Hilo Retreat

Guest: Jim and Sandy (Midwest, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 12/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/15/09

Absolutely wonderful stay. The surf right below. Surfing beach next door. Location is perfect to explore the volcano to South and Waipio valley to North. Good restaurants. Available markets. Karen and Joel provided snorkel gear, beach mats, chairs, coolers to enable us to explore this wonderful island. Kapoho tide pools are a must visit! We loved Hilo and would love to return for another stay.

Owner response:Thank you very much for your very kind words. We hope to see you again soon. Karen and Joel

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

Happy Days at Honoli'I House

Guest: Tara (Alaska)
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 01/18/12

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Honoli'I House. The location is spectacular, perched on a cliff we enjoyed amazing sunrises every morning and could watch a steady stream of surfers from our little porch. It feels very private, which we really liked. It was a treat to be welcomed with a basket of goodies and all of the basics we needed to start our holiday. Honoli'I House makes a great home base for exploring the region, we took trips to the Puna Coast and Volcano National Park and enjoyed returning every day for a delicious dinner in Hilo. If you shudder at the thought of a resort and want to feel at home while on vacation, Honoli'I House is a great choice.

Owner response:Thank you very much for your kind words. We really appreciate meeting such wonderful guests. And it is so great hearing that you enjoyed both the house and Hilo. We love being able to share Hilo with guest. We hope you come back and see us again.

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

Hilo's Cliffside Treasure

Guest: Wild thing (Sudbury Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/19/11 Review Submitted: 11/08/11

Very hospitable people here. Wonderful view. No swimming beaches in the area but great for surfers. I di think the apartment needed some refubushing. The windows needed to be cleaned from the salt splashes to make the best of the beautiful ocean view. There was no screen on the window next to the tv so there were bugs at night.. Eating at the bar was not comfortable because the stools are not the best.. All and all the stay here was very comfortable and private. Great for surfers visiting Hilo

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

Would love to return

Guest: Sue (Beavercreek)
Date of Stay: 07/31/11 Review Submitted: 09/06/11

Ditto to what everyone else has said about the house, its location and the thoughtfulness of the owners. Falling asleep and waking up listening to the roaring waves was a rare pleasure. Make sure to walk to the waterfalls along the road strewn with hibiscus. The three days and nights we spent there were just wonderful in every possible way. A special delight was to browse the nice collection of books at random. We would love to stay longer next time.

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

Amazing view plus all the comforts of home

Guest: Jana H.
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/30/11

To echo what other reviewers have said, YES this house is really perched on a cliff. Amazing views of Hilo bay, watching the sun rise over the Pacific, watching sea turtles from the living room window, what more could you ask for? It was such a treat to find a basket of local goodies, well-stocked fridge, and our choice of wines. Karen is very thoughtful and even brought over an umbrella when the weather changed. We took in all the Hilo sights, but would have also been content to just sit on the lanai and watch the surfers and cruise ships all day. Convenient but private location, very clean, and plenty of extra linens, snorkeling gear, beach towels...you name it and they have it. We hated leaving the Honoli'i House and would recommend it to anyone staying in Hilo.

Owner response:Thank you so much. We really enjoyed meeting you, and we are so glad to hear you had a great time. This is a big reason for trying to think of all the little things that can make our guest feel comfortable, and enjoy themselves. Thank you again for all the kind words, and please come back soon, Karen

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

Stunning location

Guest: Lynne S. (Golden, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 03/30/11

My husband and I stayed at Honoli'i House for four days in March. The location of this property is unbelievable -- perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Honoli'i Beach, and Hilo Bay. We spent hours just watching the sea, the surfers, whales at play, and cruise ships sailing in and out of the harbor. The morning light streaming through the windows is glorious. The sound of the waves can get loud (and the owners have thoughtfully provided ear plugs!) but is also relaxing, making for a delightful way to drift off to sleep. A five-minute drive takes you into downtown Hilo, and a short walk down the street takes you to Honoli'i Beach (beautifully landscaped; a great picnic location) and a couple of waterfalls. It's a perfect home base for exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as the Hamakua Coast. The apartment itself is not pretentious -- no over-sold updates or unnecessary luxuries -- just comfortable furnishings with all the tools and equipment you need. Karen is a gracious host who welcomed us with fresh flowers and coffee, fruit, juice, muffins, and milk for our first breakfast. Honoli'i House is a great place to stay amidst breathtaking scenery.

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

Honoli'i House,YES really is on cliffs edge

Guest: Doretta (Arkansas)
Date of Stay: 12/23/09 Review Submitted: 01/03/11

Can not thank Karen and Joel enough for having treats/ local flavor there to get one started without having to run to the store right up. You are truly on cliffs edge there and sleeping for us was the best as the waves did lull us all night. If I could just sleep here every night, WOW.

Owner response:Doretta, Thank you so much for this lovely review. Joel and I enjoyed meeting you and talking with you. We hope you come back and see us again real soon. Good luck and Happy New Year to you. Maholo Nui Loa, Karen

Recommended for:Sightseeing.

Staying on Cliffs Edge....

Guest: Charlie (Greer, S.C.)
Date of Stay: 12/12/10 Review Submitted: 12/23/10

My wife and I stayed a couple of wonderful nights in Hilo. We went there just to explore the Volcano National Park, Waipio valley and Akaka Falls but found a lot more. We saw beautiful Sunrises, Surfers and the voice of the ocean, pounding waves off the cliffs just outside the bedroom window. Karen & Joel was perfect host making us feel like family. If you plan to visit Hilo I highly recommend the Honoli’I House.

Owner response:Charlie, Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We enjoyed your visit and hope you come back soon. It is easy to be a good host with such wonderful guests. Thank you again, Karen and Joel.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+.

Gorgeous retreat place!

Guest: Yan (Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/16/09 Review Submitted: 10/19/10

We spent two nights in the property and it was a wonderful experience. Gorgeous ocean view and it worth the time to get up early in the morning to see the sunrise! The property was clean and neat. We had a great time there! Wish we had more time and could stay longer. Definitely would return if we visit Hilo again.

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

Wonderful place to stay near Hilo

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/05/10 Review Submitted: 08/15/10

This is a lovely place to stay while exploring the east side of Hawaii island. Close to Hilo (2 miles) and it's amenities. Refreshing cooling ocean breezes wafting throughout the apartment. Delicious ocean sounds and sights. Well stocked and just a nice place to stay if you want to be in one of the few oceanfront properties near Hilo town, with a beautiful view of Hilo Bay. Attached to main home yet very private. Very accommodating hosts.

Owner response:Mahalo Nui Loa for such kind words. It was a joy having you stay with us and hope you come back real soon. Thanks again, Karen

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+.