Big Island Vintage Beach Cottage - near Hapuna Beach

Plenty of room, very clean, Owners rep/mom was extremely helpful particularly when we thought we lost a very important item ! A little traffic noise but nothing special to this world we live in. I would come back in a heartbeat!

We had a great stay at the Truly Vintage Beach Cottage, but my 5-Star rating does come with a warning. The house sits above a busy highway, and although a nice hedge and a bit of distance shields you from all of the sight and some of the noise, you will definitely hear traffic in the big front yard. In the house with the A/C or TV on, or in the bedrooms, it isn't an issue.

That said, this is an excellent place to stay in terms of access to North Kohala and Hawi, the South Kohala beaches and resorts, and the town of Waimea, with its stores and restaurants. It's also only three minutes from the dining options and the great little fish market in Kawaihae.

The house was more modern than we expected, with ample cooling from the living room aircon, the through breezes, and the plentiful potent fans. There is now a Brita filter to provide good drinking water. The beds are big and comfortable, and the kitchen is very functional. There's ample seating to dine inside or out, the hammock is comfy, there's a big BBQ, and you can watch the sun set in the ocean every evening. The neighborhood is quiet and friendly.

We had a couple of minor issues during our stay, and Debi, who was watching over the place, responded immediately, and solved the problems. Our communication with Rachel was also friendly and efficient.

If you book this house expecting a flashy resort feel, you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking for a really pleasant place that combine the best of 70's-California shag-carpet ranch style with tasteful Big Island beach decor, this is it.

We really enjoyed staying at Rachel's place in Kawaihae Village. It's just minutes away from a number of good beaches (for either swimming, relaxing, or snorkeling) but it is nicely removed from the resort atmosphere. We also enjoyed going up to the Kohala peninsula and seeing the sights there. The house is in a very small community about a mile up the hill from the town of Kawaihae proper. The house was clean, roomy, and well-equipped. It had a very usable kitchen with a full set of utensils, pots, and pans, and it had a good stock of beach equipment and towels. It's right by the highway, so there was a little road noise, but we never found it bothersome. Groceries are a little bit of a trip (12 quick miles to a large, good store at Waikoloa Village) so it's good to stock up. When we were there it was quite warm outside, and we had to make sure to run the fans and open the shutters at night, since the bedrooms don't have A/C, but with care it was comfortable. All in all it was a really good place for our family (two adults, two kids) to stay.

My family had a great time staying in this house. A bit hard to find the first time, but lovely and quiet. The house is spacious enough to live comfortably with 3 king sized beds. It's not fancy, but it's 5 minutes from the best beach I've ever been to (Hapuna). We would definitely stay here again.

The drinking water is quite strongly chlorinated (compared to what we are used to at home). However, we found it easy to fill the large pot with water and sit it out over night and then add it to the large water jug that we kept in the fridge.

Our family of 4 spent a week at the Orange house, and it is a nice house with a few potential downsides depending on what you are looking for.

Overall a good first impression, the unit is cozy and well appointed. The beds and furniture are comfortable, and the colourful nature inspired artwork on the walls makes the space feel nice to live in.

Apart from lacking a bit in counter space, the kitchen has all the necessary tools, minus a dishwasher. The lanai is nicely furnished, the sunset views and ocean in the distance reminds you why you are here, and the bbq is in very good condition. In other words it has everything you would need.

One main disappointment was that the house is right next to a busy road. The bushes provide some visual barrier, but the constant noise starting very early, and occasional exhaust smells (especially from trucks) was a definite irritant. The loud sprinkler system starting daily at 5am was an added noise bonus.

Also, the house is not well designed in terms of air movement. To compensate, the owner has installed an A/C unit in the main living area (which only cools this living area), and there are old fans everywhere, but temperature comfort was mediocre at best.

The house is conveniently located for access to all the main beaches or any road trip. Nearest grocery store is 10 minutes away.

Overall, this place is decent value for this expensive part of the island. It is certainly worth considering if you are normally on the go. If you plan to spend extended periods at the house, or are a light sleeper, it is still worth considering, but manage your expectations accordingly.