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Reviews of Lovely garden cottage, Hamakua waterfall district, 100% solar

Lovely garden cottage, Hamakua waterfall district, 100% solar
Ninole, HI

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 134 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 143 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl H., Lacey, WA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Property was very convenient to Honoka' and other parts of Hawaii; internet connection was great.
We were delighted with Honoka'a and enjoyed an evening at a ranch west of Waimea, day trips to Kona, Hilo, a tropical garden, Hilo Farmer's market, and Captain Cook monument (for two of us hikers). The accommodations were great for 6 adults. Also enjoyed the oranges off the tree in the backyard.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Apr 2024
This review was written for a vacation rental in a different location. It is not about Garden Home Hideaway.

10/10 Excellent

Maura C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tucked away
Beautiful cottage on a beautiful property with views down to the ocean. The grounds are exquisitely maintained with choice flowering trees, bushes and flowers. Inside the cottage was large and comfotable. We loved the indoor/outdoor bathroom! We had a wonderful visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Birthday weekend in paradise
Mary’s cottage was the perfect place to call home for a birthday weekend where we wanted to unplug and refresh. Such a quaint space and a great location to explore the eastern side of the island. She had great recommendations and made us feel right at home.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Feb 2024
We really enjoyed our stay at the Garden Cottage. A nice quiet place to relax after a day out and about. Cottage was about 20-25mins drive to Hilo. The instructions for getting to the cottage were very easy to follow and we had no problem getting there. Overall a very nice relaxing place to stay. Thanks Mary and Copper.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enjoyed our stay
We enjoyed staying at this property. Very nice set up, peaceful and quiet. Was a bit worried about no wifi, but mobile data worked great since there is a signal booster.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Irene B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Experiencing Hawaii’s natural beauty
My husband and I enjoyed our stay very much! Mary, our hostess was delightful, welcoming and helpful! The cottage was so tastefully done and it felt like we were in a park with beautiful foliage and flowers that Mary created! From the Tea Room, we saw beautiful sunrises over the ocean!! We would definitely love to stay there again🌺
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alvin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Want relaxing? This is it!
The cottage and host were wonderful.. very satisfied with our week on the Big Island! Alvin and Sarah
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Cottage in a Spectacular Setting!!
Ninole Garden House Hideaway was everything we hoped it would be and more!! The ocean view is spectacluar and the grounds are incredible!! Mary is an amazing host and made our stay so enjoyable! The cottage is simply lovely and so very comfortable! My plan is rent this delightful off-grid cottage again in 2024!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful, idyllic setting with a beautiful view of the ocean.
The property is very well maintained, very clean, and Mary provided everything we could need during our stay. She was an excellent host, and the cottage was decorated to make us feel welcome and at home.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
We so enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property. Mary and Copper were a delight, the property clean and beautiful. It’s everything we hoped for in a get away. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil Retreat
Perfect property to get away from it all! Well appointed studio guesthouse with access to tea house. Beautiful tropical setting in countryside. Wonderful host greeted us with a tour and fresh fruit and coffee from property in the guesthouse. Highly recommended for peaceful and quiet vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

kay g., Meridian , Id

Liked: Cleanliness
The real Hawaii
My husband and I loved this get-away. We had had several stresses going on and it was such a beautiful way to get away from it all. Kick back and revive. The pastoral setting was perfect for this girl who grew up on a farm and small town. Sometimes there is no better way to relax and get perspective than to get rid of the communication “stuff” we get so wound up in. We really can live without them——for awhile!!! Kay and Jim
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise in the garden getaway
We couldn’t have asked for a better location and more gracious host. The garden getaway was a dream destination. We will be back!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

