Perfect location near Volcano National Park and a beautiful black sand beach with sea turtles! The grounds are stunning and very well-kept. While other day trips require a bit of planning, there's plenty to do close by. The only downside was the AC--I'm happy to pay for it, but it just couldn't keep up during the hottest parts of the day. read more

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We really appreciated how clean the place was and well appointed. However, if you are only visiting Kona for a couple days and want to do a water tour, you may want to choose elsewhere as the location is about 1 hr 45 minute drive back to Kona. It is closer to the volcano and black sand beach but not much else. The biggest issue is the noise level inside. The walls are very thin and you hear nearly everything; not so much talking but footsteps and moving about. Although we might have heard snoring last night. There are also bugs that somehow get in randomly. I noticed more the next day and ants on the counter even though there was no food. Also, there is no air conditioning unless you want to pay an additional fee. Be aware the phone number listed is incorrect. I tried calling several times as we were going to be late checking in due to a tour in Kona. I googled the Sea Mountain, looked at my reservation and every number I tried led to an error message. I finally found a good number and spoke to a nice younger man who advised me what to do upon arrival. I had also emailed and messaged out of desperation without response. Good thing I found that good number. The next day we checked in at the office and spoke to an older woman who wasn't friendly and didn't seem that knowledgeable as to the sights and timing of things. Overall, it was clean and nice but probably wouldn't stay again. read more

The location I am currently staying at. I was skeptical at first, but that's probably because when I go on vacation I expect to be treated like royalty. Places like this give me a reality check and realize not everyone gets to have the same experiences I do. The room was extremely clean and the bathroom looked newly renovated. It's a type of hotel that has a kitchen in it so it's like living in an 1 bedroom apartment overlooking the water. I recommend buying a cooler on your way here with some ice and stocking up on food. Get plenty of water and prepare yourself for some cooking. Also, oddly enough, you have to pay $10 a night for ac. It was annoying, but worth it if you keep it in the bedroom. You can ventilate the living/kitchen area with windows and the sliding door. read more

Place is clean and has full kitchen, nice bathroom and washer and dryer, even a dishwasher. my only complaints is the tv and the pull out bed, it could of been i couldnt figure it out but the tv wont go into full screen and looks like its stuck on the menu all the time and its very difficult to see the tv from the bed because it makes the screen even smaller than it is. And about the pull out bed, it is infested with termites (they do have a note saying that there are bugs and they're harmless) if you turn on the light inside the pull out bed, a swarm of termites will fly out and circle around the lights and every morning when i woke up there were termite droppings all over the bed. gross. other then that everything is good. they have nice gas bbqs out by the pool too read more

Sea Mountain - bed with termite droppings - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Punaluu, Hawaii

Really bad decision to book with them. Extra charges on my flight credit card. Even though I was in contact with someone, I was still lied to about the pool being open. The place was described differently. Floor was so dirty, turned our socks black, was told too many things that were not true on purpose. Just to get me to book. Wow. Don't trust this company to book with. read more

This was a very nice room at an excellent price.. Sea Mountain is in a very remote location, which makes it so quiet at night, compared to other resorts on the Big Island. That's probably why the place is so affordable. We stayed there on the way to Hawaii Volcanoes national Park. It's quite close to the park entrance. The unit was in outstanding condition, they looked rather dated on the exterior but in 2012 the inside of the building was renovated with new fixtures and appliances. We had the use of a free washer and dryer. Soap was available at front desk, for $2. The condo had a fully stocked kitchen. Puna'alu Bake Shop is nearby, so is Hana You, the most southern restaurant in the entire USA. The highlight of our one day here was the nearby Puna'alu Black Sand Beach, only 1/4 mile from our condo rental. We saw over a dozen Sea Turtles there (see picture). Unit had a great satellite TV system with a flat screen. It's also got a portable Air Conditioning unit, which we didn't have to use because the weather was cool and dry. read more

Sea Mountain - Sea turtles at Puna'alu Black Sand Beach - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Punaluu, Hawaii

