Vacation Rentals by Owner

Charming

Guest: cd (seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/05/12 Review Submitted: 05/13/12

The bungalow is adorably furnished and has everything you'd need, from dishes to snorkel and fins, laundry to a bbq and outdoor seating. The Puako beach location is amazing for sunsets and access to sandy beaches, and the community itself is a nice amalgam of residents and mansions. The bird preserve in the backyard is absolutely charming, and birdwatching provided a great opportunity for fun siestas. This is ideal for those who plan to spend most of their time out adventuring--like us--but perhaps not for those who want a hot tub/spa or chef's kitchen. For adventures, it's easy to get to Waimea (home of paniolos and delicious food), world-class beaches, fantastic snorkeling and tours/trips in Kona-Kileau. Trash and the Big Island can be a bit dicey, and early morning travelers will need to be aware that the transfer station is only open 3 days a week. The General Store has practically everything, including a book lending library, but the shops at Waikoloa and Mauna Kea are also very nearby.

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

Beautiful home in Puako

Guest: Holly (Pope Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/07/12

We loved our stay in Puako! Our house was just a two minute walk to the water, wonderful for viewing gorgeous sunsets. When we arrived we found ourselves in a comfortable and beautifully decorated home. The main area was open and light with vaulted ceilings, kitchen open to the dining and living room. Great for talking while fixing meals. The two bedrooms and baths were at opposite ends of the house, which made it a nice place to share with another couple, or good for parents to have a little privacy from their kids. The house was well-equipped and the kitchen was stocked with all the pots/pans, dishware and utensils one might need. We cooked in often and enjoyed the BBQ as well. The grounds were nicely kept, with views of a savannah-like area, backed by the mountains. There were numerous beaches in the area and we did lots of exploring. Snorkeling was some of the best we've found. It was a relaxing place to be, which was just what we wanted. We would return to our Puako bungalow in a heartbeat.

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

The cure for busy: relaxing house + relaxing beach!

Guest: Susan (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 06/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/16/11

I would go back to the Big Island of Hawaii *just to stay at this house again*! It was simply perfect for us: mom, two teenagers, and a 10 yo. After several days in busy, tourist-y Kona and several more of driving , we were ready for some serious down-time. Puako and Muaka Beach Bungalow didn't disappoint. Puako is as laid-back as I imagined...a small little enclave of mixed older, small dwellings, larger vacation homes, with a couple of churches and a general store thrown in to round it out and make a community. A palm-lined oasis sandwiched between the lava fields and the turquoise sea. A friendly place where people walked slowly and greeted each other by name--this is the antidote to Kona. When we arrived, the manager-on-site graciously met us at the house to give us the walk-through and get us oriented, so we could get the most out of our stay. Notebooks of info about the house and the local area were thorough and very helpful (best beaches, best places to eat, and most importantly: why.) Communication with the owner and rental agency were timely, friendly, and helpful. The house itself was beautiful, even better than the pictures. Spacious and airy, with inviting exotic furniture that set the tropical stage, it exuded an uncluttered, zen-like ambience. The kitchen/dining room/living room has a wall of windows and sliders that look out onto the patios and the delightfully landscaped private yard. Bedrooms and bathrooms were roomy, beds were very comfortable, sheets and linens were fabulous. Wi-fi access was steady and reliable with enough bandwidth to meet our gaming needs. Outside, the lovely little yard gives onto wide-open grassy, savannah-like open space. I sat with coffee in the morning, watched the sun rise up, listened to birds, and delighted in the mama quail (?) with their queues of little chicks run along behind. And of course, the beach! The house is just across the street from the beach...with the wide access road giving lovely sunset views. The beach was full of tidepools where we saw sea turtles daily. Lovely to sit on the rocks with morning coffee or watch the sunset, with Maui in the distance. Truly, this is a place where you can let everything go and unwind. My only regret: we didn't stay nearly long enough! We're planning to rectify that situation someday! I'll recommend this house to everyone I know.

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

Great place to relax and unwind!

