Wonderful retreat especially for snorklers

Guest: Sarah (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 08/11/11 Review Submitted: 08/31/11

I would highly recommend this house. Reef House sits just above the rocks of the long Puako underwater reef, wonderful snorkelling when the waves are quiet. In August, we snorkelled for hours every day. The house is comfortable and well-appointed, but not fancy, which was fine with us. It also has a fine selection of books, including the owner's thriller novel about medical malpractice. The house is close to the General Store. It also includes boogey boards and some snorkelling equipment, so we didn't have to rent anything. Altogether, a great experience.

Owner response:Summer months are great for snorkeling in Puako with many, many turtles. Please note future guests; snorkel gear and boogie boards are not provided by the Owners or Managment, but are sometimes left at the house by other guests.

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

Quintessential big isle

Guest: Lou (Los angeles)
Date of Stay: 07/17/11 Review Submitted: 08/04/11

If what you come to the big isle for is tropical paradise of the quiet, rustic kind then look no further Than this. With the ocean about 15 feet from your bedroom window, you can reduce your ambien Intake considerably. The biggest hassle about snorkeling right in front of reef house is dodging the Sea turtles. One morning at sunrise i decided to play some new music on my guitar to the turtles And in 15 minutes, had an audience of 3 or 4. As a base to explore all the big island from this was Great. I would walk a couple miles 1st thing down puako beach road, then make breakfast and Start the day. Some days id would head off to check out HIlo or Kona, one day i went up to Mauna Kea and the observatories. A couple of days i just sat and read. 2Papayas was great, as well and were there to greet me and get me settled in even though I didn't get to the house until about 9p from the airport. Having been to all the hawaiian islands, and as far into the south pacific as fiji, i can say that The big island is the best combo of tropical paradise and civilization, and, the reef house has become My spot here. Hope to be there this ti e next year Lou

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

Relaxing Ocean Front

Guest: Nick and Nancy (Winslow, Maine)
Date of Stay: 01/20/11 Review Submitted: 03/16/11

We thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing week at the Reef House. When we arrived, we remarked that it is even better than the photos! It is right on the water and we enjoyed watching the surf, turtles, whales and Maui in the distance. We have stayed at several vacation rentals, and Mary was by far the best host we have had. She was attentive to every detail and considerate to make sure we were happy. Thank you for a wonderful vacation!

Owner response:The turtles were out right in front of the house during this arrival.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

Great visit to Puako

Guest: Charles (Washington state)
Date of Stay: 01/27/11 Review Submitted: 02/24/11

My wife, five year old daughter, seven year old son and mother stayed at the Reef House at the end of January and thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful property. It is magical with its own sandy beach and green turtle trove right out front. My mother stayed separately in the adjoining apartment in the main house for the first week before flying home, and we stayed on four more days in the cabana, making for a very flexible living and rental arrangement. Both suites are tidy, clean and well-appointed with a well-stocked kitchen in the cabana, charcoal grill, laundry room, outdoor showers, plenty of board games, snorkel equipment, boogie boards, etc. The cabana is a great beach house that is casual and clean but not too perfect for life with the little ones. We enjoyed being able to sit inside or outside for a meal and watch breaching and cruising humpbacks, grilling burgers or ono and watching the turtles. Hapuna beach and beach 69 are a few minutes away and are the best beaches on the island (planet?). There is a general store nearby that has everything you need, or you can drive to nearby Waimea or Waikaloa, or the Kona Costco, to stock up. You can snorkle right from the property (with the turtles!) or walk up the beach to a very mellow protected tidepool where our children learned to snorkle. It is next to a public beach access but we hardly noticed with the thick adjoining foliage. This is really a great place in a superb location and I can't think of any faults. The aloha spirit is alive and well in Puako. 2Papayas with Mary and Robbie were excellent property managers, friendly and professional and very attentive and available for questions or needs. We highly recommend this property and management group.

Owner response:You, too, can have this experience on your visit to the Big Island!

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

Pretty perfect

Guest: julie (Eugene,OR)
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 09/18/10

We had a lovely week at Reef House, slowed down to Puako pace, even finishing an entire 1000-piece puzzle on our last day. This was the most enjoyable stay in Puako we've ever had! Mary Fox is a wonderful hostess in every way!

Owner response:Sound good to YOU, too? Then, join us at Reef House and we can help slow down to the Puako Pace

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

Second Visit to Reef House

Guest: Adele M. (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/16/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

Another wonderful stay at Reef House, this time with whales! For us, Reef House has everything we want for a relaxing vacation. We enjoy all the comforts of a home (wi-fi rocks!), that cozy feeling of being in a neighborhood, a well-stocked store just three minutes walk away, great snorkeling right outside our door, and great restaurants nearby if we don't feel like cooking. We also love the fish market and dive shop in Kawaihae (about five minutes away by car). Reef House feels like our home away from home, so we'll be back....soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: julie and mike weisbach (-)
Date of Stay: 03/22/10 Review Submitted: 03/22/10

This was our second stay at the Reef House, and it was as good as the first stay. Love the turtles, whales, location, and the house - so calm and relaxing. Not too fancy, but very comfortable and all the amenities that we need. Mahalo for sharing it with us. We hope to return very soon. Aloha.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/23/09 Review Submitted: 10/23/09

Best, most laid back, place to visit in all of Hawaii!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/23/09 Review Submitted: 10/23/09

Thanks for a great retreat. Loved the location, the proximity to beaches, the turtles, and the fantastic "manuals" left by the management and the owners of the property. Got some great pictures I'll send along.

Recommended for:

Guest: Margo Elbert (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/15/09 Review Submitted: 06/15/09

The soothing waves of the ocean are my dreams...wow, what a lovely place to have been. Early mornings in front on the reefs during low tide brought us up close to many turtles and tide pool life, and the silent sunsets seemed to linger forever! Reef House provided us with a delightful beach experience while enjoying comfortable and relaxing accomodations in this classic Hawaiian beach home. We had absolutlely everything we needed! The extensive owner's manual was much appreciated and very useful. The various island art and artifacts in the home were pleasing and inspiring, especially the watercolors, as we are also painters. The outside shower was a favorite feature! With the well-equipped kitchen and handy laundry facility, it was all perfectly convenient. The Puako location is so desirable on the Big Island, given the distances one travels to take in the splendor and activities that the island has to offer. With hopes of enjoying Reef House on another adventure to Hawaii, we will also recommend it to family and friends. Thank you for providing a place for us to create a peaceful and most memorable island experience! These days will remain forever in my heart and spirit. Aloha with great gratitude, Margo Elbert

Recommended for: