Vacation Rentals by Owner

Family Vacation in October 2011

Guest: R (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/10/11 Review Submitted: 10/27/11

What a fantastic property! I grew up in HI and was thrilled to be able to spend a week with family there. Six adults + 2 children <5yo with more than enough room to roam about. Enjoyed the pool and walking through the garden. One nice thing about being at this elevation is that it is noticeably cooler than at sea level (e.g. beachfront hotel). I've forgotten how humid it can be, particularly in September/October and the cool trade winds were a nice reprieve. Definitely recommended.

Recommended for:

A Peaceful and Tranquil Retreat!

Guest: Anne R. (Romeoville, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 09/25/11

We stayed in this beautiful home from June 11 -18, 2011. It was a christmas gift to our grown children, and their significant others. There was a total of 10 adults there, and never once did we feel crowded, or out of space. The large and well equipped kitchen had everything we needed to take turns daily preparing a family meal, and coming together to share all our experiences on this beautiful island. It was not even necessary to leave the property to experience all the beauty and peacefulness of this island. The pool and hot tub were AMAZING!! The views were beautiful!! And the avocados growing everywhere on the property were THE BEST!! We did not want to leave. We would recommend this house to any size family! It was a week we will never forget! Thank-you for sharing it with us Jeni!!

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

A week in Eden.

Guest: Dave (Juneau, Alaska/Santa Monica, California)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

Our stay was like a dream. We'd rented a car to explore the island and, though we did somewhat, we never wanted to leave the compound. It was everything we'd expected and more.

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

Discovering Our Beautiful Villa, Swimming Pool & Fruit Trees in Paradise!

Guest: Anya (West Bath, Maine)
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

My family of 10 spent 10 wonderful days used this beautiful home as our base as we discovered paradise!!! Two grandchildren learned to swim in the kidney shaped pool! Our 10 year old taught our 9 year old cousin how to do standing dives. Our teen ager flirted with the local boys! Parents relaxed, collected avocados, fruits on the property, visited farmer's markets & cooked using the well equipped kitchen. We went to the beaches, restaurants and historical sites. And I, a 69 year old mother and grandmother, loved seeing/feeling our family enjoying being in paradise together!!!!

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

Welcome to Paradise!!!

Guest: Mike (Sonoma, California)
Date of Stay: 01/05/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

We recently stayed at Puu Mahana and I would have to translate that as "A slice of PARADISE". This rental was everything we could have hoped for and more. I have stayed in alot of rentals in my life and this was far and away the most well kept and well supplied house we ever stayed in. The owner was very helpful and was willing to do anything in her power to make our stay a memorable one. My wife was not able to do alot healthwise so I wanted to find a place where we wouldn't have to go anywhere if she wasn't feeling up to it, this was that spot. Waking up to those beautiful views was absolutely incredible and we spent alot of time just soaking up the sun and pinching ourselves to make sure we weren't dreaming. We enjoyed all the fresh fruit and avocados on the grounds and several people in our group spent some time walking the grounds for a little exercise. We were able to tear ourselves away from paradise to go snorkeling, visit the black sand beach, swim with the dolphins, shop in Kona, and enjoy all the Big Island has to offer. Thanks again for sharing such a wonderful house and when we come back to hawaii I already know where we want to stay!

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

Paradise in Paradise

Guest: Jeff (Carthage, Texas)
Date of Stay: 11/21/10 Review Submitted: 12/07/10

Aloha Jeni. Thanks for opening up your home to us. It's was as beautiful and inviting as the island itself. When we weren't out taking in the sites of the Big Island, we felt as if we were on a vacation just sitting by the pool. The sunrises and sunsets were spactacular from the balcony each day. Thanks for the welcome basket and the fresh fruit which awaited us upon arrival. We all had a great time. Although there were 8 of us, the house was spacious enough that we didn't feel a bit crowded. Thanks again for helping make our vacation a memorable one. We all wish Texas and Louisana were as beautiful. Mahalo! Jeff, Anita, RL, Liz, Scott, Lisa, Luke, and Hannah.

Owner response:The sunsets are indeed beautiful with the house facing west and having a 180 degree of the Pacific ocean. So glad, you enjoyed your stay. Come visit us again sometime!

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

Best rest I've had in a long time!

