Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect place

Guest: Doug (Point Reyes Station, California)
Date of Stay: 03/30/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

This was the perfect place for my wife and I to stay--close to good beaches, easy and convenient. As a carpenter, I appreciated the attention to detail, use of native and recycled woods and the fine craftsmanship. It had exactly what we needed from coffee grinder to beach chairs. Everything was top quality, clean and comfortable. We especially enjoyed the outdoor shower, barbeque, and easy parking for our rental car (you do need a car) . In the evening we would take our drinks and walk across the street to watch the turtles and sunset. Close to Hapuna Beach and Beach 69. We'd definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

perfect place ...

Guest: Billy V (alaska)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/26/12

we really enjoyed ourselves...The cottage was so detailed ...the outdoor shower was our favorite!! Easy to get to many beaches..Lunch at Merrimans Cafe..Dinner at Blue Dragon all organic and great live music...thank you for everything

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An absolute Gem!

Guest: The Brady's (Seattle, Wa.)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

My husband and I stayed in the Vintage Cottage for 10 day over June/July. This is our 4th visit to the Big Island, but our first time staying in Puako. We will never stay outside of this fabulous little community again. The area itself is quiet, made up mostly of local residents. There are several great beach access points along the road that offer wonderful sunsets and turtle watching. The Vintage cottage was the perfect place for us to stay. The house itself is adorable, very thoughtfully furnished, impeccably clean, and outfitted with everything you could possibly need. We made wonderful meals daily in the well equipped kitchen, slept peacefully every night in the comfortable king sized bed. And the best part was coming home from a great day at the beach and showering off in the outdoor shower. It was fully stocked with delicious smelling products like coconut & mango shampoo's. We never even used the indoor tub or shower. The experience was grand, and was a daily treat. We have found our new "place to stay" on the Big Island. We look forward to returning again next year! Thank you Cynthia & John for providing us with the perfect place to rest and relax. Mahalo!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

peaceful

Guest: DM (Greenville, Mississippi)
Date of Stay: 06/02/11 Review Submitted: 06/14/11

Our time at the Vintage Beach Cottage was delightful! This place was just what we wanted for a peaceful, relaxing and quiet place away from the ratrace of every day life. I would recommend this cottage to any couple. The furnishings are so beautiful and every detail is taken care of by the owners. Would like to pick this property up and fly it home to the lake in Mississippi!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

ALOHA LOVE

Guest: Connie (Virginia, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 03/18/11

Lovely. Very comfortable. Clean. Good neighborhood. Very close to other excellent beach options. While all of these things are true and yes, even better in reality than the pictures might reveal, the KITCHEN was my favorite part. It actually inspired me to stay "at home" and cook! (I said INSPIRED---we really didn't do it that much because nearby restaurant options are also excellent.) Anyway, I'd recommend the cottage to anyone who'd love to benefit from the fastidious attention to detail given by its owners. I left with the deep, lasting impression that they truly loved their homeplace of Hawaii and they wanted us to forever love it, too. I do and will.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

January in Puako and Surf's Up

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

We had a wonderful getaway at this extremely well-maintained and thoughtfully appointed bungalow. The owners thought of every possible amenity and tried to anticipate every need. The privacy of the yard was excellent and the cottage is much better than the photos. When they renovated it they kept the character while providing every convenience. We hope to go back and will gladly recommend it. The outside shower should not be missed!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Best of the Best

Guest: B & B (Burlingame, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 12/25/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/11

We just arrived home from a perfect week at the Vintage Beach Cottage but I am reluctant to write this review because it is tempting to keep it our little secret! As a lover of beautifully maintained older homes, I was tempted by the name. The photos on vrbo do not do justice to this beautiful, light, bright, comfy house. Having rented lovely homes through vrbo several times, I would say this was our best rental experience, by far. As already noted in earlier reviews - exceptionally well-maintained and well stocked with everything you might need, from the perfect dinner platter to Elmer's glue (and everything in between). Some favorite features: fabulous outdoor shower, wide-plank hardwood floors, beach-appropriate (but not tacky) furniture and of course, easy access to visit to our sea turtle friends across the street. The hosts have created a great guide to necessities, activities and dining - a bit of an insider's viewpoint. This helped us understand "the lay of the land" very quickly so we could then just enjoy our time. Mahalo!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

A great place for a relaxing time.

