Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great place for divers. Snorkel or dive with fun dive master.

Guest: Linda (Belize)
Date of Stay: 04/23/12 Review Submitted: 05/07/12

A Great deal for divers! Garry has done thousands of dives and knows just where to take you. The shore diving of the Kona side is terrific. I was amazed by the numerous and colorful fish, the healthy coral and the many varieties of eels. The cabin was larger and way nicer than expected. We had everything we needed including a very comfortable bed andcomplete cooking instruments. The only drawback was no Wi-Fi in the cottage itself. However Susan and Garry welcome guests to use the wi-fi at their home, which is just 150 feet from the cottage. Considering Sugar Cottage's modest rate that's fine with us! I definitely recommend Sugar Cottage for divers or snorkelers. If I travel to Big Island again, I will try to stay at Sugar Cottage. .

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

Fantastic cottage and diving; definitely coming back!

Guest: Teresa (Cupertino)
Date of Stay: 10/30/11 Review Submitted: 11/09/11

We had a superlative experience staying at the SuGar cottage and diving with Gary. Best trip ever. We will definitely come back to visit early and often. If you enjoy exploring the ocean with snorkel, kayak, or scuba, in a tranquil, pristine corner of Hawaii's tropical paradise, this is a fantastic place to be.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

So much fun!

Guest: D & G (British Columbia, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 10/05/11

We had a wonderful time staying at SuGar Cottage. They are the nicest hosts without being intrusive. It was a great advantage having their recommendations for eating establishments, which Dive Boat companies to hire, directions etc. Garry took us snorkeling and we swam with dolphins, and saw so much amazing coral and fish, a white tail shark and spotted eagle ray. All in 2 hours, honestly I don't think we would see that many different types of sea life walking around the Vancouver Aquarium. We were also able to borrow their tandem kayak and all the gear that goes with it for our own snorkelling adventure. Staying in the cottage is like being in a tropical jungle, you are surrounded by the sounds of frogs and birds, and we were even given a papaya freshly picked from the tree outside our cabin. We were very happy with our decision to stay there.

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

Great hosts, great service, great place!

Guest: Steve, Kelly and Kasia (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

We were three adults with a week to spend on the Big Island and SuGar Cottage was the first of three VRBO properties at which we stayed as we worked our way around the island. It could not have been a better place for us to start! The cottage is very quaint and surrounded by tropical forest that gives it a very secluded feeling. It has a good kitchen where we made all of our meals (There's a Costco in Kona, stop and stock up to save some serious $$), the screened porch was great for eating meals and just relaxing, and of course Gary was the best possible guide / mentor for snorkelling that we could have asked for at any proce... let alone that he gave us his time and loaned us equipment at no additonal cost! Our first snorkelling experiences were amazing, and we are now inspired to get dive-certified just so we can go back and dive with Gary. The cottage was just as represented in the decription and photos in the listing, it was easy to do the transaction because they are set up to process credit cards quickly and easily, they kept me informed via email and were quick to answer the phone and any questions that I had, and just made the whole experince delightful. Our only regret, as many others have said, is that we couldn't stay longer!

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

What a deal!!!!!

Guest: Ann Marie (Chester, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 06/27/11 Review Submitted: 07/02/11

This is the greatest steal of a deal -especially if you like to dive for FREE! We loved our stay in this charming cottage. Gary is a wonderful and helpful host. He really cares about your safety on the dive. My son loved catching lots of geckos outside the cottage. Gary let us eat one of his papayas off the tree. Hookena beach is nearby for swimming and snorkeling. Two-step is also great for snorkeling. Even where Gary took my husband to dive was a great place to snorkel for my son and I. If you are lucky enough to stay here, it will not dissappoint!! -Lewis Family

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

A wonderful stay at Sugar Cottage.

