Little Slice of Paradise

Guest: The McKinneys (Indianapolis)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

My wife, daughter, and I spent 2 weeks at Mango Hale and completely loved our stay. This apartment tucked away in a quiet neighborhood less than 10 minutes up the hill from Kona airport has much to offer. First, Doug and Eve, the property owners, are very warm and gracious hosts.They communicated with us months before our arrival to provide suggestions and tips for our many adventures. When we arrived at Mango Hale we were welcomed with fresh fruit in the refrigerator and Kona coffee. They checked in with us every couple of days by e-mail (we were constantly on the go) to suggest beaches and sites and to ensure that all was to our liking. On New Years Eve we were greeted with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and fruit. Meeting and sharing dinner with this loving couple was one of the highlights of our trip. They are true examples of the Aloha spirit. The apartment itself is appointed with a stove, microwave, coffee maker (or french press is you prefer), glassware, silverware, and all that you would need to prepare all meals. We definitely took advantage of the kitchen which saved plenty of money to be used on other adventures. The bedroom had a comfortable queen-size bed with plenty of linens and blankets as well as a TV and a small DVD selection for winding down after a busy day of body surfing. The elevation(~1500 ft) made for cool nights for great sleeping. A small closet provided room to tuck away luggage and contained coolers for us to use on our many trips to the beach. Beach mats, umbrellas, and boogie boards were available for our beach excursions. Also available was a washer and dryer which allowed us to pack light. Mango Hale is conveniently located close to major roads and highways. In 10 minutes one can be at the beach by the Natural Energy Lab, 15 minutes to Kona for shopping and other attractions, or to Honokohau Harbor to catch a boat for snorkeling and scuba diving. Its proximity to the major roads made it easy for quick trips to Waikoloa, Wameia, Hilo, and other points south of Kona. Mango Hale was the perfect home away from home to be able to explore all the Big Island had to offer. To Eve and Doug, a huge heartfelt mahalo.

Owner response:Heartfelt mahalos to your family, from Eve and Doug :). What a pleasure to spend some time with you at supper and hear about your lives and journey, and to assist you in having the most wonderful time possible here!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Aloha Spirit at Mango Hale

Guest: Lisa (northern california)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 12/21/11

An incredible Aloha spirit filled our stay here. The apartment was simple, spotless, comfortable and charming. It's in a residential neighborhood, and has sweeping, panoramic views. A handwritten welcome card and coffee awaited us. Our hosts, Doug and Eve, were so hospitable and yet non intrusive. They invited us to share their favorite hike- a fabulous cloud forest adventure, and offered wonderful tips to enjoy our experience here more. Eve is a terrific masseuse, sending the lucky recipient into into realms of bliss. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Wonderful Upcountry Retreat!

Guest: KevinC (Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 10/24/11 Review Submitted: 10/28/11

Doug and Eve are amazing hosts! Highly recommended as an alternative to staying at a hotel - everything you need while visiting the Big Island is provided: comfy bed, clean kitchen & bath, closet plus all the sports equipment you will need to enjoy Hawaii. Close to beaches as well, and you won't experience the "local flavor" by staying down at an impersonal resort. Oh, and make sure you schedule a massage with Eve - seriously the best I've every had! Mahalo!

Owner response:We very much enjoyed hosting you - And yes, having an in-house massage from Eve is such a nice way to relax and feel the Aloha upon arrival on the Big Island! Glad you enjoyed your stay at our Mango Hale :)

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

Aloha Spirit - alive and well

Guest: Sherry and Nellie (Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 09/06/11 Review Submitted: 10/14/11

Dear Doug and Eve, We are thankful for your Mango Hale, "Mahalo!" We came for a little vacation, and its definitely been so much more! We appreciated all the kindness, and wonderful welcome gifts. "Aloha Spirit" was very welcoming for my Mom and I. The delicious local fruits and scenery - where we took our hula photos (your back yard). The memories will sure be alive, thanks again for everything.

Recommended for:

Perfect Accomodations

Guest: Sally and Jessie (Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 09/19/11 Review Submitted: 10/14/11

Dear Doug and Eve, Your little apartment has been the perfect accommodation for us. Your welcome gifts were greatly appreciated. Chocolate, coffee and orchids are our favorites! The ice chest and beach equipment were wonderful to have the use of. Thank you so much. The Hao Street trail in the rainforest you recommended in your notebook was one of the fun favorites we enjoyed. Hope everyone tries it.

Recommended for:

Functional Place, Generous Hosts!

