What a treat! We left about 3/4 weeks ago and miss Honu Kai so much already!!!! If you are looking to really experience the island like a local instead of just staying at a hotel, I highly recommend honu Kai, especially if you love nature. Honu Kai provides a unique yet comfortable stay. This was my first time at a b&b so I had a lot of questions. Months prior to booking, I called and texted Amy with my questions, and she always got back to me quickly. Location was great because target is only 10 min away if you need to stock up on the essentials. Lots of amazing restaurants are within 15 minutes as well. The property is so beautiful and well maintained. It truly felt like a second home. It has a peaceful and zen feeling that is extra magical at night due to the coquis. Our bed was so comfortable and our room was cleaned everyday. The fresh breakfast everyday with coffee and juice was excellent as well. The fruit was always fresh and sweet! I'm someone who appreciates quiet mornings alone so I was unsure about having breakfast with other people, but I'm so glad we did it. It's a really amazing and unique experience to sit and eat with people from all over the world! I truly miss sitting on the porch watching the birds and chickens on the lawn. What really made our experience special was Amy. She is so friendly, personable, and just a genuinely kind soul! Absolutely loved her! Our time here wouldn't have been the same without her. She truly goes above and beyond and really cares. 100000% recommend Honu Kai. We will definitely be back! read more

Honu Kai Bed & Breakfast - Breakfast! - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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I originally had a night reserved here before flying out from Kona to Maui but after the Lahaina fire, had to pivot, cancel the Maui portion and tried to extend our Kona stay. Unfortunately, with less than a month to go and only 4 rooms total was not able to get extra nights here. The one night we did have here was exactly like how I imagine old Hawai`i would look like. Just a short drive to downtown Kona for food and even Costco but far enough that you feel like you can disconnect. With so much shared public area and again only 4 rooms, nothing ever felt crowded. You had access to an outdoor dining area, gardens, sundeck, grill, plates, utensils, your own shelf in the fridge and even snorkel and beach gear. The only issue I had was when I used the hot tub, my eyes started stinging so not sure if it was overly chlorinated so only lasted less than 5 minutes as I kept tearing up. The rooms were comfortable, very thought out and has such nice little touches that make you feel at home. Only thing to note is since they are in such a tropical setting, they do not want you eating in your room to avoid ant infestations, etc.. Again, no big deal as they have a spacious dining area right downstairs that we had all to ourselves when we wanted to eat or snack. Innkeeper Amy was friendly, welcoming, and made sure we were taken care of. The breakfast in the morning was better than what you can get at a restaurant and the ambiance just cannot be beat. The sound of the rain while we ate our takeout dinner was so soothing and relaxing and the sound of the birds on a sunny morning paired well with that breakfast. We honestly didn't want to leave that we lingered after check out enjoying our lunch at their public area. I honestly could not ask for anything more. read more

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Such a lovely bed and breakfast place. The whole area consists of 4 rooms set in what looks like a remote forest area. Looking out the window, it makes me feel one with nature. It's March and we didn't use the AC and opened the windows. The cool breeze at night is soothing. Slept to the sounds of frog croaking, birds chirping and woke up to the sounds of rooster crowing. Below our Mahina room is a beautiful pond of koi fish. The sound of water is relaxing. Zen like, relaxing ... it's a vacation just staying here. Our room is very clean and interior has the island vibe with wooden fan and native straw on the half wall. The caretaker, Amy, showed us around upon our arrival. The common area has a BBQ grill, plates and cutleries. It also has a big fridge and dining table. Another area has a fire pit and is a great area to sit in the mornings while sipping coffee. They also provide snorkeling equipment, beach towels, sun block lotion, coolers, first aid kit, insect repellant etc. They thought of everything that a guest would possibly need. The morning breakfast is extraordinary. Amy herself prepared and served us breakfast when we came down. There's nothing more we could ask for. Highly recommend this place! Hospitality at its best. read more

