Vacation Rentals by Owner

From the Guestbook

Guest: L + A, Vancouver
Date of Stay: 02/07/12 Review Submitted: 02/14/12

Thanks so much for sharing this space. Delightful! I wish we had more time to spend here, however we may return some day. Lovely and Comfy! -- L + A, Vancouver

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From the Guestbook

Guest: V, Kona
Date of Stay: 02/04/12 Review Submitted: 02/14/12

Aloha -- This is such a sweet place to rest body, mind & spirit. Thank you for your essence. I will return again and again. Much love and respect, V

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From the Guestbook

Guest: J, Calgary, Canada
Date of Stay: 02/03/12 Review Submitted: 02/14/12

Thanks. What a wonderful place to explore an amazing island from. -- J, Calgary, Canada

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From the Guestbook

Guest: Brad + Mary
Date of Stay: 01/02/12 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

We loved to be here at this lovely place almost at the end of the road. We would like to come here again to see you, and to rest in your pretty guesthouse. Thank you very very much for two beautiful days. B+R, Kona

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From the Guestbook

Guest: Ines + Jens, Canada
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

Ines and Jens had a wonderful time here, we found everything we needed, and loved the peaceful atmosphere of your fantastic cottage. Thank you Babette, for setting it up so nicely and also thanks for the good information about the area. We enjoyed a lovely guitar concert at Kalani on Christmas eve. We loved the snorkeling at the tidal pools, views of the lava flow, watching thehuge surf along the coast, and walking along the amazing structures of the lavafields for hours. I + J, Canada

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From the Guestbook

Guest: Kevin + Naya, Austin, Texas
Date of Stay: 12/14/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

Gracias and Mahalo for this time at your cozy cottage. We enjoyed the cogui (frogs) at night and waking up to sun light pouring in through the windows. We were relaxed by the rain falling outside- and we were absolutely awestruck by the stars here. This Oliana Guesthouse was the perfect location for our excursions to Volcanoes National Park, to Hilo (the botanical garden is gorgeous there), to visit Kalani down the road a for a relaxing cranio-sacral and lomi-lomi (massage) sessions, and more!

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Guest: The B's
Date of Stay: 05/31/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Thank you for such a wonderful place to stay and explore this side of the island. It was more comfortable and much cleaner than I could have imagined! Thank you so much. (Olympia, Washington)

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Guest: B+J
Date of Stay: 05/16/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Thanks for everything. This place worked out perfect for me and my mom. It was just like home. I'll see you when I am back around to this side of the island. One Love - One Family, B+J

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Guest: I
Date of Stay: 04/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Babette, thank you for your hospitality. Your cottage was the perfect place for me while I figure out what to do with my land here in Pahoa. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon! Mahalo Aloha, I (San Francisco)

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Guest: J + S
Date of Stay: 04/19/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Thank you so much for renting out your awesome vacation cottage!! We had an amazing week here in this tiny piece of Heaven.... The sound of the ocean and frogs every night was peaceful, as well as the full moon and tradewinds.... The black beach across the road was our favorite place - end of the road, hiking on lava, Kona mudpie milkshakes, good Thai food in Pahoa, tide pool snorkeling, warm ponds, etc. We'll definitely be back. Thank you again, your friends, J + S

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Guest: Jonthan
Date of Stay: 04/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Thank you so much for providing such a beautiful, peaceful home for me during this week. It made a huge difference to me to be in such a place. Mahalo Aloha, Jonathan (San Francisco)

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Great low-key location, away from the tourist traps.

Guest: Guest (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 06/02/11

The girlfriend and I rented the guest house for four nights in April 2011. I would say we are an active couple in our 30s. The pictures posted are accurate; what you see is what you get. It’s a studio guest house with a bathroom. There is a fully stocked kitchenette with some small appliances (microwave, minifridge, plugin range, etc), but not a full kitchen. Nothing wrong with that, just be sure it’s what you expect. The area is a bit out of the way, but we thought it was great. About 20 minutes from groceries and restaurants, but the east side of the island is much more laidback than the resort-based west side. If staying at the guest house, hiking the lava fields (which is basically everywhere), and snorkeling in the ponds are really the two top activities in my opinion. Saddle Road, which cuts through the center of the island used to have horror stories of rough road and terrible conditions, but it’s not true anymore. The road is being upgraded and is a fantastic drive. Don’t worry about rental car issues, all companies allow their cars on the road now. The furnishings at the guest house are basic, but clean and functional (fyi – the chair frames are metal and we kicked them several times while walking around at night, oww!). There is no TV, but we liked that. There is a WiFi signal, but it’s weak; good enough for reading websites and looking up maps, but streaming video or music is not reliable. While the description for the rental claims access to the laundry facility, the owner did not allow us to use them and instead suggested a local laundromat. It ended up not being an issue for us, but I’m still upset about the denial since it was stated in the property description. The owner, who is actually a very friendly lady, claimed previous guests may have damaged the washer/dryer in the past. While that may be true, it would be best not to claim the w/d are available for use if they are not. Be advised, the area is overrun with chirping frogs that are super loud at night. We got used to them after the first night, but some people can’t handle them. There is no a/c, so you will be sleeping with your windows open. But I found the frogs easier to sleep with than your standard hotel a/c unit, so you be the judge. We enjoyed the east side of the island way more than the west side. It rained every day, but usually in the very early morning and it was a good temperature for hiking/swimming. Wear sunblock no matter how cloudy.

Owner response:I want to thank my guest for taking the time to write a review. I am pleased to read that they enjoyed the many natural charms on this more remote and traditionally Hawaiian side of the Big Island. No air conditioning and no television is pretty standard in this area. We rise with the sun and enjoy the stars at night. We rely on tradewinds and a ceiling fans to cool our homes. The coqui frogs are an invasive species of very tiny (size of a dime) but very vocal frogs. Some guests find them charming, others have compared them to loud crickets found in other parts of the country. There is a good laundry in Pahoa village that will wash, dry and fold your laundry while you shop, dine or explore the town. [I will double check and make sure that all of my website and advertising reflects the new policy.] I now have Broadband internet which is a huge improvement over our former (and not very long ago) wireless and dial-up services. I have relocated the router to give a stronger signal to the cottage. Please do not expect to find big city mainland high speed DSL out here. As always, please let me know what needs my attention. Mahalo and Aloha!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Jan & Drew
Date of Stay: 03/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

Thank you for the lovely stay. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring this unique community. We are in awe of its beauty. Warm Wishes, Jan and Drew

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Guest: Jon + Shana
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

Hi Babette, Shana and I had to leave pretty early on Sunday, so we didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but we really wanted to say thanks a lot for that great little guesthouse--it was really perfect for us! Some trips we get really adventuresome and others we just need to relax, and it seems like this turned out to be a relaxing trip, because when we finally parked the car and started walking around the neighborhood we were really glad we did! Our only disappointment was that we didn't have an excuse to call Bo and go for a walk to the lava since it seemed to take a break the whole time we were there; we're pretty sure that means we have an excuse to come back, though, so that's a good thing! Oh, and the remote for the fan worked like a charm with a new battery, so it looks like it's in good shape.... It's a great little pocket that you have there, thanks again for sharing it with us! -- Jon + Shana, Idaho

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Guest: M
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

It was awonderful stay at a wonderful place. Thank you so much for that. -- M+U, Germany, February 2011

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Guest: J
Date of Stay: 02/07/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

Thank you for our stay. We enjoyed our volcano watching! -- S+J, Norway, February 2011

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From the Guestbook

Guest: S + J, Norway
Date of Stay: 02/03/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

Thank you for our stay. We enjoyed our volcano watching! -- S+J, Norway, February 2011

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Guest: T
Date of Stay: 01/23/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

Aloha! Thank you for the peaceful ten days in your wonderful cottage. Warmest place on Big Island, ideal to do lava tours, enjoyed the frogs at night, and the beautiful nature in daytime. And on top an Indian music afternoon. We loved the sarangi! Wish you all the best, Mahalo. -- T+S, Vienna, January 2011

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Guest: N
Date of Stay: 12/19/10 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

Thanks for a tranquil two-week break in Puna-land. Your wonderful shower was welcome after our days of exploring. -- N+K, December 2010

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Guest: K
Date of Stay: 10/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

You are a delight and so is your cottage. I hope you will clear the calendar when I next call, because this will be my place every year! -- K, March 2009

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Guest: E
Date of Stay: 10/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

B, what a charming & lovely way to experience Hawaii for the first time! I love the "lonely Puna roads." It was just what I needed to relax and refresh my spirit. Thank you for your suggestions, your stories and your music. I hope you will visit me on the west coast sometime and I hope I can get back here to visit you again. Aloha until then, E -- July 2009

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Guest: S
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

Thank yo so much for letting us stay. It is sooooo peaceful! -- S+A, October 2010

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Guest: E+B
Date of Stay: 10/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

It has been a true pleasure to experience your aloha spirit and your beautiful cottage. Thank you for the stunning orchids. Can't wait til our next visit. Mahalo. E+B , NYC 2007

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Guest: C+B
Date of Stay: 08/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

Thank you for taking us in on short notice. We had a great time exploring the area. Your studio was excellent: clean, airy, and very well stocked. C+B, Canada -- August 2010

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Guest: I+M
Date of Stay: 07/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

This has been a great stay and a very enjoyable cottage.... The beach down the road is a jewel. The lava field a few minutes away is impressive! I+M, San Francisco -- July 2010

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My Time in Paradise

Guest: TheodoreJay (Denver)
Date of Stay: 10/17/07 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

My time at Oliana Guest Cottage was serveral years ago (maybe 2007) spent in the vacation cottage behind the Main House. A great deal for a budget traveler. The location very near Kehena was peaceful and uneventful. Lots of little extras included like beach matts, phone, internet, laundry. A short walk to Kehena Beach allowed me to leave most of my stuff locked up at the cottage and just grab a towel and head out to the beach in the morning. Bed linens and towels were top notch and the place was spot less. Babette the Owner was a dream to deal w/ over the internet. Depending on if she is at the main house or not you'll will be taken care of by her or one of her gracious host/managers. This was a great place to explore lower Puna w/ Pahoa 15 mins. away for groceries. Some minor downsides the guest parking was hard to get in and out (watch the rocks backing up) and the local ants will come into the cottage the minute you turned on the micro wave (guess that's unavoidable in lower Puna). I did have a chance to look in the main house and it was even nicer so consider that option if available for an even nicer

Owner response:Wow! What a surprise that someone from VRBO officially visited my cottage to check it out and had a great stay! It's been a few years and rocks(to prevent you from driving on the septic system) are less a problem because the foliage is now visible in your rear view window. Thanks for posting a review.

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