Reviews for Hilo Vacation Rental - VRBO 86020 - 2 BR Hilo District Cottage in HI, Private Cottage, Centrally Located, Free Night with a Week Stay

Didn't live up to photos!

Guest BJW
Date of stay 11/04/12
Review Submitted 11/23/12

We thought the cottage looked so cute but when we arrived the place was hot inside and smelled a bit musty. There were no window coverings and even though the location was convenient and very secluded it made us uncomfortable knowing anyone could see in. It is in the rainforest which was lovely but watch out for the mosquitos. It was very private and that was nice.

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Linda is a great host

Guest Rmoore7734
Date of stay 09/23/12
Review Submitted 10/06/12

Not only did i stay and just enjoy "chillin out" & doing a little sightseeing I also requested a class on how to grow vegetables & fruits. Linda was more than happy to accommodate. During the week stay she took a day and a half out of her busy schedule & gave me a basic knowledge of agriculture. Also nice acreage to roam out on & so easily beats the cramped environment of a hotel. Thanks again Linda. : D

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

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Quiet and Tranquil Paradise

Guest Mrshen
Date of stay 02/07/12
Review Submitted 04/05/12

What a relaxing and peaceful place to stay. We loved it. The house has everything that you need for an enjoyable stay. The surrounding gardens are beautiful! We really liked fishing in the fishpond late in the day. Linda was very helpful when we had any questions and had a lot of ideas for places to go and things to see. An ideal location to visit Volcano National Park and the sights around Hilo. Farmers markets in Hilo and surrounding area are great to visit for fresh produce, plants and gifts. Also, Uncle Roberts is a unique place to visit on Wednesday night. We can't wait until we come back to visit again!

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

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Fabuluous bush hideaway!

Guest Izzi
Date of stay 01/21/11
Review Submitted 02/04/11

My partner and I have just returned home to New Zealand after spending 5 nights at Kuulei Hale as part of a two-week holiday in Hawaii. We had such a lovely stay at the house - it was just what we wanted! It is a beautifully kept two-bed cottage set in Linda's huge section which is full of lush vegetation, fruit trees, a small pond and some beautiful flora. Even though it is on her section, Linda is totally not intrusive. However if you want to chat Linda is really friendly and accommodating and full of ideas of things to do that may not appear in your guide book, some real local knowledge. The house looks exactly like the pictures, is really clean and well furnished, and well equipped, with all the utensils etc you could wish for in the kitchen and plenty of clean linen etc. There is a washing machine and drier in the house too which was really handy. It is in a really peaceful spot so we had a couple of days of just kicking back and relaxing. It's only a couple of miles from the nearest small town though where there is a reasonably priced supermarket, and Hilo was only about 20 minutes or so away. The volcanoes are only down the road too. We thought it was great value for money and thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. If you want a relaxing home-from-home experience in a tranquil setting we would really recommend Kuulei Hale! Aloha and mahalo Linda!

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

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Sounds of Hawaii

Guest Kathleen and Jesse
Date of stay 01/03/11
Review Submitted 01/22/11

My husband and I had a great time staying here. It was clean (no chemical smell or musty smell that I noticed) and comfortable. The mattress was awesome, and we had many a good nights sleep listening to all the nighttime noises. The coqui frogs were amazing to listen to! Beautiful lush secluded surroundings. Linda was available if we needed her, otherwise she just left us to ourselves. Oh plus lots of yummy fruit, you should see her basil plants! Compared to the rental I got in Kona the week after my stay here (for the same price) Linda's place was a vacationers dream. Its a far drive, but you have to go to Waipio Valley if you can, we met Lance Armstrong there!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Don't recommend this place

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 12/09/10
Review Submitted 12/27/10

Our experience staying at this cottage was so different from the other guests who have left comments that it’s hard to believe they’re describing the same place! Yes, Linda seems friendly, and does grow lovely fruits and flowers. But ... she demonstrated very little concern for many other important factors involved in maintaining a well-run vacation rental. Here were some of the problems my wife and I experienced: • The living room and kitchen had a strong, musty smell that didn’t go away, even after several days. Was it some sort of insecticide, or maybe moisture or mold in the furniture? • The kitchen seemed clean enough on first glance, but when you looked more closely you noticed there were smelly sponges on the counter, no dishwashing liquid, and seriously out-of-date food (from 2007) in the refrigerator and cupboards. Very unappetizing! • One night we bought something to bake for dinner, only to discover that the oven and broiler didn’t work at all. When we called Linda to tell her she said “Oh, I didn’t know - I’ve never used the stove in the cottage.” Also, two of the stove’s burners were broken. • Dirt and the bodies of dead bugs were on most of the window ledges. • The shower temperature never got to be more than lukewarm – too chilly to comfortably take a long, relaxing shower - which it's nice to do on vacation! • The bamboo curtains in the bedrooms were dilapidated and didn’t work, and there were no curtains on any windows in the rest of the house - including the bathroom. For the price we paid we didn’t expect this cottage to be elegant, but we did expect it to be clean and for everything to be in good working order. And from the descriptions we read, we expected it would be a cozy place where we would be able to hang out and relax. It was neither. We were so disappointed and uncomfortable we left 2 days early. And since Linda requires that you pay cash in advance, we were out our money, with no recourse.

