A charming and Tranquil Retreat in Paradise

Guest: Gary & Melissa (Full Time RV'ers - Home is where we park it)
Date of Stay: 11/27/09 Review Submitted: 12/21/11

We stayed at KOA Cabin for 10 days. It was a very comfortable, charming and tranquil retreat. We are back on the mainland and back to work - wishing we were still on the Big Island snorkeling and hiking then returning to the comfort of the KOA Cabin each evening, falling into a deep sleep! Our first morning we feasted on fresh baked bread, home made jams, tropical fruit and a rainbow of fresh eggs washed down with Kona Coffee. Heide treated us with fresh fruit each day and I gorged on the Macadamia Nuts outside the front door (I begrudgingly shared with the Hens and Dog). We enjoyed the morning visits of the Sheep and the birds singing away and mongoose romping. The cabin is secluded yet convenient to some great spots – Pu uhonua O' Honaunau - the Place of Refuge and the adjacent Two Step – a fantastic place to Snorkel (Heidi and Jeff provided Snorkel Gear and Boogie Boards at the cabin! ) We also rented a tandem Kayak at Kealakekua Bay and went over to the Captain Cook Monument to Snorkel (I would recommend renting from the older gentleman – Mailles - just the down the street past the main parking area rather than the questionable characters in the parking lot). The cabin is close to Kailua Kona with shopping, restaurants and a great Luau at the Royal Kona Resort. We had a great time, my husband just wishes he had had the time to challenge Jeff at Ping Pong! Thanks Heide and Jeff!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

A wonderful opportunity to live in the "real" Hawai'i and not just be a tourist !

Guest: John & Renee (Anacortes, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/11/11 Review Submitted: 05/28/11

We have spent a couple of our vacations now at Koa Cabin and I cant praise it enough. First of all, I must say that our hosts, Jeffrey and Heide Cumes, are some of the most wonderful folks we have ever met. You are greeted to the cabin with a variety of fresh tropical fruits from the property, Heide's wonderful home-made bread and Kona coffee. They are kind, caring and truly bend over backwards to ensure their guests have a splendid experience. The cabin itself has everything you need for a comfortable stay and is surrounded by beautiful orchids, bananas, mac nuts and even 'awa (kava). You awaken every morning to a chorus of birdsongs from the forest behind the cabin and a detached lanai offers lounging and outdoor dining opportunities, if you have the inclination for a barbecue.In the town of Captain Cook you can go to the Manago Hotel for the best pork chops on the Big Island or take a short drive to access excellent Japanese or Mediterranean cuisine or Auntie Clara's wonderful kava stand. From Koa Cabin you can easily visit the not to be missed City of Refuge at Honaunau, several ancient Hawaiian temples, go swimming at Two-Step or view the ancient Ali'i burial grounds and the Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua. It's a short drive to Kailua town if you want to go shopping or hit the night spots .Truly, much of Koa Cabin's charm is the feeling that you really don' 't need to go anywhere...it's a great place just to kick back, lay in the hammock and let the world hurry on its way. This feels like what it's like to live in Hawai'i but if you want the fancy King's Shops at Waikaloa or the golf courses, they are all within driving distance. Captain Cook is a great community, with warm and welcoming people who live the aloha spirit and the Sunday farmers market is a fun way to wile away a few hours, getting breakfast, listening to music and shoping for fresh produce and local crafts. Once again, I want to emphasize just how special the Cumes family makes you feel and I guarantee you will leave Koa Cabin with warm memories and a little sadness that you couldn't stay there a little longer.

Owner response:We appreciate this review because, as much as WE love this place, it is always gratifying to see what others feel and how they have experienced the Koa Cabin and its environment. Also special are the details our guests include that we may not have thought of, reflecting their own unique discoveries while staying here (like the Manago Hotel's pork chops!). This review reflects our intent - to provide a quality location that includes thoughtful elements that will enhance our guests' vacation.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children.

A cozy kid-friendly cottage retreat on the mountainside

Guest: Traveling Trio (Victoria, BC)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 05/04/11

My husband, our 2 year-old son and I stayed at this cabin for 4 nights in April 2011. We were very pleased with the cabin. The hosts were accessible, friendly and responsive, but also discrete and respectful of our privacy. The cabin was exceedingly well-stocked, including a crib and beach toys for our boy. In fact, I can't think of anything that it was lacking! You get the sense that they have been doing this for a while and have refined it down to a science. I don't think you can go wrong with this rental, especially if you have a little one.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

Charming Koa Cabin

Guest: Ed (Bellevue, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/14/11 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

This quiet and comfy cabin was perfect for us. It was close (within easy driving distance) to tons of things to see (Captain Cooks Monument, Place of Refuge, Painted Church, etc.), eat (fruit and coffee plantations, as well as numerous restaurants), and do (picnicing, snorkeling, hiking). Jeffrey and Heide were very helpful and gave great recommendations about the best local places to eat and snorkel. To our delight, they also stocked the cabin with plenty of awesome fruits and some basics (condiments etc.) so we could prepare our own lunches without having to go out and buy those items which would otherwise mostly go to waste. They have a number of friendly dogs and the neighboring property has a horse that likes to come to the fence to be pet. Of the three places we stayed while traveling around the island, this was the most charming and peaceful. Depending on how you look at it, the only con is that this property is a fair ways off the main road on a private drive which is slow going. The flip side is that the area is really quiet and all you hear are the sounds of the wildlife which makes you feel like you could be in a jungle.

Owner response:It always delights us to hear that our guests have enjoyed their stay at the Koa Cabin. We try to create the sort of experience we would want when traveling. Mahalo for the great review. Jeffrey & Heide.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Ein echtes Juwel!

Guest: Anna V.
Date of Stay: 10/06/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

Mein Mann und ich haben im Oktober die Cabin für 5 Nächte gemietet und waren begeistert!! Es ist wirklich eine Oase der Ruhe, die wir auf unserer Reise über die verschiedenen hawaiianischen Inseln bis dahin vergeblich gesucht hatten. Auch wenn die Cabin nicht ganz zentral liegt - der Weg dorthin lohnt auf alle Fälle. Und auch die Vermieter mit ihrer großen Gastfreundlichkeit machen den Aufenthalt besonders - von der selbstgemachten Marmelade, dem selbstgebackenen Brot und den vielen Früchten aus eigenem Anbau einmal ganz abgesehen. Toll fanden wir auch, dass die Cabin im Einklang mit der Natur gebaut wurde (viel Holz) und die Vermieter auch auf die Ressourcen achten (das Regenwasser wird verwendet etc.) Ein besonderes Highlight war zudem der Macadamianussbaum direkt vor der Tür - denn die Nüsse schmecken unbehandelt einfach unglaublich gut!! Also wir würden jederzeit gerne wieder kommen und dann auch gerne länger bleiben!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.