Reviews for Captain Cook Vacation Rental - VRBO 388335 - 3 BR Kona Coast House in HI, Award-Winning Home -Sweeping Ocean Views & Tropical Garden Setting!

Amazing Views and Wonderful Home!

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Amazing Views and Wonderful Home!

Guest Doug, Chandella, Kendall, Garrett, Haimon, Paige,
Date of stay 04/10/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

Thank you for the use of your wonderful home--we enjoyed the amazing views, the walk down to Pebble Beach and hiking King's Trail. The fruit stand 2 miles south of the house was wonderful with lots of veggies. Keiko's Roadside Cafe has wonderfully tasty fish and chips. Our family enjoyed our 1st trip to Hawaii--Mahalo! ALOHA!!

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Fantastic Home --Wonderful Family Visit!

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Fantastic Home --Wonderful Family Visit!

Guest Gerry and Cherrie and family, Spokane, Washington
Date of stay 04/01/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

This was our third trip to the Big Island and we brought our daughters and their family. We had a great time in your beautiful home . Mahalo! We hiked, swam, snorkeled and ate! Hookena beach was great and a trip to Hapuna Beach was over the top for boogieboarding. As always, fishing with Makana Lani was a treat(no fish, but we saw whales and dolphins!) Then we went snorkeling with Dolphin Discoveries. It is worth a visit to Volcano National Park and a night view from Jagger Museum. And there is so much more! Again thank you, Ron and Michele, your house was fantastic. Mahalo!

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G&C

Guest G&C
Date of stay 03/31/13
Review Submitted 04/15/13

We recently spent 10 fun filled days at Kona Leilani. Our extended family of 4 grandkids and their parents joined us and we found the house perfect for our needs. We loved the country setting with the birds, geckos and beautiful view but the location does require travel time for activities. While at the house the kids loved the TV and internet access. Pebble beach at the bottom of the hill is beautiful but was too rough for swimming or snorkeling however, Ho'okena Beach Park was not far away and for a "classic" beach we went to Hapuna State Park. We went deep sea fishing with Kenny on the Makana Lani and snorkelling with Dolphin Discoveries. Michele was great to work with during the entire planning/rental process as well as providing very helpful information to make our stay great.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind comments! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and that the children enjoyed the TV and the internet too! We know that there are several wonderful snorkeling spots 10-20 minutes away, that even when our bay is windy (mostly during winter) our guests always can go over to several of those spots. We are hoping you will come back soon. Mahalo, Michele and Ron

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Breathtaking! Our Days in Paradise!

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Breathtaking! Our Days in Paradise!

Guest Anja, Jens, Joshua, Julian , from Germany
Date of stay 03/24/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

We spend a wonderful week on the Big Island. Feeling perfectly at home in your lovely and well-equipped house. Enjoying breakfast and dinner on the lanai (wished we had that at home!) with a breathtaking view of the ocean. We saw flowing lava on our tour-it was strenuous but one of the most impressive trips we have ever had- a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visited the wonderful Volcano National Park. I saw green sea turtles at Black Sand Beach. Akaka Falls were wonderful. Thank you so much for providing us with so many useful and friendly information! We LOVED to be your guests. We are going to Maui tomorrow,but will never forget our days in Paradise!

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Welcome in paradise - it feels like home!

Guest JensAnjaJoshuaJulian
Date of stay 03/24/13
Review Submitted 04/11/13

We spent one week in this beautiful vacation home and felt perfectly at home. Michele and Ron provided us with helpful lists, tips and photos beforehand, so that we were well informed when we arrived. Check-in was easy and done by ourselves. The house is located at a steep road, surrounded by a wonderful tropical garden and had a breathtaking view to the ocean. We loved to sit on the great lanai for breakfast or dinner, enjoying the view and the colorful funny geckos and birds around. The house is well equipped and beautiful decorated, very cozy and we felt comfortable and utterly welcome. Good shopping facilities for daily supplies within 20-30 minutes drive. Attractions such as Volcano NP, Black Sand Beach or the nice sandy beaches in the northwest require one to two hours drive, but are absolutely worth the effort. The lava tour with Chris Arruda (2,5 hours drive in the night, started at 3.15 AM at the end of highway 130) was our highlight - strenuous but a once in a liftime experience. Mahalo Larry (the housekeeper's husband) for helping us with our car on Easter Sunday morning, when the motor decided not to start on our way to the airport. We were on time due to your help! It was hard to leave and only the prospect to a week on Maui eased the farewell to that home in paradise. Mahalo Michelle and Ron for sharing it with us!

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

Owner response: Dear Friends from Germany, We are so pleased with your experience on the Big Island and at our Kona Leilani home! We are happy it felt like home, as we all do our very best to give you all a friendly and exceptional vacation and Hawaiian experience. We look forward to your return. We are continuously improving our amenities and house features! Safe and happy travels, Michele and Ron and our wonderful support team, Larry and Emy

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Home away from Home

Guest Joe & Deann
Date of stay 02/02/13
Review Submitted 02/26/13

We really enjoyed all of the space this house provided. The view was fantastic. We viewed great sunsets every evening from the Lanai. It is at least a 30 minute drive to town but where we come from that is normal. We loved being able to sit out on the Lanai each evening for our "adult" beverages. We spent all of our beach days at Hookena beach (about 15 minutes away). The dolphins were in the bay so we were able to swim with them. My husband said that is one thing off of his "bucket list". We stayed for 3 1/2 weeks and had three different couples stay with us for a week each. The downstairs apartment was great because it gave them privacy to do there own thing or join us upstairs for meals and hang out time. I was glad we were able to contact the owners any time we had a question and got a quick response. Thank you for a great time on the Big Island.

