Kailua Kona – Lodging with a Personal Touch
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When I first wrote to the Kona Hula Girl owners to learn more about their rental property on the Big Island of Hawaii, the owners said, “I do want you to be aware that this is not a traditional hotel in any way”. They clearly knew exactly what to say to me to get me interested!
They went on to explain that the rooms are ‘open air’ with no glass windows but only screens instead. It gives it a light beachy feeling. Their goal is to make it feel like a “home away from home”.
It was easy to make the Kona Hula Girl feel like home since it was their home that you were staying in. Dean and Sherri live there on the upper floors, and they built and custom-designed the home themselves; Dean is in construction, so this was his chance to build a dream home/guest house. Since they lived in the house on the upper floors, they took meticulous care of it and were always floating around somewhere, coming and going.
I got along with Dean and Sherri immediately; they were from the Midwest and northwest of the mainland and had lived in Kailua since 2003 and clearly loved it there. I love it when a room is more than simply a place to stay, and instead it’s a place where you feel welcome and taken care of.
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A Great Location
The Kona Hula Girl Vacation Rentals are located in Kailua Kona and were very easy to find. There was plenty of parking available around the house, and if you didn’t have a car, it was central enough, and it was an easy walk down to the main shops and restaurants of Kailua.
It took me about 15 minutes to walk down to the shore in Kailua-Kona town, where it was bustling with activity of coffee vendors, farmers’ markets, and cafes. However, I preferred the Hula Girl location because it was off the main tourist trail and a bit more secluded from all of the tourist shops.
Since the rooms have partial kitchen facilities, you could walk to the store (another 15 to 20 min walk) and get supplies. I will say, though, I think I was the only person staying there who didn’t have a car, which meant that there were very few people walking to the store and the beach; I was the minority!
Dean and Sherri would occasionally see me and offer me rides if they were coming or going, but I enjoyed the walk in the perfect 80-degree weather. I wanted to soak all of the lovely sunshine in!
There was a shuttle that ran through Kailua Kona, but I have to admit, it was very slow, and I found that I could walk places quicker than the shuttle could transport me.
Rooms and Amenities
There are four rooms to rent, and each room is different. I stayed in the smallest room called Hualalai, and it was perfect for my short-term solo stay. One whole wall was screen windows with pretty white shutters to keep privacy. The room had wifi, a kitchen sink, a small fridge, a microwave, and a few minimal place settings and glasses. Perfect for snacks and drinks.
I went to the store and bought a variety of poke and a bottle of wine, and I was set for the night! It was easy to eat breakfast there in the morning with a few items from the grocery store, so it was a nice way to save money.
The other rooms were the same feel, but different designs. Two of them had bay screen windows and high ceilings, which let in tons of light. Plus, the Garden Room had a patio and an outdoor shower. The house had laundry facilities, beach chairs, boogie boards, and supplies that any guests could use. However, my favorite amenities were the patio and grill that were available for all to use.
One very special amenity listed on their information sheet was that Dean would come and remove geckos for you! In this climate, geckos are normal, but many tourists get a little freaked out by the cute, bug-eating creatures. I loved the fact that you had a personal gecko remover if needed! I prefer to keep my geckos around, but to each his own!
Atmosphere
Open, cheery, and helpful is what comes to mind regarding my stay at Kona Hula Girl. I met some couples who were staying at the Hula Girl for a few months at a time; they were repeat customers, which is a great indication of how well Dean and Sherri take care of the house and provide a great experience.
Would I recommend it?
For anyone making a stop in Kailua Kona, I would definitely recommend the Kona Hula Girl. I feel that it provides a more personal and homey touch than hotels, and it’s a great place for longer stays since it has the kitchen and laundry amenities. The on-site owners are a big plus and add to the atmosphere of the place. It would be a great place to stay for a week (cheaper than hotels), rent a car, and be able to explore the southern part of the island or the Kohala coast’s gorgeous beaches.
Read More About Hawaii’s Big Island
Disclosure: Kona Hula Girl hosted my stay. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own – as you know how I love to speak my mind!
Hey Sherri,
The place looks quite cozy.
We stayed in a place similar to your in Molokai. Our advice: Visit, don’t stay in Molokai. But anyways,those geckos. We remember lying in bed at night watching one climb the ceiling. A welcoming little friends as there are so many bugs in Hawaii. A small price that comes along with hot, lush, gorgeous weather.
Open air rooms in Hawaii – awesome! That must have been so relaxing.
Yes – I loved the screens and no windows design!
Are they toddler friendly do you know? I’m looking at different types of accommodation and finding quite a few “Oh no, no kids for us!”
I’m not exactly sure. I didn’t see any kids while I was there – but I would guess that was just a matter of timing. They are single room units with one bed though – so that may be a bit difficult. My best advice is to simply contact them and ask – they are really wonderful people and if they don’t take toddlers – they can probably let you know who in Kailua Kona does! Good luck!
Hey Sherry,
Kailua Kona looks so warm and welcoming, I like the fact that they try and make it feel like a home away from home. I always think it’s great to enjoy the true feel of any location you visit.