the track, the list goes on and on. While not super clean, we didn't experience the very unclean conditions that other guests had experienced.
We made the best of it and hey we had a wonderful time in Kona - but wouldn't recommend staying here. 3 of the 4 days we were out of the house during daylight hours but the one day we did stay to 'relax' - I received a phone call while reading on the lanai and a neighbor yelled at me for answering the phone. Apparently it's also in the bylaws not to answer phones on the lanai.
Yes there's running water, a mostly working kitchen, a good breeze, beautiful grounds - but with all the options in Hawaii, this would not be our first pick in the future. I, as others have before, would urge the owner to remedy many of these issues (and more I did not include).
Last but not least, a spirit of Aloha and welcomeness would have been very much appreciated and can be better communicated in the future.