Vacation Rentals by Owner

Our first Big Island experience -- FABULOUS!

Guest: Mo Z (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/27/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

This little gem was a wonderful find! We rarely stay at hotels anymore, as it is so comforting to us to be able to drink our coffee in leisure and cook a meal when we don't feel like going out. Here, everything is "eye candy" -- the ocean view, the flora, the fauna (beautiful roosters, turkeys, colorful birds, etc.). Harry, the owner and proprietor, has done a wonderful job of adding thoughtful touches to the cottage. We originally chose Makalani Ocean View because it has a king-size, memory foam bed (great sleeping!), but there was so much more than that. We discovered Hanomolino Bay on our last evening in Hawaii. Getting there at sunset, there was a school of dolphins in the bay, playing and jumping in the air. Quite a sight! Paleaku Peace Garden was a favorite of mine, as was snorkeling at "Two Step", just north of the City of Refuge. Thank you, Harry, for sharing this piece of your paradise!

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

Charming Sanctuary

Guest: Lezlie, Henry & Hayden (Lakewood, CO)
Date of Stay: 08/18/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

The house was much more than just a place to stay while exploring the Kona side of Hawaii - it was a destination in itself! Harry's artistic touches are everywhere, from the landscaping, the masks... all the decorative touches. We really appreciated having a full-stocked kitchen (thanks for the cold beer - we left the next guests a box of decent wine), with all the things needed to cook fabulous dinners. It was also great to use the boogey boards and the flippers (good ones) while at the beach. Harry was full of great suggestions on beaches and sight-seeing (definitely purchase the guide book he recommends) . My 5-yr old son was in heaven - he explored the grounds, chased the roosters, played with the cats, studied the geckos - good clean fun! We'd definitely come back here again - so much to explore on the Kona side - we barely scratched the surface!

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

Paradise island home away from mainland city home

Guest: Leslie & Eric (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/11/11

This was, by far, our best island experience to date. We really felt at home, like we had our own little slice of paradise. Harry was the perfect host, not intrusive -- but attentive to our needs, and his advice and suggestions were spot on. The property is so lush and tropical, you feel like you're in the garden of Eden, which seems like a major feat on this part of the island. We could pick papayas and bananas for our smoothies and there were other fruits around as well. Being an artist, Harry definitely has an eye for beauty, and everywhere you look around the place, that is evident. He has a wonderful way with all the little touches that make you feel special and welcome. We loved our time here and absolutely hated having to leave.

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

Paradise island home away from mainland city home

Guest: Leslie & Eric (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/11/11

This was, by far, our best island experience to date. We really felt at home, like we had our own little slice of paradise. Harry was the perfect host, not intrusive -- but attentive to our needs, and his advice and suggestions were spot on. The property is so lush and tropical, you feel like you're in the garden of Eden, which seems like a major feat on this part of the island. We could pick papayas and bananas for our smoothies and there were other fruits around as well. Being an artist, Harry definitely has an eye for beauty, and everywhere you look around the place, that is evident. He has a wonderful way with all the little touches that make you feel special and welcome. We loved our time here and absolutely hated having to leave.

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

Beautiful peaceful getaway.

Guest: Dan & Danielle (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

The photos are very accurate. The cottage is very private and although some traffic from the road can be heard, it was very quiet and relaxing. It is well furnished and Harry, the owner gave great advice regarding local beaches and businesses. The property is elevated from the coastline, which gives somewhat cooler temperatures. We found this very comfortable for sleeping. There was a ferrel rooster, who is an early riser. This has been our experience in most of the rural settings on the islands, however. We would definitely recommend this rental.

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

Romantical refuge in wonderful tropical surroundings

Guest: Lavanya & Jens (Germany, Düsseldorf)
Date of Stay: 03/10/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

We spent our honeymoon here and we really miss this wonderful place!!! Pictures or words are actutally too poor to desribe what is waiting for you when you step in this cosy appartement. We found fresh flowers everywhere, fresh fruit waiting for us when we arrived and the owner was so engaged in helping us and making our stay as wonderful and comfortable as it can be. Nothing is missing there - you find everything you need. The flat is calm and peaceful and a great spot to relax and just be there. The bathhouse is great! And we enjoyed to relax in the air chair in front of the mediation hut. Sitting on the lanai of the mediation hut you feel that this is a very very special place. We loved to watch the cats and the geckos - the one which lived together with us in the flat was very curious and loved to be filmed ;-)... sitting on the lanai you can watch lots of butterflys, listen to the tropical birds, look at all this flowers and fruits that are in the garden... So if you want to experience the spirit of aloha - just go there! Hopefully we come back one day. Mahalo again!!!!

