Fairway Villas D5 at the Waikoloa Beach Resort

The beach was a highlight: soft sand, a clear entry without rocks or sea urchins, and coral and stones in the water that made snorkeling possible. A few palms offer shade, too. The villas are right by some petroglyphs, and a short drive gets you to stargazing spots or Foodland Farms for groceries and poke. The shopping and food plaza is walkable, though the beach is a longer walk. The location is amazing.

I’ve stayed here a few times, and it’s a clean, friendly place with a great BBQ area and a nice endless pool, though the pool isn’t very big. The shops are close by, and the price was great. It’s an older community with strict quiet rules, so it was hard to keep whispering all the time, even with adult children. Kids aren’t allowed in the hot tub, and I wouldn’t call it child friendly. A solid three-star stay.

The shampoo and body wash smelled delicious, and I liked knowing their purchase supported a good cause. We spent a week with friends in a well-equipped villa. I did wish the kitchen had a few more utensils and some plastic containers, which would have made packing picnic lunches much easier.

We needed to extend our stay, and South Kohala Mgmt was very helpful. The condo made that easy: it’s spacious and comfortable, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a loft with a bed and bureau, central AC, and good furnishings. It’s on the third floor, but there’s an elevator. We had to use a visitor parking stall, with the closest spots beside building M next door. For our golf trip, this N34 unit at Fairway Villas was perfect. The Queen's Marketplace and Kings Shops are close, with restaurants, stores, and Island Gourmet Markets for prepared food, gifts, liquor, and more. We’ll be back. A condo is much nicer and more accommodating than a hotel room.