Vacation Rentals by Owner
Oceanfront - Unique Gated Community Next to White Sands Beach [#226615] | View Property
Private Homes
House, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths (Sleeps 6)
From $1950/wk
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Traveler Reviews (33)
Perfect Home
Guest: ANDREW I.
Date of Stay: 01/14/12
Review Submitted: 01/31/12
This is the perfect home. Fantastic location, When we arrived there was absolutely no problems getting into the home as promised. The home is in Pristine condition. plenty of linens, towels & fully stocked kitchen as far as utensils. From all the silverware to the blender, pots, pans everthing you need for preparing just about any meal. Left over salt, pepper and some condiments from previous renters. The pictures on the internet do not do justice for this home. On the internet everything is MUCH nicer than the pictures. My wife & I stayed for a week with 2 other couples. Next year we will be staying a minimum of 2 weeks. At no point did we ever feel unsafe in this home. There are other residents who live year round in this small gated community and they kind of keep an eye on everything. But at the same time we never felt like we were being watched. The other neighbors are very friendly and as helpful as possible. The owner of the home, is extremely pleasant and helpful prior to your stay and has a helpful hint guide at the home which we found it to be extremely helpful. From where to shop for groceries, to great resturants, a local snorkle dealer who rents his equipment by the week. We have stayed at other Island homes, and you were just pretty much on your own. The owner wants you to make the most of your vacation and is very willing to help you in pretty much any way he can prior to your arrival and even during your stay. My list of bad points about the house: Well, there aren't any. As far as I am concerned this is the perfect home. We travel to Hawaii every year and stayed at some other rental homes, but we have found the home that we will use everytime we go the Big Island. No more searching for rental homes for us. I have said before but don't mind saying it again PRISTINE, PERFECT HOME!!!!
Recommended for:
Beautiful house in Kona
Guest: Gary L.
Date of Stay: 01/08/12
Review Submitted: 01/22/12
We had agreat time, the house was spacious, beautiful, clean, and well maintained. The owner provided excellent, helpful, service, even when we booked the house last minute. We liked Lava Java for breakfast, and Huggos On the Rocks for drinks and sunset. Surfing and beaches were very close.
Recommended for:
Family from Alberta
Guest: Sylvia W.
(Edmonton, AB, Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11
Review Submitted: 01/11/12
Our stay in Kona was amazing. Everything about this property exceeded our expectations. It was in excellent condition, beautifully furnished and well stocked with everything that we needed. The view of the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing created the perfect island escape. We enjoyed the privacy on the lanai, the easy access to the beach and the convenience of the community swimming pool.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
AMAZING
Guest: Gail W.
Date of Stay: 12/17/11
Review Submitted: 12/27/11
This was the best Christmas we have ever had. The condo is beautiful, everything you need is right there. To wake up every morning with the ocean right outside the huge picture windows is breathtaking. This is the first vacation we had were no one wanted to go back home! We recommend this condo to everyone who wants to have the perfect family vacation. AMAZING The Wessels Family Lewiston, ID
Recommended for:
Our Ironman Family Rendezvous
Guest: kathryn s.
Date of Stay: 10/03/11
Review Submitted: 10/24/11
We found ourselves traveling to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii to see our son participate in the Kona Ironman Championships. Where to stay? The amount of choices on VRBO was overwhelming! We by chance got the right pick with a yes on the reply to our inquiry for Kona Onenalo. 3 bedroom, 3 bath private home with an ocean setting. The house worked perfect for the 4 of us. Nice large living room/dining room for gathering. Located on Alii Drive it made for the ultimate spot for us & Ironman pre race day. Lots of running & biking up and down the street. I would recommend this well maintained, clean home at Kona Onenalo to everyone and we would definately stay there again.
Recommended for:
Just Like Home, but Better
Guest: Jenna B.