Guest: Pete and Judy (Ladysmith, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/23/11

The cottage was well furnished, clean and easy to find as pictured and described in the listing. All the amenities were supplied and the cottage was very comfortable for my wife and I, and two tall teenage boys. It is a great retreat for those wishing to avoid the tourist traps and noisy city, and who enjoy waking up to the songs of frogs and birds (including chickens). It is a convenient location for those with a car who want to explore the south and west areas of the island including the wonderful swimming areas around Captain Cook. Our hosts, Gary and Susan, were wonderful; welcoming and taking pains to ensure we had a good stay without being intrusive. Gary is an expert diver,and took Judy on some wonderful dives, while the boys and I used his kayaks to explore the coastline. Judy had not dived for a while but felt very relaxed and safe under Gary's guidance. Both Gary and Susan shared their experience and knowledge of the Big Island, with obvious affection for the place, and had us laughing our heads off with their great sense of humour. A great visit folks, and one we would definitely like to repeat in the future.

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

Not the place we expected

Guest: anonymous (british columbia)
Date of Stay: 03/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

This was NOT the five star experience we had expected. We were appalled that a cleaning fee is charged at this accomodation. Yes, on the surface it was pleasant, but we quickly saw the truth. For instance, the blinds were very dusty, the ceiling fans were covered in dust, and if you check the water cooler be sure to look at the area the water is actually coming out of (we saw a lot of mold growth). Also the convertable bed didn't look like it had been cleaned for a while as finger nails were found. The bathroom also has no fan or window and a rusted tub. And it was very loud nights due to the cacophony of creatures at night. If you are up for living with the birds, spiders, cockroaches, and lizards, you should be fine. To be safe, we suggest buying your own bottled water. If it wasn't for the friendly owners we would have given this a one star.

Owner response:We are sorry that we can't always satisfy all of our guests' needs. It is interesting that these guests were scuba divers and were taken out on many dives at no charge with us supplying air, weights and other diving needs as well as guided tours. This service alone would have been $100.00 for each dive per person and they stayed four days at our cottage. We are located in a rural area on the Big Island with lots of trees and beautiful foliage. Privacy is guaranteed at our 3 acre parcel. We prefer the sounds of nature (birds, frogs etc.) to street noises like automobiles and other city cacophonies. Contrary to our guests opinions, we work very hard to keep our place clean. Why were there no complaints while our guests were here? We always tell our inquires that we are not in the city (Kailua-Kona). Our cottage is very clean and comfortable and is a great place as a nucleus to explore all parts of the island.

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Perfect honeymoon spot for Big Island adventurers

Guest: Lee (Edmonotn, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

This place was perfect for us! Lots of privacy, our hosts just a phone call away, and well located to access the many adventures on the island. Having laundry facilities was wonderful. The kitchen was well stocked with dishes and cooking gear-- very helpful as one of us can't eat in restaurants due to allergies. We would definitely recommend this cottage and will return the next time we're back on the Big Island. Our host also took us out kayaking and diving and his patience and experience were very much appreciated.

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

A great way to start a Big Island adventure

Guest: Dick & Jill (La Canada Flintridge, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

We're not divers, but we love to kayak and snorkel. It was great to have Garry guide us on our first Hawaiian snorkel in 25 years. We had Honamolino Bay all to ourselves and the dolphin were a thrill. It was a nice drive to South Point for the Green Sands hike. SuGar Cottage is very comfortable, and very private. We fell asleep to a chorus of whistling frogs, and awakened to the roosters. There is a full kitchen, and a romantic screened lanai for dining, which is great as there are few restaurants near. We had a great time.

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

Scuba and Relaxation

Guest: Don (East Tennessee)
Date of Stay: 09/07/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

Our first experience in Hawaii was staying at Garry and Susans SuGar Cottage , Scuba diving with Garry, visiting the southwestern coast and Volcano Park and enjoying the beauty. What a Deal!! Our experience was tremendous and you'll find Garry to be the best host. From the nightlife sounds, quiet countryside and relaxing atmosphere, we couldn't have had a more enjoyable time. Accomodations were very clean and comfortable and gave us a real feel of true Hawaii. We hope to see Garry and Susan again sometime--we'd do it all over again!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Great Cottage in a charming forest

Guest: Dalichka and Zeka (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/12/10 Review Submitted: 07/04/10

