Property grounds
Check availability

Reviews of "The land of Sunshine" - fantastic ocean views, peaceful, romantic getaway

"The land of Sunshine" - fantastic ocean views, peaceful, romantic getaway
Honokaa, HI

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 151 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 165 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 165 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Emily H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Convenient & gorgeous!
Kim’s Cottage and Jim’s welcome were both awesome, two of us stayed for three nights and it was exactly as described and expected. The private patio was wonderful and it made for easy living. We did have some unwelcome encounters with mosquitos, but that was expected due to the location of the property and the season. We normally stay in Hawi and the location was incredibly convenient for us to explore the northeastern side of the island. Once welcomed by Jim, where he gave us an overview of the cottage and the property, we were afforded incredible privacy throughout our stay. It was just perfect, exactly what we needed :)
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney G.

Beautiful
Lovely
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katrin L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection!
What a fabulous find! The cottage is one large, very well stocked, room with two very comfortable beds. The sink and microwave are inside, while the fridge and hot plate are on the porch.The porch has a glassed in corner with a table and chairs where we enjoyed our meals. The views from the porch and the patio are AMAZING!! The cottage was the perfect homebase for exploring the area, and coming back to this quiet, beautiful spot was such a treat. Jim was a welcoming and helpful host. We loved it and will definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
This place is amazing!! Beautiful views and very quiet!! Wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

jeff C., carol stream Il

Liked: Cleanliness
Rainy
Very cute cabin. Jim's as very interesting person. Did not get to explore area as weather turned rainy but a very beautiful view from cabin. Great place to relax. Would come back and a great value
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Taste of relaxed Hawaiian living
Quiet, beautiful, relaxing and comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing view and spot for cooking on the patio
We thoroughly enjoyed watching in the morning on the porch and cooking meals at sunset. Cozy little cabin feel with all the amemnities. Host was very communicative.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monika S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise for us
If you do not like crowds, if you do not mind driving to your attractions, if you like peacefulness, beautiful views and bird's song, this is a place for you. Jim was extremely nice and accommodating. Because I asked about swimming, he showed great concern to make sure that I understand that the nearest swimmable beach is 35 min drive away. Ask him for the house number, and then you can use Google Maps direction and/or GPS coordinates. I can only wish that all vacation rentals were so great, for us it was a paradise.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Rob P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice, comfortable stay, great view, near Waipi'o Lookout
The hosts is nice. He communicates by phone and was there to personally walk us through the house. It was comfortable and nicely furnished, with a number of nice paintings by Kim, his partner and nice chaise lounges on a patio below with colorful landscaping. The lawn between car and house is fairly steep. The ocean view from the porch is quite nice. Not much counter space. Not a very good walking neighborhood, but far from (and 650' below!) highway (yay!) and close to Waipi'o Lookout and Honoka'a tsunami memorial. We would come again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

