Josh B.
February 2026
Babette kept me informed well and gave clear directions on how to find the location. The cottage was kept nice and clean and While I did not stay long it was a nice place to rest for the evening.
Debra
February 2026
So peaceful! We could hear the songbirds first thing in the morning and when the sun was going down.
Jason
January 2026
Really neat little place. It feels as though you are in the country. There are other homes near this cottage, but other than the primary home, the others are not really visible due to the beautiful tropical plants. There is a nice screen separating the sliding entry door from the main house. It feels really private inside, we left the windows open and blinds up most of the time. The room is spacious with a large closet. The bed was queen sized. It has an Indian aesthetic in the decorating. A yoga matt in the closet.
The beach was a very short walk maybe 10-15 minutes. Kehna is amazing, but has no bathrooms etc, so having this as your home within walking distance is ideal.
Just at the end of the block, on the way to the beach, is a wild sort of park, paths through the jungle for car, with clearings at the cliff face where you can look over the ocean. The sunrise from here is wonderful.
On Sunday night there is a drum circle festival going on a short walk to the North. You can hear the drums faintly from the cottage. The festival is a groovy wild hippie sort of thing, very fun. Food vendors and such too.
Babette our host was a delight. She is careful to give you privacy, but is full of insight and conversation if you try, which we did. I'm glad we did.
We will be back.
Michael D.
December 2025
Beautiful quiet location. I’d recommend anyone to stay here. Black sand beach was amazing.
William W.
November 2025
Nice simple studio. Lots of extras in kitchen: you can cook here if you want to. Babette is very good host
Brian N.
March 2025
I had the privilege of staying at this property for one month. I will miss it! Especially the sound of the ocean which can be heard from this cute cottage. The bed is comfortable and I slept so great here. Also, it's QUIET! If you want peace, you found it. The shower is hot with strong water pressure. The mini fridge (with small freezer) met my needs perfectly. The host is so kind and made sure I felt comfortable asking for anything I needed. Checking in was a breeze. I parked and was able to understand the self check-in process easily. Highly, highly recommended. This is a very special location on the Big Island you will enjoy.
Joshua S.
February 2025
Perfect little cottage with everything you need including a little outdoor shower that was perfect after a long day in the sun. Babette was kind and helpful. Highly recommend.
cheryll w.
February 2025
We stayed the month of January in this lovely cottage. The setting was beautiful, the area was sophisticated and the hostess was knowledgeable about the area. She has a superclean cottage, no bugs or unwanted pests. One cute geckco would visit us occassionally.We will recommend this place to friends and family.
Michael F.
December 2024
The place was spotless, easy walking distance to Kehena Beach and 1/2 hour drive from Pāhoa. Babette was a pleasure to work with.
Molly N.
April 2024
This cute cottage provides a cozy little getaway surrounded by lush jungle views. The nightly nature sounds were so soothing and helped lull us to sleep. At times we could hear the ocean. In just a short walk and climb down the hillside, you will find one of the best black sand beaches we've ever been to (clothing was optional 😉). A short walk the other way, there's a cute little shop with some snacks and clothing. The cottage is on the owner's property and behind the house. We had a little difficulty making sure we were in the right place (we arrived late at night) and theres shared parking with the owner in the driveway. It is at least a 25 minute drive to the nearest drug store, but it was so worth it for the privacy and views. The recommendations were spot on, make sure you bring cash for the local markets! If you happen to be visiting on a Wednesday night, Uncle Robert's market down the road provided live music, strong drinks, amazing fresh food and an experience you won't forget. If we're ever back on the big island, we'll definitely be staying there again.
Jedidiah S.
March 2024
Very much enjoyed the cottage. Exactly as advertised. Great base for exploring the island & the beach within walking distance is a great combination! On top of it, Babette is wonderful & very accommodating.
Jeff T.
January 2024
We enjoyed our stay here. We are not the type of people who are looking for a lot of frills, just want a comfortable place that is close to the places we want to see. It was about 40 minutes to Volcanoes NP and a very short walk to Kehana Beach. The bed was comfortable, water pressure was good, and the outdoor shower was quite nice. Babette was very friendly and informative.
Lizabeth E.
January 2024
Babette’s cottage was the perfect place for a quiet holiday for my partner and I. She was very communicative and so helpful with suggestions and any questions throughout our stay. We can’t wait to visit again!
Tyler P.
September 2023
Babette's cottage had everything we needed to comfortably spend a few days exploring the Hilo side of the Big Island. The location has decent privacy (adjacent properties were mostly obstructed by vegetation), the internet speed was good, and the kitchen/bathroom/bed were exactly as described. We enjoyed sitting outside at night listening to the coqui frogs and star gazing through partly cloudy skies. Overall we had a great time and would definitely stay again. Thanks Babette!
Lauren D.