We just came back from a weeks stay at the Sugar Cottage. We found everything exactly as it was described and even better as the cottage is quite large for 2 people. We especially enjoyed the screen-in lanai as we had our breakfasts and dinners there. The surroundings are beautiful away from all the noise of a city or a tourist area. The location was very convenient for all our trips as we did go to the Volcano and to Hilo. Garry and Susan were very helpful and we had everything we needed. Garry took us on numerous snorkelling and kayaking trips to places we would not be able to go on our own. This was an excellent experience and a wonderful vacation thanks to Garry. We definetely recommend this cottage.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

great scuba retreat

Guest: gini (lincoln city oregon)
Date of Stay: 05/10/10 Review Submitted: 08/16/10

We spent a wonderful week in May 2010 at the cottage. Garry and Susan were the best! Garry took us on great scuba diving experiences. We were able to dive 8 dives in 5 days. The variety of fish is amazing especially compared to what we are used to seeing in Maui. It was the most relaxing vacation we have been on in a long time. We would, without question, recommend this lovely cottage to anyone! Garry has a great sense of humor. He is fun to be with. We plan to keep coming back forever! ( or until he gets a restraining order against us!) Brandon and Virginia. Lincoln City, Oregon

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

Guest: Jennifer (United States)
Date of Stay: 12/13/09 Review Submitted: 12/13/09

We had a terrific stay at SuGar cottage earlier this month. The cottage is very comfortable and private; it is equipped with everything you'll need and then some. The highlight though is the delightful couple who are your hosts. Garry and Susan make sure that you have what you need for a pleasant stay. Garry's generosity and expertise in the ocean will make sure that anyone has a great experience wether you're diving, kayaking or snorkeling. We're happy to recommend SuGar cottage!

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Guest: Mike & Monica Blake (Centennial, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 09/06/09 Review Submitted: 09/06/09

Divers Heaven!! We returned this morning from two weeks spent in the Sugar Cottage. It could not have been more perfect. The cottage was everything we expected and more. It is very well equipped having a coffee grinder, a 12 cup coffee maker, an electric wok, a rice cooker/steamer an outdoor grill.... The cottage has a large water cooler which we made very good use of and was filled as needed by simply asking for more. The bedroom is very comfortable and has a door which allows early birds or insomniacs to watch TV in the living room while allowing those in the bedroom to sleep peacefully. If you are new divers, or avid divers like us, you will be blown away by the beauty of the various dive sites Garry will share with you. With tanks, weights and air provided the value cannot be beat. When you add Garry's dive guiding to the mix it truly is priceless. Garry is a great dive master who matched dives to the diver's abilities. He was equally good with newer divers and more experienced divers. He was enthusiastic about every dive and like any good dive guide was able to find many neat critters to show "his" divers. He also dives by the motto "take only pictures, leave only bubbles." Two weeks was not enough time to see all the dive sites Garry wanted to show us so we are forced to get back to the Sugar Cottage ASAP

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A great place to stay!

Guest: Kate and Jon Paul (Edmonton, AB Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/04/10

We stayed here in July '09 and absolutely loved it. Garry took us out kayaking and snorkeling and took my husband out diving a number of times. It is a lovely cabin with everything we could have needed. We even were given a papaya right from the tree! Thank you Sue and Garry for taking such good care of us and making us feel so welcome!

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Guest: Sean & Cherie (-)
Date of Stay: 06/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

Although there are only 12 comments here, at the cottage there are two guestbooks absolutely FULL of positive comments from other guests--we stopped counting at around 100. It's not hard to see why people gush about Gary and Susan's wonderful little SuGar cottage. It's a very private and comfortable hideaway and a great home base from which to explore the Big Island. The cottage itself was super-clean, had everything listed, and was very spacious. Gary and Susan were excellent and friendly hosts--Gary took us snorkelling and kayaking for free twice (providing all the gear), and the second time we were surrounded by a pod fifteen or so dolphins for about an hour. Whenever we needed anything--practical things, travel advice, tales of music in Las Vegas--Gary was on it. We would absolutely stay here again.