Date of Stay: 09/15/11
Review Submitted: 10/06/11
This was our 2nd visit to Kona, and now having stayed in this home, it's at the top of my list for trip #3. The grounds and home were exactly as described. If you have the opportunity to talk with the caretakers, they're a great couple, full of ideas for day trips around the island. The home is just beautiful, clean, tastefully decorated, and the location is perfect (we walked out "our" back door and snorkeled almost every morning, and it's far enough away from downtown Kona to be peaceful and private, yet close enough to be comfortable too). We traveled with a pre-teen and an infant, and the layout of the house is perfect such that everyone had their own personal space. What I liked the best about our stay has much to do with the owners. Every contractual promise was fulfilled, right down to the smallest detail. Previous guests left many staples that might be overlooked on a quick shopping trip (bay leaves?!), and I really appreciated having items there so I could prepare good dinners for my family. The home has been tastefully and lovingly decorated in a traditional yet modern "island style," and I can honestly say that nothing has been overlooked. I wanted for absolutely nothing during my stay. Cheese grater = yes, Rubbermaid containers to pack picnic lunches = yes, laundry soap and cleaning supplies = yes, and the list goes on. The home is stocked well enough to host a dinner party for 20, or a small, intimate meal on the lanai. Any possible glitch or scenario (what to do if the TV doesn't work, how to set the alarm) is detailed in the home manual provided just prior to arrival, and I truly appreciated having so much information at my fingertips. It's obvious that much care and attention has gone into making this vacation home a true retreat. Believe every positive review you read about this home. We've traveled extensively, both in and out of the U.S., and this rental exceeded my family's expectations. We went on a several day trips: Akaka Falls, Green Sand Beach (yes, it is possible to do the three + mile hike in the scorching heat with a baby in an infant carrier backpack, AND climb down the cliff to swim), Makalawena Beach, and much, much more. Downtown restaurants tend to be "tourist traps," but the Kona Inn is a sure bet. Thank you so much for hosting such a wonderful experience for my family. We hope to be back one day!
Recommended for:
Fantastic Kona Vacation
Guest: Michael G.
Date of Stay: 08/18/11
Review Submitted: 09/25/11
This vacation home provide us with a awesome and fantastic vacation experience in the Kona, HI area. We chose this house based on information from the VRBO website and the property web site. The property website provided very useful info about the property and location, as while as activities in the general area. The house was spotless, very well maintained, had all kitchen, house-hold amenities, along with items useful for pool, beach, water activities, etc. This house is in a gated community of 12 houses, with a common pool/spa area. The pool was very clean, with lounge chairs and tables, located right next to the ocean. Views from the property were stunning, everyday being able to watch a gorgeous sunset. We were able to snorkel in a small lagoon right behind the house and a 5 minute walk to a white sand beach allowed us to play in the water, boogie-board, etc. Just a mile South of the house was a very popular beach/snorkel area were we had a great time viewing fish, turtles, etc. The house owners provided great service and were very helpful and responsive when answering questions and providing additional info about the house and the area. They were genuinely concerned that everything about the house was in order and kept in contact via email about any concerns we might have. We highly recommend this proprty to anyone wanting a rental on the ocean, close to water activiites, only a few minutes from town.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.
Died and gone to...Kona!
Guest: Laura S.
(null)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11
Review Submitted: 08/15/11
Much thought and care has been taken in equipping this hale with all the comforts of home. I can’t remember ever staying at a rental property where virtually each and every item we needed was right at our fingertips. Really, to open the refrigerator and find pure vanilla extract made me think I was still at home. The spices, oils, vinegars, and other assorted condiments were abundant as well. We were able to prepare and eat most of our meals in the house, saving time and money for other adventures on the island. And then, there was the bedding. Great pillows, sheets, and towels. Good quality stuff that I know didn’t just end up there by accident. They went the extra mile on those items. Plenty of beach towels and gear, including ice chests of all sizes and boogie boards for the whole family. We enjoyed the location, just far enough out of town to make it feel like we were locals rather than tourists but close enough to take a brisk walk for morning coffee. Our teenage girls loved being steps away from the "locals" Magic Sands beach. They could head over there for a some bonus beach time while I was preparing dinner. The listing was accurate, but didn't begin to fully illustrate exactly how wonderful this property is! The owners were helpful both prior to, during, and after our stay. Their in-home manuals and touring guides were comprehensive and extremely useful. I'd love to suggest this vacation home to all of our family and friends, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be available to us once the word got out!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Wonderful Vacation Home
Guest: Todd H.