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We stayed at this lovely B&B for 3 nights during the first part of our trip to Hawaii and we absolutely enjoyed our stay. We don't like big resorts or chain hotels so this quiet, eco-friendly B&B was perfect for us. We were able to relax and disconnect from the world for a few days, but we were also a short driving distance to restaurants and all of the places where we needed to go to for our excursions. Amy who is the innkeeper was great, she was so welcoming and friendly, communicated with us before our arrival to make sure we had directions to the house as well as the gate code, and was very helpful during our stay providing us with recommendations, great conversation and a delightful breakfast daily, even one to go when we had to leave early for an excursion. We stayed in the Nigori suite which was very spacious, had a very comfortable king size bed, lots of good comfortable pillows and a nice sunken bath/shower. The decor of the suite is Asian inspired, as is the case with the decoration of the entire B&B. We had access to our own koi pond and the sounds of the waterfalls from the pond were so relaxing. The suite had a semiprivate deck with lounge chairs and a small deck chair/table set which was perfect for having coffee or even breakfast. The rooms were serviced daily and they provided beach towels as well. Breakfast started around 7:30am, varied daily and included some sort of pastry or bread, fruit with yogurt and granola and a hot item such as eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. Also the Kona coffee was outstanding, nice and strong. The B&B also has a hot tub which was perfect for unwinding after a long day of excursions. We had a rental car and there was plenty of space to park. The nature sounds (frogs, birds, roosters) grew on us and ultimately we enjoyed going to sleep and waking up to their sounds. Definitely recommend staying at Honu Kai if you're looking for a relaxing, serene vacation. read more

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Great place to stay while on the Big Island. Centrally located to downtown Kona only a two hour drive to the Hilo side of the island. Amy was awesome and knowledgeable about things to do and places to see. Amy has a bunch of beach and swimming gear to use so you don't have to bring that with you and you have more room for souvenirs in your bag!Breakfast was amazing and fresh everyday! Even had an early flight and Amy had some fresh fruit for breakfast for us! Definitely recommend! read more

Honu Kai Bed & Breakfast - Day gecko at Honu Kai. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Dave and Wendi welcomed us for 6 days and from day 1 their hospitality exceeded every expectation. We were greeted every morning with Wendi's exquisite breakfast creations (see photos below)and relished everyone of them. The rooms were very comfortable and up to date. We had two rooms. Each room had its private entrance and sitting area. We wanted to experience all the beauty of Kona and Wendi very kindly guided us to each attraction whether it was the volcano, black and green sand beach or makalawena beach where thoughtful hints were given to us to make our journey more special. They provided us with beach chairs and a cooler for water. We even had a clicker to enter and exit their property. We lived the Aloha Spirit at Hindu Kai B &B . I highly recommend it. read more

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We had a wonderful time staying at Honu Kai! The property was peaceful and very well decorated. Amy was the perfect host and took great of us over the course of our stay. And Coco the puppy was so cute!! Having beach gear provided was super convenient as well. The rooms are cozy and comfortable as well. We would definitely come to stay again! read more

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Our stay was nothing short of spectacular! This was our second and final stop on our wedding/honeymoon trip to Hawaii and we couldn't have been happier with the choice to stay here. From the planning stages, Wendi and Dave were informative, easy to communicate with and thorough. We arrived late one night for a 9 day stay and Dave gave us a quick overview and tour, then showed us our accommodations. We stayed in the bungalow because we required a full kitchen and the space met our needs. The bed was super comfortable and the living space was fully furnished with everything you could think of. The property is lush, tranquil and immaculately well kept. Our trip was a bit complicated, as we were getting married during our stay, but Wendi and Dave were up to the challenge! From helping provide a space for me to get ready separately from my soon-to-be husband, to driving me to the beach so he could get the surprise first look, they were nothing short of amazing with every little detail. After all the wedding things were done, we were really able to concentrate on having fun! There is snorkel equipment, towels, coolers and best of all, the three course breakfasts served everyday outside on the patio. My favorite had to be the Macadamia Nut French Toast (Wendi, I'm still waiting for the recipe!) Also, make sure you take them up on the offer to go to their condo beach--the atmosphere is so relaxing and the snorkeling is top notch. They are a wealth of knowledge about the island and have great itineraries, so use this to your advantage. We didn't book much ahead of time, just kinda going with what we felt like doing or weather permitting and this worked very well for the stay. They make you feel right at home, so much so that some days, you might not want to leave and might rather want to stay and hang out! Dave and Wendi, thank you for making us feel at home, like "ohana"!! read more

Seems to have recently changed ownership which made me suspicious but Amy does an incredible job as host and the property is in great condition. The daily breakfasts prepared by Amy were delicious. Everything needed for a day at the beach is made available. Atmosphere is serene and relaxing. The best B&B we stayed at on the island. read more

My wife and I just returned from a 7 night stay in the Mahina Suite between Christmas Eve and New Years eve. We had never previously stayed at a Bed & Breakfast, but decided on staying here versus a hotel because of the #1 Tripadvisor rating for B&B's in Kona. We were not disappointed and from discussions with the other guests, they said that Honu Kai is the best B&B that they have ever stayed at. Beyond the amazing breakfasts prepared by Kona Dave (see the pictures which I uploaded), Wendi provided concierge service from making reservations for us for Christmas dinner as well as providing us with snorkel equipment, towels, a cooler packed with drinks and snacks. Armed with the "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" book and morning discussions with Wendi & Dave about where we should go and what we should do, we had a fabulous time relaxing at the Wasson's home. We made use of their sister property's private beach club which had fabulous snorkeling only 30 mins north of the B&B, and when we returned Wendi had arranged a masseuse to give my wife & I massages. Don't forget to use the hot tub to soak away your troubles. read more

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Wendi and Dave and the staff of Honu Kai are awesome. They make you feel like part of their family from the "get go" They have a lot of activities to take part in (I suggest it) It is a very relaxed and peaceful place. I recommend it to others will definitely be back!! The ALOHA SPIRIT is alive and well at Honu Kai Bed and Breakfast!! read more

We stayed a couple of nights with Wendi and David. Our stay was the prime example of an overpromise that failed to deliver... Before making the reservation, David spontaneously promised to drive us from the airport and to the different activities we were hoping to do while staying with them. We would never have stayed otherwise, given the high price charged. He also assured us that he would help us navigate through the reservation of different activities - as it turned out, he did not even try to make any reservation or to give us actionable advice, he claimed all was already booked, we managed to secure everything using our own resourcefulness. Came the day of our arrival, David had "forgotten" to pick us up - he reluctantly obliged. From then on, there was an underlying tone of passive aggressiveness in most of our interactions. As if we were to feel guilty for any ask complying with what had been agreed upon at the reservation. The day of our departure, we asked David and Wendi to drive us in town. Wendi had the audacity of defaulting their responsibility to another guest and imposing us on them. It was extremely embarrassing. Thankfully the guests were much more empathetic and generous than their hosts... read more

My wife and I just returned from a 5-day trip on the Big Island of Hawaii. While many choose to stay at multiple hotels as they travel around the island, we decided to stay all five nights at the Honu Kai, and we are very glad we did. Wendi and Dave Wasson were amazing hosts. They didn't just provide a beautiful place to stay, or serve a delicious and hearty breakfast, they served outstanding advice and recommendations for island activities. They clearly knew the island well, which helped when we traveled across the island. They were also incredibly welcoming, not only to us, their paying guests, but also my brother and his wife. After they were evacuated during the February 27, 2010 tsunami scare, Wendi and Dave invited them to the Honu Kai for breakfast and to stay the night if necessary. It was a defining moment in the middle of a statewide crisis and made a huge and lasting impression on us. Our accommodations for the our stay was the Mala Hale bungalow, which is essentially a fully furnished apartment, set aside from the main BnB structure. It has it's own lanai as well as a complete kitchen (including a well-stocked spice rack to use with the outdoor grill). The space is clean and very well-kept. We saw almost no insects even though we were at 1100ft elevation and set in the middle of the rainforest. It made grilling on the lanai a worry free experience. If you're a first-timer to the Big Island, like us, and you want someone to help guide you around with honest advice, stay with Wendi and Kona Dave, they are the best. read more

Love this place!! My husband and I stayed here for the first leg of our honeymoon in October of 2010. Dave and Wendi are amazing! We felt right at home in the Lani Room. The breakfasts were phenomenal, the grounds were beautiful, and the extra care they put into the details was truly spectacular. Each day over breakfast we got activity recommendations, and on our way out the door we got maps, snacks, even snorkel and beach gear! The B&B is located a couple of miles out of town, so it's nice and quiet - very relaxing and romantic. I can't recommend this place highly enough! read more