William W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic experience
OK we are old geriatrics in our 80's We have been to the Hawaiian Islands many times and taken all the shows beaches resorts luaus entertainment you name it , we did it all. This time was different, What did we do for two weeks? "we counted cows" The location was absolutely beautiful. looking across a deep ravine lwatching black angus steers getting fat on the abundant grass with the Ocean as a back drop. Everything was just perfect, Our hosts Jim & Kim provided every thing we needed. Haven't slept on a full size bed for over 50 years, but we re-learned to "cuddle" The rental was close to the charming little community of Honokaa. This is what Hawaii was like 50 years ago. Just kick back and enjoy... Thanks Jim & Jan we will be back
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Slice if Paradise
Loved sitting on Jim and Kims deck (and their lanai) enjoying their stunning gardens and staring at an unobstructed view of the ocean. It was the perfect way to start and end each day. In 5 days we easily explored from Mauna Kea beach to the Botanical gardens, wandered Hawi, hiked Pololu, meandered through Honokaa. Be sure to hit the historical ctr by Spencer Beach to watch the film about how Kamehameha united Hawaii and feel the history of the temple there. In Honokaa, wander the Heritage ctr. We missed the turn to the Botanical Gardens and stumbled upon Hilos farmers market, bought fruit and treats, then headed back to spend 2 stunning hours at the Gardens. If you want a quiet home base where all you hear are frogs, birds, roosters and an occasional cow to explore the north end, Jim and Kims is your place. Very comfortable with grill and well stocked kitchen.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful View
This property is so quiet and peaceful that we spent a bit time just relaxing and enjoying the expansive view. The neigborhood is without street lights, so the stargazing could not be better! We don't usually cook much beyond breakfast and snacks, but there is everything you would want, if you need a full kitchen. The space is pretty small and not really suitable for more than two people. There are stairs to access the cottage, so you do need to be relatively mobile. The hosts are friendly and helpful but not intrusive. This property is beautifully landscaped and the cottage was very clean. We enjoyed our stay and will book this cottage again when we visit Honokaa.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luke C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Anniversary Trip
Kim and Jim were absolutely terrific hosts! We couldn’t have asked for a better stay. The location was beautiful, with a wonderful view and plenty of parking. The sounds of animals and the ocean at night are so peaceful and quaint. The space came with everything we needed such coffee and drinks, toiletries and travel guides. They really think of everything!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bobbie P., Fort Worth, Texas United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place / Wonderful Hosts
We stayed 3 days at Jim and Kim's place in Honokaa. The place is exactly as described, was very clean and well kept. The view is better than the photos and the night sky is amazing so little culture lighting the milky way is always visible. Jim and Kim are wonderful hosts, helpful and we had several wonderful conversations learning about the area. If you want to get away from the tourist areas and see areas of the Big Island that are more for the full time residents, this is place. I already miss not being there.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Honoka’a Views
Since I was a young kid (50+ years ago), I always wanted to stop and stay in Honoka’a to soak in the views. We usually just stopped for malasadas and went home to Hilo. It was totally worth the visit … the views are supreme and very cathartic. I sat for hours just taking in the ambience and listening to the plethora of birds/animals. The living space was clean and very artistically put together. My two negatives would be that the cable TV only works reliably between midnight and 6:20am (otherwise it lags and cuts out - but who then goes on vacation to watch TV) and the very steep slippery grass hill you need to go up and down to get to and from your car. If you have a disability then this is not the place for you. One more unique and fun thing was a pair of geckos that come visit you on the lanai … they fear not and just hang out with you and act cute. Thanks for a truly beautiful visit.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Craig D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Had everything
Lovely property with all we needed. Lots of room and great lanai. Very helpful manager. Great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

JP

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, tropical nature vibes!
The sounds of the animals at night were amazing! Spent a lot of time on the lanai. Loved the green geckos! Nice to have the kitchen stocked. Wish the bed was a queen or king. Thank you Jim for the relaxing stay at your detached guest house. Chris and Julie
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emmaline S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
We LOVED our stay here. The view from the balcony every morning was enough for me to give 5 stars. The house is small but perfect for a couple or small family. We loved the outdoor stove. Jim was also a very great host and made sure to call anytime we had any questions.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marlo U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gateway to Hamakua Coast
The place was perfect for launching our excursions on the Hamakua Coast! We wanted to sleep on this side of the island and see if the weather and vibe of Hamakua was a fit for our plans to relocate some day. Jim and Kim were very personable and the accommodations comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic quiet getaway
Great place for a quiet, peaceful trip to Hawaii Island. Host was polite, unit was clean and had everything we needed. Plus the lanai and view were amazing. We would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

jonathan T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil
A view worth a million $. Relaxing place to just hang out that’s off the beaten bath. Short drive to everything we wanted. Jim and Kim were wonderful hosts. Thought of everything.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cameron G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream Vacation
Loved being in nature and hearing the wildlife of Hawaii at night. Jim and his wife were incredibly understanding and allowed me to have autonomy while being nearby if/when needed. Having a fan instead of A/C let my body really adjust to Hawaii living and it wasn’t necessary since it was comfortably colder at night in the middle of summer. I stayed a week and it was a dream vacation come true :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dylan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place
This was an amazing place to stay and the owner who lives next door is super friendly and helpful and was a pleasure to meet. And the location has an amazing ocean view. Just lovely all around.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Irene W., Sweet Home

