Edward P.
March 2025
Good location in terms of driving to the National Park and Mauna Kea. Captain Cook is a short drive away, with great coffee shops. The view is spectacular!! The nights were restful, with birdsong to lull you to sleep and a cool breeze to keep things comfortable. Would stay here again and definitely tecommend it.
Gabor M.
January 2025
Fantastic place, we loved the quiet location. Loved to sit out on the porch overlooking the ocean.
onsiteconstrux
December 2024
Amazing, everything was perfect. Best vacation home ever.
We are frequent visitors to the Big Island, so we know a awesome view and a amazing home when we find it!
Definitely coming back.
Grazy R.
December 2024
The sunset was absolutely beautiful every single day! I want to mention that the management team was very prompt with our requests.
William C.
November 2024
Pros: Great communication - very prompt reply. Decent pricing. Plenty of gear available for snorkeling etc.
Neutral: As other reviewers mentioned, the mosquitos are a bit of a pain. As the host informed us, the driveway is ridiculously steep - parked on the street when not loading or unloading.
Cons: While pleasant and clean, after a while it was clear that the overall vibe was "good enough." There were a lot of things that could be improved, large and small.
Example: the seating in the living room is half of a sectional couch, plus an ottoman with a pillow against the wall. The first position of the couch was comfortable, the rest were not. So there is seating for four, but only comfortable seating for one. Good enough.
The other thing that lowered the rating was the second giant cockroach. The first one chose to expire dramatically in the bathroom sink. Hey, no big deal, guess the pest control is working. The second one was on the shelf in the bedroom with my underwear as I was packing to leave. I had to unpack my suitcase, shake everything out, then repack while keeping an eye out for hitchhikers.
It was a toss up between two and three stars. It came down to a simple question: Would I stay here again? The answer is no, hence only two stars.
Laura L.
August 2024
Property was as advertised. Peaceful beautiful view. However it was a VERY steep road and driveway. When wet the road became slick and at one point tires spinning we were crossing fingers that we would make it to the highway. But all good. Would stay again
Martin H.
August 2024
We really enjoyed our stay. Peaceful, calm, and everything we needed. Well equiped kitchen (incl. spices, salt, oil) and an amazing view to the sea!
Thanks a lot!
David C.
August 2024
My daughter and I stayed here in July 2024. The view from the Lanai is exceptional, the inside of the property is a bit worn and dated, but everything we tried to use worked as it should. We spent most of the time we were at the house on the Lanai enjoying the beautiful view.
Brian G.
July 2024
Great property, clean and comfortable. Would be great for up to 4 people and fine for kids. The lanai is bigger than the picture makes it out to be and the view is really spectacular. Would totally stay there again. Definitely go down to the beach at the bottom of the road (it's a drive not a walk). Awesome snorkeling and just listening to the waves roll across the pebbles is a memory I hope I don't lose.
The road and driveway here is much steeper than I expected. We had a AWD Nissan Murano and tried the driveway and bottomed out - we parked on the street the rest of our stay and it was fine. If you are not good with stairs this could be a problem for you. Getting to the property you could probably be fine without AWD but if you want to go to the beach you probably need AWD because it's so steep.
My only feedback for the owners - the couch is really uncomfortable.
Unrelated to the property general advice:
You must be prepared for how far out of town this is. We stayed for 3 nights and brought groceries to have dinner and breakfast at the house every day. If you are looking for a base on the Kona side and then go out to dinner every night this area is not good for you.
Margaret E.
May 2024
This property was spacious and comfortable. View from the lanai was spectacular. quiet neighborhood. Do take the warnings about the steep driveway. As two people in our 70’s, we had to exert a great deal of energy to get our luggage down the driveway and up the outdoor stair! Once we loaded in everything was perfect!
Katie B.
April 2024
We loved our stay in the house for the weekend. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful and the views are incredible from the lanai. We love the beach and taking in the sunsets.
The driveway is very steep and you should just park on the side of the road in front of the house. Great stay!
Connie L.
April 2024
Convenient location for our friends to stay.
Elaine B.
March 2024
Close to swimming, other sites such as Hapuna Beach, quite windy during our stay.
Jennifer P.
December 2023
Thanks for an incredible stay. Sunset views incredible. Some convenient products left by previous occupants like bug repellant. We added chili powder to the kitchen! Bring body soap if you need it as they do have hand soap and shampoo but we bought our own bar.
Loved the little cooler and snorkeling gear and beach chairs. So helpful!! The auto motion detector in the master bathroom is a bit fussy so I would turn it to “on” when using it.
Cheryl K.
December 2023
We enjoyed our stay and it was as advertised!
Steven G.
March 2023
Electrical system failed. Ate in the dark. Unit was old and rusted in spots. View was wonderful. Beach and snorkel gear was great
Catherine W.
December 2022
Nice place with great view. Comfortable for a week stay with my family.
Main bedroom had super soft queen size bed.
Location is about 20 min away from Two-Step (a great snorkeling place).
Norma B.
November 2022
Great place.
Norma B.
