Kona Makai


Rates: $416 / night (avg.)
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Bed types: KKQX (sleeps 8)
Reviews: 5.00 (from 79 reviews)
The Kona Makai is an Ocean Front Complex located on famous Ali'i Drive just 1 mile south of the edge of historic Kona Village. Kona Makai has immaculately maintained Hawaiian native plants. Enjoy the wonderful ocean-front seating area with loungers, feel the ocean spray, and listen to the rolling waves. Watch the spinner dolphins traveling by most mornings and back again in the late afternoon. We've also seen whales and monk seals! Enjoy amazing sunsets and good conversation with your fellow travelers. The heated salt water pool and relaxing spa are steps from the ocean, along with gas grills and eating areas for dinner. This a quiet complex with tennis courts, exercise rooms, and ping-pong.

This is a 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Unit, with a loft and soaring open-beam ceilings. It is on the 3rd floor without an elevator. This spacious condo has been recently updated with stone counter tops, new kitchen cabinets, tile floors, both bathrooms redone, and new bedroom furniture in both bedrooms, and new mattresses on all beds. There is a dining set for six inside, along with a dining table and chairs on the lanai. There are TV’s in both bedrooms and the living room. The living room and master bedroom both feature 65" 4K smart TVs, with a 55" in the 2nd bedroom. Incredible ocean views from the lanai with access from the living room and the primary bedroom. There is a King Bed in the primary bedroom, which also has an ensuite bathroom, a Queen Bed in the second bedroom, a King Bed in the loft, and a queen-size cabinet bed located in the living room. It is fully equipped with a washer, dryer, towels, linens, dishes, and shopping bags for purchasing your groceries etc. Everything you need for a day at the beach is included: chairs, beach towels, a cooler, an umbrella, beach toys, and plastic dishes for use at the pool and beach.
This condo feels like home.

We have family that own the ground floor condo directly below us. If you are coming with a group and need another unit, please contact us to send you the information on that unit, so you can determine if the rental of both units are available for your stay.

There is an additional property damage protection plan available through VRBO
Registration Number: GE-156-858-9312-01, TA-156-858-9312-01

Kona Makai Reviews



Soumya V.
July 2024
My family of 6 (4 to 74) had a wonderful 2 week stay at this property. Great views, great amenities, very responsive and helpful hosts, great location (close to beaches, restaurants, shopping, groceries). Place had everything one would expect of their own property - EXTREMELY well stocked with pool/ beach/ games/stationery/books/guides and brochures/utensils everything. Even had wet bag to hold phone wallet in water. We were very sad to leave and would 100% stay here again.


Paul H.
June 2024
Location and property was incredible, our first time to Kona and this property made it extremely easy, nearly everything you need for the family and beach is already in the unit! Would definitely stay here again and recommend to anyone!


Mary D.
June 2024
We loved everything about our stay in Hawaii. The location of this property is perfect, our kids enjoyed the pool, we watched sunsets from lava rocks, check in and communication with the host was easy and quick. We would certainly return again!


Ashley H.
May 2024
Condo is perfect! The view is amazing from lanai, great location. Beds were comfortable and plenty of kitchen utensils for use.


Laura F.
April 2024
We had an amazing expirrince and time. Perfect location and amenities. Loved bbq by ocean for sunset. With gratitude Laura and family


Kathryn W.
April 2024
Great property, comfortable, beautiful location, extras were super helpful. Would stay here again for sure!


Nick M.
April 2024
We have stayed at a few different condos in Hawaii and this our favorite. The condo itself was updated, well stocked with supplies, and comfortably fit seven of us (3 of which were kids). The view from the 3rd floor lanai was something we enjoyed every night. The location was perfect too. Close to the shops and restaurants in Kona so it was a quick drive or sometimes we walked there (about a mile).


Jodi L V.
March 2024
Property was great. 2 weeks in a very well maintained complex and our accommodations were everything we needed. Our 2 bedromm was very well stocked woth a lot of extras that made the experience memorable. We will recommend to our friends and hopefully return with them.