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful View
Nice studio cabin. Lanai with wind/rain protection while looking out over the owner's beautiful yard towards the Pacific Ocean. We've stayed at the cabin 4 times since we 'found' it 5 years ago. Our first choice when visiting family on the Big Island.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Shelly

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I loved the landscaping and the views were lovely. The neighborhood was friendly. The chickens were quite loud at times. I would suggest the bed get replaced and the shower head possibly cleaned as it's appearance was more impressive than it's function. Overall a cute place.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kayla P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing spot all your own!
Could not have asked for a more picturesque cottage - beautiful landscaping - nice room with plenty of space for a couple or small family. More then enough for a solo traveler! Jim and Kim were fabulous hosts and a joy to chat with - I look forward to coming back again!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint hideaway with ocean views
Kim's home was perfectly situated for me and my husband during our stay on the big island. We didn't need to use a lot of amenities so the quaint studio was perfect for us as a place to get cleaned up and lay our heads at the end of a long day of exploring. The host was very good at communicating with us and personally welcomed us upon arrival and gave us a tour. It was a trip we will never forget!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brodie A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just Wow
It was incredible. Nothing else to say.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

fvillarruel V.

Liked: Cleanliness
The view and the landscape
The morning view out the front porch is amazing. The landscaping around the cottage should win an award. The place is comfortable and inviting overall. The host was quite accommodating. My wife and I had a great week long stay. If you like a real soft bed the big bed is for you. Since we like a more firm bed we slept on the smaller one. The location on the island is good, almost same time to Kona or Hilo. Honokaa itself is absolutely charming.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sierra E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place to stay
We really enjoyed our stay here! The lanai was a great spot to watch the sunrise, eat breakfast, and appreciate nature. Jim showed us around and was available if we needed anything. Truly a gorgeous spot with all the things we needed to cook meals and relax! The cows, geckos, and rainbows made it extra special.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Philip F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Living among nature
Great place to stay outside Waimea, hosts were friendly and could offer suggestions if need be. Rain could have gone away but view from porch during breakfast and dinner was great. We were actually able to due some stargazing on a couple of clear nights. Would definitely recommend this place and would stay again on our next return trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a Lovely Place to Stay
I must echo all of the positive reviews of this place - thoroughly enjoyed our five nite stay - was soo hard to leave. Jim is a great guy and host - not intrusive at all but always available when we needed him and Kim's garden is so beautiful. Just to plan accordingly note that the small village of Paauhau has no stores or restaurants. The little town of Honokaa is a couple of miles drive away there is a grocery there but would suggest stopping in Waimea on the way at the Foodland to stock up. Cooking facilities at the little casa are as described and worked just fine for us and eating there allowed us to relish and enjoy the view, the serenity and the sounds of the birds and frogs at the end of the day. There are a couple of restaurants in Honokaa - but as far as I could tell only one open in the evening is the Honokaa Public House - we ate there one nite - great place for pizza and beer - and live music on some nights - check it out. Hope you get to enjoy great little house a this beautiful slice of rural Hawaii.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Donna A.

It's all about the VIEW!!!!
The view from this property was absolutely fabulous. I would call this place the land of rainbows. Together with the outrageous ocean view and beautiful gardens this would be hard to beat. Unfortunately, we had a few issues. The phone number in vrbo listing was incorrect, but the view is awesome. Cooking at this location is frustrating due to the induction cook top that kept going off, but the view is awesome. Ahh the mattress....., the view is awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judy Hall J.

Liked: Cleanliness
A gem of a cottage with a spectacular view.
Jim and Kim were a pleasure to meet. The cottage had everything we needed. We especially liked all the art, including several painted by Kim.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic base for exploring the island!
Our stay was incredible. The views from the cottage are even better than the pictures. Our host was incredibly welcoming and helpful. We would come back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy retreat
Host was very kind and saw to all of our needs. Would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen B., Martinez, CA US

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect base for our adventures!
We explored the areas surrounding Honokaa and enjoyed settling in after our days adventures. Hosts were wonderful, location memorable, and the grounds were beautiful and peaceful. We enjoyed experiencing the indoor / outdoor living so much a part of many Hawaiian homes.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

sandra s.

