Irene B.
January 2024
My husband and I enjoyed our stay very much!
Mary, our hostess was delightful, welcoming and helpful! The cottage was so tastefully done and it felt like we were in a park with beautiful foliage and flowers that Mary created! From the Tea Room, we saw beautiful sunrises over the ocean!!
We would definitely love to stay there again🌺
Alvin W.
December 2023
The cottage and host were wonderful.. very satisfied with our week on the Big Island! Alvin and Sarah
Alvin W.
December 2023
The cottage and host were wonderful.. very satisfied with our week on the Big Island! Alvin and Sarah
Christine W.
November 2023
Ninole Garden House Hideaway was everything we hoped it would be and more!! The ocean view is spectacluar and the grounds are incredible!! Mary is an amazing host and made our stay so enjoyable! The cottage is simply lovely and so very comfortable! My plan is rent this delightful off-grid cottage again in 2024!!!
Christine W.
November 2023
Ninole Garden House Hideaway was everything we hoped it would be and more!! The ocean view is spectacluar and the grounds are incredible!! Mary is an amazing host and made our stay so enjoyable! The cottage is simply lovely and so very comfortable! My plan is rent this delightful off-grid cottage again in 2024!!!
Adrienne R.
September 2023
The property is very well maintained, very clean, and Mary provided everything we could need during our stay. She was an excellent host, and the cottage was decorated to make us feel welcome and at home.
Adrienne R.
September 2023
The property is very well maintained, very clean, and Mary provided everything we could need during our stay. She was an excellent host, and the cottage was decorated to make us feel welcome and at home.
Deborah C.
August 2023
We so enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property. Mary and Copper were a delight, the property clean and beautiful. It’s everything we hoped for in a get away. We will definitely be back.
Deborah C.
August 2023
We so enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property. Mary and Copper were a delight, the property clean and beautiful. It’s everything we hoped for in a get away. We will definitely be back.
Amber S.
August 2023
Perfect property to get away from it all! Well appointed studio guesthouse with access to tea house. Beautiful tropical setting in countryside. Wonderful host greeted us with a tour and fresh fruit and coffee from property in the guesthouse. Highly recommended for peaceful and quiet vacation.
Amber S.
August 2023
Perfect property to get away from it all! Well appointed studio guesthouse with access to tea house. Beautiful tropical setting in countryside. Wonderful host greeted us with a tour and fresh fruit and coffee from property in the guesthouse. Highly recommended for peaceful and quiet vacation.
kay g.
July 2023
My husband and I loved this get-away. We had had several stresses going on and it was such a beautiful way to get away from it all. Kick back and revive. The pastoral setting was perfect for this girl who grew up on a farm and small town. Sometimes there is no better way to relax and get perspective than to get rid of the communication “stuff” we get so wound up in. We really can live without them——for awhile!!! Kay and Jim
kay g.
July 2023
My husband and I loved this get-away. We had had several stresses going on and it was such a beautiful way to get away from it all. Kick back and revive. The pastoral setting was perfect for this girl who grew up on a farm and small town. Sometimes there is no better way to relax and get perspective than to get rid of the communication “stuff” we get so wound up in. We really can live without them——for awhile!!! Kay and Jim
Emily B.
June 2023
We couldn’t have asked for a better location and more gracious host. The garden getaway was a dream destination. We will be back!!
Emily B.
June 2023
We couldn’t have asked for a better location and more gracious host. The garden getaway was a dream destination. We will be back!!
thomas j.
May 2023
Wonderful place to experience
Had a great time
thomas j.
April 2023
Wonderful place to experience
Had a great time
John P.
April 2023
This hidden gem is a little off the beaten path, but so worth every bit! Cell phone coverage is spotty, depending on carrier, but the views and atmosphere more than made up for it! The owner, Mary, and her dog, Copper, were delightful and made our stay even more pleasant! 10/10 would stay here again!
John P.
April 2023
This hidden gem is a little off the beaten path, but so worth every bit! Cell phone coverage is spotty, depending on carrier, but the views and atmosphere more than made up for it! The owner, Mary, and her dog, Copper, were delightful and made our stay even more pleasant! 10/10 would stay here again!
Jim C.
April 2023
We spent a wonderful week at the Garden Cottage. We checked in very late but had no trouble finding the property as Mary’s directions were very detailed. Mary and Copper were terrific hosts. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds with them, taking in views of the farm animals, fruit & coffee trees, and the ocean. The cottage itself was clean, comfortable, and generously sized for our party of 2. We were greeted upon entry with a basket of locally grown fruit and coffee grown on-site by Mary. The cottage is well stocked with kitchen utensils, books, board games, puzzles, beach towels, and snorkels. Our host was available every day if we had any questions or needed any local information to make our stay more pleasant.
We enjoyed playing with Copper and helping out with his scent-training exercises. We were also delighted that we got to go for a walk with them at a local park.
The location was ideal for us, with Hilo being a 25 minute drive south along the beautiful Hamakua Coast. Nearby Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point, and Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden are not to be missed! The Pāpaʻaloa Country Store and Café is a short 10 minute drive north. The café has an extensive menu with live music Thursday through Saturday nights. The store itself has most everything you need if you if you don’t want to make the trip into Hilo.
We would not hesitate to return to this lovely cottage when we visit the Big Island again!
Jim C.
March 2023
We spent a wonderful week at the Garden Cottage. We checked in very late but had no trouble finding the property as Mary’s directions were very detailed. Mary and Copper were terrific hosts. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds with them, taking in views of the farm animals, fruit & coffee trees, and the ocean. The cottage itself was clean, comfortable, and generously sized for our party of 2. We were greeted upon entry with a basket of locally grown fruit and coffee grown on-site by Mary. The cottage is well stocked with kitchen utensils, books, board games, puzzles, beach towels, and snorkels. Our host was available every day if we had any questions or needed any local information to make our stay more pleasant.
We enjoyed playing with Copper and helping out with his scent-training exercises. We were also delighted that we got to go for a walk with them at a local park.
The location was ideal for us, with Hilo being a 25 minute drive south along the beautiful Hamakua Coast. Nearby Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point, and Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden are not to be missed! The Pāpaʻaloa Country Store and Café is a short 10 minute drive north. The café has an extensive menu with live music Thursday through Saturday nights. The store itself has most everything you need if you if you don’t want to make the trip into Hilo.
We would not hesitate to return to this lovely cottage when we visit the Big Island again!
Cecil S.
March 2023
We very much enjoyed Mary and her dog Copper, at this unique off -grid garden cottage. This place is like staying at a botanical garden with a great pastoral view of the Pacific Ocean. Copper, a friendly dog in training to detect invasive plants, loves to greet upon arrival, as do the friendly goats and sheep. We experienced brilliant sunshine with cool, clean air, as well as refreshing rains. The cottage is uniquely constructed with tropical hardwoods, It is surrounded by abundant bird life and strikingly beautiful tropical flowers diligently maintained by Mary, our friendly host, who was always available to make sure we had a pleasant stay. This was a true Hawaiian experience away from the all too common tourist driven resorts. Mary and VRBO were the best.
Cecil S.
March 2023
We very much enjoyed Mary and her dog Copper, at this unique off -grid garden cottage. This place is like staying at a botanical garden with a great pastoral view of the Pacific Ocean. Copper, a friendly dog in training to detect invasive plants, loves to greet upon arrival, as do the friendly goats and sheep. We experienced brilliant sunshine with cool, clean air, as well as refreshing rains. The cottage is uniquely constructed with tropical hardwoods, It is surrounded by abundant bird life and strikingly beautiful tropical flowers diligently maintained by Mary, our friendly host, who was always available to make sure we had a pleasant stay. This was a true Hawaiian experience away from the all too common tourist driven resorts. Mary and VRBO were the best.
Shauna L.
February 2023
Beautiful grounds, so many trees and flowers! unfortunately it rained our entire stay but we still had a good time. Mary was a very accommodating host. Lovely place.
Shauna L.
February 2023
Beautiful grounds, so many trees and flowers! unfortunately it rained our entire stay but we still had a good time. Mary was a very accommodating host. Lovely place.
Selden H.
February 2023
Lovely well furnished cottage and beautiful grounds complete with a gazebo. Mary is such a gracious host and helpful with any questions. My favorite was the wonderful outdoor shower surrounded by Hawaiian flowers and vegetation. It was good to get off the grid. Mary's use of solar panels and other energy saving strategies is impressive and we were most comfortable. Hope to go again.
Selden H.
February 2023
Lovely well furnished cottage and beautiful grounds complete with a gazebo. Mary is such a gracious host and helpful with any questions. My favorite was the wonderful outdoor shower surrounded by Hawaiian flowers and vegetation. It was good to get off the grid. Mary's use of solar panels and other energy saving strategies is impressive and we were most comfortable. Hope to go again.
Renee K.
January 2023
We really enjoyed our stay at Mary's garden cottage in Ninole. It's the perfect spot if you want to enjoy some quiet time and gorgeous view of the ocean. It was also a good experience for us to be "off grid" and be cautious of water and power usage. The cottage was well appointed and Mary was an excellent and interesting host. Also loved her well behaved dog, Copper! Click the button and stay!!!