Guest: Sonicdawg (Menlo Park, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/11

This place is so great we rarely left the property! By day we slept in nicely decorated rooms, ate meals together prepared in a well stocked kitchen, and relaxed by the pool. By night we enjoyed dinner on the grill and played cards poolside as music from our ipods piped throughout the house. It was the most relaxing vacations I've ever had. Get a rental car as it's a drive to the beaches and downtown, but the house also has beach chairs and umbrellas that make those trips pleasant. I'm going back the next chance I get!

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

Far exceeded my expectations…and I expected a lot!

Guest: D (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 11/10/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/11

This house far exceeded my expectations…and I expected a lot! The property is beautiful and the house was in great shape. You can’t begin to imagine how great it is until you have stayed there. It was so fun to have access to some of the most incredible beaches in the world and then retire in the evenings to this property. It is a secluded and private residence where we had the freedom to laugh loudly in the evenings and relax quietly in the serenity of the morning. We had a full house of friends and never felt crammed. From the living room to the dining room, from the patio by the pool to the breakfast nook in the kitchen, everything at the house fostered a great sense of community. We loved watching the sun go down as we barbecued and moved from the pool to the hot tub and back to the pool. All of the doors that open out to the pool area create a feeling of continuity between the house and the property. There were boogie boards, beach chairs, snorkels, coolers, umbrellas, etc. provided for our trips to the beach. Everything we needed was onsite and everything we wanted was close enough (fresh fruit, beaches, restaurants etc). The owner is great to work with and went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed her home as much as she and her family enjoy it. This vacation was one of the hardest times I have ever had leaving. I am determined to find a way back and I highly recommend that you rent this house as well!

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

Great time!

Guest: Disney 5 (Toms River, NJ)
Date of Stay: 10/03/10 Review Submitted: 10/30/10

Our stay at Pu'u Mahana was fantastic! We didn't want to leave. We loved cooking outside while watching the sunset. Gorgeous views, relaxing accomodations and Jeni is so great to work with. She made the entire process of renting, very easy. I would definitely return to this home.

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

Sensational House - sensational setting

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/02/10 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

We stayed at Pu'u Mahana in September of '10 for 2 glorious weeks. The house is big, comfortable, and appointed beautifully. It's up the slopes a bit - so the temps are cooler than down by the ocean (by maybe 10 degrees). This makes for evenings where you actually WANT to get in the spa. Captain Cook and environs usually has dazzling, sunny mornings, clouding up in the afternoon. The sunsets from the house were stunning. Loved the funky, down-home feeling of Captain Cook (not resort-y, more "real"). Grocery stores were close and we were able to find everything we needed to prepare fabulous meals in the wonderfully equipped kitchen. Jenny was a joy to work with - she'll be there for you if you need her. One heads-up: make sure you have a skype account set up. The house has great wireless internet, but cell service up there is spotty at best. If you need to stay in touch with the world via phone, Skype's the way to do it.

Owner response:Decorating our home was a pleasure! With the tropical feel, the lovely grounds and open spaces, we had fun bringing all the best Hawaii and the Pacific Rim have to offer. Being graphic designers didn't hurt either! We are often asked about not having A/C because in Kona the temperature can exceed 85 degrees. With the breeze in the morning coming from mauka (mountain) and in the evening coming from maki (ocean), we are a perfect 10 degrees cooler than town. We call it the 'coconut wireless'. Most cell services work most of the time BUT coconuts have a mind of their own! Remember, you are in Hawaii, we do have a phone with long distance and the most heavenly of locations!

Recommended for:

Guest: John and Tammy1 (Gaithersburg, MD)
Date of Stay: 12/14/09 Review Submitted: 12/14/09

When we arrived at Pu'u Mahana we truly felt like we were in paradise! The property is beautiful and the view is amazing. We enjoyed exploring the property with its many fruit trees and flowers. The inside of the house is just as wonderful. The house was well stocked with anything you could possibly need, including kitchen ware, bath and beach towels, first aid supplies, bath products, and boogie boards and snorkel gear. Thank you so much for sharing your home!

Recommended for:

wonderful experience

Guest: jeff&theresa (bend,or.)
Date of Stay: 10/16/09 Review Submitted: 03/30/10

we very much enjoyed our stay,it was just what we were looking for,did not want to leave the property. eager to return,thank you.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Randolph K.
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 01/27/09

Yes, we would like to visit again. Pu'u Mahana is a beautiful place. It has just the right mix of comfort and quietude we were seeking. It is also more of the real Hawaii. The two weeks of doing little passed quickly and many of our planned sightseeing and other activities did not get done. So, there is still much to do next time.

Recommended for: