Great location for exploring the Kona coast

Guest: Jennifer (Emeryville, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

The studio was very clean with all the amenities you need. We went to two step for some amazing snorkeling! Be sure to have snorkel gear before you make the drive from the main highway down the hill to the studio. The studio is in a great location, literally across the street from the bay, so you can do lots around the area as described in the listing.

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

Very nice place with every amenity in a special location

Guest: CJ (Grayslake, IL)
Date of Stay: 01/24/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/11

My wife and I loved staying at Carol's place. We wished we could have stayed longer. We had every amenity and Carol was very helpful to make her place feel like home. We loved kayaking to Captain Cook's Monument for the best snorkeling on the island. Kealakua Bay also has spinner dolphins. Stop by the Coffee plantation for tour and some samples as well as buy shaved ice next store. 2 Step for snorkling and City of Refuge are about 10 minutes drive. Hookena is about 20 minutes away and is a nice black sand beach. Kona is about 30 minutes away.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, families with young children.

Excellent location to explore, snorkel, kayak, hike

Guest: Dick & Jill (La Canada Flintridge, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/20/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

So many attractions are close at hand here. You can launch a kayak right across the street, for a paddle to Cook Monument. The snorkeling was superb near the haul-out area. The city of refuge is a few miles down the coast, and Honaunau Bay also has excellent snorkelling. The City of Arches walk along the coast has very interesting lava formations. (Wear sturdy shoes, and a hat.) Kona is close for shopping. Carol's studio is small, but comfortable, and the minimal kitchen is still adequate if you choose to cook in. We had a great time.

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

Nice location, Good to Excellent

Guest: Carl (Chandler, AZ,)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Thanks Carol, I liked staying at your place. Great access to the ocean. Great access to go to Captain Cook monument. Great assistance from the locals launcing the Kayak at the pier, and you can't beat the price! Mahalo, Carl

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

We'd Love to Return...

Guest: Mike & Margy (Wausau, WI)
Date of Stay: 01/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

The Big Island is our favorite of the Hawaiian Islands, and this place became our favorite place to stay after spending a week in the studio apartment. It's close to wonderful snorkeling at Kealakeakua Bay and a short drive away from Honaunau. The studio apartment was comfortable, clean, and well-equipped. Carol made sure we had everything we needed and spent a good deal of time answering our many questions. We really enjoyed being able to walk to lovely beaches, relaxing outdoors and hearing the surf, watching the birds and other creatures, and being surrounded by amazing plants and flowers. We've no hesitation about recommending this place and hope to return before too long ourselves.

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

Guest: Jodie & Jim Sobczak (Vancouver, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/24/10 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

Carol's house is great. We stayed 3 nights in the studio apt. LOVED the outdoor shower and used it everyday. Great location for kayaking and snorkeling to Cap't Cook. We had whales come pretty close to our kayak and swam with a monk seal by the monument. Staying in the Cap't Cook area, you also have the "Place of Refuge" right down the street. These are considered the 2 best snorkeling areas in ALL of the Hawaiian islands. Carol is a great host, super friendly and was right there to make sure we had everything we needed. Would recomend to others easily and will be back (soon, I hope!!).

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Guest: celeste borosky (pacific grove, ca)
Date of Stay: 05/02/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/09

Carol's studio was comfortable and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. We were able to walk down to the beach ,1/2 block, to watch for dolphins in the morning and view the sunsets in the evening.Kayaks are available right there for going across the bay to Captain Cook monument and fantastic snorkeling. It's a great base for going to other spots on the island and Carol is a great hostess, full of interesting local information.

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Guest: Nick and Pippa (North Vancouver)
Date of Stay: 03/15/09 Review Submitted: 03/15/09

The studio is small but well-designed for maximum use of space (the bed is sideways) and it has everything you'd need. Toaster oven, microwave and kettle (thanks Carol for buying one for us, tea just isn't the same from a microwave). The main attraction here is the location, just steps from the kayak launch to the Captain Cook monument, and close to 2-step, the best diving and snorkelling on the island. We saw dolphins and humpback whales from the rocks every day. It's a bit noisy in the morning with the kayak-renters, and the walls are a little thin so you hear other house occupants moving around (and snoring) but it was not a problem. Take earplugs if you are a light sleeper. Carol is a great host.

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Guest: Susan Keen (Worthing, Sussex, England )
Date of Stay: 08/26/08 Review Submitted: 08/26/08

Completely lucked out with this great accommadation! Such a beautiful spot a gem of the Island. Carole was a fantastic host and very helpful. This place is great for spending a few days or a full vacation. I cannot wait to go again and spend time at Carole's House. Many thanks Carole, see you again soon, Sue from England.

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