Reviews for Captain Cook Vacation Rental - VRBO 332327 - 2 BR Kona Coast House in HI, Organic Farm with Spa Services & Kitchen Garden

Wow...worth the drive

Guest Kiran
Date of stay 03/19/13
Review Submitted 03/23/13

The farm is south of Kona, but the dive down is worth it! Its still near the best beaches, lovely villages and Nicki has everything we needed. There is a day spa on the farm, you can book a massage, or pamper and Nicki offers snorkeling and dolphin swims...(.this was amazing!!!) And the farm food basket: kale, avocados, papayas, eggs, bananas, all picked that morning, heaven! The farm house is huge and for the price you can't believe the amenities, we also booked the eco cottage for one night for a friend and it was more rustic, but so comfortable and sweet. This place is a gem.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Papalani stay

Guest BeauBeau
Date of stay 03/03/13
Review Submitted 03/22/13

My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our 9 night stay at Papalani. Just as advertised, the main house was very roomy and clean with two legitimate bedrooms, fully equipped (as least for our needs and we did cook every night) kitchen, big living room and nice big outdoor lanai with a propane barbeque. The surrounding farm and grounds were charming. The owner Nikki was nothing short of a great host, allowing us use of herbs/fruits grown on-site, the sauna, just about anything we asked for. She was excellent about giving us our space as well. The place was extremely quiet and peaceful. If you love animals and pets, this is a great place. I fell in love with the two kitties that sunned themselves on our front steps every morning. The hens and Bubba, the dog, were cool too and thankfully no roosters. It is a bit isolated, several miles from stores/coffeeshops, but with a car (absolute necessity), planning and consolidating trips, it's no big deal. There are plenty of things to explore close by and a good launching pad to Vocanoes, Puna, and Hilo side of island. The only thing I would warn people about is that the driveway to place off the main road is very hard to see, especially at night - it requires plenty of preparation and slowing down when you get close to it. I would highly recommend Papalani to any type of traveler whether it be a family, adventurer, romantic (don't expect 4 star hotel-type accomodations) get away, etc. I would definitely stay there again should my travels bring me back to the Big Island.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

See the real Hawaii

Guest Golfer
Date of stay 02/22/13
Review Submitted 03/12/13

Our goal was to spend time relaxing near Kona. We located this VRBO and decided to check it out. We found we got the convenience of space to be comfortable and the slow pace of country living. We also found that we could easily reach the areas of the Island we wanted to explore/play at. We had a knowledgeable hostess, who treated us well and helped us make the most of our time at the property and on the island. I would recommend this experience without any qualms. Know that you will have to travel 20-30 minutes or more to get to shopping/groceries/fuel and recreation. That said, you won't beat the price or amenities. Treat yourself to the country pace of life when you are done seeing the sights/activites.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Beautiful Retreat

Guest SunnyMeg
Date of stay 02/19/13
Review Submitted 02/23/13

The papalani house was AMAZING! I wish our stay could have been longer. The house was very clean and had everything we needed for a comfortable, relaxing stay. Driving up the driveway, a wave of calm rushed over me. Nikki was so wonderful and accomodating. Her farm fresh eggs, kale, and herbs were an absolute delight. I cannot wait to return. I loved the out door shower too... complete bliss. If you are looking for a quiet, down to earth, back to nature retreat from the busy Kona area... look no further. Not far from the property is one of the coolset bays too! It's a salt and pepper beach where the dolphins swim. It's about 10minutes north and down the hill. Thank you for everything Nikki! I hope to see you again.

Recommended for: Sightseeing

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

A kindred soul

Guest Barbara Didi
Date of stay 02/10/13
Review Submitted 02/27/13

We stayed our first night in the eco cottage and then moved into Papalani main house (we had to work our schedule around other guests). We fell in love with both the house and Nikki. Papalani is fully furnished with a complete kitchen as well as any beach toys and accessories you could want. Bubba, Sweet Pea and Whitey were wonderful companions. The beautiful chicken ladies followed us around, scratching and chatting away merrily. Their fresh organic eggs are delicious. We were able to feed ourselves completely our of Nikki's gardens and trees. Fresh avocados, macadamia nuts, papayas, kombucha squash, greens, lettuce, tomatoes, leeks: you name it, she has it! In addition to the beautiful, peaceful surroundings we loved the sauna, outdoor rainwater shower (nice and warm), and the benefit of in-house massage by Nikki! Nikki is a skilled healer and massage therapist who graciously offers her services (at a discount no less!) to those who stay at Papalani. We couldn't have found a more perfect place to start our tour of the Big Island. In fact, on our last day we returned to Papalani for one more massage before getting on our plane to fly home! The home is large and spacious and could easily handle a family or 2 couples. Combined with the eco cottage, the property would make a wonderful gathering place for a large group of friends or family. We highly recommend it and look forward to visiting again. I would recommend booking early as she fills up quickly. Papalani is located in a beautiful, uncrowded part of the island. Very close to some of the best snorkeling and historic spots on the Big Island. Easy to get back into Kona if you wish or visit the Volcano on down the road. Mahalo Nikki, looking forward to seeing you again!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Friendly and comfortable

