Kona Paradise

Guest: Fay & Joe (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11 Review Submitted: 10/16/11

My husband and I recently spent 12 nights at this property during the Ironman event. The unit and property could not have been better. It was modern, clean, and fully equipped as described in the listing. The pictures in the listing do not do the property justice -- it's way nicer! It was fully equipped with everything that we needed for a comfortable stay, and we never had to bother the caretakers for a thing. The caretakers of the property are wonderful -- very gracious and accommodating. They are available 24/7 but give you your privacy at the same time. The location was superb - about 3-3/4 miles from the town of Kona and a very short walk to Magic Sands Beach. The location of the property is in a gated community and very quiet, serene and relaxing. My recommendation is renting a car as it is really needed to get around and for sightseeing. The owner of the property was excellent at replying to my numerous questions via email or phone. I would highly recommend this property and will definitely return if I find myself in Kona again.

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

Great Location, Awesome Amenities!

Guest: Chimi (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 09/20/11 Review Submitted: 10/03/11

My husband and I arrived around 7:00pm on a Tuesday and Janet and Tony were there to greet us. The place looks exactly as it is pictured - no false advertising. The location is very close to the main strip and about an hour and a half drive to the Volcano and a short drive to Captain Cook's. I loved the outdoor Kitchen and being able to borrow any of the gear for the beach was great. I would definitely recommend this to my friends, family and to any of you VRBO'ers out there looking for a wonderful stay in the Kona area.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Charming, Romatic, Modern- and very affordable!!!

Guest: Amanda Lynn (Davis, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

Wow. what a wonderful stay we had at our private villa getaway. The description on the website is spot on, not a detail is missed. We just loved cooking in the outdoor kitchen and grilling the fine veggies and fish that the island has to offer. The villa has everything you need for the beach- umbrellas, towels, coolers, carry bags, boogie boards! The property is kept spotless. The caretakers, Tony and Janet, are so sweet and are there for you whenever you need but totally give you your privacy. Walking distance from beautiful sunset spots. Unbelieveble luxury for the price you are paying- SO AFFORDABLE! We are a young couple and were looking for a quiet, modern, luxurious place to stay on a budget and boy did we find it. We got engaged on our trip, and were just so thrilled to come back to our romatic getaway every day. The owner, Patricia, is so kind and helpful in answering your questions. I would recommend this property to a friend without a reservation, and will stay there again when we get then opportunity to return to Kona!!!!

Owner response:Aloha Amanda, Thank you for the kind comments. We love our guests and we also love giving our guests big impact for the price. I am happy you felt you received more than you expected. Come back again. Tony and Janet are amazing hosts that want to participate in making our guests holidays memorable. Thanks again, Patricia (owner)

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

Scuba Divers

Guest: Marcella & Eric (Kona, HI)
Date of Stay: 07/11/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

We loved staying at your place, especially with the outdoor barbecue and kitchen. It was so relaxing after a day of scuba diving and being out in the sun, to just throw a sweet pineapple (freshly bought from the farmer's market) on the grill. We made dinner most days. We also especially liked the personal touches -- the homemade goods and the drinks in the room's refrigerator. We would definitely return and refer you to others!

Recommended for:

Just what we were looking for!

Guest: Brandon & Emily (Turlock, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/10/11

As first-timers on the Big Island we were looking for something a little different than the typical condos that we were used to staying in on the other islands. We were torn between a few different options, but we definitely made the right choice in choosing to stay in this beautifully maintained villa. We were very pleased with the cleanliness, quality of facilities and the many ammenities provided...all for a very affordable price. We were grateful for the pool towels, beach umbrella and extra snorkel gear provided. The gated community was very quiet and peaceful and just a couple miles from everything. The location is also great for taking trips down south to Captain Cook or South Point, as it is easy to get right on the Alii bypass up to the highway. We also were very pleased with Tony & Janet, the current on-site caretakers. They were incredibly friendly and helpful and did everything they could to respect our privacy. They were always available if needed, but left us to enjoying the pool, courtyard and open air kitchen. This estate also comes with several friendly geckos. We had heard lots of stories about all the bugs on the island, but we really didn't have any problems with them thanks in part to these geckos! All in all we had a great time and would love to stay here again in the future!

Owner response:Aloha Brandon & Emily, Thank you for your kind comments and we are delighted that we "fit the bill" for making your Hawaiian Holiday memorable. Thank you also for mentioning our friends and caretakers Tony & Janet...they are so awesome and love our guests as we do. I am wondering if you gave names to our in residence geckos. They do have personality and work hard at their job. We look forward to your one day return and any friends or family that you encourage to come enjoy Aloha with us on Ho'omaluhia Road. Patricia (owner)

Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+.

Amazing Kona Villa!

Guest: Tri-Girl (Folsom, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/05/11

My stay at the Villa was truly amazing! It's conveniently located right off Alii Drive, where all the fun beaches are and access to great running, riding, swimming, snorkeling, and farmer's markets. Not far from downtown Kona either. The kitchenette in the studios were just perfect, anything else I needed I just bought at the store (several nearby). Island Naturals is a great place to shop & get a salad or wrap to go. It reminds me of a mini Whole Foods or local Co-Op. Rooms were clean and very nicely decorated, and spacious too. The pictures give a very exact representation of what you'd envision. The main kitchen area and atrium area was great too. I was able to put anything in the fridge and not worry about anyone taking my food. I saw the other guests and inn-keepers very rarely, and when I did they were all very pleasant. The inn-keepers were actually very helpful and welcoming, and also very respectful of my privacy and space. The only minor annoyance was the occasional ant here and there. So I simply used the Raid that I found under the sink and sprayed in my room and by my door. There were traps as well, but they weren't enough. That's Hawaii for you, bugs are pretty much a given. The beaches near the villa were great, & then further north to Waikoloa beach and Hapuna beach it's quiet and relaxing. Great snorkeling as well! It's only about a 30 minute drive, 45 if there's traffic. Kona is my new favorite island, and I would definitely stay at the villa again. Great price for all that you get, & amazing people to deal with!

Owner response:Amber, Thank your for your kind words and mentioning our lovely friends/caretakers that care as much about our guests as we do. They are "awesome". We hope you will return one day and become part of our repeat guests that we consider family. I am pleased you took full advantage of the properties many amenities. Patricia (owner)

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

Quiet and clean.

Guest: SMJ (California)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

We spent a wonderful week in Kailua-Kona this June swimming and snorkeling along the south coast. It was very important to us that we have a quiet accommodation to relax and rest between venturing out to enjoy the area because our infant daughter was traveling with us and she loves to nap. This property was exactly what we needed. The studio was cozy, clean and comfortable. The owners went out their way to accommodate us. The Villa caretakers truly made us feel comfortable, and though present on the property (they live across the courtyard) they maintained our privacy. It seemed very important to them that we have the place to ourselves. Thanks! Most mornings or evenings we walked to white sands beach to take a quick swim. Breakfast in the open air kitchen and dine next to the pool in the shaded patio. Later in the day we'd drive to Two Step for incredible snorkel session, pick up fresh papaya and mango from a roadside fruit stand and then blend them up into smoothies back at the Villa...much later Kona brew by the pool after fresh Poke from an incredible fish market, which is right down the street. It exceeded our expectations and was accurately portrayed in its listing. Actually, the listing doesn't go far enough in describing what a comfortable and high end rental this is.I definitely recommend this property, but probably should keep quiet to keep it secret. We'll be back soon. Thanks!

Owner response:We are so pleased that your much needed rest and Hawaii holiday was filled with joy. We so love hearing how our guests enjoy the property. This is the first review for our brand new caretaker/friends Tony & Janet. They are so fantastic I can't wait to share your words with them. We look forward to your next "Aloha" holiday. Warm blessings, Patricia

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+.

