Review title
Incredible Ocean View
Review excerpt
When we checked in to the Ohana Keauhou in July of 2002, we were offered the opportunity to upgrade to an Ocean View room. We took it. And let me tell you, when they say ocean view, they mean it! From our balcony, all we could see was bright blue water and black lava coast line covered in palm trees. When you picture paradise, this is what you picture, and this is what we gazed at for 8 days and nights from our balcony. This same view, and better, can be enjoyed from the pool area which is the last bit of anything man-made before you hit ocean, the bar area which is actually a large balcony that juts out over tide pools filled with tropical fish and green sea turtles, and the two hotel restaurants, both of which are completely open air. However, with both restaurants, you sacrifice bit of food quality for the ambiance. The lunch time restaurant is simply a snack bar and grill located just off of the beach and has decent hamburgers, etc. Nothing exciting. The main restaurant offers breakfast and dinner and is located by the pool. The breakfasts were very good, but the dinners we tried were not that great and were rather expensive. We definitely would skip the Friday night seafood buffet the next time around. With the limited food selection in mind, I would highly recommend having a rental car. It is only a few miles up Ali`i Drive to the "town" where there are lots of choices for restaurants, shops, etc. There is also Keauhou Shopping Center just up the street where there is a drug store and a grocery store. Even if you are happy with the limited food selections the hotel has to offer, you`ll want to have a car anyway to allow yourself the opportunity to fully explore the Big Island. The concierge was very helpful in offering suggestions, making reservations, and giving directions and advice. All in all, I would highly recommend this hotel. The natural surroundings are spectucular and the mood is very relaxed--it doesn`t have the overcrowded, overwhelming feeling that some resorts have. And for me, breathtaking beach views and feeling like the real world is a million miles away is what a vacation in Hawaii is all about.