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/03/13
Review Submitted 02/21/13

The Papalani retreat is a very comfortable house located on a unique, local farm. The house is spacious and warm, and has all the features needed for a nice vacation. The owner, Nikki, is very friendly and helpful because of her knowledge about local sites. We were not able to stay as long as we wanted because of other commitments, but hope to return for a longer stay in the future.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Healing Haven

Guest Ramah
Date of stay 01/15/13
Review Submitted 01/23/13

The house is large and comfy for a family. I never used the indoor shower because the outdoor shower was such a treat with beautiful tropical plants in lava rocks. It was fabulous after enjoying the healing effect of the Thera Sauna. The owner, Nikki, was extremely helpful with information about the Island. The property is well maintained. If you like having a quiet country retreat I highly recommend Papalani. It was an easy drive to the volcano.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Peaceful stay on a working farm surrounded by nature

Guest Suzi V.
Date of stay 08/10/12
Review Submitted 09/10/12

We were looking for something off the beaten path and found it with PapaLani, a working farm south of Captain Cook. Nikki, the owner, made us feel right at home and was on hand to answer questions, but left us to ourselves when we wanted privacy. She also gave us great referrals to local restaurants and beaches. She told us about the Kona Coffeehouse and Cafe at Honaunau, where we had a yummy Sunday brunch (fresh white pineapple on every table!). Our favorite beach for snorkeling, Ho'okena, was just a short drive, along with the laidback coffee towns just north of PapaLani. Also, we drove to the volcano one day and this was a good place to do that from, as it is further south then Kailua-Kona. The home itself was spacious, with an amazing private balcony. We grilled out there and relaxed after a day at the nearby beaches. New king size bed was comfy. Totally enjoyed the outdoor shower. The chickens, cats and dog were sweet to have around.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Off the mainland...

Guest Hope
Date of stay 07/25/12
Review Submitted 08/21/12

This farm is wonderful if you are trying to get away from life on the mainland. It's private enough to relax but close enough to stores to run up the road if you forgot to buy milk :) It's also right off of the main highway which circumvents the entire island. As someone who has never been to Hawaii, I was blown away by all the different, exotic plant life and vegetation on this farm, as well. While staying here, I was also very close to the water, maybe a 5-10 minute drive which is beautiful anyway. So, it doesn't feel too far. The only thing that felt a little far was the nearest "night life" scene. If that is what you're looking for, you may not find this farm best fit for you. But, if you are looking to get away and relax, this farm is great for it. Also, there was little to no rain here, as I understand the other side of the island has quite a bit more rain. So, pretty much each day was a great day to head down to the ocean. Two thumbs up.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Loved the Avocados....and Bubba

Guest Ray
Date of stay 06/05/12
Review Submitted 07/23/12

My wife and two young children (5 & 8) spent a wonderful week on "the farm" with Nikki, her chickens, Bubba the dog, and her two cats. Nikki provided us with fresh guacamole, macadamia nuts, and even fresh eggs on Father's Day (what a treat!). My daughter's and I enjoyed touring the 13 acre farm Nikki lives on, which also provided some needed exercise. Beds were very comfortable, though a little humid sometimes due the rain forest we were staying in. The croakies reminded us of that! The outdoor rain shower was a nice touch, as was the sauna. The farm is located at a great location as a jump off point to get to Volcanoes National Park (~1 hr 15 mins to the top of Kilauea) and Point of Refuge (~25 minutes away). At Point of Refuge, my 8 year old and I were fortunate enough to be in the water when 8 spinner dolphins visited us, as well as 2 sea turtles. What an amazing place! The farm sits ~150 yards off the highway, so traffic noise is present during the day, but calms down quite a bit at night. We all had a wonderful stay and look forward to exploring the other side of the Big Island the next time we come back. Thanks Nikki for making our stay comfortable!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Owner response: I loved having your family here & was amazed by the level of maturity, sweetness & curiosity of the girls with the chickens & farm & life in general! I wanted to clarify for possible future guests that Papalani is not in a rainforest. We actually are very dry with only 40 inches of rainfall a year. We have to water the gardens sometimes daily and even hand water the trees during super dry spells. The tropical climate for people from the desert feels humid on the island,especially the other side of the island. Here at PapaLani the gorgeous Ohia forest surrounds the farm. Ohia means gatherer in the Hawaiian language. The Ohia trees gather moisture from the atmosphere during the evenings so when you wake up there is dew on the plants & moisture in the air. Thank you for your stay and i hope to see you again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Lovely, cozy comfortable home

Guest Cathy
Date of stay 06/05/12
Review Submitted 07/19/12

My boyfriend and I stayed at Nikki's "Papalani" guest home this summer. It was my birthday, and we wanted something cozy, and romantic for just the two of us. And what a special place this was. It provided everything to make our stay fantastic. We both loved everything. The fresh garden, with herbs. We had fun feeding the chickens. (I always wanted to have chickens) And Bubba the dog was so sweet and fun. Thank-You Nikki for being a great hostess. Will be back!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

I LOVED IT!!!

