Fabulous Resort & Spa
by A TripAdvisor Member
I read all the reviews but I must agreed with the reviewer of Kailua-Kona: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa: "The New Sheraton Keauhou is a Winner" Date: November 27, 2004
Reviewer: A TripAdvisor Member, San Francisco, CA
I have enjoyed many stays at the Sheraton, Maui, HI. And I must say that this resort is exceptional, especially the pool side, lava rocks and the flipping dolphins. It's one pool with a deep and long S shape that connects children to adult, with one of the kind manmade sand beach. It has one big water slide (yes, I went on it many times and had a lot of fun) and a small one for children. The children's daycare center is an elaborate one with enough toys and tv stations to entertain them while you're close by at the pool enjoying a cocktail. The oceanviews are grand with historic lava rocks flew right on to the ocean. Like the above viewer, we were upgraded to an ocean view without asking due to their "soft grand opening". Everyday, we enjoyed the performance of about 50 dolphins swimming across our room, flipping up high. They loved to surround the kiyakers nearby. We also watched the magnificent Manta Rays. How close can you get to see these beautiful creatures right in front of your room?
The restaurant Kai Dinner Menu just got rated one ot the best food on the Island right now. It was actually recommended to us by the locals. Try Mahi Tuna or Opak. They're delicious. Steak is also excellent. They had great California wine, including Silver Oak.
My husband and I definitely will be coming back to see the grand opening of Crystal Blue Cocktail lounge with extensive wine and cocktail drinks.
We loved staying here!!
by TripAdvisor Member bwh29
Granted they are still completing construction on the pavement of the hallways, the stores and they haven't started the manta ray evening observation experience, but we just spent 10 days including Christmas and New Years at this resort and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We have 2 daughters ages 14 and 20. They were able to play tennis by renting equiptment for a nominal fee and they have a wonderful basketball court so my youngest who is on her high school team could practice her shots with her dad coaching her. He really liked that! They also have a pool table and the girls tried out their skills. The pool is great and if you have kids they will love the slide. There is also a "beach area" of the pool with sand that the tots can play in. The rooms were very spacious and even though we were upgraded to ocean front, it seems like all the rooms had a fairly nice view. We made use of the good size refrigerator in our room. Also it was so nice to have coin laundry available in the hotel. No problem doing the wash for my family. We only tried the breakfast at the restaurant, but it was quite good. The food at the Manta Ray grill was fine for lunch, large portions and ejoyed the smoothies. I also want to mention the evening entertainment with the guitar duet playing every evening with the music being wonderfully enhanced by the acoustics of the outside atrium-like pool and waterfall. Our family loves to snorkel so we loved having Kahalu'u Beach Park. the best snorkel beach area, only a few minutes away from the resort. This beach is known for being able to see turtles that have made they're home here and the reef area is absolutely teeming with a variety of sea life. We even saw a whale surfacing and diving just standing on the beach area.
I feel we stayed long enough to really evaluate this resort. I can say that with the location being central to the Alii road stores and restaurants, the Volcano National Park and to the Kohala area that we were very happy with the ambiance, staff and facility of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa.
Outrigger canoes, and canoe clubs
by danmcf
The outrigger canoe is the traditional boat of Hawai'i and is still quite popular. On the shores of Hilo bay you find many canoe club 'sheds' full of various length canoes. You'll also find a few on the Kona side too.
Kona resident and fellow VTer, enigma58, was kind enough to let me take her one person canoe out on Keauhou Bay. As you can see from the picture, the canoe fits her better than me (I'm a bit wider than the canoe).
Thanks for the hospitality, Rasa!
Loved our stay!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We recently returned from a 10-day stay (November 30 - December 10th, 2004) at the Sheraton Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay in Kona, Hawaii. We absolutely loved the place! After enjoying a fabulous 10 days at the Sheraton, we could not wait to share our experiences with family and friends --- especially with those with whom we had shared our initial concerns regarding a negative review we read on-line prior to our trip!!
Yes, there were still some construction in progress (the hotel had a 'soft opening' because complete construction was targeted for spring 2005). We noted that construction was mainly confined to the ballrooms, business convention center, some parts of the spa area, and one of the guest wings. These areas were away from the completed guest wings. Contrary to our concerns prior to our arrival at the hotel, we did not find the construction work in these areas to affect or disrupt our trip at all!!
We found the resort absolutely beautiful! It sat on a hill, adjacent to the Keauhou Bay and overlooked the ocean. The resort grounds were lush and beautifully landscaped, with a stone walkway along the ocean side that guests could walked and enjoyed the great views. The hotel was great for us adults to relax and had activities to keep children occupied and happy, either at the pool or in the game room. We especially enjoyed relaxing by one of the 2 enormous pools. One pool had a huge water slide and the other pool had a nice waterfall. There was a small, sandy 'beach' section at one end of the pool with some water sprinklers that children seemed to love running through. There were also 2 hot tubs by the pool. Due to skin reactions with prolong sunlight exposure, we were pleased to see plenty of shady spots around the poolside. The hotel also has special 'shaded' chairs guests could reserve if they preferred.
Besides relaxing, swimming, and playing water volleyball in the pool, we loved relaxing in our clean, comfortable room or sitting out on our lanai (balcony outside our room). We used the lanai each morning and evening to simply listen to ocean waves or just enjoyed the beautiful views of Keauhou Bay.
The resort had a great gym. We loved ocean views while working out. We scheduled our gym times before dinner so we could watch the sunsets! We were impressed with the gym's modern equipments (treadmills, bikes, nautilus machines, etc.) and it was opened 24 hours a day so we could work out anytime. There were also individual TV screens and headsets which we used while working out instead of looking up at the large overhead screens.
