Vacation Rentals by Owner

Refreshing

Guest: Marti (United States)
Date of Stay: 02/03/12 Review Submitted: 03/08/12

The house is very comfortable, and has all the amenities you would need. The master bedroom faces the ocean, and on a full moon night you see the glitter reflecting and dancing on the waves, and it is breath taking. The Owners were very helpful and work hard to keep their rental in top shape. The location is really great as you are close to go to downtown, and or to snorkle 5 minutes away at Kailua Bay. We highly recommend this property.

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

Beautiful spot right on the ocean...

Guest: Maryman (Orland Park, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 01/24/12 Review Submitted: 03/02/12

My husband and I spent 9 nights in this property. It was clean and comfortable. Peter went above and beyond to accommodate my handicapped husband. We are very appreciative of that. The property is in a perfect spot. Right next to Pahoehoe Beach Park. They have sunset yoga twice a week that I really enjoyed. It's close to everything and Peter provides great information about the area. I loved the farmers market and went almost everyday! There was a little hole in the wall restaurant/carry out down the street that became my absolute favorite! The Poke Shack. Had never had poke, didn't know what poke was, but now poke is my favorite food on the islands! Great place, so fresh and delicious. The only draw back to the property was sharing it with renters upstairs. Luckily it was empty for 5 out of 9 nights. Our first night there was a lone couple up there who were quiet and respectful. Our last night had Peter and Darla up there and they were sooo quiet that you wouldn't even know they were there! The other 2 nights it was rented to two young couples with 2 young toddlers. They all were great people who we enjoyed talking too. But, they were so loud up there!!! They arrived at 10:30 at night and were up till 3am having a good loud time. We didnt say anything because we didn't blame them there enjoyment of the beauty of their first night on the ocean with the moon, the stars and crashing surf! If I ever came back it would be with my children and grandchildren and rent the whole place!

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Can't get closer to the sea

Guest: domino (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 09/21/11

My husband and I stayed in this magical house right on the water. any closer you would be on a boat... Sleeping to the sound of the waves in a most romantic studio ( ground floor of a one story house) was exactly what we had dreamed of. Initially we thought we would have diner out every night but it felt so good that we end up cooking at home a few times. Peter had given us such great advice on local life and activities that followed his advice and had great experiences each time. Thanks for providing everything from beach towels, snorkeling, outdoor furniture etc.. I highly recommend it for people in needs of a break . great for big families also as you can then rent the upstairs as well

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Heaven on earth!

Guest: Debbie (Redmond, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/07/11

We brought the entire family to Kona for Christmas this year (kids, spouses and grandchild) and it was our best vacation ever! We rented the studio for our son, wife and baby while the rest of us took over the upstairs. That gave them the privacy and quiet (for naps) that they needed. I can't say enough about the view and sound of crashing waves 24-7, it makes you want to rush home from shopping/sightseeing just to sit on the deck and soak it in. The house has everything you could possibly need and Peter & Darla are a pleasure to work with. We hope to be in contact with them in the future for our next trip to Kona.

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

Guest: Ben I. (Kalamazoo, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/12/10 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

We recently (March 26-Apr 2, 2010) stayed in the full Hale Honu house with two families (7 people) and thoroughly enjoyed the house, the area, and the island (drove nearly 700 miles sight seeing!). Peter and Darla have put together a very good place to stay that puts you in close touch with the sights and sounds of the Big Island. This home is close enough to Kailua-Kona to easily be there when you want but not so close that you have to deal with crowds or traffic (at least we did not).We saw many turtles, fish, and crab playing/foraging in front of the house (literally a few feet away!) and enjoyed watching whales, surfers, fishing, sailing, and a cruise ship all from the house. Just a short walk away are three different places to swim, snorkel, body surf, long board surf, or sun bathe to your desire. A good place that has given us very good memories. Mahalo.

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Hale Honu - magic for two

Guest: Gloria & Wayne (Lexington, SC,USA)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

Our visit to Hale Honu was relaxing,beautiful,and met our expectations. We found that sightseeing was very enjoyable and convenient from this location. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the turtles. They were so active, as were the beautiful little birds on the property. We were also pleased with the proximity to the farmers market. The fruit and flowers were wonderful! Our favorite resturant was Kona Brewing Co. as had been recomended. Fun place! We would recomend that directions to places on the island be more precise and detailed. (At least that would have helped us.) We can't wait to visit again. Wayne wanted to go back in June!!!

Owner response:It's a BIG island with so much to see! We'll review our locals guide to make it more precise. Mahalo for your stay and compliments. It is always our pleasure to share our piece of Paradise with visitors to this wonderful island. Peter and Darla

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

Guest: Amanda60 (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

Peter & Darla, Thank you so much for allowing us to stay at your "beachside bungalow" - it was absolutely incredible. Also thanks a million for stocking the fridge - once we arrived we never wanted to leave so I got to whip up my famous French toast and have breakfast on the lanai. We didn't get much sleep because we just had to do the late night star viewing on the hammock. We had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the ocean view. Hope we returned everything back to the original places and left the fridge with enough goodies for the next person. Would love to stay at one of your fine lodgings again soon and will DEFINITELY recommend you to our friends and coworkers. Everything worked great by the way, no issues with the gate or anything. Thanks again for everything - it was perfect. Chris and Amanda

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Guest: Marie Polito (Huntington Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

Peter and Darla, At the risk of repeating things that you have probably heard a billion times, our stay was amazing. The wedding, and sharing of such treasured memories by both families will never be forgotten. For some, it will probably be the last trip of it's kind, for others it will inspire the motivation to broaden their traveling experiences. On the last day that we were all together on the patio, whales displayed their entire body from the water, followed by several tail slapping maneuvers, unlike any that our visitors had seen, even on the boat tours. My nephews and nieces keep comparing this trip to those they have taken since "That was fun, but no Hawaii!" We can not say enough in thanks for the opportunity to stay at your home for such a special time in our lives. Mahalo, Ryan & Marie Polito

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Guest: Gay and Dan (Woodland Park, CO)
Date of Stay: 04/20/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

Wonderful spot! Even better than the pictures online. Our favorite things: The wonderful breezes through the house. Very comfortable bed. Views, views, views! Location, location, location! Beach is great of course the turtles in front of the house. Thank you Peter and Darla.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/09/08 Review Submitted: 10/09/08

With the help of Darla and Peter, our visit to Hale Honu was perfect. Once we decided to go to Hale Honu making the booking was very straightforward. Darla and Peter were able to accommodate our needs and even gave us tips on where to go for dinner and places to visit. Thank Darla and Peter for making our stay so wonderful. We stayed in the studio on the property, which is located just outside of the main tourist area of Kona. It is well situated and literally next door to a small sandy beach. It is only a few minutes drive to the heart of Kona and a 5 minute drive to a small shopping mall where you can find a grocery store, post office and other stores. The studio was well laid out and had wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Waking up to this view each morning was a magnificent way to start each day during our stay in Kona. The studio was well appointed in terms of conveniences. The kitchen was sufficient that it enabled us to prepare meals on days we did not wish to leave our beautiful surroundings. Darla and Peter make beach chairs, beach towels, snorkel equipment and a cooler available to their guests. These items certainly helped to make our stay more enjoyable. It’s not very often that you can go on vacation and have access to all the conveniences of home.The lanai for the studio was a wonderful place to eat breakfast, or any meal for that matter. It was also a place where we were able to lounge, read or just relax if we didn’t feel like setting off for a destination. Beyond the lanai is nothing but the blue perfection of the ocean. What more could one ask for than to sit and watch turtles float just beneath the cool surface of the ocean. Our visit to Hale Honu was certainly one of the most relaxing vacations we’ve ever had and we plan to return at the earliest possible opportunity. August 2008Jayne & Rob

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Guest: mary beth9 (altadena,ca)
Date of Stay: 10/06/08 Review Submitted: 10/06/08

We stayed at the Hale Honu studio in September 2008 and enjoyed the daily turtle visits and beautiful sunsets each night. The studio is beautifully furnished and you can see the ocean from any place in the studio. The only downside is the cooking is limited to a two burner stove top and a toaster oven. In addition, the people renting the larger unit above us did not respect our privavcy and went into the hammock and lanai area for the studio while we were reading in the studio. They were loud and this "sharing" of the property with another couple made us uncomfortable. The second family shared the property without intrusion.I believe renting the top floor and studio for a large family would be perfect. The price, location and view is great. Just think how much privavcy you require, We had to close many blinds so the people above us could not watch us from the upstairs windows.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 10/08/08

With the help of Darla and Peter, our visit to Hale Honu was perfect. Once we decided to go to Hale Honu making the booking was very straightforward. Darla and Peter were able to accommodate our needs and even gave us tips on where to go for dinner and places to visit. Thank Darla and Peter for making our stay so wonderful. We stayed in the studio on the property, which is located just outside of the main tourist area of Kona. It is well situated and literally next door to a small sandy beach. It is only a few minutes drive to the heart of Kona and a 5 minute drive to a small shopping mall where you can find a grocery store, post office and other stores. The studio was well laid out and had wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Waking up to this view each morning was a magnificent way to start each day during our stay in Kona. The studio was well appointed in terms of conveniences. The kitchen was sufficient that it enabled us to prepare meals on days we did not wish to leave our beautiful surroundings. Darla and Peter make beach chairs, beach towels, snorkel equipment and a cooler available to their guests. These items certainly helped to make our stay more enjoyable. It’s not very often that you can go on vacation and have access to all the conveniences of home. The lanai for the studio was a wonderful place to eat breakfast, or any meal for that matter. It was also a place where we were able to lounge, read or just relax if we didn’t feel like setting off for a destination. Beyond the lanai is nothing but the blue perfection of the ocean. What more could one ask for than to sit and watch turtles float just beneath the cool surface of the ocean. Our visit to Hale Honu was certainly one of the most relaxing vacations we’ve ever had and we plan to return at the earliest possible opportunity. August 2008 Jayne & Rob