Guest: ck (Solana Beach, Ca)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

My wife, daughter and I stayed at Puako in April for a bit over a week. During the drive from the airport we were a bit worried that it was too far away from everything (mostly Kona Kailua). However, we quickly found that it is a great location for many activities, a perfect place to come back to after a long day exploring, and a great place to just relax for the day at the beach. We came away thinking that "we will be back as soon as possible". Some specific notes: The beach directly across the road (30 second walk) is a nice place for tide pools, seeing turtles (they often are sleeping on the lava rocks), and a great place for sunsets. The beach park at the end of the road (3 minute walk) is excellent for scuba and snorkeling. Many locals from Hilo come to this beach for scuba. It is usually very un-crowded. Good place for a picnic too. The best grocery store we found is in Waimea (KTA). It seems that all the locals shop there. We enjoy cooking and found that the Puako kitchen was fully equipped as expected. On our first full day I went to the small Puako boat ramp and discussed fishing with one of the locals. I ended up buying a 12lb Mahi from him for $25, which was enough for 2+ dinners on the grill. He also invited me out fishing the following week. If you are a cyclist and taking your bike, Puako is a pretty good place to ride. The only road I found on the island with a shoulder for riding is the main highway from Kona Kailua running past Puako. There always seemed to be cyclists/triathiletes riding past. This is on the Ironman route. The bottom line: we're going back again when we get the chance.

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

Mauka Bungalow

Guest: Ed (Palm Desert CA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

The owners have a real attention to detail and a nice creative flair. It's nice to see a rental with such character. Very clean. Very tranquil backyard.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children.

Puako Paradise

Guest: Anonymous (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 12/29/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/11

We arrived late in the evening on December 29 to be greeted by Mary Fox knowing we had just about put in about a 24 hour day just to get to our Hawaiian paradise. With chilled towels in hand, she cheerfully and expediently gave a quick tour of the house and it's well stocked amenities. Mary also made sure we knew we could reach her anytime with questions or concerns. The house was beautifully decorated and immaculate inside and out. The grounds were well maintained and looking out towards Mauna Loa and Mauna Kei the preserve area reminded us of an African Savanna. Several mornings we were greeted by wild turkeys crossing the area. The neighborhood is quiet and the local Puako General Store is a treasure in itself. Mary had also pre-ordered a handful of groceries we had selected from the general store list prior to our arrival so we would have breakfast items in the morning. The location is just about 22 minutes north of the airport and a perfect location to explore the northern end of the island as well as the Kona-Kailua area. The beach is a short 100 yards just across the street and we enjoyed watching turtles swim and bask in the sun every day within feet of the beach. The reefs in the area provide great snorkeling and there are several different areas to snorkel within walking distance. There is a great swimming beach just up the road for those who like to swim and boogie board. For those photographers, there are several access spots along the 3 mile long community that provide different sunset photos. You can also walk along an access path to the Fairmont Orchid Hotel to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast if you like. We have been to the Big Island several times, but this is the first stay in Puako and we would definitely stay again. Maholo

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

Secret Hideaway

Guest: Alan (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 11/25/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

Just returned from a week stay at this great house. It is in a charming location, just a few steps from the beach where we watched stunning sunsets. Every morning we watched the sunrise over the volcano from the lanai while having coffee and being seranaded (sp?) by the birds. Fantastic snorkeling/diving is just down the street a few blocks. A quiet and restful place. This is was our first time in Puako; the neighborhood is gorgeous and very friendly. And, just a few minutes away by car are some of the best beaches on the Big Island. The house's kitchen has everything you could want: just add local goodies from the nearby grocery or farmers market (check out Waimea on Saturdays!). The layout of the house is nice with two bedrooms at opposite ends of the house each with its own bathroom. Did we like it? We loved it! It is a terrific value and we recommend it highly. Can’t wait to go back soon.

