Tara Cottage:a Haven for Relaxation

Reviews

• Reviewer: Anne

  Comments: Michael's home was so lovely!! The pictures don't do it justice, it's even more magical. I thought the location was so perfect for all outdoor activities & Michael was incredibly helpful with providing advice! I'll 100% stay in this beautiful cottage again!!

• Reviewer: Amanda

  Comments: We had a fantastic experience at Tara Cottage — it exceeded all of our expectations! What more could we have wanted? There were beautiful flowers, macadamia nuts, and local Kona coffee that was grown literally right outside our window. The cottage itself was absolutely beautiful. Michael gave us a nice tour of the property when we arrived, and he did everything possible to make us feel welcome. He was unobtrusive but always available to answer questions or just say hello. This was a fabulous place to stay, and I'm happy that we chose to stay here. Wouldn't change a single thing.

• Reviewer: Emily

  Comments: This place was amazing! The grounds were spectacular and so peaceful. The cottage is located on a small coffee farm with a STUNNING view of the Kona coastline. Michael greeted us after we arrived and showed us around the cottage. Otherwise, he left us to enjoy the peaceful privacy of the cottage. The cottage itself is beautifully decorated and cozy. The beds were SO comfortable (seriously, Michael, where did you get those mattresses?), and Michael truly thought of every detail to make our stay comfortable. There was extra sunscreen, mosquito spray, shampoo and conditioner, anything you would need in the kitchen, playing cards, beach chairs and umbrellas, and towels. A nice touch was the fruit basket, zucchini bread, and macadamia nuts waiting for us when we arrived. This place is truly wonderful and the perfect getaway for a relaxing vacation. We would definitely stay again! Also, if you are looking for a nice place for breakfast/brunch, check out the Coffee Shack a few miles down the road. The breakfast was great and the views were AMAZING!

• Reviewer: Gina

  Comments: I'm not sure where to even begin. Words can't describe the beauty and magic of Michael's Tara Cottage. It is obvious that he put a lot of thought and care into crafting this exquisite place! The books. The music. The linens. The decor. The dishes. The coffee. The wonderful arrival treats. THE SHOWER! That comfy bed! All glorious. The view is to die for. Pictures truly do not do it justice. The frogs. The birds. I did not want to leave! I will definitely, definitely, most definitely be back! We travel to Hawaii most years, staying on different islands.......and Tara was our favorite. Ever. Thank you, Michael for a magical stay!

• Reviewer: Deborah

  Comments: Tara Cottage is a beautiful place to retreat into the the lushness of Honaunau, South Kona country side. Michael our host has enhanced the already beautiful surroundings of large mango trees, and papaya trees with Ti plants and bamboo. The view of Captain Cook Monument and the sunset every night make this a very special place. The outdoor shower, privacy, and beautiful cottage interior made this a perfect get away. We are looking forward to returning to this Hawaiian treasure.

• Reviewer: Philipp

  Comments: Every time I entered the driveway to Tara Cottage I felt very happy to be back. It just starts with the well maintained property and you park your car with an impressive view. After spending a few minutes looking at the bay, you enter the beautiful furnished cottage, maybe looking already forward to another "waterfall" outdoor shower which you enjoyed 2-3 times per day...you might want to finish your day with having a BBQ on the Weber grill or just watching the impressive (Website hidden by Airbnb) soon as you relax on the bed you will fall easily asleep like you would not have (Website hidden by Airbnb) far about the cottage. Now the most important words about the host: Michael is a charming, kind and very professional host taking care of any detail you can imagine. I also enjoyed so much meeting his (now) two dogs. Finally: If you get the chance: reserve for a memory of your life (which I will have).

• Reviewer: Philipp

  Comments: Well - it is not easy to describe all the things I enjoyed so much. Perhaps as an intro: I first booked for one week and was then very lucky that I could extend my stay for another week until the next guests would arrive. If you get the chance on airbnb that Michaels Tara cottage is free for your dates (or even for a shorter period): book it as fast as you can... I travel (really) a lot for work and leisure around the world and this is one of the best places where I stayed so far. Thank you very much Michael for your hospitality and kindness! I hope I get the chance to come back one day!

• Reviewer: Tim

  Comments: Tara Cottage is a paradise-like place; a cozy, charming home on a gorgeous piece of land. If you are looking for a place to unwind and pamper your soul, I truly hope Tara Cottage is available on your requested dates. Michael is very kind and helpful, which made our stay even more enjoyable. We will definitely come back as soon as we can!

• Reviewer: Jennifer

  Comments: We stayed at Tara cottage on the last leg of our honeymoon and it was the perfect end to our trip. The cottage and property were beautiful! Michael was a great host and was easy to contact and talk to if we had questions. The photos don't do it justice, we loved the outdoor shower! We would absolutely stay again if we make it back to the island.