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/25/08

We just got home yesterday from Kona and stayed at Hale Honu. I can't tell you how much we enjoyed staying there. It was everything I imagined, and then some. The studio was beautifully decorated and well maintained. Peter and Darla have done a wonderful job keeping their property well stocked. My husband used the snorkeling equipment and went swimming with the turtles. We had the whole property to ourselves, making it very private and secluded. We enjoyed sitting on the lanai and watching the tide roll in. We want to thank you for helping us make our 25th anniversary one to remember. If we come back to Kona in the future, I won't stay anywhere else. We just had an amazing time. Thank you, Peter and Darla!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/25/08 Review Submitted: 04/24/08

Wow! I could not have been happier with my decision to stay at this private oceanfront getaway. The views were breathtaking and we awoke each morning to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing along the coastline. Turtles frequented the waters and we watched them swim as we drank kona coffee on the beautifully landscaped lanai. The pictures are truly perfect, the studio was attractively appointed and well maintained, the lanai was large and spacious and we frequented the lounge chairs to invite the sun or to enjoy a home cooked meal outdoors. The kitchen was full of all of the necessary utensils to cook up a Hawaiian treat, I recommend trying the french toast made from the sweet breads of Hawaii. Situated close to downtown and the amazing white sands beach, the studio truly has so much to offer. This was my first visit to the Big Island and next time I visit, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else! Thank you so much for making my vacation so memorable!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/24/08

Wow! I could not have been happier with my decision to stay at this private oceanfront getaway. The views were breathtaking and we awoke each morning to the soothing sounds of the waves crashing along the coastline. Turtles frequented the waters and we watched them swim as we drank kona coffee on the beautifully landscaped lanai. The pictures are truly perfect, the studio was attractively appointed and well maintained, the lanai was large and spacious and we frequented the lounge chairs to invite the sun or to enjoy a home cooked meal outdoors. The kitchen was full of all of the necessary utensils to cook up a Hawaiian treat, I recommend trying the french toast made from the sweet breads of Hawaii. Situated close to downtown and the amazing white sands beach, the studio truly has so much to offer. This was my first visit to the Big Island and next time I visit, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else! Thank you so much for making my vacation so memorable!

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Guest: Royce and Barbara Hunter
Date of Stay: 03/24/08 Review Submitted: 03/23/08

This comment was posted by the guests in the second listing for Hale Honu, VRBO # 34465, and the owners have copied it to the studio guest book also. Comments: We have really enjoyed your place. Have seen volcano, whales, dolphins, turtles, etc. Mostly great weather and a fantastic location on the island. Home could not be better located--and the views are unmatched. Ocean access is superb. We hosted our daughter and her family for a week in March--we were here almost a month-- and they were wowed by the proximity to the ocean. We watched the sunset every evening from the lanais downstairs. The home and studio are well furnished with everything you could possibly need for cooking, eating, playing on the beach or just relaxing. Being right next to a small park is a real plus Glad we found this place and would not stay anywhere else on this island.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/21/06

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hale Honu. The decor is beautiful, comfortable bed, plenty of supplies on hand for the beach (boogie boards, flippers, umbrella, chairs, ice chests), the unit was equipped w/ everything we needed. The location was great, close to town, farmers market and the best snorkeling beach (Kahaluu) all only a few miles away. The best part was to sit out on the Lanai or lay in the hammock to watch the spectacular sunsets. Watching and listening to the waves crash is so relaxing and good for the soul. In the mornings we saw schools of spinner dolphins go by and turtle sightings were fairly frequent also. A large brand new bar-b-que grill is available for when you're tired of eating out. We searched high and low for the perfect place that had to be right on the water and we are so glad we found Hale Honu.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/03/06

June 2006 The two of us recently had a completely enjoyable stay at Hale Honu. We found Ocean Front Studio spacious, with all the comforts and conveniences we needed. At Hale Honu the Pacific is literally steps away. We watched the sun set every night and the fresh ocean breezes and sound of the waves lulled us to sleep. Can't wait to visit again! PS. We were active while in Hawaii and found Hale Honu's location ideal. It's just far enough from the center of town to avoid the noise, but close enough for a quick zip in for your morning cup of Kona coffee.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/06 Review Submitted: 03/01/06

We stayed at this great beach studio at the end of July 2005 and want to say how much at home we felt with everyone's hospitality. Even in the heat of summer you can sleep with all the fans going - who would have thought that Texans could survive without A/C? There are so many wonderful things about this place that we wouldn't want to ruin the experience with expectations. Suffice it to say that we LOVED the house and that this is the way to experience Hawaii. The seclusion is great and even with houseguests upstairs you might just get enough into the spirit of aloha to consider them part of your ohana! The snorkeling just to the south of the house and going around the tide pools is really good, and the tide pools themselves are unbelievable. If you like to get in the water you will probably get the chance to swim with turtles, octopuses, and many fish. You won't find more attentive and gracious people to rent from. If we ever come back to the island this place is first on our list. A big thumbs up!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/05 Review Submitted: 02/28/05

Great location,close to shopping and restaurants. The decorations are unique. Fantastic view especially,sun sets. Everything you could possibly need was there. Would return again. A screen on the bathroom window would be nice.

Owner response:Thank you Richard. There used to be a screen there, will send out the maintenance people to replace it! Peter & Darla

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