mudra p.
December 2023
The property was very spacious for our group. The house could use some updates as the kitchen and bathrooms are a bit dated.
Richard J B.
November 2023
An oceanfront house in Hawaii? Fantastic! Mika Kai is a beautiful looking home, with a tropical front yard, and a lush, adjacent, empty lot. But, it’s the enormous ocean-facing deck and lanai with wonderful lava bluffs that really stole the show! Inside, there are plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms with many windows and patio doors to keep things cool. There were, unfortunately, some downsides for us. Finishes showed age, the layout was warrenlike, and different flooring suggested uncoordinated past remodels. Some windows and sliders were difficult to operate, and the AC units were too noisy to keep on. The garage couldn’t be used for secured parking, and the entry gate didn’t lock because the opener was broken, lowering our sense of security. Outside, cameras surrounded the house which limited our sense of privacy. The host never checked in to ask if we needed anything, unusual in our experience. The pool and hot tub had too much floating debris to feel confident about using these. Folks in the camper trailer two lots down were loud, and came over to hang out and fish in front of our deck, limiting our views and privacy. We saw a few roaches inside, the tree frogs were maddeningly loud at night (both island issues), and the beach-outing items provided were in too bad a shape to use. Having paid about the same for like rentals elsewhere on the Big Island we wondered if we paid too much for Mika Kai. Overall, the house is relaxing, with beautiful sunrises, and awesome vistas.
Mark D.
October 2023
We had an awesome time at the property. Views were breathtaking. Very comfortable rooms and the pool definitely hit the spot after a long day of exploring. We loved Hilo town vibes and were still within driving distance to enjoy the Kona side as well. Overall a wonderful week and will definitely be back.
Michele S.
August 2023
Beautiful and peaceful home with beautiful sunrises. Large and expansive deck to relax on. We had no issues with pool tiles cutting us as previous reviews have stated. Little problems kept coming up though: new router from cable company had to be installed, electrician turned off power to house, landscaper working during afternoon in (all windows are open around the house due to no air conditioning so there was no escaping the mower, blower and raking of rocks) and the DVD player not working. Communication with the owner was perfect, and quickly connected with them. Just kept having issues that kept it from being a relaxing stay. At the time of this writing -The house next door has some construction going on, but the company was being as quiet and respectful as they could be. Only issue that could have been avoided - To have a head's up when the landscaper and electrician is scheduled to come then you can schedule your time to explore the area while they can do their work around the property (3-4 hours)
Katherine D.
July 2023
We really enjoyed the house and the Big Island. We used a car to see many parts of the island. And we’re very happy to come home to a quiet house with a beautiful view. House could use a few updates but overall was the perfect size for 7 people, with all the amenities we could want.
april s.
June 2023
Thank you for having us at your home. We had a wonderful time.
Pilar S.
May 2023
We loved our stay at this VRBO, we are a family of 7 that fit comfortably in this home. The house was clean and organized. We enjoyed great views of the ocean. I recommend you stay here.
Hans P.
May 2023
We recently stayed at this beautiful house had a wonderful experience. The location of the house is amazing - on the lava cliffs right on the ocean with stunning views of the sea, dolphins and sea turtles. The pool was also a great addition and provided a perfect spot for relaxation and soaking up the sun.
The rooms were comfortable and spacious, and the house was equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. While the bathrooms were a bit outdated, they were clean and functional.
One thing to keep in mind is that the house is about a 30-minute drive from beautiful beaches in Hilo or the Kehena black sands beach, as well as shopping and restaurants.
Overall, we highly recommend this house for anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic vacation on Big Island Hawaii. The service was also very responsive and helpful, which made for an even better experience. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Jill B.
February 2023
We stayed at Mika Kai for 7 very rainy days (our vacation just happened to align with a weather pattern known as a “Kona low”) and the only reason the vacation wasn’t ruined was because of this house. It was amazing! I was traveling with my family of 4, my parents and my sister and her husband. The house afforded us a wonderful gathering area as well as our own spaces to retreat to. We spent most of our time under the covered lanai watching the rain, playing in the pool and warming up in the hot tub. The oceanfront setting could not be more idyllic and we saw a whale or two pass by more days than not. The house and kitchen were very well stocked with anything that we may have needed. We would definitely return!
Ruth E.
January 2023
Wonderful home , well stocked Room for everyone
Watched whales enjoyed the pool and hot tub
Walks in neighborhood and along the shoreline . Beautiful park at end of Beach Road a must see
Cindy W.
December 2022
I was looking for a great place for a family vacation and Mika Kai was the perfect place.
Great having an A/C in each bedroom and the deck was wonderful to spread out, only downfall was no whales were spotted but spinner dolphins and turtles were seen.
Would come back in a heartbeat
Christie R.
October 2022
We had such a great week here! Being on the coast where we were able to watch the waves roll in and crash against the lava was a stunning experience every morning!
It’s a quiet location but a short drive to many fun sites to visit. The house is well stocked and comfortable with the pool being a fun diversion for everyone with beach and pool amenities (beach chairs, towels, boards, kids toys etc) available as well…such a nice perk!