Recommended for: Families with young children, romantic getaway.

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Beautiful Home-Fantastic Ocean Views

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Beautiful Home-Fantastic Ocean Views

Guest Bill, Robyn, Tom & Judy, Tom and Diane, Iowa
Date of stay 01/30/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

THANK YOU for allowing us to stay in your beautiful house!! You had everything we needed and the house was well-furnished. The art work was and is lovely! You were very helpful with information before the trip and in planning our stay on the island. We especially enjoyed sitting out on the deck overlooking the ocean. Your landscaping was beautiful. Thank you again. If you are ever in Iowa, be sure to look us up.

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Great for three couples!

Guest Bill
Date of stay 01/23/13
Review Submitted 02/04/13

We were looking for a house that would be suitable for 3 couples and this house was perfect. It was well furnished and had everything we needed. Especially loved the deck so we were able to look out over the ocean. Also, having a washer/dryer was much appreciated. Especially helpful to us was the fact that we could email you with questions before our trip and you would get back to us with what we needed to know. The property was very clean and well-maintained. If we have any friends or family coming to the Big Island, would certainly recommend your property as we were very comfortable here and want to thank you for allowing us to stay here.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind and helpful review! We know that many future travellers will find your comments and perspectives useful in planning for their trips. There are so many choices for accommodations, so your tips and views will really help. Thank you, Michele and Ron

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Tropical Home Away from Home!

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Tropical Home Away from Home!

Guest Robin and Lou, Cape Cod, MA
Date of stay 01/21/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

We loved sitting on the lanai in the morning, sipping my tea, reading and watching a few boats go by!! Love snorkeling in Kabulu-u!! Loved Hookena and Punau-nau-the history and the views and the snorkeling were great. What a lovely stay in your comfy home away from home. Robin and Lou, Cape Cod, MA

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A Tropical Ocean Paradise

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A Tropical Ocean Paradise

Guest April and Torben, Cape Cod, MA
Date of stay 01/14/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

We had a lovely stay! We have delicious grilled meats outside at night and breakfast outside-WHAT COULD BE FINER! We drove everyday to new snorkeling venues. Your home was SO comfortable and welcoming for us. Thanks so much!

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OCEAN Views and Wonderful Snorkeling!

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OCEAN Views and Wonderful Snorkeling!

Guest April and Lou, Cape Cod, Mass.
Date of stay 01/14/13
Review Submitted 01/19/13

We are having a grand time snorkling every day. We have had blue skies and beautiful weather and do not look forward to cold weather on Cape Cod. We have been eating dinners outside which we love and breakfast outside and of course our version of happy hour which is freshly made guacamole and chips and beer or Mike's Hard Lemonade. (Fantastic ocean views!) Thanks so much for sharing your home with us!!!!!! You can see the pride of ownership and so well-maintained Oh, Torben and Lou were able to join a small group with a guide and walked an hour and 1/2 over a lava field to see LIVE lava flowing and then saw it falling into the ocean. They were just in awe. ...They are now able to check off seeing LIVE lava flowing off their "bucket list". This is a great location! April, Torben, Robin and Lou

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rental home

Guest rene
Date of stay 01/05/13
Review Submitted 01/14/13

we had thought the property was in Captain Cook itself. it was about 10 miles further south. we had to do a lot more driving than expected. We could not use the beach that is 2 mins by car to swim because it was rough. this was disappointing. the home is older than it appears in photos. The garden is smaller than it appeared--it looked as if you might take a walk through the garden. the bedrooms are rather small. the property is clean and well maintained. the owners were helpful. Not sure I would recommend it because of the location. Restaurants; Keei Cafe is excellent; Geo gelati, and Natural Islands deli next t o it; Nasturtium Cafe--the owners supplied alist of restaurants and grocery stores which was helpful. Loved snorkelling at o ho naunau and Kealakukea Bay. Worth driving North to Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches; I would suggest an overnight at the Volcanoes NP because a one day trip is not long enough.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers

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"Hawaiian Heaven"

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"Hawaiian Heaven"

Guest Peter, Washington
Date of stay 01/03/13
Review Submitted 01/17/13

"Superb Family Vacation Spot" The whole family stayed at this lovely Kona property. It is spacious, clean and with superb views of the ocean. The home has everything available and the host left clear instructions for everything. While it is a bit out of town, the ambience is great, surrounded by well kept gardens and it is quiet. All the interesting gardens, volcanos, peaks are only an hour or two away - easy day trips. Several of the best snorkelling beaches are minutes away. We had a very pleasant vacation and can highly recommend this vacation home.

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Perfect Island Experience

Guest Happy Camper
Date of stay 12/25/12
Review Submitted 01/07/13

For my family it was the perfect place. Plenty of space to be by yourself or gather as a group. One night we had BBQ on the deck with 16 people. It was clean, quiet, scenic, (watched a whale blow from the deck) peaceful and restful. Plenty of space for kids and adults. Two large TV ( I didn't turn it on once. The view was all I needed), wifi for the kids. Perfect location to 4 great beaches for diving, laying on the sand, fishing, kayaking and snorkeling. Quick drive to the volcano or Hilo. Great kitchen and laundry facilities. Met a lot of locals and made a few friendship that I believe you miss when staying in town. This was my 4th time to the Big Island. I stayed up north, in Kona twice and then here. By far it was my favorite. Stop in town and stock the fridge...you may not leave until you head to the airport. I must also mention that the host while offsite are delightful and attentive.

