not what we expected for the price
Review Submitted: January 16, 2011
Date of Stay: December 2010
I chose this place over a few other based on it's reviews so i wanted to clear up a few things that we didn't expect that were a bit disappointing.
The bed was comfortable and the basics were all there. however, If you want a really cheap place, there is a decent looking Hotel in Kona's main strip for $40 cheaper. For the price of this place, we wished we'd gone to the hotel.
main concerns were the lack of locks on the doors and curtains that didn't shut. the view is lovely, but privacy and security is a must. Definitely not recommended for those on romantic getaways!
the hot plate isn't the best and it took almost an hour to make KD.
the dogs bark and sit outside your door. If you are afraid of big dogs or hate barking dogs, be forewarned.
there was cat hair on the towels and bedding even though the cats were never seen.
there was also hair in the shower. i didn't look close enough to see if it was cat hair or not.
Laundry facilities are available, but in the owner's house
The owner is nice and it was interesting to have a tour of the Mac nut factory but it was a little odd that the door to the industrial kitchen shared the common area to our bathroom (and didn't have a lock on it) so one morning we heard her music playing while she was working in the kitchen. Not that it was early and woke us up, but it was a little odd. sort of an invasion of privacy, even though she didn't actually come into our "area"
Also, the internet only worked when you were outside or the computer was in certain places and then the signal was VERY weak.
All in all a nice clean place, but for the price, we would stay elsewhere next time.
Owner's Response: We offer a unique experience that is definitely not for everyone. Our prices are competitive with comparable offerings in our area.
The Hawaiian hospitality that many of our guests treasure, is the Aloha Spirit where one need not fear a setting where there are no locks. We believe in trust and if we did not exude trust that would be detrimental to the experience we offer. Most of our guests arrive by rental car. In a pinch, valuables may be locked in the trunk.
We are a couple that values privacy, which is why our vacation rental is situated where it is -separate from the upstairs living quarters with an unobstructed vista of the valley and ocean. We love company, but try to keep a low profile so our guests can enjoy the best of both worlds.
We are in a rural setting, off the beaten track. This is not an urban, resort experience. Hospitality is offered at a working farm and macadamia nut business that requires disruptive activity on occasion. We try to balance this experience with fresh fruit off the tree, cackling hens, geckos, and some of the friendliest farm dogs in South Kona.
Should one be allergic to pets, then another place may be better suited. I have discovered though, that some guests that did not like or were afraid of dogs when they arrived, had changed their minds by the time they left. How many licks can one resist?!
Computers are not my specialty, however the internet connection is once more functioning properly.
I do hope that in total, your Hawaiian vacation leaves you with many happy memories and that you will consider returning again to the Big Island to escape the snow.
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