Aston Kona by the Sea

Stayed here for 5 nights. Fantastic pool and spa. Beautiful ocean views. Rooms spacious, not too fancy but kitchen had lots of gadgets. Rock clambering out the front was lots of fun and hearing the waves crash lulled us to sleep.

The overall hotel is excellent. They have maintained exterior hotel really well. The service that was provided was awesome. The resort itself is four star. Coming to the room. The room # 222 is really horrible. The bathrooms have mold. The carpet is outdated and smells. The room has odor that we can’t get rid of and we had to sleep with open windows. The mattress and furniture is really outdated and makes noise that we couldn’t able to sleep all nights. The TV isn’t working as expected. The dishwasher is also old and we really had a hard time turning it on. When we checked in there were hanging used bath towels in both bathrooms. We expected 4 star room. This does not feel like 4 star at all.

Detailed review of our experience in June 2025: Pros: The property has a convenient location—close to central Kona and a few good beaches. The pool is nice. The unit we stayed in was spacious, making it well-suited for families or small groups. It included a full kitchen and two bathrooms, which added flexibility. Being right on the ocean was a major highlight; the sound of the waves at night created a very relaxing atmosphere that we enjoyed. Cons: The facilities are noticeably dated. Carpets, furniture, and bathrooms show signs of wear and would benefit from renovation. The biggest issue for us was that the front desk experience felt rushed and impersonal; the check-in process was quick but lacked any sense of warmth or welcome. A few times, we encountered personnel in hallways or around the pool area, and none acknowledged us with a simple “hello” or “good morning.” While not a major issue, this contributed to an overall impression of indifference and really poor hospitality. On the venues, we also spotted what looked like a used underwear or swimming suit (picture) which felt pretty gross. Not sure how/why/what that was. Housekeeping is offered only for stays of several nights. In our case, this was conveyed bluntly during check-in. Overall, the price feels steep relative to the value offered. With taxes and fees, an ocean-facing unit can cost $400–$500 per night. When we come back to Kona we will definitely not stay here again. All in all not terrible, but I wouldn’t recommend it.