(Asheville, North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 06/21/11
Review Submitted: 07/06/11
Very close to downtown Kona. Every morning wake up and have breakfast on the Lanai overlooking the ocean. Kitchen is superbly stocked for eating in. Wonderful selection of spices. Located on the south side of town and easy trip to the City of Refuge, James Cook Memorial and the Burial Grounds. Walking distance to the beach and the amount of turtles you will observe will leave you in awe. House is beautiful and just as described and this is 1000 times better than any hotel room.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Amazing
Guest: Bob F.
(Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11
Review Submitted: 06/28/11
Amazing. What else can I say. The owners, the house, the location and the snorkeling were just amazing. First the owners really go out of their way to make sure you have a great time both before and during your trip. I have never worked with an owner who was so concerned with us having a great time. All the other reviews go into all the great features of the house and they are true. The house is well supplied with just not the necessities but also with beach supplies (umbrella, boogie boards, coolers and beach toys). The snorkeling right out the back door is world class. We saw a lot of fish and turtles and explored the lava canyons. If snorkeling is not your thing then you can walk to the white sand beach or head over to the pool. Again it is an amazing place. Thanks again to the owners.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
A Perfect Week in Kona
Guest: Brian
(Baltimore, MD)
Date of Stay: 06/05/11
Review Submitted: 06/17/11
My wife and I along with another couple spent a perfect week in this home. The house and property are just beautiful; perfectly managed grounds, great views of the ocean from both the first and second floor lanais, and a pool as close to the Pacific ocean as a pool could be. The home itself is very well maintained and fully stocked with everything you could possibly need. We really enjoyed making use of the kitchen and the propane grill. We even found flashlights, which came in very handy while we explored the Thurston Lava Tubes in Volcano National Park. The owners of the property are super. They responded to every question that came up as we prepared for our visit. Their local guide to the Kona area became our go-to book for dining suggestions and places to visit. We had one small issue with the spa heating during our stay, but after a quick call to the property manager, a maintenance person was there to fix it within just a couple of hours. The nearby Magic Sands Beach is a great place to watch waves crashing and an ideal location for boogie boarding. It is not however your idyllic sunbathing beach. For a sunbather's paradise, we'd suggest making the short drive north of town to Hapuna Beach, frequently rated as one of the best beaches in America. The house is within just a couple of miles of the main strip of shops and restaurants in Kona. Be sure to go to Huggo's for an early dinner and the most beautiful sunset you will ever see. The location of the home is to die for. There are very few properties on the ocean side of Alii Drive, and even fewer that are as comfortable, well-maintained, and pristine as this one. We would recommend this property to anyone looking for an oceanfront property in Kona.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
wonderful retreat
Guest: Don and Lynn
(Eugene, OR)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11
Review Submitted: 06/18/11
The home was one of the best we've ever rented. It was immaculate. The kitchen was better equipped than our own. A perfect place to spend a week relaxing with friends. The owner provided us with very helpful information regarding the neighborhood and the island and was prompt and receptive to all correspondence. I would highly recommend this property! It is close to Kona and beaches and has it's own shared pool which is very quiet with lovely ocean views.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Truly a home away!
Guest: Deanna
(Wapato, WA., USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/11
Review Submitted: 03/30/11
This vacation home was beautifully decorated with absolutely everything required for a relaxed, comfortable stay. The adjacent cove has a resident turtle and almost every fish in the snorkeler's fish guide book. The water was incredibilely clear. The house manual and local guide were very helpful. We enjoyed BBQing prawns and steaks on the grill. We ate many meals on the back deck; what a fantastic view. We would love to visit again in 2012.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Fantastic
Guest: Ashley
(Owatonna, MN)
Date of Stay: 02/24/11
Review Submitted: 04/20/11
My family and stayed here and it was wonderful! Looking out to the ocean was amazing! The accommodations were top notch. We spent a lot of time on the lanai and grilled a majority of our dinners. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Best maintained house we ever rented!