Guest: Flannery (Decorah, Iowa, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/05/11 Review Submitted: 10/12/11

Mango Hale was a functional, comfortable apartment for us. It had all the amenities to feel at home for a week-- full kitchen, towels, wireless, etc. The apartment was clean and up-to-date. We stayed during Ironman weekend and appreciated that the Hale was located away from the busy downtown area, though an accessible 15 minute drive to the race start, beaches, and groceries/restaurants. More than the wonderful accommodations, Doug and Eve were fabulous, generous hosts. They had multiple recommendations of places to visit. We enjoyed their recommendations to eat at the Kona Brew Company, visit Kua Beach, and Holualoa Village. Eve even guided us on a hike through a surrounding forest. Eve also is an excellent masseuse. We highly recommend a session or two. Things that can't be change, but would have been nice would have been a clearer view of the ocean and less traffic in the mornings. We would recommend this property for one or two people who are looking for a retreat, and who plan to spend time exploring outdoors. Mahalo!

Owner response:We very much enjoyed hosting you two for the Ironman, and Eve also enjoyed providing massage therapy sessions for you both during your stay. Yes, we have amazing nearby gorgeous beaches and rainforest hiking, and we are always glad to share our favorite places with guests. As of now, we have a new Amazing! ocean view option available, as we are offering the second floor of our Mango Hale for an additional fee to those who wish to watch the sun set over the Pacific every evening. This new offering of the upstairs floor above the Hale offers an incredible million dollar 180 degree view of the West Hawaii coast! The upstairs area has an additional Queen bed and large teak dining table. Guests can now choose between both options - rent one or both floors of the Mango Hale. Aloha.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Nice stay in Mango Hale

Guest: Gilles Hamon (L e Mans France)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

We spend 2 weeks in Mango Hale and this confortable appartment is a very good address to visit the Big island.Doug and Eve were very kindly with us and were thoughtful of our stay.

Owner response:Bonjour Gilles! It was delightful to host you and your wife. We are very happy to learn you enjoyed the island so much from our vacation rental and we enjoyed putting a few flowers from the garden on the dining table though out your stay. I have planted Vanilla orchids ... on you next stay we might have organic vanilla extract and passion fruit jelly to share. Kindest Aloha, Doug

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Aloha from Fance!

Guest: Jilles and Elizabeth (Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 07/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/21/11

“Thank you for your Welcome! The wine from Chile was an unexpected and pleasant surprise after our journey from France. We have spend a good time in your nice apartment and the Big Island is very pleasant to visit it is so diverse.” Best Regards

Recommended for:

sweet and cozy

Guest: frankie (Petaluma, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/02/11 Review Submitted: 06/20/11

Doug and Eve are delightful hosts and really made me feel welcome and comfortable here, including delivering homemade oatmeal cookies to my doorstep. They are happy to offer local tips on enjoying the island, but are just as happy leaving you on your own if that's what you want. The apartment is clean, sweet and cozy, with original artwork on the walls, a few books and videos for unwinding, and the kitchen utensils you need to cook or snack. The neighborhood is a real neighborhood, with real neighbors, so there's a bit of traffic but you feel like you're seeing the real Hawaii, not just the touristy Hawaii. Beaches, shops, restaurants, and a rainforest walk are all within ten to 15 minutes drive, and the air is very mild and pleasant up on the hill. I recommend Mango Hale to singles and couples looking for an affordable, comfortable place to stay.

Owner response:We enjoyed hosting you and hope you had wonderful Hawaii adventures, surfer girl! Best wishes, Eve and Doug :)

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.

You couldn't ask for better hosts!

Guest: Char P (Hawi)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

This is such a beautifully decorated space, done with taste and esthetic appreciation for colors. Every detail is thought of, and the place is spotlessly clean. But the best part is the nurturing care of your hosts, Doug and Eve, who are dedicated to making your visit the best it can possibly be with every attention to your needs. This is Aloha at its best. The location is perfect to explore the Kona area with beautiful beaches. I highly recommend the walk through the rainforest that is just minutes from the house. It gives you a taste of the mountains of Hawaii - soft, cool, wet and lush.

Owner response:Yes, it is always a pleasure for us to support each guest in having their best stay! We enjoy hearing about each person or couples' desires and hosting with Aloha is indeed our pleasure :). We too feel that this is an ideal location to base a Hawaii stay - with so many adventures accessible so easefully, and we enjoy providing tips for travelers if asked (we also love the privacy of the unit and make space for a completely private stay as desired). We look forward to your return to our Mango Hale, and are glad you had such a wonderful visit!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.