Wonderful place to stay on the big island

Guest: love the big island (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Date of Stay: 11/14/08 Review Submitted: 11/25/08

We enjoyed staying at this property very much. It was exactly what we needed. It had beautiful ocean views, turtles swimming in the bay, a nice pool, and hot tub. The owners were nice and easy to make arrangements with. We would like to come back with our children and would try to stay at this property again. We loved the big island! We loved the Pu'u'lu Valley hike to the black sand beach with it's crashing waves, we loved the sea kayaking and snorkeling, we loved the horseback riding in the Waipo Valley, we loved the beaches, we loved the night time lava viewing as it flows into the ocean, we loved the waterfalls, and we loved the luau that we attended. We had a great vacation and were glad to have such a nice place to stay, too.

Owner response:Aloha ! Mahalo for your great review ! We are so blessed to live here on the Big Island and to share this beauty with our guests at Kona Shangrila. It is our passion to provide a First Class experience to our guests so they can enjoy all the wonders and adventures of this Paradise! We look forward to your return visit and please bring those you love to share it with you. Aloha and Mahalo ! Trisha and Sterling

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

A+ All the Way!

Guest: LauraG (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/02/12 Review Submitted: 03/15/12

This was a wonderful location for our group vacation. Trisha and Sterling were very helpful throughout the entire rental process, and we found all of the directions on getting to the house and what to do once we arrived to be clear and easy to follow. We had five couples, so we all appreciated having our own bedroom and bathroom. We used the kitchen on the middle level (with occasional runs up to the top floor when we needed additional microwave or oven space) and found it to be very well-stocked. We were especially glad to find such a nice selection of condiments, spices, and basic ingredients - those sorts of things that you need to have but don't always remember to buy! It was also well-supplied with items like beach towels, some snorkel gear and beach toys, and even coolers. We used the washers/dryers, and were pleased that detergent was provided for them. Many in our group enjoyed snorkeling in the bay - what a treat to have that right next to the house! And the hot tub was also quite popular after the snorkel adventures. We enjoyed watching for sea turtles in the bay. One evening we had a wonderful barbecue on the lanai. We loved the large sliding windows and kept them open most of the day if we were around. The ceiling fans and portable fans helped us to keep the house comfortable - and we appreciated the detailed directions on the use of the ceiling fans. The house is in a terrific location - close to Kailua but out of the traffic - and so convenient to other areas. We visited the farmer's market, the Pu`uhonua o Honaunau Historic Site, Kealekekua Bay, Painted Church, and Bayview Coffee Farm. We also did the tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, which was excellent. We were very sad to leave, and we hope to return someday soon.

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

We love Hawai'i

Guest: Katie (Saskatoon, SK, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

Our Hawaii trip was wonderful. The house we chose to rent was great. Dealing with Sterling and Trisha was easy. The house and grounds are clean and well maintained. I was amazed at all the extras we found: laundry detergent, cooler, variety of items for small children (stroller, safety gate, stuffed toys), the books and videos that were on each level, stocked kitchen (sandwich bags, spices, condiments, dishwasher detergent and dish soap. Having a wonderful place for all of us to stay with the possibility of alone time or joining the group was nice. The sound of the surf I miss. We opted not to use air conditioning and used the fans with the windows open. Having wide open living room windows was awesome. The location was great. It provided us with a base to visit many sites and participate in activities. Our son even was married on a beach. The volcano tube and Volcano National Park are worth seeing. We all enjoyed kayaking. Those of us who surfed found it enjoyable. Whale and dolphin watching was definetley worth rising early for. It was amazing how cool the thatched huts were in the national park we visited. Hilo definitely is rainy. The Botanical Garden was truly amazing. Hawai'i is truly a beautiful place and this home with ijt's kind owners is an awesome place to showcase the island.

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

A Piece of Paradise

Guest: Anna-Marie M.
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/06/12

Sterling and Trish deliver what they promise and more. The stocked kitchens were a bonus. We even found sandwich bags that came in handy when we made lunches for long day excursions. The closets held a variety of handy options: cooler, carriage, safety gate, booster seat etc. The laundry room was even stocked. Our 'home' was wonderful. We liked having the living room windows fully openable to enjoy the surf and ocean breezes. We opted not to use air conditioning and found open windows and the fans provided kept us cool. Having all containers clearly labelled for garbage or recycling was thoughtful. It was easy to find shopping and activities or stay at home and use the pool and hot tub. Having access to the shore was a bonus. The house and yard was clean and well maintained.We had trouble with the propane BBQ and help was provided as well as charcoal briquettes. We would not hesitate to return to Hawaii and return to this lovely home. We proudly showed off the house before we arrived and rave about it now we are home. My daughters did not like the geckos and some found the birds singing too early in the morning. We toured Volcano National Park, Thurston Lava tube (very cool), surfed (the orange shack on Alii), kayaked/snorkelled/cliff jumped (a favorite of all 10 of us), whale watched (only 6 of us but he gets 5 stars), visted Hilo and toured a water fall and Botanical Garden. Hawaii is a magical island. Most of us loved the turtles (please do not touch). Good advice for the lotion for sunburns. Bring and wear water socks as the lava cuts easilyon the beaches and in the water. Lefty's (Mexican) served generous portions of delicious food. The Kona Eatery had tastey beer and good food. Having a GPS was helpful to navigate. Groceries and gas were expensive.