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goldenploveralaska

Guest kc
Date of stay 10/20/10
Review Submitted 01/07/11

I inspected this property for an upcoming visit by my adult children. Linda, the owner, was very helpful and gracious and allowed me to inspect the cottage. Since my 10 month old granddaughter was to be staying there, I really scrutinized the cottage. I found it to be very clean and well kept. No bugs, nor evidence that there had been any bugs. Based on my visit, the children decided to book here rather than elsewhere. I knew if anything was amiss, that Linda would see to it immediately. I recommend this place for anyone who wants a quiet getaway, secluded, and a different experience from the hustle and bustle of a city hotel.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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Wonderful location

Guest Happy Traveler
Date of stay 07/30/10
Review Submitted 08/07/10

The property is very private and full of lovely vegetation. We had convenient access to Volcano Park, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, the Tidepools, Warm Springs, and the local Farmers Market. By far, the highlight of our visit was our guided hike to the lava flow which Linda helped us to arrange. This was the experience of a lifetime, and we will treasure it forever.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

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Good location

Guest BrettMo
Date of stay 03/20/10
Review Submitted 03/30/10

Stayed here with my wife and 3 teenagers. Volcano park is a straight shot on Hwy 11 for about 20 minutes. From this house, it was easy to visit Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, South Point, top of Mauna Kea, Laupahoehoe Beach Park, Kaumana Cave, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Farmers Market, Ahalanui Warm Springs and Volcano park, all in 3 days. The house was clean and on beautiful tropical grounds. Linda has many interesting birds and pets. We fed the big pig leftover quesadillas. My wife loved the washer and drier in the house. The only problem for us was no internet. For some people, that might be a blessing.

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

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Relaxing Vacation on Beautiful Property!

Guest Laureen & Lou
Date of stay 02/03/10
Review Submitted 03/19/11

My husband, daughter and her boyfriend, and I stayed for a week and a half. I came for hula training in Mountain View and found this fabulous 2-bedroom cottage for my family to stay in located in Kurtistown. Linda was such a kind, informative, and accommodating hostess. She took each of us on a tour of her beautiful garden (I must have spent about an 1 1/2 with her), gave us clipping of her plants to take back to California, and told us about all the wonderful areas to visit in Hilo. I told her I needed internet access for my job and although my work provided me with a Sprint wireless device, it didn't work. I found out that Verizon is the only carrier that works in that area. Linda went out and purchased a Verizon wireless device especially for me to use during our stay. This was so unexpected. I couldn't believe that she did this. I was truly appreciative. She embodies the true "Aloha Spirit." The cottage was clean, well kept and just the perfect size for us. The master bedroom bed was so comfy. The walk-in closet was a great help with all my luggage. The cottage is surrounded by lush greenery and flowers along with a small pond that she grows Tilapia in. Linda brought us fruit frequently. If we had a question, she was easy to find as she spends most of her day in her fruit and flower plantation. She always left us alone unless we needed her. Her cottage is centrally located to many attractions...Kilauea, Maku'u Market, lava flows, old town Hilo, Akaka Falls, etc. It is a little drive from the main road to the cottage so it is secluded and quiet...except for the cute coqui frogs at night. Linda - mahalo nui loa for providing us with a very enjoyable stay! A hui hou (until we meet again!) Me ke aloha - Laureen & Lou

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

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Coqui Frogs and All

Guest nfsane
Date of stay 08/02/09
Review Submitted 08/25/09

So much better than a hotel/motel. The beds are very comfortable too. Spacious and very clean, and yes the flowers are magnificent when you arrive. Perfect for a small family Because I was there to enroll my son in the University, buy a car and find a place to live, lack of internet access required trips to town and extended periods in internet coffee shops. Short of internet access, I found this to be quite nice.

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

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Highly recommended!!! Relaxing and peaceful!!!