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

Owner response: Randy, Thank you so much for your generous comments. We know that future travellers can be overwhelmed with choosing the right place and our guest comments really help our future travellers. Also, thank you so much about your comment about our help...we are so glad we were helpful. We wish you the best in 2013!

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HEAVENLY SETTING!!

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HEAVENLY SETTING!!

Guest By Sara from Portland, OR on 11/26/2012 for a stay
Date of stay 11/17/12
Review Submitted 12/14/12

Heavenly Setting (Actual review from TripAdvisor regarding Kona Leilani Home) We loved our stay at this quiet, out of the way location offering a large and well appointed house w/ohana. We don't enjoy the condo/hotel experience and appreciated being able to have lots of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy relaxing mornings and evenings together after a day of sightseeing. ·

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Our Hawaiian Adventure

Guest Brenda
Date of stay 11/01/12
Review Submitted 11/26/12

We were so fortunate so have found this property on VRBO for our first trip to Hawaii. The beautiful, comfortable home provided amazing views from its perch at the top of the cliff. It was difficult to leave the lanai each morning for our scheduled adventures. We just wanted to sit around and drink Kona coffee and take in the scenery from the lanai. We did save some days to just hang out at the house and relax. We found the property to be even better than the pictures reflect. The property was emmaculate and well-maintained. The property manager, Larry, was johnny on the spot when we needed anything. This property is a bargain and I would recommend this property to friends and relatives. Since we were there 16 nights, we had plenty time to explore the whole island. Some highlights are: snorkeling (We took Fair Wind II snorkeling to Captain Cook, since there is not easy access to get there) We also went on another snorkeling expedition on the Hula Kai boat, which took us further south to locations that are accessible only by boat. We loved both trips. Also, a beach called Two-Step had the best snorkeling we experienced. It is free and is next to City of Refuge. Its snorkeling was better than Captain Cook and the Hula Kai snorkeling. For some leisure beach time, we recommend Hapuna Beach, which is north of Kona. It has white sand and waves good for boogie boarding. Take a picnic and enjoy it. Another beach is Beach 69, which is close to Hapuna Beach. Beach 69 has shade trees to sit under and Hapuna does not. Also, going to the top of Mauna Kea is an adventure. We rented a 4 wheel drive Jeep Wrangler and got a great rate through Alamo. You need a 4 wheel drive to go to top of Mauna Kea. It is very cold at the top. The National Volcano Park is a good day trip. It is also cold there, but not as cold as Mauna Kea. Hilo has a nice outdoor market on Wednesdays and has lots of bargains. Captain Cook also has an outdoor market on Sundays. We bought our food and gas at Costco, which saved us a lot of money. We ate breakfast and dinner mostly at the house. Michelle was always accessible in answering any questions renters might have. She and Ron make you feel like you are family.

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

Owner response: Dear Beverly what a wonderful review! Our future travellers will so appreciate your comprehensive comments. Please come back soon, we just appreciated having you all stay with us! Larry and Emy also thank you for the great review--they are so helpful! Mahalo, Michele and Ron

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Awesome location

Guest Tommyt39
Date of stay 10/09/12
Review Submitted 11/17/12

First off I must state that I rarely ever give an excellent rating, so good really means this is a nice place! We really enjoyed the house and the accommodations. It is in a great area of the Big Island to allow you a central point to explore the whole island. Even though we were warned of this, you should do your grocery shopping before you get to the house. There is grocery store in Captain Cook that has everything you will need. The roads are really fun to drive, as there are a lot of tight corners. The next time that I am on the Big Island, I am going to rent a sports car with better handling! All in all I would rent this house again and recommend it to anyone looking for an awesome place to stay. Mahalo

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

Owner response: Tom, thank you so much for your review and helpful comments to our future travelers. The Captain Cook area is really a great spot to explore the island. Your suggestion to hire a 4 wheel drive is a good one. You can see so much more! Also, just fyi, the Captain Cook area will now have its own zipline and ATV exploration areas! So now you have to come back! HA! Warm Regards, Michele and Ron

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Perfect spot

Guest Ellen
Date of stay 10/01/12
Review Submitted 10/12/12

We spent five nights at Kona Leilani and it was really lovely - the wraparound lanai has one of the best coastal and ocean sunset views imaginable. The house was extremely comfortable and clean, with every amenity you could need. It's got a great layout for two to six people (three couples) easily and has a good feeling of privacy from the neighbors. The walk from the driveway to the house is through a small enchanting garden that is calming before you even realize what a great house you're about to enter. Larry the caretaker was super helpful (even when we locked ourselves out!) and answered all our questions about the area. We definitely would return here.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much, Ellen. We think we have a perfect spot also! Yes, we also love that great lanai with ocean views and of course, my little courtyard garden. We do hope you come back soon!! Be well and warm regards, Michele and Ron

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Family Reunion and vacation

Guest Colin
Date of stay 08/26/12
Review Submitted 09/11/12

I sent a lot of time viewing properties on the Big Island. There were many beautiful properties we could of picked, but as soon as I seen this house I new we found the right one. Michele responded quickly with a very friendly phone call, and our vacation was booked. Upon arrival our expectations were blow away at how perfect the house is and the location. We could not have picked a better place. The whole family had a very nice time, my mother in law that has to use a wheel chair, but can walk short distances had no issues. The house is located so a person can access the whole island and explore, 1.5 to Volcano 2 hrs to Hilo less than 1 hr to Kona, and the many places with in a 10 min drive for the best snorkeling and kyacking on Kona. Anybody looking to rent for their Hawaiian adventure will be looked after well with this home away from home.

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

Owner response: Colin, Thank you for your kind comments and we are very happy your family and your mom were accommodated in our home. It is a joy to share our home and we feel we share something of ourselves and our own lives through this home island experience. Please come back soon! Mahalo, Michele

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Fantastic vacation home to relax.

Guest Ted A.
Date of stay 08/17/12
Review Submitted 09/03/12

This gem home is just awesome!! We had a little trouble locating the house since our arrival was late (after sunset), but once we were there, motion sensor lights just lead us to the house without an issue. The home will easily accommodate 2 families. We were a group of 4 adults and 3 children (2 teen agers and a 12 yr old) Beds are comfortable, blanket and comforter are perfect for decreasing temperature during the night. We were skeptic about not having air conditioner and was prepared for the hot climate in Hawaii; however the cool breeze throughout the day (rather chilly at early morning hours) kept us very comfortable. Spectacular ocean view, wonderful garden and the view of Mauna Kea during morning hours. Geckos greeting us every morning was a pleasant surprise keeping our children and wives busy taking pictures. Kitchen was very spacious equipped with a large refrigerator and had everything you need (even surprised the house was equipped with rice cooker!), two water bottles prepared was more than enough for cooking. BBQ grill was a great help for a cook out while enjoying the sunset dinner and chats with friends. The property was well maintained and very clean, we were definitely impressed how much the owner spend their time to take care of the house. Above all, Ron and Michele provided great hospitality providing us with lots of tips and information about the area, restaurants, markets, a list to buy and attractions. (forgot to mention "Alka-Seltzer... just joking?! lol) even before we started our trip. Will definitely recommend this vacation home to anyone if you plan to have cool, quiet, calm and relaxing time with your family and friends, having easy access to good restaurants and lots of attractions if you decide to go that route.

Owner response: Ted, It was a pleasure having you and your family and friends stay with us! Thank you for your kind review and also would love to have you back soon! We are always taking suggestions to improve our home and are very grateful that we can provide a haven for travellers to the Big Island. Be well and MAHALO! Michele and Ron

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Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Guest Eric F.
Date of stay 07/07/12
Review Submitted 07/27/12

Our stay at Kona Leilani was absolutely fabulous! The house is wonderfully set-up with an 'ohana downstairs and the main, 2-bedroom house upstairs. The house is clean, well-furnished with nice, comfortable beds, bedding & furnishings. It is also very centrally located if you want to explore ALL the island has, from the Volcanoes in the south to Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast to the north. The local manager was very friendly and helpful when we had a question.We loved watching the sunset every night as we ate dinner on the lanai. We will definitely return to stay at Kone Leilani...!

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

Owner response: Many thanks again for such a gracious review! We have set up our home for families and small groups and we are so glad this has been a wonderful vacation paradise for all our guests! Blessings and come back soon!

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Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Guest Eric F.
Date of stay 07/07/12
Review Submitted 07/27/12

Our stay at Kona Leilani was absolutely fabulous! The house is wonderfully set-up with an 'ohana downstairs and the main, 2-bedroom house upstairs. The house is clean, well-furnished with nice, comfortable beds, bedding & furnishings. It is also very centrally located if you want to explore ALL the island has, from the Volcanoes in the south to Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast to the north. The local manager was very friendly and helpful when we had a question.We loved watching the sunset every night as we ate dinner on the lanai. We will definitely return to stay at Kone Leilani...!

Owner response: Wow!! What a lovely review! We are SO pleased your family was happy with the home and location. We make every effort to make our guests feel at home and we do have a wonderful local team couple, Larry and Emy, that are the "salt of the earth" and want to insure our guests feel welcomed. Well, we are constantly making improvements and new arrangements with local activity providers to entertain our guests at a discount. We also offer great rates and specials for the season. So we will stay in touch and keep you posted! Please DO return to our Kona Leilani soon (Eric, you may want to book soon, our 2013 is filling up already! Returning guests get a special bonus.) Blessings to you and your family and all the best, Michele and Ron

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Great House

Guest Garry F.
Date of stay 06/30/12
Review Submitted 07/16/12

The first thing we said after leaving this house was "Let's stay here next year, but for 2 weeks instead of 1." The property is nicely situated south of Captain Cook, close enough to groceries etc, but out of town enough to be quiet and relaxing. The house is 1 mile distance from the black pebble beach, and 1000 feet up slope. This walk was a good cardio start to our day, and the views from the deck in morning and evening were great. The house is nicely appointed and very comfortable. We were able to get to Volcanoe park and up to Kona and an organic coffee plantation for day trips, along with lots of beach and hiking times. A charming place to stay.

Owner response: Thank you so much for your gracious comments! We would LOVE to have you come back next year for more time. We are so happy that you found the home comfortable and that you found the location convenient to alot of sites. The deck around the house is definitely a great feature of the house. We also have enjoyed many breakfasts and dinners on the lanai reflecting on the sunsets and incredible ocean views. It is really beautiful. So glad you found the home charming--what a great compliment. All the best to you and the family---you may want to reserve now for next year....we are already filling dates for spring of next year! Warm regards and mahalo! Michele and Ron

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Amazing views, beautiful house!!