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Paridise by The Ocean

Guest: Katie (Saskatoon, SK, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/05/12

My family enjoyed staying in this home. It was truly a home away from home. It was convenient to have stocked kitchens and a BBQ. The pool and the hot tub were a bonus and well used. It provided us a wonderful base to venture into Kona and explore the island. It was relaxing just to stay at home and enjoy the view and listen to the surf. The location was desirable and easy to locate. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to experience Hawaii in your lovely home.

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

Perfect home for a large family!

Guest: Barb (Gig harbor, WA)
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/15/12

From our intitial contact with Trisha and Sterling, until the very last moment when we had to drive away from Kona Shangrila, we had a perfect experience. Our hosts were extremely communicative in answering our questions by email prior to making our final decision to book this residence. The location was even better than expected, with the ocean easily accessible just a few steps away, and the visibility from the pool deck was absolutely wonderful.We had plenty of room to spread out, plenty of bedrooms to share, and even with 13 of us, we only used one kitchen. The house was wonderfully equipped with everything we needed, from spices to snorkle gear. We found all the cooking utensils and serving dishes we needed, just like in our own homes. The family which left just before we arrived left several items in the pantry and refrigerator, which we used, and in turn left anything that was fresh or unperishable for the next group. It truly was like having your own family vacation home! From the photos, we thought the rooms were a little larger, but the home was lovely, well appointed, and very comfortable. The Wifi was great- we could even send emails from the pool deck! The town of Kailua was very convenient, and we took advantage of the farmers market several times, gorging ourselves on fresh pineapple, bananas, avacados papayas and mangoes all island grown and at great prices! We loved Splashers Grill across from the King Kam for casual dining, great breakfasts, and drinks. They also run a snorkle boat.. Ask at the restaurant and you'll get a discount! Their snorkle trip was 4 hours, we swam with the dolphins, and saw more fish than we could count or identify at the Capt Cook monument. The boat was fully stocked with beverages and snacks, and wonderful healthy wraps for lunch. I wouldn't miss a driving trip over the top of the island, to Waimea, seeing the vast grassy ranch land, and be sure to spend a few hours at Volcano Nat'l Park. We fell in love with the Big Island, and will certainly return... hoping these hosts will have a place for us next time we are ready to book. Mahalo!

Owner response:Aloha Barbara and Paul.. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to give us such a wonderful review ! We just love to hear nice comments from our guests. When you make your next reservation, please let us know when you stayed with us and we will give you a "Returning Guest" Discount. Mahalo and Aloha.. Trisha and Sterling

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

Family Vacation

Guest: D G & F (Neenah, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/11/12

We had a wonderful stay. The grandchildren and adults enjoyed the privacy of the pool and patio area for all to sit and relax. The ocean was very relaxing and calming during the day and evening. The view from the pool area was absolutely fantastic. We enjoyed all three units. Having the family together and the privacy day and night was all that we had hoped it would be. We would recommend this home for vacation to any one going to Hawaii. The owners responded quickly to a few minor requests.

Owner response:Aloha David.. Thank you so much for taking time to write such a nice review on Kona Shangrila. It is our mission to provide our guests with memories of a lifetime. When you plan your next stay with us, please mention that you are a returning guest and date of your stay, and we will give you the "Returning Guest" Discount. Aloha and Mahalo Trisha and Sterling Hawaii Shangrila

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers.

Kona family vacation

Guest: Kailua Kona (Pacific Northwest)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

This was an excellent property for our family group of 10. It was well-maintained, comfortable inside and out (well-represented in VRBO description), parking was perfect for our 3 cars to access busy Alii Drive, the owners were easy to reach and very helpful when we had any questions. Location good for trips to Kailua for restaurants and shopping and other activities, nearby beaches great for snorkeling and swimming. A wonderful property to come back to after exploring the Kona coast.

Owner response:Aloha Barbara.. Thanks so much for taking time to send this great review. We will post it on our website. It is our mission to provide memories of a lifetime to our guest. Next time you come, please ask for "Returning Guest Discount) and we will be sure to get you the best rate we can. Aloha and Mahalo. Trisha and Sterling

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

Paradise

Guest: Wendy (Victoria, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/30/10 Review Submitted: 10/21/10

This house was great. We especially loved that the ocean was at our backyard. The waves were very loud, the view was gorgeous and relaxing. The bed on the bottom floor is pretty hard, but all others were pretty comfortable. The snorkeling was unbelievable and we saw turtles every time. The house is on the run route for the Ironman, it was a perfect cheering spot. There was a BBQ on site, the kitchens were well equipped, we had no need to go to a restaurant. We can't wait to return!

Owner response:Mahalo Wendy for submitting your Review on HomeAway website. You will find your comments in print on our Guest Comment Section of our website. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the house and took the time to give your comments. Aloha, Trisha and Sterling

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/02/09 Review Submitted: 09/02/09

My husband, teenage son, and I stayed on the third floor of the house and LOVED it. The condo is very clean, attractive, comfortable and offers everything exactly as described, including the 'Million dollar" views. Trish and Sterling were warm and responsive hosts. We would love to return with other family members, and dont think we'd ever got back to a hotel again after this relaxing stay. A real "home away from home" in Paradise, and in fact, much better than home!

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