Charyl C.
February 2024
Wonderful views, quite complex, fantastic location. We spent a wonderful 5 days at this beautiful condo. Stocked with everything you need and more. Can’t wait to go back


Alissa T.
February 2024
There were 6 adults and 2 children staying in this condo. It was so wonderfully neat and tidy (we especially appreciated this after the condo we stayed in in Maui days before). This condo had everything you needed for your stay, right down to some kids toys which my two girls were extremely happy about. Check in process was easy because clear instructions were sent. We enjoyed sitting on the lanai watching the ocean and the sunset. Even saw some whales! 100% recommend this condo. Location was also great!


Janis S.
January 2024
Our family of 6 had a wonderful stay, lots of room for everyone to sleep, the kitchen is well stocked for cooking and the kids loved the pool. Thank you!


Parker F.
December 2023
Great place. Comfy beds. Nice view. Great communication with owmers.


Kristin S.
October 2023
Loved the location! Nice to have a pool and hot tub to relax in at the end of the day. It’s right on the beach but it’s all lava rock. Still beautiful! Tap water tasted funny. Plan to buy water.


Laura O.
August 2023
Beautiful grounds. Loved watching sunset as the water crashed against the rocks each night. Good location for traversing west side. Appreciated owners recs for food and beaches. Unit itself a bit dated and upstairs warm as people have said. Cooked in and ate on the lanai pretty often. Picked it because it has three separate bedrooms which was nice for our family.


Erika L.
June 2023
Chad and Laurie were really helpful in providing detailed information about island beaches and favorite restaurants. They responded very quickly to my questions and were wonderful hosts. Instructions for arrival and departure were clear. The condo is in a great location for day-trips to Volcanoes National Park and to Hilo for the waterfalls and very close to Kona for restaurants and shops. Lots of beautiful beaches to choose from and great snorkeling nearby. A++ for location! The condo has a stunning view of the ocean splashing against the lava rocks below. A great grilling area, pool, hot tub, ping pong table and even a little lending library near the bar. The landscaping is beautiful and the area was very peaceful and quiet. The condo itself had very comfortable beds and all the amenities we needed, including beach towels, a cooler, pool noodles, boogie boards, beach umbrellas and some snorkle gear (and more). The kitchen was well kitted out, which was great because we ate in a lot and could just venture down the stairs for an amazing sunset after dinner. There are air conditioning units, but we mostly just left the doors open at night to catch the breeze and listen to the ocean waves. I think the loft space was a little warm because of that, but my son said he slept fine. Truly a a dream vacation - we would love to return some day! Would definitely stay here again if we had the chance! Thank you!


Frank H.
April 2023
We’ll appointed condo, great location


John A.
March 2023
Laurie and Chad communicated with us prior to our trip. They answered any questions we had right away. They gave great instructions from getting the key to where to park to unload the van. There was a book with detailed instructions/information on the table when you walk in. Definitely, read through it when you arrive, it has all the rules. Our family stayed five days on the Big Island before heading to Maui (we missed this condo at our new location). The condo was very well equipped with everything you may have needed. Especially, when you are coming from the mainland and unable to bring them. There were plenty of beach towels, chairs, and many other items to enjoy the beach. The condo was clean and nicely decorated. The grounds were well maintained and gorgeous. We saw whales and dolphins from the Lanai. We knew from reading other comments the air conditioning was loud. However, we weren’t prepared for how loud but that’s the only complaint. I would definitely recommend this condo to everyone. Also, it’s in a great location. Close to shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Mahalo, Laurie and Chad!!!


Jill B.
February 2023
We really enjoyed our stay! Everything was as described & clean. We travelled with our 3 children & my parents & there was enough room for everyone & we didn’t feel like we were squished. Loved being able to use the community grill for suppers! Enjoyed sitting in the deck chairs watching for whales & just relaxing & watching sunsets.


Cynthia A.
February 2023
We loved our stay. The condo is fully stocked and clean. Plenty of space for 2 adults and two adult sized teens.


Shane M.
January 2023
We enjoyed the stay more then expected, the unit itself is in a great location! It's close to the water, garbage cans and pool. Plus an amazing view and close to restaurant's. Highly recommend to anyone else and would stay here in the future.


Luanne B.
January 2023
Beautiful location, friendly and courteous people all around. Great views from the lanai and a short walk down to the pool and ocean.


Diane A.
December 2022
Nice enough and well located


Mike D.
December 2022
Property had everything you need to enjoy the island. Its location was perfect, not in the busiest areas but within walking distance of great shopping and beaches. Definitely can’t go wrong with this one!