Liked: Cleanliness
first time in hawaii
property was easy to find. Had an awesome view of ocean and the countryside. sparkling stars,coquis and roosters made for a pleasant stay. We visited all the sites and had food from Tropical Dreams food truck. they also have awesome fruit. We purchased a fruit bowl from Lilinoe fruit stand that had every ripe fruit of the day sliced and ready to eat. We ventured to every point of interest on paved roads. We had an awesome time and enjoyed our stay. The big lanai was covered and feature outdoor cooking. We did not cook but the fridge was handy. Felt safe and also enjoyed the beautiful gardens right on the property. Owners were kind and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mia H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location and great hosts
This was a magnificent stay! Quiet, lots of privacy, beautiful views.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luke A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely and Cozy Ohana
Perfect for a little get away. The nature you could hear at night and in the mornings along with the view from the lanai was just heaven. Definitely coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ivo G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Can’t beat the view
Beautiful cottage with amazing ocean view, very friendly owner. Will stay here again on our next visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very Hawaiian experience.
This a great little bungalow with a fantastic view. Not fancy, somewhat the antithesis of the big resorts, but provides all that is needed for a relaxing stay. It is a good location for starting day trips and is near good horseback riding and the wonderful small town of Honanka’a. Waimea, beaches, waterfalls and Hilo are all easy drives. We slept peacefully lulled by the sound of the frogs, gecko and birds, and the genial ocean breeze.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven in Big Island Hawai
This house has amazing views. It is fully equipped and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. The owners are really welcoming and you will feel at home. I strongly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alexa N., Cincinnati

Liked: Cleanliness
Go Holoholo
"Holoholo" is something that brings peace and joy. That's how we felt during our stay at this private retreat near Honokaa. Everything is laid-back in true Hawaiian style: the lodging, the grounds, and the down-to-earth hosts Jim and Kim who moved from the bustle of the big city. This private "ohana" (or family cottage) is in the small settlement of Paauhau which was a sugar plantation town until the 90s. Many of the workers still live in the neighborhood. We spent most of our time on the lanai overlooking Kim's well-kept garden and the land down to the sea. Also on the lanai is the refrigerator and induction cooktop. Inside are two beds, bath, and half-kitchen (the other half was on the lanai with the grill!) The weather in this pocket of the Big Island is usually breezy and fair except for a shower that might come through in the afternoon. Our windows were always open. This was truly Hawaiian style outdoor living - with a roof. We loved it.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Nice Ocean View
Ocean View, Ocean Breeze and Relazation!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

barbara c.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a beautiful and peaceful place to stay!
Very clean and well appointed. The kitchen was very well furnished. Loved cooking on the covered porch! The cook top was amazing! Our hosts went above and beyond to be sure our stay was perfect! Loved the big shower. Not far from Wiamea if you want to go into town to eat. We found some great restaurants. We hope to stay here, again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

2/10 Terrible

Isabelle Alexandra

Disliked: Cleanliness
So far beautiful view, hosts were kind. I would give more stars if it weren’t for a really bad ant problem. There were ants everywhere, on the ground on the walls, in the bathroom, next to the bed, in the kitchen, on the fridge, on the table, on the chairs, I felt like I could barely enjoy my vacation because of all the ants. It was terrible, too many ants to count. I even got bit on my ankles because of how many ant there were. There was also gecko poop all over the table on the porch outside and on the ground. Beautiful view and stay was alright.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ayush R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Probably the best place to stay in Hawaii
With almost an exclusive ocean view this place is amazing. The hosts are very nice and welcoming. It is a pleasure to stay here and I would definitely come here again. Thanks for hosting us.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Irene W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love the View!
This was our third stay at Jim and Kim's studio cabin. They are wonderful hosts. They live in the main house, keep to themselves after initial welcome, but have always been available when needed. Kim's tropical garden is beautiful, setting off the gorgeous view of the ocean from the cabin's lanai. The cabin is small studio style with a double bed, has a nice bathroom and kitchen facilities. The hill walking up to the cabin is a little steep and there is one flight of stairs. We look forward to our next stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tammy R., Courtenay, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful gardens. Private and felt very much at home
Excellent
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022