Vacation Rentals by Owner

We loved it!

Guest: Wogdog15 (Nevada)
Date of Stay: 04/03/12 Review Submitted: 04/24/12

We just spent an amazing 5 nights at the Plantation Palace. Beautiful gardens surround you, wake to the sounds of birds and a variety of animal up in secluded Wood Valley. The home is very spacious and easily accomodated our party of 6. My wife and I and our 3 children plus Grandma. We especially enjoyed the fire-circle and grounds. Friendly sheep, our new friends Zazi(sp?) the dog and Hero the feisty goat. The kids had tons of room to run and play and be loud, we were all swallowed up by this beautiful pristine setting. Thank you to Sandra for providing us with the perfect backdrop for our time on the Big Island. We would start our mornings at the fire circle for a sunrise fire, with a nice hot cup of the local award winning coffee. Then we would set out on adventures near and far. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Volcano VIllage, Hilo, Naalehu, The Place of Refuge. My 8 year old son told me last night if he could live anywhere in the world it would be here. We spent Easter morning here and had a wonderful egg hunt, and the Bunny did find his way to Wood Valley.

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

wood valley wonderful

Guest: jared (Wasilla, AK)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

We enjoyed our Christmas stay very much in this grand nature retreat. Lots of room in the home and on the property for your comfort. The property owner goes out of her way to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children.

Planning our RETURN...

Guest: Guidera Family (Sacramento, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/14/10 Review Submitted: 12/23/10

This place is AMAZING! Our family of five stayed three nights and we MUST go back! There is so much to see and do in the area that we did not give this property it's due! You don't need to live on this property for a week to receive it's peace, but I would LOVE to! It was so hard to leave in the mornings!!! All the listed amenities are there and working properly. The master bed was perfect. So comfy!!! The home and property are more beautiful than the pictures capture. Sandra is amazing! She has so much knowledge of the area! I would definitely recommend this property. It is out there, so be ready to drive. Volcanoes National Park, we could spend days out there looking around. Lava Tree Park is a MUST. Tidepools, 4 mile Scenic Drive and waterfalls. I'm booking our flight NOW!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Peace and quiet

Guest: Reiner (Bellevue WA)
Date of Stay: 11/27/10 Review Submitted: 01/03/11

thank you for your hospitality and the wonderful days we spent at your lovely home in the Hawaiian wilderness. It will be hard to forget the peace, the good air and the fresh fruit that you supply for us and your other visitors. We are hoping to take another trip in the not so distant future.

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

Betsy and Jack

Guest: Betsy (Washington state)
Date of Stay: 11/07/10 Review Submitted: 11/19/10

This property was perfect for our weeklong family gathering. We were a group of eight people and enjoyed the spacious living room, dining room and kitchen area. The layout of the bedrooms allowed for plenty of privacy and quiet time. Sandra was a most gracious hostess. The home was comfort away from home for all of us and we ranged in age from young to elderly. Any of our group would recommend this property to family or friends.

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

Plantation Palace

Guest: anonymous (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/25/10

Just returned from the big island. Spent three nights at the Plantation Palace, had a great time. We had a group of nine and there was plenty of room. The surroundings were absolutely beautiful, very quiet and serene. It was nice to be so close to the black sand beach, only a 15 minute drive. Sandra was a great host, very helpful and informative. We hope to return in the future!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Tim
Date of Stay: 05/24/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

The Hawaii Nature Retreat is an amazing place to relax breath in perfume air with organic gardens and a huge open field with fire pit. Great for kids and the family, the location is nice because you have 12 acres to yourself with few neighbors. I enjoyed trips to the Volcano, Black Sands Beach and many other attractions in the area. It is fun to spend the evenings in the bath and then light a campfire in the field. The stars are amazing and the moon-rise is heavenly. There is nothing quite like the Hawaii Nature Retreat... - Tim

Recommended for:

Guest: Jon Swanberg (Huntington Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/07/09 Review Submitted: 12/07/09

Laid-Back Hawaiian style. Great view of flowers, flora and fauna. Owners gracious and helpful. Quiet, unassuming, pleasureful. Higly recommended.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/05/09

We entirely enjoyed our 2-week stay here at the end of February 2008. The house was fine for two couples, if they're good friends and not shy about sharing. It would be ok for three couples, or a family. Gracious, helpful hosts nearby (but not uncomfortably close). Tastefully furnished, fine outdoor bathtub, lovely gardens, kitchen satisfactorily equipped--we prepared virtually all meals there (just as well, long way to a restaurant). If you like quiet and relatively unpaved old Hawaii (well, the access road is paved), no noise but the birds, you will like it. Good high-speed internet and free phone to anywhere in USA were pluses (tho no TV except for DVD player). It is a long way to the nearest serious market, but the Reha's did offer to get fine local produce for us, at cost.

Recommended for:

This is a palace- I'd like to move in!

Guest: Animallover (San Jose, Ca, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/02/09 Review Submitted: 03/19/09

When this house is described as a palace, they are not kidding. The house is like a mini resort tucked away in a valley so peaceful and serene you may never wish to leave! Not only are you just minutes from the beach and day excursions away from any part of this beautiful island, Rich and Sandra are great hosts. If you like animals, they have a herd of sheep you can pet, friendly cats, cute chickens, and one overly rambunctious goat. You may even get invited next door for a party or a meal; they are very friendly, as are most of the people that we met in the valley and elsewhere. I can't recommend it enough!

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/24/09

The "Plantation Palace" is an amazing deal for your own house and mini-spa on 12 secluded acers on the Big Island. I liked the remote location, yet it was only 30 minutes to Volcano National Parks and 15min to Puna Lu'u , Black Sands beach where you can swim with the turtles. The key is to get a group of friends to go. When you land in Kona, make a trip to Costco (10min away) to load up on food for a week. This will save you big money and make the trip very reasonable. Kids will love the huge 12 acre grass field and the friendly goats, chickens, doves and sheep. Make a campfire at the fire pit circle, roast marshmallows and gaze at the amazing stars. There is nothing quite like the Big Island and clear skies at night.. The ladies will love the rustic mini-spa on the property with the cute bath cabana, massage and steam room. Organic fruit was plentiful on the property and free! The owners Rich and Sandy were delightful and helpful to point out "off the map" secret Hawaiian "locals" beaches and sights. There is even a Buddhist Temple just down the road and the Kapapala Ranch. Relax and do it with out blowing your budget on the "corporate" hotels. Aloha! Tim

Recommended for:

Plantation Palace Paradise in Pahala

Guest: Sun-seekers in Seattle (Seattle, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 10/17/08 Review Submitted: 03/25/09

My husband and I spent 10 days of our honeymoon at Plantation Palace. It was exactly what we wanted -a private retreat in a warm lush setting. When we arrived the sun had already gone down, so we had no idea what it looked like outside until the morning. When we opened up our bedroom door and stepped out onto the patio, we found ourselves looking out at a wondrous garden flooded with sunlight, tropical colors and scents. The birds were there to greet us too. We had such a wonderful time, we decided to return again with our 1 ½ year old daughter. This worked out so well for us. The house was very convenient and we cooked most of our meals there. We all enjoyed the outdoor shower and tub. And our daughter helped to feed the animals several times. She was delighted by the doves, sheep, goats and chickens. We were also able to take day trips to Volcanos National Park, Black Sands Beach, Hilo and Kona. Rich and Sandra are truly the kindest hosts we have encountered anywhere! They are there when you need them and nearly invisible when you don’t. We enjoyed sharing a meal with them and they were very helpful on filling us in on how to move around the island, tourist information and very useful local tips. It is obvious they love their island and have explored most every corner. Save a spot for us, we’ll be back! John and Renee

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