Not exactly what we were expecting, but still nice
Submitted: April 23, 2011
Stayed: April 2011
Owners r nice in letting u use their beach gear. Inside of the house was very nice, spacious, clean. Kitchen nicely equipped. Used the outside grill a few times. Did 2 loads of laundry which helped with not over packing suitcases. Beds very comfortable with ceiling fans. No A/C, but have box fans u can put in windows. It was dark & quiet & we got a great night sleep each night. Location is in a lava field in Milolii which is about 1 hour south of Kailua-Kona. It’s in the South Kona district but only a mile or 2 north of Kau. Take the main road (Hwy 11) then drive 3 miles on a very windy, dark, steep road 2 house. Tight switchbacks w/ no guardrails & no street lights. Roads 2 house r mostly paved except on Umi which is 1/2 paved & 1/2 bumpy gravel. Not fun in the dark. Steep driveway is mostly paved except 4 the bottom which is gravel. House is 3 blocks from the water but since it’s in a lava field, it is bumpy, rutted, gravel road. Neighborhood is quite remote. U need 2 get ur supplies between the airport & the house. Once u get 2 the house, u will not want 2 run in & out due 2 the windy road & then having 2 drive 10 miles + 2 the nearest store or eatery. It’s a downhill walk 2 the water but uphill back 2 the house. Would drive if u r going 2 have snorkel equipment with u. Checked out the chrome bar & decided it would b 2 hard 4 us 2 get back out of the water. U have 2 grab a rope 2 pull urself up 2 the chrome bar 2 get 2 the steps. It’s not easy. 1 day we drove through Milolii Village 2 the beach. It’s a far walk from the house & u will go through a questionable area w/ many loose dogs. We didn’t feel at ease 2 get out so we turned around. There’s a catchment tank in the front yard that stores rainwater 4 reuse. That is where the water is coming from which explains the low pressure in the showers. There is an outside “shower” w/ no walls, just a shower head at the back of the house. Sunsets were nice on days it didn’t rain. Advise when sitting outside 2 watch the sun set that u apply bug spray & light the mosquito coils provided. Technically it is a clear view of the ocean & sunset but u will look thru phone wires. B prepared 4 those wires 2 b in all ur photos. High-speed internet provided. Small collection of DVDs 2 watch. Never used the hot tub & never turned on the TV. Our aim was 2 travel all over the Big Island while we were there 10 days. We put more than 2,000 miles on our rental car. The Big Island is B-I-G!
Recommended for:
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children
Owner's Response: Thank you for your review, it sounds as if you had a grand time and saw much on the BIG Island. Yes, the Big Island is BIG, twice the size of all the other islands put together. Hale Honu is located almost midway between the east and west sides. We make every effort to make sure prospective guest know and understand that, both in the listing and in the response we send to each inquiry. This information can also be found at www.ourhawaiivacation.net.weebly or by clicking on the link in the VRBO listing. Similar properties in Kona rent for twice as much as our very fair rates. It is very hard to get that close to the ocean and still have the privacy the house allows.
We are so glad you enjoyed the peacefulness and memory foam beds, we have had many guest ask us where we purchased the beds. We also are glad you were able to use the washer and dryer. We also provide laundry soap for the washer; and dryer sheets for the dryer. The outdoor shower is at the back of the house and bordered with a hill so quite private, yet gives you the freedom to shower outside. Water pressure is lower overall in Hawaii as the resource is valuable, as it is in the US western mainland. The water pressure does operate the washer and the dishwasher.
The road down to the ocean is windy. About 100 yards so Umi are a little bumpy and about 10 feet of the driveway is not paved. Snorkeling/swimming at the chrome bar is easy for most. We have had guest in their seventies who thoroughly enjoy it. Because of the rope, we find it an easier “in and out” than two step or even Kahaluu, which is extremely crowded and hard to walk/swim out to. The water is crystal clear and you have the area mostly to yourselves. So sorry to hear you did not try the hot tub. It is quite nice indeed.
The village of Milolii is the last old Hawaiian fishing village in Hawaii. The residents of the village are quite nice and many rent the house from time to time as their relatives come to visit. We have never had any problems, but did have our rental car broken into in KONA. Parking to access the private coconut lined black sand beach is at the end of the road which is a county park. By Hawaii state law beach access is open to everyone.
Again Mahalo for your review!
Helpful votes: 3/4
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