Craig H.
November 2022
The property was perfect.


Jolanda S.
September 2022
The property was in a great location and the unit more than accommodated our needs! The washer and dryer took a while to wash even small loads, but everything else was awesome! The bummer was the pool was closed for renovations and we definitely could’ve used a pool! But, it all worked out! Would love to stay here again!


Kerry W.
September 2022
We enjoyed being so close to the beach! The views were amazing! And you can walk down to the shoreline very easily if you want to play in the water. It is located within walking distance of shopping and restaurants, which made it very convenient! The owners took great care of us, even after we checked out! I had left my phone in the room and didn't notice until we were already at the airport. Laurie found my phone and shipped it to me! I was so grateful! I highly recommend staying here if you plan on visiting Kona! Our vacation stay was truly magical!


Karen B.
August 2022
We had an amazing stay at this property. I wanted to be right on the water but within walking distance to the shops of Kona. The pictures posted here are just what to expect. We loved the chairs right by the water to watch the sunset and walk down on the rocks. Some people were fishing. We spent every morning on the lanai having coffee and reading and then having a beer at night. We slept with the windows open and the sounds of the waves put us to sleep. The kitchen was well stocked with essentials and the 2nd bedroom closet has all of your beach chairs, noodles, tennis rackets etc. Beach toys and a cooler are out on the patio by the main entrance. It was nice being on the top floor over looking the pool area, with a view of the ocean. We walked to the cafe down the road for coffee and smoothies. Entering and exiting the complex was easy and we almost always got a spot down near the condo. We even played tennis twice. The condo has family games, and books about the island. My go to was Big Island Revealed which helped me fine tune our plans. I would definitely stay here again. Thanks Chad and Laurie for a wonderful stay.


Donny S.
July 2022
Great property. Awesome views and sunsets. Condo had everything we needed and was very clean. The loft was great for extra space and vaulted ceilings. Feels very open. 100% recommended. Thank you.


Carrie C.
June 2022
Great location to explore the island and so close to Kona Village and shopping/restaurants. Large bedrooms with comfy beds, the updated kitchen, and relaxing pool area overlooking the ocean was a treat. Several nights we grilled and enjoyed our dinner watching the sunset We had 7 adults In our group - There’s plenty of beds but not a huge living area, adequate I would say. Just keep that in mind if you have a larger group. We enjoyed our stay at the Kona Makai very much. Chad and Laurie are wonderful hosts, super helpful and accomadating. Highly recommend their place!


Kyle M.
May 2022
Myself and five of my family members stayed in this property. It was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed! Minutes away from downtown Kona. A quick walk to the lava rocks to soak in the sunrise or sunset. I absolutely would recommend this property to anyone.


Deanna M.
April 2022
It was very nice, had everything we needed. More than a short walk to town, but not impossible. Loved the pool area. We had a great time.


Deb L.
April 2022
The condo was clean and had lots of amenities from spices for cooking to boogie boards and beach matts. We would definitely stay there again.


Kyle E.
March 2022
A very nice condo and good communication from the owners. Would certainly stay again on a return visit to the big island.


Sarah M.
March 2022
We had a wonderful time staying here and would definitely stay again! There was plenty of room with the two bedrooms and the loft area. Everything was very clean and well put together. The AC units in the rooms worked well to come things off and there were fans everywhere too. We had *everything* we could possibly need for our stay - beach gear, towels, guide books, games and activities for the kids (7 & 9yo), etc. The kitchen was well stocked which we really appreciated since we mostly stayed in to eat. Next time we come the kids want to play tennis. The pool has pretty strict rules (no floaties, games, snorkel gear, etc), which is common for this part of Hawaii but motivated my family to get to the beach more rather than stay and play in the pool. We did do some tide pooling st the rocks in front of the complex. Being within walking distance to the Green Flash cafe for morning coffee and smoothies was a perk. I would definitely recommend this place to family and friends!


Kamela M.
March 2022
Thank you great vacation great property


Rebecca S.
January 2022
We absolutely loved our time here for our 10-day stay in the Big Island. The hosts were so accommodating, from recommendations for the island to even providing us with a Christmas tree that we could set up for the holidays! It’s the perfect location - a beautiful 10-20 minute walk to town and you can watch the waves (and even see dolphins and whales!) from the outdoor seating area on the property. Couldn’t recommend enough! We can’t wait to come back here!