thomas j.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
Wonderful place to experience Had a great time
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Liked: Cleanliness
An absolutely wonderful opportunity to "reset" ourselves!
This hidden gem is a little off the beaten path, but so worth every bit! Cell phone coverage is spotty, depending on carrier, but the views and atmosphere more than made up for it! The owner, Mary, and her dog, Copper, were delightful and made our stay even more pleasant! 10/10 would stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful & Relaxing
We spent a wonderful week at the Garden Cottage. We checked in very late but had no trouble finding the property as Mary’s directions were very detailed. Mary and Copper were terrific hosts. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds with them, taking in views of the farm animals, fruit & coffee trees, and the ocean. The cottage itself was clean, comfortable, and generously sized for our party of 2. We were greeted upon entry with a basket of locally grown fruit and coffee grown on-site by Mary. The cottage is well stocked with kitchen utensils, books, board games, puzzles, beach towels, and snorkels. Our host was available every day if we had any questions or needed any local information to make our stay more pleasant. We enjoyed playing with Copper and helping out with his scent-training exercises. We were also delighted that we got to go for a walk with them at a local park. The location was ideal for us, with Hilo being a 25 minute drive south along the beautiful Hamakua Coast. Nearby Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point, and Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden are not to be missed! The Pāpaʻaloa Country Store and Café is a short 10 minute drive north. The café has an extensive menu with live music Thursday through Saturday nights. The store itself has most everything you need if you if you don’t want to make the trip into Hilo. We would not hesitate to return to this lovely cottage when we visit the Big Island again!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cecil S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A tropical garden getaway
We very much enjoyed Mary and her dog Copper, at this unique off -grid garden cottage. This place is like staying at a botanical garden with a great pastoral view of the Pacific Ocean. Copper, a friendly dog in training to detect invasive plants, loves to greet upon arrival, as do the friendly goats and sheep. We experienced brilliant sunshine with cool, clean air, as well as refreshing rains. The cottage is uniquely constructed with tropical hardwoods, It is surrounded by abundant bird life and strikingly beautiful tropical flowers diligently maintained by Mary, our friendly host, who was always available to make sure we had a pleasant stay. This was a true Hawaiian experience away from the all too common tourist driven resorts. Mary and VRBO were the best.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shauna L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful hideaway!
Beautiful grounds, so many trees and flowers! unfortunately it rained our entire stay but we still had a good time. Mary was a very accommodating host. Lovely place.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Selden H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Special stat birth of Hilo
Lovely well furnished cottage and beautiful grounds complete with a gazebo. Mary is such a gracious host and helpful with any questions. My favorite was the wonderful outdoor shower surrounded by Hawaiian flowers and vegetation. It was good to get off the grid. Mary's use of solar panels and other energy saving strategies is impressive and we were most comfortable. Hope to go again.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Renee K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and Serene Stay
We really enjoyed our stay at Mary's garden cottage in Ninole. It's the perfect spot if you want to enjoy some quiet time and gorgeous view of the ocean. It was also a good experience for us to be "off grid" and be cautious of water and power usage. The cottage was well appointed and Mary was an excellent and interesting host. Also loved her well behaved dog, Copper! Click the button and stay!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ken L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Away from it all
This off grid garden hideaway was perfectly decribed by Mary, our host. We didn't mind being away from wifi or cell phone service; it was a relief. The cottage is lovely and nicely appointed and was far from the main road, so quiet. Thank you for your hospitality Mary!
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan 2023
Verizon gets the best phone reception.

10/10 Excellent

Rob C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great country getaway
A perfectly tranquil stay in the country while exploring the coast north of Hilo. All the noise comes from the birds around sunrise and sunset.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Farrell C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good stay
Overall, a good experience. Cozy cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

chris s.

Liked: Cleanliness
love the outdoor shower
really enjoyed our stay at the garden cottage! would stay there again
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carrie C., Vancouver, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Lowered our Carbon Footprint
Mary and Copper were just delightful. When we travel, our carbon footprint goes WAY up. Staying with Mary helped us reduce our negative impact on the planet. ;-) Mary was kind enough to come to find us when we could not find her. ( My error, not hers) This was a wonderful hide-a-away to return to after exploring the island. The sounds of the birds and tree frogs lulled us into a deep, restful sleep every night. I got to see how well-trained and behaved Copper is. He is so bright and clever! Mary's place is 100% off the grid, and your carbon footprint for your HI trip will be significantly reduced when you choose to say with Mary and Copper. Thank you so much for sharing your space with us. Carrie, Amanda, and Justin
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacinthe L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Rental
We had a great time staying with Mary and Copper. The place was exactly what we were looking for: calm and away from other tourists. We enjoyed the water falls around and a lot of hiking at Mauna Kea and Volcano park. Mary was welcoming and helpful when we needed. The garden house is very functional and has everything we needed to cook for the week. We had a great time and we recommend The Garden House if you are looking for a calm place to stay with local people.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ann U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Little slice of paradise
Felt like home away from home. The place is beautiful and the host treated us like family! What a great experience!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kayla S., Vancouver, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely remote retreat.
We had a lovely time at Mary’s farm guest house. It was a beautiful remote place with lovely gardens and farm animals. We enjoyed the beautiful sunrises from the tea house and the company of the friendly goats and Copper the dog were most welcoming. Mary was very helpful, especially when we got lost trying to find the place after dark. I highly recommend arriving during daylight and using her instructions rather than google maps since google maps took us off to a dodgy off road trail away from the address. Thankfully Mary was able to rescue us! Thanks Mary!! 🙏 We found the place was not the easiest to find and one of the turnoff roads is are not easily visibly marked even in daylight. Once we got familiar with our surroundings it was easy enough to access from the main road and about halfway point on the eastern side of the Island to see attractions north and south. All in all we enjoyed our experience staying somewhere unique and remote. The accommodations themselves were basic and simple.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary G.