Guest M
Date of stay 05/14/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

We felt at home right away! The house is clean, cozy, modern and very well stocked kitchen with every utensil a single person, couple or family would need to prepare gourmet meals. The beds were top notch, super comfy and we loved the solitude of being on 13 acres. The farm is beautiful with a lush, green garden, the delicious Hawaiian tropical fruits and friendly chickens. It was great to play with Bubba the dog and Sweet Pea the cat. We had great weather and our hostess, Nikki, was super friendly and helpful with our island adventures. I highly recommend this Home away from Home on the Big Island of Hawaii!!!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

What a wonderful 2 weeks! Nikki, you made our stay very memorable! Thank you ever so much!

Guest Marcella S.
Date of stay 04/17/12
Review Submitted 05/13/12

We loved our stay at Nikki's. She was very helpful and full of idea's. The house had everything we needed and we loved eating and relaxing on the lanai. The beds were very comfortable and our 18 year old son fell in love with his down pillow! Nikki, you spoiled him! We all enjoyed the days we relaxed and just stayed at home and helped around the farm- a great experience in Hawaii farming! Picking Mac nuts, avocado's, feeding the chickens and gathering those delicious eggs. We enjoyed all the fresh fruit, squash and all the lovely garden salads. Oh, and we can't forget the wonderful kale chips! Nikki had snorkeling equipment for our use and took our children snorkeling with the dolphins- an experience they will never forget! The location was a nice area and centrally located to see all the island. We could make day trips to Hilo in 1 direction and Kona in the other. We found Volcano National Park very interesting as well as going down into Kula Kia Caverns in Ocean View. You won't find a better host and truly it was a way better way to experience Hawaii than renting a condo or hotel! We loved getting to see the real way the common people of Hawaii live, being out away from the crowds of people, and enjoying the sounds of nature in the evenings and mornings. If you are thinking of a trip to Hawaii,definitely try Nikki's place. You will love it just like we did.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Awesome stay!

Guest Linda, Todd and Samantha
Date of stay 04/05/12
Review Submitted 04/18/12

We stayed for 10 nights at this location and were extremely happy with our experience. Our family includes a toddler and it was wonderful to have a large, safe space for her to roam. The kitchen was very well stocked and we were able to prepare many wonderful meals. We even enjoyed bananas and avocados right off the tree. Nikki (the owner) is a super host and we look forward to staying with her again in the future. My little girl's new favourite word is "Bubba". Mahalo Nikki and Bubba.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

A Rural Reunion of Recreation, Rest and Relaxation

Guest Akamu
Date of stay 03/08/12
Review Submitted 03/18/12

Being spread about the globe in Tennessee, California and Korea, our family decided to meet in the middle and spend a week on the Big Island. Our goal was to have a much-needed reunion and find a nice place to settle in and enjoy the beauty of Hawai'i. Nikki's farm provided the perfect setting for us, and of all the places we could have stayed, we felt very lucky to have ended up here. We felt welcome and at home from the moment we arrived; Nikki is most accommodating and very informative on island activities, but in no way intrusive. Think of her as a sort of onconcierge that happens to run a farm and give massages. She gave us a tour of the avocado farm, on which we chewed coffee beans, foraged Macadamia Nuts and met the chickens (whose eggs we enjoyed throughout the week). There were comfortable beds and plenty of room for the youngster to run around. The kitchen was the most well-equipped I've seen yet in a rental, and the grill on the lanai was put to much use. Nikki provided fresh avocados. We used fresh garden kale and herbs in our cooking. The sauna and outdoor shower combo was fabulous, and being lulled to sleep by the sounds of nature is something I've missed since then. Waking with the sun, drinking Kona coffee while breakfasting and reading on the lanai overlooking bird-filled avocado trees was looked forward to each morning. Nearby Ho'okena Beach was beautiful and not over-crowded like those closer to town, though not without its colorful locals and European tourists. Dolphins swam in the distance, while the blue and turquoise waves rolled in. The basement was stocked with beach supplies (don't forget to take the umbrella for shade), and there are snorkeling supplies for rent for a nominal fee. This allowed me to see many species of fish and coral, and I followed several giant green sea turtles around. Volcano National Park and South Point are both quick drives and both well-worth visiting. I'd say this place is perfect for those looking to relax and experience the raw beauty and nature of the secret and untouched parts of the Big Island, and if you wish to be pampered, Nikki is a certified massage therapist. While we did drive into Kona for a classic and delicious seafood dinner one night, we found that if we had stayed in a Kona hotel, we would have missed out on some of the intimate experiences and wonderful meals we had at the farm, and would have spent more time driving around and being forced to mingle with the flowery shirt crowd. *****

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Lots of character, a real pleasure and very relaxing.

