Cheryl K.
December 2023
This is a beautiful traditional Hawaiian home with airflow throughout but not AC. This was not an issue until bedtime when the bedrooms were 80 degrees. The bedroom fans moved air but there was nothing we could do about the heat.
Note to parents: There are no security gates or locks for the pool which is in the front of the house. The pool itself is beautiful and we used it a lot but had to station someone near the front of the house to watch access. It would be great to have child locks on the front two doors.
The biggest challenge with rental is the required paperwork and agreements by the property owner. A week out before you arrive you are required to provide a lot of personal information. The owner states that this is for the Patriot Act but I find nothing in the Act that requires this. If it did, VRBO would take care of this. The owner got nasty and rude and threaten to cancel our reservation when in fact the communication issue was not on our end.
The onsite person was amazing and very nice and communicative.
We rate the property a 4 but the process a 2. If you can deal with the last minute hassle and providing personal information, we recommend the property.
Cheryl K.
December 2023
This is a beautiful traditional Hawaiian home with airflow throughout but not AC. This was not an issue until bedtime when the bedrooms were 80 degrees. The bedroom fans moved air but there was nothing we could do about the heat.
Note to parents: There are no security gates or locks for the pool which is in the front of the house. The pool itself is beautiful and we used it a lot but had to station someone near the front of the house to watch access. It would be great to have child locks on the front two doors.
The biggest challenge with rental is the required paperwork and agreements by the property owner. A week out before you arrive you are required to provide a lot of personal information. The owner states that this is for the Patriot Act but I find nothing in the Act that requires this. If it did, VRBO would take care of this. The owner got nasty and rude and threaten to cancel our reservation when in fact the communication issue was not on our end.
The onsite person was amazing and very nice and communicative.
We rate the property a 4 but the process a 2. If you can deal with the last minute hassle and providing personal information, we recommend the property.
Martin Z.
September 2023
This place was wonderful. We (2 families, each 2 adults and 2 kids) had a great and relaxing time. The layout of the house was a perfect fit for our families with more than enough sleeping options for all of us and bathroom access from each bedroom. The place was clean and comfortable. The kitchen was fully equipped and we also enjoyed the BBQ area outside.
The neighbourhood is quiet an peaceful. It’s an easy walk to Magic Sand beach. We all loved the magnificent pool and also the hot tub. Plenty of towels were stocked and snorkelling equipment and buggy boards were provided to use.
There is no air conditioning in the house what didn’t bother us. Overall, we definitely enjoyed our stay and we’d come back someday.
Sandy C.
August 2023
We found the accomodations terrific, the children came downstairs every morning in their bathing suits looking for someone to watch them in the pool, and they finished every evening there too.
We loved all the artwork. What a collection. The location was so close to the beaches and snorkeling. Our hostess was delightful. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
The Clarks and Rsskulineczs
Connie B.
July 2023
Property is great: close to beach, great views of the sunset, comfortable. I found the paper work onerous (I don't think the Patriot Act requires the names, ages, emails and addresses of all guests). At first I couldn't open the forms to fill out and the owner claimed that everyone else could do it but then provided a Word version that I could use.
Owners send so many instructions that it's hard to sort out the most important ones so we made some mistakes.
We loved the property but found the paperwork.frustrating and unloved.
Linda M.
July 2023
Although the house was lovely, I would not rent it again.
Jeremiah M.
April 2023
I can’t say enough about our magical week at falling waters. This rental has EVERYTHING. We strictly rent houses when we travel, so I’m very used to place missing at least a few things. But falling waters had it all! Even good knives!! (A personal win🤣). Diane was accommodating, helpful, and always available. Coffee by the pool in the morning, dinner on the back lani, cocktails while watching the sun set in the evening, it was all perfection. The location can’t be beat, with a quick walk, down an adorably decorated trail to magic sands beach. A shopping center with everything you could need just a 5 min drive away. The ocean an sunset views. But the absolute best part is the care and detail that went into every nook and cranny of this home. We discovered new surprises every day! Don’t pass up this gem!!!
CHARLES E. S.
March 2023
Beautiful property and house with great accessories. Took total advantage of the hot tub, swimming pool and grill on the back lanai. Property manager was very responsive in answering any questions and had a great personality. Would certainly consider doing it again!
Jonathan K.
March 2023
This home is perfect for anyone visiting the island. The accommodation exceeded our expectations that held two families with 4 children total. The pool was used alot and are perfect when making meals to keep them entertained.
Highly recommend this place!!
Kate C.
January 2023
Myself, husband, 3 small boys, my parents and sister have just returned from this lovely vacation rental.
At first we were a bit concerned with the many emails, but once we arrived it was really nothing.
The home was clean and had everything we needed and for our stay.
It was close to everything and had amazing views!
We had a lovely time
Steve I.
January 2023
This house quickly became our home over our two week visit. The property provided enough group and private space for all 10 of us to be comfortable throughout our magical Christmas holiday. 2 lanais, a private garden and hot tub area, a small but delightful swimming pool, beautiful Hawaiian art, and perhaps the best equipped kitchen we have enjoyed at a vrbo. Nicely located for local beaches, shopping, restaurants, and exploring the island. Should we return to Hawaii, we will want to stay here.
Cheryl T.
November 2022
This was perfect for our family of 7, consisting of 5 adults and 2 teenagers. Swimming pool, hot tub, beautiful house with each bedroom having an attached bathroom and half bath and laundry downstairs. We enjoyed our stay immensely had had rented a van so we could all travel together to see the sites. We would stay there again!
Eric S.
October 2022
Really prime location that is accessible to the ocean and town but a little more "secluded" and not on a busy street. Very clean and well-equipped. The bedroom situation in reality was a bit different from what I imagined based on the listing. I anticipated that the large sweet had a more separated bedroom attached to it but that bedroom was really a converted closet with a door directly in the suite. Not a problem for us but you need to feel comfortable with your roommate!
Overall, great place.
Herlene M.
August 2022
The location was close to nice beaches, Ali'i drive, and snorkeling. We had an amazingl time. Every time we left the property, we had the wonderful aroma of Hawaiian flowers which just adds to my memories of Hawaii. The house had so many amenities, we did not have time to use all of them! Thank you for providing all of the beach gear!
Joan V.
April 2022
It was everything the listing described about the property and more! The home was beautiful and fitted my family easily. All the rooms were spacious, comfortable beds, a great kitchen with all the gadgets you needed and the views amazing! You could watch the sun set over the ocean from the deck! The location was perfect. A 10 minute drive to grocery stores, shopping centres, markets, snorkelling, surfing and Magic sands beach was only a 10 minute walk. When we weren't touring the island or swimming in the ocean we made use of the pool! It was fantastic and we'd rent it again! Loved it!
Jean S.
April 2022
Pros: nice layout for our family of 8. Nice outdoor spaces. We enjoyed small pool & spa. House was very clean. Felt a like a safe area, we never locked the doors. Could walk to Magic Sands Beach 1/2 mile away.
Cons: air conditioning in bedrooms would be nice. We were surprised how hot it was in March. There were a lot of rules and a lot of cleaning that had to be done at checkout.
donna G.
March 2022
7 adults traveled from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Colorado. 9 days with family and a friend. The villa passed our expectations . Very roomy. We loved the back patio and outdoor kitchen. The front pool was used everyday.. We fell in love with the Hawaiian climate to the point of rarely being indoors other than sleeping. I would rebook tomorrow if I could!!
Gina P.
January 2022
Falling Waters villa was perfect for our two-family vacation. Fabulous accommodations with an ideal location - a few minutes walk to the beach and a few minutes drive to the store and shopping districts. Owners were easy to work with and very responsive before and during our stay. If you're looking for resort-style accommodations with full amenities, I'd highly recommend this villa.
Kingsley P.
December 2021
The unit is basically a large duplex and you are renting one side of the duplex. There is an attached apartment that the owners or managers stay in that shares walls with the "house" that is being rented. You can see the second unit on the main picture of the rental which is the building to the right of the "house".
Linda M.
November 2021
This house is very beautiful and appointed with everything anyone could need. The owner takes pride in the property.read the book about the pool creation. The 7 of us, (4 adults, 2 teenagers, a 9 year old) had plenty of room to be together or be separated. Short walk to the beach. Short drive to shopping, restaurants, beaches, activities. The volcano park was a long day but do it! We will come back some day! Mahalo for a fabulous vacation.
Kenneth C.
October 2021
This was our third attempt to vacation on the big island because of Covid. The owners worked with us through the entire time / process and provided very detailed information on what to expect when visiting Hawaii. The property itself fit our multi family needs perfectly … enough room for everyone to have there own space but also provided great “community” areas for family gatherings. The pool is really a unique feature and was very refreshing - the kids loved it! The house is very well appointed with all the amenities any one could want. Kitchen is well stocked with dishware and appliances. There are also lots of water toys available. Location is very convenient to beaches and as a starting point for any island excursion. All in all, a great stay !
Matthew R.
September 2021
We had a wonderful time staying here for a week long vacation. Great location and spacious house. Be prepared to provide a ton of info to the property management team as they require it to stay here. Expect to receive half a dozen emails as well. Of course, most of this is due to COVID which makes sense. But even in light of that it seemed excessive. All in all, we enjoyed our stay :)
James S.
July 2021
This is a wonderful house to rent in a beautiful area of the Big Island. The Owner, Diane, could not have been any friendlier or informative. The house is immaculately kept and keeps plenty of equipment and supplies to make your visit complete. It is centrally located so all of the island is at your reach and the beach within walking is a Gem. Thanks for a memorable stay!
Becky H.
June 2021
This property was perfect for our family reunion/ parents anniversary celebration. The ages ranged from 3 thru 83 and there was something for everyone here. A couple things not listed in the amenity list were life jackets for children as small as 30#, kids goggles, inflatables for infants, kiddie pool, sand toys, pool workout foams and coolers of all sizes. There were tons of movies and books for all ages, some toys my 3 yos loved playing with, 2 booster seats, high chair and kid sized hand washing station.
Diane was very friendly, easy going and quick to respond to questions and issues.
There is a sharp turn to the driveway that wasn't a problem for our 4 door jeep compass but the Denali XL couldn't make the turn however there is plenty of free on street parking.
The check in was a bit cumbersome (not unnanagable) but I'm sure most of it was in part to COVID.
The location is good with respect to walkability to the beach, short drive to grocery and drug store access to major highways to get around the island. The sunsets from the front porch were amazing every night.
We would definately stay here again in the future if our travels bring us back to Kona.
Laurie R.
March 2014
We stayed at the Kona Falling Waters this past week and it was absolutely wonderful! We had 11 people in our group and the house easily accommodated all of us without feeling like we were on top of one another. At first we were worried that the pool was quite deep without a shallow end, but over the course of the week our kids (6-10) learned to swim like fish and thoroughly enjoyed the floaty noodles and pool toys that were provided. The house was clean, kitchen well stocked with everything you could need and rooms were nicely put together, with TV's and fans in all the rooms. The back deck was wonderful for dinners and relaxing in the shade. Diane met us at the home upon check in - at 3AM!!. Dave also came by to check on us after a few days and gave us lots of great tips about things to see on the Island. Diane was even kind enough to mail us back some pants that were forgotten in a dresser. There is great snorkelling within 5 minutes of the house and a lovely white sand beach within 20 minutes. Costco, groceries, shops and restaurants are all within a 5 to 15 minute drive. My husband loved that there was ample snorkel gear, water shoes, boogie boards and lawn chairs, all to borrow on an honour system. We highly recommend this property, we had a wonderful time and were sad to leave. Sometimes when you read about properties you wonder if you will really get what they say they provide, and I promise you with this property you definitely do. Mahalo to Diane and Dave, I'd bet we will be back again one day!
December 2013
This was our first visit to Hawaii. We were there for 2 weeks in October for Ironman and sightseeing. We had asked a couple of questions before arriving about renting vehicles, the shuttle bus to town and proximity to grocery stores. Dave got back to us very quickly and we took his advice and rented vehicles - glad we did. We arrived in the evening and Diane was there to welcome us and give a quick tour and information about the house. This is an amazing Villa; beautifully decorated with absolutely everything you could ever need or want during your vacation including an infinity pool and hot tub. It is located about 10 minutes drive from Kailua-Kona in a residential area, but it is surrounded by trees and plants which provides lot of privacy. The house was very comfortable with lots of space for the 10 of us - 6 adults and 4 youth. The kitchen has everything you need to prepare meals, lots of glasses, plates, pots, pans, appliances, etc. as well as some basic supplies (salt, pepper, spices). We used the BBQ most evenings and enjoyed eating supper on the back lanai in the fresh air. The house has no air conditioning but you don't need it as there was always a breeze and there are fans in every room. We appreciated all the extras that came with the house. The boogie boards, umbrellas, beach chairs, picnic coolers and beach towels were used quite a bit. White Sands beach is great for swimming (some days with turtles) and boogie boarding (lots of waves) and is just a short walk away - even shorter once Dave showed us the 'secret' path. WiFi was very efficient and could be used inside and outside. There were all kinds of pamphlets, brochures and information about things to do and see while on the Big Island provided on the computer desk. We did a lot of sight seeing and explored as much of the island as we could during our stay including a Fair Wind Snorkeling Cruise, Atlantis Submarine, drove to Hawi, drove to Hilo (Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, Macadamia Nut Factory, Candy Factory), drove to the Volcano National Park and spent a couple of days in Kailua-Kona checking out the stores and Ironman events. It was great to return 'home' and spend time in the infinity pool and enjoy the sunsets. All 10 of us thoroughly enjoyed our vacation, especially the Villa which was the perfect place for us to enjoy our 2 weeks. It was one of our best vacations ever. Thanks Diane and Dave.
October 2013
This was our second time staying at this beautiful property and we thoughly enjoyed our stay both times. We loved sitting around the pool in the mornings and enjoying our coffee. Dave and Diane are excellent hosts providing all the comforts of home and work hard to make your stay wonderful while remaining completely unobtrusive, working behind the scenes to maintain the property to a high standard. We would highly recommend this property to our friends and family and wil stay here the next time we visit Kona.
CONNIE&VICTOR L.
March 2013
You can imagine our family of 10 coming here from frigid Canada in the
foothills of the Rockies (although Grandma and Papa were able to get
acclimatized for two weeks in the desert of California) to this paradise
island. We spent 2 fabulous weeks over the Christmas and New Years holiday at
the Falling Waters Villa at Magic Sands in Kona. There were 6 adults, 3 youth
and 1 small child. This location provided a neat opportunity for three
brothers (grandsons) to bond with their little cousin (granddaughter). This
place was ideal for our group for the very fact that there was more than lots
of room and we never ever felt crowded. The backyard was perfect for the
family to enjoy meals and conversation. We even put up a Christmas tree on
the deck as well as hung our Christmas stockings there. The swimming pool and
hot tub were frequently used. We even had a number of afternoon pool parties.
We had close proximity to the beach, only a 3 or 4 block walk. The prevalence
of quality beaches for both snorkeling and swimming were within a short drive.
There were several choices for grocery shopping, Costco being our first choice.
The fireworks display on New Year's Eve by the owners was memorable and thus
we brought in the new year in an unforgettable way. Thanks Dave, you made it
special for us.
We can't emphasize enough how wonderful the owners were. We had one concern
upon arrival when we discovered their home was attached to our rental, but we never
saw them or heard them the entire time we were there. A nice gesture was that we
could pick the limes from their tree at anytime.
We also want to stress how considerate Diane and Dave (the owners) were
when we asked it we could extend our stay by 7 hours to accommodate our late
departure. We also requested and received an early check-in. This truly meant
a lot to us.
