Mercy O.
August 2025
The Cottage was a wonderful respite for our trip. As others have said, there were some gnats that were present in the bathrooms and on the outside of the house (that swarmed at night), but we found that if we left the light on inside, the gnats swarmed to the window and left us alone on the deck. And, it is after all a tropical environment, so while we saw the occasional cockroach outside, there were none inside!When we arrived, our code didn't work, but the person on the other side of the emergency line helped us out since there was a photo shoot before we arrived.We loved the bathroom, and the kitchen was well equipped. We could have used some ziploc baggies to store food or other things that we couldn't finish eating, but we found most of what we needed. The A/C units (2) were perfect for the size of the house, and it was great to have a washer and dryer there. Bring your own dryer sheets if you want; while there were laundry pods (thank you!!) there were no dryer sheets. The views were one-in-a-million. The waves crashing on the lava rocks below were loud, but lovely. The yellow tangs greeted us each day out off the deck as they were hanging out in the reef beyond the deck. There were lots of surfers each morning, so if you like to sleep with the window curtains open, beware. I only wish that this had another bedroom with bunk beds or twin beds so that our kids could enjoy this house! We will definitely come back to this in the future - we had a great time!
Amy W.
July 2025
Stunning oceanfront rental right on the rocks with waves crashing 24/7. Spotless property with comfortable bed, huge shower, plenty of towels, and full-size toiletries plus starter soap supplies. Excellent A/C, reliable WiFi, two parking spots, and fully stocked kitchen. Quiet area, walking distance to beach for swimming/snorkeling/surfing with gear rental nearby. Close drive to restaurants.Cons: No indoor dining option, limited food storage, outdoor cushions get wet, string lights don’t work, bed creaks when moving, no living room TV, bedroom lacks curtains for privacy into lihing room if have a group of 4.Bottom Line: Despite minor issues, this oceanfront location delivers an incredible experience. The sound of crashing waves and peaceful setting make it perfect for a relaxing retreat. Highly recommended for ocean lovers seeking comfort and tranquility.
Mike M.
October 2024
As we walk into this cute little house it was just amazing from the front gate to the door you’re welcome by flowers and plants then you open the door and there it is a view of the Pacific Ocean the sound of the waves braking will put you right to sleep the in side is just as cool as the location I have traveled all over the world and even have a home in the Bahamas on the water but this place is very special if you come to Kona and do not stay here you will miss out on the best part of your trip
Zee R.
June 2024
Great location. View was amazing. But this place has a very bad roach problem. And they are huge and everywhere. This place cost a lot of money to deal with all the roaches that were there.
Lauren F.
January 2024
Adorable little cabin/cottage on the water! There was a large swell so we couldn't take advantage of the nearby by beach, but we got to appreciate the ocean from the lanai and loved it.
Julius
August 2022
Perfect getaway for two people.
Mark S.
November 2021
The checkin process was exchanging COVID vaccination information and getting the key code. Once I we unpacked and got groceries we felt like we were at home. The place was clean, safe and private. The TV broke and was replaced in less than 24 hours ! Great trip ! First in 1.5 years and would do it again in a heartbeat. The waves lulled us to sleep every night.
Leah A.
October 2021
The view from The Cottage is spectacular. Ocean right out the back door.
The cleanliness, or lack thereof, is another story. Floors were extremely dirty and lots of cockroaches, alive and dead, inside the home. Great location, homes needs a thorough cleaning.
Amy L.
June 2021
We loved staying at this cottage. The lanai hangs right over the ocean - listening the the crashing waves and seeing the beautiful sunsets every night. Our favorite part was watching the surfers out in the bay and walking right the best snorkel beach on the island.
Scott S.
June 2021
This property was great but not without it's issues that can be overlooked by the absolutely FANTASTIC views, sounds and vibes. When we arrived, the house was HOT, opened all the windows and doors and within 10 minutes the house was at a reasonable temp. Great location. 10/10 would stay again.
Tina C.
November 2019
This was our first time to Hawaii and we were very happy with the location of this property. Beautiful Island. We will be back.
Catherine D.
September 2019
Lovely home and perfect location for a relaxing vacation!
