Originally Posted by
caseydeg
Just got back from a five night points stay at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. Overall a good experience.
Pros:
--Got a Gold upgrade to an oceanfront room with a beautiful view of Keauhou Bay
--Stunning lobby and windows to the Bay
--Pool is surprisingly large and was never crowded or busy (plus it takes a few minutes just to swim across)
--Manta Ray Bar is pleasant enough with local Kona beers on tap
Cons:
--Rooms and hallways need a cosmetic makeover
--Old 27-inch CRT TV in room
--$10 a night parking for a mostly empty lot
--$13 a day internet fee for spotty service (this one really irks me as I would never stand for this as a business traveler, yet they do this to us business travelers on vacation)
Overall a good stay and a convenient base of operations for Big Island activities. I would think twice about this one if you plan on lounging around the hotel for your vacation as there is no beach, just a few mediocre restaurants, and a 15-minute drive to town and the other restaurants and beaches.
I just spent 3 days there Spring Break......really enjoyed it, and agree with most everything in this review. Loved the secluded, non-crowded area. Hotel wasn't very crowded (maybe 50% occupancy?). Pool was huge and uncrowded, no problem finidng a lounge chair or using the jacuzzi.
I'm a Platinum and was upgraded to a great Ocean Front room.....excellent view of Manta Ray viewing area. Lovely Bar (Crystal Blue), which overlooks Manta Ray area, and if you're there on a Monday night you can watch the entire luau from there. View fromt the lobby over the bay is amazing.....
Easy to walk to all the snorkeling boat tours that leave from the Bay nearby. There is also a great shopping center nearby (5 min by car) with a Longs and some eating places. It's about 10-15 minutes into Kailua.....but I would give the town a miss, kind of tacky and not that interesting.
I like that the Sheraton wasn't a mega-glamorous, glitzy resort (like those up near Waikaloa).....it still felt Hawaiian, and not Disney-fied. The lanais off the rooms were huge, and even if the rooms weren't the most luxurious....who care's, you're in HAWAII....what are you doing in your room???
Paying $10 for parking is a bit of a joke....since the lot is huge.
I'd definitely go back, and look forward to hearing about the renovation.