Guest: Barb (Belmont, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/17/10 Review Submitted: 12/01/10

This house was just what I needed for a few days of relaxation. The home is extremely well maintained and was immaculate on my arrival. Having spent beach time on Nantucket where an outdoor shower is a selling point, the outdoor shower was wonderful (and well stocked)!! The home was well supplied with spices and condiments. With the garage, it was great to be able to enter a cool car. Cynthia was great with advice on where to snorkel, eat, etc. She even joined me for a morning walk. Puako is a treasure, very quiet, with wonderful weather. The hammock was inviting and eating al fresco was a treat. There two papayas in the kitchen to greet me on my arrival and the mint cold cloths were another bonus. I can only say positive comments about this lovely home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Okguygal

Guest: Okguygal (Oklahoma)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

We were very pleasantly surprised to find that Vintage Beach Cottage was as advertised and more. With emphasis on IMMACULATE, this place was spotless. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you could want in appliances as well as a Jenn-Air cook top. All appliances looked new without as much as a water spot on them. There was a large side by side refrigerator stocked with the beverage of your choice, some Hawaiian juices and condiments you might need. It is indeed just across the street from the beach where we spent some time snorkeling and turtle watching. After playing at the beach, to shower off in the outside shower is very convenient. Then try the hammock for a relaxing snooze, it's wonderful There is also a shower and full size tub in the large bathroom. Cynthia and John were very helpful with ideas on places to see and shop. There is a large TV, Cable, wi-fi, DVD and sound system. A full size washer and dryer in the laundry room as well as detergent. There are some fabulous beaches and sites to see near Puaco and we also enjoyed shopping in Wiamea. We had a fabulous week, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would highly recommend Vintage Beach Cottage.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Puako Rental

Guest: kimota123 (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 04/25/10

This is the perfect cottage for 2. There was a lot of attention to all the details by the owners to the property, particularly to the kitchen. The yard is very well tended with beautiful plants and several comfortable places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. The house is very cozy and makes you feel like you are in your own little home. The outdoor shower was our favorite feature! We highly recommend this great Puako house and want to return as soon as possible.

Owner response:You, too, can enjoy this peacefull setting in Puako for your next visit to the Big Island.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Touch of class!

Guest: Susie Q (Lawrence, Kansas)
Date of Stay: 03/31/10 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

I LOVE this little cottage! I discovered it purely by accident when I called a rental agency and asked for a place to stay in Puako. Since then, I've returned twice a year. The cottage is perfectly maintained, nicely decorated, and contains everything you'd want, down to beach towels, beach bag, and beach chairs. There isn't a speck of dirt anywhere! The kitchen has more appliances and pots and pans than I have at home plus herbs and spices, a sub-zero refrigerator, and all kinds of supplies. The utility room is well-supplied, too. The entertainment center is perfect for listening to music and watching TV and movies. Although all these things make the place special, what's REALLY special is the touch of class that permeates the place. Beautiful orchids grace each room. The yard has several spots for eating and socializing (or just reading a good book) and includes a wonderful gas grill and an outdoor shower with vines overhead. Moreover, the ocean is a one-minute walk across the street where you can see sea turtles, whales, and beautiful sunsets. The photos really don't do the cottage justice. It actually looks much better! Cynthia and John, the owners, are wonderfully helpful and generous with their ideas and instructions. Last time I was there, I lost my wallet, and they both helped me scour the place. John even made a trip to the General Store to look for my wallet in the store and parking lot! Within a few minutes drive, I can run on the beautiful Hapuna Beach at sunrise, exercise in the Hapuna Beach Hotel, sit in the shade at a lovely beach, take hikes along the coast, swim with the turtles and fish, and buy fresh fish (right off the boat!) and fresh fruits and vegetables. After longer drives, I can hike to black sand beaches and enjoy the resorts. I have recommended the cottage to many friends and relatives without hesitation. It gets my highest recommendation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect in every way

