Wow - Did I mention the bugs?

Guest: Dan & Jordyn (Santa Clarita, CA )
Date of Stay: 02/08/11 Review Submitted: 02/17/11

First off let me say that the Host - Colleene was a great host, very kind and a good cook. At first glance you would conclude that this place is cute, quaint with a phenomenal view of the ocean - which it was. But as you stay a bit longer, the skeletons (or should I say bugs) start to come out of the closet. You really need to understand what the definition of a sugar plantation cottage is before you book this place. If you are ok with an incredibly uneven & bouncy floor throughout and extremely shoddy construction all over, then this place should be fine for you. Where there are wide crevices in the corners of every room & big enough holes where even the largests of insects or small animal can just sneak right in. So lets see - we had 2 geckos in our shower & other numerous locations in the home. At least 3-4 cockroaches, in the bedroom - Kitchen and bathroom. And what really closed the deal for us was a HUGE Cane spider - about 3 feet from our beds headboard. It was about the size of a womans hand fully extended. Ya - it was that big. "Google" cane spiders to see how big they are. We had initially booked a 7 day stay at the cottage but it was cut short by the 2nd day. We figured we had enough when the cane spider was staring us down from 3 feet up. Oh ya, I concur with the other reviewer - we also noticed the TV was broken. She only refunded 4 nights when it should have been 5 or more. We now had to drive almost 2 hrs to the other side of the island at 1am, were disgusted with all the bugs & critters around that place - we felt it wasn't too much to ask for an extra night to be refunded. It was owed to us! There was no way we were going to stay anywhere else on that property (even her own home) with what we had already experienced. Oh and forget about privacy, there are no blinds or curtains up in the living room or kitchen. Full, Huge, Windows. Only a white, thin see through sheet in the bedroom. We had to request window coverings, and she had to see what she had available. She has a neighbor that lives behind her, but uses the front road to access his home (where the BIG windows are), along with clients that are close by visiting her home as well. So privacy was also a big issue. She cooked us a great meal & was a kind host and thats why she gets 2 stars. But as of the accommodations at the Sugar Plantation Cottage - let me suggest the King Kamehameha :)

Owner response:Mahalo for your kind words about my hospitality and cooking. I too enjoyed the time we spent together. I regret that the appearance of the cane spider was so disturbing to you. They are nasty looking even though they are harmless. After your departure, I searched for it or any cockroach without success. I maintain an organic property, and we are in the South Pacific tropics, so there are going to be geckos and bugs around. However, the cottage is thoroughly cleaned before each guest arrives. The charm of an old sugar plantation cottage consists precisely in the flaws that seem to have bothered you – the uneven floors and the clunky construction. The point of the large windows in the kitchen, living room and bedroom is to take in the ocean views and allow in the tropical breezes. I believe that my description of the cottage gives a very accurate picture of what a guest can expect. No prior guest has complained of privacy concerns, but I realize that each person establishes their personal boundaries around these issues. When you decided to leave on the third of the six nights that you paid for (the seventh night being complimentary), I immediately refunded more than half of your payment in cash without argument (even though the stated policy on the website is no refunds for cancellations). No charge was withheld for the food for the meals that you had ordered in advance and also cancelled. I believe that I had answered all of your numerous questions in advance of the booking honestly and accurately. Upon your arrival I saw your disappointment that there were no restraurants in the area serving at 10 or 11 pm. In retrospect, I think that a remote, rustic cottage experience was not what you really wanted. It sounds as if the urban environment at the King Kam suited you better, and I hope it made your Hawaiian experience all that you expected. Mahalo and aloha.

Recommended for:

The Perfect Escape - Charming authentic cottage with BEAUTIFUL views and wonderful caretaker!

Guest: Brad & Oma (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/10

I was fortunate enough to find this secluded treasure for a weeks vacation with my girlfriend, and I must say this truly is a hidden gem! Neither of us are one for the paint-by-numbers formula used by all of the overly tourist hotel chains - we wanted a place that was private, warm and inviting, with abundant ocean air, spectacular Hawaiian views from nearly every window, and would give us an unhindered tropical experience that couldn't be found in a travel guide...AND THIS PLACE WAS PERFECT!! Colleenah is the definition of warm and inviting, and her massages and yoga sessions only add to the complete tranquility found here. The cottage is rustic - picture authentic beach cottage that has been weathered by the sea air and the many footsteps of the workers who once lived here. But don't take rustic to mean dilapidated - it's far from it! Everything is functional, decoratively appropriate, and adds to the genuine character of the place. Granted, it's not the mathematical perfection that the condos in Kona (that cost a great deal more!) are - this place wasn't designed by some architects and designers in their New York high rise, but what it lacks in magazine-layout perfection it more than makes up for in personality and charm...and you would be hard-pressed to find more beautiful surroundings outside your very own windows in ANY hotel or condo for rent found elsewhere on the island. The master bedroom has windows to meet the sunrise, and sitting in bed you look out over a crisp green field to the water beyond. Ocean view from the pillows of your bedroom...does it get any better? I took a picture of the view from the main living room and have it framed on my desk at work - every time I look at it I'm transported to a place where life is simply lived and not fought, everything feels clean and fresh, and your mind finds a special clarity and discovers a true appreciation for the day. Even the bathroom has a view! With all the greenery and flowers, you almost feel like you're showering in a secluded waterfall! One more thing - the cooking - wow! Those nearby gardens really do their thing, including being one of the suppliers of the local health food store! If you want to stay in for the night and just sit down, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the sunset or moon over the water, I strongly suggest setting up a meal package! Everything is so fresh, and Colleenah knows all the right places to find only the best of ingredients! Positively stunning!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.

Experience simple Hawaii

Guest: Joe & Joni (Camarillo, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/21/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

This darling cottage sits in lush gardens with wonderful ocean views. Experience living in this interesting updated sugar plantation cottage. The kitchen is well stocked, the shower with its ocean view relaxing, the down comforter in the front bedroom so cozy. This simple, peaceful place was just what we wanted. We walked to the Waipio Valley view point along a narrow country road, much better than arriving by car. Colleenah fixed a delicious fish dinner and gave me a wonderful massage. A perfect place to unwind and imagine what Hawaii use to be like. For simple pleasure you can't beat this cottage. We will be sure to stay again.

Owner response:Mahalo for your kind words.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A nightmare

Guest: Canadians that travel (Winnipeg)
Date of Stay: 02/28/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

This rental is called a plantation house but really it's a couple of small one room buildings that at some point were attached to each other. You could actually see gaps of an inch or more to the outside where they are connected. Nothing would even remotely pass building code. TV didn't work and the sauna had long since had its wiring removed. A ceiling in one hallway was simply some cloth stretched over who knows what. The floor in one bedroom is spongy and feels like you'll fall through at any moment. We've been renting through VRBO and this is far and away the worst place we've stayed.

Owner response:I apologize that the sauna was not in working order which had just happened and was in the process of being repaired at that time. However, as to my guests description of the cottage as a plantation house, my description is " authentic sugar cane cottage". This is a true example of a simple workers cottage. Other guests have described it as a"cozy" and "a darling cottage". I regret that they did not communicate their disappointment to me during their visit.

Recommended for:

Guest: AILSA 1 (MEISE - BELGIUM)
Date of Stay: 12/03/09 Review Submitted: 12/03/09

A lovely place to stay. A cosy and nicely decorated cottage, in a wonderful garden. Very quiet and peaceful for the body and mind. All this enhanced by the beautiful personality and warmth of Colleen who lives nearby. Sincerely recommended. Ailsa & Alik

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