Guest saswati K.
Date of stay 06/24/12
Review Submitted 07/14/12

My family and I recently enjoyed an amazing 5 day vacation in this beautiful house. The house is spacious and stocked with almost everything that you might need. It is apparent that the owners thought of the samllest details to enusre their guests' comfort. Michele had even provided a list of groceries that we might need when we arrived at the house, along with information about where to shop, where to eat and local attractions. Our favorite spot in the house was, of course, the lanai. We enjoyed some beautiful sunrise and sunsets there. The location is very convenient - not too far from any of the main attractions such as Kailua Kona, Volcano National Park, all the different beaches. We loved driving through the beautiful countryside and exploring some of the coffee plantations, restaurants, fruit stands, curio shops along the way. Thank you for one of the best vacations we have had in a long time!

Owner response: Thanks so much for your lovely comments! We are so very happy that you and your family had a pleasant time in our home and Kona. The views from our lanai are breathtaking; we have often enjoyed just sitting on the lanai---looking at the ocean and dreaming of faraway lands. We sometimes forget, that we sitting on an island 2500 miles from other mainlands! I am so glad that you enjoyed all the amenities and the kitchen as well. If there is anything I may add to the home, to make it more complete, homey and pleasant for our guests, please let me know. Please come back soon and share with your friends, we would love to provide you with a referral gift when your friends (or family) reserve with us at Kona Leilani! Blessings to you and your family and let's stay in touch, Michele and Ron.

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Kona Paradise Home

Guest Ingrid
Date of stay 06/19/12
Review Submitted 06/28/12

WOW. Our family of 5 really enjoyed our stay at this beautiful home! Michelle and Ron were very responsive and accomodating - and the house itself was very cool in many ways - full of lush botanical gardens, great artwork (!) and tasteful decor. Kayaking from the community beach was nothing special, although there were several wonderful day trips we took from this centrally located home. If you are looking to experience the real Hawaii and embark on some great adventures, we would definitely recommend staying here. Very relaxing and private, and with the downstairs apartment, our teenagers had some of their own space, which they enjoyed!

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

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Perfect group setup with magical garden

Guest Mo
Date of stay 06/09/12
Review Submitted 06/17/12

Excellent setup for groups in this two-level house. Separate entrances for each floor create the perfect arrangement for inlaws, families with teens, or just friends wanting separate acommodations while still enjoying together time. Owners have thought of everything: beach toys, fluffy towels, two kitchens, on-site laundry room with soap, dryer sheets. There are two huge decks with breathtaking views and patio furniture, dining tables/chairs, a total of three bathrooms, three bedrooms, PLUS an outdoor shower. The spectacular garden is a hidden gem (you won't find anything on the island like it for twice the price). Helpful hint for the steep, circukar driveway: BACK IN instead of driving in front-first. You'll have a much easier time of getting out. Unfortunately, we only thought of it our last day. If you want something a bit off the beaten path, very quiet, fabulously equipped, with easy access to everything, this is it! Bonus: super friendly, helpful and kind owners.

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

Owner response: It is a pleasure to make our guests satisfied and happy! As owners,we take great pride in making this a beautiful property for families, couples and small groups--the ocean and coastline views are unbeatable, the home is richly furnished, the gardens are magical with bromeliads, and created as a lovely meditation and entertainment area. Children love it! We thank our many guests for their lovely comments-we hope our future guests will find as much pleasure and relaxtion and enjoyment!!

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Bliss to be in Kona

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Bliss to be in Kona

Guest Ben, Kaitlyn, Ari and Stuart from Australia
Date of stay 04/25/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

What a wonderful week! Bliss to have our own space . We cooked delicious BBQ prwns and shared a glass of champange as the sun came down! Crazy first day: volcano, green sand beach at South Point and went to black sand beaches. The bakery in Punalou was great. Our highlight was diving with the manta rays at night out of the harbor-AMAZING! Coral gardens at Captain Cook was fabulous too! Friendly island sytle and loads of Aloha. We left rested and happy. Thank You!! Mahalo! (PS: the geckos are now stare on Facebook:)

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Restful and relaxed

Guest Kt
Date of stay 04/25/12
Review Submitted 05/05/12

We had a wonderful stay the home is clean and full of all the comforts of home with really nice touches like the BBQ coffee machine and rice cooker. So quiet with beautiful gardens full of birds and layful geckos. It was a great half way base to explore south point and kona. Hired a boat at the harbor one day and manta dives the next . Staff at the supermarket were great and the fruit stand up the road is a must stop for delicious smoothies - good spot to explore the coffee region and high enough to escape the heat of the day and enjoy drinks on varanda . Car is a must as it is a drive from airport we allowed about an hour each way and this was fine - wireless Internet a huge plus!! Thank you for sharing this piece of paradise can't wait to return Loved the separate up and downstairs perfect for our party of two couples for privacy and quiet space to relax and soak in the aloha - mahalo

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

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HOUSE IS JUST LOVELY...AND THE VIEW IS INCREDIBLE!

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HOUSE IS JUST LOVELY...AND THE VIEW IS INCREDIBLE!

Guest Lora, Corey and Family
Date of stay 04/06/12
Review Submitted 04/14/12

COMMENTS DIRECTLY FROM OUR GUEST: I'm am writing to you from your lovely home. We got in easily and are enjoying it very much already! Thank you so much for providing an activity list, restaurant list, as well as the grocery shopping list. We started to make one, and that helped fill in the gaps. The geckos are great fun, our boys are having fun spotting them around the lani. The house is just lovely, we are enjoying it very much. Such a nice, quiet neighbourhood and the view is incredible!