Our only negative feedback was the pool is very deep, which was great for
the older kids, but not great for little ones. That being said, we worked
around it.
Special features of the villa:
The spectacular views from every window in the home which provided lots of
natural light.
Home surrounded in tropical plants and palm trees - created privacy from the
neighbors and yet space to roam.
The house was well stocked with towels, dishes, pots and pans, etc.
Some beach toys, chairs, umbrella and scuba equipment provided.
Having the commercial washer and dryer was considered a luxury by our family.
It truly was an amazing holiday.
March 2013
We had a wonderful vacation in this beautiful location. The house was fantastic, immaculately clean, nicely decorated and worked perfectly for our three generation group. The four large bedrooms and 3 and 1/2 bathrooms suited our needs perfectly. The outdoor spaces were the highlight with many afternoons spent relaxing around the pool and enjoying the views. Can't wait to stay here again!
February 2013
I stayed for two weeks at falling waters with my fiancé, his mother, and some older aunts and uncles that had never been to Hawaii before. The house, a little bit higher than most rentals, was the best investment I ever made. While my sweetie and I hit all the Hot Spots in Kona and traveled around this amazing island, everyone else enjoyed all the amenities ... the pool, hot tub,videos,library,TV's ,puzzles, not to mention the whales, birds,geckos that live in all the Huge palm trees that make this property so special. We also enjoyed the privacy of our own hot tub beneath the most amazing stars and crashing of the waves...A definite must for a family vacation, no matter what your age is...aloha and many thanks.
September 2012
After a year of planning a 40th anniversary celebration with our children, we finally arrived at our lovely home for a week in Hawaii. The house was exactly as the pictures described it. The space was perfect for our four families, one with a toddler. We loved the shared spaces and the private balconies. We enjoyed grilling and eating out on the back deck. The kitchen offered everything we could possibly have needed for cooking and eating together. We had wondered about not having central air in the house, but the fans kept the house very comfortable. We almost never turned the televisions on but there were plenty. We were so happy to be together and enjoyed the pool and the hot tub every day.
We loved being close to several beaches and many excellent restaurants and shopping areas. We got some of our groceries from a farmer's market which was great fun. Having baby equipment and snorkeling gear available for us, also beach towels and chairs, made our times at the beach a joy.
I personally loved waking up to the sound of birds singing and having my first coffee out on the balcony off from our bedroom. Just lovely. There are other houses close by but with all the trees we had lots of privacy.
The table with all kinds of information for sight-seeing, restaurants, etc. was extremely helpful to us. We loved having the maps to look at to help us feel oriented before we took off on a couple of day trips. Loved having ice chests for packing picnics for the day we went to Volcano National Park and also the day we went to the Observatory, waterfalls, and Japanese gardens.
Dave was very helpful in getting us information about several things some family members were interested in. It was a great week for us. Awesome snorkeling, turtles, birds. Loved eating at Holuakoa Gardens, and several other restaurants. Thank you for a great celebration.
April 2012
We had 7 adults in our group and the house was perfect for us. There are 4 main bedrooms each have a queen size bed, plus all 4 rooms have a twin bed. There are a few other lounging/sleeping spaces set up throughout the home. 2 of the upstairs bedrooms share a jack-n-jill bath, and the other 2 rooms have their own bathrooms. The layout worked well, spacious & relaxing. We ate breakfast on the back patio area and spent time in the afternoon out front by the pool. The hot tub was fun at night with the light feature! We had 3 cars, but the space could hold 4 plus there is street parking nearby. The house is nicely surrounded in tropical plants & trees which create privacy from the neighbors. The owners live onsite in a house connected to the rental unit. Dave and Diane were so welcoming and offered helpful tips and island information. Although they live onsite, their space is separated from the rental space so we didn’t hear them or see them during our stay. There are plenty of towels, snorkeling gear, & beach chairs provided for use – not to mention a ton of other helpful household items not typically available in rentals. The house is about a 5 minute walk to Magic Sands Beach, which we didn’t go to since it was crowded, but location was great. Ali’I Drive is a nice street for a walk or jog and there are several places to access the water for a snorkel! There is a grocery store 5 minutes driving south which was handy. The location of the house was a nice distance from downtown Kailua-Kona (about 3+ miles).
We were in town for a family wedding w/ a group of 50. Out of the houses and condos the wedding guests rented, Falling Waters house was definitely best in show!
We left a phone charger at the house & Dave mailed it to us right away. We also got our deposit back about a week after our stay. Everything about the rental process was great & we hope to visit Falling Waters & the Big Island again soon! Mahalo Dave & Diane for such a pleasant stay!
Comments from my group:
It was fantastic, fun & comfortable- felt like it was well taken care of and would definitely return to stay there! The landscaping was great, it attracted birds & geckos and screened the neighbors in the nicest way, and rustled in the breeze. The home was a wonderful mix of hominess & luxury. I was sick & it made all the difference to have a beautiful place to hang for a couple of "down" days, where I still felt like I was on vacation even though I couldn't do much.
Great vibe!
Jan H.
March 2012
Falling Waters is a unique, homey Hawaiian home. Our family of 15 (8 adults and 7 grandchildren) enjoyed congregating in the well equipped kitchen-dining room while our "chefs" prepared wonderful Hawaiian specialties. Santa came to Falling Waters, so Christmas morning found us gathered in the living room where we found our stockings filled with Hawaiian treasures. Mornings on the pool deck (with our cups of freshly brewed Kona coffee) were spent making plans for each day. The grandkids loved boogie boarding at Magic Sands beach. Their favorite day though was zip-lining in the rain forest up north near the town of Hawi. I loved both our day at the Volcano National Park and kayaking to captain Cook Monument where spinner dolphins entertained us along the way and when we arrived at the monument the snorkeling was spectacular!! This was our family's 7th family reunion. I have rented 6 homes through VRBO. When I signed the rental agreement for this home in February 2011, it was listed on this site as a 4.25 bath, 5+bedroom home. Unfortunately, from February 2011 until our arrival on December 23,2011, it didn't dawn on me to question these numbers. Whenever I've rented through VRBO in the past, the numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms listed have always accurately reflected the actual number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home. Upon our arrival at Falling Waters we found 3.5 baths, rather than the 4.25 private bathrooms promised and the 5th bedroom, described as a "mini-suite", is a converted closet IN the 4th bedroom. Since our stay, this site has been amended and lists the correct number of bathrooms. The descriptions of the bedrooms have been altered as well. . I would also recommend asking a couple of other questions early in the rental process of this property. If your party includes children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 70, or teenagers, ask if there are any pool or hot tub restrictions. Secondly, ask if the washing, drying and folding of all towels is included in the cleanng fee. In the end, all 15 of us had a fantastic Big Island vacation, and I did appreciate the commercial size washer & dryer, our extended check out time, and the return of my full security deposit in such a timely fashion.
Rachel D.
July 2011
This vacation was over two years in the making. It took us quite a while to find just the right vacation home to house our four families - but I know we found the perfect one! The house was spacious and cozy at the same time, with all the amenities you need to make it feel like home. We enjoyed watching the kids play in the pool, dinners out on the back lanai/deck, using the private upper lanai off of the pineapple room as my personal office -- getting to work in the early hours with the birds singing and the heady scent of the plumerias, gathering in the large kitchen/dining room to prepare meals and compare the day's adventures we all had. And did we ever have adventures! The house was the perfect starting point to our many trips: just minutes away from Magic Sands Beach for boogie boarding or Kahaluu Beach for snorkeling (all beach gear provided!) with many fish and turtles! A slightly longer walk to Kailua Village, the farmers' markets and other shopping. A two-hour drive or less got us to Volcano Nat.l Park, Hapuna Beach, the summit of Mauna Kea, and other destinations. But most of all I enjoyed relaxing, enjoying the views, and trading stories with family members that are far flung. Mahalo for the memories! Can't wait to return!
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.