Seaside Cottage - A sand beach is your front yard!

Reviews

• Reviewer: Jesus

  Comments: The host canceled this reservation 41 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.

• Reviewer: Jacqueline

  Comments: The location is simply amazing! Everything you could possibly need is provided for you and Valerie is in communication with you for anything that is needed. The home & outside living space were so comfortable - we did not want to leave. Hopefully we will be back soon!

• Reviewer: Marisa

  Comments: Great house! Tina took great care of us and you can't beat walking right out onto your own beach!

• Reviewer: Conrad

  Comments: This house is amazing! This house is straight out of a magazine. I don't think the photos they have on the site do this place enough justice. When we first walked into the house, I looked at my husband and said, "I think we just won vacation!". Although there were only three beds and six of us (my husband, myself, my three grown children and my 77-y/o mother), we managed. It would have been nice to have had different bed options, but, there was plenty of space for us to spread out and do our own thing. There is no air conditioning except for that which Mother Nature provides. It was okay because the house is designed with plenty of cross ventilation. That first nite, it rained. Listening to the rain and the crash of the waves, everyone had the deepest sleep they had had in months. The property was very clean and well-stocked. And, there is laundry onsite. Tina is the onsite manager who lives in back of the house. She was gracious and very nice. She gave us some very helpful insight into the cove (when the tides were coming in and what to expect), the neighborhood, places to go, things to see. I just have to say that when she asked for the cleaning fee and the taxes on our second day, I was a little caught off guard because I had forgotten about that (I had made the reservations in February; we went in July). It would have been great if it could have been included in the total price. Just make sure to bring a check for the taxes and the requested cash for the cleaning fee. The beach is right in our backyard. The only potential problem with that is that it is the only usable beach around that area so a lot of other vacationers swarm the area on the weekend. That made it feel much less personal and private then. There is a very good-sized backyard and a small fence that separates the property from the beach. Unfortunately, no turtles during out stay; but, plenty to see. Your daily view is a beautiful cove with crashing waves and amazing sunsets, sunrises. Lots and lots of pictures and videos were posted on my (Hidden by Airbnb) page. We went to Walmart and bought snorkeling gear and we were out at least a couple of times a day. There were lots of brightly colored fish, sea cucumbers, different types of coral as well as lots and lots of urchins!!! I had thick soled beach shoes and was glad because the water can get very shallow and the bottom is rocky in spots. The urchins are not to be taken lightly. They are spiny and even with our shoes, every single one of us ended up with some urchin spines stuck in a toe or hand. Fortunately, the water is so clear and shallow that you don't necessarily even need snorkel gear to see fish. In fact,...

• Reviewer: Zoe

  Comments: Great for a family or friends sharing. The house is very special, no need to worry about lack of air-con upstairs where the bedrooms are stays beautifully cool with the ocean breeze. And the outdoor area is simply incredible, the view of the beach, the sunsets, plenty of seating options, day beds, hammock, dinner tables and lots of grass for kids to play around on. Definitely recommend it as a place to stay in Kona.

• Reviewer: Rob

  Comments: Beautiful amazing place! Right on the ocean, and the groundskeeper helped us out a lot. We'll be back again I hope.

• Reviewer: Blythe

  Comments: Paradise, felt like old Hawaii. The most wonderful refuge, can't wait to return!

• Reviewer: Valerie

  Comments: Simple Pleasures. Lots of Aloha at this gorgeous beach property. A very clean, open and airy home. Beautiful lawn and patio abutting a picture perfect ocean cove. Too shallow for swimming but perfect for a dip or for relaxing/ playing on the sand. I loved being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the surf.

• Reviewer: Benjamin

  Comments: If you have the opportunity to stay here, you must. It's truly an incredible home, located literally steps from the ocean on a very secluded part of the ocean with limited foot traffic. The house is clean, straightforward, and comfortable but you won't spend very much time inside because the outside living is just so perfect. Would absolutely stay here again and recommend to anyone I know.

