Home in Hawaii

Guest: Liz (Omro, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 10/11/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

" Thank you for opening your home to us. The mango house was the perfect getaway for our one year anniversary and for our friend’s vacation. All the small and thoughtful touches that you prepared for our arrival made our home in Hawaii perfect. Thank you for your recommendations as to beaches, restaurants, and luaus. We were never disappointed in the recommendations. You have an amazing property and we sincerely hope that we are able to come visit you here again someday."

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

Home again

Guest: WILL Brown (Mililani, HI)
Date of Stay: 11/27/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

Returning to Mango House was like coming home. This second stay with a friend from Germany visiting HI was much anticipated and our expectations were much more than adequately fulfilled. Mark and Rae are the best. From the initial contact when planning this second four day trip to our arrival at their now familiar idyllic retreat (first trip 4/10), we felt both fortunate to find availability that matched our needs and to confirm our plans with the extraordinary hosts.. Mango House is set high on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the east in a lush tropical garden of flowers, fruit trees and colorful plants. One feels close to the environment; the wind, birdsongs, and the scents of the surrounding garden. The well designed "main house" and adjacent "guest room" provide everything one needs for a relaxed time in this peaceful area of the Hawaii'i Island coast. One is greeted arrangements of flowers from just outside...and a loaf of homemade banana bread! A comprehensive menu book led us to some excellent choices. The area south of Laupahoehoe toward Hilo provides many things of interest to see; the 1946 Tsunami Memorial Park, the train museum, Akaka Falls as well as small towns and places to self discover all along the Hamakua Coast. Browsing Hilo is time well spent, then consider Volcano, and the national park. One cannot go wrong at Mango House. The facilities are extraordinary, the hosts readily become fine friends, and the serene seclusion is enviable. What a great way to introduce a guest from Europe to the outer islands of our state. We'll head back at our earliest opportunity.

Owner response:We have many guests who return so it is great to have one of them submit a review. Mahalo, Will!

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

What a wonderful get away

Guest: Sue (Rhinelander,WI )
Date of Stay: 07/21/11 Review Submitted: 09/18/11

We were looking for a place to go and stay for a vacation getaway with family. The mango house was just the perfect spot. Not only did we get to enjoy the company of family in a relaxed beautiful setting, but each of us had privacy and the ability to have time for each other together as well as quiet time alone. The view and morning sunrise is in credible and Mark and Rae Ann are such gracious hosts that one could only be blessed to stay at such a wonderful vacation setting. Not far from the beaches and other higher traffic areas yet not in the middle of the hussle and bustle of the higher tourist areas. If you are looking for a relaxed get away, one that truly reflects the aloha spirit, This is the place to book. Aloha....and thanks to Rae Ann and Mark

Owner response:Mahalo. Just last night one of our neighbors said he still thinks this is the best location on the island, and we agree.

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

Gorgeous Home-away-from home

Guest: Erin (Winchester, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/04/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

From the first time we called to begin planning our trip, you have been the most gracious hosts. Your home is even more beautiful than the pictures and your hospitality is exceptional. Thank you for sharing this beautiful island experience with us! We have been able to come and go at our own pace each day, and coming back to your guest house has been as welcoming as going home each evening. As our boys grow, this may be our last “big” vacation we enjoy together and I can’t think of any place nicer to have spent it. I hope at least my husband and I can return some day. The setting for this home is gorgeous with fruit trees and flowers all around. It is secluded and private with ocean views from inside and outside the house. Truly a vacation paradise!

Owner response:Since we enjoy this island so much, we want visitors to enjoy it as well. Providing information on what there is to see and do as well as providing a comfortable home for our guests to return to is something we get pleasure from doing.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Beautiful and affordable way to enjoy the Big Island!

Guest: Ja and Ekim (Richfield, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/07/11 Review Submitted: 07/19/11

This house was a great place to stay while we enjoyed our honeymoon. The owners are very friendly and keep the place looking wonderful! The yard is full of gorgeous plants and is landscaped with care, and the views are heavenly! They provided us with lots of information on places to explore around the island. All in all, they made it an easy and comfortable vacation. We would recommend this to anyone looking for an affordable yet luxurious stay. It was like a home away from home. Thank you for sharing your lovely retreat with us.

Owner response:We're glad our guests feel like the mango cottage does feel like a home away from home and that they appreciate the gardens, views, and information we provide.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.

A beautiful home from home

Guest: Hatty (LA)
Date of Stay: 04/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

We have had a really memorable stay at your beautiful home – we couldn’t have been more comfortable here, and I will never forget that sensational view – I really hope we can come back one day and enjoy waking up to it each day. We had wonderful trips to the rock pools at the point and to the beaches –a highlight was swimming with the sea turtles, especially for our six year old son. Thank you for the delicious banana cake and fruit – we really hope to return one day. April 2011.

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

Couldn't have been better!

Guest: Dan (Manchester, CT)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

I’ll use three words to describe our stay at the Mango House: Perfect, Perfect, Perfect. If I had to find fault with anything it would be that there was only one couch to nap in. The pod/house arrangment made for all the privacy needed for two couples sharing expenses (or you could stick the teens out there and keep your sanity). The house was clean, well appointed and, for our tastes, on the right side of the island. Ocean breezes, cool nights, warm days, brief showers and convient to just about anywhere. We loved it! We will be going back and we don’t travel back to too many places. I would certainly recommend this property to anyone wanting a quiet, relaxing vacation. Dan & Tere Foley

Owner response:We're so glad you enjoyed your relaxation time at our mango house. We, too, agree that this is the best part of the island!

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

Wonderful Hawaiian Hideaway

Guest: Happy guests (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

We spent two weeks in the Mango House in March, 2011. When we first arrived, we thought we’d died and gone to heaven, but instead we were alive and well in the Therriens’ Hawaiian paradise! Rae and Mark put in so much work to make this such a special place, both inside the mango house and outside on the grounds. My husband, the gardener in our family, was so envious of the tropical greenery, so lush and productive, compared to what is possible in Canada. We invited friends to spend a week with us, in what we dubbed "the honeymoon suite". They loved it! There is much to do and see from this location, as mentioned in other reviews. And if it rains, you can drive in an hour or less to a drier area, or just wait a while, and maybe you'll see a double rainbow - we did! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a stay at this house or the Therriens' other vacation rental home. Make sure you plan on two weeks.

Owner response:And this couple has traveled extensively around the world! They are sure correct about spending longer than one week.

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

Perfect in every way!

Guest: Leslie (North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

My husband & I, along with my 85 year old + parents, spent one week at the Mango House in March 2011. It was perfect in every way (except one.....we should have spent two weeks)! The cottage, with its detached sleeping cabana, gave each of us the privacy we cherish & the gathering space we need to enjoy being together. From the moment I started exchanging e-mails with Rae, I knew we had found a very special spot. I cannot imagine a more tranquil place from which to explore the Big Island. It was such a joy to come home each afternoon to the beautiful gardens and view from the lanai. The Mango House is not for someone looking for the hustle & bustle of resort areas, or for those who want to eat out every night. We stocked up at the Farmers Market in Hilo (not to be missed). It was so much fun to experiment with wonderful new vegetables & fruit. And the fish market near the farmers market was loaded with terrifc taste treats! Sights & things to do: Drive & explore the Saddle Road, including a side trip to the Visitor Information Center on Mauna Kea. It took us an entire day. Of course, since my dad is a geologist we had to stop at every lava flow to study it. The Botanic Garden is amazing. My mother, the botanist, thought she had just found paradise...she had! We had a wonderful picnic & enjoyed swimming and snorkeling at .... (you'll have to ask Rae & Mark where it is....I won't devulge the name of the mostly local beach in a public forum). Thunder Mountain Coffee Plantation was fascinating. The coffee.....nectar! The very best sight & activity...enjoying the Point at Laupahoehoe & watching the stars from the lanai! As for the hosts; there are none more congenial than Rae & Mark. They make you feel right at home and their local knowledge is openly offered. It started with the package of information we received when we paid for our reservation. It continued every day of our visit. Oh yes, there's a lovely Hawaiian Aloha welcoming you when open the door to the Mango House. Mahalo Nui Loa, Leslie P.S Can not wait to return!

Owner response:Leslie, mahalo nui loa for your comprehensive review! We. too, are glad you enjoyed your stay and we certainly enjoyed meeting you and your family and do hope to see you again.

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

Mango house - heaven on Earth Dave and Carol

Guest: Carol (Lincoln, NE)
Date of Stay: 01/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

Jan. 26 – Feb. 4 – Oh my – too awesome for words or pictures. You made us feel so comfortable and at home even before arriving. So quiet and beautiful. Great views from every window….We have had the pleasure of coming to the Big Island many times. I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to look for homes or cottages to rent. This was so wonderful – the mango house. You are so giving and sharing – it felt like home. So wonderfully supplied. I do so hope to return next winter….this would be a perfect place for our family to be together yet have space. Thank you so much Mark and Rae for providing us a little piece of heaven here on earth.

Owner response:We are happy you "stepped out of your comfort zone", t oo, and we certainly enjoyed meeting you both and are glad you also really enjoyed this island and our guest house.

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