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Guest: Sarah58 (-)
Date of Stay: 05/15/09 Review Submitted: 05/14/09

One of the great things about living in Hawaii, is that you get to travel island to island. So close, yet worlds away. Coming to visit the Big Island from living on Maui, I thought I knew what to expect. Well, it was everything I expected and so much more. If you are looking for a true hawaiian getaway, then this is the place for you.Gary and Susan couldn't have been any nicer. There place is beautiful and lacks nothing. The perfect location, nesteled away in it's own little corner of paradise, yet close to anything and everything the Big Island has to offer. Having lived in Hawaii for years, I can't think of a better place for my stay-cation, or your vacation. Many mahalos again Gary and Susan for your warm and friendly hospility. Aloha

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Guest: Steve & Kathy Rickman (Soldotna , Alaska)
Date of Stay: 04/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/11/09

We stayed with Gary Oct 08. It was our first time staying at the Sugar cottage and it won't be our last. The cottage was comfortable and homey. Gary and Susan were wonderful and gracious. Gary took me out on dives everyday, don't tell anyone this, but Gary took me out diving even when I stayed at another house. Gary was like an old friend and their dog is cool too.

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Guest: Jadwiga & Waldemar (-)
Date of Stay: 03/28/09 Review Submitted: 03/28/09

We came back home safely (home...sweet home .. and right away leaking water pipe under kitchen's sink) ,but our thoughts are still on Hawaii with you .Thank you one more time for everything ,for your help ,hospitality ,amazing diving ,delicious fruits from your garden and most of that ,thank you for very "romantic " time spent in your cozy cottage ( small hideaway in paradise ). We will send you some movie and pictures ,but you have to be patient,because after 6 weeks vacations we have to do a lot things first( make money for next vacations - I'm kidding). Mahalo !!!! Sincerely Jadwiga & Waldemar

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Great hosts

Guest: dutch (Northern Alberta)
Date of Stay: 02/06/09 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

My husband and i stayed at SuGar cottage 2 years ago and are thrilled that we will be able to do it again in December! Gary and Susan were very approachable and though time did not permit us to do all we wanted, we will remedy that this trip. The laid-back pace of the Big Island is just what the doctor ordered for R&R. See you soon! dutchess

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

Guest: Rebecca Hanson (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 11/04/08 Review Submitted: 11/04/08

I just returned from my 20 night stay at the Sugar Cottage and had an awesome vacation! The location was perfect for me as I could travel south to Volcano National Park and over to Hilo or north towards Kona and on to the Waimea area. I really had fun SCUBA diving as Garry is very aware of diving safety and knows the dive spots well. He is as comfortable underwater as he is on land!! Since I had not been diving in a long time, he went out of his way to make me feel at ease. As a single woman staying alone at Sugar Cottage I couldn't have felt more secure. It was lovely to go to sleep to the night sounds of the tree frogs and wonderful to have all the items I needed to be self contained. I must say I ate my share of fruit from the trees on the property. Garry and Susan's hospitality made me feel right at home from the begining. I would absolutely stay here again! Rebecca 10/08

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Guest: Jan Stephens (Willits, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/21/08 Review Submitted: 02/21/08

We had a lovely time at the SuGAr cottage for 9 days in January 2008. The cottage itself was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed: full kitchen, quiet surroundings, phone, TV, washer, dryer, etc. Plus we enjoyed the surrounding garden with the papaya trees that provided fruit. We were serenaded by geckos that sang to us, chickens that roamed around and soft bass notes in the distance from Garry’s tuba playing. We were greeted the first night by Mianel, Garry and Susan’s friendly and huge Great Dane, who would drop by from time to time and say hello. Garry is a Dive Master and he and his friend – also a dive master, took us diving twice. We are certified but had not gone for a long while and felt that we were in capable hands with a one on one ratio of instructors to us novice divers. Garry also took us kayaking and that was a fun adventure. The cottage is in a quite area and if you like to hike there are a lot of hikes in the area – one is just walking down the road that turns into a trail towards the water. It is about ½ hour to Captain Cook and another ½ hour to Kailua Kona so we stocked up on food and prepared a lot of meals at the cottage to avoid always being in the care. We took a couple of day trips – one to the volcanoes and the other to the Waipeo Valley – a fabulous hike! One of the highlights was swimming with the dolphins at Capt. Cook Bay. This was a great get-a-way and we’d recommend the cottage to the reader.

