Located in a farming/orchard/ranching area in the rain forest side of the Big Island. Most properties in the area are working farms with families and acreage, so expect to experience the daily activity of farm life. The cottage we stayed in was an extension of the main house, separated by a covered garage port. The family are great hosts, quiet and mindful of guest privacy. The view from the covered lanai out over the orchard and ocean is spectacular and peaceful, and we spent much of our time there. The living quarters were adequate and nice, but not new or updated if that matters. There is a shared off site laundry that was fine. The only thing I would warn about is that there is no air conditioning. A ceiling fan and a floor fan with open windows works well for most days. We had a run of 3 hot steamy, rainy nights that were difficult to sleep through for us cold climate visitors. The location is about 20-25 minutes drive from Hilo and any significant services and restaurants, but the full kitchen, fridge and eating area allows for food prep and dining. The region has some great attractions, a couple of spectacular waterfalls nearby, and the fabulous Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and parks with beaches and snorkeling when the seas are calm enough. Within 45-60 minutes, you can get to several Farmers Markets, Hilo, Waimea, Saddle Road volcanic parks and hiking trails and quaint small town districts. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would come back again on future visits.