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

Great Week Retreat in Warm and Sunny Hawaii

Guest: Jenn & Tom (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/25/10 Review Submitted: 11/28/10

Location: Located on the west side of the island, so the only green you will really see is near the ocean. However, with the arid climate comes the almost guarantee of sunny weather. We were in a great location for day trips to many different parts of the island. We went to the east side of the island to see the waterfalls of Hilo and the volcanic activity. It is also an easy drive (30-60 min) to Kona, Keauhou, and snorkeling near the Captain Cook memorial (fantastic!). I am a cyclist and I was able to take a great little 60 mile trip along the northwest tip of the island. Beaches: Immediately across the street is a great beach with several tide pools. The beach itself is very rocky and has course sand but the tide pools are great for floating in and one evening we saw several sea turtles swimming around and lounging on the rocks. There is a beach for every taste within just a couple of miles, however. We spent a day at the beach at Mauna Kai that is some of the softest, finest sand I've ever seen. The beach we spent most of our time at was Wailea, a public beach about a mile north of the house that is situated on a quiet bay with soft sand and lots of shade all the way to the water; great for snorkeling, swimming and just relaxing. With two toddlers, this was the perfect balance for us. The house is furnished with beach towels, chairs, mats and some snorkel gear, floaty gear and sand toys that have been left behind. House: The house is a great size and comfortably furnished for 2 couples or families with small children. The Kitchen is well stocked with appliances and serve-ware. The house has an ample amount of windows/fans/ceiling fans to create a nice cool breeze. Since the patio area is situated on the east side of the house, it is a great place to relax in mid-afternoon and evening as well as catching an amazing sunrise over the hills. The only thing to watch out for are the bugs, particularly the scorpions, we had 3 visit us during our week-long stay. We also think a hammock would be a great addition to the yard!

Owner response: We are always interested in ways to improve the experience of our guests. Last year we felt it was important to try an organic pest control service since we are making every effort to minimize our impact on the environment. As a result of this letter we have decided to employ a pest service that is more technologically advanced, Orkin. They only use a gel-based treatment which is placed behind appliances or inside electrical outlet boxes in the walls. This guarantees that our guests are never exposed to any of the treatments or pests. Thank you.

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

Wonderful House!

Guest: m (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 09/08/10

Just got back from a wonderful stay and can't say enough positive things about the house and it's location. The house is well appointed (and yes the knives are sharp!) and very comfortable. The short distance to the water is great and snorkeling is even better. Overall it's a great deal for a lovely house and beautiful, quiet location.

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

Brilliant Time!

Guest: April and Rob (Issaquah, WA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We first stayed in this wonderful bungalow last summer. It was our first time visiting Hawaii. We loved this house so much, that we decided to return again this year. The house really is very lovely; is well stocked and the furnishings very tasteful. We were really looking for a house that wasn't your typical "Hawaiian" style and this is exactly what we found. Thank you so much for letting us share in your lovely home. We plan to return again.

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

Can't wait to return!

Guest: Clocktower (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 05/16/10 Review Submitted: 06/06/10

We have just returned from 10 wonderful days in Hawaii and are delighted to post a very positive review of this VRBO. The owners have a very helpful property manager, Mary Fox, who when she heard that we had an early flight arrival suggested that we scope out Kona and then have lunch at The Lotus Café across from Costco, where we got supplies. Mary greeted us at the 3:00 check in time with windows open, fans on, chilled hand towels and two papayas! We have read the preceding “not pleased” review and want to say that we found the furniture more than comfortable. We never saw a bug (Mary explained that the owners use a non-toxic monthly pest service and that we should call her if we did notice anything). We will definitely be back to stay again, hopefully for a longer time. We are already missing the 1 minute stroll from the house to the beach to watch sunsets. The house is a great value and we recommend it highly.

Owner response:We are delighted to hear you had such a wonderful visit to Puako and stay at our beach bungalow.

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

Not Pleased

Guest: The Fish II (California)
Date of Stay: 05/02/10 Review Submitted: 05/27/10

We were not happy with our 7-day stay at this beach house. It got off to a bad start when we were informed that we would have to delay our arrival at the house for 3 hours, then were contacted and now had just 20 minutes to arrive. We broke every speed limit on the island and got there in 23 minutes but our only welcoming committee was a 2inch cockroach and a sweltering house. We agree with previous renters that the home is nicely decorated but at the expense of comfort was not appreciated. We used the patio chairs inside throughout our stay everything else was so uncomfortable. The other major disappointment was the constant battle to cool the house. The louver style windows had no adjustment; they were either full open or closed. This caused major problems when the evening gale force winds started to blow and any window open on the east side was slammed closed by the wind along with the interior doors. We do not recommend this home, but if you can find something better in the Puako area you will enjoy the vast reef area, beautiful beaches just to the north, and the quiet Puako area. P.S. It has been 3 weeks now since we departed and still waiting for the security deposit to be returned.

Owner response:We love our tidy island bungalow and in an effort to provide ample cleaning time between guests, check in time has been established as 3:00PM. We will accommodate early flight arrivals and early check in when requested and whenever possible. Past guests have commented on how delighted they have been to be greeted with a house which has been opened up, fans turned on, rolled wet face towels and chilled waters in the refrigerator and fruit from the island provided in the spirit of aloha......welcome . Dependent on weather conditions we remind guests that there may be a bug or two during any given stay. We have a bug control service on a regular basis, however it IS the tropics. Our house has an eclectic mix of furnishings inspired by our past visits to other lands and we are delighted to share them with our guests. They range from a favored Moroccan mirror, French & Italian pottery, Mexican dining chairs & a green painted Mexican country bench, and our favorite antique Indonesian pieces; a teak dining table and teak punee (daybed). Each piece carved beautifully and in our mind so representative of the rich history of another culture. As our bookkeeping allows we return our requested damage deposit in a timely manner, however and as stated clearly in our VRBO site refunds are returned within 30 days of departure. Lastly, where else can you rent a 2 bedroom & 2 bathroom island retreat in such a lovely location and adjacent to a snorkeler's paradise for a week's stay at the price of just six nights? We invite you to come join the Puako neighborhood for sunrises over Mt. Mauna Kea and sunsets at the water's edge. Sure, there may be a flying beetle or a gust of wind, but there is the sand, sun and sea to enjoy.......not to mention our agave garden, turtles at the beach and Francolin birds in the Reserve just out our back door.

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Mauka Beach Bunglow review

Guest: Seattle family (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

A wonderfully decorated house - artistically tasteful and simple - very pleasing to be in. The layout is perfect for a family and there was great outdoor space for eating on both sides of the house - allowing for breakfast in the shade and for evening dinners and barbeque in the open night air. The bird life in the back yard was an extra "plus" that we enjoyed immensely - both waking up to early morning bird calls as well as sitting in close proximity to the lovely trees to observe the bird life in the afternoons. The house was well equipped with towels and kitchen ware, barbeque and outdoor chairs. We had everything we needed (as one prior reviewer noted - a hammock would be awesome; a boogie board or two would be too). A quiet location with access to the beach just across the street, the snorkeling in this area is excellent and the overall environment is peaceful and calm. In close proximity to excellent beaches. The management group, 2 Papayas, did a terrific job. We'd go there again in an instant!

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

Perfect Big Island vacation

Guest: granny pats (sequim, wa)
Date of Stay: 03/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/02/10

Lovely...We recently returned from our week-long stay in Puako in the Mauka Beach Bungalow and it was perfect. This mauka side home with beach access is ideal and we hope to return annually. The decor in this home is grand...ample seating in the dining/living area, well-equipped kitchen, very comfortable bedrooms and baths with excellent linens. Thanks, too, for beach towels and chairs. Our only "want" would have been for snorkeling equipment since the local beach cries out for exploration. We loved the huge "backyard" that the preserve creates and access to the petroglyph park makes it a "must-see". The general store in Puako requires a visit...or many. The owners are lovely, helpful and obviously love their home. Morning sunrises, the natural aviary and beautiful local flora create the perfect Hawaiin setting. Mahalo...