Guest: Heike from Germany
(Germany)
Date of Stay: 02/17/11
Review Submitted: 03/10/11
The owner and the property fullfilled all we dreamt about! A great contact with the friendly owner from the first day even we are located in Europe. The property itself: excellent as advertised. We are renting houses around the world quite often, this one was really the best kept and maintained property we ever found. Thank you! We felt very very comfortable and we missed not even one item! Beach towels? More than enough avaiable! Beach gear? Avaiable and in best conditions! Books? Dont waste weight and money: The house is like a libary! Especially books about Hawaii! Leave your travelbook at home! And don't take too much clothes with you: The washer and dryer are there for you! The informationbook about the property's equipment: outstanding! All your questions will be answered. I stop now because I could count much more items and the answer would be as always. Excellent! Overall: it was the best we could do when we decided to rent this house! Fully recommanded! Thank you once again for this experience and greetings from Germany.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Birthday Vacation
Guest: Patty
(San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/11
Review Submitted: 01/28/11
My friends and I rented this house for my 40th birthday, and I couldn't have been happier with everything. From the second we walked through the front door, I felt like I was at home. It does not feel like a rental at all. It was well stocked with everything you could think of, the kitchen especially. The location was great, far enough from the center of town but not too far away. There is some noise from Ali'i drive but since we spent most of our time on the lanai, all we could hear was the waves breaking on the rocks and beach directly in front of the house. The view was awesome. This house is well maintained and we had absolutely no issues what so ever. If I ever make it back to Kona, this is where I will stay!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Absolutely Fantastic Location
Guest: Marz
(Salt Lake City, Utah)
Date of Stay: 09/05/10
Review Submitted: 10/22/10
My family and I had the pleasure of staying in this amazing Kona Coast home. It was even better in person than on the website. The owners, John & Ann were fantastic to deal with. We were close to everything and have absolutely nothing negative to say. The bedrooms were comfortable and the view from the master bedroom bed....amazing!!!! We had sea turtles sunning on the private lava beach, my grandson was thrilled. Even though the pool is not private, we never saw anyone else there. The house has everything you need, we will go back first chance we get!!! Thank you John and Ann, it was everything you said it would be and more... The Jessee and Hemingway Families
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Great vacation!
Guest: bobbie
(garden grove, ca, usa)
Date of Stay: 07/27/10
Review Submitted: 08/17/10
This property is everything that is advertized and then some. Great location, beautiful home (well stocked) with a great view. Within walking distance to a nice beach and the greatest snorkling right out front. Try the Big Island Grill if you like local food. Would go back in a heartbeat aned would recommend it to anyone wanting to explore the Big Island.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Kona Onenalo: Oceanfront Rental
Guest: Mahalo1
(Lansdale, PA)
Date of Stay: 07/19/10
Review Submitted: 07/28/10
My family stayed at this rental home July 19-23, 2010. We were VERY pleased with the experience. The website accurately reflects the home's amenities and the owners are very easy to work with. The unit is located in a quiet, lushly landscaped, gated community of 12 single homes and is within walking distance of two sandy beaches (about a mile from Kahalu'u Beach park for snorkeling). It's located about 4 miles south of the center of Kona and convenient to town, but removed from the tourist hustle. We were traveling as a family of 4, but the unit could easily sleep 6. The first floor den is a third bedroom (with sliding privacy doors giving complete privacy). This feels like you are staying in the home of a friend rather than staying at a rental property (everything is clean, comfortable and in excellent condition). The kitchen is fully equiped. We didn't feel the lack of air conditioning was a problem. The ceiling fans and attic fan do a very good job of moving the air through the home. The pool and hot tub are lovely and we often had the pool to ourselves. The orientation of the home does a good job of shielding the living and sleeping areas from any potential noise from traffic on Alii drive. If you are considering a condo rental rather than a hotel room at a resort, I would encourage you to look into this rental. This is a top notch facility and it offers so much more value and space than a hotel room. You also have the option of saving $$ by preparing some meals rather than eating out every meal.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Outstanding Vacation Rental
Guest: Ken
(Vail, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10
Review Submitted: 07/18/10