October 2022
Everything excellent but suggest you recommend 4 wheel drive as the road is pretty steep and we had a rear 2 wheel drive pickup that really struggled when it was wet.
Ken B.
February 2022
Overall a very good rental. The kitchen and bathrooms are showing their age, but the unit was clean, functional, and comfortable. We spent most of our time on the lanai. The ocean view us spectacular.
Christiane R.
February 2022
Thank you so much! We enjoyed every day. This place is a perfect location and the views were spectacular. The house had everything we needed. Only the bodyboards needed renewal.
Thomas L.
January 2022
Stay was great hate to leave. Was not as clean when got there as it should have been. Previous reviews are correct about property needing updated and it needs new small appliances like coffee maker so on. Warm all to take the warning about driveway it is steep. Over all great seating on Lanai having Kona coffee in morning or watching sun set and Dolphins play thought seen a whale but not sure bring your binoculars forgot mine and none to be found in town
Cathy W.
October 2021
Upper Kona Paradise neighborhood. Laundry facilities and carport were handy for cleaning and drying our snorkeling gear. Great view from the deck. Full kitchen and 2 full bathrooms. If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle you must park at the street. Driveway is steep. There are steps on one side. Not suitable for someone with mobility issues.
Michael M.
October 2021
I could list many thing I did not like about this house but I only need to mention one. Roaches. There were roaches in the cabinets. When I looked under the sink there was roach spray front and center. The owners know it has roaches otherwise why would there be spray. We were supposed to stay for two nights and we packed up and left.
Sue and Scott R.
March 2020
This is a simple house that could use some love. The mattresses are very soft and the appliances are old but in good working order. The kitchen could use some baking sheets or pans and the living area windows need updated shades. Some minor problems with ants in the kitchen area. That being said, the view from the lanai is breathtaking; there is a wide variety of birds and the sunsets are gorgeous. The neighborhood is generally very quiet. First Hawaiian Realty is very helpful and easy to work with.
Larry C.
February 2020
Photos online were much older than the real product. The house was very dated needed extensive cleaning, painting and decor. For example, rented for four people had one couch.
Tom C.
March 2017
My partner, our little girl, and I stayed here for a week and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The house was clean and comfortable, the kitchen functional and reasonably stocked with spices and condiments (and coffee!), the view from the porch SPECTACULAR. We really appreciated the quiet neighborhood filled with tropical flowers, the responsiveness of the owner, and the good quality BBQ grill (and spare gas bottle) that allowed us to enjoy the porch every night as we cooked dinner. It's been noted previously that the house is somewhat remote, and that's true - about 30 minutes to the nearest grocery store - but that wasn't a problem for us, we wanted to get away from the bustle of Kona. All-in-all, we had a great time and would happily stay here again. The only minor fix I can suggest would be to re-install the sliding screen door to the porch and to the second window in the main bedroom...we needed to keep all the windows open for ventilation and there are a few mosquitoes around.
Thanks for a great vacation, Laure!
Brian O.
February 2017
If you are looking for a house that will give you a great view of the ocean, this house will work for you. Very steep driveway, so park at the top of the driveway. The drive to the beach is 5 minutes. The beach is black round stones. A very beautiful place to watch the sunset.
Amy W.
January 2017
Great location, awesome view when not hazy, mostly quiet neighborhood. Love the area, 25 minutes to all you need and great beaches. Mega exercise walking up and down hill to neat Pebble beach! House itself needs maintenance and better upkeep. Poor communication and no written documentation on how to depart. Email unanswered. No drinking water make sure to bring your own. Kitchen utensils poor. Had to buy skillet as these so worn no amount of oil could keep egg from sticking. Knives cannot cut a yam. Luckily had my own. Grill on deck was awesome even came with rat to clean up after meals. In owners defense they did respond to that and rat is no more! Bed was comfortable and plenty of fans so house does not overheat. All and we were comfortable and had fun trip!
james e.
January 2017
This was an ideal spot for our family of 4 to spend a few days. The location is close enough to Kona or Capt. Cook to be convenient but feels very local and removed from the tourist traffic. The view is as pictured - indescribable, you just have to experience it. The neighborhood has a small beach access at the end of the road or you're not far from any number of other places to swim or snorkel.
Overall it was an amazing experience.
paul p.
January 2017
The house was perfect for what I was looking for...Great location, set high up the hill with amazing views..The balcony was great, equipped with a nice barbecue.
Escape to your own private beach and swim with the turtles.
I would recommend this house to anyone looking for a true get away in your own private retreat.
Jon L.
August 2016
House was clean and well stocked, view was to die for,only problem was acess a little difficult due having to having to walk down steep driveway.
Alissa P.
