Kona Seaside

We slept really well, even though the hotel sits right in the busy Kona tourist area. It's an older refurbished boutique-style place, quiet and comfortable, with a nice vibe and some thoughtful modern updates to the grounds. There aren't many amenities, but the climate control is easy to adjust, and there's a large-screen TV. The bathroom is older in style but nicely upgraded, and I happen to like having a shower in the tub. I thought it was a bit pricey for this kind of hotel, though the stay was decent.

There are plenty of good places to eat, a convenience store, and beach access within a five-minute walk, at least for someone who walks slowly. My room didn't face the ocean, but the trees and city view was still lovely. The hotel itself is nice, the front desk staff were kind, and I'm glad they explained that cleaning isn't daily. I haven't run out of towels, so I haven't needed to request a cleaning, though that's an option. The toilet is pretty low, so I kind of fall onto it each time since I'm not used to that. There's a mini fridge but no microwave, and the clothesline in our room didn't work. Parking costs an extra $20 per day, and there's little public parking nearby because you can't park there from around 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The staff are great, with friendly, helpful people at the front desk and maids who are pleasant and do a good job. The location is nice, close to the shore, and the rooms are big enough for several guests. Every room has a balcony and a nice view. The bathrooms are nice too, though they don't have any locking mechanism.

The worst part was parking: the spaces are tight, cramped, limited, and paid, though someone was always around to help. A medium or large vehicle could make it stressful, and these were the tightest spots of our trip. The street noise is hard to avoid, but lots of places are within walking distance. This locally owned hotel has a Hawaiian charm, and the staff were some of the friendliest and most accommodating we met on the trip. There's laundry, but it costs money and is only available until 8 p.m. Rooms have fridges but no microwaves; there's one in the shared guest room downstairs. Otherwise, we had a great stay and would come back. I'd recommend it for solo travelers, couples, or friends.