This property has a discriminatory approach toward verifying service animals, that we have experienced 3 times over a number of years. -its weird and annoying someone from Sea Mountain VI was watching our guest (who visited 3 hours) w/ his service dog- instead of knocking up politely to check the service dog in. They called the unit owner to make an inconvenience for everyone. -if this 'resort' wants to expand its footprint with discriminatory policies toward the disabled & in-firmed, they'll have more resistance to their future plans for development. *Its discriminatory to make an in-firmed person search out property management, at multiple locations with the animal -only to be ok'd by a young gurl on the phone with her mother at a private residence? * its intimidation of people with disabilities -when someone suggests they will be coming by your room to " check" The whole thing was stressful for my guest, rude, creepy and likely not legal. Ill also follow ip with airbnb. Each room has a Vacations International card that states service animals are allowed- With no exceptions. The actual unit owner was so nice, sweet, normal and im sure annoyed to be bothered by such a pervasive and creepy situation. read more

Sea Mountain - Service animal tag- note the dog is also the size of a squirrel - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Punaluu, Hawaii

Our family loves this resort! It is somewhat removed but that is part of it's charm! Our condos had a great view...looking over the golf course and the ocean! Was so nice to sit out on our patio and take it all in! The condos are very comfortable and well equipped! Had all we needed to make up some delicious food! We stocked up in Kona when we arrived which is a must as there are not a lot of stores or restaurants in the area! There are quite a few rules at the resort but I think it makes for a nice environment for everyone to enjoy...so I appreciate the rules. We went with my extended family as well as my husband's! We rented a 4 different condos. All of the condos are quite different in layout and decor. We can't decide if we like the lower units better...with the lanai right on ground level or the open high ceilings of the upper units...both had their pros and cons! One of the highlights was cooking our meals on the BBQ and eating poolside. Eating all together with the pool and that view made for such sweet memories! We also loved the Black Sand Beach just down the road from the resort! It is very different from a white sand beach being much more course but I just think it is so cool and the turtles at this beach are amazing! We are heading back here in a couple of months and can't wait for breakfast on our lanai and dinner by the pool. We chose a lower unit this time because the lanai just looked so nice...so excited! read more

I booked my stay at Sea Mountain Vacation Internationale through the Armed Forces Vacation Club. I must say these condos are amazing. SMVI is about an hour and a half from both major airports in Kona and Hilo. From the moment you arrive you will be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff. They will tell you anything you need to know about the area. Each condo has everything you need to make your stay a comfortable one. They include a stove & oven, coffee maker, microwave, pot and pans, knives, and so much more. If you have time after landing in Hilo on either a Wednesday or Saturday stop by the farmers market and get some fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread! Staying here you will be a short drive from two small towns Pahala and Naalehu both of which offer groceries and other basic amenities. It's a good I idea to make note if the Ka'u Hospital in Pahala just in case of an emergency. The biggest grocery store Island Market is located in Naalehu which is 8 miles away towards Kona. The drive is very scenic offering many amazing views of the pacific and the slopes of Mauna Loa. Naalehu is also home to a small park, two restaurants, a gas station, and an amazing bakery. I highly recommend a trip to the black sand beach just a few hundred feet from the resort. Go early in the morning as the sun comes up to catch a glimpse of the giant sea turtles that sun bathe on the beach. Please don't touch these turtles as human bacteria can kill them. All this and more add up to a very enjoyable experience at Sea Mountain Vacation Internationale. read more

Sea Mountain - Studio rental living space. - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Punaluu, Hawaii

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Great place to stop for the night and get some zzzzz's. Walls are a little thin but the rooms are very nicely furnished and supplied with dishes and cooking gear. Do yourself a favor and bring some food to prepare from the grocery store or Costco because there is not much to eat in the area. Super close to black sand beach. Will stay again read more

We were delighted with the apartment ms we rented! Clean, beautiful, and the staff were nice. Especially John who sang us a native Hawaiian song playing his guitar! This place is perfectly located to the Volcano National Park and Green Sand beach and the best bakery (also the Souther most in the US!) . read more

Nice place if you want to get away from the city life, check in is from 4-5pm, located near black sands beach. It gets a little hot at night but there is a portable AC in the bedroom. There is a little nice pool with a nice view. We had the 1 bedroom condo, full size kitchen with everything you need, even salt and pepper. Only downside is, you are in the middle of nowhere, no nearby restaurants or eatery, maybe in Naahelu, which is about a 10minute Drive. There is a little store in Pahala but nothing much. This place is about 27miles to Volcano National Park. So bring food to cook. read more

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5 stars for what you get, which is a remote location except for the Black Sand Beach and ~30 min from Volcanos National Park. SEA MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE IS CLOSED. There are rumors about what's next but if you want to golf on an oceanfront course, don't stay here; the closest courses are up in Kona and 60-90 min each way. We played Volcano, which is up by the Park's Visitor Center and was fun, but barely scenic and in poor shape at a cheap price. VI only provides bath soap; bring your own shampoo and conditioner unless you want to pay ~$2/bottle in the office. The pool is great with a view of the ocean; heed the other reviews about "No toys/fins/masks/etc. The Rules are posted everywhere... The spa seems to be open intermittently. The units are very basic but clean and mostly quiet due to the HOA's rules; don't plan on a big party scene because quiet hours are 9pm to 8am! With that, it was a very relaxing stay. read more

We had a nice stay at Colony 1 at Sea Mountain. I stayed in touch with the office so I knew it closed at 5. We got there a little after 5 so I used the courtesy phone and we got our keys just fine. We had the 1 bedroom "EZ" style and it was perfect for 2 people. It had a kitchen with a stove/oven and lots of plates, cups, and utensils. The bedroom was cute and comfortable. In the closet there was a big floor fan which we relied on heavily since there was no AC. Our stay was pleasant. There were tons of older couples there, it had a major relaxed vibe which was great for us. The pool and hot tub were nice and the grounds were kept beautifully. One thing I wasn't a fan of was how the windows in the units never closed completely (which I understand was to allow some cool air in at night) but a pain when the maintenance people do yard work earrrrrlllllyyyy in the morning. The units are quite a ways from everything which we knew beforehand but it was still a bit of a pain having to drive a ways to do all the things on our list. A major plus is that the popular black sand beach is a 5 minute walk away and we got to see sea turtles sunning themselves on the beach. All in all it was a clean unit and chilled stay, but I think I would stay closer to Hilo or Kona next time if I came back to big island. read more

Totally beautiful, serene, breathtakingly beautiful place to stay. Walk down to the black sand beach, see sea turtles sunning on the sand. Walk (casefully) along the rock bluffs and see the ocean in its glory crashing up onto the lava rock. The unit we stayed in was a one bedroom with a murphy bed/couch combo in the living room. It was perfect for 4 of us- spacious, incredible ocean views from the balcony, and waking up to birdsong. This was one of the cleanest vacation rentals I have ever stayed at- cleaner than hotel rooms we books at the Sheraton or Hilton here on the Big Island. Next time I come, I would book this place exclusively. (*Minus one star for trade winds blowing away one of our vacation days) read more

The room and resort itself it pretty nice! The rooms are very clean and not a bad view in the whole place. Right next to a nice golf coarse. And right next to a black sand beach where you can see turtles resting on the beach. The reason I gave it three stars is because it's so dang far from everything. It's an hour to Hilo. An hour to Kona. And if you like to eat out its an hour to get anywhere. Now it's kind of hard to rate something by location I think cause not doing more research of the area is my fault. So next time we come to the big island, I think we will stay in Kona. Walking distance to all the touristy stuff people like to do. And closer to some nice beaches. read more

Peaceful, restful, beautiful, relaxing, remote, quiet, clean and friendly. If you like the nightlife this place is probably not for you. But I love it! And will come back year after year. Close to the Volcano Park and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. read more

Sea Mountain - Sea Mountain - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Punaluu, Hawaii

This is a hidden gem of a property. Located on the southern part of the Big Island, it is a tranquil, low key community. Beautiful groundskeeping and expansive views of the golf course and ocean. 10 minute walk to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Amenities include small swimming pool, hot tub, and gas grills. Majority of units are individually owned and operated, although 17 are managed by Vacation International timeshare corporation. Privately owned units generally don't have AC; the VI managed properties have small, portable AC units. Convenient location to explore Volcanoes National Park, Volcanoes Winery, Volcanoes Art Center, Punalu'u Bakery, etc. read more

These people don't know the meaning of hospitality. They were nice enough to provide an air mattress, but kept it and all the bedding hidden in the back of utility closets for us to search and then set up. While I was ok with blowing up the air mattress myself, I would have liked it and the bedding to be in the main area for my easy discovery. Then, they made us fill out an extra form with information they mostly already had, and gave us scary ticket-looking notices coercing us to get a parking pass. My vacation didn't start until the 2nd day! The troubles didn't stop there, unfortunately. The manager was no where to be found, and in her stead was her mustachioed husband who was rude (e.g., when my grandma tried to complain, he told her he would slam the door in my grandma's face if she weren't an old woman) and would not tell us when we could talk to his incognito wife "manager". The pool was cold, the wifi didn't work most of the time, the fan batteries needed replacing, and on and on. The good thing about the place is the location - halfway between Kona and Hilo, making all sorts of day trips comfortable. It is also in a quiet rural area. So unless you plan on never being there except for meals and sleep, and want a home base for all sorts of day trips, I would recommend you go somewhere that is actually aware it's in the hospitality industry. My advice to the owner: you need to give your employees a serious talking-to about being considerate, nice, and available to your customers. read more

First off if you want to be near a town and do the tourist stuff everyday then this place probably not for you. We've been coming here for five years because we don't want to see tourist and we want be left alone and to relax. Second any bad reviews of the place maybe because some of the units/ buildings are owned by owners who live here full time or rent their units out. The rest of the units/buildings are owned by Vacation International. You can identify them by the logo on the doors. The office staff are outstanding. Keep in mind the office is open from 8-5 and closed for a hour lunch. They have an assortment of items you can borrow for your stay. We like borrowing a cooler to do our grocery shopping. The groundskeepers start up their blowers and weed wackers at 8am sharp Monday through Friday. There is plenty of places to explore from here without having to drive. Doing a bit of research ahead time will help. We picked up a book on ancient sites and have been hitting them. Every year we discover more and more. If that's not your thing then you can drive down the road to one of the trailhead of the Volcano National Park or go into the park. That will keep you busy for a week. In Pahala there is a very old Buddhist temple down the road from the macadamia nut and coffee farm. There are plenty coffee farms along the road. Go into Hilo to the farmer's market. If you are here for a week or less then stay in Hilo or Kona and leave this place when you have time to explore the surrounding area. read more

What a great secluded little gem! I love staying here. The staff is very friendly and helpful, the guests are always so nice. It feels like home away from home. The rooms are nice, the grounds are so well kept. read more

Great place to relax and get away from city life. If you want restaurants and bars this is not your destination. Very secluded out in Pahala, amazing views and scenery. read more

We got to the resort and the room was nice. It had no air conditioning but we decided to let that go. It was a gorgeous view, good condo. We had a pleasant trip despite no AC. We were there for 2 weeks, maid service came once, and did not change the sheets, just made the bed. The resort people seemed friendly. On the day we left however, we had a lot of extra food so we went to the office to ask if they would like us to leave the untouched stuff. They said yes. We did the dishes, and picked up big pieces of trash, took out a lot of it and only left the kitchen and bathroom trash full. We even put all the towels in a pile. We forgot to leave a tip because we had a lot on our mind with our grandma declining from dementia, but would have been happy to mail or charge the card for a tip. A few days later however we got a call saying our room was destroyed, there was piles of sand, trash everywhere, linen damage, etc. This was blatantly untrue. We proceeded to call them and they told us to call corporate and continued to say it was a mess despite that being a false accusation. So we called our vacation club, and Sea Mountain resort had sent them pictures of the "damages and mess". Who takes pictures when cleaning? Scammers. The pictures of the "messy" condo was a small pile of trash and a sand, swept from the entire condo in to a pile. They also took a picture of the kitchen and opened the microwave to make it look more messy, the kitchen was not however messy. They neglected to take pictures of the "piles of sand" at a BEACH resort by the way, the damaged linens, and the piles of trash. We are VERY considerate when we vacation and so we are extremely upset about this false accusations. We got charged $300 for false accusations of uncleanliness. Needless to say I do not recommend this resort. read more