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

Wonderful Honeymoon Spot

Guest: elizabethG (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 02/10/11

My husband and I spent our 10 day honeymoon at the cottage and we absolutely LOVED it! The grounds are beautiful, the bed is one of the most comfortable I have ever slept in, and it had everything that we needed to enjoy our stay. We planned to cook every day while we were there and so finding a place stocked with all of the kitchen essentials was very important to us. This cottage had it all! We would definitely stay there again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful, quiet and affordable - this

Guest: Derek (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

My wife and I looked at some of the Big Island's bigger resorts but ultimately settled on this private cottage for our honeymoon getaway. We were sold the second we walked in the door. It is absolutely gorgeous, and the furniture, style and atmosphere made this the perfect choice. It was exactly what we wanted for our trip. The screen doors kept the bugs out but still gave us that "outdoorsy" feel, while the patio, bathroom and meditation hut only added to the fun. I loved reading a book in the morning sitting in the air chair and soaking up the amazing view. We loved everything about this place, and Harry made it even better by caring about our stay. He gave us some great tips on private beaches, the best dining experiences and many other hints that a travel brochure just wouldn't have covered. We were sad to leave but definitely recommend this cottage to anyone interested in the Kona Coast and a unique experience away from the masses of people and big-time resorts. That stuff is only 30-45 minutes away, but you won't find anything like this around town. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you, Harry!

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

25th Anniversary stay

Guest: Kathi9999 (Oklahoma)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/24/10

This is the ultimate in romantic, peaceful getaways. There is nothing to complain of except we can't live there forever. I would recommend this cottage to anyone! Harry was more than helpful for beginning to end. His tips on where to go, where to eat, what to see were all excellent. The gardens, the cottage and the Mango Hut were all beautiful and very well maintained. The listing photos are more than accurate but cannot reflect the ambiance present on the entire property. I wish I could stay there forever!

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

Out of this World Romantic and Relaxing

Guest: 1bluedevilfan (Mooresville, NC USA)
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

In travels all over the world, I've never had a host who worked as hard to make my visit feel as special as Harry did. More importantly, my traveling companion loved everything about the cottage. Thank you so much ! If you want an eco-friendly, charming, romantic, secluded - but not isolated experience on the Big Island, this is for you. Harry is an attentive but not intrusive host who is genuinely interested in creating a once in a lifetime experience for you. We are semi-gourmet cooks and enjoyed the full featured kitchen and grill. The canopy bed and furnishings were high end tasteful. This listing doesn't do this property justice. Spotlessly clean and well maintained. We woke to the sounds of the birds and the cool ocean breezes. The free range chicken and turkeys were a hoot. The grounds are lush tropical landscaped. Breakfast was walk out the door, pick a mango or papaya, blend up your smoothie (blender provided) and go ! Don't miss the local black sand beaches with unbelieveable snorkling and snoozing. Had the beach to ourselves. Easy, beautiful drive over to Hilo and Volcanoes National Park. Place of Refuge was facinating and just down the road. If you want crowded, overpriced golf, dining and shopping, stay in Waikoloa. If you want gorgeous, charming, laid back but definately not roughing it - this is for you. We sure hope to return some day. Thanks again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Kris, June and Linda (Upstate New York)
Date of Stay: 01/18/10 Review Submitted: 01/18/10

We had a great time at the cottage. We felt right at home immediately. Harry, the owner, adds little touches that are much appreciated travellimg so far away from home. There are beach neccessities that are there for guests use (we really enjoyed the boogie boards!) Also fresh picked fruits and some kitchen basics were also nice touches. It was great taking a shower and being able to see the ocean at the same time. I slept int he Mango Hut. The first thing I saw every morning when I opened my eyes was the ocean! What a great place. I can't wait to go back again!

Recommended for:

A True Tropical Paradise

Guest: East Coast Family (Reston, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/30/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

We stayed at Makalani Cottage for 10 days and I cannot say enough positive things about the place. My husband and I enjoyed waking up in a truly comfortable bed and seeing the ocean. Our kids, ages 8 and 10, loved staying just steps away from us in the Mango Grove Overlook. We explored a different beach everyday, kayaked with dolphins, snorkeled, went cofffee and macadamia nut tasting and more. The cottage is very clean, cozy and well-equipped and the ocean views are spectacular. We tried to think of ways to improve the place and couldn't. The owner has thought of every detail and also provides excellent pointers on where to go and what to do. We hope to return to Makalani in the very near future.