Renee K.
January 2023
We really enjoyed our stay at Mary's garden cottage in Ninole. It's the perfect spot if you want to enjoy some quiet time and gorgeous view of the ocean. It was also a good experience for us to be "off grid" and be cautious of water and power usage. The cottage was well appointed and Mary was an excellent and interesting host. Also loved her well behaved dog, Copper! Click the button and stay!!!
Ken L.
January 2023
This off grid garden hideaway was perfectly decribed by Mary, our host. We didn't mind being away from wifi or cell phone service; it was a relief.
The cottage is lovely and nicely appointed and was far from the main road, so quiet.
Thank you for your hospitality Mary!
Ken L.
January 2023
This off grid garden hideaway was perfectly decribed by Mary, our host. We didn't mind being away from wifi or cell phone service; it was a relief.
The cottage is lovely and nicely appointed and was far from the main road, so quiet.
Thank you for your hospitality Mary!
Rob C.
November 2022
A perfectly tranquil stay in the country while exploring the coast north of Hilo. All the noise comes from the birds around sunrise and sunset.
Rob C.
November 2022
A perfectly tranquil stay in the country while exploring the coast north of Hilo. All the noise comes from the birds around sunrise and sunset.
chris s.
November 2022
really enjoyed our stay at the garden cottage! would stay there again
Farrell C.
November 2022
Overall, a good experience. Cozy cottage.
Farrell C.
November 2022
Overall, a good experience. Cozy cottage.
chris s.
October 2022
really enjoyed our stay at the garden cottage! would stay there again
Carrie C.
October 2022
Mary and Copper were just delightful.
When we travel, our carbon footprint goes WAY up. Staying with Mary helped us reduce our negative impact on the planet. ;-)
Mary was kind enough to come to find us when we could not find her. ( My error, not hers) This was a wonderful hide-a-away to return to after exploring the island. The sounds of the birds and tree frogs lulled us into a deep, restful sleep every night. I got to see how well-trained and behaved Copper is. He is so bright and clever! Mary's place is 100% off the grid, and your carbon footprint for your HI trip will be significantly reduced when you choose to say with Mary and Copper.
Thank you so much for sharing your space with us.
Carrie, Amanda, and Justin
Carrie C.
October 2022
Mary and Copper were just delightful.
When we travel, our carbon footprint goes WAY up. Staying with Mary helped us reduce our negative impact on the planet. ;-)
Mary was kind enough to come to find us when we could not find her. ( My error, not hers) This was a wonderful hide-a-away to return to after exploring the island. The sounds of the birds and tree frogs lulled us into a deep, restful sleep every night. I got to see how well-trained and behaved Copper is. He is so bright and clever! Mary's place is 100% off the grid, and your carbon footprint for your HI trip will be significantly reduced when you choose to say with Mary and Copper.
Thank you so much for sharing your space with us.
Carrie, Amanda, and Justin
Jacinthe L.
October 2022
We had a great time staying with Mary and Copper. The place was exactly what we were looking for: calm and away from other tourists. We enjoyed the water falls around and a lot of hiking at Mauna Kea and Volcano park. Mary was welcoming and helpful when we needed. The garden house is very functional and has everything we needed to cook for the week.
We had a great time and we recommend The Garden House if you are looking for a calm place to stay with local people.
Jacinthe L.
October 2022
We had a great time staying with Mary and Copper. The place was exactly what we were looking for: calm and away from other tourists. We enjoyed the water falls around and a lot of hiking at Mauna Kea and Volcano park. Mary was welcoming and helpful when we needed. The garden house is very functional and has everything we needed to cook for the week.
We had a great time and we recommend The Garden House if you are looking for a calm place to stay with local people.
Ann U.
September 2022
Felt like home away from home. The place is beautiful and the host treated us like family! What a great experience!
Ann U.
September 2022
Felt like home away from home. The place is beautiful and the host treated us like family! What a great experience!
Kayla S.
August 2022
We had a lovely time at Mary’s farm guest house. It was a beautiful remote place with lovely gardens and farm animals. We enjoyed the beautiful sunrises from the tea house and the company of the friendly goats and Copper the dog were most welcoming. Mary was very helpful, especially when we got lost trying to find the place after dark.
I highly recommend arriving during daylight and using her instructions rather than google maps since google maps took us off to a dodgy off road trail away from the address. Thankfully Mary was able to rescue us! Thanks Mary!! 🙏 We found the place was not the easiest to find and one of the turnoff roads is are not easily visibly marked even in daylight.
Once we got familiar with our surroundings it was easy enough to access from the main road and about halfway point on the eastern side of the Island to see attractions north and south.
All in all we enjoyed our experience staying somewhere unique and remote. The accommodations themselves were basic and simple.
Kayla S.
August 2022
We had a lovely time at Mary’s farm guest house. It was a beautiful remote place with lovely gardens and farm animals. We enjoyed the beautiful sunrises from the tea house and the company of the friendly goats and Copper the dog were most welcoming. Mary was very helpful, especially when we got lost trying to find the place after dark.
I highly recommend arriving during daylight and using her instructions rather than google maps since google maps took us off to a dodgy off road trail away from the address. Thankfully Mary was able to rescue us! Thanks Mary!! 🙏 We found the place was not the easiest to find and one of the turnoff roads is are not easily visibly marked even in daylight.
Once we got familiar with our surroundings it was easy enough to access from the main road and about halfway point on the eastern side of the Island to see attractions north and south.
All in all we enjoyed our experience staying somewhere unique and remote. The accommodations themselves were basic and simple.
Mary G.
June 2022
Lovely ocean sunrise views from the glassed in gazebo, spectacular gardens, unique outdoor bathroom and shower, cozy, but roomy studio. Perfect for a couple who wants a quiet, rural retreat not far from Hilo and tourist attractions. It was fun watching the goats and sheep and Copper the dog is a fabulous companion. We really enjoyed meeting Mary as well. It was a unique experience to be off the grid.
Glad we chose this property.
Mary G.
June 2022
Lovely ocean sunrise views from the glassed in gazebo, spectacular gardens, unique outdoor bathroom and shower, cozy, but roomy studio. Perfect for a couple who wants a quiet, rural retreat not far from Hilo and tourist attractions. It was fun watching the goats and sheep and Copper the dog is a fabulous companion. We really enjoyed meeting Mary as well. It was a unique experience to be off the grid.
Glad we chose this property.
Veronique B.
May 2022
Lovely place, lovely host
Veronique B.
May 2022
Lovely place, lovely host
john h.
May 2022
After spending a week on the bustling, drier west side, the drive east, and particularly the approach to Mary's home, through lush, verdant grass and jungle, with expansive views of the Pacific, felt more like Hawaii.
I was greeted at the gate by Mary and her good natured Rottie, Copper, and shown to the Garden Cottage.
The cottage is well appointed and comfortable, the outdoor bathroom and shower is private and pleasant, as it seldom dropped below 70f, and the grounds are absolutely magnificent.
Mary was kind enough to show me around the property, and even answered some of my questions about off-grid existence. From a guest's perspective, it is no hardship at all...quite the contrary.
I was sad to leave, but also rejuvenated, and I felt like I had made 2 new friends.
Thank you Mary & Copper, I hope we meet again!
john h.
May 2022
After spending a week on the bustling, drier west side, the drive east, and particularly the approach to Mary's home, through lush, verdant grass and jungle, with expansive views of the Pacific, felt more like Hawaii.
I was greeted at the gate by Mary and her good natured Rottie, Copper, and shown to the Garden Cottage.
The cottage is well appointed and comfortable, the outdoor bathroom and shower is private and pleasant, as it seldom dropped below 70f, and the grounds are absolutely magnificent.
Mary was kind enough to show me around the property, and even answered some of my questions about off-grid existence. From a guest's perspective, it is no hardship at all...quite the contrary.
I was sad to leave, but also rejuvenated, and I felt like I had made 2 new friends.
Thank you Mary & Copper, I hope we meet again!
Amelia R.
April 2022
This is the most splendid hideaway. We spent a week in Mary’s guest house and could not have asked for a better experience. It was very fun showering outdoors. The entire cottage was quite
private thanks to Mary’s incredibly lush gardens. The kitchen was very well stocked - including containers to pack lunches and pantry essentials. Copper was a teddy bear… we will miss him! We hope to come back to the Garden House Hideaway if we ever return to the big island.
Sam & Amelia
Dawna R.
April 2022
Mary is a superb and sweetheart of a host. All communications were perfect and we really loved getting in some much needed dog time with Copper. Make sure you get the property tour.
The overall location is ideal if you're an explorer and prefer a home base that's close to attractions but quiet and removed from the more busy areas. It's off the beaten path and we loved that about it.
The cottage is cozy and has many items you can use (lots of snorkel equipment and beach gear), including a good library of Hawaii travel books. We really enjoyed the outside bath/shower house! The Coqui frogs are not shy and will serenade you while you're on the john.
All in all, we had an excellent visit and really enjoyed having Mary's home as our anchor point. Thank you so much for hosting us!
Matt T.