Definitely our best B&B experience ever! We stayed here for 3 nights (wish we stayed longer!). Dave and Wendi are the sweetest hosts. I told them this was going to be our honeymoon trip. When we got there, they put us in a separate bungalow so we had more privacy. And on our last day, they left a bottle of champagne and macadamia nut treats in our room! (On top of the macadamia nut snacks that came complimentary when you check in) The B&B itself is beautifully decorated. They have this eastern culture/zen theme. Lots of flowers and greens all over, giving it the tropical rainforest feel. 2 adorable house cats hanging out in the court yard, you can pet them whenever you see them. Lots of bright green geckos around, they have a tiny jelly feeder to attract these little guys. I got to feed them with some guava jam on my finger tip. The delicious 3-course breakfasts were served on the deck next to a outdoor kitchen/grill. Everyday we start with a plate of exquisite pastries, followed by a fresh fruit/granola/yogurt course, and then the main course with proteins (they made different dishes everyday!) The creativity, presentation and freshness of the meal alone is worth staying here for. They also have a fridge full of cold beers for the guests. When Wendi and Dave were not busy with chores they would hang out and chat with us by the breakfast table, which we really enjoyed. My husband and I are very prone to mosquito bites, so Dave would light up mosquito repelling incense by our breakfast table every morning. They also provided us everything we needed to enjoy the island, from beach chairs, towels, snorkeling gears, to maps, and bug sprays. The cool thing is we didn't have to return everything everyday, they let us keep items like chairs and boogie boards until we checked out. When we wanted to try a restaurant on they recommendation list, they made the reservation for us. When our car tires were low on air Dave even pumped them up for us. We felt totally taken care of! Next time we are definitely staying with Honu Kai again. We are think to maybe bring family and friends here, too. read more

I found this wonderful B&B because it was highly recommended by TripAdvisor reviewers. We stayed here for 5 nights in January and loved it. This tropical property is in a quiet & safe residential neighborhood, beautifully landscaped, decorated, maintained and managed. Our clean Bungalow, a one-bedroom & one-bath suite, has a living room, dinning area, kitchen and an outdoor covered lanai sitting area surrounded by plants, flowers, fountains and the hot tub. Our bed is extremely comfortable. The daily delicious 3-course breakfasts are better than the five-star hotels & restaurants in Asia. Wendy & David are superb proprietors! Thank you for your generous and warm hospitality. read more

The first thing that came to my mind - "how could any one get it all so perfect"! Be it the decor, the breakfast, the host& hostess, cleanliness et all. The B&B was simply the best place i've ever stayed. The thing that awe's me most is their attention to detail. Its not just in the decor, its in everything they do. We stayed in the Nigori Suite, which had a rich zen theme going all around, and fell right in place and tied into the overall theme of the place. For the breakfast a lovely fruit platter with the days special. Wendi and Dave seem to know a lot of good places and they help you around with whatever you need. The little extras they do makes all the difference and adds a memorable touch to the place - like the little breakfast they packed us for our whale watching tour, chocolates and some exotic nuts in the room, the gate opener they lend you so you neednt punch in the code everytime and the autograph tree they make you sign at the end of your stay :)! My only regret, i wish we culd have stayed longer!!! read more

Our hosts at Honu Kai were very friendly and extremely accommodating. We felt right at home! They served fantastic breakfasts, made great recommendations for food and local attractions, lent us beach gear, bug spray, even did our laundry when we needed it! Lol We can't recommend them enough! The property is also beautiful, peaceful, and very relaxing. read more

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If you're in a hurry read only this--Don't hesitate, this is the best B & B you'll find! My fiance and I recently spent 6 nights here. We've stayed in many B & B's over the years, but none like this one. Dave and Wendy, the owners, have put their heart and soul into this lovely home. There is no detail too small to be overlooked. From the lovely outdoor patio and dining area to the beautifully decorated rooms to the landscape, it's all done with taste. Dave and Wendy are island experts and have printed out booklets describing each part of the island to help when you're on the road. They provide snorkeling equipment free of charge and cook the most beautiful breakfasts you could imagine. Chatting with the other guests is a big plus too. Many interesting people from around the world--especially Australia. read more

Disclaimer: I didn't stay at Honu Kai myself, but Dave is super awesome for helping us find an emergency place to stay after an Airbnb host cancelled on my family of 6 the moment we landed on the Big Island. Given that it was the holidays, we shouldn't have been surprised that every hotel and Airbnb near Kona was completely booked out, but we spent 3 hours on the phone trying and getting rejected by every location imaginable and we were starting to panic. Then I called Honu Kai, and Dave picked up. He told me they were fully booked, but when he heard my story, he immediately offered to ask his friends and fellow rental owners for help because he didn't want to see us without a place to sleep. I eventually ended up finding a rental home from a website he had suggested, and I also got a call from one of his friends offering to put us up at her own house. Their kindness and generosity were so unexpected and so so appreciated during that stressful time, and I can't thank them enough for their thoughtfulness. Will absolutely stay at this bed and breakfast next time I'm on the Big Island so I can thank Dave in person! read more

My husband already reviewed this place, but I wanted to make sure to put something for them also. This place is truly AMAZING! I absolutely love Dave and Wendi! They are so accommodating and so nice. The B&B is located very conveniently, close to the airport and down town Kona. We stayed at the Mahina Room and it was very clean, with any amenity you can think of. Dave and Wendi left chocolate, snacks and water in our room. Dave prepared our breakfast every day and let me tell you that it was the BEST food I've ever had for breakfast! After we finished every day, we didn't have to eat lunch - we were full until dinner. Every day there was a fruit salad and then a main dish - different every day! They served Kona Coffee, all kinds of juices and other snacks. Wendi was an amazing source when it came to the Island. She knew where to go, what not to miss and what to see. She had different info packets prepared for the guests to use, we definitely liked the Volcano info package (everything you need was right there for us) and we liked the City of Refugee and Coffee Plantation info. If were were going to the beach, Wendi made sure to pack us a cooler with water, snacks as well as beach towels, sunscreen, snorkel set and other things that you may need. I think staying at this B&B was the best part of my trip! read more

This is the best B&B that we have ever stayed at and an order of magnitude better than other B&Bs. The owners, Wendi and Dave are delightful and treat you as friends and family. For example, we stayed in Kona for 3 nights and then went to Hilo for 4 nights and returned afterwards to Kona. When we returned back to Kona, Wendi said "welcome home!" which was accompanied by big hugs. I think the key is that they actually enjoy hosting guests and they enjoy sharing the island with visitors. They help you get into the Hawaii time zone. But more importantly, the hosts are relaxed and easy-going, and that is infectious--pretty soon, you will feel stress melting away. Some of the many reasons to select Hona Kai B&B: --Wendi and Dave have interesting biographies and stories. Dave and Wendi previously worked in corporate flying and had met many celebrities. --High quality everything: Unlike other B&Bs, they used high quality materials--high quality sheets, towels, etc. It was very comfortable. --The rooms were roomy, well decorated, neat and clean. The house and garden was lovely and the garden was decorated with Buddhas. --Hosts had an amazing ability to pay attention to small details. For examples: one night we arrived back home and it was raining out, Dave shows up at our car with an umbrella. When we left for a day adventure, Dave offered us a mini cooler with snacks. Orchids and flower displays were common. --Scrumptious breakfasts--multi-course breakfasts, with fruit and main meal--really yummy. Dave makes the most amazing drinks. --Very close to downtown Kailua--but cooler, about 10 degrees cooler. A/C was not needed (we were there in October). It took us maybe 5 minutes to drive to Kailua and about a 10-15 minute drive to the airport. Highly recommended! read more

We had an incredible honeymoon at Honu Kai last summer. Dave and Wendi are the best - they are warm and caring hosts and went above and beyond to make sure we had an awesome stay and all the information we needed. The breakfasts were the best food we had on our honeymoon - even though we went out to some nice meals, nothing was better than breakfast. The room we stayed in was beautifully decorated with a big, sunken tub and luxurious bedding. We met another honeymooning couple from London who we met again later in San Francisco and still stay in touch with. It's just the kind of place that makes strangers into family instantly. We're so grateful to Wendi and Dave for making our honeymoon so sweet and memorable. read more