Guest janine p.
Date of stay 02/28/12
Review Submitted 03/13/12

Nikki was great, very helpful, kind and friendly. Her cats are gorgeous and we could have kidnapped them quite happily, Bubba is a total sweetie and even the chickens are happy and friendly. The house is large, spacious and very comfortable, with lots of character and well equipped. If you prefer to eat in the kitchen, there is a dining table, one in the main living room and also one on the lanai - we were spoilt for choice. Guests have the use of a small kitchen garden, with vegetables such as kale, spinach, chives and lots of other herbs etc available - nice touch! There are also macadamias, avacados, papayas and other fruits growing on the farm and it was a shame that I had been to the supermarket on the journey there and had bought a swag-load of those items. The 'real thing' is definitely better! If your idea of a perfect rental is an amazing condo with an infinity pool, lively nightlife within staggering distance and lots of state-of-the-art techno equipment, this is not going to float your boat. The rental house is old (for Hawaii), full of easy-going rustic character, very comfortable and well equipped, with a large lanai overlooking the avacado trees. As it was just off the main road (scarcely visible), driving to South Point, the Black Sand Beach and up to Kailua was really easy. Nikki gave us a tour around the farm and we were amazed at how high up the hillside it went, most of the land remaining wooded and wild, with only the area around the buildings being cultivated. We really enjoyed our holiday there and would be more than happy to stay there again. It was a pleasure to meet you Nikki and please give your menagerie a good squidging from us. If I could have hidden the cats in my luggage, they would have British passports by now!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Comfortable, relaxing, spacious!

Guest Sweetpea
Date of stay 02/20/12
Review Submitted 02/28/12

We had a lovely time on Nikki's organic farm. My kids enjoyed playing with the cats, collecting eggs, and when we all had sunburns....there was an aloe plant at hand! If you are an adventurous family looking for an out of the ordinary place to stay, this is it. We enjoyed space, privacy, comfort, and had enough beds for three kids and three grown ups (sharing). Nikki kindly loaned us towels and beach necessities. Everything is at hand! Breakfast consisted of fresh avocados on toast (thanks for the avocados, Nikki!). Showers were mostly outside and were heavenly. We were located a short drive from Kona, and well situated to enjoy many diverse beaches, and Volcano. We will visit again!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Our stay at PapaLani..

Guest Andrew
Date of stay 02/16/12
Review Submitted 02/27/12

Thanks, Nikki, for making our stay so enjoyable. The house had everything one could ask for: - Charming and comfortable, with lots of living space, inside and out - Well equipped kitchen with BBQ on the lanai - Our kids really enjoyed the 'farm stay' atmosphere - Lots of interesting places to visit nearby - Other niceties such as the extra outdoor shower, ability to borrow boogie boards, beach towels & cooler Nikki is a friendly and gracious host - she made us feel comfortable before we even arrived. Rental description is accurate, house is clean and well maintained - We would have no reservations recommending PapaLani to anyone looking for a place around Captain Cook.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Go to meet Nikki, stay for the avocados.

Guest Cass
Date of stay 02/09/12
Review Submitted 03/04/12

Nikki is the best. My sister, her partner and I spent a week with her this February and can't stop talking about what an amazing experience it was. Her organic macademia and avocado trees create a wonderful ambience and provide splendid treats. Bubba, her giant lab, provides splendid company. The chickens provide splendid eggs and the kitties are just splendid in and of themselves. It is a very comfortable, relaxed setting. The house was well supplied with kitchen appliances and everything one could need to be self-sufficient. Nikki is a fountain of information on the area and generous with her time as well as willing to make herself scarce to provide privacy for her guests. One particular treat was a dinner invitation to her musician boyfriend's house where we met local coffee growers and listened to Chris play Hawaiian music on his guitar. In the past I've stayed in hotels when I've gone to Hawaii but the time at Nikki's made it clear how much I've been missing.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

This was a truly relaxing escape to the real Hawaii -exactly what we were looking for.

Guest Gay and Barry
Date of stay 01/12/12
Review Submitted 02/19/12

Our stay at Papalani coulnd't have been more idyllic. We wanted a quiet, rural setting and to find out what was grown on Hawaii. Being interested in organic gardening, the stay was not only rejeuvenating, it was educational as well. We got to sample organically grown avacadoes and tropical fruit, feed the chickens and play with Bubba- a very adorable and friendly black lab. The farm house is very spacious, clean and exceedingly well equipped. Our hostess Nikki went out of her way to make sure our every need was met. We spent many hours just reading on the veranda but when we decided to venture out, we found the farm well located. In little over an hour one way was the volcano and an hour the other way was the quaint little village of Kona. Each day we tried out a different snokeling beach, again all within a short distance. The big island is incredibly diverse with lots to see and do and more what we envisioned the Hawaiian Islands to be all about. And the weather was fantastic.We will be back!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

A wonderful time and a great place

Guest travel2
Date of stay 01/04/12
Review Submitted 02/07/12

A perfect place to spend time with my college age daughters. The place is small and comfortable. Everything you need for setting up house is already there. This is not a 5 star hotel but rather a very nice place to come back to after running around the island all day. Nikki was great and my daughters took advantage of the massage therapy. They said it was, "Awsome." Snorkeling was very close and very good. We actually swam with dolphins that approached within 3 feet of us. In short, we had a great time.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

