Vacation Rentals by Owner

We LOVED staying here!

Guest: Leilani (Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 03/19/12 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

What a great place to stay - the pictures, while nice, do not do it justice. The care and pride that the homeowners take in this home show in many ways. They provided a very generous variety of fruit and snacks, including a pineapple, 3 papayas, large bunch of bananas, cinnamon pull apart bread, and macadamia nut pancake mix!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Most likely the best vacation rental you will ever have the pleasure of staying at!

Guest: Jim and Julie (Kailua Kona, HI)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

"WOW"! It is hard to believe that this is a vacation rental, and not Bernie and Cliff's actual residence. We have never stayed in such a well equipped, clean and well cared for home. They seem to have anticipated every possible need. The kitchen was not only stocked with quality cookware, but had pretty much all the condiments you would need as well. As others have said, the bed was incredibly comfy! We spent many wonderful hours relaxing in front of the fireplace and the Ohia and Hapu'u ferns surrounding the deck made our time in the hot tub somewhere beyond incredible. Thank you so very much Bernie and Cliff for making our 10 days in Volcano so wonderful!

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

Very Comfortable - perfect for our 6 adults!

Guest: Sunny J. (Maui Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 11/24/11 Review Submitted: 11/27/11

It was obvious that Bernie and Clifford put a lot of love in the this house; lots of nice touches to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. The location to the center of Volcano couldn't have been better...just minutes away. The furniture in the living room and dining area is beautiful - far nicer than you would expect in a rental. BTW, our group was 6 picky adults - and every one of us loved the house and felt it accommodated us very comfortably. We came over from Maui and would stay there again.

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

Best ever Volcano home

Guest: Marilyn (Petaluma, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/05/11 Review Submitted: 09/24/11

We loved this home so much that we have already decided not only to stay again next year, but to extend the time we spend in Volcano. Bernie and Cliff are beyond gracious and extremely helpful and welcoming. I've stayed in many places on the Big Island and loved some of them, but Ohia Plantation is by far the best. From the moment you walk in, you can see the attention to detail and feel the warmth of the home and it's owners. It had to be a labor of love, because we felt the welcoming arms of this home. I can't say enough about the home and the owners. If you are considering this home, don't give it a second thought. Just book it!

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

Beautiful House in a Perfect Location

Guest: Andrew (Cheshire, Uk)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

This is a beautiful house, well-maintained, equipped and well-presented. It is approximately five minutes drive from the National Park entrance so is perfectly suited for volcano exploring. The large hot-tub is a lovely warm up after a full day in the park and, under cover, is great rain or shine. We had a few problems with the advertised continental breakfast, i.e. It wasn't there and we had to contact the owner as we had insufficient provisions with us thinking breakfast would be provided. They apologised (albeit by phone at 7.00 am the following morning - an early wake-up call while on holiday) and brought some provisions later that day. A delivery of two bags of shopping wasn't quite as appealing as finding the breakfast where it should have been. That said, this is a minor complaint and we had a wonderful time. We would happily recommend this property.

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

Outstanding!!

Guest: Steve & Diane (Kingston, ON, Canda)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

"Bernie and Cliff - Ohia Plantation House is beautifully decorated and well equipped for groups of 2-8 travellers. Your pride of ownership is evident throughout your home. The hot tub is great for relaxing in after hiking in Volcanoes National Park. "Truly a home away from home". Mahalo!! "

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Christmas in Volcano

Guest: GlenMH (Tokyo, Japan)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

We were looking for a retreat away from the big city and Ohia Plantation House delivered that. It really is away from other people and you are not overlooked in any way. Volcano village, with a couple of shops and restaurants, is only a 5 minute drive away. The house was very clean, fruit bowl full and the firewood well stocked when we arrived. The Christmas decorations were a nice surprise! It was no problem finding the house as the instructions/map were very clear. Due to its location, having a car during the stay is absolutely vital. The owner kept up regular contact with us before we arrived and also phoned a couple of time whilst we were there to check we were OK, which was a nice touch. The activities that we enjoyed the most were: drive up and hike around Mauna Kea, off roading (4x4 Jeep was vital for this) around South Point and swimming at the green sand beach there, night lava viewing at Kalapana. Hilo is a bit run down but has good supermarkets to get supplies to use in the kitchen - which was well equipped and it was nice to have a drip coffee machine. Would I recommend this property to a friend: if they were looking for a well equipped family house in a secluded location, then absolutely! It has everything you need including internet access and cable TV. The only thing that it is missing is a stereo that you can connect up an MP3 player so you can play your own music. We had a great time and, if we get the opportunity, will go back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Ohia Plantation House Place to Be

Guest: Happy Canadians (Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

Our family recently spent 4 days and nights at the Ohia Plantation House on the BIg Island of Hawaii.It was one of the best places we have ever stayed at while on vacation. The house was new, well laid out and beautifully maintained. It was even decorated for Christmas which we loved.The beds were comfortable. There were lots of blankets, bedding, towels, etc. Basically everything we could have wanted was available.Even some fresh fruit and bread awaiting us upon our arrival. We particularly enjoyed the hot tub amidst the lush private backyard. The house was well located to all the volcanic locations which we came to see. Highly recommend!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Friendly Rainforest Oasis

Guest: Sherry S. (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/08/10 Review Submitted: 08/22/10

We had a great time at this lovely home in the middle of a tropical rainforest. It was a great place to stay if you want to truly enjoy the tropical side of the Big Island. The home was clean, beautifully decorated, and had the most wonderful bedding! The evenings were cool and we lit the fireplace both nights we were there. It was very cosy. Bernie has a wonderful welcome packet with all the information you would ever need and it even came with a cd of Hawaiian music! Then, when my husband forgot his blackberry at the house, Bernie had it send to our home and even refused to be reimbursed for it. She and her home definitely embodied the aloha spirit and I want to thank her for taking such good care of us. Mahalo nui loa!

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

very nice house - just a few issues

Guest: ST (San Rafael, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/28/10 Review Submitted: 07/21/10

This is a wonderful house. The hot tub is a nice touch since it gets cool at night here. The decorative quilts are beautiful. The home was spotless and in excellent condition. The only issues I had were: bad water pressure in the showers, no stereo system, and no dishwasher.

Owner response: Mahalo for your comments about your stay at Ohia Plantation House. I would like to apologize for the issues that you had with our home. I would like to clarify that in our amenities we do not state that our home has a dishwasher. As for the water pressure in the showers. On the Eastside of the Big Island 70% of the homes are on a Water Catchment System. Therefore, we do not have the type of water pressure that you'd have if you are on a county system. In our home we provide our guest with an Informational Home Guide that lists all contact phone numbers. They are also provided these numbers on their check in information sheet in case there are issues. If for some reason we cannot be reached, a message can be left at our home. When and if an issue does occur, it is resolved as soon as possible. Each and everyone of our guest are important to us because having you enjoy our home. Is our gift to you! Aloha, Cliff & Bernie

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Loved it!!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/10/10

Thanks Bernie and Cliff for a really cozy, comfortable home away from home. We loved our stay at Volcano. You provided everything we needed, from a full kitchen, grill, hot tub, comfy beds, washer/dryer and a great view every morning of the ferns in the yard. It was so quiet and peacefull that I wished we had more time to stay and lounge. Thanks again. Cornelius Family, Plainfield, Illinois p.s. thanks for the bagels, fruit, and coffee. Also enjoyed the CD you sent!

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

Awesome!

