We stayed here for 5 absolutely perfect days. While the outside looks a bit like a dated motel, once you step inside the unit, you're transported to paradise! The unit is updated and comfortable. The size is just right for a couple, or possibly a couple with a small child. The bed is comfortable and there is plenty of storage. It had everything we needed, except for coffee for the drip coffeemaker or creamer. You might want to bring some or buy some Kona coffee after you get here!
The view is breathtaking! If you've come to Kona to be near the ocean, you literally can't get any closer. You can see and hear the waves crashing below the 4 patio doors that create a huge wall of glass, providing a 180° view of the Pacific Ocean. There is no lanai, but the 3rd floor view can be enjoyed from the entire place.
The sunsets are an attraction for this area, with people driving to the attached beach and restaurant to see it, but you'll have the best view right from inside your condo!
The Magic Sands Beach is adjacent to the building with great sand, waves and snorkeling. The hosts, Barry and Terry, provide plenty of beach gear like chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling equipment, towels, coolers, etc. There's also a nice pool, right on the ocean, below the condo.
The Magics Beach Grill restaurant is on the lower level of the building. It has a bar and an outdoor oceanview area. We had some trouble getting a reservation for dinner there because it's so popular for the sunset view, the same one from the condo! We did enjoy a nice lunch there, but don't forget to take your pool key to get a 10% discount. The bar there is popular, too.
The Magics Beach Grill is the only option for eating within walking distance. There are no groceries or ABC Stores nearby either. We didn't have a rental car because of the astronomical prices, so we ordered groceries and restaurant delivery to enjoy meals with the ocean or sunset view on our own. The downtown restaurants and bars are a short drive or Uber away. There is also a $2 Kona Trolley that goes up and down Alii Drive to all the tourist areas every hour. We used the trolley once successfully, but another time it was way off schedule and we had to Uber.
I really have to try hard to find a complaint, but if pressed, I'd say that the place is so close to the water, that the ocean waves are loud all night, but that's generally a positive thing, right 😀? Another thing, on the oceanside of the building, the southernmost part has some half-finished construction that looks like hurricane damage. We found out that they are actually lanais for 8 units that were to be replaced, but the process has been stalled. The construction definitelly doesn't take away from the value of the condo, but it is odd that it"s just unfinished and exposed, but no one is working on it.
We totally recommend Barry and Terry's place!