We came to the Big Island to visit dear friends who retired here in January--and celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary (we married on Kauai in 2001). As a surprise to my husband, I booked two nights at Honu Kai for some couple-only time to celebrate our two decades together. I had read up on Honu Kai and our friends made the trek from Waikoloa to see the site before I committed to the two night excursion. Wendi and Dave were happy to welcome our friends for a look around and they knew immediately who I was when I booked our March trip. We stayed in the Nigori Suite. It was spacious. clean, and beautiful. I also decided to add the Sunset and Stars dinner to our weekend. It rained, hard,--and Wendi and Dave recommended that we cancel the plan (after they set up everything on the beach!) Instead, they served our delicious selected meal (fresh leis, flowers, candlelight and tiki torches to boot!) on the large lanai off of the Bungalow Suite. They didn't skip a beat, or a detail! It was a lovely evening. We especially enjoyed sharing breakfast and daily highlights with the other guests in the morning. Every space on site was so lovingly decorated and cared for. Wendi and Dave were committed to each guest's needs and wants. They were more than happy to share the insight, knowledge, and island hints they have learned over their time together on the Big Island. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience and place, get to Honu Kai before Wendi and Dave move on to their next venture together. Book now! read more

This was my fourth trip to the Big Island but our first time staying at Honu Kai B & B. The owners Dave and Wendy were amazing and the location was a slice of paradise. They are intuitive hosts and are so attentive to any of your needs. The breakfasts were gourmet in appearance AND in taste. They have lived on the island for years and can help you plan and organize any activity your heart desires. They even send you off with anything you might need for your outing. A true find. We felt more like great friends than just guests. We will be back!!! Mahalo. read more

This place is as good as it gets. We just spent 4 days there, and, it was the best B&B experience we have ever known. My wife said that she was never sad to leave any accommodation, but this was the first. Everyone will say how wonderful Wendi and Dave are. And they are. You feel like saying 'Mom, I'm home', when you come back from a day out. For which they have prepared a cooler for you, and told you where the choice spots were, and gave you snorkel gear, or chairs, or whatever. They are the best. They are both interesting as themselves, and interested in you. But too much focus on them (and they really make the Aloha experience) can be seen as being told how great a personality the blind date has. So lets talk about the place. Breakfast is absolutely great. Not only do you get very fresh and sweet fruit, but you get delicious Kona coffee, and great cooked breakfast. Too, you can get a peek at Daves legs as he wears his sarong. And the place is really lovely. The rooms are very well appointed (try to get the Nigori suite if you can), and the entire place is beautiful and comfortable. And, being up the mountain a bit, it is always cooler at night. Great hosts, excellent food, beautiful surroundings, being in Hawaii, it is just the best. If you are going to stay anywhere near Kona, and you don't stay here, you are making a mistake. read more

True Southern Hospitality !!!! Wendi and Dave are like your best friends and take care of all your needs from helping you plan your day to making reservations for dinner. Breakfast was Amazing and catered to my vegetarian needs tastefully! Wendi and Dave think of everything you could possible need in your room,robes, fresh flowers,makeup mirror,paper scissors ,tape,cotton balls.....definitely 5 stars. I want to visit again real soon. Karen 5/2/2011 Charleston,S.C. read more

A tale of two accommodations. After 31 years of travels to hotels on the Big Island of Hawaii, we booked a condo through the website VRBO (vacation rentals by owner). Our past few trips to high end hotels on the Kohala Coast had been marked by not so pleasant experiences with unruly children running around the restaurants and pool. We were looking for calm and quiet, which is what led us to Golf Villas M3. The description said that because of high end furnishings, children were not allowed in this unit. A call to the owners Dave & Wendi Wasson, convinced us to book their two bedroom unit. The booking went flawlessly, and off to Hawaii we went. Upon checking into the unit on Friday March 3rd, we were greatly impressed. The unit was beautifully appointed and quiet. The kitchen was fantastic, with every kitchen tool and appliance at the ready. There was lightning fast wi-fi and a flat screen TV. The per night cost of M3, was a bit more than some of the other units at the Golf Villas, but in the end you get what you pay for, and this unit was perfect. We had made the right choice. We went out for dinner that Friday night, and returned to the condo about 10pm, to learn that there had been an earthquake in Chile. The TV news person said that there might be a tsunami warning issued for the Islands. We went to bed, only to be jarred awake at 600am by the civil defense sirens. A call to the local police said the evacuation center was being set up in a school up the mountain in the town of Waimea. A few minutes later the doorbell rang, and the complex manager informed us we had to get out of Dodge. A quick look at my email as we were packing showed an email from Wendi. She told us to get our stuff and head up to their bed and breakfast "Honu-Kai" located high up the mountain away from the tsunami zone. The evacuation out of the Mauna Lani resort was calm and very organized, as we headed out to the Queen's Highway, the local police were in the process of setting up road blocks to all of the beaches. When we arrived at Honu Kai, Wendi was in the process of serving a fantastic breakfast to her guests and invited us to join in. After breakfast we had a tour of their beautiful property, and then sat down to watch the events unfold on the TV. During the "tsunami watch", Wendi and Dave also put together an impromptu lunch. In the end it was a non-event, but the care and concern shown by Dave and Wendi was something that my wife and I will never forget. When the all clear was sounded about 3pm, we headed back to the condo and had a wonderful week at the Golf Villas. Ultimately we enjoyed both of Dave and Wendi's properties. If you're looking for a B&B experience on the Big Island, stay at Honu Kai. If you want the condo experience, closer to the ocean stay at Golf Villas M3. read more