Liked: Cleanliness
A peaceful retreat in paradise
Lovely ocean sunrise views from the glassed in gazebo, spectacular gardens, unique outdoor bathroom and shower, cozy, but roomy studio. Perfect for a couple who wants a quiet, rural retreat not far from Hilo and tourist attractions. It was fun watching the goats and sheep and Copper the dog is a fabulous companion. We really enjoyed meeting Mary as well. It was a unique experience to be off the grid. Glad we chose this property.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

john h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Extraordinarily Peaceful
After spending a week on the bustling, drier west side, the drive east, and particularly the approach to Mary's home, through lush, verdant grass and jungle, with expansive views of the Pacific, felt more like Hawaii. I was greeted at the gate by Mary and her good natured Rottie, Copper, and shown to the Garden Cottage. The cottage is well appointed and comfortable, the outdoor bathroom and shower is private and pleasant, as it seldom dropped below 70f, and the grounds are absolutely magnificent. Mary was kind enough to show me around the property, and even answered some of my questions about off-grid existence. From a guest's perspective, it is no hardship at all...quite the contrary. I was sad to leave, but also rejuvenated, and I felt like I had made 2 new friends. Thank you Mary & Copper, I hope we meet again!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amelia R., Ottawa, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
An amazing stay
This is the most splendid hideaway. We spent a week in Mary’s guest house and could not have asked for a better experience. It was very fun showering outdoors. The entire cottage was quite private thanks to Mary’s incredibly lush gardens. The kitchen was very well stocked - including containers to pack lunches and pantry essentials. Copper was a teddy bear… we will miss him! We hope to come back to the Garden House Hideaway if we ever return to the big island. Sam & Amelia
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawna R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful, convenient and sweet
Mary is a superb and sweetheart of a host. All communications were perfect and we really loved getting in some much needed dog time with Copper. Make sure you get the property tour. The overall location is ideal if you're an explorer and prefer a home base that's close to attractions but quiet and removed from the more busy areas. It's off the beaten path and we loved that about it. The cottage is cozy and has many items you can use (lots of snorkel equipment and beach gear), including a good library of Hawaii travel books. We really enjoyed the outside bath/shower house! The Coqui frogs are not shy and will serenade you while you're on the john. All in all, we had an excellent visit and really enjoyed having Mary's home as our anchor point. Thank you so much for hosting us!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matt T., Terre Haute, IN

Liked: Cleanliness
Best time ever
Mary was wonderful and welcoming. She gave us great local info. Her property is beautiful and sufficient for 2. The house was very charming. It has what you would expect from Hawaiian craftsmanship. It is in a great location to easily reach different parts of the island. My wife and I really enjoyed our stay at Mary's garden Hideaway.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dewe E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful retreat
The Garden Hideaway was a treasure - a quiet out of town retreat. Mary is an amazing host who made our stay comfortable and relaxing. Copper her dog was a delight. We highly recommend the Garden Hideaway for anyone needing to recharge and relax.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristie v.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful ocean view & sunrises
We had a lovely stay here. Enjoyed the outdoor shower and the view of the ocean & sunrises from this property are amazing. Bed is comfortable and the kitchen has everything you need to cook a meal. Mary is kind and nice to talk to. If you like animals you will enjoy your stay even more, there are goats, sheep and a dog. Highly recommend staying here. Have fun exploring this beautiful island.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karla O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Little Slice of Paradise
If you're looking for beauty, peace and quiet away for the tourist crowds this cottage is for you. The grounds are gorgeous, the experience is off grid and the host is very helpful and knowledgable of the local area.
Stayed 42 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amit S.

Liked: Cleanliness
An amazing property and great host!
The property is beautiful with a serene location. Mary and Copper were amazing and we wish we could've spent more time here. From cell reception point of view, we didn't have any issues and T-Mobile had excellent reception here. The property is a bit remote and Hilo is around 25 mins drive, so that's something future guests should keep in mind while planning other activities.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maureen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow! Peaceful, beautiful property
Such a wonderful stay. Plenty to do on the Hilo side of the island. Would definitely come back.
Stayed 19 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine L.