Guest: Lucy & Sam (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

We loved every minute of the week we spent at this cottage at the end of March, 2010. The owners' love for the home, the beach, and the island permeates the space, as does their warm generosity. As others have noted, we can enthusiastically confirm that everything about this "cottage" is well appointed and comfortable. I agree with others that the photos do not do justice to the charm and comfort of the cottage. It's a cliche, but paradise indeed is the word that comes to mind when we think of this cottage in Puako now. We bonded with the turtles; we thoroughly enjoyed the *snorkeling and the easy access to sandy beaches north of Puako; the store just fifty yards away is delightful (live whale recordings are broadcast from one of the homes on Puako Beach Rd--and really the whole store is charming and provides thoughtfully for visitors); we loved the easy trips to other parts of the island; but mostly we just loved bringing home fresh fish and fruit to fix for ourselves and enjoy with a glass of wine (and/or home made cocktails). Because our bodies were on a two hour time difference, we'd wake up at 4:00 am, take our fresh coffee outside with us, and wow...the display of stars in the sky was breathtaking. Incredible star viewing. We loved every minute. My only hesitation writing this review is that we like the fantasy that the cottage will be available to us anytime we want it. We definitely will make sure it's available the next time we decide to take a vacation in Hawaii! *Will just add that we were delighted with the service we received at the Kohala Divers Center in Kawaihae. For a couple who hadn't snorkeled in awhile, they very patiently gave us pointers that made the snorkeling experience terrific for us!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our Annual Visit to Puako

Guest: JEAER (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/10 Review Submitted: 04/24/10

January 2005 was our first time in the Vintage Cottage and we have returned every year since. We already have reserved February 2011! As other reviews have noted, the cottage lacks for nothing ... and it is immaculate! The owners have become friends ... and auntie and uncle to our grandson ... so we are ohana. Here is to many more February visits to the Vintage Cottage.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Rick39 (Jackson,CA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/09 Review Submitted: 05/30/09

We spent 4 wonderful days/nights here in early May. It went way too fast. The property is located in a very quiet and peaceful area. The only sounds that I remember hearing were ocean waves and singing birds. The owners do an excellent job of maintaining the cottage. It was extremely clean and had everything that we ever needed. Make sure you try the outdoor shower when you come. I don't see how it can get any better. We will certainly recommend this property to everyone we know.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/22/09 Review Submitted: 03/22/09

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent stay at Vintage Beach Cottage. The location is ideal for ocean access, getting groceries at the General Store, and great turtle and whale watching. Owners Cynthia and John are thoughtful and considerate hosts who have put their hearts into making this lovely cottage a special place for guests to enjoy. Every necessity and many extras are provided, making it easy to relax and feel pampered. The outdoor shower is a real treat! The craftsmanship and careful attention to detail truly set this place apart, as did the hospitality of the owners. Service from agent Mary Fox was also first rate. Thanks! Cindy and Tren

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/15/08 Review Submitted: 09/14/08

Vintage Cottage is the perfect place to relax. A weekend in the peaceful, private setting wiped away months of stress. I felt like a new person after relaxing in the sun or reading in the hammock in the perfect breeze. I only wish I could have stayed longer. Next time, I will have to spend a whole week there and make use of the beautiful kitchen.

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Guest: Barbara Sayad (Carmel, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/08 Review Submitted: 09/04/08

 What a joy it was to step into the Vintage Beach Cottage and be surrounded by the aloha spirit. This house is in a special location and offers the tranquillity, space, and surroundings that many of us seek as we venture on to the very special big island of Hawaii. The owners of the house, Cynthia and John, have created a home that is welcoming and accommodating. Not a detail was spared (helpful resource guides, flowers, comfortable pillows, utilitarian kitchen equipment, and outdoor lounging and bar-b-que equipment, to name a few)which can accommodate even the most pampered traveler. I  would  recommend this house to anyone looking for a quiet retreat. Kudos to Cynthia and John for sharing their paradise with us. Drs. Barbara & Robert Sayad

Owner response:Thank you for taking the time to write such wonderful comments, Mary

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Guest: micki and randy (hood river, oregon)
Date of Stay: 05/13/08 Review Submitted: 05/13/08

Our vacation at this Puako cottage was perfect. Cooking in this kitchen is a delight, attention to detail goes beyond the norm. Great location and plenty of privacy, plus easy access to beach, snorkling and hiking. We will return.

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Guest: Karen & Martin Loos (Whitehorse, Yukon)
Date of Stay: 02/11/08 Review Submitted: 02/11/08

Loved this cottage and the area. We had one of the best vacations ever in this spot. Kitchen was excellent, bed comfortable, and all the extras a bonus. The local hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking (with whales!) was incredible. Thank you, John & Cynthia, we look forward to returning.

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Guest: Amy Hoffman (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/11/08 Review Submitted: 02/11/08

We had a wonderful and enchanting stay at this immaculate and beautifully crafted cottage across the street from the beach. The kitchen is better equiped than our own. And we appreciated all the attention to detail that makes this a perfect hideaway on the Big Island.

Owner response:Thanks Amy, We are glad you enjoyed your stay! Mary

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