I reviewed this property in detail on line before booking and must say that upon arrival it exceeded my expectations. The owner's are extraordinary hosts even if only via electronic means and their knowledge of guests expectations are unmatched. The house was well maintained, appointed, and equipped. The community is gated and the house has an active alarm system which do offer piece of mind, though the quiet comfort of the neighborhood would suggest there is no need. Vehicle parking is convenient and somewhat exclusive (off street) and two spots are available, one covered, one not. My wife and I spent one week here in July with two children (ages 6 & 9) and added an extra day on the end of our stay before checking into a resort a few miles up Alii Drive. The subsequent property was an air conditioned property but we found ourselved opening the doors and turning on the ceiling fans as we did at the house to enjoy the island air. One will experience some traffic noise from Alii Drive, but the noise trails off in the evening and is broken up by both the stone wall around the community and the pleasant sounds of the ocean breeze and surf. We enjoyed our stay so much we've already booked at least one additional week for 2011. We've have stayed in a number of vacation homes, own timeshares, and enjoyed numerous resorts. One feels "at home" in this property and would be challenged to find something about which they could complain.
Recommended for:
Well Maintained, Great Location, Great People to Work With
Guest: Seattle John
(Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10
Review Submitted: 07/12/10
We recently completed our stay at Kona Onenola and found it to be as great as prior reviews indicated. The owner was fantastic to work with: great, timely communication, super quick to respond to a tiny inconvenience and clearly meticulous in how he maintains this home. The maintenance guy, Scott, was a great source of information and a great ambassador for the home and the Big Island. The location is perfect--near all of the action but not in the midst of a mob. The home guide and local guide are great resources and, as I noted earlier, the owner is a great host. (great tip on Costco since I had 4 teenagers to feed) The property is right on a lava "beach" but if you don't mind a little rock hopping the sights from the shore are great. Imagine a morning cup of coffee while sitting on the lava with a turtle looking back at you no more than 6 feet away. You do hear a little street noise from Alii but that is true of almost every rental in the area. Next time on the Big Island we would certainly return here! PS - The two beaches noted in the guide just north of the airport are fabulous during the week. We had the place practically to ourselves and spend over an hour snorkeling near turtles as they fed. Don't get too close and they happily ignore you and go about their business.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
So Nice!
Guest: Ross
(American Fork, Utah, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10
Review Submitted: 07/14/10
I took my family (six of us) to Hawaii for a couple of weeks and we had a marvelous time snorkeling, riding ATVs, watching a sunset from the top of Mouna Kea, visiting Volcano National Park, and many other memorable activities. While planning our trip we came across this home and was impressed by its description and accommodations (It's not easy finding a nice place for the whole family to stay at for a reasonable price). We contacted the owners to gather more information and their friendly nature and love for the islands made us all the more comfortable about staying here. When we arrived we found the home and property more beautiful and comfortable than expected. The home and surroundings are very well kept, and the security around the area was an added comfort. The home is peacefully located about 4 miles south of the center of Kona with convenient shopping, dining, and entertainment a short distance away. The view out the large front room and master bedroom sliding glass doors is stunning. With the ocean about a hundred feet from the home, we would go to sleep each night and awake the next morning to the relaxing sound of softly crashing waves. We ate breakfast each day in the well equipped kitchen. We found the cupboards filled with all the little things needed for good cooking which made it really home-like. The beach amenities are a nice convenience which we took advantage of while visiting the local beaches. And the use of a washer and drier was a welcomed benefit. Our experience here was simply wonderful and the owners were a pleasure to work with. Their knowledge of the island and thoughtful suggestions helped us make the most of our visit to the Big Island. We wish to return to Kona someday and when we do we'd love to stay here again. Mahalo nui loa!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Wonderful Vacation Home
Guest: beebs
(Airdrie, AB, CANADA)
Date of Stay: 01/07/10
Review Submitted: 02/04/10
We stayed at this house with our young children during our vacation in January 2010 and were very impressed. The house is in a great location and is extremely well stocked with everything you could possibly need, especially in the kitchen and with outdoor "toys" (boogie boards, coolers, kids beach toys, etc.). The property and grounds are very well cared for and this makes it very easy to feel comfortably "at home" during your stay. The third bedroom/den provided us with very functional extra space in that it could be configured in several different ways. The pool area of the complex was perfect for adults and kids and was an ideal location for watching the beautiful Kona sunsets! The owners were very informative and a pleasure to deal with before, during and after our stay. They provided plenty of local attraction information and we took advantage of many of the suggested beaches, restaurants, and stores during our stay. We would definitely recommend this property to friends and family and hope to return soon ourselves!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