We ate at 2 restaurants at the Sheraton resort. We liked the casual, convenient Manta Ray poolside restaurant, especially for light meals such as their mixed greens salads with shrimp, chicken, or steak kabobs! For dinners, we enjoyed steaks and seafood at the Kai restaurant. It also had great desserts!
Although we loved the pools, we like beaches. We had a rental car so we drove to several beaches during our trip. However, guest could take a shuttle bus to the nearest beaches (5 minutes from the hotel); or renta a car or take buses to one of many beaches a bit further north from the hotel. We tended not to like shopping while on vacation, but shopping centers and plenty of restaurants were only a few minutes' drive from the hotel.
We truly loved our experiences at the Sheraton! We look forward to staying there again in our future trips to the Big Island. We highly recommend the Sheraton Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay in Kona!
The place is a mess
by TripAdvisor Member bigislandkelly
the Sheraton Keahou is a JOKE! It is not at all ready for travelers to start occupying rooms. The food is bad, hotel is noisy because it is still in a state of construction. I recommend going a little more north to the Kohala Coast on the Big Island.
Fantastic place, nice and quite, a great deal, warm staff
by TripAdvisor Member bills_pix
Our family of 4 stayed there from Dec 18 to 24 and had a fantastic time. The only noise was from the waves crashing into the cliff. We heard NO construction noise at all and we were around the hotel for most of the day on a few of the days.
The staff was very warm and helpful and upgraded us to a full ocean view for $240 per night with the 5th night free. We could have paid more (and did at the Princeville) but this hotel was great. The pool was quiet and the views were great.
I can't understand people compaining about the construction noise and dust. The hotel felt fresh and the decor is beautiful.
My only complaint was the staff was a bit too cautious in not letting me get closer to the sea to photograph the waves hitting the cliff face. This is a beautiful and quite location and if we are on the big island again we will likely return. Thanks for a great relaxing time.
A Wonderful Christmas
by A TripAdvisor Member
We followed the reviews from Oct 04 until we left on Christmas Eve for our stay at the Sheraton and must admit we were a little apprehensive ...... there was no need to worry!! The hotel met all our expectations save a little snafu over the Christmas dinner arrangements. The staff were outstanding and always anxious to please. The room was clean and had a fabulous view ... the waves at night were spellbinding! We would rate the hotel at a 3+ star currently and can see them making a 4 .... we doubt a 5!
There is some evidence of remodeling and repairs yet to be done, however, none of these impaired our stay! We were sad to leave on New Years Day but can definately see a return to here in the future.
Enjoyable stay
by A TripAdvisor Member
Just got back from a five stay and found the early horror stories to have no basis in reality now. I am a Starwood Preferred member and was upgraded from a partial oceaview room to a deluxe oceanfront room on check-in and got a late checkout when requested because of our late flight. The staff was courteous and helpful. There was no heavy construction equipment visible and we never heard any construction noise although some work still needed to be done. However, this was confined to a few areas and was almost not visible when walking the grounds. My wife and I stayed here some years ago when this was the Kona Surf and Sheraton has done a good job of restoration and construction. Our room had a great view and was decorated well in typical Sheraton fashion, not quite on the level of a St. Regis, but still good. We didn't eat here so can't render an opinion about the food. However, we've stayed at other hotels on the Big Island and like the location of the Sheraton. It's a beautiful area, close to town, golf nearby, with a shopping center a short drive away. We will definitely be back.
Forum Posts
Travel tips
by Elguapo1980
My fiancé and I will be spending our honeymoon in Kailua-Kona.. we will be traveling from Denver, CO to Kailu-Kona, and checking in at the Sheraton Bay and Resort. What's the best way to get around? Does anyone know if this resort has a shuttle service to the city?
Is there a local willing to rent us their vehicle for a couple of days?
Thanks for all of your replies
RE: Travel tips
by travelgourmet
Aloha, On the Big Island, a car is almost a necessity. The Resort does have car rental facilities on the property. They do not have a beach, but a great pool. City? Hilo is the only real city, in my opinion and that's on the other side of the Island. The Bay Resort is also about 7 miles from the town of Kailua-Kona. Aloha oe.
RE: Travel tips
by Konasun
I think you are staying at the Shearaton Keauhou Bay Resort. It is a beautiful place. You definately should rent a car but if you can't there is a shuttle called the Alii Shuttle that goes back and forth between Keauhou and Kailua-Kona. It travels along the coastline road called Alii drive. It is about 6 miles or so. If you are limited to this mode of transportation, some suggestions would be a snorkel cruise on the Fair Winds that departs from the bay in front of your hotel. Mabey a round of golf at the Kona Country club just a short walk from your hotel. Go snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park via the shuttle(lots of colerful fish). Take a surfing lesson at Kahaluu beach park. Body surf at White Sands Beach , or relax in the shade via shuttle. There are many ocean front restaurants and fun shops in downtown Kailua-Kona via shuttle. You can also night snorkel or scuba dive with giant manta rays right in front of your hotel. Check with your hotel for a good dive/snorkel company. People that have done this activity say it is a once in a lifetime experience. Have fun!
RE: Travel tips
by Pinkykitty
We're going to rent a car while in Kona because all the Hawaiian guides I've read, suggest renting a car in the big island. You get to know more places and at your own pace. Thrifty and Dollar are the cheapest at least until the end of june. $13 a day, taxes and fees not included.
RE: RE: Travel tips
by Elguapo1980
Thanks for your help and tips
RE: RE: Travel tips
by Elguapo1980
Thanks for all your tips
RE: RE: Travel tips
by Elguapo1980
Thanks for all your tips
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