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WONDERFUL!

Guest comment entered by owner

WONDERFUL!

Guest Lora,Corey, Jaly and Will from AB, Canada
Date of stay 03/31/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

It was wonderful! We enjoyed falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of nature. Grat sunsets on the lanai. The boys had fun getting to know the resident geckos. Very cute and friendly! Mahalo!

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Amazing view, great location for exploring the Western and South sides of the island

Guest Lora
Date of stay 03/31/12
Review Submitted 04/13/12

Our family of four stayed for 6 nights and it was great! Kitchen has just about everything you'd need in the way of appliances and gadgets, just add food! We rented both the top and bottom, and only ended up using the top floor. The bottom apartment would be perfect for families traveling with teens, as they could have their own space. Our children were a bit too young to stay there on their own, so we ended up making use of both bedrooms as well as the pull-out sofa. Our son said it was comfortable. The community this house is located in is very friendly. The drive to the beach is short, but the road is steep! We don't recommend walking, as we did- once. That was more than enough! Definitely take your vehicle down. The view from the lani is amazing. Pictures don't do it justice! The house is high up in the subdivision, so you see right over all of the other houses, and look down to the beach and out into the ocean and the horizon beyond. Grilling while watching the sun set and the children find geckos (it was easy, there were lots!) was an experience we won't soon forget. This property is not close to Kona, it took us about 45 min to get there (each way). This was good and what we wanted, but don't be surprised by how far away it is! Captain Cook is about 20 min away. The grocery store there is overpriced (stock up in Kona), BUT there is a fantastic pizza place called Paperoni's which we recommend. Also a very nice bakery in the same building called Up Country Bakery. Lots of yummy treats there and a selection of gluten free items, which are delicious! Great location for exploring the Captain Cook area thoroughly, as well as having easy access to the Southern tip of the island. Easy day trip to the North end of the island as well.

Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much, Lora! We are always happy to hear you and your family had a great time in Kona. Thank you for your generous feedback, we are sure it will be very helpful for new guests. It is good you mentioned the market, we try to help our guests when they first arrive with our suggested shopping list. Also, we agree, that pizza place in south Captain Cook is really great!! It is those get away places you discover that can make a trip memorable. Thank you again, and we do hope you come back and tell your friends....we love to make others happy!! Mahalo, Michele and Ron

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Had a wonderful time in Kona.

Guest christmas-treasures.com
Date of stay 03/24/12
Review Submitted 04/03/12

What a wonderful time we had. The layout of the house was very interesting just like you would expect a true Hawaiian house to look, high ceiling, well ventilated so everyone was comfortable day and night. There were not any hot spots like we experienced elsewhere. Everything we needed was available either in the home or close by. Like someone else said, if you want to hang out or see the island great spot to travel from. Captain Cook had the best snorkeling and visibility. Had fun checking out the local beaches as well as beaches in Kona. We visited Volcanoes National Park, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park and drove up Mauna Kea Summit to watch the sun set from 13,796 feet. Catch the Ranger Talks very fun and informative makes everything worth while before you set off on your own. Great food in the immediate area. Can't say enough about the vacation.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much for the great feedback! We do hope you come back and do some more snorkeling and swimming. We love these waters, they are so warm and clear! Glad to hear all turned out to be fun. Thank you again--we are always improving our home and our guest services. Be well and mahalo, Michele and Ron

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Beautiful View! Lovely home!

Guest comment entered by owner

Beautiful View! Lovely home!

Guest Group from Montreal, Canada
Date of stay 03/16/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

We all enjoyed our stay here. Beautiful view. We have great dinners on the balcony. Quite central to a lot of activities (Volcano, beaches, snorkeling, bicyling). The weather was very good--sometimes hot in the afternoon but by 5 pm, with a drink, it was perfect!

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Another Happy Family Stays at Kona Leilani!

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Another Happy Family Stays at Kona Leilani!

Guest Danny
Date of stay 02/27/12
Review Submitted 03/05/12

This is a direct comment from one of our recent guest, Danny: Thank-you both for the use of your house this week. My family had a wonderful time on the island and on your property. You have a wonderful place, with a spectacular view that we thoroughly enjoyed. We have already received the deposit back, and were very impressed with all aspects of our arrangement. Thank-you again, and we look forward to visiting again soon! The S Family three generations worth!

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our third anniversary trip to the big island of hawaii

Guest jeff
Date of stay 02/11/12
Review Submitted 02/24/12

We had a wonderful time at the home, "Kona Leilani", enjoying the great ocean view and lush tropical surroundings. The hospitality was wonderful, with great new appliances (new stove, dishwasher), new furnishings and with all the conveniences that made us feel right at home. The view from the lanai was beautiful, we even saw a mother and calf humpback whale while have breakfast one morning. We enjoyed taking day trips to Volcano National Park, Akaka falls, Hilo and the many nearby beaches. The natural diversity of the island is amazing. The house is close to so many of the island's best features and natural wonders. The owners have really created a beautiful Hawaiian experience by connecting us with different activities and spa services. We recommend this beautiful home to families, couples and anyone who wants to have incredible natural adventures.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for the lovely review. We are very happy you had a wonderful time and that you took some great trips around the island. WOW! You saw whales from the lanai--that is great! We are always seeking to make the guest experience and our home the best ever so any guest and family that comes will really enjoy the Big Island. Mahalo and please come back soon!! Michele and Ron

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What's not to love?!!

