AC - Resort Amenities - Comfortable & Spacious- Vrkcv

The grounds are lovely, with ocean views, a golf course, plenty for kids to do, and a mostly quiet feel. The staff were helpful and quick about our housekeeping requests. The resort’s location is great, too. Our room, though, was in very poor shape. The shower tiles were old and stained, and green mold was visible inside the glass and in the grout. The living room carpet was torn and shredded, and the whole unit felt outdated. The restaurant was expensive and the food wasn’t very good. Paying by card or charging it to the room cost even more, so bring cash. We booked through Shell Vacation Club as a timeshare trade and confirmed we needed two king rooms for two couples. On arrival, we learned the second room had twin beds, so my husband and I slept separately all week. There was also a daily extra charge for AC. So much for a romantic week in Hawaii.

The resort is in a handy spot, right across from a shopping center with a good grocery store and a Longs, and only a few minutes from downtown shops. Staff were friendly and responsive, and Todd, the concierge, arranged a Sunset Dinner Cruise for us. The boat was very choppy that night, and about a quarter of the passengers were getting sick, but the food, entertainment, and history lesson were superb. We also took a Whole Island Tour with Wasabi tours the next day. Justin was our guide for all 12 hours, and he was knowledgeable and funny. The Luau at the Royal Kona Resort was lovely, with beautiful shoreline scenery, excellent food, and the best Kahlua pork I've had. The resort restaurant was delicious too. We had burgers, coconut shrimp, and tacos, and loved our waitress, who’s a Raider fan. The drinks were great, and you have to try a Frankenstein. The one odd moment was the offsite timeshare presentation. The vibe felt very weird and unwelcoming when we walked in. Still, I wouldn’t hesitate to return. And we didn’t see a single roach.

This feels like a resort set among flowers, not just a hotel, and we even got to see the SuperMoon. From the hot tub and pool there’s a beautiful ocean view, and the property is next to a separate golf course. Our unit was clean and had plenty of dishes and other supplies. We bought food at a local store and saved money by eating some meals on the big private balcony. They clean the outdoor grill every day, and there’s private security. Streaming and A/C were available for a small extra cost.

I switched my last-minute plans from Hilo to stay here, and I’m really glad I did. The condo was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and we had a king bed in the one bedroom plus two bathrooms. Parking was free and there was no extra resort fee. It’s close to everything, too. After the horrible, smelly ocean room at Hilton Waikōloa Village, we were so relieved to finally sleep well.