Great Place, no reservations

Guest: Guests (Vancouver)
Date of Stay: 12/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/02/12

A beautiful, tranquil place to stay and an ideal location for touring Kona. Fantastic view and surrounded by fruit trees, coffee, etc. Really ideal, and Candy provides a lot of help and extras.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car.

Privacy Supreme, Far Superior than A Hotel Suite

Guest: Kyle (SEOUL)
Date of Stay: 11/06/11 Review Submitted: 12/07/11

First of all, I don't write reviews. For Mike and Candi, they provided an amazing experience and setting for my honeymoon. I wanted to write this just to explain to anyone considering this place that, yes, I will be back to stay with Mike and Candi and that, I will be back to move to Hawaii someday. When I do, I hope that Mike and Candi (and Dennis) will remains lifelong friends, because when you stay here and you take the time to meet these 3 amazing people, you will be enticed by their knowledge and romance of the island. They are great, relaxed people who I hope to know for a long time to come. They made the experience welcoming, private and exceptionally comfortable for my wife and me. The coffee that they make is also one of the best Kona cups I have had and I bought as much as my suitcase would hold. If you are considering a hotel instead of a house, you are wrong. Just wrong. We had to transition to a hotel because of a previous booking for our last night and were very disappointed with out $250 a night place. This place was exceptionally better and I will return.

Owner response:Mahalo Kyle & Julia. Knowing you came such a distance for your honeymoon we are glad it was all you were hoping for . We also enjoyed your visit & help picking coffee that day! We look forward to having you again here on our slice of paradise. Mahalo Candi & Michael

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

The perfect retreat!

Guest: Paul & Jill (Broken Arrow, OK)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

This was the third year in a row that we have stayed with Candi and Michael. The Maka Nui estate has every thing that one could want when staying in the coffee region of Kona. I can not imagine staying any place else on the island of Hawai'i... This is a working coffee farm so it may not be the place for everyone. But if you enjoy peace and quiet, solitude, a little wild life and a fantastic view of historic Kealakekua bay and the south Kona coast then this is the place to stay. But really makes the place is Michael and Candi and of course Bamboo and Happy. They go out of their way to make their guests feel at home. We are already planning our trip for next year. The three weeks that we spent this year was the best vacation that we have ever had (wish I had more vacation!!). Staying in the Captain Cook area allows one to enjoy the temperate climate of the Kona coffee region (no A/C required!) with quick & easy access to first class snorkeling/scuba areas and the "tourist areas" of Kailua-Kona along Ali'i drive. We can't wait to return next year. We recommend Hale Pali to everyone we encounter who is thinking about visiting Hawai'i. Mahalo Candi & Michael!!!

Owner response:Mahalo ! It is so nice to have repeat guests as like having old friends come for a visit! Thanks for your help this year with the coffee & such. I know that the dogs miss you as much as we do, altho it is the treats I think they miss the most! LOL! Maybe we will get to your neck of the woods someday & really look forward to seeing you next year! Candi & Michael

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

The Honeymooners

Guest: Rick and Holly (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 06/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/14/11

We were sad to leave this beautiful property; as it became our home away from home. When we first arrived and stepped out of our car, Happy came bounding down to greet us. He also greeted us every morning and enjoyed nights on our lanai. The welcome basket of fruit, coffee, and flowers (all grown on the property) made it feel like home. We enjoyed the freshest of fruit for smoothies and some homemade guacamole. With the cottage on the side of a mountain, the plentiful vegetation, and gorgeous view of the bay it feels like you are alone in paradise. However, a trip to the bay for snorkeling or to Kona is never far away. This cottage was the perfect relaxing getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

3rd Time's A Charm!

Guest: The Gopleruds (Elgin, IL)
Date of Stay: 03/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

Yes, this was our THIRD time to visit Candi and Michael, and it certainly won't be the last. We feel so lucky that we found this secret piece of paradise. So cozy, so quiet, so perfect. If you're looking for the "non-tourist" way to stay in Hawaii, this is your place! Candi and Michael are GREAT hosts, helping out with ANYTHING you need--info, advice, boogie board, extra beach chair, etc. The cabin is clean and well stocked with not only the goody "welcome basket", but also necessities like spices, oil, or things you don't want to buy. And the endless supply of fresh fruit--right out the front door--is priceless. Thank you for ANOTHER wonderful 5 days. We can't wait to come again and stay longer. And "hugs and pets" to the official mascots, Cosmo, Bamboo and Happy--love their daily visits. Donna, Brad, and Katie

Owner response:Aloha! Mahalo for making this your favorite spot! Altho w/Katie heading to collage , I bet you will have a fine quiet time for the 2 of you next time. Maybe. We wish her all the good luck in heading on to higher education. Candi & Michael

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Great cottage

Guest: kanne (Juneau, AK)
Date of Stay: 02/22/10 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

How delightful to find everything we needed right at our fingertips! A fully supplied kitchen meant we didn't have to run to town for simple supplies. We enjoyed being surrounded by fruit trees and waking up to birdsong every morning. We hope to return.

Owner response:Mahalo Kathy! We are glad that your stay was a good time . I try to make sure all is there to make folks feel at home. Hope to see you again Aloha Candi

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+.

Relaxing, convenient and, most of all, reservations handled promptly and professionally

Guest: H & E (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/12/11 Review Submitted: 02/12/11

A very pleasant experience. We were especially impressed with the reservation process, the welcoming reception on arrival and the continuing help offered by Candi and Mike during our stay.The location is quiet and relaxing, but, as others have commented, a variety of more energetic activities are nearby. The view from the cottage goes on "forever". . We would return to this property and recommend it to other couples.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, tourists without a car.

Great retreat

Guest: Happy Cannuck family (Burlington, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 01/23/11

I was looking for a place where I could catch up on work. This little cottage was perfect - great / fanastic views - comfortable bed - excellent internet connection - wonderful hosts Candi and Michael gave me great tips as to where to go and what to see when I wanted breaks. Pictures on the web of both the cottage and house where also stayed over Christams with our full family are exactly what you will find when you arrive. Great and numerous area restaurants within 15 min drive of the estate along with grocery stores and other facilities provide easy access to everything you need but away from the built up tourist areas. Short drive down the hill side provides access to great snorkling, kayaking and swimming with hiking trails nearby for exercise. Overall a great place to spend a week or two on the big Island and Candi and Michael bend over backwards to make sure you are comfortable and have everything one would need.

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

Ah Bliss! Second Time at Pali Hale

Guest: COartist (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 11/06/10 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

My husband and I just spent our 2nd vacation in two years at Pali Hale (first time time Nov. 2009). We were there 10 days this time. It was just as lovely as the first time--the cottage was spotless, the fridge was stocked with milk, juice, bread and the fruit basket also contained some of the estate's own coffee (very good)--which was nice our first morning there since we had arrived at Kona airport late at night with no energy to shop. It was great to see Michael and Candi again--they are the perfect hosts-friendly and helpful but allow you to have your own space--and what a gorgeous space it is. The flowers, fruits and trees are lush and gorgeous--coming from late fall in Colorado, it was a study in contrast. This was our 16th trip to the Big Island (since 2000) and, at this point, we come to relax, not to be busy going and doing every day. And there is not a more perfect place to do that than the cottage. I read lots of books, floated in the pool and managed to cook some pretty good meals (cooking is one of my hobbies). My husband snorkled at Two-Step and the Bay and did some paintings and drawings at Ke'ei Beach (he's an artist). And we spent time with old friends who live nearby. Our favorite time is morning coffee (Kona, of course) on the lanai, looking down at Ke'ei and the southern Kona coast as the sun crests Mauna Loa and illuminates the lanscape. Restaurants we enjoyed this trip include: Kalama's on the road to Napoopoo --great burgers and fresh fish sandwiches; Ke'ei Cafe on the main highway--we always go there--dinner for two with wine abut $90 (they don't take credit cards); Holuakoa Cafe in the little artsy-coffee town of Holualoa above Kailua--wonderful fresh locally grown ingredients--dinner for 2 with a good bottle of wine $100); Kona Brewing Company in Kailua-town--nice patio, great pizza and beer--natch, Rapanui in Kailua--Pacific Rim cuisine--delicious and very affordable. If you want a beautiful, private, quiet and reasonably-priced place to spend time-stay at the cottage. We certainly plan to return for a third stay!

Owner response:We are always so happy to have folks return to the cottage! As we get to enjoy the beauty of this place daily, knowing others can relax & soak up the aloha is great! Hope to see you again as all guests join our o'hana and our family just keeps growing

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

A great place to stay and experience the big island!

Guest: Isaac (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

We just came back from a 7 day stay at Pali Hali and loved it! The location is in a nice quiet area of Captain Cook away from the Touristy area of the island, but not too far from anything (only 20 mins to the town/airport). It's definately an ideal place to experience the true island lifestyle! We woke every morning to fresh mangos picked right from the tree - we've never had mangos this good before - and fresh Kona coffee provided in our gift basket. The view of the bay is amazing, we spent a lot of time simply sitting on the Lanai and taking in the fresh ocean breeze and the view. Our furry friend 'Happy' would often visit and if you love animals you won't miss out. Wished we could have spent more time on the island for sure! The location is great as the best snorkling on the island can be found down the hill, we highly recommend the Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook monument and at "Two--Step" at the "Place of Refuge" for any avid snorkler. Candi and Michael were both wonderful hosts and helpful with suggestions for things to do on the island. Our only complaint was the amount of bugs in the area (mostly at night), we accidentally left the screen door open the first night and were infested by insects attracted to the light (months, gnatts, etc.). Obviously a tropical climate is expected to have lots of insects, just remember to always close the door (unfortunately my girlfriend is a bit freaked out by bugs). Also ensure to clean your dishes right away and not leave food out or you'll be visited by friendly local ants. Other than that we'd definately would love to return again! We highly recommend this place for a good gettaway from the busy city! Thanks again Candi!

Owner response:We are soo happy you enjoyed your stay here! it is a true blessing to share the wonders of island living. I never thought to tell you to keep screen shut I assumed you knew that is why we have screen doors! LOL! As for the ants , yes in the tropics it is important to protect your food as there is no stopping those kinds of bugs. if it is out they will claim it!!! Hope to have you back to visit us as Happy is still going down to look for you. He is a silly guy!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.