Liked: Cleanliness
AMAZING!
Garden Home Hideaway is truly a WONDERFUL property. The guest house was all we could ask for, and the grounds ended up being one of the most beautiful places on the island of Hawaii. Mary was a great hostess, always very responsive to communication and made us feel completely welcome. The grounds were beautiful, with an ocean view. We were given a full tour, and gifted with some of the fruit from her garden (made lemonade and guacamole). Copper (very sweet dog), the goats (a fun and friendly crew) and the sheep (twin lambs born during our stay) made the stay even more memorable. I would highly recommend!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joshua A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible Stay on the Big Island!!
Mary (our host) provided an incredible stay in her slice of paradise in Ninole. Although definitely off the path, our stay was peaceful, stunning, and rejuvenating- the views were beautiful, the rain calming, and on clear nights the stars so bright!! We highly recommend this property if you are looking to stay on the Hilo side of the Big Island- remember it is a long drive to Kailua-Kona. Thank you Mary (and Copper)!!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brenda W.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Hidden Gem
The Garden Home Hideaway proved to be the perfect place for us on our trip to the Big Island. Not too fancy - just right. We felt comfortable and right at home. And morning coffee in the “tea house” with its beautiful view of the ocean was a nice way to start the day. Mary and Copper started us off with a tour and were very hospitable throughout our stay. Close to Hilo, Akaka Falls and Waipi’o Valley, the Garden Home Hideaway is a place we hope to return to someday.--
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anthony M., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness
Refresh & Renew
Mary's guest cottage in Ninole, built from exotic Indonesian hardwood, complete with boutique coffee farm, sheep in the pasture, superb panoramic ocean view, lush tropical plants and all the amenities...is just the place to refresh and renew!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jessica R., Washington, DC

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful oasis away from the city
We had a wonderful time staying at the cottage. The Hilo side of the island is lush from all of the rainy afternoons. We saw many rainbows and waterfalls nearby and enjoyed the lovely hikes Mary and Copper are gracious hosts and the property has a view to the ocean that can't be beat!! Thank you for your hospitality.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Views
Mary and Copper are very welcoming and the view is breath taking
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Denny N., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness
Hidden Gem in Niole
This cottage is super cute in a beautiful garden with ocean views!!! We could watch sunrise/ocean and seeing sheeps/cows from the backyard. I thought only New Zealand would offer that view :-) If you love garden/natures, this cottage is excellent choice. Mary, Thank you for the welcome tour and take us went hiking down the beach!! Nguyen and I had wonderful times there and hope we can be visiting you again in the near future!!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

VICTORIA Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Getaway
This property was the perfect place to get off grid and stay in a beautiful bungalow with a fabulous view. Mary was a very gracious host and of course we had Copper(her dog) greet us every day. He was wonderful as well! I really cannot say anything negative. It was exactly as we saw it online and we enjoyed not being in a touristy hotel and being able to disconnect. We loved the town of Hilo and being close to the Volcano! Thank you again Mary for everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alina F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stunning and Amazing
We had a wonderful time staying here! The place and property is gorgeous. Thank you Mary for all your help!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emily O., Livingston, MT

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet & Relaxing
Mary's cottage is so lovely.... the tea hut, the ocean view, the yard. Everything is awesome... and the outdoor shower!! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn C., Where do you live?

Liked: Cleanliness
Hideaway
It was fun to get a taste of Mary's farm / ranch style living. Our timing was perfect, so we even had a chance to experience a private (i.e. not commercial / tourist-y) luau at the neighbour's down the road. Thanks for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lori S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful getaway spot!
Host Mary is delightful, and the cottage is lovely. She and the amazing CopperDog greeted us upon arrival. (Copper is a very special dog, and this dog person loved the canine contact!) We had a great few nights off the grid here, connecting without typical distractions. We received a tour of the property that is large enough to stroll during quiet hours of the day. We had several educational "moments" during that tour and scattered in writing throughout the property - as an educator, I loved this approach to helping others minimize their environmental footprint. We enjoyed sitting in the tea house watching the sun and/or ocean and briefly chatting across the fence with the sheep and cows. The kitchen is well appointed with everything we needed to prepare all our meals, including fruit that Mary generously offered from her trees. The road traveling to the cottage is a little rough in spots, so be sure your vehicle has adequate clearance. Others have commented about cell service. T-Mobile worked quite well --- 3-4 bars at the car just in front of the cottage, 4-5 at the gate, and 1-2 intermittently inside the cottage. ATT coverage was weaker, but it was available on the driveway with increasing service toward the road. This was a special stop that I expect to remember for many years to come!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020