A wonderful, relaxing retreat for our family during the 2011 holidays

Guest Jan
Date of stay 12/21/11
Review Submitted 01/03/12

I, my husband, and 3 grown kids spent a wonderful 12 days at Papa Lani (Nikki's place) enjoying Nikki and Bubba's company, feeding the chickens (and sometimes the cats), walking around the farm, taking advantage of the soothing sauna and delightful outdoor shower, cooking in the well-equipped kitchen, and traveling to activities (snorkeling, volcano viewing, etc.) on both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island: or, we just sat and chatted on the Lanai. Should we be fortunate enough to return to the Orchid Isle again, with or without our extended family, we would definitely stay here again.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Lovely and quiet traditional Hawaiian Home

Guest Hana
Date of stay 12/01/11
Review Submitted 12/24/11

We had a wonderful two week stay in this quiet home. The house had everything we needed and we enjoyed the avocados, mac nuts and other fruits and veggies from the organic garden. We woke to singing birds and took short hikes on the property. The owner is delightful and took every step to ensure we were comfortable and happy. We found it to be a great value compared to many more expensive places. We highly recommend this property if you are looking to stay in an authentic Hawaiian home.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Lovely Piece of Hawaii

Guest Murph
Date of stay 10/07/11
Review Submitted 11/12/11

I enjoy staying out of cities and tourist areas and with local people. Nikki offered just what I was looking for. Her home is a well kept, comfortable and spacious in country setting. The kitchen had everything and more than I needed and I really enjoyed fresh herbs she offered from her organic garden. Her home, gardens, trees, and the sounds of nature were inviting and restful. Nikki was a pleasure and provided a great blend of leaving me alone and teaching me about her farming and sustainable gardening...interesting and admirable. Nearby swimming and dolphin visits were a treat with a great sauna afterwards. Ahhh. PapLani was a perfect choice at a very fair price.

Recommended for: Age 55+

Owner response: Aloha Merideth, It was a joy having you here at PapaLani. I am glad that you enjoyed the farm, the nature and the dolphins! Blessings and we hope to see you again. Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Wonderful farm to stay at! Close enough to Kona to go there, far enough to feel private.

Guest felipe
Date of stay 10/01/11
Review Submitted 10/22/11

We stayed here at the end of our big island trip and had a wonderful time at this place. The house is amazing (spec. considering the price!) Our hosts were very friendly and even got to have some coffee made by the son of Hawai'i's first governor. There's a lovely small farm this house is on and you can walk around and enjoy seeing some chickens and see some interesting aspects of permaculture that Nikki, our host, was working on. It's very close to some swimming areas where you can go swim with the dolphins in the morning and has nice beaches not too far away. Def a nice place to stay!

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

Owner response: Mahalo We love your enthusiasm about farming, gardening & your environmental awareness. It was a blessings to have you here. Thank You

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

In the country

Guest Guv
Date of stay 05/01/11
Review Submitted 05/01/11

My time at Nikki's from April 19-21 was absolutely delightful. I love so much the connection with the land and the beauty of the trees and plants. Living in the country is the life for me and with the organic gardens and the chickens and of course " Bubba" is the "love" dog of all time. He's just the sweetest big black labrador you've ever seen. From there ....20 minutes to the beach...aaahhhh....now that's what I call paradise. Nikki was the most gracious and generous host and made my stay very comfortable. I'm looking forward to going back soon.

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

Owner response: Hi Guv, Thank you for the great review. We loved having you here. Your smiles, laughter and music filled the house and property with great energy. Bubba thought you were the best too. We hope you will come back and visit anytime! Blessings, Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Comfortable/Affordable Farmhouse

Guest Suzi
Date of stay 04/19/11
Review Submitted 04/30/11

Coming to Hawaii for a week in April was a dream come true. Staying at Nikki's place was comfortable, affordable and spacious. She was a wonderful hostess sharing with us the plants, fruits and trees native to Hawaii. We loved the big country kitchen and large living room, outdoor grill, and comfortable beds. The the outdoor shower was the best. It was an oasis in the country, centrally located between Volcano and Kailua-Kona. I would highly recommend it and for the price you cannot beat it!

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

Owner response: S & J, It was fantastic having you here!! I love your love of the land and all of its bounty.... Happy Adventures for the next few months of travel for you.... sending you joy on your path! Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Peaceful Paradise Found

Guest Tinker Bell
Date of stay 04/05/11
Review Submitted 05/03/11

Really enjoyed this private, spacious retreat house, quietly tucked back from the road and nestled amongst a garden of eden. You can tell that Nikki and Bubba really love the house and land. Everything is well loved (clean, bright and comfortable) and cared for by this owner. I felt like Nikki paid attention to the smallest of details so that I would have a joyous experience....and I did! I would highly recommend this retreat rental to anyone who is looking for a slice of tropical paradise with all the comforts of home sweet home....and then some! Thank you for everything!!!