March 2022
Mary was wonderful and welcoming. She gave us great local info. Her property is beautiful and sufficient for 2. The house was very charming. It has what you would expect from Hawaiian craftsmanship. It is in a great location to easily reach different parts of the island. My wife and I really enjoyed our stay at Mary's garden Hideaway.
Dewe E.
March 2022
The Garden Hideaway was a treasure - a quiet out of town retreat. Mary is an amazing host who made our stay comfortable and relaxing. Copper her dog was a delight. We highly recommend the Garden Hideaway for anyone needing to recharge and relax.
Kristie v.
March 2022
We had a lovely stay here. Enjoyed the outdoor shower and the view of the ocean & sunrises from this property are amazing.
Bed is comfortable and the kitchen has everything you need to cook a meal. Mary is kind and nice to talk to. If you like animals you will enjoy your stay even more, there are goats, sheep and a dog. Highly recommend staying here. Have fun exploring this beautiful island.
Karla O.
February 2022
If you're looking for beauty, peace and quiet away for the tourist crowds this cottage is for you. The grounds are gorgeous, the experience is off grid and the host is very helpful and knowledgable of the local area.
Amit S.
January 2022
The property is beautiful with a serene location. Mary and Copper were amazing and we wish we could've spent more time here. From cell reception point of view, we didn't have any issues and T-Mobile had excellent reception here.
The property is a bit remote and Hilo is around 25 mins drive, so that's something future guests should keep in mind while planning other activities.
Maureen S.
December 2021
Such a wonderful stay. Plenty to do on the Hilo side of the island. Would definitely come back.
Catherine L.
November 2021
Garden Home Hideaway is truly a WONDERFUL property. The guest house was all we could ask for, and the grounds ended up being one of the most beautiful places on the island of Hawaii. Mary was a great hostess, always very responsive to communication and made us feel completely welcome.
The grounds were beautiful, with an ocean view. We were
given a full tour, and gifted with some of the fruit from her garden (made lemonade and guacamole). Copper (very sweet dog), the goats (a fun and friendly crew) and the sheep (twin lambs born during our stay) made the stay even more memorable.
I would highly recommend!!!
Joshua A.
October 2021
Mary (our host) provided an incredible stay in her slice of paradise in Ninole. Although definitely off the path, our stay was peaceful, stunning, and rejuvenating- the views were beautiful, the rain calming, and on clear nights the stars so bright!! We highly recommend this property if you are looking to stay on the Hilo side of the Big Island- remember it is a long drive to Kailua-Kona. Thank you Mary (and Copper)!!
Brenda W.
October 2021
The Garden Home Hideaway proved to be the perfect place for us on our trip to the Big Island. Not too fancy - just right. We felt comfortable and right at home. And morning coffee in the “tea house” with its beautiful view of the ocean was a nice way to start the day. Mary and Copper started us off with a tour and were very hospitable throughout our stay. Close to Hilo, Akaka Falls and Waipi’o Valley, the Garden Home Hideaway is a place we hope to return to someday.--
Anthony M.
August 2021
Mary's guest cottage in Ninole, built from exotic Indonesian hardwood, complete with boutique coffee farm, sheep in the pasture, superb panoramic ocean view, lush tropical plants and all the amenities...is just the place to refresh and renew!
Jessica R.
August 2021
We had a wonderful time staying at the cottage. The Hilo side of the island is lush from all of the rainy afternoons. We saw many rainbows and waterfalls nearby and enjoyed the lovely hikes Mary and Copper are gracious hosts and the property has a view to the ocean that can't be beat!! Thank you for your hospitality.
Denny N.
July 2021
This cottage is super cute in a beautiful garden with ocean views!!! We could watch sunrise/ocean and seeing sheeps/cows from the backyard. I thought only New Zealand would offer that view :-) If you love garden/natures, this cottage is excellent choice.
Mary, Thank you for the welcome tour and take us went hiking down the beach!! Nguyen and I had wonderful times there and hope we can be visiting you again in the near future!!!!
Stephen M.
July 2021
Mary and Copper are very welcoming and the view is breath taking
VICTORIA Y.
June 2021
This property was the perfect place to get off grid and stay in a beautiful bungalow with a fabulous view. Mary was a very gracious host and of course we had Copper(her dog) greet us every day. He was wonderful as well! I really cannot say anything negative. It was exactly as we saw it online and we enjoyed not being in a touristy hotel and being able to disconnect. We loved the town of Hilo and being close to the Volcano! Thank you again Mary for everything.
Sylvia M.
November 2019
Beautiful! Mary and her darling dog, Copper, were so welcoming and accommodating. The space is lovely and outdoor shower the best. Very private location. We were there on a full moon which made for spectacular nighttime viewing. Recommended highly.
lisa p.