Guest: Carrie J (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

We loved Ohia Plantation House! It is so comfortable and welcoming-my girls did not want to leave. We were quite comfortable and spent time exploring Volcano National Park and various sites in Hilo. It was lovely to return to the house at night. We loved the privacy, hot tub, back yard, location...in fact, we loved it all! I am sure we will be back, and we would not hesitate to stay at Ohia Plantation House again (my girls would be quite upset if we chose somewhere else!). Mahalo Bernie, for sharing your lovely home with us. You helped make our trip to Hawaii quite amazing. Your customer service is impeccable.

Owner response:Aloha Carrie & family, Having our guests enjoy their stay at Ohia Plantation House is why we have our home. To show our guests the Aloha Spirit and to have a special place that you can call your home. I hope that you'll be able to visit the Big Island and be able to stay with us again in the future. Mahalo! Cliff & Bernie

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

fabulous Ohia Plantation House

Guest: TacomaAl (Tacoma WA, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

Like previous reviewers I also hesitate to recommend Ohia Plantation House for fear I will not be able to rent it in the future when I want it! It was recommended to us by friends who have stayed here in the past and loved it. It's an absolutely gorgeous house in an exceptionally quiet, private location. The map makes it look like a subdivision, which it is, but the lots are so big and the vegetation is so thick you can't tell if there are any neighbors. it feels like your own tropical hideaway. Bernie has thought of everything you could ever need on vacation. She also sent us a current tourist magazine in advance which was incredibly helpful for planning our trip. We only stayed 2 nights, while we explore Volcano national park but wish we had stayed longer as it is well located for visiting Hilo and the Hamakua coast (?sp). The smaller Paniolo Cottage looks similar in level of luxury but more "local" in size and layout (I admit I peeked in the window while the current occupants were gone). We will definitely be staying here again!

Owner response:Aloha Allison & family, Thank you for the wonderful comments but most of all we are happy that you really enjoyed your stay at OPH. We'd love to have you back again. Maybe alittle longer the next time. Mahalo and Lots of Aloha! Clff & Bernie

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

A+ Vacation-Get-Away

Guest: Slowtroll (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/10 Review Submitted: 03/16/10

We recently stayed at the OPH in Feb 2010. What an absolutely wonderful experience. The layout and design of the house is perfect. The furnishings are designer quality but still very comfortable and cozy. We loved the quietness of the area and the beautiful surrounding gardens (especially the blooming orchids!). The hot tub and fireplace were such a treat. We hiked around the Volcanoes National Park and did quite a bit of sightseeing around the Hilo area. The OPH was a great "home base" and a wonderful place to relax after a long day of sightseeing and hiking. We would definitely come back. Mahalo Bernie and Cliff for sharing your house. Your customer service is impeccable.

Owner response:Mahalo! for the wonderful comments. Having our guests enjoying their stay at Ohia Plantation House and making them feel that they walked into their home is what it's all about. We truly hope that you we'll be able to visit us again soon.

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

Guest: Becky39 (Redondo Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/23/09 Review Submitted: 11/23/09

We enjoyed so much staying at Ohia Plantation House. It was so nice to come "home" to a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere at the end of our day exploring the volcano park. We loved the way you have decorated your home and we kept discovering new things to admire. We had previously stayed at the lodge in the park and I have to say that your home is so much better than that experience. We look forward to visiting again.

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Guest: Chris189 (Kirkland, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/20/09 Review Submitted: 10/20/09

What a marvelous place to stay! It was incredibly peaceful, quiet, and absolutely gorgeous. The pictures do not do it justice - it's much nicer in person. They had everything we needed as well as some nice touches like fresh fruit waiting for us. The rooms were comfortable and I couldn't keep my son away from the hot tub. The nights were crystal clear and I've never seen stars like that before - the Milky Way was so bright and shooting stars were plentiful. The location was superb - just a minute or two from town, the volcano, and hiking trails. It was nice beating the tourists to the park and staying well past the buses leave. I will definitely stay at Ohia Plantation House again and I can't wait to return!