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Guest: Sandy & Denis Prevost (Coquitlam, BC)
Date of Stay: 02/20/08 Review Submitted: 02/20/08

We just came back from 10 days in this delightful little cottage. Especially liked the sounds of the birds, tree frogs and Garry's tuba playing softly in the distance. Although the weather was not the greatest, we managed to see lots, the cottage is only about an hours drive to the volcanos and close to the great diving/snorkling spots. As a matter of fact, we did see the whole island - to the Pololu Valley one day and Hilo and the Waipio Valley on another - just as far as our rental car could take us. We even drove it down to Green Sand beach! We especially enjoyed kayaking and snorkling with Garry in all those great places close by. Garry's just a gem and worth his weight in gold, literally, as guess who free dove down to the bottom of Milolii bay to retrieve by diamond ring. So if you are looking for a quiet place, away from all the crowds and if you are divers/snorklers, this is definately the place for you. I'm sure there are many other nice places to stay in Hawaii, but no other come with the added bonus of Garry and Susan. Thanks for making our vacation so special. Denis and Sandy Vancouver (Coquitlam) BC

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Guest: Barb and Murray (Alberta Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/02/07 Review Submitted: 02/01/07

We just arrived home from 2 weeks on the Big Island. The weather was good and we managed to see, I think, everything there was to see. We put just under 2000 miles on our rented car. There is lots to see and the cottage is central to all areas of the island. The cottage is very spacious and lacks for nothing in the way of amenities. The washer and dryer come in very hand for wet towels and bathing suits. It is very peaceful, so if you are needing a great get away from the rat race of everyday, this is the place for you. Garry was very helpful with things to see and do. (Susan was away on business for most of our stay) The ONLY down side was that most of the entire island roads are under construction, so do be careful driving. Do enjoy your stay, I know we sure did.

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Guest: Carolyn4 (Omaha, Nebraska)
Date of Stay: 08/16/06 Review Submitted: 08/15/06

The ohana was an absolutely wonderful place to stay. The setting is gorgeous and I loved the nighttime sounds. The home had everything we needed and was so cozy and the lanai was so much fun to have. I liked that we didn't need air conditioning - in Hawaii, no less. Thanks Susan and Garry!

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Guest: martha brahm (Memphis, TN)
Date of Stay: 04/05/06 Review Submitted: 04/05/06

I spent 3 delightful weeks in this corner of the tropics. Garry and Susan were very helpful in making my stay in their guest house perfect. The Ohona could not have been more comfortable and peaceful. The screened-in porch is a writer's paradise. The bed was very comfortable and what could be more wonderful than to find a place where a single woman can feel safe sleeping with the windows open enjoying the breeze and the sounds of nature. The kitchen and laundry are well equipped and tidy making it feel like home especially for a long stay. This is a great place to relax and enjoy Hawaii.

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Guest: Julie Cole (-)
Date of Stay: 12/28/05 Review Submitted: 12/28/05

Want to be on the Kona Coast, but in a quiet area during your stay? Want to visit Volcanoes National Park one or more times without the 4-5 hour drive one-way from Kailua or Kohala? Want to go diving with an excellent dive master? This cottage is for you!! We wanted to stay on the sunnier west side of the island, but away from the crazy resort area. We were also interested in scuba diving. We couldn't have been more pleased with our choice. Garry & Susan are gracious hosts, and Garry is a dive master specializing in shore dives (no boat cost, and go when you want -- not according to a boat's schedule.) SuGar cottage is free-standing, quiet and private. It's located near some of the better diving and snorkeling spots, too. It's near enough to the volcano that you can see the nighttime lava flows and still get home at a reasonable hour. One other benefit we didn't realize before we arrived was the proximity to the small towns of the South Kona area, along Hwy 11 - Captain Cook, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, Honaunau. These towns have lots of funky shops and restaurants, many featuring locally grown foods. And, this is where the Kona coffee plantations are - yum! Thanks again, Garry & Susan!

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Guest: Elizabeth Morris (Missouri City, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/09/05 Review Submitted: 07/09/05

Had a delightful time during our stay in early June. It is in a quiet, restful setting with beautiful native plants. It was completely self-contained. Convenient location for touring the island. The big plus was the owners scuba diving tours! He is an expert on scuba and knows the best locations for diving on the island.

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