• Reviewer: Daniella

  Comments: This house is a little slice of heaven. Although it is located in a pretty touristy area, it is far enough removed from the shops & tourist bustle, if that scene isn't for you. The location is right on the beach, which is incredible. I certainly enjoyed my morning cup of coffee on the beach, watching the sunrise, and the gorgeous sunsets too! The small bay outside of the house had sea turtles, oodles of tropical fish, and a sandy entrance that was sheltered & calm enough that even our 2 year old daughter could enjoy the water. We climbed the tide pools and lava rocks every day and there was always something new & interesting to see. The outdoor area has extremely comfortable fabric loungers, a hammock, reclining lawn chairs, and is SO set up for relaxation & entertaining. The grounds are gorgeous & inviting. The house itself was sparkling clean & had a retro charm & thoughtful minimalist decor that I really appreciated. It was compact but surprisingly private & quiet, even for 5 adults and a toddler. The shoji screens upstairs were an effective buffer to noise when closed, but really cooled the space when open during the day. Both Cecelia, the property manager, and Lopaka, the groundskeeper, were extremely friendly, welcoming, and readily available to answer any questions- and they both brought us fresh mangoes from the trees on the property which was a memorable touch. I should mention that if you're looking for a completely private rental, they are constantly on the property- although they are very careful to keep a low profile & be respectful of the guests. I can't say much about the surrounding town- the house & beach were such a relaxing oasis that we really didn't leave (guess that's good, right?), but there were certainly plenty of sights to visit a short drive away. Although I never met Valerie she was great with communication, answered questions promptly, and provided some excellent recommendations for restaurants & activities. All and all this was a wonderful place to stay and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Mahalo, Valerie, Cecelia, & Lopaka!

• Reviewer: Corri

  Comments: Wow! What an amazing location!! I had looked for a good beach location in Kailua/Kona for a few years for my friends and myself before I found the Zen Cottage. Beaches are few and far between in the area and this one is practically all your own. There were many times when we were the only people on the beach or in the lagoon. Zen Cottage itself is a peek into dreamy, old world Hawaiian plantation living. Totally open to breezes and the sound of the ocean. The location is also fantastic because of the proximity to all the other shopping, entertainment etc. that can be found in town or further south in other older tiny towns on the way to Kealekekua. The truth is though, we quickly wound down from our hectic mainland lifestyles and discovered we just wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet of the lanai and the spectacular view. Absolutely perfectly situated for the sunset. The location is lovingly cared for by 2 onsite caretakers. Both of these lovely folks quickly became pleasant visitors as they went about their daily tasks on the property. They made us feel cared for without ever intruding on our space or privacy. Also, we loved having people around we could ask about the best fish market or the local lore. We really can't wait to come back next year!!!

• Reviewer: Beau

  Comments: A space that only exists in dreams. I can say enough how positive my experience was at the zen cottage. The house is fabulous. The view unparalleled. The communication with the owner and staff were so pleasant too. I have stayed in Airbnb’s all over the world and this is hands down my favorite. I want to tell the world and also keep it a secret. It’s an absolute gem and I relaxed on a level that I haven’t in years. Waking up to the crashing waves and slivers of light bolting through the floor to ceiling open doors is something that can’t be over stated. It’s breathtaking. If you’re looking for a peaceful place but close to so many things, this is it. I will be back.

• Reviewer: Claire

  Comments: We loved the location and old school Hawaiian vibe of the property but we had some major issues that have been discussed with the host. Firstly, on the second day of our stay the plumbing stopped working and we weren't able to use the showers or toilets. Due to this we had to leave the property and move into the one next door. The host was quick to accomodate us but it was an inconvenience and not the property that we wanted to stay in. Secondly, read the "House Rules" section of the advert in full. You need to click "read more" to discover that there is an additional charge for cleaning and taxes that aren't included in the airbnb cost.

• Reviewer: Marshall

  Comments: Amazing location, beautiful house, great hostess! Loved it, we would definitely stay at Valerie’s again if we were to return to Big Island (which we hope to!)

• Reviewer: Halley

  Comments: Amazing place! It was perfect for our family of 5 with young children. Great location in Kona, great beach right in the back yard. We saw turtles and dolphins everyday. Very clean and had everything we could need, including beach chairs and sand toys for the kids. Really happy with our stay and would stay again.

• Reviewer: Kris

  Comments: We had a lovely holiday in this beautiful home. Classic 1940’s Hawaiiana charm with thoughtful modern amenities. The location was close to everything we needed (the airport, shopping, restaurants) and the backyard beach was a paradise seeker’s dream come true. The lanai was the perfect location to catch the beautiful sunsets each evening. Cecilia the caretaker was helpful yet unobtrusive and Valerie was incredibly easy to communicate to and was quick to respond throughout. Don’t let the recent volcanic activity on the other side of the Big Island deter you from enjoying Kona and staying here!

• Reviewer: Jeff

  Comments: Amazing location! Family friendly, turtles on the beach, sunsets, great location for family meals on the patio, comfortable beds, great years, place for many hammocks, easy access to beach, and on and on and on. Out of three places we stayed during our trip to the big island, this was by far our favorite location and beach view. Highly recommended!

• Reviewer: Daniel

  Comments: This house was an exceptional rental, forgive me if I gush, but forget about the rest, if this house is available, book it. Wonderful living atmosphere inside a beautiful but minimalistic home well taken care of by dutiful grounds keepers. The waves break far enough out to create just the gentle sounds for sleepy time, which is quite comfortable with great beds and linens. We stayed in the middle of a very hot and humid summer and the ceiling fans in each room, combined with the roof fan and breezy windows made it quite comfortable. It is such a privilege to stay in front of the most desirable tide pool beaches in the area. It is uncomfortable at first with all the visitors to the beach, but once you realize they have to scramble over rocks at low tide for 20 minutes to get to your front yard, it isn't all that bad. Thank goodness for Cecilia and Lopaka, who keep firm control of who is coming and going, letting us worry about where to take afternoon naps, and not about uninvited guests. This house is a hidden gem, don't sleep on it, we have it bookmarked.

• Reviewer: David

  Comments: Zen Cottage is a dream location. The cottage is every bit as idyllic as the photographs suggest and we had a wonderful six days there. Valerie is a wonderful host and everything we needed was provided for our stay including beach chairs, boogie boards, etc to enjoy on the beach. The beach itself is perfect for kids as the water never gets too deep and there are plenty of fish and coves to explore when snorkeling. The location was perfect. Quiet and restful, but close enough to the little town that restaurants, grocery stores (a Safeway and a Target), and the little beach town were just a few minutes drive. There's also a wonderful Poké shop a couple of minutes walk from the house. Cecelia, the guest liaison, has a property on the grounds and is always available if you need anything. She was extremely welcoming and helpful. We loved our time at Zen Cottage and we certainly hope we can return in the near future. It's a gem.

• Reviewer: Jessi

  Comments: There are no sufficient words to express the sublime experience of this house. My (new) husband and I booked the cottage for our small wedding of 20 people and the space worked perfectly. We stayed at the house with some friends in the cottage and our family stayed nearby- all was easy and conveniently located to everything we needed in town. We held the ceremony on the promontory, a space so beautiful it made my heart race. We had dinner on the lanai, which easily made a festive and comfortable space for all. We swam in the warm lagoon every night. Cecilia, the caretaker was super accommodating and sweet. Basically, it was perfect and I can’t recommend it enough.

• Reviewer: Olivier

  Comments: We absolutely loved our stay at the seaside cottage. The views on the sea and the little beach was absolutely gorgeous. We also liked the proximity to town. Our evenings and sunsets on the patio were truly amazing. It is a wonderful place well taken care. My only preference would be to have cleaning services and taxes included in the Airbnb transaction as opposed to be paid separately.

• Reviewer: Sara

  Comments: This place is amazing! The views are breathtaking. We were a tad worried about the privacy with the bedrooms but there is plenty. The ocean waves lulling you to sleep at night are heavenly. The sunsets and starry night sky are amazing!!The only problem is our stay wasn’t long enough!