We found Mountain Cottage through Hawaii Volcano Vacations online and stayed there for two nights…read more The online site displays detailed information and pictures of Mountain Cottage, so we had some ideas how the inside is like before we left for our trip to Big Island. This was my first time staying at a cottage, and the whole experience of staying at Mountain Cottage was amazing. After driving through rural and quiet road following the direction we received, we finally found Mountain Cottage. Because there is no street light in the whole area, if it is your first time going there and you arrive after dark, it will be difficult to find the cottage. We were feeling lucky that we made it there before it turned dark. This cottage is inside a gated area and surrounded by fern trees. The outside of the cottage looks nice. After walking up the stairs, I peeked at the inside through the window, and I immediately felt in love with this cottage, because the inside looked so cute! Although the space is small inside, everything is very clean and organized! It is equipped with every standard thing you may find at a regular hotel (i.e., refrigerator, microwave, heater, coffee maker, etc.). And there were a few handwritten post-it notes from the cottage owners to pass messages to us. Besides this, the cottage owner also provided a flashlight for us to use, which was thoughtful. In the morning, the cottage owner provided us blueberry muffins and fresh-cut papayas to start out our day. During the two nights we stayed there, I felt I was staying at a friend's homey place instead of a rental cottage. Because this experience was so great, I was actually feeling a bit sad that we had to check out from the cottage after two nights. If I am coming back to this area again, I would want to stay at the same place!

We stayed here 12 months ago but I am absolutely horrendous at writing reviews in a timely manner…read more Anyways: this was the most romantic, comfortable and satisfying endeavor me and my partner have ever experienced. Want peace in nature? Come here. Want to experience Hawai'i? Come here. Sure, the bedroom is small yet it brought us closer together. The hot tub was amazing. The outside shower was serendipitous. The soft robes were welcoming and the hosts were incredible. We were welcomed with every accommodation we requested and then some. They responded promptly and respectfully to each question. My recommendation, if you want to find love in the heart of Hawaii, visit here. We visited for Christmas last year and fell more in love then ever before. We literally have talked about the Volcano Mist Cottage every few months since. No, don't expect a four course breakfast, expect a fully equipped kitchen to relax with your loved one. No, don't expect a staff waiting for you, let Pele welcome to Volcano, HI. Don't expect house keeping, expect a home that a lovely couple shares with you- take care of it as if it was your own home. Biggest negative about this beautiful retreat is that we had to leave. We can't wait go to back!

We stayed there 3 nights. On the positive it was very clean and organized, even had a little fruit…read moreand a small banana bread for us. On the negative, breakfast was cereal, housekeeping was non existant even though it is stated as an amenity. The worst was the bedroom situation. Bed is full/queen, too small and we are not big people just tall. Bedroom is cramped and one of us ended up sleeping on futon on floor. Yet reviews on Hotels.com were all perfect. You decide!

Perfect Hawaiian getaway home. Quaint, and private, this home was perfect for our vacation. We…read moreloved our stay at Ohia Paniolo Cottage! Mahalo!

3.5 stars rounded to 4. Bob and Bonnie rent out a cottage. They live in a cottage behind the…read morecottage rental. Bonnie displays a lot of her artwork in The Artist Cottage. Bob is a really nice guy. Fun guy to talk to. The cottage is pretty big. More than what we needed for two people, but we wanted to stay in the Volcano area to go to HVNP and other attractions nearby. The cottage has one bedroom, a big living with a futon, and a fully furnished kitchen/dining room. There is a fireplace, lots of food in the refrigerator, and bathroom filled with toiletries. They also have space heaters in case it gets cold. It gets a bit cold near the end of Oct. The cottage is in a residential area. It is really quiet and dark. I'm not used to B&Bs or cottage rentals. Sometimes I felt like I was in a horror flick staying in a secluded cabin. When I would go to my car to get something, I felt like something was going to jump me. I also wasn't a huge fan of the front door having some glass. Someone could conceivably look in. Or I could just be really paranoid! It's THAT quiet and peaceful. Bob has put up lights on the porch area so it is illuminated. There is a hot tub behind the cottage, but it was not in use during our stay. For parking, park under the canopy which is to the right if you are facing the cottage from the road.

This cottage is lovely, totally comfortable and charming. It is totally stocked with supplies,…read morelike toothpaste, new toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, guava nectar, milk, coffee, music on CD, DVDs and DVD player in the bedroom, laptop with internet connection (wireless internet is also available). It is in a quiet area, so you have privacy. The bedroom is a little small, but the living room/kitchen is plenty spacious, which is quite relaxing because travel is often cramped. Plenty of food is available in the kitchen, but you prepare it. We wish we could have conducted our whole vacation from this outpost, but we couldn't because we traveled all over the Big Island.

Great place to stay. Beds are nice and the kitchen has everything you need…read more My only complaint is that the hot tub is NOT chlorinated. I'm unsure if the owners of the rental change the water after ever guest, but I do not want to swimming in what could essentially be dirty bath water.

Not for me and first time I've had to leave a day early from our booking. Looks like others have…read moreenjoyed the place so different strokes for different folks. In my opinion this place needs a lot of work. It's a private home that has been converted into a "lodge". If you want privacy then book the suite, the other rooms are within the house. Make sure to ask questions about air conditioning as I'm pretty sure there is only one room in the main house with a wall unit. I don't think the cats that stroll the property are house broken because we had a problem with that. The host was nice until I voiced complaints. Buyer beware!

To sum up our stay at the Ma'ukele Lodge in 1 word, "Enchanting." If i could use another word it…read morewould be "Magical." Raven and Mark have woven a lot of magic into this place over the years. From the unique breakfasts with geckos that leaves you spellbound, to the meticulously manicured tropical wonderland they simply call a yard. The thoughtful decor that is woven throughout, everywhere you look reveal hidden surprises on a daily basis. We spent an entire week exploring this magical landscape mesmerized by all of the attention to detail and yet every moment revealed something new we didnt notice before. Raven's intuitive nature seems to anticipate your needs while her friendly personality makes you feel like you are Ohana. Her eye for art is uncanny and it is the glue that seems to bind the whole property together. Mark's knowledge of the area's history and culture answers any and all questions you might have and even makes you feel, even if for a moment, like you are living it as he tells it! If the lava has done anything for this place it has helped it remain pristine while it transitions into the new age. Would i return? Only if I'm lucky enough. Mahalo & Aloha

We were able to stay in this lovely one-bedroom guest house for practically nothing. It's located…read morein Pahoa, in a neighborhood where locals live and it was a perfect place to be able to hit the popular spots in the southeastern part of the Big Island. If you want to visit Kehena Beach, the Kapoho Tidepools, Kalani Resort, and especially the LAVA FLOW! It's all very close. Also Pahoa is such a local funky town, I think it's worth a visit to get more local flavor than just staying in Kona. The guest cottage, or the ambulana, is situated behind the owner's house. It's a one-bedroom cottage with a large living room/dining room area and all you need for in the kitchen. If you're lucky, you will get some of Yami's spicy curry mix so you can cook up some curry chicken or lentils. Overall, it's a great place to get away from the usual tourist sites. It's quiet, and it's got the beautiful sounds of the coqui frogs at night.

Hale Akule is a wonderfully quaint and amazing home. The space is light, bright, and airy. It comes…read morecompletely furnished, including a washer and dryer which makes it nice while on vacation. It has two bedrooms and one bath, as well as, a sleeper sofa and an air mattress, that we found convenient for our large family. The kitchen was well appointed and had everything we needed to stay in and cook meals, as well as an outdoor barbecue. It is located on the eastern shores of the Big Island of Hawaii. In a nice quiet, rural neighborhood complete with chickens and roosters. Our favorite thing about the rental, is that it has a covered lanai, that allows for enjoying nature and the beautiful half acre in which it sits on. We found a place we love, and we believe you will too. So the next time you're on the big island of Hawaii, stay here! You'll be glad you did, just as we were...