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/15/10 Review Submitted: 03/15/10

Just home after spending a lovely few weeks in this wonderful house. This is our 2nd stay in 2 years, and it was just as perfect as I'd remembered. The house is ideally set-up for 2 couples and while is not right on the ocean, it borders open land to the east with fabulous views of Mauna Kea sunrises and offers great bird-watching opportunities. The South Pacific-inspired interior is tasteful and elegant while also comfortable. The yard is filled with palms, aloe, plumeria, hibiscus etc and seems to be a favorite among the local frankolins + wild turkeys. Our only complaint... those crazy birds are so darn noisy in the morning!!

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Guest: T. Tepe 1/26/10
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/25/10

"139B has one giant, enormous strength- the one that made us select it. Someone with taste and creativity managed to pull together a real "look", one that stands in positive contrast to the many color assault, horror shows offered for vacation rental that say, "Ah, it's good enough for renters." This was a great big positive for us." "Thank you for meeting us on arrival with the cold towels and drinks. That and some other hotel touches, such as rolled wash cloths, makes the difference between well done and college dorm."

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/10

The Mauka Beach Bungalow is the perfect getaway for independent travelers who want experience what living in Hawaii feels like. We loved the subtle sophisticated interior and livability of the bungalow. The designer owners provide everything you need for a comfortable relaxing stay. Puako was the best location on this island for us. It is near our favorite beaches and away from the tourist centers. Our favorite daily pastimes were snorkeling & reading every morning before the crowds came at Waialea Bay Beach (5 minute drive), identifying the many birds around the bungalow, watching for whales and searching for turtles on the lava flow beach 1/2 block away. The best body surfing is at Hapuna Beach 10 minutes up the road. Don't miss the wonderful National Parks including the place of refuge including Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park and Volcano National Park. We highly recommend driving trips around the island to Hawi, Waimea, Hilo, and Holualoa with planned stops at hikes, beaches and botanical gardens. For a special evenings book dinner at Merriman's in Waimea and Brown's Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid for a sunset meal. You can walk to Brown's from the bungalow along the scenic beach trail (take a flashlight to walk back in the dark).

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Guest: John184 (Eugene, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 01/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/10

My family and I spent Thanksgiving at the Mauka Beach Bungalow visiting family. What a wonderful house! My wife, two boys, and I had so much fun tromping to the beach across the street, or zipping over to Hapuna Beach and Wailea. Waimea isn't far and neither is Honoka'a. As others have already mentioned, the house is clean and well appointed. Highly recommended!

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Guest: L Lehner (-)
Date of Stay: 01/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

The house was very clean and well equipped. Easterly views of sunrise were fantastic. Colorful birds and the occasional group of turkeys passing through! Short walk to the beach/reef is great for spotting turtles and fantastic sunsets. Great snorkeling! Mary is a great host, made us feel welcome. We hope to come back again!

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Guest: Joanne Sugura (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 01/08/10 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

My husband and I spent Thanksgiving week at this charming, beautifully furnished bungalow. It was our first visit to Hawaii and the people we met were so friendly; we ended up hosting dinner parties from the well-appointed kitchen and grilled and dined on the patio. We had all of the beach equipment necessary to snorkel and bob about the waves. Would go back in a heartbeat.

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Guest: Greg Westphal (-)
Date of Stay: 12/30/09 Review Submitted: 12/30/09

Wow! What a wonderful stay we had in this very comfortable bungalow. Beautifully furnished,a well equipped kitchen,two comfortable bedrooms, at opposite ends of the house, all a few steps from the ocean. A very quiet and comfortable outside area with a large variety of exotic birds in and around the yard. On the beach we saw large turtles basking in the sand, spouting whales out at sea, and beautiful sunsets. Four of us stayed 2 weeks. We loved it and we'll be back.

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Guest: Jill Lycette (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/09 Review Submitted: 11/18/09

This home is fantastic. Very comfortable and very well stocked with everything you need for your beach vacation. Location and setting is ideal.

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