Kristina

Hi-

I'm looking for advice and/or personal recommendations on a vacation rental on the Big Island of Hawaii.
I've just spent hours combing through all the various rental sites on the web and frankly, I'm overwhelmed with choice.
We're looking for something small (just for my husband and I) and right on the ocean or with a great ocean view. I'd like to keep the price under $150 a night.
Help! I don't even know where to start!

circa2

There are many to choose from. But Carol has served me well:
www.dreamhawaii.com

fdecarlo

Where on the Big Island?

How long are you staying?

What time of year are you going?

There are some decent condo choices in Kailua-Kona and Keauhou in that price range, or maybe just over it. In Kailua-Kona I'd recommend the Kanaloa at Kona or Kona Makai. Both are right on the ocean, although neither one has a white sand beach.

Kristina

Thanks!
Sorry, I forgot to mention we want to go at the end of August (yes, last minute).
A lot of the rental sites have cottages which seem to appeal to me more than a condo.
Also, I have no idea of which part of the island to stay. Recommendations?

tucsonartist

I may be wrong but I can't imagine getting a great ocean view for under $150/night. Especially at Kanaloa. I love Kanaloa and highly recommend it, but it's not budget. Especially on short notice and in the summer.

pdxgirl

Condos at Hale Kona Kai rent in that price range. They are individually owned so do a Google search and you will find several listings. They are one-bedroom units and all are ocean front with great views. Hale Kona Kai is in Kailua-Kona and is walking distance to town. I don't know if you'll find anything available on such short notice, however. Good luck.

iamq

A few years ago we were planning to go to the BI (never made it that year) and I remember finding several cottage/house rentals in an area on the Kohala coast called Puako. Try that maybe.

2sweets

Hi Kristina,
We just got back last night from the Big Island-we had a wonderful stay at this condo http://www.vrbo.com/24562.
It looks like from the calendar, there are openings at the end of August. Let me know if you have any questions.
Laurie

Meesthare

Have a look at www.konaweb.com. It might be helpful.

Kristina

Thanks 2sweets, I was looking for specific recommendations. Unfortunately, they aren't available when I need it.

pdxgirl

This unit appears to meet your needs and it looks like it is available at the end of August:

http://www.e-pix.com/hawaiioceanfront/

Kristina

pdxgirl-
Thanks for that link. That condo look perfect, just what we want!
Unfortunately, I emailed and it's already booked for our dates.

pdxgirl

That's too bad, Kristina. I wonder why the guy bothers to put an "availability calendar" on his site if he doesn't keep it up to date. His calendar shows the last two weeks of August open. I think the website says he can put you in touch with other owners of condos at that complex. Did you ask if there were other units at Hale Kona Kai available?

Kristina

Pdxgirl-
Actually, I heard from the woman who owns it. She was very nice, said she had some last minute bookings and hadn't updated the calendar. She did make some other suggestions.
I have found another unit available in the same complex and it looks nice too. It's south facing, on the 4th floor.
Have you stayed there? What did you think?

pdxgirl

Yes, we stayed there in 2003, in a unit on the third floor, above the pool. I think it's a great little complex. Close enough to walk to town (which is a real advantage because parking can be ridiculous at times in Kona), great ocean views, and a nice pool that rarely had anyone in it. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

The complex is older and nothing fancy, but the price and location can't be beat.

fdecarlo

It's not mentioned in the ad, but the Kona Kai sits immediately adjacent to the Royal Kona Resort. The lagoon shown in the ad belongs to the RKR, not the Kona Kai.

Also, depending on your unit location, you may get noise from the luaus the Royal Kona has three times a week. I know after three weeks, we were ready to punch large holes in those "Drums of Polynesiaaaaa".

montyw

We are looking for a condo in the same price range also - We have always stayed in Waikoloa or Kealakekua areas on our other trips - this time we want to stay close to town but still have Ocean Front -

We need dates Dec 16-23 the HIGH season...any more ideas anyone?

Spokaneman

The web site VRBO, vacation rentals by owner, is a great place to start. There are so many Condo's you get a bit weary looking at them all. Most have excellent pictures and descriptions. Like all things though, be a little be skeptical. The Condo where we regularly stay was closed for renovation this summer so we stayed in the Kona Bali Kai because we want close to the ocean. Well, close it was, but the facility was really tired and run down. The Condo itself was fair. You couldn't tell from the owners pictures.

A place I may try next time is the Keahou surf and racquet club. The units looked nice ( I walked through the area) and really close to the ocean. Its a bit far from Kailua Kona, but as long as you have a car 3 mile or five miles is irrelevant.

The place we usually stay Aston's Kona By the Sea is very nice, but > $150/night.

pdxgirl

I think the complex next door to the Hale Kona Kai is called Kona Reef. It also has ocean front units and is walking distance to town.

fdecarlo is right about the lagoon. Also, when we were there in January, the lagoon was inaccessible anyway because of high surf. The luau noise is only a problem for the corner units. We could not hear it from our condo on the pool side of the complex.

fdecarlo

Monty: Kona Reef and Kona Makai are my two usual recommendations for something close to town. Both are nice complexes, but as with all privately owned condos, furnishings and upkeep do vary between individual units. If an owner or rental agent isn't willing to give you independent references, that should raise a red flag.