Vacation Rentals by Owner

Who can ask for more or better?

Guest: Noergler (Swarthmore, PA USA)
Date of Stay: 04/13/12 Review Submitted: 05/01/12

We stayed at the Reef House for a week and loved it (understatement) - in addition to its perfect location (ocean-front), it is perfectly furnished and appointed, with every possible need (kitchen, laundry, comfortable beds, good lighting, r&r amenities such as hammocks, etc., etc.) anticipated and met. The management is also wonderfully accessible and helpful. And it is a 2-minute walk from the glorious General Store, surely the best-stocked market per square foot in the northern hemisphere.

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

Two weeks in a little bit o Heaven

Guest: Pat, John and Kerry (Oregon)
Date of Stay: 03/05/12 Review Submitted: 03/28/12

We rented Reef House for two weeks and loved it. Compact but extremely comfortable. We were joined in our second week by my sister and brother in law. The separate quarters made sharing the house very easy. The view was rewarding morning, noon and night. We had the headlights of Jupiter and Venus coming at us on the starry nights. We loved Rocky the turtle who pulled out every day on a prominent rock or the beach right in front of us. The house was very private (we had no next door neighbors our whole stay). The outdoor showers were soo wonderful. Thanks for the use of the boogy boards, we had fun at Hapuna Beach on those. Thanks to 2 Papyas and to the lovely owners for making this place so homey and welcoming.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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!

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

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

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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.

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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

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Guest: Courtney Lodato (Burlingame, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/08/08 Review Submitted: 12/08/08

Thank you for such a wonderful vacation. The house is darling and we had so much fun swimming with the turtles. Thank you for making the trip so special.

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Guest: Mary Frank (Oakland,CA)
Date of Stay: 10/29/08 Review Submitted: 10/29/08

A very happy time. Relaxed. A lovely house by the ocean. Ceiling fans were perfect. Loved the wood walls, the art, the cardinals bathing in the small pool in the lava bolder. Very well maintained. Mary was very helpful. Hope to visit soon again.

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Guest: rebecca 1 (london/australia)
Date of Stay: 08/18/08 Review Submitted: 08/17/08

We just spent 5 nights at the reef house in puako, it was brilliant! secluded, romantic sunsets and open plan living - much bigger than we expected. the fully equipped kitchen with everything you need for a good cook up on the bbq right on the ocean front, lounge chairs, comfortable lounges, cool ocean breezes... the gardens are kept immaculately and the front yard descends down to the cool waters where we saw and swam with turtles every day! (they come right up to but by law you must not approach them) bring some tabi shoes to walk in the ocean as some of the lava and coral can cut but makes for fantastic snorkeling in calm waters... the bed was super comfy, we were graciously greeted on arrival by mary who made us feel completely at home and was only a phone call away to sort out things like wifi difficulties... i know you shouldn't need it in hawaii but it's great if you need to book a helicopter flight say... def reccomend! we found puako the best of both worlds you can walk through the beach path and grab a meal at the resort next door (30 mins) or you can stay completely low key in puako with only a general store and a stretch of other beach houses. we hardly saw anyone... we are still in hawaii and have been comparing everywhere we stayed to puako reef house and unfortunately we have been disappointed wtih the exception of hana on maui - bamboo inn - also great... so if you want to get away form condo - vill suburbia that ruins the lanscape UURGH! come to puako! PS the big island's white sand beaches are better than maui and MUCH more secluded.

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Guest: Melody Benton (Edmonds, WA )
Date of Stay: 08/15/08 Review Submitted: 08/15/08

I just returned with my family of 5 from a wonderful 2 week vacation on the Islands. We stayed in two different locations on the big island and 2 resort locations on Maui. The Reef House was our first stop. I was keeping my fingers crossed that all would be as expected; that the cash I’d sent in advance did in fact secure a lovely beachfront cottage & that my family could comfortable fit into the space. All concerns evaporated before we had the front door of the house fully open. From first glance you can clearly see The Reef House is a well loved and well cared for home and we felt welcomed by Mary’s thoughtful touches, fresh fruit & cool juices, fans running, etc. The home itself is charming & authentic, we were very much at ease relaxing, playing in the yard, napping in the hammock, snorkeling in the ocean and watching the star shows at night. Planning this vacation I started at The Reef House and chose each of the following stops to be a bit more luxurious, finally ending with The Grand Wailea on Maui. With their ‘over the top’ opulence and abundant water play opportunities I was sure it would finish as the favorite for my 3 teens. On the last day of vacation however when I asked everyone to share their favorite ‘vacation spot and activity’ 4 out of the 5 reported The Reef House was their top stop, by far, beating all the others (the 5th also chose TRH but it was a close finish with TGW). With a vote like that we’ll definitely be back!

Owner response:Melody, thank you for taking the time to write such a glowing review. I hope you and your family can return to Reef House again soon.Mary

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Guest: C, J and T (Lagunitas, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/24/08 Review Submitted: 07/24/08

We stayed for a week at this lovely home, where we enjoyed the fantastic sunsets, sea turtles and sense of quiet and peace. Our 11 year old son loved to wake up and check out the sea life first thing each morning, happily counting the sea turtles on the reef and watching for cardinals. We ate breakfasts and dinners outside and nearly fell asleep while reading on the hammoch. The location of the home is also great. Not only do you have a small beach (it comes and goes with the tides)right there, but there are numerous expansive, white sand beaches just a few minutes away (as close as a four minute drive). Hapuna and Mauna Lea offered excellent swimming (our son enjoyed boogie boarding at Hapuna)but Wailea was probably our favorite. Mary's warm hospitality and thorough knowledge of the island made our vacation that much nicer. She was easily accessible when we needed to ask her questions and we found her to be a superb host. We highly recommend Reef House. If you have children they, too, will love it.

Owner response:Mahalo, Cindy, Watching the 4th of July fireworks on the beach, was great. Glad to get to know you and your family, Mary

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Guest: Kate & Iain Gilbert (Pleasanton, California )
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/18/08

What a fabulous week we had. This cottage was perfect for us. Beautiful sunsets and turtles in abundance. Very well equipped we wanted for nothing, and spotlessly clean. We love Hawaii but are not keen on staying at the big resorts. If you are the same I highly recommend this home.

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Guest: Robert Weinberg & Eleanor Wilner (Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 07/14/08 Review Submitted: 07/14/08

Beautiful, serene, perfect location, immaculately kept,turtles and birds in profusion. Everything that's needed for a holiday, including snorkel masks and boogie boards. This was our second visit to the Reef House in Puako. There will be more.

Owner response:Mahalo, Robert and Eleanor, we hope you return soon. PS mask and boogie boards are items left behind by guests and are not regularly provided by the Owners. Mary

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Guest: Lucyaw (San Anselmo, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 07/12/08 Review Submitted: 07/12/08

Fabulous location. The sun sets right in front of the house over the ocean filled with peaceful sea turtles. Darling house, no mosquitoes, always a cool breeze. Highly recommended.

Owner response:Thank you, Lucy. We welcome you back at any time! Mary Fox

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