My wife and I stayed at Honu Kai during on our trip to the Big Island. As the trip was part business, part pleasure and covered the whole island, we stayed in two hotels and two bed and breakfasts. Honu Kai was the last place we stayed. Unfortunately, because of schedule, we could only spend two nights with Wendi and Dave. It was the highlight of the trip, and it is the first place we recommend when we tell our family, friends and anyone who asks about the trip. For us, it wasn't like staying with friends, it was staying with friends. We want to go back, now, please! A few examples: -- After we arrived, Wendi noticed that we had been driving off road near South Point - the dust is a distinct color. She noted that the rental companies aren't too fond of that activity, and before we finished our tour, Dave had rinsed the car clean of any suspicious dust. -- The first morning, Wendi asked what we were doing that day. Snorkeling? Fine, she quickly set us up with a couple beach chairs, a cooler with ice, chips, drinks, plus a bag with fins, mask and snorkel. When asked, there was ample advice on where to go to see what kind of sea life. -- Shopping? No problem. What do you want, and Wendi knows where to get it. I especially appreciated her tips on Hawaiian shirts. -- The lanai is fully equipped with a well stocked cooler: beer and sodas, plus coffee, a microwave, an espresso machine, all free, plus there's jelly out for the geckos and a bird feeder, so there is plenty to sit and watch. -- The first breakfast sounded a little sparse: fruit salad, bagels and lox. Not to worry - the fruit salad was amazing, and the bagels and lox took up two plates with all the fixings, plus the basket of bagels. The second breakfast was Dave's justly famous breakfast burrito. I can guess at most of the ingredients, and you could too, but I'll be darned if I could make one half as good. Amazing. Are you ready to rethink your plans to stay at the Hilton? read more

Absolutely just loved, loved, loved this place! My husband and I stayed here for a week for our 45th wedding anniversary in the Nigori suite. Beautiful! A big & spacious room, sunken humongous bathtub, access to the koi pond (with food to feed them). Outside grounds were so impressive, surronded by tropical foilage everywhere, especially the macadamia nut trees. We had never been to the big island before and wanted to experience it fully. We had no idea that our B&B host's would be the ones to help us to do that. Everyday for us was an adventure that they had mapped out for us to see and enjoy. Every morning they had us going to another beautiful spot, they provided all equipment for our excursions, we were pampered and spoiled throughout the week. Our mornings were the times I enjoyed the most. Dave & Wendi prepared the most exquisite & delicious breakfast, every morning a spectacular arrangement of tropical fruits and desserts before the delicious main meal. What a feast to look forward to every morning before our day got started! When you stay at a B&B you really never know how your experience will turn out, how will you like your room or the people you meet or your host's. We are in our late 60's and we were so pleasantly surprised at how our stay here turned out. Dave & Wendi treated us like they would have treated their own parents. We felt safe & protected and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We hated that our week went so fast but what a memorable vacation we had that we will never forget. Thank You for a truly wonderful experience! read more

This B&B is a destination in itself! My husband and I just returned from an anniversary trip to Hawaii. Five days of the trip were in Kona and we stayed at Honu Kai. Thank goodness we found this place as it was heaven on earth! Wendi and Dave are the best hosts one could find and they run an impressively comfortable and attentive B & B. Delicious breakfasts, well appointed rooms, beautiful and inviting common areas and grounds are all a part of the gem Honu Kai is, but Wendi and Dave wrap it all up perfectly. If you are headed to Kona, this is the place to stay. You will not be disappointed as Wendi and Dave make every effort to ensure your stay is the best it can be! read more

