Wonderful location with great snorkeling only steps away in magical Kealakekua Bay. Alice is a wonderful host, gracious and generous with information about the area as well as with fruit and flowers from her garden. Her space is a true example of home away from home, offering both a private accommodation and an opportunity for delightful interactions with a local resident in a very peaceful setting.

Property location was great. We wanted to do a lot of diving near hunounou and this made it possible. We had 3 adults and it was more than enough room. Our only complaint was the shower. The shower curtain needs to be replaced with something that can dry out more easily (with humidity it never dried). The drain catch moves too easily so it doesn't catch hair ( I had to clean out the drain). Otherwise, it's just as advertised. Great location and the rooms were very clean! I loved the window slats. Alice was always friendly and easy to talk to during the whole trip! Would definitely book again!

This rental is really about two things: the location and the host. It is like staying with your favourite aunt. Alice lives upstairs and therefore you will bump into her. While not intrusive in the least, she will insure you have everything you need, offer you fresh fruit from her trees (the bananas and avocados were great), and offer to take you for a morning swim with the dolphins (while obeying all the rules of course). The location is beautiful we kayaked the bay twice, once with a tour and once by ourselves. As good as the tour was, going by ourselves was even better since we could snorkel as long as we wanted. Speaking of which, it is a short drive to Two-Step (we went to the right and down the shore a klick or so). Even the dive from Manini Beach around the point to Grandma's Beach where the kayak rental is set up was pretty good. The sunsets from Manini were spectacular, we even saw the green flash once. A hidden treasure was Ke'ei beach. Getting there in our small SUV was no problem. Special shout out to Fred - gardener and raconteur extraordinaire. Be sure you read the listing and look at the pictures. There is a outdoor barbeque, but it often rains in the evening. There is an induction hot plate, rather than a full stove, but I still made great meals with it. There is no dishwasher and the sink is a laundry tub in the laundry room, but it was not a big deal. There are great restaurants and grocery stores with delis 11 minutes up the highway. The road is narrow and windy, but two lane and perfectly safe. Finally, because it is a screened ground floor unit in the tropics there will inevitably be a few bugs. The evenings it didn't rain little gnats or midges would get in attracted to the light. They don't bite but they do die during the night so they had to be swept up in the mornings. There were some tiny ants which could be dealt with by the vinegar spray provided. There was only 1 other bug observed. In all it was a very special time and I cannot thank Alice enough for her hospitality. PS we did see dolphins every day.

We enjoyed our stay and loved being able to walk just a couple of minutes down the road to the water where we enjoyed the beautiful views and our son played on the rocks, exploring tide pools. We especially loved the resident cats who were very friendly. Alice had lots of good tips and it was a treat to eat papayas from her yard. It's just a short drive to Honaunau Bay where the snorkeling is fabulous. Kayaks can be rented nearby for a trip to Captain Cook's Monument. There are also many coffee plantations to explore within a few minutes drive. The rental is small and nicely ventilated with many levered windows. We found the bed to be very comfortable and our son slept well on the futon. It was pleasant to hear the frogs at night and the birds in the morning. Because there isn't a full kitchen, we had simple meals for breakfast and lunch and then drove to town (only about 15 minutes) for dinner. We don't care for resort vacations and find it fun to see how the locals live so this rental was a good fit for us.

We really enjoyed our stay here. It’s a lovely neighborhood and it is quiet. If you are looking for a different experience than a resort stay, I highly recommend it. We had amazing snorkeling at Two Step down the street, sea kayaked to Captain Cook across the bay with Hawaiian outfitters Aloha Kayak, and hiked a lava tube near Kileaua (which is a drive but worth it). Alice is a kind and attentive host. Aloha!

This property falls far short of the standards to which we have become accustomed for VRBO properties. The grounds look like Tobacco Road. The interior is not particularly clean or well maintained. The kitchen has no sink and no running water, let alone a dishwasher. To wash dishes you have to take them to the laundry room and wash them in the laundry room sink. There is no stove only two hot plates not usable simultaneously as you will blow a circuit. The living space is on the ground floor with no view other than the cluttered exterior of the house. The location is unfortunate to say the least. It requires a thirty minute drive to get to Kailua-Kona where you can find decent restaurants, shops and food stores. Coming home from dinner requires a long descent down a narrow, dark, switch-back road to get to the house. We stayed one night and then left. I would recommend you not book this property at all

This is an awesome property right across the street from Kealakekua Bay. The ideal location to relax and enjoy the spectacular ocean life in the Bay. Alice is an outstanding host who is very responsive to any requests. She is full of information on local beaches and the best places to see dolphins and whales. Manini Beach is less than a 10 minute walk from the house and is a quiet secluded area to relax and watch the waves and the sunset. Several remote beaches ideal for sunbathing and snorkeling are within a 10 minute drive. The Big Island is our favorite place to vacation and this house is the best place to relax and rewind in the constant Hawaiian sun. Definitely coming back to see Alice and the bay.

We swam and searched for dolphins every morning. No luck this time, but we will be back! Thank you, Alice - wonderful experience for our holidays!

We couldn't be happier with our VRBO choice for our stay on the Big Island. The unit was spacious and comfortable and well-equipped, and just steps away from Kealakekua Bay. Hard to beat for snorkeling, and host Alice has a special relationship with the dolphins. Our first morning there she introduced us to a large pod of them plus a manta ray! (We were lucky with our timing.) Another great snorkeling spot, Honaunau Bay or 2-Step, is a very short drive to the south. Highly recommended for a quiet getaway to enjoy the Hawaiian waters!

I felt very safe and relaxed under the current coronavirus crisis because the place was very clean, very ventilated, and the owner could tell me exactly who had been there and how long ago. In general, this is a great, practical location for paddling and snorkeling in Kealakekua - I wish I had been able to stay longer to explore the neighborhood.

All was great here, and very close to manini beach!

We chose this location due to a desire to swim with the spinner dolphins that frequent Captain Cook Bay. The owner is a dolphin lover and had many helpful tips on how to be successful and respectful of the dolphins. She also gave great advice for other snorkeling and dining locations. She was very nice, helpful and prompt with the needs. The wifi turns off at night which made my young 20s daughters chafe. But frankly that helped me get them up and out earlier the next day. You must have a car to stay here. It's too remote to walk anywhere except the water. The owner has some swim fins you can borrow, but you'll need your own masks. It's a peaceful, positive environment. There is one cooking surface/burner, a toaster oven and a microwave. Also an outdoor grill. But you'll eat many of your meals out; you're on vacation!

I grew up in Hawaii and Kealakekua reminds me of the town I grew up in. Alice is a positive, happy person. I travel a lot and have rented a lot through VRBO and AirBnB, I will try to help you make a decision you won't regret. This rental does not have: a full kitchen, an ocean view, air conditioning, night life; if you are looking for those things, this is not your place. It does have quiet, space, and relaxation.

Alice apartment is situated a few minutes walk from the small Manini beach and the beach from which you can observe dolphins and swim with them practically every day. The "village" is very calm with splendid scenary and sunsets. The weather on the seaside has been much better than inland. Shops are just 10 minutes up the hill. The flat is simple but has everything you need to pass a perfect holiday. The beds are confortable and you have all you need to prepare your meals. Alice has been very helpful giving us many tips about great things to see off the beaten track. We also went to her Gong Bath and we found it a very special and relaxing experience. I would not hesitate to go back to Alice place!!