LOVELY GARDEN COTTAGE, HAMAKUA WATERFALL DISTRICT, 100% SOLAR

My husband and I stayed at this wonderful cottage for two nights. It was such a peaceful experience. It was so nice to do something a little different and this off the grid cottage really fit the bill. I was 6 months pregnant during our stay at the cottage and it was very relaxing and accommodating. You really start to fall into a routine of wanting to conserve power and water and connect with your surroundings. Rain water is used as the main water source for the cabin but drinking water is available in the kitchen.

The cottage is in a great location and we could quickly drive into Hilo. Also the botanical gardens, a must see and where I saw my first whale off the coast, is close by as well.
Mary is a wonderful hostess and met us at the gate upon our arrival. She gave us a tour of the property introducing us to all the animals and gave us great descriptions of the various plants on the property. After our initial introduction we had a lot of privacy and the whole experience was very peaceful.

We would definitely stay here again.

My boyfriend and I stayed here for three nights recently over my birthday. This hidden gem was such a treat. You should know up front that this is not your average vacation getaway destination. The property is run off of solar energy and recycled rainwater, so conscientious energy conservation is key. That said, if you want to experience a truly unique way of life on a beautiful property this is the place. The owner, Mary, is very kind and has great stories to share. She happily greeted us with her two yellow labs. She kindly gave us a tour of the property, highlighting the countless delicious fruits and coffee trees she has growing. YUM! The guest cottage has everything you would need for a perfect romantic evening or excursion to the beach. The frogs are loud at night but we both found them soothing and slept wonderfully. Location wise, the home is easily accessible to both Hilo and the Northern parts of the island. We will absolutely be back to see our new friend and to revisit this peaceful sanctuary.

Get off the beaten tourist track, and stay in your very own lovely cottage on a few lush, Hawaiian acres. This place is a one-of-a-kind beauty, and the owner, Mary, who lives in the house next-door, embraces the aloha spirit, and will do everything to make you feel right at home. My 15-year-old daughter and I visited from San Francisco, and were instantly mesmerized by the stunning, friendly, relaxing nature of this retreat.

Mary greeted us on the main road the night of our arrival, and helped us navigate the narrow, sometimes gravel road that ascends to this estate. In our enchanting cottage she'd provided us with a little package of local coffee, and a few ripe Hawaiian goodies from her garden. The next morning, after a very restful sleep, she introduced us to her dogs and her adorable sheep (OMG the little kids are so cute!), who share their killer-ocean-view pasture with her cow. She also took us to see her rabbits and chickens, and bountiful gardens filled with papaya, coffee, star fruit, passionfruit/lilikoi, and the occasional pineapple. (Heaven!)

The property is totally off the grid, and run on solar, with collected rainwater for showering and dishes. Mary asks for energy conservation when possible, so we immediately fell into the rhythm of nature, going to sleep much earlier than we'd ever dream of, and waking up around sunrise, which is magnificent here. We stayed up one moonless night to see the stunningly clear night sky, emblazoned with a planetarium-bright Milky Way. My daughter had never seen the Milky Way before, despite our attempts to see it on camping trips in Calif, and was blown away.

The outdoor shower is to die for. The main bed is super comfy. (Note: If you're a light sleeper, you might consider bringing earplugs, because the island is full of tiny frogs who love to "sing" at night.) And it's vastly peaceful and relaxing. The value you get here is fantastic. More than all this, you'll get the real Hawaii here, not some Disneyland version, or some austere vacation rental with no personality. We will be back!!