Wonderful!

Guest: Kirsten (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/24/12

We spent nearly two wonderful weeks at Hale Hana Hou this Christmas and couldn't have been happier with the home. Beautiful location in a small community, just a short walk to sweet Manini Beach. The home was very clean, and was stocked with everything we could possibly need. We all loved being surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of birds and geckos. Owner Melouise was very helpful and welcoming. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!

Owner response:Thanks so much for your great comments Kirsten. I'm always delighted to hear about my guests' wonderful visits, and especially pleased that you had such a perfect Christmas there with your family. I look forward to hearing from you again and will delight in booking your next visit. Mahalo, Melouise

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, age 55+.

Exceeded expectations!!

Guest: RGS (North carolina)
Date of Stay: 10/12/11 Review Submitted: 10/16/11

Just completed a visit to our son who lives on the Hilo side. He recommend Kealakekua Bay. I came upon this property and the only time available in the month were the three days that we wanted. Obviously, the place is popular and our party arrived we knew why once we entered. The "Tree House" was very roomy with a great Lanai and a yard full of fruit trees, flowers and birds. My wife loved how well appointed the house and kitchen were. We were a short walk to the bay and there was a single kayak and plenty of snorkel gear. At the bay you can rent standup paddle boards as well as additional kayaks if needed. A short drive down the beach was City of Refuge and Two Steps, another great snorkeling place. Overall, this is a great place and we will return---- if our son stays in Hawaii Robert & Julie

Owner response:Thanks so much for taking the time to review Hale Hana Hou Robert and Julie. I'm so glad we had the perfect days available for you and that you enjoyed your visit so much. We look forward to your return visit. Mahalo, Melouise

Recommended for:Age 55+.

Fabulous!

Guest: Pat (Honolulu, HI)
Date of Stay: 05/21/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

This house is wonderful! It feels like you are in a tree house, but screened in. The landscaping is beautiful, and the house has a warm, inviting hawaiian feel! The house is a short walk to an entry way into the beautiful Kealakekua Bay, with amazing snorkeling, swimming and kayaking. The owner is very kind and easy to work with. I would greatly recommend this home to anyone!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Had a wonderful time, thank you.

Guest: Lise (Homer, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 12/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/03/11

My party of seven included two moms, four teenage girls and a 10 year old boy for Christmas. We had a wonderful, quiet, safe and happy time at Mel's beautiful home. The location was accurate, the description of the home was accurate as well. The property is clean and well maintained, with a fun gardener to ask questions about the local plants. The owner was very helpful when we misunderstood our check out time, and she collaboratively problem solved so we were well taken care of. I would recommend this property heartily to anyone who is interested in exploring the Kona coast. The location was historically tremendous, situated in the bay where Captain Cook was killed. This is also the bay over which towers a looming cliff, the burial site of kings. The snorkeling in this bay was tremendous. The locals were friendly and we were welcomed as we walked around in nearby villages. Whales breached right off the shoreline. My only sadness is only being able to stay 9 days! Thanks again for a wonderful vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers, age 55+, girls getaway.

Great quiet getaway

Guest: Kit (Mount Vernon, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/26/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

The house is as nice as the pictures show, and spacious. A small group of us stayed here during a short work assignment in order to avoid the hotel scene at Keahou. We are so glad we did; it was much cheaper than putting everyone in hotel rooms and so much more comfortable. The house was very clean and the kitchen is fully stocked with dishes and cooking utensils. There was a kayak to use and assorted snorkel gear. I wish I could have stayed here with even more time to explore the nearby beaches and reefs. Thanks Melouise.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Wow!

Guest: Michelle (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 08/04/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

We stayed at this property while visiting the Kona side of the island. My husband was all smiles while driving the 4 mile curvy, winding road down to the bottom of the mountain by the bay. "Wow" is what all of us said when we opened the door and walked into the house. The open air and breeze from all the screen windows is perfect. We also enjoyed waking up to the birds every morning. The home is about 30 minutes away from the Kona hotspots, but that is exactly what we were looking for. It is located in a wonderful, intimate community. Karen (downstairs) and Fred (gardener) were very friendly and helpful. He cut down coconuts for the kids and Karen opened them so we could drink coconut water. We looked for dolphins, but we didn't have any luck. We saw TONS of honu (green sea turtles) however. The Place of Refuge just down the road (10 minutes) is a beautiful and interesting place to explore. It is also right next to a great snorkeling area (Two Step) where the honu are abundant. The waters seemed a little rough for us to canoe over to the Captain Cook monument to snorkel, so we just went to Two Step instead. We weren't disappointed - while snorkeling, we saw yellow tang, convict tang, pufferfish, eels, picasso triggerfish, parrotfish, etc. Our kids were a little scared to snorkel, but enjoyed playing in the water. At one point, while were watching Daddy snorkel, my daughter yelled "honu!" as he had just poked his head up right in front of my stomach. We had 3 honu swimming around us eating. Very magical. The property had everything we needed with all the comforts of home. The home is very clean and well stocked. The pictures on the website are accurate, but it doesn't really do it justice. You've got to see it to believe it. We definitely hope to come back soon. Mahalo Melouise!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway.

Guest: Beate, Karsten, Yolanthe und Wilhelm (-)
Date of Stay: 05/27/09 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

We had a wonderful stay here. Thank you Melouise for letting us stay in your beautiful house! It's comfortable, well decorated and really everything we need. The children were happy at the lanai and in the garden - watching birds and geckos! We'd love to come back one day although it took us many days to come here from Germany. We enjoyed swimming at Napoopoo Beach, snorkeling and sunset-watching at Manini Beach...and many other things. Also thanks to Karen for her patience!

Recommended for:

Guest: The M Family from Kalamazoo, Michigan (-)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

Thank you for entrusting us with your special space! We enjoyed this special community and it felt really special to discover Auntie Margaret's house right down the road to Ke'ei Beach - and one day a few people played ukeleles and sang Hawaiian songs on her porch - that was so beautiful to experience. Love your art - especially the kapa cloth hangings and we were so happy to find great snorkeling gear here. Also GREAT resource books! And the AMAZING hula outfit on the master bedroom wall! ALOHA!

Recommended for:

Guest: Jeannine (-)
Date of Stay: 05/26/10 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

We had a marvelous time except for me trying to hike up Waipio Valley. It's why god invented SUVs. The highlight of our vacation was snorkeling with the spinner dolphins in the bay. It was an incredible experience seeing a large pod of dolphins in the clear blue water swimming around and under you. The snorkeling at the Captain Cook monument ws the best I've ever done.

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Guest: The D clan from Seattle (-)
Date of Stay: 03/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/07/10

Wow! What an amazing place! We absolutely loved our "tree house" (as we affectionately call this house). It was a joy waking up each morning to thesounds of the birds and feeling the breezes day and night - always the perfect temperature. The lay-out of the house was perfect for our needs. Loved the proximity to Manini Beach - we went snorkeling there nearly every morning - perfect way to start the day. We explored other parts of the island, but were always happy to come back "home". Appreciated Mel's notes on what to see and do, as well as all the gerat snorkeling gear. Would definitely stay here again - thanks so much!

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