Just returned from a week stay here with our toddler

The good-
*Nice sized 1-bedroom condo.
*Full kitchen
*Great leeward weather in Kona
*Quiet - no sounds but for the Monday night luau music at adjacent hotel
*Supplies replenished at front desk include coffee, soap, shampoo, dish detergent, salt/pepper
*Friendly staff

The bad-
*Not on the beach - nearest beach 5-10 minutes up Ali'i drive - Barking Sands
good beaches are 25+ minutes north (best are 50 minutes north)
*No baby pools for toddlers
*Our condo 20-133 had issues -microwave & oven hood would turn off intermittently, tub drain sometimes would not close for a bath.
*Mattress was TERRIBLE - very old with two body indentations. It was one of the worst mattresses I've used at quality accommodations (I used to travel extensively for business.)
*Took two different requests by different front desk staff to attempt to address mattress issue. I think they just made up the bed after the 2nd request - so I slept on the bad sleeper sofa mattress the rest of the trip.
*You can't drive right up to your condo - we walked 5-10 min to ours but it was nice exercise.
*Mid-to late-afternoon VOG (volcanic clouds) often blocked the sun & sunsets.
*Bad & slow internet in the evenings. Apparently couldn't handle capacity at peak times, as early morning (6-7am) worked fine.
*Few views of ocean will soon be gone as adjacent beachfront development in process.

This was our first time on the "Big Island", and we stayed 4 nights at the Holua Resort. First off, I must say the staff are superb, especially the night desk staff, who showed us to our room when we had a late check-in due to a delayed flight. As everything was closed by the time we arrived (past 11pm local time), we were quite thirsty, and when I inquired as to where the closest convenience stores or vending machines were, the gentleman just offered by a handful of juices and water from his own personal stash, as nothing was open at that time other than maybe Safeway in town. I was quite appreciative, and as I asked what I owed him for the juices and water, he politely declined any payment! I left him a tip which he insisted wasn't necessary, and I think this interaction best sums up most of our experience at the resort. Everyone we came across were friendly and helpful, without expecting anything in return.

The rooms themselves were much larger than we expected, with a very nice lanai. The interiors were a little dated, but clean and quite comfortable, and the space was nice to have as we were travelling with an infant. The dish detergent and packet of laundry detergent was a nice touch also for the included in suite washer/dryer.

We quite enjoyed our stay here and would definitely consider staying again if we return to Hawaii in the future.

This was probably our 4th stay at Holua, and we've thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. While not one of the palatial, over-the-top, “marble everything” resorts, it has always fit us perfectly. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful and the suites are spotless and quiet because of the location of the parking garage and the distance from the road. And the landscaping is possibly their pride and joy; very beautiful and very Hawaiian.

Holua is primarily a timeshare resort (we're Shell Vacations Club members), and the units are quite spacious. While it does not have a beach, it's adjacent to the 2nd hole of the Kona Country Club and it's easy to walk the fairway around sundown for an incredibly gorgeous sunset.

The only break in the "quiet" is the huge and gaudy Sheraton not far away. Their luau show one evening was quite loud and annoying, as our unit faced it directly across the fairway. But all in all, we love this place.

This was our 4th visit to Holua Resort (the second with family) and we were, once again, pleased by the staff--always accommodating--and the grounds--always meticulously maintained. Auntie Beth is the best! Shawn (listed as "concierge" but oh so much more!) was beyond helpful.. we'll be baaaack!