We had a great time and I’d highly recommend it!
Russ F.
August 2022
What a wonderful stay we had at MIKA KAI! Have our adult children and grandkids with us. Beautiful house and location. The kids, both adult and grands, enjoyed exploring the rocks overlooking the water just outside the fenced-in yard. The fence created a safety bearer for the younger kids. Quiet and secluded location. New deck was in place and the house gave plenty of room for everyone. Having a bath off each room was really nice. We traveled around the island and played in the pool at least three times a day. A pool with an ocean view. I can’t give the place 6 stars so 5 stars it is.
There were two small issues to note. The sites list portable air conditioners. There were dehumidifiers, not air conditioners. With plenty of ceiling fans, we left the windows open during our July stay. Didn’t have any issues with temperatures, but it should be noted that there are not air conditioners incase someone really needs them. Second, the pool tile really needs work. Lots of broken tiles and some sharp edges. I got a small superficial scratch on my thumb. Again, we were in the pool all the time and only had this one small scratch out of all of us. Don’t let these small issues stop anyone from renting. It’s a beautiful spot and we had a wonderful stay.
Kevin M.
June 2022
This experience in Hawaii was unfortunately. The house exceeded our expectations
March 2022
The house is exactly what we wanted. Every bedroom has its own bathroom. We spent every evening in the hit tub listening to the ocean. The view is incredible. House does need some updates. The tile in the pool did cut my sons foot. Black lines in the floor of the shower in the master sweet. The property manager was quick to respond to needs we had and they were very friendly. We left a kindle accidentally and were quick to respond and send to us. The house is also stocked with every need we had.
Tony M.
March 2022
Our family of seven spent a week at Mika-Kai celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and the first family vacation in several years together. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. The house was perfect for our group. We hung out at the pool, hot tub, on the deck, grilled, had an amazing show from a momma and baby whales one afternoon, sea turtles, sunrises, beautiful blue waters. We visited a waterfall in Hilo, the caves, the volcano, both regular and black sand beaches, snorkeled, experienced some great food & coffee at local restaurants and even found time to relax at the house. Jessica, the property manager, responded quickly to texts sent just a couple of times. Overall, we had the best time and loved every minute of our vacation in Hawaii. Thank you Ingrid for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Casey D.
February 2022
The property has a lovely deck area that gave us many views of whales breaching and swimming along the coast. Bathrooms in every bedroom made room selection non contentious.
A few things to be aware of however. It is pretty far to nearly every attraction on the island, and about 20 minutes to Foodland (the closest grocery store). This wouldn't be bad, but they suggested a much farther location as the closest place for supplies and we didn't realize until well in to our trip.
Second thing to be aware of is much amenities are dated. Kitchen knives and scissors dull, shower knobs in at least one bathroom odd to turn due to hard water build up, several jets in the hot tub in disrepair, given incorrect codes for entry, and we have to know several different codes (gate, door, alarm) and none of the codes are keyed to be the same. Nothing terrible, and honestly not enough that I'd really comment on except for the fact that there was a huge rule binder as well that was focused on keeping costs down and making the items the all ready need replaced last as long as possible. Made it not feel quite as homey and welcoming and also like the nickles and dimes are more important than a spectacular guest experience.
That said I would still definitely recommend! These annoyances were minor compared to the whales we saw and the awesome volcanic beach front. I'm sure there are many people this little quibbles wouldn't bother, but you should be aware when you are booking in case you are particular about these things.
katherine F.
February 2022
We had a wonderful time. The views were fantastic, watching the waves crash against the rocks was mesmerizing. We would definitely come back. Some parts of the house were a bit old but overall fine.
Laura H.
December 2021
Incredible view, clean and spacious. Perfect for a family or a group of friends.
Susan M.
November 2021
The property is great.
Steve D.
September 2021
Great location and overall beautiful property. There are undisclosed security cameras that are on the back porch and pool area. The supplies in the kitchen are substandard (cutlery, cooking supplies, pans, etc - everything needed a wash and were broken/missing). The pool has seen better days, missing tiles, broken steps, and dirty, but those are very nit picky for this home.
The two bedrooms on the main level were great and the upstairs rooms provided a nice “getaway” place from everyone. Each bedroom having a bathroom is fantastic. There is a well stocked supply area and we added several things such as towels, toiletries, sunscreen, etc. Very thoughtful of the owner to have such an area.
Overall, this home is a 9.5/10 - maintenance and pool area needs a little love, but the ocean views are worth every penny. We hope to stay here when we return to the island.
Celeste C.