Eric J.
January 2022
This rental was perfect for our family. I ended up having emergency oral surgery the first day of our trip and wasn’t able to do much so the pool and hot tub were a vacation saver for me. Laying by the ocean and watching the spinner dolphins was awesome. The space itself is great for a larger family. The only thing that would make this place 100% is a rice cooker.


Oleg S.
December 2021
The location of the condo was amazing, 20 min walking distance from the Kona downtown. We had a great time overall, but the condo we got was a bit old, compared to our previous stays at other similar rentals. The appliances are old but usable, there's even a washer/dryer in the condo which was a great help. WIFI and TV were great, we were able to take zoom calls and work with no problems. The water/sewer system is probably the biggest complaint we would have but it seems to be the issue on the whole island. Overall it's a good option for your stay.


linda h.
October 2021
We had a lovely time at this condo. Beautiful ocean view from the balcony, super comfortable beds, well stocked kitchen, clean and great location for us. We were able to walk to town and then when the night was done walk back to our quiet condo. Would rent this condo again.


Tiffany R.
October 2021
We loved our stay at this condo. Has much of what you will need to enjoy your stay including lawn chairs, beach towels. They do need to put a door on the bathroom off the guest bedroom to make this work better for 7 people.


Christopher D.
October 2021
Needed an extra place to house ourselves and our wedding party. Was a great place to stay. Only issue was that the loft was really hot to sleep in so we did not get much use out of that. Otherwise this is great experience!


Kristy M.
August 2021
Great condo, they have everything you need. Thank you


Sean L.
August 2021
The amenities and view from this property were hard to beat if you're looking for a place to call home while staying on Kona.


Tim J.
August 2021
Loved the location. Loved the view. Condo is in great condition and was perfect for my family. It has everything you need for a great stay on the big island. Chad and Laurie were helpful and accommodating, going above and beyond.


Jennifer R.
August 2021
Our family of 5 had a very comfortable stay, and everything was as described. The location is perfect, we loved being able to watch the sunset everyday from the pool and hot tub area, waking out onto the lava rocks at the shore, playing ping pong at the cabana, sitting out on the balcony with an incredible view of the ocean, and there was plenty of space for all of us. The AC was nice and cold after a hot day out at the beach. The condo has great beach supplies- 4 beach towels, a boogie board (no working leash), beach chairs, snorkeling masks and fins, and an umbrella if needed. We had no issues with plumbing. (We were made aware that the system is somewhat fragile to anything but toilet paper. ) Overall, it was a great stay and awesome first trip to Hawaii :)


Terri K.
July 2021
I scoured all the reviews before our trip, so I wanted to be sure to list one for perspective renters. I am a mom to three kids between 5-9 and worried about all the rules and regulations pertaining to the pool area (no jumping in, no horse play (i.e., Marco Polo), etc.) but I must say, my kids did just fine and even met other kids to play with! We prepped the kids ahead of time so they knew the rules and bringing the pool noodles (which the owners assured me IS allowed, despite what the sign postings say) was sufficient for my kids. I had read that people glared at kids playing in the pool but we NEVER experienced that. My boys slept comfortably in the extra room and my daughter was happy to have the huge queen pull out bed in the living room all to herself. The kitchen is stocked with all the plates, cups and utensils you will need. I loved our master bedroom bed too. It was a very comfortable unit for our family, and it was fun calling it home while we were on the island. The owners were always quick to respond to any question I had before our trip. We had a slight issue at check in, but the owners were AMAZING and went out of their way to take care of us in a very timely manner. Highly satisfied with our rental choice. Mahalo to the owners!


Heidi G.
July 2021
We enjoyed our stay. It was well stocked with items needed for cooking and the beach. Only complaints, the loft area and living room sleeping areas are not for light sleepers. The common areas are very small.


Davor N.
June 2021
We wish we had booked more days. The condo itself was very clean, with a great location and a wonderful view. It had all the equipment you might need for a beach day or snorkelling activities. The kitchen is also very well equipped and super organized. Laurie and Chad were also very helpful from the second we booked. Thanks guys!


Karen v.
June 2021
We very much enjoyed staying at this property! We are a family of four, two adults and two teenagers. It was great having so much space for us all to spread out. The view from the lanai is a wonderful way to start your day as you have breakfast. Watching the sun set at the pool area is super relaxing. The kitchen is very well stocked and it's super convenient having the washer and dryer there as well. We can't wait to come back and stay here again!


Sandra H.
June 2021
This is definitely one of the best condos I've stayed in on vacation. There was plenty of room for our three-kid family. The kitchen was one of the best-appointed kitchens I've ever found in a rental -- colanders, citrus juicer, coffee grinder, blender, etc. We went with two older teens and a nine-year-old, and since the little one would prefer swimming to pretty much anything else, even in Hawaii, there was something for everyone. However, I wouldn't call this complex, Kona Makai, kid- or family-friendly. The strict rules are very adult-oriented, and more than once I caught my kid, who was just being a kid, getting dirty looks even when he was following the rules (no jumping, no diving, no hot tub use). So that's something to keep in mind if you have smaller kids who aren't the best at following rules despite parental involvement. It's an easy walk to town, though the street you have to walk on to get there is pretty busy. (It goes by a fantastic small beach that's perfect for watching surfers.) We didn't manage to make it to the Green Flash coffee shop, an easy 5-minute walk, until our last day, because we were always awake way too early to wait for its 7 am opening to have our coffee, but the French Toast egg sandwich was worth waiting for. Tiny niggling points about the condo: the dishwasher will fall open loudly if you don't make sure to push it all the way in every time you close it, so just remember to do that. Also, the main bedroom has a bathroom inside it, but there is no door to the actual bathroom. My husband and I accidentally walked in on each other way too much. It's the only part of the condo we genuinely did not like. In sum, this was a fantastic place to stay, and I'd recommend the complex highly to anyone without small kids.


Tiffany V.
June 2021
Excellent condo in the perfect location! It was very well stocked and our family fit comfortably in it. The loft was a huge plus and gave us ample room. The views from the lanai are breathtaking. Close to town and the perfect location to see lots that the island has to offer. Our only regret is we wish we had more time here. Hope to be back soon.


Diane H.
August 2018
Robert is super nice and helpful. The unit was very comfortable, great view and they had everything we needed. Thank you!


Jan P.
August 2018
The location of this condo was perfect. It was close to everything almost like your in the boardwalk. There’s a excellent coffee shop nearby recommended by the condo owner. Love the pool and hot spa over looking the ocean! The entire place is clean including the unit we stayed in with a minor bathroom (tub shower) drain problem. We’re a family of 6 people and the unit has enough space. The kitchen and loft were a plus. I recommend this property.


Colleen M.
August 2018
I loved this condo! I was prepared to move in. ;) The view from the lanai is perfect. We ate all our meals on the lanai when we ate at the condo. I saw dolphins twice. Everything is very clean, beds are comfortable and there was plenty of space for our family of 5. We never had a problem with parking close and the condo even has carts available for your use (very helpful). We used the pool, ping pong table, workout room and grill area - all are well maintained and very clean. The location is very central to activities all along the coastline. I highly recommend it!


Mark H.
July 2018
The place has an awesome view, the location is great, and the pool are was clean and the water was warm. The location of the condo is perfect. Short .75 mile walk to downtown where there were shops, restaurants and even a Luau! The place has a large belcony, the inside was clean and very well laid out. We enjoyed the stay and would consider a return visit if it was available.


suzy s.
June 2018
We were impressed with this condo and would stay here again. The owner was very responsive, although there was almost nothing to complain about. The view from the balcony was outstanding and not just the ocean! The grounds are fabulous, with flowers everywhere. It was like being in a botanical garden. My two goals for visiting the big island were to snorkel and see the volcano park. Unfortunately Mount Kilauea did not cooperate and left a dark haze over the town most days, but that still left the snorkeling. We tested the waters just outside the condo on the first day and I saw plenty of beautiful fish, including an eel, parrotfish, butterfly fish, tangs, Moorish Idols and a trumpetfish. It's tricky getting into the water (not impossible), and you have to plan your path carefully through the lava rocks to avoid a possible fall. Don't assume your good balance will keep you safe - just be very careful so you don't break your arm like I did the first day. If I went back I would snorkel there again, but I'd be more careful. Later that week my family saw a spotted eagle ray there. The town itself has tons of shopping and restaurants, even a Walmart just a few minutes from the condo. If the weather is hazy, you can drive north about 45 minutes and see clear skies and water. The condo had a nice selection of books and there are even more by the ping pong table and sauna near the pool. The three TV's were nice although we didn't find an HD signal until we set up the Rokus we brought with us. I'd recommend bringing something similar if you like to watch movies at night in HD. My kids enjoyed playing tennis and there was never a problem finding a parking lot. The kitchen was well stocked and there were some spices in the cabinet, which is always a plus. Despite my mishap, I rate this condo five stars without reservations. The owner has clearly put a lot of thought into making it a comfortable and lovely vacation home. It's a great value and we enjoyed our stay immensely.


