More about Castle Kona Reef
Rave reviews for Kona Reef and D-12
by A TripAdvisor Member
We recently visited the big island of Hawaii where we had the good fortune to stay at the Kona Reef unit D-12 in Kona, Hawaii. Our intitial contact with the owners was like visiting with old friends. Their beautiful condo is everything they represent and more. They provide easy directions to the condo, a great restaurant guide and suggestions on excursions worth taking. The condo is in a private, secure area with a breathtaking view of the ocean both day and night - also close to the lovely pool area. The accomodations are absolutely wonderful and at a very reasonable price. It is located within walking distance of the downtown shopping area of Kona and a number of very good restaurants. It was great to travel all over the island and be able to come back "home" each day to cocktails on the lanai and the gorgeous Hawaiian sunset. We give the Kona Reef D-12 and its owners 5 stars.
We really like the Kona Reef
by TripAdvisor Member KonaOceanfrontCondo
My wife and I have stayed at the Kona Reef at least once a year for the last 10 years or so. We like the location -- a romantic walk along the waterfront takes us to restaurants, shopping, etc. We also like the complex itself. It's not a luxury resort but it's very clean and comfortable and when we're there, we feel like we're "home". There's plenty of room to spread out in the condos and we like having a kitchen. The pool is really nice and I always barbecue a steak or fish a few times on the gas grills. We've stayed in a number of the units at the Kona Reef but have always preferred condos in buildings A and D, which are the oceanfront buildings. Those condos are about 30 feet from the ocean. When we sit out on "our" lanai with our drinks, listening to the waves, and watching the sunset, it's hard to imagine another place we'd rather be. It's always hard to get back on the plane to go home. We've rented condos at the Kona Reef through Sunquest Vacations and that was fine. A couple of years ago, we discovered that we could save some money by renting directly from the owners of the same unit we were renting from Sunquest so that's what we've done the last few visits. We stay in condo D-3 which we rent from KonaOceanfrontCondo. They give us a 10% discount over what Sunquest charges and in the summer and fall, the prices are even less (when we were there in May, it was $121/night). The condo is right on the ocean and has nice furnishings plus a lot of extras like beach towels, coolers, beach chairs, etc. I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for a relaxing vacation.
Just returned from Kona Reef
by TripAdvisor Member goldiep
Just returned from 9 day vacation at Kona Reef. The good: We were in unit D13,a beautiful ocean view. The condo. was well furnished with a full kitchen, a queen bed in bedroom area,a sleeper sofa in livingroom.The owners had it nicely furnished,and even provided boogie boards for use.You are walking distance into downtown Kona.
The bad: There is an overhead fan in this unit's bedroom but air cond. is in livingroom.Was OK for us but don't think I'd chance it in the summer.The unit could be a little loud sometimes,you are pretty close to the "main drag" of traffic.Of course,some of the noise was from our neighbors,that can happen anywhere. Overpriced.We paid $199 per night plus their considerable tax.I imagine,though, that this was a "rack rate" as we were using up some frequent flyer miles to purchase the room. Have heard you can get cheaper rates through Sunquest Vacations.
Most of the partial ocean views looked pretty good to me and they are cheaper.Don't get the garden view,some of those look out on the shack next door.
Would I stay again? Only if I could get a better rate and it was not summertime.
Like the Reef
by TripAdvisor Member funtrav07
We've stayed at the Kona Reef several times-- have rented through Sunquest, where the rates are a little better. but there is no maid service, and you need to get the key from their office. We really like the Reef. The units for the most part are good. Some need to be updated. They are clean and well stocked. Would recommend ocean front, just for the views. Watching the surfers and the parasailers. The location is great--you can walk into town easily. The pool area is very nice. Will definitely go back.
Showing Its Age
by TripAdvisor Member ScottLisa
We are budget travelers, so are used to less than 5-star lodging. The Kona Reef has a great location within walking distance of town and south to other beach options. Our room was a "Superior" Beach Front (forget number, corner next to pool) had dryrot, drywall patches, and was very dated. Maybe it was room-specific, but the complex appeared to be past its prime in general. OK for us...a place to sleep, but if you are looking for a room to be proud of go to one of the premiere resorts.