HI Christmas Trip
Guest: rraacc
(Longview, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/09
Review Submitted: 01/25/10
We enjoyed our stay very much. All that we were told about this property was accurate. We especially liked the "Owner's Local Guide to the Kona Area" The hints on restaurants, beaches, etc was very helpful. The owners were also very helpful with questions we had prior to our arrival The home was very clean and well maintained and they also supplied general spices, coffee, etc that helped in setting up our stay. We enjoyed the pool, view from the Lani and the amenities of the complex. We look forward to coming back again and would recommend it to friends.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Beautiful Kona Home with all the Extras!
Guest: cinder
(alberta, canada)
Date of Stay: 10/14/09
Review Submitted: 11/02/09
We had a great time! Everything about the home was just as you said. Perfect for our little family to have some room to move around in, and the pool was lovely. We have stayed in quite a few rental homes (mostly for skiing), and yours was felt more like house-sitting than renting! You had nice pillows, good knives and dishes, great books, plus lots of extra towels, toilet paper ect. Thank you for letting us use the beach chair, mats and boogie boards.... It seems to us like most rental homes don't let you use the "good stuff"! It was refreshing to be trusted! I was a bit anxious about figuring out the security system, but one we used it - it was very straightforward. The grounds were very well kept - and the man who was working the grounds was very kind and patient with speaking to my oldest son, who always has a million questions for people! The master bedroom ensuite shower was a treat! The local guide was excellent. We never would have checked out kukio beach without it - that was a great adventure! We also really liked Bongo Ben's - they bent over backwards to make sure our boys had a great time. All in all it was a perfect pick for us with our family as it is. We were amazed at how close your home is to the "action" and yet how private it seems when you're out in the pool. Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
One of the best spots in Kona and...
Guest: konabeach
(United States)
Date of Stay: 10/02/09
Review Submitted: 11/02/09
Way better than any hotel. We have visited the Big Island three times for this trip we stayed at this house for 8 nights and it was a great choice. The house is in a perfect location, and just a 3-5 minute walk to the white sands beach where awesome boogie boarding is to be had. The house is clean, relaxed and in excellent condition. The design of the house makes it very easy to relax and the separate bedrooms are very private. The kitchen is well outfitted with all the things you need for cooking at home which is one of the reasons you want to stay at a house anyway. For beaching it up right the house has it all, (boogie boards, beach chairs, mats, beach towels, you name it). The pool on the property is new, very clean and overlooks the wide expanse of the pacific. If you like to walk you can make it to a great snorkel beach in about 15 minutes in the opposite direction of the white sands beach. Getting into town is easy and the covered parking at the house is very convenient. We really enjoyed this property and Kona is still awesome.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A Lovely Home
Guest: Bubba Gump
(Bellevue, Washington)
Date of Stay: 09/20/09
Review Submitted: 09/30/09
This is indeed a very lovely home, and certainly Kona Onenalo was the most appealing association of homes I saw while walking and driving along Alii Drive. The home is absolutely immaculate, and is furnished with every imaginable necessity - especially in the kitchen. The rooms are spacious and open, the ceilings high with attractive beams, and there are overhead fans in nearly every room. There is no air conditioning, and I would not want it. Aside from the overhead fans and the nearly continual breezes blowing through the house, there are two large fans at the very peak of the ceiling (not visible) which remove hot air from the structure. There is some traffic noise from the smaller of the upstairs bedrooms, but almost none from the larger one or from the downstairs, where one hears only the pounding of the surf. The view from the downstairs and upstairs lanais is spectacular, crashing waves at the beach framed by a well-manicured lawn, beautiful flowers and palm trees. We also enjoyed feeding the beautiful yellow-beaked cardinals on the railing of the lanai as we enjoyed a meal, read, or played bridge. Entering the water from the yard was difficult when we were there because of the high surf and the lava beach, but a sandy beach is adjacent to the property, and a good snorkeling beach one mile to the south. The owners were gracious and available if needed (they weren't), and their activity and restaurant guides were very helpful indeed. We would recommend this home to anyone wishing to vacation in Kona.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great home, great location and a beautiful view!
Guest: Kona Joy
(Long Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09
Review Submitted: 08/28/09
Our family had a wonderful vacation at Kona Onenalo - our only regret was that it was too short! This home was very comfortable for our family - it was very clean, beautifully furnished and decorated and so well-stocked with everything one could need - beach towels, coolers of all sizes, boogey boards, every kitchen appliance you could need, plenty of dishes, bath towels etc. We truly appreciated all the extras our hosts took the time to provide - there were even sandwich bags, foil etc which we used many times to make lunches on our excursions around the island. Personally I loved that we could jump into the bay in front of the house to snorkel or run to the pool for an early morning swim before breakfast. We were mostly the only ones there, and the gated community was very quiet and beautifully landscaped. My daughter loved all the beautiful flowers and my young son had the best time trying to catch the multi-colored geckos! My teenager's favorite was Magic Sands beach where he could walk on his own to boogey board with some of the locals. The views of the bay and beach from the master bedroom and lanais is beautiful, and will stay in our memories for a long time. Our vacation here was very special - we were able to really relax and spend quality time together, bonding as a family. We aim to keep that spirit of aloha alive even now that we're home! The owners of this property are very kind and professional and were easily accessible if we had any questions or problems. Our favorite activities were kayaking Captain Cook's bay (great snorkeling) , and going to Kiholo Bay and Makalawena Beach. Worth the hikes! One of our favorite little restaurants was Splashers Grill in Kona (great burgers and breakfasts!) and L&L BBQ for takeout. Scandinavian shaved ice was the hands down favorite with our kids - even the small shaved ice is huge, and the Kona Joy ice cream was my personal favorite. We would definitely recommend this property and would love to return for a longer stay. Our only wishes would be for A/C because it was often hot and humid, and for less street noise from Alii Drive which could be bothersome at night.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Great Rental
Guest: trey boss
(Columbia SC)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09
Review Submitted: 08/12/09
This is a great rental. If you are wanting to avoid the higher costs of staying at a resort is is the place for you. The western coast line of Kona is easily accessed north or south and is only 10-15 minutes away from the resort area.We do not have kids, which is the only reason that we would stay at the resort area(activities) We also were told of how expensive Hawaii was before we went. This is not the case in this area. While the resort areas will charge you a lot for their menu prices, food can be high. We visited the local grocery and found the prices to be maybe 10-20%(at most) higher than at home. Also going out to eat for dinner cost anywhere from 15-25 dollars, which is what we are also used to paying at home for a good dinner. The location of this home is in a close community of 12 homes with a shared pool. We only saw a few other guests all week. Most of the time we had the pool area to ourselves. Also the view from the master bedroom is awesome. You wake up to the coast line every morning. The home has two bedrooms upstairs with its own baths. There is a room off the living room with a pull out and a full bath downstairs. This third bedroom is out of the way of the traffic areas from the other two bedrooms and kitchen area. You would have to go around the wall(out of your way) to peer into this room, which gives anyone in that room some privacy. The gas grill works great on the patio as well as all other appliances. You don't need to worry that anything needed to cook or prepare food. Everything is there, including spices. You are also supplied with beach gear(coolers,body boards and mats) The gated feature is nice to have also. It gives you a little extra feeling of security because you will want to leave all windows and doors open while you hang out at the home.We did go in August so a/c is the only thing that would have been nice,(it was a little hot when we would get home-80 degrees) but it wasn't necessary.It would cool down overnight to mid seventies. There is a way to cool it down a little more by an exhaust fan that the owner told me about afterwards.(should have called him while I was there.) He is very easy to work with and is available for you to call anytime. We would definitely stay here again.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Absolutely Outstanding:The very best
Guest: Daniel Beau
(Michigan)
Date of Stay: 07/01/09
Review Submitted: 08/25/09
To Whom iit May Concern, We would like to say that this was truly one of the best rentals we could have ever hoped for. The place at Kona Onenalo was the perfect place to stay when visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. This house truly has all the amenities one could ever hope for. The property was very clean and also had all the supplies one could hope for. The kitchen was stocked with all the cookware you could want and had top end appliances for you to use as well. The owners were extremely helpful with any questions and made sure to contact us making sure everything was up to our expectations. They even provided a small list of local activities and restaurants that one may explore while staying in paradise. We would highly recommend the Kona Onenalo rental to anyone visiting the Big Island.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
2 weeks in Kona
Guest: junestay
(Los Alamos, NM, United States)
Date of Stay: 06/13/09
Review Submitted: 07/21/09
We spent two weeks in this property and had a wonderful time. With 3 bedrooms there was plenty of space for 6 of us (2 kids and 2 in-laws with ourselves). A great lanai with a gas grill, great kitchen, living and dining areas. The location was hard to beat (at the 4 mile marker on Alii Drive - this road does have traffic). Right on the ocean, with some excellent snorkeling right outside (though with a difficult entry - wear some water shoes). The owner was very responsive and easy to work with. On our second day there the microwave stopped working. The next day it was replaced by the local handyman. A nice extra was finding a bottle of champagne in the fridge upon arrival. We are considering making this a regular event and can highly recommend it.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Amenities Galore
Guest: shg
(Colorado)
Date of Stay: 03/11/09
Review Submitted: 03/21/09
Great property with tons of extras. Coolers, Boogie boards, Beach towels, and the best equipped kitchen we've ever seen. The kids loved the tidal pools right out the back door and the beach next door.
Recommended for:
Wonderful home and location
Guest: Boodles
(Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/29/08
Review Submitted: 01/26/09
This is a very lovely two-story home situated immediately adjacent to Magic/White Sands Beach. This home is one of twelve located within a gated community on the oceanside of Alli Drive and included everything our family of four (including two teens) needed for our week-long stay. The house is about 50 feet to the water, which can be accessed through a locked gate, and features two nice decks off the back of the home which are perfect for watching the ocean. While there is no sandy beach located within the bounds of this complex, Magic Sands beach which offers great body boarding/snorkeling/sunning is only a 90 second walk from the front door. The complex features a nice pool and sun deck that is built out on a rocky point and offers a great location to enjoy a Hawaiian sunset or a swim. The grounds are nicely maintained and have a feel more like a resort than a private residence or complex. Furnishings inside the home are beautiful and compliment the home nicely. The kitchen comes with all of the conveniences and appliances you would expect in a luxury home. The kitchen also featured a variety of essential items like cooking oil, condiments, and seasonings for those interested in eating in. Outside of the usual traffic noise from Alli Drive, the only sounds you'll hear come from the waves crashing against the shoreline. The home is situated about 4 miles from the town of Kailua-Kona and 1 mile from the Keauhou shopping Center and is well located for quick access to either. Dining and groceries are both convenient, as is golf or surfing. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend this home to families or couples looking for a wonderful vacation on the Big Island.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.