Angela C.
June 2018
We loved the location of the condo and loved the condo in general. The grounds are amazing, so lovely to wake up every morning to birds chirping waves crashing true bliss. It was really cool to walk out on the rocks in the evening to watch the sunsets!!! We loved our experience on The Big Island in general and couldn’t have been happier with our experience at The Kona Makai. Mahalo!


Leon Z.
May 2018
This is our first time on this island. The weather is very comfortable for rest. Chest and warm water is excellent for swimming. We are well tanned and lost excess weight. Actively passed all the days. In our apartment there is a lot of equipment for swimming and sports. The kitchen has everything for cooking. In each room there is a new big TV. Everywhere there are air conditioners and fans. From the balcony a wonderful view of the huge ocean. On the beach there is a barbecue area for dinner. We enjoyed singing birds every morning.


Sherry L.
May 2018
Can’t say enough about our time on the Big Island in Kona at the Kona Makai condo. It had everything! Extra beach towels, snorkel gear, pillows galore, plenty of the kitchen hardware (I like to cook, ya even on vacation) everything to make any meal you wanted. With great views. If you like to snorkel, and you don’t need a sandy beach to enter the water, (which that terrain does not lend itself to good snorkeling since there are no reefs to speak of if you have beaches) the waters out front of the condos have some of the best snorkeling we have experienced on the island. Guess that explains the snorkel / dive boats that you see out front every morning… The Grills (BBQ’s) were meticulously maintained by the maintenance staff and hot!, No baking your steak….. Even at dinner time I never waited to do my cooking. Pool was clean and the hot tub was hot but not too hot. The place even has a ping pong table in the cabana area. It was never crowded in the communal areas, pool, grills, waterfront etc, there was never a search for a pool chair. The appliances in the condo were all new, washer and dryer, big TV in the living room, TV’s in the bed rooms, everything worked without a hitch. REALLY GLAD WE DISCOVERED THIS PLACE AND WE ARE ALREADY PLANNING OUR NEXT VACA!!!! Check it out you will not be disappointed, I guarantee it.. Stan & Sherry Lund


Patrice B.
March 2018
Our 3rd time staying in this unit and would stay here again! About a ten minute walk into town and within a 30-45 minute drive to both the north and south to great beaches. The sleeping arrangements include two comfortable bedrooms, a sleeping loft with twin beds, and an amazing pull out unit in the living room, which all worked great with different people coming and going. Comfortable lanai with ocean view. The owner was visiting while we were here and was very attentive to us upon arrival. The unit has beach chairs, snorkle gear, and boogie boards so we had everything we needed for the beach. Perfect!


Laura M.
March 2018
Enjoyed being within minutes of Downtown Kona, but far away enough that there wasn't crowds of people. The ocean views and location can't be beat. I will say the floors were filthy when we arrived, but outside of that this place was spotless. It's well stocked and felt like home. The only other problem we had was the power being out for an entire day of our stay, while they switched the power over to solar panels. No cooking, unable to charge my phone and food was getting warm in the fridge by the time the power came back on. We would have been pretty understanding had we been made aware prior to our stay, it was the lack of communication that kind of annoyed us. Regardless, as a whole our stay was fantastic. Thanks.

Note: Vacancy calendar is approximate. Visit the owner/manager's reservation site to verify your dates.

Related Vacation Rentals
Travel Tip - Car Rentals
Discount Hawaii Car Rental often has the lowest car rental rates in Hawaii. There's no deposit, no booking fees, and you can cancel at anytime.