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What's not to love?!!

Guest Dennis and Bev
Date of stay 01/29/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

What's not to love? The view, the sounds, the birds--just like home comfort. Mahalo. Your neighbors were a great help. To share this fun with our friends. A big Canadian EH! to the Croci family :)

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Well maintained, attentive owners, beautiful sunsets!

Guest TayJeff
Date of stay 01/22/12
Review Submitted 02/04/12

Ideal property for families, or couples who want the privacy of a house away from the maddening crowds. The property is well maintained and the owner is very attentive and helpful. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, full kitchen, living room and dining room on the upstairs main level and another one bedroom suite in the lower unit. Good for families or couples. The discription in the VRBO ad was accurate. The lanai is huge with a great barbeque - we bought fresh fish at Bite Me fish market and restaurant in the harbour north of Kona (turn west on Kealakeke Parkway north of Kailua Kona). Their location is actually noted on Google Maps. Great for the BBQ! Depending on your needs, the location is either terrific or not so good. You need a vehicle and be prepared to put miles on to see everything. (That's true for any location on Hawaii as it really is "The Big Island"). If you are looking for a private residence away from the maddening crowds its a great location. It is well located for trips to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (80 miles), Black Sand Beach (lots of turtles! - 50 miles) and there is a fantastic bakery in Naalehu along the way. If you go to Green Sand Beach make sure you rent a 4x4 and are comfortable 4 wheeling! If you want white sand beaches up by Waikoloa its about an hour to one hour and half drive depending on traffic. If you want to be in the thick of crowds on Alii Drive in Kailua Kona its about a 30 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic. If you want to be in the middle of a resort or in the middle of the action on Alii Drive - this property is not for you, but if you want a place you can come home to every evening and feel comfortable and relaxed as you BBQ dinner on the lanai and watch the sun set its perfect.

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

Owner response: Dear Jeff, Thank you so much for your generous feedback and compliments! We are thrilled you enjoyed your stay with us and on the Big Island. We have a wonderful team that keeps our home, "Kona Leilani" clean and comfortable. My husband, Ron and I, have enjoyed many evenings on the lanai looking at the ocean sunsets--it seems so unreal that you can see that much ocean and coastline while having dinner. Please come back soon and bring friends--we love to make folks happy about their vacations. Warm Regards, Michele

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Greetings from Kamloops, British Columbia

Guest comment entered by owner

Greetings from Kamloops, British Columbia

Guest Michelle, Kris, Paige, Cloe and Alyssa
Date of stay 01/17/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

The stay was great. Beautiful view. Thank you for providing us the opportunity to have this experience! Beautiful house, the view was amazing. Very relazing vacation! Mahalo!

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GREAT STAY! A Dream Come True!

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GREAT STAY! A Dream Come True!

Guest Tanya and family
Date of stay 01/14/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

The view was a real treat, and the home was lovely and the island-Perfect! Mahalo! Kayaking and swimming with spinner dolphins at Kealakekua Bay was a dream come true.

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Spacious & great view!

Guest oly wa
Date of stay 01/14/12
Review Submitted 01/28/12

We enjoyed our stay very much! The house was clean, super spacious and well stocked. The deck is fabulous and the view lovely. The tropical garden around the house is great. We were very comfortable. We made meals all week and enjoyed the house a lot. We would come back. We were able to eat outside every night and enjoy the lovely view and breeze. Things to consider: The oven/stovetop are old and not user friendly. They should probably be replaced. However, the grill is gas and very nice. The beach, while gorgeous, is a .9 mile hike that is very strenuous. It is a VERY steep hill. The beach is large pebbles and not easy walking. We were there in winter, so perhaps in summer there is more sand. We chose not to snorkel or swim at this beach as several travel books warned this beach as dangerous for both. However, we had loads of fun driving to all the other close beaches for snorkeling, kayaking and swimming. The owners were responsive, easy to work with and very accommodating. We would, and have, recommended this property to families for a great time on the Big Island! When there, be sure to check out the South Kona Fruit stand—amazing food and fun place to eat. Greenwell coffee was also wonderful.

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

Owner response: Thanks so much, Tanya, for your review. We have just purchased a brand new stove. We know the walk is a strenous one and we suggest driving your car to the beach at the bottom of our road. You are right the beach is made up of pebbles and it is known as Black Pebble Beach. Swimming is actually quite safe, but there are times (only in the winter) where the swell increases. Thanks so much for your kind comments about our accomodating approach; we do try to make our guests as comfortable as possible and we want everyone to really enjoy their stay. Hope to see you soon again, Tanya! Michele and Ron Croci

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Beautiful home!

Guest comment entered by owner

Beautiful home!

Guest Bill and Cindy from United States
Date of stay 01/12/12
Review Submitted 06/07/12

Beautiful home, the views were great. The house is located in a great place. Thank you so much!

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Beautiful ocean view and quiet surroundings-lovely home!

Guest lulu
Date of stay 12/15/11
Review Submitted 12/26/11

We had a wonderful time in this beautiful home. We just loved the ocean view-wow! IT was close to the beach about a minute or so. There were trees overlooking the patios/lanais. We loved our time cooking on the grill outside. The home was close to some good beaches, sandy and otherwise. We swam and snorkeled and went hiking, all right there in the area. We would definitely recommend this beautiful home and location to folks who like the peaceful, yet adventurous activities. The home was spacious with the cathedral ceilings and it was very well stocked in the kitchen for supplies. We are coming back for sure to this lovely home! Thanks!