Very Average
by A TripAdvisor Member
Dear Travelers:
We stayed in this condo-like place for five days, the extra money paid for an ocean view was a limited view but we did get a view of a run down home next to the building. The air conditioner went out, the stove was so old the burners didn't all work. There is no air conditioning in the bedroom.
The place was out of the 1970's, but if you like popcorn ceilings you will
enjoy this place. Also, if you like ants and bugs you will have a great time.
I suggest the Hilton at Waikalua, it is worth the extra drive of 15 miles away. This Kona Reef place is worth about $50.00 a day, if you pay more you just waisted your money.
DON'T go here ESPECIALLY UNIT B-34.
I didn't want to leave
by A TripAdvisor Member
We spent a week at the Kona Reef. It was too short a time. We loved the resort. The location was perfect. You can walk to all the tourist places in town yet the location was out of the main co-motion. The traffic in town was awful so walking the two blocks is faster than taking a car. People were parking at the resort to walk to the nightclubs on friday night because it was the closest parking. We only paid $110 per night for a beautiful condo. Everything was very new. Very clean. We usually stay at Marriott Vacation clubs. This unit was as nice as those but not as big. The view was spectacular. The waves were about 60 feet from our lanai. The sunset directly in front of us every night. It was unit C23 that we rented thru the owners at Konareefcondos. The owner is a great guy, full of helpful information and even invited us to his coffee farm. He wasn't even there, but his farm manager treated us like long lost relatives. He gave us a tour and a big bag of tropical fruit and flowers from the farm. Next time we are going to stay longer.
A Good Stay
by TripAdvisor Member Tom88
Stayed the week of April 17, 2005. Got a good deal thur SunTrips. We had unit B-6. Ground Floor, toward the Ocean end of the building. Could see the Ocean, thur the trees and around the corner, BUT we didn't pay for or care about the ocean view. I prefer to go outside to the Ocean or the pool. The unit did overlook "the Shack next door", but hey. Read a lot of reviews and was still a bit worried about this place. I wanted CLEAN and SAFE. The unit was clean and a nice location. It had a bit of a smell when we arrived, like a new paint smell, maybe. Turned the AC and both ceiling fans on and within a couple of hours the smell was not noticeable. The AC is at the opposite end of the condo from the bedroom. But with the 2 ceiling fans on it was very comfortable. The maid service lacked a bit. Made the bed, clean towels and empty the trash was about it. But for a condo and what we paid I didn't expect much more. Kitchen had everything we needed. Washer/Dyer is so nice with swim suits and stuff. The Reef is about a 1/4 from the end of the "downtown strip". Nice walking distance, since there is not much parking there. Plenty of parking at the Reef, 2 garages (Shaded in nice) and some outside. No beach at the Kona Reef, but about 50 yards South is a sandy beach. A walk over some boulders. Nothing great but it is a sandy beach. WalMart and Safeway are probably about a mile away. Costco is about 5 miles or so, half way between the condo and the airport. Costco gas was cheaper in Kona than at Costco in California !!! Pool was nice, a bit on the small size, but never crowded. Nice lawn area between the pool and the ocean, with lounges. Noise was not a problem, but we were away from the street.
All in all and good value. I would not hesitate to go back.
Tom
Forum Posts
Picking a condo
by HeidiBB
Hi my family (2 adults, 2 kids) will be on the Big Island in July. We'd like to avoid big resorts but want to stay in a condo that is possibly within walking distance to a beach. We've been looking on the web and have found it difficult to distinguish one place from the next. Does anyone have any info on the Keauhou Resort? Not the big Outrigger or Sheraton Resorts, but the smaller one with condos. Also is not having a/c a problem in July? We're staying at a nice B&B in Hilo but would like a little more beach time in a condo later in our week. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks Heidi
RE: Picking a condo
by Tom3331
Just stayed at the Kona Reef. I had read some reviews of it. Mostly good. The unit be had B-6 was very nice. Mostly very clean, which is what I was afraid of more than anything. Maid service lacked a bit. Made the bed, clean towels, empty the trash was about it. But hey it a condo, not the Ritz. No street noise, but we were toward the water. AC was at the patio end of the unit, opposite the bedroom. But had the 2 ceiling fan going, and did not have any troubles. Pool is small, but it was never crowded. Nice lawn area between the pool and the ocean. No beach. But about 40 yards South, over some rocks was a beach. Nothing special, but a sand beach. Good location for walking to town. Plenty of (free) parking.
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