• Reviewer: Allan

  Comments: Tara Cottage is the ideal location if you're in the Captain Cook area. Maybe one of the most beautiful places on the whole island! It's very close to great local restaurants and stores, as well as swimming areas like (one of my favorite snorkeling spots of the trip) Two-Step Beach. It's also just very comfortable and relaxing. You can literally stay at the house all day and be happy. Michael was always quick to respond to any questions I had, and his on-site assistant Chuck was funny, kind, and wonderfully generous with his time and knowledge of the island. My wife and I had an amazing stay here and we'd definitely come back a million more times if we could.

• Reviewer: Mike

  Comments: Tara Cottage is a gem! Michael the host, is very friendly and welcoming. We loved the stunning, peaceful location (about 30 minutes drive from Kona airport) with a view of the ocean and the beautiful, well kept gardens. Everything is thought of, including some complimentary local produce, flower arrangement, books, cds, beach towels & chairs, cool box, snorkelling equipment etc. The kitchen has a selection of condiments, cleaning and washing products and is very well equipped. Two of the best snorkelling areas are very close by and each morning the dolphins come into the bay, which added to a very special experience. It was wonderful to sit in the garden drinking fresh coffee which had been grown in the garden! Great solar powered outdoor shower too! This place is so good, we didn't want to leave! Thank you Michael

• Reviewer: Peter

  Comments: This is truly a bit of Hawaiian paradise. From the cottage you look across lawns above the coffe plantation down the hill and out across the bay to the captain cook monument without seeing any signs of habitation -very quiet except for the occasional wild turkey or rooster. Set at about 1000 foot elevation the temperature is perfect and great to come home to when the beaches get too hot or humid. The grounds are immaculate as is the decoration of the cottage. We feel we were very lucky to find such a place for a quiet and peaceful vacation. Well done Michael!

• Reviewer: Melissa

  Comments: Tara Cottage was everything Michael promised and more. He was very welcoming, always available to answer questions and knowledgable about local happenings and history. We stayed for two weeks and could not have been happier. Each day we left to explore the island hiking, swimming, snorkeling, coffee tasting, sightseeing, and returning to Tara was like coming home. Quiet and relaxing, surrounded by a beautiful garden filled with birds and a gorgeous ocean view from the lanai, we wanted for nothing! The cottage was well equipped from kitchen to laundry to water toys and a wonderful outdoor shower. Tara is close to the some of the islands best snorkeling, a great local beach and grocery store. An idyllic place to stay for couples. Michaels listing of Tara was completely accurate and the neighborhood was ideal. If we return to the Big Island we will stay here again!

• Reviewer: Cecilia

  Comments: This property is perfect for a couple looking to unwind. The serene setting and lovely amenities could not be better. Plan to spend time there rather than run around sight seeing. You will not want to leave.

• Reviewer: Alan

  Comments: My husband and I spent 5 nights at Tara Cottage in early June and we absolutely loved it. As so many have said, it's a beautifully-appointed cottage with many nice touches, located on a breathtakingly gorgeous property! It had everything we needed and was very comfortable and welcoming. The outdoor shower was a treat and made it feel like a spa. The fresh fruit and baked goodies we received upon arrival were most welcome and we adored the Tara Coffee. We only wish we had brought more home with us! The view of the ocean and bay in the distance was nice to gaze out on from the kitchen table and lanai. And we really appreciated how quiet Tara Cottage was! It felt private, which we really liked. The coqui frog-song at night was a real highlight for us as was the birdsong in the morning. All in all, it was the perfect location for exploring South Kona and for enjoying amazing snorkeling at Two Step (we went every day, sometimes twice) and getting to know the area. Five nights is simply not enough! We regret not taking the time to rent a kayak at Kealakelua Bay, so we need to come back for that! Michael was very gracious as was Gloria, the housekeeper. We lacked for nothing (except for ripe mangoes and white pineapples, because they weren't in season yet!). I don't think we could've found a more perfect place.

• Reviewer: Devin

  Comments: What an oasis! This property is truly a tropical retreat, surrounded by lush greenery and with an amazing ocean view. As an experienced B&B owner, Michael has stocked the house with supplies for everything you might want, from an elaborate meal to a day at the beach. He even provided us with fruit and coffee from the property to enjoy during our stay. We would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a quiet home-away-from-home.

• Reviewer: Paul

  Comments: The Tara Cottage was great! Pictures do a great job representing the place. Beautiful view and well taken care of. Outdoor shower is pretty awesome! It was very nice to have beach towels and snorkeling gear accessible at the cottage, eliminating hassle of rentals or purchasing. We had a great time and would come back! Fresh fruit from the farm was delicious!