November 2019
Amazing experience!! I so enjoyed learning about living off the grid and especially was wowed about drinking rainwater! It was delicious! What a beautiful home my son and I really enjoyed our stay! Mahalo
jocelyn r.
June 2019
Beautiful property and view of the ocean. Our host was so sweet and gave us a tour of the fruit and coffee orchard. She even gave us some tasty coffee for breakfast!
Claudia M.
June 2019
Driving to the Garden House was like an expedition into beauty. The scenery of the land and ocean was mystical and the house was like stepping into a simpler and sublime way of life. We enjoyed our stay at Mary’s property. Solar fed electricity, water that is collected and stored for use, gardens of fruits and coffee, views of the ocean and sky makes this place a haven from the reality of today’s busy life. One has to be in the zen for this beautiful place, there is no AC or TV. The space is practical, like a studio, with the bath and shower in an outside enclosure. But the handheld radio can tune in to Hawaiian music, the red blossoms of the hibiscus can draw you in, and the house made of exotic wood and hapa? wall and ceiling covering seems surreal and gives you the sought after feeling of staying in Hawaii. The house is next to the owners so the privacy is not as much as one would want and one has to feel comfortable leaving the house open to get the breezes, but the house is remote and we felt safe. The dogs gave us a better sense of security as well. Mary has dogs and they are barky, so it can be intimidating if your not used to dogs, but they leave you alone as you walk the property for a morning coffee to sit in another small building with an excellent view. We enjoyed our short stay and fell in love with the garden house in Hilo and were sad to leave. Thanks Mary for the memorable experience.
Anders E.
May 2019
Our stay at the cottage was a welcome retreat from the adventures we experienced around the island. Quiet, cool, serene surroundings. We took dozens of pictures of our grounds...flowers, fruit, coffee trees... The cafe in PaPa'Aloa had wifi, the best bread and great staff. Mary was attentive and accommodating and really helped us get sorted out at the beginning of our trip. Highly recommend this home.
Ema N.
April 2019
Even with rain off and on, we had a great stay. The garden is lovely, very neat to see the coffee bushes bearing flowers and berries and then try coffee brewed from the them!
Spyder M.
April 2019
Mary was a wonderful host and her guest house was a beautiful! She has many thoughtful touches that made our stay complete and easy. Her property is amazingly gorgeous and very well cared for. She offered us a sample of her incredibly good coffee that she grew on the property. Copper and Puna, her two large dogs were a nice treat for the dog lovers that we are. Very sweet. Copper is an impressive boy and Puna is a super sweetie.
The environment is delightfully peaceful since you’re quite far from town or neighbors. There is an incredible array of birds and animal sounds like that invasive frog that chirps through the first part of the night. These sounds are quite loud, but we found them very pleasing and a nice natural ambiance that is not found in city life.
Overall, we loved staying here and were delighted to meet Mary and her dogs. We will consider this place on our short list when we visit the big island again.
PS- we found the conservation of water and power to be quite easy to work with. The kitchen served our needs to cook 2 meals a day.
Enoch F.
April 2019
The most lovely and tranquil place.
Vincenzo C.
April 2019
Mary was a terrific host and the property was as advertised with serenity beyond what that you would expect. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend it.
caroline t.
March 2019
Any 4W drive or standard economy or mid size car can handle the driveway which seems steep but is easily manageable. The building has all the basic amenities plus more. There is no Wi-Fi, but you are on vacation so it shouldn't be a big loss. Copper and Pune (doggies) are sweet and cuddly and super well behaved. The outdoor shower is private, good temperature, great water pressure. Bed and overall furniture is comfortable.
Mary gave us perfect directions to find the road and the house, plan to go in the day hours as finding it at night would be very difficult.
Location is beautiful.
Paolo M.
January 2017
Mary's Garden House Hideaway is one of the best, quiet and peaceful hideaways that you will enjoy in the Big Island. It is located in the off-the-grid area of the rural north, 20-25 minutes from Hilo. At first getting there was a trek, but once you get there you will see a beautiful vista, lovely facility, exotic plant life, fun animals and a wonderful host.
One key points into making your stay special is to make sure to have enough time to see whatever you need to see (which you really need time for. You can drive the entire island in 4 or so hours. We did not have this luxury because there's many stops to see, which will take your time); feel the beauty of the area (which is no doubt amazing and spectacular everywhere. Mary's hideaway is a jewel!); and be in the presence of something beautiful (which is really ineffable. You will know and realize it once you are there).
TIPs:
+First, if you want to enjoy your stay in the Big Island, relinquish your urban city perspective. It's more beautiful this way.