Horrible place to stay with kids!!! Property manager harasses none stop about the most littlest things as if they are a 5 star resort! If I could give no stars I would. Property manager also starts his blower early in the morning while trying to relax and sleep in. Constant looking in our unit. And you know he keeps creeping around cause when you look he waves pool area has too much restrictions as to no goggles, no fins, no floats, no glass which is understandable but, the grills are right near the pool and condos provide all ceramic dishes so another words no eating at the tables by the pool with dishes. Prepare yourself with paper goods. Also rooms charge cleaning fees, you would think it's clean. Room floors are not clean. Walking around in it your feet will get black. So disgusting!!!! Also super hot units because there is no a/c!!!!! Ceiling fans in rooms go so slow and you sweat a lot in the rooms. Bathroom floor felt really dirty too. Walls in shower were also dirty. And tub had no fill under it so felt like fiber glass tub would break through. I could go on and on. Family is from Kau. So we would always stay there. But now that is out the window. Never again. read more

Kau Rentals Office is really nice they are helpful and very responsive however, when you actually get on the property it's a different story. We have stayed here previously but this last stay has really topped the cake for us. Our families have rented multiple units for the weekend. We took our kids to the pool to swim (the pool is very small) the restrictions are out of this world signs everywhere, cameras are posted to watch every little thing your doing (which is creepy). They don't want you to bring any glass, no googles, no tubes no swimming accessories whatsoever. If you have kids I don't recommend you staying at this place. The property manager (Jon Dancil=police creep) constantly comes to point out things you cannot do as if all he does all day is watch you on the pool cameras. He constantly is roaming on the property looking for little things to confront you about. It's almost as if he is "stalking" he comes then says "I'm just doing my job" he waves when you look at him then smiles as if he wants to be your friend then tells you what your doing wrong as if your a child that needs supervision. He is disgusting! The rooms are very dusty, the floors are so gross. We constantly washed our feet as if the floor wasn't cleaned the units furniture and bed side tables were so dusty and sticky. The bugs at this place is unbelievable geckos, flies, roaches and black bugs are all over the patio in the fans, lights and fixtures. Extremely hot no AC in the units the fans are no help and are probably 20 plus years old ready to break down. I would give this place NO STARS! read more

This was a pretty nice quiet place but It was not very family friendly. I bought my daughter a beach ball, pool noodle, and mask just for using in the pool and was extremely bummed out when the manager wouldn't let her use any of them in the pool, not even the mask for swimming underwater! His strict enforcement of a petty pointless rule really put a damper on our two week stay at sea mountain. Before we got to sea mountain we stayed at sea village in Kona and it was a lot more family friendly and also closer to good swimming beaches. I really think the pool rules need to be reconsidered and would definitely not stay there again if that doesn't happen as the pool is the most important part of vacation for most children. read more

I agree with the above reviewer about the hospitality of the building manager. This was the second time this year we have experienced such confrontation and rudeness from the building manager and her spouse. It seems that they think they own the place and do not make this resort family friendly. They prefer to monitor the hot tub if children under the age of 12 are present even with their parents in the hot tub with them than take care of the resort itself. The propane was empty in one of the grills and the recycling was overflowing. The more complaints to VI about these managers the more they can do something about it. The building managers are supervised by the Home Owner's Association to which VI has a place to voice their concerns. I encourage families who have visited this place and experienced their inhospitable building managers to write to the corporate office and send your letter to Sea Mountain. We love this place but the behavior of the managers need to be addressed. read more