We stayed at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and spa in Kailua-Kona for 4 nights during our honeymoon. It is VERY difficult to find while in a rental car, we were lost for about an hour. Not to mention about one in every 3 street names start with a K. All the hotels in this vicinity are pretty much hidden. We finally got there and parked (9 bucks a day-self parking-for guests!!!-BUT this is a pretty common practice in Hawaii)
The resort is very big, it is literally on a bay-no not on a beach-and there is a very nice open air lobby/reception desk on the 2nd floor with lounge chairs. When we checked in, our room was a nice size, though the décor was nothing to write home about. The beds were soft as promised, and the bath products were from Bliss, though not the light blue bottles we are all familiar with, these were called shine-I suspect a cheaper label of Bliss. The Lanai was very nice and spacious, we had a mountain view room, the views were absolutely amazing. We ate breakfast out there many mornings. The bathroom was mediocre, but the vanity area was nice.
When we arrived, we were given a certificate for a complementary bottle of champagne to celebrate our honeymoon, and we were able to get it on the night of our choosing. They delivered it in a very nice bucket with a card, and it was also a nice big bottle!
The front desk/concierge were very helpful in giving us driving directions and advice on activities.
The pool was huge and very nice, there was also a waterfall in one part of the pool, a hot tub (that was almost always being used) and a large loopy waterslide that children and adults alike both enjoyed. Also a beautiful garden on the grounds. The restaurants in the hotel were lacking, only one expensive restaurant and another informal dining spot. Ali’I drive, where all the shops and restaurants are, is a pretty long drive from the hotel…well, basically everything is! There was a decent though pricey coffee spot, but they have excellent 100% kona coffee.
There is a “manta ray experience” that the hotel advertises. It is a free manta ray viewing for anyone-just go out onto the deck of the bay and watch at a certain time everyday. What a crock of BS…everyone gathers outside to watch…the area where you are supposed to try and see a manta ray is about 100 yards away, and the waves break against the rocks and splashed a lot of onlookers.
Most of the rooms have outdoor entry, it is a little confusing with all the different wings, and the hotel is circular. This is not a place to go if you want to *totally* get away from children, as they are very accommodating to families, even have a “keiki” play area with games.
We went to the luau there, called Kamaha`o, guests do not receive any special discount, we pre-ordered ours online. Please note the luau is only on certain nights of the week. We arrived with our e-tickets and the check in process was a little off, they wanted to send us back upstairs to check in there, but then the woman ran it up for us. After we were “checked in” we were greeted with shell leis, they are the same for men and women, the people who paid for table service had the nicer kukui nut beads. Since we did not pay for table service, we just got up with our plates as you would in any buffet and grabbed food. The main entrée was kalua pig-which was roasted in an imu (underground oven). There was also chicken long rice (not bad), taro rolls (delicious), lau lau (pork wrapped in spinach wrapped in ti leaves-not for me!), teriyaki beef(mediocre), white rice (same as anywhere else), a couple of different fish dishes and poi (taro root ground up-this is not meant to be eaten as pudding how it looks, but as an accompaniment to the salty pig and beef, I thought it wasn’t bad, though many disagree and say it tastes like paste). The highlight of the food portion was the free mai tais-unlimited-and they were very good! There was also coffee and dessert. Not great, but not bad either.
Then there was the show portion, which was very entertaining. The whole thing takes place on the lawn, you are seated in tables with other guests (though my husband and I got lucky since we said we did not mind sitting in the back, and got a table to ourselves). There were ancient Hawaiian “stories” of the volcano goddess Pele, told through hula dancing, fire torches, flame throwing and singing. After the show the performers will stop to take pictures with everyone.
However, one thing no one (surprisingly) mentioned is that if you go to the open air lobby and hang out in the lounge chairs, you can basically watch and hear the whole show for free! I would have rather done that and ate somewhere else..I could have bought my own shell beads in ABC for 4 bucks.
There are a few shops in the resort, though nothing major. There is a mini mall nearby.
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Volcanoes national park- (Kiluea volcano) is about 96 miles away going towards Hilo. Head out early, you may not think so but you can spend all day there..and driving back at night with no street lights is not fun.
While there make sure you to to Devastation Forest.
Volcano house restaurant snack bar is way overrated, very pricey and not much selection, only good thing is the view of the caldera, but it is hard to get a window seat anyhow.
Rangers will take you on free guided tours, check the visitor center for times
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is very beautiful
Akaka falls is near the Botanical garden, one of the tallest waterfalls-the best one I have seen in Big Island, Maui and Oahu combined
Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is a very short drive, has awesome hiking trails through black lava rock, warrior tikis, trees, a stone fort, a very nice history of ancient Hawaii, only charge is a nominal fee per car.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach (on the way to volcano) is just breath-taking. Black Sand! Honus basking in the sun!
Punalu'u Bake shop (the southermost bakery in the US) is a must stop before the beach and volcano, they make great Malasadas there..don't ask..just try 'em!
The drive to Ali'i drive is def. worth it...many restaurants to choose from, many on the water-great if you miss the "city" feeling.
DO NOT eat in Kona Inn restaurant. There was a huge flying roach and the one waitress just said "oh-what happened?- oh that..and walked away..she did not even try to kill it! We complained to someone else who said Hawaii has a lot of roaches, thats fine but I am in a restaurant. Not to mention there were cats coming up to us also.
You have to try 100% Kona coffee!-no after taste!
Mcdonalds has the old school apple pies that havent been available since the 80's..you know the ones in the red pouch that are fried and bubbly...2 for $1..can't beat it. Oh and they also serve spam for breakfast.
Gas is cheapest at Costco
Hapuna beach is a very beautiful beach--voted best beach by Conde Nast Traveler
Do not rent your car from Thrifty..we had to exchange our car TWICE ...they are filled with roaches.
- This TripAdvisor Member:
- Liked — The pool was spacious, right on the bay, water slide, food/drinks available, accomodating staff, large resort
- Disliked — The so called "manta ray experience"--you do not see anything, hot tub uaully taken, a far drive from pretty much anything
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