AN ALOHA WELCOME

Guest: Bird Watchers (Meadow Vista, California)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/26/11

We had a lovely time in your beautiful vacation rental. Ruth and David were very good hosts. The studio was very comfortable and we appreciated the wine, beer, cookies, brownies, banana bread, bottled water and popcorn . We particularly loved the birds and gordon and greta the geckos. I managed to see a couple new birds for me and walking up the road every morning we reconnected with many of our Hawaiian favorites. We definitely received an aloha welcome. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely Ohana with us. Mahalo

Owner response:Aloha Barbara, We are so pleased you enjoyed your time and hope you will return. Our guests are just the BEST. Aloha, Patricia

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

Home Away from Home

Guest: SCUBA Girl (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 03/09/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

We recently returned from yet another wonderful stay at the villa. I would like to address the negative review below. Nowhere in the listing does Pat represent the rental as a whole villa. It is marketed as suites at the villa. The suites are absolutely accurately described and are even better than the photographs. If the guest thought she was getting an entire villa (at this price!) she deluded herself. As to the fans, yes you do need fans or the air conditioner to cool the rooms down after being gone all day (although a quick dip in the pool helps a LOT). But this is Hawaii and it is HOT. Once the sun goes down the suites cool off nicely and you can indeed sleep hearing nothing but the geckos and birds. If she had mentioned the noisy neighbors to Ruth and Dave they would have addressed it immediately. We've stayed several times and never had problems with noisy neighbors, but I know Ruth and Dave would have fixed this. I also know that Dave would have addressed the "squeaky" bed, though again, we never noticed it during our stays. Finally, as to the lack of privacy. I am sorry that she didn't like having to share the common areas with other guests. We have always enjoyed the opportunity to meet the other guests and have found them to be very considerate about not monopolizing the areas. Of course we are very active and don't spend all day at the villa, so maybe that makes a difference. As to Dave and Ruth being constantly around, the only time we ever see them is when they are taking care of the property (most of which is done very early in the morning) or when we have initiated conversation with them. We do this a lot as we find them completely charming and very good company. Ruth is an accomplished sculptor and Dave is highly intelligent and entertaining. They are also a font of useful information about the island. Our teenage nieces became very fond of them during our last visit as well. We are going to truly miss them. We've stayed at many different places on the Big Island and this is by far our favorite. We will never stay anywhere else when we are in Kona. You cannot find a better value or a more tranquil and luxurious setting. And you could not possibly find kinder more attentive hosts than Pat, Ruth and Dave.

Owner response:Dear Scuba girl, We are so glad that you were back once again. Your love for our property, our lovely care takers, and your desire to make sure inquiring guests get the true picture of our property is a snapshot of your own experience. Thank you for your candid comments. We truly desire, work hard at it, and love to bring wonderful and pleasant memories of our guests time on The Big Island. Patricia

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

Hawaiian style peace and quiet

Guest: Wannabe Hawaiians (Portland, OT)
Date of Stay: 02/07/11 Review Submitted: 03/21/11

We loved our stay in one of Patricia's Ohanas. We would definitly stay there again. It was a great alternative to a noisy resort or condo complex. Our suite was the smaller of the two, but it was still plenty of room for a couple. We prefer to spend our vacations to Hawaii outdoors so the private yard and outdoor kitchen were a great way to relax and enjoy being outside. There is no noise from the road or other turists, you may hear the occaisonal rouge rooster crowing in the early hours. We enjoyed speding our mornings drinking coffee and reading by the pool (which we ususally had all to ourselves) and afternoons at the beach or exploring the island It is a cozy space so you will need to spend some time being friendly with your neighbor in the other ohana but it is well worth it. During our stay there were two sets of guests in the other suite, both were respectful of our time and privacy. We even left groceries for each other when we had to return to the mainland. The caretakers were also very sweet people who were helpful whenever needed but respected our vacation time too. We are looking foward to returning.

Owner response:Aloha Ivy, We are so pleased you had a wonderful time. We agree with you, when in Hawaii why be inside? I am also pleased that you found the quiet and peace that you well deserved. Aloha and please return, Patricia

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