July 2023
Babette was a wonderful hostess during our stay and went above and beyond to ensure that we were comfortable. She provided a lot of useful info for things to do in the area. Babette is very attentive and communicative. The place was clean and comfortable. Just as a warning- the frogs are really loud at night so if you’re used to living in the city, you might want bring plugs. My partner grew up in the country so he liked it, but I had trouble sleeping the first night. This place is somewhat off-grid and away from everything while still being in a “neighborhood”. There is no cell phone reception but the WiFi worked fine. Also, there is no AC but I found it to be fine with the windows open and the fan on. I liked that it was within walking distance of Kehena beach. If I ever come back to the Big Island, I would stay here again.
Nathan T.
May 2023
A lovely little cottage with a great host, next to one of the most beautiful beaches on earth
Trevor B.
October 2022
Thanks for all the site seeing advice! We enjoyed the cottage, it had all we needed and wifi worked great for us!
Elijah F.
September 2022
Clothing optional black sand beach is right up the street and that’s what I came for. Host’s communication is amazing and made accommodations when needed! I’ll be back
Steven M.
February 2018
We had a wonderful visit at the Cottage. We wanted a place to unplug and enjoy the natural aspects of the island. This was perfect, when we wanted quite isolation, all we had to do was take a short stroll through the forest to the spectacular cliffs on the ocean. When we wanted to see the other sites, we drove up the coast or out through the rain forest to take in volcanos, waterfalls, shopping, and dining. Not to mention a gracious host to help out with information and insights. It may not be in the heart of the "tourist action" but it was perfect to enjoy the heart of the island.
Alvaro B.
March 2017
We went to celebrate our honeymoon and the host made our stay incredible. The place is very nice, clean, and very close to the best beach and other wonderful sites. I'll definitely come back there in a heartbeat
Max L.
January 2017
My husband and I sought a venue away from tourists, shops, noise, traffic, and unnecessaries, like dishwashers, washer/dryers, jacuzzies, restaurants, and vast living space. Oliana Cottage was all of that and more. It was cozy but well equipped. In one room there was a kitchen area, a dining area, a sleeping area, and to the side a bathroom. Towels, extra bedding, utensils, and even snorkel gear were provided. The owner gave us a map of the attractions close by, of which there are many: warm ponds, tidal pools, Lava Tree Park, MacKenzie Park, a black sand beach, and sites of lava flow (pahoehoe). It was also quite close to the road to the viewing site of the active Kilauea lava flow. Frogs serenaded us at night. For anyone seeking to avoid the usual touristy things, this cottage is perfect.
Maureen B.
November 2016
If you're looking for comfortable no-frills accommodations in the Kalapana area, close to lava flow, then this is your place. Babette was very responsive and easy to communicate with. She graciously let us check in early at 3pm instead of the usual 4pm check-in. After hiking to the lava flow at sunrise, it was nice to be able to relax and take a nap. The next morning we took the Lava Ocean Tours boat out of Isaac Hale harbor, a quick 20 min drive from Oliana Cottage, for the sunrise tour to the lava flowing into the ocean. Thank you, Babette!
Melissa B.
August 2016
Stayed at the cottage overnight after a hike to see the lava flow. Quiet hidden among the trees the cottage was the perfect place after a long hike. The cottage was clean well equipped for our needs. The cottage is priced well without having over the top cleaning fees. Definitely would recommend to any couple that needs a quiet place to stay on the east side of Hawaii to visit here.
Molly K.
August 2016
Had a great experience overall!! My boyfriend got in late after a long day of hiking and the cottage had everything we needed. It was very clean and organized. The bed was super comfy and we could keep the room cool with the fan and windows. The owner was very kind to us. Pele's Kitchen had an incredible breakfast and was only about 15 mins away. FYI to future stayers, there is really no service out there, but we did have access to the owner's WiFi. We would stay there again in a heartbeat!
May 2015
We stayed three nights at Babette's cottage and we had a very pleasant time. Babette is a lovely host. The cottage provides everything you need. I stayed at several places in Hawaii, but Babette's place has a very special, positive atmosphere. At night you are surrounded by birds and frogs who make you relax and lull you to sleep. The cottage has a very bright and sunny atmosphere. You will love spending your time there. It is an excellent choice. Thanks again Babette for hosting us, for answering all our questions and giving us plenty of recommendations for the area! We highly appreciated it!
Kelley L.
January 2015
Babette's cottage provided everything that we needed for our stay. The location provides you with a lovely symphony of birds, frogs, and geckos to lull you to sleep. Star gazing from Pahoa area is sublime! The bed is very comfortable. The kitchen supplies for cooking are perfect. There is a burner and little oven, as well as, a microwave. Top it off with the coffee maker and refrigerator and there's nothing you need! The location is perfect for touring Hilo, lava flows in Pahoa, and the end of the road from the previous lava flows. The heated ponds are very close by and Kehena Beach is perfect!
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.