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

Makalani oceanview end of April/early May 2009

Guest: Betsy & Chris (Ocean Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/29/09 Review Submitted: 07/25/09

We stayed at the bungalow for our "honeymoon" after getting married & spending a week on Kaua'i. Harry the owner was very polite, conscientious and friendly, yet also allowed us our privacy. Use his directions & cues to find the place, as it is not easy to spot the first time you drive there. Positives: quiet, tastefully decorated, full kitchen comes fully loaded w/tons a spices and a few other cooking essentials. BBQ grill is easy to use. Clean & well kept. Fresh fruit & flowers. Friendly cat. Peaceful and "away from it all". We had been to Captain Cook before and really liked it. Surprises: the driveway is grassy - we weren't sure if our little economy size rental car would make it up & down the grassy steep hill, but it did. Having bathroom in seperate building required some coordination to get to, in the middle of the night, after a few mai tais! Toilet is earth friendly, yes, but not something we were accustomed to. Eventually we got used to it, but were happy to return to our plumbing at home too!! The bungalow is in South Captain Cook - a great location for peace & quiet. If you are looking to make regular trips into Kona, it's a bit of a drive. (But worth it for the seclusion, in our opinion!) We would stay here again.

Owner response:In Dec. 2009, the "earth-friendly" composting toilet was replaced with a modern full-flushing toilet. More user-friendly and Madame Pele is still smiling !

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Makalani Cottage

Guest: artsy 2 (Seattle WA)
Date of Stay: 03/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/21/09

My husband & I spent 10 sweet days of our honeymoon at Makalani Cottage and we loved it. Our host, Harry, was so hospitable and helpful with sharing all his "secret beaches" and favorite places. We especially liked snorkeling at "2-step", just south of the City of Refuge. The cottage is beautiful & comfortable, our little home away from home. We made breakfast & sometimes prepared our picnic lunch at the cottage, and enjoyed some great restaurants at nite. Loved watching the ocean view and the wild goats & pigs below the ridge ,in the morning as we sat on our deck sipping local Kona coffee. We are already planning to return next Spring!

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

Love this place!

Guest: Mark & Ebear (Denver CO)
Date of Stay: 03/23/09 Review Submitted: 08/05/09

Makalani Cottage is awesome! Harry was outstanding from the first email I sent asking questions to our final good bye afterwords. Traveling so far from home and the uncertainty of what you will find when you get there was taken out of the equation as Harry guided us the whole way. Everything he said was truthful and spot on. To me, this is a rare and a truly helpful quality you don't find often in vacation rental properties (owners wishing to just book it, lipstick on a pig). There is no "pig" (other than the cute wild ones scurrying around the property from time to time) and no lipstick...it is blessed and for real! Harry wants you to enjoy your special time in this magical place and will shoot straight with you to insure you will be happy. You will find all the comforts of modern living coupled with just the right amount of green living. Rain water showers are the best! The beaches Harry shared (we went to every one of them) exceeded all expectations (hike to the green beach...wow!). Our second leg of the trip was at a resort (Hilton) and I will tell you, our best memories are Makalani and stomping around the south island enjoying the local flavor and sites. We will return, save money on the resort and stay longer at Makalani!! Highly recommended, Mark and Elizabeth

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

Perfection personfied!

Guest: dajeee (portland, oregon)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

Harry's cottage is a tota delight. It is quiet, beautifully appointed with all the amenities necessary. He is a marvelous generous host. His information about the island proved faultless- the spots he recommended to us were all incredible. The view of the stars at night from the cottage took my breath away and I had to move my chair out and partake- saw the galaxy in a new way. The comfort and beauty of the place were incredible. Thanks again Dana Jean, MIchael and Greg Feb 2009

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

be lucky when you can be there

Guest: Rainer&Heike (Zell am Moos/Austria)
Date of Stay: 10/05/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

from the first second on we have been avid and felt home immediately! Harry - the owner and neighbour - let us feel welcome from the moment we stepped in and he had brilliant tips where to go (insider knowledge from a local - what do you need more?!) The style of the bungalow and the whole parcel (with lots and lots of different fruit trees - you may harvest them!) let you feel the spirit of Hawaii (dont forget to enjoy the litte outsidehouse) and not least youre living there with contemporary technoligy - on th one side a shower with rainwater, toilet is going to become compost - GO GREEN, and on the other hand a modern kitchen, hudge fridge and everything else you need to feel good! once we will be back......

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.