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

Owner response: Tink, You were an absolute joy to have here on the farm. We truly appreciated your presence and contributions and hope you will be able to come back to Hawaii with your beloved very soon! Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Wise Woman

Guest linda
Date of stay 04/03/11
Review Submitted 05/12/11

I loved being at Nikki's place (actually, Bubba's). It is peaceful and quiet, even though highway is close...(lots of mac trees block most of the traffic noise). House is clean, well maintained and colorfully decorated. My favorite spot is the lanai where not much is happening...just chilling out. Nikki is a gracious host with good suggestions for our west and south side of island sightseeing pleasure. The ambiance was definitely one of sweet spirit of ALOHA.

Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Renter Beware

Guest MB
Date of stay 04/01/11
Review Submitted 04/28/11

Disclaimer: My comments are based on statements made in Nikki's listing in February and March 2011. She has since changed the information about pets and refunds. Comments: My husband and I reserved 4 separate work-related weekends (12 nights) in April 2011. The house was advertised as a pet-friendly, serene retreat but after the first night, Nikki banged on the door at 7AM to tell me we'd have to leave later that day because she didn't want our 2 small dogs there any longer. (The male had lifted his leg on the porch/lanai when we first arrived.) She also said we couldn't bring the dogs back on the other 3 weekends, a huge problem because we don't have pet-sitters where we live. I told her we wouldn't be returning without the dogs so she should re-list the place as available on those weekends, and we left that afternoon. Although we stayed only 1 night, Nikki refuses to refund any of our money, not even the 50% that we paid in addition to the deposit. (Although her listing now says "no refunds," I have a copy of the original listing that says nothing about her refund policy. And of course she never provided us with a written contract explaining any of her so-called policies.) This place is not quiet or serene. You can hear traffic from the busy highway 24/7 and the owner's "ohana on the property" is actually attached to the rental so there is no privacy at all. You share the outdoor shower with her and her dog sleeps right outside your back door on the landing between the homes. Although the listing says she lives there in the ohana part-time, that doesn't mean you might have privacy once in awhile - it means she lives in the rental house when there are no renters. The photos on the rental listing do not accurately reflect the status of the house. It is worn and shabby, especially the bathroom and the flooring. The WiFi worked well and the bed was very comfortable, but the experience was more like camping than we'd expected. We knew there would be no TV but hadn't thought to ask if there were 3-prong outlets for the laptop in the living room - there weren't - and hadn't realized that we wouldn't be able to use tap water even for washing dishes or brushing teeth. Although Nikki provided "drinking water" in a 5-gallon container, it made us sick anyway. We live in a rural area on the other side of the island, so we weren't expecting a lot, but this place didn't even meet our very reasonable expectations.

Owner response: Almost everything in this review is an un-truth. I didn’t even want to reply to it because it is so “off”, but if you would like my side of the story please read on! As far as the property goes. The pictures on VRBO accurately display the property…I would be happy to forward you some. I love my floors and bathroom…. I have plenty of places to plug in laptops in the living room…I spend a lot of time at my boyfriends and working out of town and take my dog with me. There is a TV in the living room (there is no cable… it is for movies only), I have no idea why she thinks that she couldn’t wash dishes with the water or why the county water “made them sick”, strange!! The road is about a football field away from the front of the house…. I don’t find it loud at all. & the place was quite quiet and serene until their dogs barked all morning long. I have always had a no refund policy, it is written in the rate section of my listing …. I haven’t felt the need for further written contracts as I trust people in general… but this women is a lawyer…. So… I booked the 4 long weekends for these guests knowing that I probably wouldn’t be able to rent the other days in between. I held that space for them (basically the whole month of April), turning everyone else away. I had a pet friendly policy at the time because I love animals & others have stayed here with their pets very sucessfully. I interviewed these guests to make sure their 1 approved dog was trained, well behaved and didn’t bark…..they said that was true… well…. They showed up with their “well behaved dog” who immediately went through the house and onto the lanai and peed on the floor 2 times within the first 10 minutes of their stay…. Then they introduced their new puppy (that wasn’t approved to stay on the premise). I had to go take care of things… so I left to try to sleep on what to do about this. Mr left at 5:30 am and asked me to talk to Mrs about the situation (he she was up and around)…. I waited til 7am to knock on her door and give some options to her (win/win), so that they could continue their stay… and I welcomed them back the next weekends . When I got home later that day they were gone and demanding their $ back. I told them that if I could re-rent the property during the time that they were scheduled in there that I would happily refund their money so I put the dates back available and even offered a discounted price for April, hoping to get get guests in but it didn't happen.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

An authentic Hawaiian experience!

Guest Matt, Dylan, and Pablo
Date of stay 03/25/11
Review Submitted 04/03/11

Nikki's farm provided the perfect, authentic Hawaiian experience we were looking for! It was isolated enough to fall asleep to the sounds of nature and wake up to birdsongs, but also a short drive from beaches, hikes, and restaurants. Nikki's farm is a peaceful, relaxing retreat where we cooked dinners with herbs from her garden and picked fruit from trees. The house was clean and fully stocked with all the supplies we needed. Nikki was gracious hostess, guiding us to the best beaches, restaurants, and fruit stands, and markets. She even invited us to a nearby potluck party with a group of her friends, which was great fun. If you want to experience the tranquility of living locally on the Big Island, I strongly recommend Nikki's farm!