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

Owner response: Thank you so much, Luana! We so appreciate your feedback and compliments. We try hard to make the home comfy and lovely. We are so glad that you enjoyed the surrounding trees and view. We so look forward to having you again as our guests soon! Please recommend us to your friends and family--we would love to acknowledge your referral with a gift from us. MAHALO!! Michele and Ron Croci

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Loved my stay in PARADISE!

Guest Sarah L.
Date of stay 12/12/11
Review Submitted 12/21/11

Stayed here for almost a week, and it was gorgeous! Whenever I travel, I usually get homesick, but definitely not this time! It felt like home. AMAZING views of the ocean, beautiful spacious home and yard, peaceful neighborhood...I'm going to stay here when I come back next! I would definitely recommend this rental to anyone, not to mention the homeowners were so friendly and helpful!

Owner response: Thank you so much for your great feedback. We have put in alot of love and care into the home, so it was very nice to hear that you felt it was comfortable for you all. We too love the ocean view and the bromeliad garden. We hope for your return in the future! Have a great holiday. Warmly, Michele and Ron Croci

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Home away from home,but BETTER!!!!

Guest Emy
Date of stay 11/19/11
Review Submitted 11/28/11

We have been to The Big Island several times before,but never knew about" Kona Paradise". A quiet but friendly sub-division where all the houses are different.This home we stayed in was very clean with all the things you need away from home.You are near the top of the sub-division which gave us a nice breeze & beautiful view of the ocean & sunsets.The beach below took all but 5 minutes to get to.It's a small cove beach with small pebbles to walk on,with good snorkling.It was like going back in time to when everyone around you was a friend in the neighborhood.Perfect location away from the busy city life,but it was a nice drive to town also.The house has a separate cottage below which was perfect for the kids to stay at,if you have children you know what I mean.We would highly recommend this home to our friends & family & will be coming back one day.Hard to leave Paradise!!!

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

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kona la lei lani

Guest Zia Joanne
Date of stay 11/02/11
Review Submitted 01/20/12

Have you ever dreamed of having a home in the Islands?. Well 'KONO LA LEILANI' would fulfill all those desires. This Awesome home offered us much more than what was described in the listing. You have to experience this magical setting....The owners thought of every detail to make sure that our week in paridise was very memorable. I have already made plans to return. My suggestion is to BOOK EARLY as this is one of those quiet secrets. Joanne {Los Angeles}

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

Owner response: Thank you so much, Joanne. We are very glad that you had such a wonderful experience. We work diligently to make the home lovely and welcoming for our guests. We will see you again--thank you kindly for your feedback--our future guests will certainly appreciate your comments!

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Award-Winning Home -Sweeping Ocean Views & Tropical Garden Setting! [#388335] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (45)

Amazing Views and Wonderful Home!

Amazing Views and Wonderful Home!

Fantastic Home --Wonderful Family Visit!

Fantastic Home --Wonderful Family Visit!

G&C

G&C

Breathtaking! Our Days in Paradise!

Breathtaking! Our Days in Paradise!

Welcome in paradise - it feels like home!

Welcome in paradise - it feels like home!

Home away from Home

Home away from Home

Beautiful Home-Fantastic Ocean Views

Beautiful Home-Fantastic Ocean Views

Great for three couples!

Great for three couples!

Tropical Home Away from Home!

Tropical Home Away from Home!

A Tropical Ocean Paradise

A Tropical Ocean Paradise

OCEAN Views and Wonderful Snorkeling!

OCEAN Views and Wonderful Snorkeling!

rental home

rental home

"Hawaiian Heaven"

"Hawaiian Heaven"

Perfect Island Experience

Perfect Island Experience

HEAVENLY SETTING!!

HEAVENLY SETTING!!

Our Hawaiian Adventure

Our Hawaiian Adventure

Awesome location

Awesome location

Perfect spot

Perfect spot

Family Reunion and vacation

Family Reunion and vacation

Fantastic vacation home to relax.

Fantastic vacation home to relax.

Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Kona Leilani on the Big Island...

Great House

Great House

Amazing views, beautiful house!!

Amazing views, beautiful house!!

Kona Paradise Home

Kona Paradise Home

Perfect group setup with magical garden

Perfect group setup with magical garden

Bliss to be in Kona

Bliss to be in Kona

Restful and relaxed

Restful and relaxed

HOUSE IS JUST LOVELY...AND THE VIEW IS INCREDIBLE!

HOUSE IS JUST LOVELY...AND THE VIEW IS INCREDIBLE!

WONDERFUL!

WONDERFUL!

Amazing view, great location for exploring the Western and South sides of the island

Amazing view, great location for exploring the Western and South sides of the island

Had a wonderful time in Kona.

Had a wonderful time in Kona.

Beautiful View! Lovely home!

Beautiful View! Lovely home!

Another Happy Family Stays at Kona Leilani!

Another Happy Family Stays at Kona Leilani!

our third anniversary trip to the big island of hawaii

our third anniversary trip to the big island of hawaii

What's not to love?!!

What's not to love?!!

Well maintained, attentive owners, beautiful sunsets!

Well maintained, attentive owners, beautiful sunsets!

Greetings from Kamloops, British Columbia

Greetings from Kamloops, British Columbia

GREAT STAY! A Dream Come True!