Aston Kona by the Sea

Super value

The condo was large, clean, and comfortable. All the necessities were there. The view of the Pacific with the Kona sunsets was breathtaking. Although the beach was not swimmable, it was enjoyable to watch the surf, dolphins, and sea turtles frolic.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

You need a car to get into town.

will be back in Dec 2009

excellent area and hotel resort.

Loved it!

Beautiful room, very comfortable with the ocean crashing just below our lanai. It’s just a short drive into downtown Kona and there is a small marketplace just across the street. You can also pick up a shuttle at the marketplace to take you to Kona or back the other way south.

Traveler's tip on dining

We had dinner at a small place in Kona called Rapanui Island Cafe, it was wonderful. The food was the best we had on our visit. It’s a very small place set back from the street in a quiet corner. We highly recommend it!

Great ocean view hotel

2009 Aug/09, 2 BDR - 3 adults & 3 kids -Impressed on the ocean view but the kitchen utensils were old and worn out. I found it difficult to make most meals. Washrooms were small but had all the amenities. Expedia staff was located at front reception which was helpful. Hotel reception gave an average welcome. Pool was great overlooking the ocean. Overall the place was clean and did offer excellent views of the ocean. If you want a relaxing place with ocean views, pool and clean accommodation this is a great place and location ... expect 3 stars for this hotel for the money it’s worth it.

Can’t wait to go back

Conventiently located close to Kona shopping area and market place, and to several small beaches good for water sports and snorkel. Interiors well mantained and nicely decorated, with well equiped kitchen (ask for suite 220, it is great!). Beds were very comfortable, and got good service(including vacuuming the carpet several times/week). All condos have a view to the ocean (we fall asleep and woke up in the sound of the waves - beutiful!).

Traveler's tip on dining

Get tropical fruits at the farmers market in Kona. Papaya’s were our favourites with pancakes in the morning. Drive through West and North coast in teh Kohala district, the scenery is dramatic, and changes from bare lava fields to lush forests. Dine at Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery in little town of Hawi (great local food and atmosphere).

The condo was up and beyond our expectations. Pool, Ocean view/sounds peaceful. Will go back.

Beautiful condo with all the trimings for making meals if needed. The bedroom, bathrooms and layout outstanding. Terrific ocean view with a nice balacony. Nice size pool and jacuzzi. Staff was very pleasant. Quite atmosphere. Short drive to beaches to swim and snorkel. Hapuna best beach for swimming - about 30 miles north. Costo/Walmart nearby for grocery shopping.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Be sure to drive to Hapuna State Beach, 30 miles north for the best sandy beach and gentle surf. Also nearby beaches for snorkeling. Take the Fairwind Snorkel Cruise Trip great crew and experience, worth the money. Try the "Shave Ice" at the Kailua-Kona waterfront near the ABC Store. The small size is enough for 2 - 3 average persons. We drove over to Hilo to experience the night glimpse of the lava falling into the ocean. night -

comfortable and convenient

Stayed for a week with family of 5. Excellent 2-bedroom condo with amazing ocean front view. The kitchen was clean and well-equipped. The beds and furniture tasteful and comfortable. The outdoor grill was cleaned daily by staff, so one of the great perks was being to grill the fresh local fish every night while enjoying a beer next to the water (sea turtles swam right up to the small cove at the hotel!) Location was also terrific. Close enough to downtown Kailua, esp. the superb farmers’ market at the intersection of Alii and Henry St., but also far enough for peace and quiet.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Local secret--best local fish at best prices found at the local Costco! Same thing for local fare like lau-laus and Kailua pork by the bucket. Best snorkeling expedition offered by Seaquest Rafting company. Small crafts take you into some great sea-caves aside from the snorkeling destination at Captain Cook’s monument. Highly recommend the horseback ride into Waipio Valley. The Waipio on Horseback outfit is a good choice (they do not advise as much)

Best Value for the money

7/10/09 I just returned from the trip and felt compelled to write my opinion. Everything was top notch during my stay. Absolutely fabulous frontdesk staff with a combination of professional and typical folsky hawaiian style. very genuine and simple. Loved the new kitchen and laundry appliances. Great location for avid snorklers. 2 great beaches within ten mile radius for snorkling. One thing, if you want privacy then pay the extra for a beachfront condo as others are not as private. I m sure one can find more lavish and stylish places to stay on the island, but the value here cannot be matched if you are not picky on little things and don’t care about being pampered as you would on expensive resorts. If you want a nice clean place with a great view and awesome location, and of course good service then this is it. Things that may bother some, but not me are 1. Coffee is complimentry on your 1st day only, so just go to Walmart and buy a great local Kona to brew for the rest of the days. 2. Toilet is slow to flush for some reason, BUT it does it’s job. 3. The mattress on our bed was just ok for comfort, but then again when have we experienced a tempur-pedic type comfort in a hotel. 4. Internet connection is not free. I paid $40 for one week. you can get it for $10 a day if you’re staying for less than 4 days. I m a frequent traveler, and this place get’s an A+ for the value, location and friendliness.

Great place to take the family

We recently stayed at the Kona by the Sea and had a great time. It is a great place for a family. The views from the lanai were fantastic. We loved listening to the waves crashing all night long. The rooms were very clean and spacious. The grounds were kept immaculate and the gardens were spectacular. I would recommend this place again, especially for families who want to be away from the party scene. The hotel is within a mile from a great snorkeling beach and 1/2 hour from some great sandy beaches for boogie boarding.

Best to buy your food at Walmart or the brand new Target. The Safeway in town is expensive but is the only place to purchase meat.

Peaceful and relaxing

Clean, quiet, & all the comforts of home. The room was extremely clean, the appliances & electronic were fairly new and all worked, and the view was awesome. Four of us stayed in a 2 bedroom unit for 8 days. It was large enough that we could all have our own space yet could all be together very comfortably. Swim at the pool or lounge on the sand by the ocean but a good beach is down the road. The only negative was they were remodeling the unit next door, so for a couple of days it was noisy during the daytime, but we were out mostly anyway.

Save gas and parking headaches - take the shuttle that runs from a marketplace across the street to the shopping and restaurants on the Kona "strip" about a mile and a half up the road

It was beautiful!! We can’t wait to go back!

My family and I really enjoyed our stay at the Aston Kona by the Sea. The room was extremely clean and nice. The view from our lanai was beautiful. The hotel staff were very nice and helpful. Hopefully, we will be returning one day, and we are definately planning on staying here again! Aloha!!

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

I wish I would have known ahead of time how much time we would have needed while we were on vacation. I wold definately suggest staying for two weeks, to be able to get everything in!

Relaxing

Very pleasant place to stay. Away from town enough to avoid the tourist feel, but close enough to drop in to shop and walk the town. The AC was out in our room, so the staff immediately moved us to another room (actually gave us a choice of several rooms). The gas barbeques were used frequently in the evening as the sun is setting. The grounds (and barbeques) were cleaned every morning.

Traveler's tip on shopping

There’s a good outdoor style shopping/market across the street and south a block.

I would never recommend this hotel to anyone else

The hotel was very noisy. The hotel was under construction. Around our room (210) were 4 rooms rebuilt and the noise was unbearable. The workers started to polish tile and hammer nails every day early and finished late in the afternoon. The manangement did not do anything for us to make our trip pleasant. During night time we were constantly disturbed by the neighbors from room 211 and again the hotel staff did not care about us. I would never recommend this hotel to anyone. Everyone from the hotel concierge was rude with us and impolite.

Traveler's tip

Do not stay at Kona Resort Quest (former Kona Aston by Sea).

Beautiful view!

We rented an oceanfront and the view was spectacular. I hestitated about renting an oceanfront because of a previous experience with oceanfront trade winds but the winds do not get too high here. Not a swimming beach at all. The shorline is lava but beautiful. Close to shopping in Kona but out of the Kona party scene. Only complaint- the electricity in the units is low voltage. We could only run the microwave for 2 minutes before it shut off and then would restart about 5 minutes later. If using the micro in the kitchen is important to you then you might want to try somewhere else. I would definitely return! Aloha!

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Huggos restaurant has THE BEST filet mignon you have EVER eaten. Don’t miss it!

Great Value for the Money

Wonderful ocean view.

Would stay there again

Our two bedroom unit was right on the water and very comfortable for the 5 of us. Small sandy beach area and pool were nice. Boogie boarders were out every day though we did not go in the ocean there.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

Hiking in the volcano park and snorkeling at the Place of Refuge were highlights for us.

Very comfortable Nice location

Rented just as a day hotel awaiting flight back to mainland. Was an excellent choice.

A great plce to stay

The hotel/condo was perfect for our needs. It was spacious, clean and had everything needed for a trouble free vacation. Loved the washer and dryer in the room as well as the full beautifully appointed kitchen. Kona by the sea was 1&1/2 miles away from all the bustle of the downtown area, but close enough to restaurants, etc. The staff was especially helpful. We were even given a free room after check out because our plane didn’t leave till 10 pm. This was definately above and beyond.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Stop off at Costco (near the airport) to buy food for your stay. The kitchen has everything (blender, microwave, toaster, garbage disposal, etc.) Since the restaurants are fairly expensive, it saved lots to have a few meals at "home." The dining area was spacious and the views from the lanai were better than most restaurants. Stop off at the information center and get money saving coupons for local restaurants for additional savings.

Perfect hangout

Extremely well kept building and grounds. Gorgeous view of the ocean and waves breaking on the lava. We left the lanai doors open at night and could hear the waves breaking even though our bedroom was on the opposite side of the building. Great pool as well as a rare private sand beach with lawn furniture. There were even surfers there every day we were (unexpected bonus). Easy parking under the building as well as easy access to Kailua-Kona eateries and shops. Everything you need is in the kitchen except food.

Cute hotel with great views

The hotel was located slightly away from the popular tourist area and offered amazing views of the ocean from our suite. The suite was large and homely with a kitchen and flat screen TV. The lanai was essentially overlooking the ocean, and you could hear the sounds of the waves pounding the shore all night long. Would definitely visit again.

Great Location! Great Value!

ResortQuest Kona By the Sea offers a very relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the Kona Coast. We were very pleased with the location (not too close, not too far from everything). Our 2 bedroom condo was very spacious and had everything we needed. We would definately stay there again!

Will be back!!

Very nice

Beautiful view!

What a treat, best place we stayed on our trip. Very satisfied!!

Kids enjoy their stay at the hotel.

Staff where very helpful with information as far as places to go and things to do as well.

Traveler's tip on shopping

ABC and Walmart store best place for your shopping for littel items you would like to pick up.

Oceanfront comfort

The main asset of this hotel is location. We had a north/south facing room on the ocean. We enjoyed coffee on the lanai watching and listening to the ocean, and could enjoy the lanai any time of day. It’s 2 miles from Kona, far enough to be away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to get there in a few minutes. It’s also across the street from a great farmer’s market for excellent, cheap, local produce. The unit is very spacious and comfortable. It had been renovated. My one complaint is that the front bedroom/bathroom is not very private when others are in the living room.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

The better restaurants are in out-of-the way places, such as Kenichi’s in a ho-hum strip mall at the south end of Alii Drive. Farmer’s markets are best for souvenirs and local produce. There are free hula shows around town so there’s no need to spend big bucks for a luau, which are phony and can cost $90!