• Reviewer: Sandra

  Comments: Tara Cottage is an amazing Place with a stunning view to the Ocean. It is Nice and quiet and the perfect Place for relaxation. We were so in Love with The outdoor shower. We can highly recommend Michaels Place. He is very kind and has Great advice for you.

• Reviewer: Ippei

  Comments: Such a wonderful place of the world. So beautiful and calming. The view was amazing especially at sunset. Outdoor shower was funny experience but I liked liberating feeling. I'll definitely come back.

• Reviewer: Vigneshwar

  Comments: Excellent vacation spot!

• Reviewer: Kent

  Comments: This is an exquisite cottage. We loved our stay. The design, setting, interior details, artifacts, artwork, views, ambience, wonderfully warm outdoor shower, privacy, and comfort. We have stayed in many Captain Cook Airbnb's over the years, and this one is especially memorable in its elegance.

• Reviewer: Joanna

  Comments: All I can say is WOW. Nestled in the hilltops among lush greenery with a sweeping, expansive view of the coastline, Michael's little home was everything we wanted it to be and more. There were so many thoughtful touches--from providing us with a gift basket filled with local goodies like banana bread, macadamia nuts, fresh fruit, and coffee grown right on the property to providing essential gear for snorkeling along with beach towels and an onsite laundry, this house has everything you need. The outdoor shower was a rustic luxury as well. Everything was stocked and so comfortable during our stay. I would absolutely come and stay again, I'm already homesick!

• Reviewer: Aviva

  Comments: Where do I start? My husband and I just spent a week at Tara Cottage celebrating our 25th anniversary. It could not have been a more perfect environment for relaxing and taking in the beauty of Hawaii. Michael has put so much thought and love into every square inch of the cottage and surrounding acreage. This was our first time visiting the Big Island, but we spent just as much time lounging in the cottage, relaxing on the deck, taking in the spectacular views and going for walks in the surrounding neighborhood as we did sightseeing. It was definitely home away from home. Being upnin the mountains away from busy downtown Kona was perfect! Far enough away, yet a 15 minutes drive to downtown Kona. We will definitely be back! Thank you Michael! And thank you my friend Karen, for telling me about this little piece of Heaven!

• Reviewer: Daniel

  Comments: Michael's cottage is a great space and an ideal island vacation home. Its very well stocked with anything you might need, including beach gear (chairs, towels, snorkeling equipment, etc). The views are fantastic and the location is great for exploring the Kona area. A big bonus for us was all of the birds and other wildlife (geckos!) just outside your door.

• Reviewer: Liz

  Comments: If you want to stay in a secluded place, surrounded by lush greens and incredible views- Tara Cottage is for you! This vacation getaway is dreamy! So private, beautiful, clean; with all the amenities you can think of from dishes, to blenders, to candles, to fans, to soap and shampoo, beach towels and chairs, etc... the list goes on. We absolutely loved the outdoor shower - there is nothing like it that makes you feel more free and refreshed. The friendly geckos are the cutest and the chickens and birds that come and go are lovely to watch. The grounds of Tara are gorgeous!!! If you prefer to vacation away from everyone else and feel a sense of tranquillity and peace, stay here. Thanks again to Michael and Gloria!!

• Reviewer: Jamie

  Comments: What an amazing stay we had at Tara Cottage. Michael was an amazing host with lots of helpful tips on places to see and great dining options. Great coffee grown right on the farm as well. There was the fully stocked kitchen and bbq which we used to prepare our sunset dinners. Lots of snorkeling equipment to check out Captain Cook and Two step a few minutes away. And the amazing outdoor shower! Book it!

• Reviewer: Debra

  Comments: Paradise found! Tara Cottage is just as described and every bit as beautiful as shown. If you are looking for peace and serenity close to some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island, look no further. We fully enjoyed our stay and hope it was the first of many visits to Tara.

• Reviewer: Spring

  Comments: I just came home from spending two beautiful weeks at Michael's place and I already miss it! I decided to go to Hawaii to do a personal retreat. I arrived exhausted and burnt out and I feel very rejuvenated upon return. It's a lovely space full of thoughtful touches and located on a majestic piece of property. I loved everything about Michael, the property and the good energy surrounding the land. I had a magical time and I highly recommend it for all those seeking a quiet refuge.

• Reviewer: Jo Ann

  Comments: Michael's place had an absolutely spectacular ocean view set on a private lushly landscaped property. The Tara cottage was unique, charming and extremely comfortable. This is an ideal place to relax, prepare food and enjoy the lovely Hawaiian climate. Thank you Michael for sharing your slice of heaven with us.

• Reviewer: Elia

  Comments: The host canceled this reservation 92 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.