Kona Islander Inn Hotel

We've used the Islander a number of times. There are three different types of rooms depending on how well individual owners have refurbished and maintained them. We had to ask to be moved to a better room because the first one we were allocated was tired and rough. The second room was great. If you want value for money, right by the ocean, in the centre of Kona, you can't beat this!

The grounds and staff out standing. But there's always a but. The rooms are individual condos that are rented out through the front. So there are amazing rooms and then there's some that just don't cut it. Be aware and let them know if it's not up to snuff.

I rarely write a review. I am content with very basic motels when all I need is a roof and a bed and am easily satisfied, so was not expecting much from Kona Islander Inn. Beware of what you are getting into- the place looks decent from the outside, but my room (Molokai 232) did not qualify as even close to acceptable. I was reluctant to touch anything. The room was old, outdated, in disrepair, not clean, ants, etc.... it needed to be gutted and redone from top to bottom. Upon arrival I found that this is supposedly a condo-hotel, or something like that, apparently with no consistency among the rooms. I guess I got the room that was meant for a skid-row residence hotel. If you are driving a car, note that there is not even close to enough parking capacity on site for the number of units. I will never return to this place... I'd rather park by the beach and sleep in my car. Sorry for the poor review... the place has potential with a massive remodel of the interior.

Given that the name of the place includes Hotel and Inn (albeit only on the Billboards outside) I expected to have at least some basic room service. Boy I was wrong! Upon arrival we were given a piece of paper with code required to enter the room. Entering a shabby looking room, in the dim light I read the instructions stating that no room service is provided except for a NOMINAL FEE. NOMINAL FEE turned out to be $15 for changing linen only. Forget about cleaning room and changing towels. Well I think if you planning a vacation - you don't expect to do a lot of housekeeping while vacationing? Description stated that room had a kitchenette. This happened to be in between entrance and bathroom. The microwave was not working properly (front panel was falling out), but after 3 request to change it (which we were assured will be done promptly) we gave up on it. Internet is available only at hotel's lobby and is at the price. Parking available but in short supply which due to lack of public transportation is regrettable. Hotel's beach (which mentioned briefly but left unseen on the web-site's video) is nothing more than access to shoreline full of volcanic rocks but with plenty of backpacker hanging around. Bottom line - if you looking for a decent place to spend your vacation - look elsewhere

Well lets start with the fact that it is right on Alii drive overlooking the ocean and has a beautiful garden! One of the best outdoors I have seen at a hotel. Then we saw the room!!!! WOWZA! I have stayed in many hotels and this room was by far the funkiest. The floor and curtains were GROSS. The kitchenette had no stovetop and the dishes provided were mostly dirty. The bed sheets were the wrong size and didn't seem to have been cleaned. When we asked for new sheets, a small surfer girl behind the desk said "Its kind of like your home away from home, and the laundry room is around the corner" UMMM?? Ok....What that meant was, wash your own stuff, and don't expect any help from us. The good news is it was Hawaii, so we spent all our time outside, and this cheap hotel offered us a spot right in beautiful kailua town.

the first night we arrived it was arround 10:30. no one was there to assist us, very bad service they did not had me registered on the computer so i had to wait for another 45 minutes. The room was very duty, and so old, the carpet the bathoom the shower, everything. next day when we came back, they were so unorganized becouse they had to give us another room and they took our things. it was totally a disaster.

The hotel and staff are great, but it started off as a nightmare. [...] tried to stick my family of five in a tiny condo with one double bed and one twin bed, regardless of the number of people the room was reserved for. Thankfully, the girl behind the counter had a larger unit with two queen beds available. [...]Nonetheless, the hotel is in a prime location. It's right at the edge of the heart of Kailua-Kona and there is a farmer's market right next door that runs from Wed-Sun. The only problem I really think needs to be corrected is the parking situation. There isn't enough parking to accomodate all of the guests. If you can't find a space in the parking lot or on the street, you'll have to pay to park in the garage across the street. Fortunately, I grew up in Kailua-Kona so I could leave my car at my friends' and family's houses.

We didn't stay much at the hotel, we just went to shower, sleep, and not much more. We had two different rooms, one was perfect, the other had an empty bottle remaining from the previous person and the shower was barely working. There's no internet in the room, which was not a big deal for me. The location is perfect to go out for dinner and very easy to find once in town.

The experience started very poorly when we checked in after hours (about 9pm) and there were no staff present. The security guard gave us our key and we went to our room. The trash was full in a bag sitting near the front of the room, the sheets were completely off the bed, a few cockroaches were running about the room. Suffice it to say the room had not been cleaned and was not ready for us. Not a good start to a honeymoon. Luckily one other room was vacant and the trash was actually removed and the sheets on the bed. The place looked somewhat run-down, but was adequate to meet basic needs. The TV remote didn't work and there were occasional cockroaches. The grill out by the pool was actually excellent, but most else was mediocre to poor. Not the place for a honeymoon - somewhere with a cleaner look and maid service would have been much prefered (in hindsight). This might be the ideal place, however, for someone looking for a cheap deal and doesn't care if things are poorly maintained.

First of all, this is not a regular hotel. Each unit is privately owned and therefore is decorated and kept up differently than other units. So it is hit and miss whether you might get a great room or a worn out rom. The owners pay a maintanance fee which keeps the unit cleaned but they are all different. So the room we had was very worn out with bugs in the bathroom. Even though we were there for two days, we did not have any maid service in our room until it was checkout time and then they were standing at our door ready to clean. If you are looking for "color" this is the place for you at its affordable price and great location. Just bring your flipflops for the shower and bug spray to arm yourself for bathroom trips and you'll be fine.