+When planing to decide on where to to stay, consider Mary's facility...beautiful, peaceful and homey.
+After you decide to stay with Mary's facility, plan an itinerary. She has many information about the island in her cottage.
+In your initial itinerary, before you head to the island - first, we would suggest to rent an SUV or off road vehicle, just in case. The hideaway is off-grid and out in the rural areas of the upper north. Smaller vehicles is ok, but has less engine power and traction to go up hill and off the beaten path (you will go through unpaved stretch road. The road is new)
+Second, make sure to spend some time getting to know your host. This was a missed opportunity for us since we only stayed there a very short time. She's a very nice and beautiful host. Also, enjoy her pets: Bonnie (she looks like a polar bear), Copper (he may look like Koojo, but is friendly and energetic young dog) and little Trouble (such an adorable cat!) Also, there's one cow and few sheep.
+Last tip... JUST enjoy your stay!
Mahalo!
Dmitry K.
January 2017
Unfortunately, we did not have a good experience during our stay at this property and left after just 10 hours. While clean and cozy, there were some aspects that we found to be badly misrepresented:
There is no air conditioning, but only a single ceiling fan, and all doors and windows need to be open for there to be any air circulation.
In addition to the shower, the toilet and sink are also located outside and are alternately surrounded by bamboo stalks and a shower curtain.
Given that the property is solar powered and derives water from rainfall, there are significant restrictions on both electricity and water usage - the house rules limit showers and microwave use to 2-3 minutes, for instance.
The property is not private and is directly adjacent to the owners home.
There is no Internet or cell phone reception.
This property is aptly described as off the grid and refers not to just a secluded getaway, but one where you need to be comfortable with an experience lacking modern conveniences.
A few miscellaneous items to note: there are two large dogs and a cat that roam free and enter the property. The dogs are not trained. The road leading up to the property is unpaved and its use may be prohibited by the car rental agreement.
Finally, it's worth noting that our attempts to reach a resolution with the property manager did not go well and we were forced into protracted conversations with the Home Away complaints department to obtain any sort of relief. Buyer beware...
Kyle N.
January 2017
We spent a week at Garden House Hideaway and greatly enjoyed our stay. It is definitely off grid with solar power, filtered sterilized rainwater, an outside shower, and spotty cellphone coverage. However it is also enchanting with great ocean and sunrise views, a pleasant property with pastured sheep and a cow, onsite fruit including coffee, starfruit, tangerines, lemons, limes, grapefruit, papaya, coconut, pineapple, and maybe some that I have forgotten. There is a great little tea house that we enjoyed eating breakfast in while watching the sunrise. The owner is a very thoughtful woman who respects vacationers' privacy but is also immediately available for any concerns. She is also very pleasant. The property is close (abot 30 mins) to Hilo which is a small city. There are nearby hiking trails, falls, and botanical gardens. We felt the property was within reasonable driving distance to waimea (30 mins), Hawi (1h with awesome views), kona (1.5 h), volcano park (1-1.5h), and south point (2h). Many scenic points are nearby. Due to the location on the island it is evidently quite rainy in the winter. Would definitely go again!
Chi Z.
December 2016
This is the perfect place for some peace and quiet. The cottage is a beautiful work of wood and bamboo. This truly is a "hide away". Aside from Mary, the owner, we didn't encounter another soul. Yet, we were never alone--the place is bursting with life! We encountered lizards, frogs, birds, cows, chickens, and all kinds of awesome insects. There were much more we never saw, but which made their presence known at night with their urgent calls. There's also an utterly adorable cat that wanders around outside. It's far enough from the city that the stars all come out at night.
Mary greeted us on arrival, and was very helpful. The place has very limited cell/internet reception. That was actually great for shutting out the world, but is something to be aware of. It's about a 30 minute drive to Hilo, which is where the nearest food/groceries/drug/stores are.
Overall, this a great place to comfortably get away from the outside world. We would definitely go back, and recommend this!
Lindsay N.
December 2016
This is a very unique property! Mary has built a wonderful place up in the hills above the ocean, using solar energy and rainwater catchment to sustain a home and guest house with all the modern conveniences. If conservation is important to you, this place is a great find. The property is beautiful, with many flowering and fruit trees, spacious lawns and a field with sheep and a cow. A friendly cat and two big dogs share the place, as well. Mary was a very thoughtful hostess and provided whole bean coffee grown right on the property. The shower and toilet are outside but private and the water was plenty hot. The cottage is cozy and nice for a couple. Two-burner gas cooktop and a microwave available for cooking. She has plenty of beach stuff available for use, and nice items like rain ponchos, umbrella and jackets. I would have liked a more comfortable piece of furniture of reading at night; when the sun goes down there is not much else to do! The sharing library was a nice feature but mostly full of pulpy paperbacks - as a book-lover I was a bit disappointed in the choices, but then again I didn't expect a little library anyway!