If you are undecided about where to stay on the Big Island, you can stop looking now. Do not hesitate for one moment to book with Wendi and Dave at Honu Kai in Kona. If I could give this place six stars instead of five, I would. My wife Leslie and I have stayed at many B&Bs and the hosts, the property and the breakfasts here are second to none. We were here for four nights in late July and split our trip between the Big Island and Maui. Next time we'll stay here for the entire week. The hosts: On top of being engaging, funny and delightful, Wendi (a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader) and Dave make everything available that you could need. Don't know what you want to do one day? They have the answer. They also present you with folders full of info and directions for anywhere you may be going, from Volcano National Park with stops at South Point and Black Sand Beach along the way, to their pristine, private beach club 25 minutes away where B&B guests visit for free (take advantage of this). However, Wendi and Dave go above and beyond that. Dave packed us a cooler and beach bag every day filled with cold packs, snacks, water, a bottle opener for wine, beach towels, flashlights, snorkeling gear with fins - you name it. And when we drove to the top of Mauna Kea (almost 14,000 feet high and a MUST-DO to watch the sunset and see 40,000 stars) in our 4-wheel-drive SUV rental (recommended), Wendi packed us two bags of men's and women's winter clothes, jackets, hats and gloves to wear since it's cold and windy at the summit. How nice is that! Property: Honu Kai is located in a residential area a few miles up the mountain from the main highway that runs along the coast, and is less than 10 minutes from the airport. It's easy to find and a central location for all things Kona, and really the entire island. The property is gated; Wendi provided us with an electronic gate opener. Our room was located on the second floor and was clean, spacious and comfortable. We had a king-size bed, mounted TV for late-night viewing, a great shower, and chocolates welcoming us. No AC unit, but it's Hawaii, where you turn on the ceiling fan and let the breeze blow through the window screens at night. We were fine. The house is in a jungle/garden-like setting, which makes it feel secluded. Tropical birds are everywhere, and harmless geckos make frequent appearances. While we didn't make use of the hot tub, there is a nice one. Breakfasts: Even if everything else about Honu Kai was bad, the breakfasts would still be worth staying here. Dave jokes about his cooking, but the guy whips up tasty, hearty dishes like his massive southwestern breakfast burrito that you only wish you could find in a restaurant. Every breakfast starts with a group pastry plate and a large fruit dish for each individual (which we mistakenly thought was the main course on the first day) featuring 4-5 fresh island fruits. Once you're almost full, they hit you with the main course: the Dave-ritto, blueberry waffles, hashbrown casserole with sprinkled bacon and a side of avocado, etc. So bring your appetite. We skipped lunch every day. Closing notes: If you're going to Mauna Kea - and you should - get a 4-wheel drive rental. If you're not, a regular car is fine. Check with Wendi and Dave for restuarant recommendations, but we enjoyed the Kona Brewing Company: fresh beer and good Hawaiian pizza. Also, beware of how rocky the public beaches can be (you are on a volcano island). I cut the bottoms of my feet twice on the first day and I thought I was being very careful. We stuck to only taking off our shoes on the smooth sand at the beach club after that. Thanks for making our 15-year anniversary a memorable one, Wendi and Dave! read more

Honu Kai is in a very convenient location to the downtown area of Kona and the airport. It is just a short distance up the mountain where it is cooler and serene. It is also centrally located between Captain Cook to the south, and the Kohala beaches to the north. It is also convenient to the Saddle Road over to Hilo. The property is very well maintained, beautiful, and fragrant with flowering plants and trees. The rooms are very comfortable and tastefully decorated and up-to-date. Wendy and Dave are very nice people and the consummate host and hostess. They serve a delicious breakfast each morning on their huge, lovely deck. They are very organized and provide information and advice on activities, restaurants and day trips. They have written handouts with this information to take with you each morning. They also provide snorkeling gear, beach chairs, coolers, ice packs, picnic supplies, sunscreen, water etc. etc. They are just amazing and have thought of everything. We really enjoyed our stay at Honu Kai, and highly recommend it. read more