Don H.
September 2019
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Maybe you have to value intimacy and simplicity as much as we, love the sound of ocean waves 24/7, can live simply with fans rather than A/C, ignore even the amenities like TV, etc., that were provided, and be content to watch the waves, the clouds, and the surfers as much as we to fully appreciate this cottage. I can only say that we certainly did! Congratulations to the designer who built the house, the tasteful decor provided by the owner, appreciation to the property manager who maintains the property and appliances, and all the people of Hawaii whose 'aloha' spirit was personified in each person we met. Mahalo!! P.S. I forgot to mention the efficiency of the pest control company, but most of the tropical pests you expect were already dead when we met!
Don H.
September 2019
I will attach my comments submitted to the other agency, but let me add that your short survey asked all the right questions, and we gave you full ratings.
1. You fully delivered on what you advertised.
2. Your management company was suberb.
kelli l.
September 2019
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This place was lovely and very convent for getting around. I went walking over to the bay park every morning to go for a snorkel ( only 4 houses down) and it was truly lovely. It was charmingly decorated,with a huge cal king bed that was super comfortable and a well supplied kitchen. The freezer ice maker worked great, I loved that there was a vita-mixer and coffee grinder so I could enjoy the fruits of the island. Loved the two person shower as well. The views are beautiful and I really enjoyed watching the surfers and yellow tang right from the deck or the lanai. I do have to mention that it is loud with the waves pounding on the rocks and hot and humid as the black lava rocks are heated by the sun all day and radiate back heat and moisture all night long. I hate a.c. but with the loud surf, heat and humidity it would be a great option to be able to close the doors and have air flow at night. It was an extra nice feature to find that the house had snorkel gear, two foam surfboards, beach chairs, towels, bags and a cooler for your use.
Marc A.
August 2019
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The location is perfect for a couple's getaway, you can't be closer to the ocean and the cottage was perfect for two of us. While the couch is also a pull out bed, it may be a bit cramped for 4 persons, unless it is just two kids (but then you don't really have much place to be inside the cottage if the couch is pulled out). Overwhelmingly positive experience with only the couple of negatives that were cited in many of the prior reviews (e.g. no surprises). On the positives, amazing location and views (and the waves crashing on the rocks), quaint cottage, lots of outdoor space for eating and relaxing (nice gas grill and patio furniture), nicely decorated in hawaiian style, newish appliances and everything worked as intended and plenty of kitchenware, etc., lots of gear so you don't have to rent (beach towels, chairs, snorkel gear, rock shoes, boogie boards, a couple of costco longboards, cooler bag, etc.), bed was very comfortable, wifi worked great if you have to be on it (we didn't turn on tv or use netflix, etc., not our thing in Hawaii). While a bit tricky, I paddled out to surf break right in front of house every day from rock pile in front of cottage, mainly a long boarding spot so costco soft tops were fine. Sandy beach/snorkel/surf area (bay) is a 5 min walk south, Magics is a 20 min walk north. Only couple of negatives (minor in my view) are no AC (it got surprisingly hot, even with all the fans going, and I am pretty tolerant of heat) and some island roaches (management is on top of it, you are in the tropics so it is what it is). Amazing place and I would definitely recommend to couples! Hopefully will be back again soon for a longer stay!
Jim P.
April 2016
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great, as always. My wife and I have been staying here for at least 12 years. However, this year we missed the old "Funky" doors. The renovations to the kitchen and bathroom were a pleasant surprise.
November 2015
Rating Details:
The vacation rental was clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
most execlent
Leigha M.
July 2015
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The location was great. We were able to walk down to the bay each morning and snorkel. Believe we saw more fish/eel/sea turtles there than anywhere on Kauai or Hilo. The waves at night can sometimes wake you up during your slumber but easy to go right back to bed. They had surfboard, noodles and beach towels helped out. I would def stay in that area again.
June 2015
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Thank you for asking us to review our stay. We had a wonderful time at 'The Cottage'. We found everything we needed at the house, from extra towels to lots of utensils for cooking. Everything was clean and ready for someone to stay. We loved it.
Tony s.