There is a small general store/cafe a few miles down the road that had a bit of everything you might need, and serves meals until 6:30 p.m. I enjoy not having TV available; it was a bit hard to adjust to lack of cell phone service but I was able to get signal just a bit down the road. There is no Wi-Fi as far as I know. There is a lovely separate structure called the "Tea Room" for taking in the sunrise. She has kept a notebook for guests to write in recommendations of things to see and do which was really nice and fun to read through, to get ideas and real people perspective on what to see and do. We were very happy to be away from the noise of Hilo and loved falling asleep to cocqui frogs and rain on the roof. For people who don't like to be too close to the natural world, this may not be the first pick, but it was right up our alley and judging by the guest book, it's been idyllic for many many people before us!
Jana W.
December 2016
The property was over 3 acres of lush, green tropical plants. The variety of vegetation was huge. In addition to the coffee bean orchard, there were banana trees, papaya, mango, lemon, Norfolk Island Pines, Bamboo and too many kinds of floral displays to name. The cottage itself was a delight with open beams and woven ceilings. The Asian wood and bamboos created a rich interior. Having the shower and the rest of the facilities outside was so natural. The bed was comfy and the kitchen was well stocked. We thoroughly enjoyed visits from the resident dogs and cat.
Mary is a great host. We would definitely stay at Garden Hide Away again.
Robyn P.
October 2016
The Garden House is a beautifully designed, well maintained and appointed cottage conveniently located to Hilo and the surrounding activities. The setting is serene and the ocean view is spectacular from the separate Tea Room - the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon cocktail or to read a good book. Mary was a warm and welcoming host, and she made our arrival special with gifts of fresh eggs and coffee from her farm! We will return! Thank you Mary!
Michelle C.
August 2016
Mary has beautiful property and is a very nice host. She gave us a tour of her property and gave us our privacy for our stay. The home is well kept with a great outdoor shower!
This vacation home is "off grid" so do not expect to be surfing the Internet or making calls. Great place to stay if you want to escape the busy city life and enjoy driving!
sankar n.
July 2016
Mary has a wonderful little home that is in a 3 acre property that is absolutely gorgeous. Off the grid to the most part, the property is fully sustainable with solar power and diesel generator. The property has plenty of plants, crops and flowers including papaya, lime, coffee to name a few..tons of bamboo, orchids, hibiscus all around. The added plus to green pasture with a very healthy cow, a few sheep and the beautiful ferrell cat Trouble who is always fun to have around. This place will definitely feel like home away from home. You can see a million stars including the milky way with your naked eyes right in the front yard of this property...so get away from all the crowdy touristy spots in hawaii and stay a night or two at this property and take yourself off the grid and technology that surrounds us..
May 2016
My wife and I just finished a three day stay at the "Lovely Garden Cottage." The name fits the place exactly. The cottage is warm and inviting and the setting is truly beautiful. The grounds are landscaped with numerous species of tropical trees and other plantings, and the owner is gracious and welcoming. The owner provided us with ample information regarding shopping and things to do in the area and although she never interfered with our privacy she did check with us to see if everything was to our satisfaction. Several friendly sheep and a large black cow named "Bumble" are in a fenced area on the property as well. The whole scene is peaceful and idyllic.
The cottage itself is nicely furnished and the kitchen is appropriately equipped. It was extremely clean and as described by the owner. The cottage is solar powered with a propane stove for cooking. The bed is comfortable. There is no tv but in this setting it would almost seem inappropriate if there was one. There is a portable DVD player with a number of movies and a radio if electronic entertainment is necessary. A number of books and magazines are there for reading as are a large number of brochures and several guidebooks regarding things to do on the island and in the area generally. A separate enclosed structure is available for simply sitting, reading, and/or watching the ocean.
The cottage is located in an area on the east side of the island which makes access from north to south easy and convenient. A trip to Volcanoes National Park is about an hour drive, Hilo is about 20 minutes away and the far north and northwest corner of the island can be reached in less than two hours. And Saddle Road is reasonably close allowing access to the western side of the island as well. The size of Hawaii Island itself dictates that quite a bit of driving is necessary if you want to explore all parts of the island but the location of the cottage is perfect for allowing a maximum area to be explored in a minimum amount of time.
We would certainly recommend the Lovely Garden Cottage to friends and family and look forward to our next visit there as well.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.