August 2016
We very much enjoyed our stay in this vacation home on the west side of the Big Island! It was nothing fancy, just quaint with a beautiful view of the ocean! It was exactly what we needed after a death in our family forced us to reschedule this vacation. (The owner was very gracious in accommodating our revised plans and did not charge us for the changes.) The property was clean and seemed well-maintained. We especially liked the two separate bedrooms so us parents had a separate room from the kids. And the kids each had their own bed. We were surprised by the catchment water system that they have but were supplied with bottled water for our drinking needs by the owner. Thank you. The hillside community is peaceful and safe. As others mentioned, this house has a steep driveway, so we parked at the end of it and walked down the steps alongside the driveway and then up the steps alongside the house to the front door. The home is far from grocery stores and restaurants but we had planned for that. We absolutely loved the Fruit Stand for most of our grocery needs. The home made a great base for our exploring the island from Kona to the Southern Point to Volcanoes National Park. One note, the pictures made it seem that the kayak for use was a 3 person one, but it is not. It only holds 1 person safely. We did use it a few times. The pebble beach that is at the bottom of the hill in this community is quite nice and a great place to swim, snorkel and kayak. We also made use of the beach chairs and mats and snorkeling gear! One day when we stayed more local, we were thrilled to see a gray seal swim up to a small snorkeling beach in Captain Cook! We would recommend this home to anyone wanting to explore the island, enjoy some peace and quiet and doesn't mind driving for food and supplies.
Norm K.
February 2016
Very nice and clean, comfortable and quiet with a splendid ocean view. Neighbor provided local places to see. Went to Captain Hook's monument as the sun was coming up. Owner provided perfect instructions to access the house, [if I followed them] and the house has 2 separate signs with the street address. ! Will stay again. And will refer friends who may travel to the area.
Jill B.
March 2015
This was our fifth trip to the Big Island. We had previously stayed in resorts, hotels, and private properties in populated areas so we were looking for something a little different. This home is located in a smaller hillside community. The house sits in a tropical setting among tropical flora. We found it to be clean and have everything we needed for a comfortable stay. I was however disappointed as to how far the house was from Captain Cook. It may have a Captain Cook address but it is located about 10 minutes south of Hookena Beach Park. The beach that is within the community within a 10 minute walking distance it is a very nice, black pebble, private beach. I personally don't think I could of walked back up the hill in under an hour. The road within the community is very steep and zig-zags back and forth. we opted to drive down where we found was parking for two vehicles. It would be beneficial to have a 4x4 vehicle to navigate this community. Views from the lanai are beautiful. There was no lounge her to enjoy the view but there was a patio table and chairs. There are homes on either side of you here. The one was vacant the other was occupied but very quiet. Overall it is a nice home with a beautiful view in what we found to be a quiet community.
Gertrude R.
February 2015
This property was the perfect fit for us. We were looking for a comfortable and quiet location with a great view. We were able to relax and feel completely at home while also using it as a base to explore the island. The property managers were very helpful and the home well stocked. We enjoyed the snorkeling gear most of all!
September 2014
This upscale house has everything you need2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 5) with TV DVD player. This house has all the conform to make you feel right at home. The kitchen is nice if you choose to cook your own food and washer/dryer to take care of your clothes. This is the perfect place to spend your vacation.
Additional amenities include: view -, beach at a walking distant, washer/dryer..
Tammy D.
July 2013
House was clean, view stunning, the kitchen had everything needed for cooking, lanai amazing, ample space, tons of towels, washer/ dryer worked great, everything one could ask for.
Location serene, peaceful, quiet, safe, picturesque.
Beach below beautiful.
Completely chill. Possibly some of the quietest nights and most restful sleep I've had in years.
Hostess most helpful and gracious in answering my numerous questions.
Fabulous stay! So glad I stayed here!!!!
Tiffany W.
June 2013
The view and the lanai was all that this house had going for it...other than the location too! We fell in love with Kona Paradise! The snorkeling at the beach at the bottom of Kona Paradise was amazing! The beach may be a rocky, but at least you don't have to deal with the sand! We also enjoyed our mornings & evenings out on the lanai, in the morning taking in the beautiful ocean view and surrounding beauty. In the evening watching all the geckos play on the lanai! The house wasn't bad, but the carpets were dirty, the floors felt sticky and there was no soap for the showers. Would definetly like to stay in this area again!
February 2013
We have no complaints. As the owner and others have noted, the house is remote - 45 minutes from Kailua, 20 minutes from most services. But it's only 8 miles from Hookena Beach. A little further north you'll find Two Step/Honaunau. Don't miss the Arch City coast hike there. Stop at the coffee/breakfast/lunch place at the nexus of Hwy 11 and 160 -- forgot the name, but the food is good, at the best price you're likely to find and the staff is excellent.
The ocean view from the house is remarkable. It's quiet (mostly), comfortable and if you're the sort who complains about the heat in Hawaii, at 750 feet up it's very pleasant. For what you get, the price is very fair. The kitchen works well, and is perfectly adequately stocked. There's a good bottled water supply provided -- don't forget there's a water catchment system, so mind your shower time.
Note that there's some construction next door; nothing too intrusive. Looked like they were finishing exterior work in February (2013).
If you're looking for sun at the house, maybe look elsewhere -- the deck is big and nice, but perfectly situated for shade. Do not stay here if you have trouble climbing; the driveway, like the neighborhood in general, is mostly vertical.
Could it be more comfortable; improvements made? Yes, at a cost, so adapt and enjoy. Aloha!
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.