May 2015
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
excellent experience. the exterior doors need upgrading
Dayton R.
April 2015
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We had reserved The Cottage for three weeks, but left after the first night. The unit has no screens on the doors, and they must be left open to provide cross-flow ventilation, since there is no A/C. We had a number of bugs, including cockroaches in the unit, especially at night with the lights on. The unit does sit right on the water, and although the road is very close to the unit, the sound of the sea crashing on the rocks blocks any road noise. The unit does have a number of nice upgrades, but the lack of screens makes it inhabitable, at least for us.
January 2015
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Everything was fantastic! just a few notes. I have worked for hotels in Kona in the past and for other organizations doing living space analyzes. The hinges on the accordion French doors should be replaced with stainless steel and oiled regularly. Also your hot water heater may need an element changed. Only half the tub would fill with warm water befor it was as cold as water gets in Hawaii :) All in all we loved it and have already recommended the place. Your staff is fantastic! Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Mark K.
December 2014
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This place is amazing! Accordion doors that open up to the ocean in both the family room (to the deck) and the bedroom. We left the accordion doors open every night to feel the cool ocean breeze and hear that beautiful sound put us to sleep and wake us up every morning! The outside deck area has a hammock, lawn chairs, and a fire pit, all strategically placed to see the most amazing sunset. We made it a point to be there every evening to watch the sun slowly fade into the horizon. The kitchen is perfectly sized for two and has all the necessary pieces to cook great meals while there. And the place, while in plain view to the surfers from the ocean, is very private and fenced off from Ali'i drive. Wonderful place. Loved every moment of staying there. Perfect for a couple looking to get away! Finally, the management company was very helpful in answering questions before booking, providing the needed info to get into the place, and even in following up after we arrived to make sure everything was okay. Amazing experience for us for the 7 days we spent in Kona!
September 2014
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was clean.
I was happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Very nice in many ways. However the surf crashes on the rocks under the lanai quite loudly. With no AC doors to lanai from both rooms must be open at all time to keep temperature manageable. Tile floors were dirty. Rental agent provides only minimal initial supplies including toilet paper & garbage bags. Not reasonable given price per night is it? Kitchen cabinet door hinges were failing- had to find screwdriver to reattach one door!
August 2014
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very dirty.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We got into the house at about 1 a.m. (we took a cab — highly recommend reting a car for the trip as this house is a bit far from everything and cabs are very expensive and not in abundance). Getting in late was probably part of the problem — but there were dead cockroaches EVERYWHERE. Just a little bit creepier to walk into at night. It looked like no one had been in the place for months. We cleaned for about an hour and went to bed. Waking up the next morning and seeing the view made it all worth while. What a difference a day makes! This little house is such a gem. It's on the waterfront, waves crashing all day and night, surfer outfront of the patio, a bbq, a sweet retro painting on the wall in the living room :) Basically heaven. The house itself is a cottage on the water, so some wear and tear from the salty waves and age. It could use some love and maintenance. Maybe a paint job and a few things here and there. That being said, there was such a beautiful charm about it. It was so relaxing and full of character. We will definitely come back next year. We will just know to arrive in the daytime :)
August 2013
Rating Details:
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
I was more than happy with the location.
The vacation rental was clean.
The property manager was adequately helpful.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The property location was wonderfully, located, near great snorkling beaches and close to Kona. Feedback, the coffee filters were hidden away in the cookie jar not easily found and a wine bottle opening would have been helpful. A couple of bulbs were out but we were able to fix. The views, and the sound of the pounding surf was exceptional.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This property is in the best location with waves lapping onto rocks below the lanai and beautiful sunsets ! We had an amazing 7 nights here and really enjoyed ourselves - the property could do with a bit of updating and maintenance but we didn't tend to notice due to the amazing location and view. We would highly suggest this property for couples that want a more private honeymoon :)
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Aloha from the West Coast of British Columbia! The Cottage was the perfect little getaway if you like being right on the ocean. You have to like hearing the crashing of the waves for sure - and we do! From the lanai watching the surfers trying to conquer the might seas is a great theraputic way to get rid of the city hum-drums! The only "issue" we encountered was the broken coffee pot! Always a city dweller, the first morning was a little rough until Walmart opened and we purchased a new coffee pot. Java is on us! We are hoping to make the Cottage our yearly retreat. Mahalo !!!
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
It's a wonderful house--right on the crashing waves. Stirring and lulling at the same time. The house is solidly built, with gorgeous wooden/glass doors. It's small, with only one bed, which was okay for us on this particular trip. Sometimes we bring friends/family, though and sadly, will have to go elsewhere. The furniture is of good quality, but there's no couch (only two chairs)--probably just for lack of space. The only real negative for us, though, is that there's no table inside--so all meals have to be eaten on the lanai. For the days we were there, the weather cooperated, but I'd worry about that a bit.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The only problem with the cottage was the noise. If you are not a sound sleeper keep in mind the waves crash under the porch and are LOUD. You can not shut the doors because there is no A/C, so either noise or heat. Did not bother me, my husband ended up sleeping in the closet. Seriously. Other then that it was beautiful and very convienent.
August 2013
Rating Details:
I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
I was very happy with the location.
The vacation rental was somewhat dirty.
The property manager was very helpful.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was adequately helpful.
The vacation rental was somewhat dirty.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I do not recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
We spent a week at 'The Cottage' (Mahina Meli Makai). We visit the Big Island frequently (this was probably our 20th trip over 10 years) and are familiar with rental options in Kona. We had mixed feelings about our stay at the Cottage. On the plus side, the location is ideal - 3 houses up from Kahaluu Beach with a great views of the bay and surfers from the lanai. The cottage was also surprisingly quiet in the evenings despite the proximity to Alii Drive (thanks to the constant sound of the surf). On the negative side, the house is not well maintained. The lanai awning has been replaced with several tarps which are functional but unsightly. Roaches are a problem - more so than we're accustomed to from our many other visits to Kona (or from living in a tropical setting before). The problem here is the house has large gaps at the bottom of the doors on the lanai and the side patio. So roaches are free to enter the house. There's no safe way to preclude this with pesticides and the roaches will come looking even if you're fastidious about cleaning and taking out the trash as we are. With regards to service from Prince Properties, the reservation and checkin/checkout processes were smooth. With regards to support during our stay - we called immediately after we arrived with two requests. The gas grill on the patio had run out of propane. They sent somebody around the next day to replace it. Also, the spa on the patio wasn't working (no power to heat or jets). I checked the breaker box and noted the breaker had blown. I reset it - it ran for 5 minutes then tripped again so I shut it off and notified Prince. When I called they admitted that the spa heater hadn't worked for about a year and the owner didn't want to fix it but the jets should work. I explained the tripped breaker and that there was no power at all going to the spa. They said they would have to look into it and get back to me but never did. Overall, we enjoyed our stay given the loc
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Overall this is an excellent vacation property and location. Given the location right on the ocean's edge, the place has a kind of funky old beach house feel to it. Perhaps someone could apply some WD-40 to the glass doors, but obviously maintenance is a challenge given the location. It's worth it. One problem: I'm a professional blogger and needed the high-speed internet connection they claimed was available. Not too much, but a few minutes every day to stay on top of my work. No high-speed connection to be found. I worked around it, but it shouldn't be listed as an amenity if it isn't really available.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
This was our 2nd stay at The Cottage, and once again, we absolutely loved it. The location is wonderful and we can't wait to plan our next stay here.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Prince Properties' security deposit turns out to be insurance for damage up to $500 non refundable. Normally I would have caught this [you are allowed to opt out] but I was undergoing chemo at the time I made the reservation. this is at least non-standard and at most a clever ripoff. good bye Prince Properties.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
wonderful location. lanai hanging over the rocks made it hard to leave to explore Kona and the Big Island. Will definitely consider The Cottage on our next visit to Kona.
August 2013
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Right on the water - great breeze even during the heat of the day, with a fully covered lanai. Front room opens up completely to the lanai and ocean. If you want direct sun, another side area off the bedroom is completely open to the sky (except for palms above) and ocean . Gas grill is great. New tile throughout is great. Kitchen has all the utensils you need. Only bad - place smells very moldy when the doors are closed.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.