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

Owner response: Hi Guys, thank you so much for your presence here at the farm...i love your sense of adventure and openness... you did things here on the island within a short distance from the farm in your short stay that i haven't done in 11 years! you are wonderful young men and i am so happy that you are helping our youth in such powerful ways! it was great having you and i wish that you could have stayed longer.... maybe next time. aloha, nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Just like home except...Paradise

Guest Renee and Tim
Date of stay 03/05/11
Review Submitted 03/29/11

Nikki...the place was zen inspired. I have to say I really loved the outdoor shower and the house is so clean and comfortable.This was out first visit to Hawaii so we wanted to travel around the island and see it alland thats what we did.Nikki's farm is in a great location to do that.Her animals are so respectful of your space but for pet owners like us...perfect for that animal energy we missed. Good vibes all around Papa Lani. Thank You Nikki, Renee and Tim

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Bubba's Place

Guest Mary
Date of stay 02/26/11
Review Submitted 03/26/11

It was a treat to stay at Nikki's house (aka Bubba's house). The front lanai was my favorite place to sit and read, drink coffee in the morning and journal in the afternoon. The fully loaded kitchen made our stay even better since we could cook breakfast and drink freshly ground Kona coffee every morning (there was even a pan for brownies). The whole place was welcoming and we felt right at home. Having the cats and dog around was great to get our animal fix. Nikki was wonderful at letting us know places we shouldn't miss and how to get there (and actually say the names properly). Be prepared to spend some time driving to various beaches - our favorite beach was about 30 mins away. We generally left for the day in the morning with our cooler borrowed from Nikki and returned in the late afternoon. The two best things about staying here were the Infared Sauna which was used every evening and the AMAZING fresh avocados (I didn't know they could ever taste that good - we had them on and in everything). We would definately recommend Nikki and her house! Aloha

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

Owner response: Mary and Queta, thank you so much.... it was such a pleasure having you here!! You filled the house with light hearted laughter & joy..... Mahalo and Blessings, Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Honeymoon Residence

Guest Lenka & Torsten
Date of stay 12/30/10
Review Submitted 01/10/11

We wanted to spend our adventurous honeymoon on the Big Island. Therefore, we were looking for a quiet private place on the Kona Coast. Torsten and I were one of the first guests of Nikki. Once we found Nikki's house in a dark night and received a warm welcome from her and her dog Baba and cats, we immediately felt that we immersed ourselves in the Hawaiian culture. I admired surrounding garden full of avocado trees, as well as papaya trees, lettuces, palm trees, macadamia nuts etc. Once I burned my back, and Nikky quickly referred me to her aloes in the garden. Torsten and I enjoyed cooking in the spacious kitchen. I was amazed how many pots, plates, glasses and various other kitchen aids were hidden in the cupboards. Grill on the lanai is fantastic! We both enjoyed the outdoor shower. As a person from the town, I would not believe how enjoyable it is. Most of the people on the Big Island try to collect rain water in the tanks. It is almost impossible to drill a well there. Remember that lava is everywhere. You might be surprised that rain water does not look any different to city water. I gained an impression, that my skin liked rain water better. I would recommend Nikki's place for people who want to experience adventures. Nikki does not have any direct neighbours. Her place is in the middle of rain forest, but still a few steps from the main road. Once the sun hides, it is going to be completely dark. It is very easy to buy gas for one of the cheapest prices on the island at Ocean View, and go shopping there or in Captain Cook. Kona is about 50 minutes drive. We enjoyed swimming in Honomalino Bay and snorkling at "Place of Refuge" a lot. If you want to stay at Nikki's place, you need to have a car. A stay at Nikky will become your once in a lifetime experience.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Great quiet getaway

Guest Trudy
Date of stay 11/29/10
Review Submitted 12/19/10

Nikki's farm is a fabulous place to get away from it all. It has great access to some of the best snorkeling on the island plus dolphin swims at K Bay and Ho'okena. Nikki's farm offers the services of a spa but in a comfortable country environment. Definitely a place to stay while on your way around the island.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Peaceful, clean and Nikki is wonderful!

Guest Joyce
Date of stay 10/05/10
Review Submitted 12/16/10

I really enjoyed staying at Nikki's amazing farm. The living room is so big, it inspired me to dance! The lanai is a lovely place to each breakfast of local avos, mac nuts and papayas. The bed was super comfy and I couldn't have wanted for more comfort. Also, Nikki's massages are so wonderful---especially the hot stone one! I also had a facial and THAT was so relaxing and rejuvenating. Nikki is very skilled and very nurturing. And Bubba the dog may be the most lovable dog on the entire planet! Thanks for a wonderful experience of the REAL Hawaii (no fast paced tourist stuff here!)