Owner response:Aloha Chris, We would love to have you come back to OPH again. I truly would like to thank you for being our guests and for taking the time to comment on your stay. We appreciate it very much! Cliff & Bernie

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Exceptional rental in every way!

Guest: Lei Aloha (Bremerton, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/22/09 Review Submitted: 10/20/09

Although my family stayed at OPH back in May, I've put off writing this review for purely selfish reasons: I want to keep it a secret so it will be available when I want to return. I am an island girl now living on the mainland, and OPH brought back many wonderful memories of the old Hawaii of my youth. From the plantation style house and the gardens that surround it to the authentic furnishings within, everything is well thought out and truly unique to the Hawaii of yesterday. When we arrived, we found everything spotless with a huge bouquet of fresh flowers to greet us and breakfast fixings beyond belief! Incredibly comfy beds, lots of room for the kids to roam, a peaceful neighborhood with friendly neighbors, and the hot tub!...Every morning I got up before the rest, made a fresh pot of coffee, climbed into the hot tub and watched the sun rise over the Ohia forest while listening to the birds greet the new day! Wonderful! With the tiny town of Volcano just minutes away, and with all the great activities available around Volcanoes Nat. Park, and with Hilo less than an hour away, you can't find a better place for fun and relaxation than Ohia Plantation House! Bernie, your rental beats all the others hands down! Mahalo nui loa for all your hard work and for your beautiful spirit that fills OPH. The love and attention you put into your rental property made my trip home more than I could have imagined!

Owner response:Aloha Lei Aloha, Thank you for the wonderful comments. We truly wanted our guests to feel the true spirit of Aloha whenever they stayed at OPH. To give our guests a feel of what Hawaii is about and to have everyone know how important and special they are to us. To have a place to call home not just a place to stay. I know that you will be back again someday.

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

Guest: Christopher3 (Wailuku, HI)
Date of Stay: 04/26/09 Review Submitted: 04/26/09

I would just like to say that I could tell that you put your heart and soul into this property. From the moment you enter the home you are overwhelmed with peace and the sense that you've are "home". Every detail at this property is centered around you--the guest. This fantastic home has made me many memories that I will cherish forever. I look forward to having the pleasure of re-visiting this home soon. Mahalo!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Escaped Minnesota (Savage, MN)
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/30/09

We arrived at OPH at 2:30 am central time, after a long day of travel. The first thing we noticed about this beautiful house was how incredibly comfortable the beds were! We all slept great. The setting is tranquil with very little noise from neighbors or traffic. We loved the layout, and particularly enjoyed the fireplace and hot tub. The location was perfect, just minutes from the national park, and about 30 minutes to Hilo. We would definitely stay here again and hope to again soon! Mahalo, Bernie!

Owner response:Aloha John, Thank you for the wonderful comments. Each of our guests are special to us and having a wonderful vacation home that you'll always want to return to is important to us. Hopefully you'll be back soon. Lots of Aloha and Mahalo! Bernie Boteilho

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Wonderful vacation

Guest: Daneen (Maui)
Date of Stay: 10/30/08 Review Submitted: 11/05/08

We had such a wonderful stay at Ohia Plantion House. Everything was so perfect! The hawaiiian decor, fresh flowers and fruit made for such a warm welcome. Not to mention the added comfort of the warm fireplace and extra comfortable beds . The location was very close to the volcano which was exaclty what we were there for. I will be back real soon to enjoy this home away from home.

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

Even better than the pictures!

Guest: Leah Carroll (Austin)
Date of Stay: 09/26/08 Review Submitted: 10/14/08

This 3 bedroom cottage far exceeded my expectations. The house is immaculately clean, and there isn't a single thing that the owners haven't thought of. We were greeted with fresh pastries and fruit, including an entire pineapple, and it was so nice to not have to run out to get food right away. We even got to take some local jellies home with us! The beds have been carefully arranged with pillow top mattresses and down comforters, and they have even included heaters for when it gets a bit cooler at night. Even the bathrooms have special touches, with fresh flower buds arranged on the towels. The porch that you see as you enter is actually a wrap-around deck that goes all the way around to the back lanai, which also holds a BBQ grill and hot tub. Plus, it was so neat to be able to see the red smoke of the volcano at night, just 5 minutes from the home. This is the perfect getaway for any family looking for clean, comfortable, and convenient accommodations - and the owners simply cannot be beat. Highly recommended!