Guest Phil D.
Date of stay 03/19/09
Review Submitted 01/05/11

My wife and I really enjoyed our stay here! We found everything to be clean and comfortable, quiet and peaceful!!! Linda is a helpful and generous host. The cottage is in a great location to explore the whole island. My wife is an artist and she loved sitting in the garden and painting. The photos do a good job of showing the site. I loved exploring the parks. beaches and hiking trails. This is a beautiful place that I recommend to others! I can't wait to return!

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

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 09/01/08
Review Submitted 09/10/08

Linda, we so very much enjoyed our stay in your vacation home. It was a great location to Volcano Park & to Hilo. Your fruits were yummy & flowers were beautiful. All the rooms are so spacious & comfortable & we loved having the washer & dryer. Your fresh flowers were such a wonderful addition. Thanks for sharing your home with us.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 05/01/08
Review Submitted 05/03/08

What a wonderful place! We were there for three days, and we were so sorry we couldn't stay longer. Linda is a wonderful hostess, and she's provided everything you could possibly need in the cottage. It's immaculate and beautifully furnished, down to the tiniest detail. The grounds are gorgeous. It's in a rural area, which makes you feel like you're really away from it all -- but you're also very close to Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa and Volcanoes National Park. Linda gave us a tour of her garden, which is a truly magical place. She also recommended the Sunday Makuu Farmers Market, which was a great time, and we had the pleasure of spending a little time with her there, too. Thank you, Linda, for making our trip so special!

Owner response: Mimi Thank you for your kind comments! Was a pleasure having you, glad you had time for the garden tour and the Farmers market was fun also! Oh and by the way I love the way you left Kuulei Hale! As nice or nicer than when you came in! Awesome, Mahalo for taking the time to make all so nice! Such a pleasure to be around fun people!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Jim & Melinda
Date of stay 02/01/08
Review Submitted 02/15/08

We really enjoyed our stay here. It was a very comfortable,clean and roomy home. Fresh fruit from the garden and the beautiful flowers in the house were a real treat. Taking a tour of the gardens is a must!! We were very happy with this rental!!

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Guest Linda & Kurt Falkman_HAC123420
Date of stay 02/01/08
Review Submitted 01/31/08

Words can hardly express the beauty and calm of your tropical paradise. For the second winter in a row, we enjoyed staying in the cottage Ku’ulei Hale, and we hope to return next winter for a third time.Roomy, but yet cozy, the cottage has everything we need for a relaxing, stress-free vacation. Because we stay so long and because we like to cook, it’s wonderful to have a well-equipped kitchen for preparing and entertaining.Lunch and breakfast in the yard on the picnic table with the umbrella, looking down on the fish pond, being visited by Mitzy, the most loving cat in the universe -- all add up to a lazy, and relaxing retreat.We loved our walks into Kurtistown to pick up a paper or food supplies and shopping at the Kea’au Market for fresh fruits and vegetables.Of course, the best was the fruits and vegetables you’d bring to us, grown in your own garden. Your tropical flower arrangements everywhere in the house add a special feeling to the home. Linda, your generosity and kind spirit fill the whole place, enhancing the hundreds of varieties of flowers. We loved the photo shoot on your garden tour. Excellent.We SO enjoyed our time spent with you and Bruce. You are gracious hosts and we miss you already!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Linda & Kurt Falkman_HAC123420
Date of stay 02/01/08
Review Submitted 01/31/08

Words can hardly express the beauty and calm of your tropical paradise. For the second winter in a row, we enjoyed staying in the cottage Ku’ulei Hale, and we hope to return next winter for a third time. Roomy, but yet cozy, the cottage has everything we need for a relaxing, stress-free vacation. Because we stay so long and because we like to cook, it’s wonderful to have a well-equipped kitchen for preparing and entertaining. Lunch and breakfast in the yard on the picnic table with the umbrella, looking down on the fish pond, being visited by Mitzy, the most loving cat in the universe -- all add up to a lazy, and relaxing retreat. We loved our walks into Kurtistown to pick up a paper or food supplies and shopping at the Kea’au Market for fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, the best was the fruits and vegetables you’d bring to us, grown in your own garden. Your tropical flower arrangements everywhere in the house add a special feeling to the home. Linda, your generosity and kind spirit fill the whole place, enhancing the hundreds of varieties of flowers. We loved the photo shoot on your garden tour. Excellent. We SO enjoyed our time spent with you and Bruce. You are gracious hosts and we miss you already!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Kimberly Conklin_HAC122794
Date of stay 01/01/08
Review Submitted 01/27/08

This is an absolutely beautiful place to stay! Kuulei Hale has an amazing kitchen and bathroom, and the rooms are large and comfortable--the walk-in closet is huge! Everything was neat and clean when we arrived, and there were even fresh tropical floral arrangements everywhere. What we appreciated the most, though, was Linda's generosity. We were allowed with walk and admire her lovely property and even enjoy fresh fruit from her garden. Thank you so much for an amazing stay!

