Papaikou Escape < 3 Mi to Botanical Garden!

Reviews

• Could be cleaner, more transparent about location/surroundings

  2/5

  This home is cute, but lacking in cleanliness. The fridge was clean, but countertops, dishes, utensils were not clean. There were roaches and termites, holes in the screens. Without A/C the open windows were a must. As for the neighborhood, the house next door was being remodeled, so there were many people in and out with our driveway being blocked. I walk every morning and evening, and did not feel safe walking in this neighborhood as there were some individuals living in their cars. Staying here without our husbands and having our children with us was not ideal. The owners are very kind but not the home or area we expected.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi Leslie, the right vacation home is everything, and we're disappointed if this wasn't the one for you. We followed up with the homeowner after reading your feedback, and they wanted to share the following:
  - We use a cleaning service to professionally clean the home before each guest stay. We can confirm that the property was cleaned the day before your stay, but we regret that there was any oversight. We will address this with our cleaning team to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
  - Our property is routinely inspected and treated by pest control. It is typical for some bugs to appear as they are dying post-treatment, but we will further investigate and ensure all preventive measures are in place.
  - We were unaware of any holes in the screens and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We will further investigate your concerns and will make any necessary repairs to ensure a comfortable stay.
  - The listing does not advertise A/C, but we understand that the summer heat can be challenging. We encourage the use of open windows and fans to help with ventilation.
  - The house next door undergoing remodeling is beyond our control, but we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
  - We want to assure you the neighborhood is quiet and safe. We understand your concerns and want all our guests to feel comfortable and secure. The cars parked that you mentioned were in fact family members of the community waiting for their family members to return home on the bus from work. The area is also frequently used for parking for this reason, and we assure you people do not use the area to sleep in their cars. It is important to note that this is where my husband's parents lived and we raised our children.
  We're glad to hear that you found the owner's kind and enjoyed the charm of the home. We appreciate your feedback and are committed to making improvements to provide a better experience for future guests. Thanks for taking the time to leave your review!

• Fourth of July Weekend 2024

  5/5

  Our entire ohana (family) enjoyed our stay on the Big Island. The location is perfect with a nice little general store across the street. The plantation style of the home made for a very comfortable stay. Excellent showers and a huge kitchen. The property manager (Thom) made us feel at home from the start and was on standby if we needed anything. This was a trip to remember! We’d happily stay here again on our next trip to Hawai’i Island. Mahalo nui loa!!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  From the Owner: "Your family was a joy to have. Be sure to let us know when you come back again. We'd love to have you come back again anytime."

• Great Stay Near Hilo

  4/5

  Nice stay close to Hilo (5 - 8 minute drive) with everything we needed provided for at the house. Traveled with young kids and a baby and found the house comfortable and clean. Some light construction going on next door but host let us know about it. As other reviews have stated, some road noise during the day but it's just part of the background noise. It does get warm during the day inside the house but cools down at night.

  Given the locale, there are encounters with critters (frogs, lizards, termites). They don't bother you but they are around.

  Best part of this place is the kind and helpful hosts. They were available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide tips.

  We'd definitely stay here again.

  Manager's Response:

  From the owner: "Hello Ken, thank you for your comments. Hawaii is green and lush, and being in a tropical climate, it is normal to encounter critters. None are dangerous, but sometimes annoying. Nevertheless, we enjoyed having your family and hope you come back again."

• Short trip with friends

  5/5

  While this property isn’t in what’s considered a touristy area, it was quite convenient and comfortable for our needs.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Lovely

  5/5

  I really enjoyed staying here. It was clean and just so nice. There is no AC however there is a nice cross breeze due to all the windows and the sunshine that comes through is wonderful! It's just a 5 minute drive from Hilo town and it's a straight easy drive. There is some noise due to the main road however it's not bad at all. The sound of the coqui frogs were also enjoyable because it sounds like they are saying "co-qee." If you search up the property on google maps it shows an abandoned bakery however don't worry, the house is right behind it and it does actually exist. The manager Thom is also very responsive and so nice!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo