Overall, the place is a solid stay if you’re on a budget. Here’s a few key point to consider before booking this stay.
1. We were able to sleep 6 people comfortably and the bedding was well made for us. The beds were well padded and it didn’t feel like we were sinking in like a marshmallow. However, the space was a bit small in terms of walking around with 6 people.
2. The images were all taken during the day so the lightning is pretty top notch. However, during the night the place was a bit dimmer than what you would normally expect. I think this may be due to the Hawaii lightning restrictions.
3. The location is fairly ideal. It was a 25 minute drive from the airport, costco, and 45 minute drive from Hawaii’s famous Hāpuna beach. Given the island is fairly large, this made for a fair commute. However, the beaches near the Airbnb may not be the best for getting in the water or sitting around and relaxing in the sand. For that, you may want to consider booking something a bit north. Most restaurants in the area were a 10-15 minute drive.
4. The shower pressure and temperature are not ideal. The two showers cannot be used at the same time without compromising on either pressure, temperature or both. If 2 people tried to use the shower at the same time, the shower pressure would be inconsistent and both users would experience a colder shower. I felt that it was a bit misleading to have 2 showers listed since only one was usable at a time.
5. The parking situation is very confusing. There doesn’t seem to be any enforcement in terms of assigned spaces. However, the documentation provided to us states that we would risk being towed for parking in another spot. Our spot was occupied 99% of the time. We messaged the host, and they responded immediately to take care of it, exemplifying their fast communication during issues.
6. Snorkeling gear and beach towels were provided which was a huge bonus. Most of the snorkeling gear worked well, though some of it started breaking apart after a bit of use in the water.
7. The kitchen is great. While not as big as it looks in pictures, it provided all the amenities needed for us to cook breakfast and get ready before a big long day ahead.
8. There were a few roosters that would start clucking around 5 AM. If you’re sleeping on the pull out couch or in the king sized bedroom, you will definitely hear them. I would recommend heavier sleepers use those areas lol.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip to Kona. The stay is in an ideal location with many amenities that make the experience pleasurable. While I would be hesitant to recommend this place to a friend due to some the complaints above, it is a great option if on a budget. I wouldn’t recommend a full party of 6 because it’s not as big as it claims, but it is definitely doable.