Owner response: Kimberly, It was a pleasure having you! Thank You for signing our quest book with all your kind comments. And Mahalo for keeping Kuulei Hale so clean, what a sweetheart. Hope to see you back soon! Much Aloha Linda

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Carol Burns_HAC100525
Date of stay 08/01/07
Review Submitted 08/09/07

Dear Linda.. I want everyone looking at your website to know how wonderful this place is. When I arrived and drove down the beautiful plant lined driveway, I knew this place was going to be special. The house is so nice and clean. It has a great kitchen with everything you need to cook, the beds are great for sleeping. I love the bathroon too, Linda always has flowers there for you. I stayed there for a month it was a wonderful place to be. Carol Burns..

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Greta Anderson_HAC94145
Date of stay 07/01/07
Review Submitted 07/08/07

Had a great stay! Place is spacious and clean. Easy access to Hilo and the Volcanos. Linda and her husband were friendly and had great suggestions on places to go and places to eat(when we didn't cook at the cottage.)

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Steve_HAC79110
Date of stay 03/01/07
Review Submitted 03/12/07

A beautiful peaceful retreat among the greenery. Everything you need is there in the cottage, and the beds are very comfortable. Clean and bright inside.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Deborha Kerr_HAC68706
Date of stay 11/01/06
Review Submitted 11/12/06

This is THE place to stay while on the island! The hosts, Linda & Bruce could not be more accomodating. Fresh flowers, fruit, and lots of laughter! I've made new friends that I look forward to seeing again soon. The house is immaculate and set up with everything you could possibly want. The grounds are amazing with Linda's whimsical characters peeking out amongst the beautiful, lush flowers. It was a real treat to spend time in such a warm, welcoming rental instead of in amongst the usual tourist rat race!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Victor & Carolyn_HAC53720
Date of stay 06/01/06
Review Submitted 06/14/06

Aloha, My wife and I found the hospitality of our hosts, Linda and Bruce to be all you would want. Very down to earth people and very accommodating. The house is set up just right, has all you might need and some. The views of the grounds from the house are very plesant, the hard work shows. House very clean. Close to shopping and recreation areas. A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

Owner response: Mahalo for your kind comments to our guest book! We also enjoyed getting to know you folks and look forward to your return. Until then Aloha and Mahalo. Kuulei Hale Linda and Bruce

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Jeremiah Littlepage_HAC52984
Date of stay 06/01/06
Review Submitted 06/05/06

Excellent place very new, lots of room with a great kitchen. Great washer and dryer. Beautiful gardens. We had a wonderful time and would visit again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Clark & Jennie Hoyt_HAC49014
Date of stay 04/01/06
Review Submitted 04/15/06

We really had a lovely stay here recently. This new house was very comfortable and sparkling clean! The kitchen had all the necessities (even down to the macadmia nut cracker). The washer/dryer are brand new. The bathroom was very clean. The whole house was adorned with the most beautiful tropical flowers! The farmers market nearby was great. We enjoyed several awesome beaches nearby also. We saw whales breaching and green turtles swimming right from the beach. The warm springs are a must! This vacation rental is highly recommended!! The owners are a cute, happy couple. Aloha!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 04/01/06
Review Submitted 04/12/06

Lovely accommodations, great hosts! I have stayed in this cottage twice. It is immaculate, close to recreation, Hilo, and the airport. Highly recommend it.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Private Cottage, Centrally Located, Free Night with a Week Stay [#86020] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (26)

Didn't live up to photos!

Didn't live up to photos!

Linda is a great host

Linda is a great host

Quiet and Tranquil Paradise

Quiet and Tranquil Paradise

Fabuluous bush hideaway!

Fabuluous bush hideaway!

Sounds of Hawaii

Sounds of Hawaii

Don't recommend this place

Don't recommend this place

goldenploveralaska

goldenploveralaska

Wonderful location

Wonderful location

Good location

Good location

Relaxing Vacation on Beautiful Property!

Relaxing Vacation on Beautiful Property!

Coqui Frogs and All

Coqui Frogs and All

Highly recommended!!! Relaxing and peaceful!!!

Highly recommended!!! Relaxing and peaceful!!!

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