September 2021
I am not sure you could find a more beautiful spot on the eastern shore of the Big Island. Breathtaking views of the sunrise each morning, crashing waves, sea turtles and crabs to watch and the wide ocean before you. Just lovely. Also, the owner of the home has clearly tried to anticipate guest needs with a well appointed kitchen, pool toys for all, plenty of beach towels, tissues in all bathrooms, etc. And we really liked the house layout. Our only disappointment was the upkeep of the property. It needs some significant TLC, though the exterior had just been repainted and we understood the interior was next. Clearly, the ocean salt water is tough on anything metal and there are many metal items inside and outside the house that need to be replaced as they are rusting/corroding. The massive deck is a nightmare and highly dangerous with loose and broken boards - someone was there to provide an estimate on a replacement (and quite horrified by what they saw). It should have been done months ago. The pool has several chipped tiles that some of us cut our toes on. The hot tub was not functioning correctly and the chlorine level was so high it tarnished our sliver jewelry and bleached a blue pair of shorts. We were told a pool guy would be there to help with the chlorine issue, but we never saw him and the property manager was of no help. She was very nice via text, but clearly didn't want to respond to the tough questions. The gate and fencing are all old and rusting. The side fencing next to the entrance gate has been cut away, so not sure how much security the gate really provides as someone can easily scoot through the hole that has been cut. The house is a bit dated, most noticeably in the bathrooms. Finally, the neighborhood is very mixed - some nice homes and many in tough shape. Getting to stores can be a bit of a drive. Not terrible, just need to be prepared for that fact. In the end, the location is unbeatable and the house was very clean. If these maintenance issues could be addressed, it would be the best place in town, hands down.
Michelle L.
August 2021
The house was on the water, spacious, and relaxing. However the property needs maintenance. The hottub did not work properly and we were notified of this after we checked-in. While there was an attempt to fix there were just shrugs, needs a part, we are on an island, etc. I booked this property for the view, pool, and hottub. No hottub and the pool is not heated! I have booked homes on the island before and never has the pool not been heated especially on the Hilo side. We were looking forward to the evening hottub soak but not to be. We paid a lot for this rental and we feel cheated. And I got the feeling they knew about the hottub for awhile. The property manager was new and used that as an excuse. Trash had piled up, the cable did not work when we arrived. We thought it was us not understanding the system but the property manager came by and said she did not know how to connect. My husband rechecked the connections and then Burped the system and we got cable connected. The BBQ was great and well stocked for amenities. It was just frustrating that our outdoor time was a bust since that is what we paid for.
Cathy R.
July 2021
This location is perfect for a back to nature experience. The lava flows on the property are stunning, and the ocean view is breath taking. We experienced picture perfect ocean sprays as the waves crashed upon the lava coast spraying 10 ft high. There are plenty of natural fruit and flowers around the property. We saw pineapple, bananas and lots of coconuts of which one fell from a tree and we got to taste it.
Holly was a great asset helping our family get comfortable and recommended places for us to visit. We plan to definitely stay here again. Aloha
July 2021
The view was awesome
George C.
July 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Would love to come back.
Daphne T.
July 2021
We stayed at this house for 10 days in June 2021. We had an amazing time here. The house was perfect and exactly like the pictures. The hottub was so great to sit in at night and listen to the waves and look at the stars. We made lots of meals here and enjoyed the location of the house on the Hilo side of the island. Thank you for an amazing stay!!
Daphne, Craig, Cora and Cameron
Stephanie W.
June 2021
Our family of 8 stayed at this gorgeous retreat for 5 nights! We loved that everything was in perfect order and all of the essentials were provided! We were welcomed with some Hawaiian goodies on the dining room table which was a very nice touch. The property was well appointed, easily accessed, very clean and communication was pleasant and prompt from management. We would stay here again!
DONALD
June 2021
We really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home. The property is awesome. Very peaceful and private. The furnishings are just right. Beautiful yet very comfortable. Juanita was fantastic. Her advice and assistance really helped to make our stay perfect. She deserves a raise! We took some of Ingrid's suggestions for places to eat. We were not disappointed. Every thing was delicious. We miss our evenings relaxing in the hot tub listening to the waves. Thank you for letting us stay in your Hawaiian paradise.
Dylan T.
May 2021
This was our second time staying at this location (in a very short period of time). Such an amazing location and really fun house. The view is incredible, being able to watch the ocean from the pool during the day and stars from the hot tub at night is something you just have to experience for yourself to appreciate! We would definitely come back again! Owner and property management were amazing! Would definitely recommend this side of the island in general as well. The tourist side is a lot of fun, but the seclusion and peace of the Hilo side is such a nice escape.
Dylan T.
April 2021
The title says it all, but the house itself is really nice and inviting. The view is incredible though. Being able to sit out on the deck right at the edge of the Ocean or walk out onto the lava flow was amazing. On top of that the Owner and property management staff are great! Super friendly and extremely helpful. We actually ended up coming back and staying here again due to some issues with another location we were supposed to be spending the latter part of our trip at. Without going into to all the details, I'd just like to say thank you to them for everything they did and how much they went above and beyond!
Stan `.
April 2021
We loved staying on the Hilo side of Hawaii and this home's location was great. We saw whales and porpoise from the deck. We loved the home and being right on the shoreline.
Roberta L.
March 2021
Loved the location, and the views! Loved that each room had their own bathroom. Fully stocked kitchen and the master bedroom had a very comfortable bed and pillows! Very clean but was in need of a few repairs. Like I said the kitchen had every appliance you possibly could need, but we really needed a 9x13 casserole pan and the property manager brought one over the next morning! Super nice gal! All and all loved the place would definitely rent again!
MATTHEW B.
March 2021
Easy and Juanita was helpful
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