Owner response:Aloha Leah! Mahalo for your wonderful review of our Volcano home.When we decided to open Ohia Plantation House as a vacation rental the most important thing to us was that we wanted our guests to have a real local-styled home to stay in. We have tried to give our guests the best amenities possible and make it a special home they will always want to return to. To be able to experience what the Aloha spirit really is and that the most important thing is that our guests enjoyed their visit. To let our guests know that they are special to us. I truly hope that you will be able to visit us again. Mahalo and Lots of Aloha!! Bernie

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/14/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

Our stay at Ohia Plantation House was absolutely wonderful. It is a beautiful home with countless lovely and thoughtful touches. The jacuzzi was relaxing, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the kitchen/breakfast bar was a great gathering place. (Nice breakfast food when we arrived, too!) I have fallen in love with Hawaiian quilts because of this home! Bernie is a very sweet and generous woman who really cares about her guests. I will make it a point to stay longer next time we visit!

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Guest: Rhoda
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/17/08

What a beautiful experience we had at OPH. Personally I could have moved in and been happy there forever, save the fact that we'd be about 3,000 miles further to our children and grandchildren who reside in Pittsburgh, PA. That just wouldn't do it for me. We found OPH charming to say the least. All of your hard work was reflected in the beautiful furnishings,comfy beds and comforters, refreshing fans,welcome food basket for breakfast(we made delicious smoothies), orchids to delight the eyes and the most welcoming great room. I loved relaxing in the chair, and watching our grandsons and son in law sitting on the sofa, all strumming their ukes, Adam played yours which was atop the TV. Our grandsons got theirs as souvenirs. What can we say? We could go on and on exclaming with glee how much we will always remember OPH. We toured Volcano National Park, the boys became Jr. Rangers. Bill and I took the 9:30 am Monday tour through the Volcano Visitor Center Mini Forest and ate at some fun resturants. Yes , we loved it! We only wish that we'd had more time to spend with you. Well, perhaps another time. We hated to say aloha and close the front door, but we hope the we'll be welcome some other day. Mahalo and Hugs, Rhoda

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Guest: Donna C_HAC123018 (Annandale, VA)
Date of Stay: 01/29/08 Review Submitted: 01/29/08

Our stay at Ohia Plantation House was definitely one of the highlights of our first visit to Hawaii. From the beautiful furnishings to the tranquil surroundings, this home deserves more than a five-star rating. With amenities too numerous to mention, we were completely pampered. Each day started with coffee on the peaceful deck and ended with a glass of wine in the jacuzzi. What a life! And, the location is perfect for exploring Volcanoes National Park and surrounding area. It is obvious that the owners have put their heart and soul into making this the perfect retreat for their guests. I dream of returning for a longer visit. Mahalo!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/25/07 Review Submitted: 07/25/07

What a beautiful, relaxing place to stay while we visited the Big Island. It was cool, comfortable, and absolutely 5 star! We will return again someday, just because our memories of this visit were so wonderful. Thanks for everything!

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Guest: Dr.Sugato Deb (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/26/07 Review Submitted: 06/26/07

Absolutely superb accomodations - from the "oh-so" comfortable beds, beautiful kitchen & living areas, great out-doors including the hot-tub & overall, very, very tastefully decorated. This is a rare find - 5 star accomodations at very reasonable rates. Three generations of our family really enjoyed the house. Wish we could take it along on our visit to other Hawaii locations !

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