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

Starry starry nights

Guest Steve
Date of stay 04/15/10
Review Submitted 04/04/11

Well, to not repeat everything others are saying will be tough. This was our 5th or 6th visit to the Big Island and the first time staying outside of Kona. The choice was to get away from the hubbub and go where it would be peaceful, serene and private. We succeeded in our goal. We arrived in Kona after the sunami had hit in the evening and proceeded to Nikki's. Unfortunately I did the guy thing, new where I was going and never found the house in the dark. Late into the evening we went back to Kona and checked into a hotel for the night. Nikki rolled me out of bed with a call at 5 am, wondering what had happened to us. We got it all figured out and met her later at the farm. Nikki, Bubba my now good friend, and the.. ah, cats greeted us with arms and paws. Nikki is great, a real energetic person full of good health knowledge and conversation. Bubba, what can we say. A great buddy. Kitties, well (I am not a cat person) they meowed and were nice to me because I did agree to feed them at times. My wife and I had several massages while staying and she also had facials and footsie type things done. The sauna was to die for. My wife and I are still going through withdrawl on that and we may purchase one of our own now that we have experience the far infrared sauna. the ultimate was the open air shower that has been mentioned by others. For those who have never camped or stood nude in the sunshine while having rain softened water to shower in will be in for a treat. I would put one on my house if I could. I expect the neighbors would have a fit about that though. Nikki has herbs and spices all around to use from her gardens for cooking. The stars at night are tremendous. With no moon it is so dark you almost can't see the hand in front of your face. But look up and see stars you have never seen before, watch for satellites and anything else that may come floating by. At her 1500 foot level, the temp during the day is comfortable without the higher humidity and cooler at night for great sleeping. As others have noted, you are only about 12 miles from Ocean View that has a grocery store, Post Office, three gas stations (cheapest gas on the island. While we arrived gas was $4.25. At Ocean View it was $3.95. It varied, but there was a difference. We visited a lot with Nikki while there and we made a good friend too. Oh, not to forget my buddy Bubba also. Yes, Kitties were friendly too.

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

Owner response: Hi Steve and Rhonda, it was so great having you here & getting to know you.... i can hardly wait for you to come back! I loved doing your spa treatments and knowing you were enjoying and getting all the health benefits from the Therasauna. i really enjoyed sharing time with you and i am still enjoying that Mahi-Mahi that you left! I miss your smiling faces and our laughs together! blessings, Nikki

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Organic Farm with Spa Services & Kitchen Garden [#332327] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (37)

Wow...worth the drive

Wow...worth the drive

Papalani stay

Papalani stay

See the real Hawaii

See the real Hawaii

Beautiful Retreat

Beautiful Retreat

A kindred soul

A kindred soul

Friendly and comfortable

Friendly and comfortable

Healing Haven

Healing Haven

Peaceful stay on a working farm surrounded by nature

Peaceful stay on a working farm surrounded by nature

Off the mainland...

Off the mainland...

Loved the Avocados....and Bubba

Loved the Avocados....and Bubba

Lovely, cozy comfortable home

Lovely, cozy comfortable home

I LOVED IT!!!

I LOVED IT!!!

What a wonderful 2 weeks! Nikki, you made our stay very memorable! Thank you ever so much!

What a wonderful 2 weeks! Nikki, you made our stay very memorable! Thank you ever so much!

Awesome stay!

Awesome stay!

A Rural Reunion of Recreation, Rest and Relaxation

A Rural Reunion of Recreation, Rest and Relaxation

Lots of character, a real pleasure and very relaxing.

Lots of character, a real pleasure and very relaxing.

Comfortable, relaxing, spacious!

Comfortable, relaxing, spacious!

Our stay at PapaLani..

Our stay at PapaLani..

Go to meet Nikki, stay for the avocados.

Go to meet Nikki, stay for the avocados.

This was a truly relaxing escape to the real Hawaii -exactly what we were looking for.

This was a truly relaxing escape to the real Hawaii -exactly what we were looking for.

A wonderful time and a great place

A wonderful time and a great place

A wonderful, relaxing retreat for our family during the 2011 holidays

A wonderful, relaxing retreat for our family during the 2011 holidays

Lovely and quiet traditional Hawaiian Home

Lovely and quiet traditional Hawaiian Home

Lovely Piece of Hawaii

Lovely Piece of Hawaii

Wonderful farm to stay at! Close enough to Kona to go there, far enough to feel private.

Wonderful farm to stay at! Close enough to Kona to go there, far enough to feel private.

In the country

In the country

Comfortable/Affordable Farmhouse

Comfortable/Affordable Farmhouse

Peaceful Paradise Found

Peaceful Paradise Found

Wise Woman

Wise Woman

Renter Beware

Renter Beware

An authentic Hawaiian experience!

An authentic Hawaiian experience!

Just like home except...Paradise

Just like home except...Paradise

Bubba's Place

Bubba's Place

Honeymoon Residence

Honeymoon Residence

Great quiet getaway

Great quiet getaway

Peaceful, clean and Nikki is wonderful!

Peaceful, clean and Nikki is wonderful!

Starry starry nights

Starry starry nights