Guest Comments about Tropical Hideaway

Awesome time!

Adam and Emily - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: August 6, 2011

It was great! We had an awesome time, thank you!

Lovely place!

Shari - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: August 3, 2011

This is a lovely place that is very attuned to the natural beauty of Hawaii. Peaceful, comfy, beautifully located. Great hostess!

Highly enjoyable!

Hendrik and Annick - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: July 28, 2011

The stay at Tropical Hideaway was highly enjoyable. The Studio is very comfortable and pleasant. The sense of connection with nature and all tropical delights is very present. The holiday was a highlight. Mahalo!

Best part of our vacation!

Larky Hodges Phoenix, AZ Review Submitted: Date of Stay: July 16, 2011

My husband and I stayed at this property in July (2011). We usually don't stay in one location for a trip, but this time we did and it was wonderful. We loved our little cottage. It was so peaceful and beautiful and clean. The property is well maintained. It is lush, loaded with fruit trees and very private. We loved the outdoor shower and the hot tub. The pool was lovely, but we never actually made it in! The location was great. There were many good restaurants nearby. Two step beach and Kealakekua Bay are very nearby. The owner was always easy to reach and always helpful with information. The next time we go to Hawaii, we will definitely stay here again.

Rating: 5 out of 5, Recommended for: Age 55+ , Adventure Seekers , Sightseeing , Romantic Getaway

It was so great!

Alice and family - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: June 25, 2011

It was so great! Thank you for providing everything. What a wonderfully pleasant way to visit this part of the island. Great artwork and dolphins! Oh my gosh! Amazing!

A truly magical place!

Nick and Saskia - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: June 20, 2011

A truly magical place! We would recommend Tropical Hideaway to others.

A delightful taste of old Hawaii

Dan and Jamie - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: June 15, 2011

A delightful taste of old Hawaii. An artist's touch applied to a modest retreat that blends perfectly with the elaborate beauty of nature's tropical paradise

We loved every minute!

Andrea and Joel - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: June 11, 2011

We loved it, and couldn't imagine a warmer place to stay. We really felt like we were in Hawaii, from the banana and papaya trees to the outdoor shower. We loved every minute. Thank you, Kathy!

Great place to stay

Ian and Laura - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: May 24, 2011

Tropical Hideaway was a great place to stay. Very comfortable, and in a great location--close to the beaches, grocery stores, and a great spot to venture out from. It was the perfect place to finish up our perfect 2 week vacation on the island.

Peace and quiet and old Hawaii

Donna - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: May 8, 2011

If peace and quiet and old Hawaii is your thing and you want to be very close to some of the best snorkeling on the island, then this is the place. Relaxation at its finest.

A Very Special Place

Mike and Anna - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: April 22, 2011

You have created a very special place here. We especially enjoyed waking every morning to the symphony of birds around us, as well as that of the palms. We also appreciated all of the fresh fruit. Thanks for making this such a wonderful trip.

Mahalo for the honor, blessing & healing of our month at your perfect tropical hideaway!

Jan & Jim - Idaho   Review Submitted: Date of Stay: January 24, 2011

The lovely & delicious items set out for others to share & enjoy. Mahalo for the kind spirit of Aloha. The very well supplied and cared for piece of paradise - the colors are so soothing & lovely on the eyes - your beautiful photographs - your beautiful soul - Kathy - your grounds honoring & living in harmony with nature - healing gardens with herbs - fruits - florals - garden angels abounding - I am sure and a crystal discovered on a ledge by our bed. I could go on and on, but anyone visiting will have so much more to add to all the good your place feels and is. May we be fortunate to have the pleasure of staying again and will hope others of my family may experience the life changing and healing of your place. My Idaho born and raised husband after every wonderful nights' sleep in the comfortable bed and bedding - would wake up and say to me - he wakes thinking he is in a fairy land. Your location is perfect - your hospitality is perfect. Thank you from the heart. Aloha until we meet again,

Rating: 5 out of 5, Recommended for: Age 55+ , Adventure Seekers , Girls Getaway , Sightseeing , Romantic Getaway

This truly is a Tropical Hideaway

Mary and David - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: January 23, 2011

As the name implies, this truly is a Tropical Hideaway. You have thought of everything to make the place comfortable and functional. We especially appreciated the hot tub. The beach equipment came in very useful as well. Thanks for making this stretch of our Hawaiian getaway exactly what we envisioned.

A truly wonderful refuge

Ed Radden - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: November 8, 2010

A truly wonderful refuge on the Big Island. Loved waking up to blue skies and blue ocean every day.

Enjoyed the fresh bananas!

Eric and Emily Hawbaker - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: October 22, 2010

Kathy, thanks for your hospitality. Our stay in the Tropical Hideaway was very pleasant. We especially enjoyed the fresh bananas!

Indoor outdoor living at it's finest

Leslie, sf bay area   Review Submitted: Date of Stay: October 13, 2010

We rented an adjacent ohana which is rented out when Kathy's friend is out of town. It is a one room studio with full kitchen and outdoor bath. Just lovely. Only one solid wall and the rest screened in. Complete privacy due to the setting and the surrounding bananna trees. Kathy showed us the property, told us which of the fruits and garden bounty we could share. PS- freshly picked bananas are just inccredible. She took us out to learn about swimming with the dolfins. Then we had 3 mornings of swimming with them on our own. The ohana is meticulously maintained as are the hot tubs and small pool. I have been to the Big Island several times and this quickly went to the top of my list for best Hawaian vacation spots. It rained a couple of nights. Kathy is generous and the very spirit of aloha.

Rating: 5 out of 5, Recommended for: Age 55+ , Adventure Seekers , Girls Getaway , Sightseeing , Romantic Getaway

A True Tropical Getaway

Christine and Nick - Review Submitted: Date of Stay: October 6, 2010

I don't know if we've ever had such a relaxing vacation in a setting as tranquil and picturesque. This was a true tropical getaway.

Magic! relaxing, healing, sexy hideaway

Andrea & David, Santa Cruz, CA Review Submitted: Date of Stay: September 8, 2010

We just returned from a wonderful 3 weeks on the Big Island and our brief stay at Kathy's Tropical Hideaway was an absolute highlight. Of course the dolphin swim, with Kathy's gentle, easy guidance, is something we will always remember. Now add to that our idyllic screened-in studio, the gracefully designed and utterly lush garden surrounding it, our private hot tub, lovely secluded pool, outdoor shower, mango, banana and other fruit trees ready for our picking, cool cats on the property, and watching the sun set into the ocean from our bed! Oh, the peacefulness of it all. The place feels rustic/spiritual but unlike some such spots which are spartan, this one had such a thoughtful set of supplies, feeding both creature comforts and aesthetic sensibilities. Every possible need we might have was attended to. Kathy was a beautiful host -- invisible or available according to our desires -- and her book of photos is very special. I feel we have a new friend. (I read the comment about bugs and want to note that we had no such problem. Just keep the screen door closed and don't leave any food out, and I'm certain all will be well. We loved the indoor/outdoor feeling, and believe me, if the bugs had been on the inside I'd be singing a different tune!) Thanks so much, Kathy. We hope to return again and again. (Re review tips & guidelines: yes, accurate listing and descriptions, yes, very clean and well maintained, yes I would certainly recommend it to those I love, try the Keiae (sp?) restaurant for a great dinner, must visit the Place of Refuge, Painted Church is nice, Two-Step has great snorkeling, and ask Kathy about dolphins. Her notebook of suggestions is very useful; I think all of my suggestions are in there, plus massage therapists and more. It's a great location, so close to the beaches. I recommended it to pet owners, by the way, not because you can bring yours but because you'll see and maybe have access to her cats, which is nice when you're away from your own.)

Rating: 5 out of 5, Recommended for: Age 55+ , Pet-friendly , Adventure Seekers , Romantic Getaway

Would love to have been able to stay longer!

Guest: Jeffrey Date of Stay: August 15, 2010 Review Submitted: August 25, 2010

Everything we needed was provided and well thought out. We would definitely recommend Tropical Hideaway to others. In addition, the highlight of our stay was being able to swim with the dolphins with Kathy as our guide. She has vast experience with dolphins, which she readily shares. She knows where to find them, and showed us how to interact with them in a respectful way. All in all, our stay was a moving and memorable experience.

I so enjoyed the Hawaiian indoor/outdoor lifestyle

Guest: Elisabeth (Austria) Date of Stay: August 12, 2010 Review Submitted: September 20, 2010

My stay at the Tropical Hideaway this past August was even better than my stay last year. I so enjoyed the Hawaiian indoor/outdoor lifestyle. I was completely comfortable in your studio and garden setting. I especially liked your upgraded hot tub and the beautiful new herb garden in my private yard along with the additional fruit trees that had been planted. It is great to be able to come from the beach and in minutes be sitting poolside at the Topical Hideaway. Kathy, thank you for again supporting me in all questions I had. I look forward to enjoying your place next year and hope it will be available for even a longer stay. Aloha and greetings from Austria

Rating: 5 out of 5, Recommended for: Age 55+, Adventure seekers, Girls getaway, Sightseeing, Romantic getaway

Sweet, charming place

Guest: Meredith Date of Stay: August 11, 2010 Review Submitted: August 25, 2010

This is a sweet, charming place that allows you to experience the tropical beauty of Hawaii while only minutes away from a town.

Truly Wonderously Magical!

Guest: Corinna Date of Stay: August 3, 2010 Review Submitted: August 25, 2010

Tropical Hideaway is truly wonderously magical!

Perfect Place

Guest: Barbara and Art Date of Stay: June 25, 2010 Review Submitted: August 3, 2010

This is the perfect place and environment for anyone wanting to have a different experience than is found in the typical resort or condo. The quiet open air, privacy and garden setting are relaxing and very enjoyable. Also, the location is a good compromise between the hustle of Kona and the wild beauty of the Hilo and Puna coast.

Lovely stay, hope to come back soon!

Guest: Walker and Karin Date of Stay: April 23, 2010 Review Submitted: August 3, 2010

We had a lovely stay. The space is very tranquil and natural. It's wonderful waking up on a sunny morning to cool breezes and chirping birds, watching sunsets from bed, having breakfast in the yard. The entire property is very well maintained and attractive with a distinctly tropical feel. We hope to come back soon!

Awesome getaway

Awesome getaway. The pictures and description were completely accurate so if this looks like something you would enjoy it would be perfect. We wanted something other than a resort and this offered the privacy, beauty and location we were looking for. Kathy was a great hostess. Very helpful but gave us our space. Accommodations were unique and wonderful. We loved the hot tub and outdoor shower. We loved that we were separated from the outside by only screens. The landscape is tropical and lush and beautiful. What a bonus to have an ocean view. We would definitely come back. Very romantic, good location, wonderful.

Recommended for: Age 55+, Adventure seekers, Sightseeing, Romantic getaway

Coral and Randy, 03/19/10

Wonderful place, location is perfect!

Wonderful place, I loved the pool and the greenery and the outdoor shower. The linens on the bed are lovely. Love the outdoor feel of it, and the location is perfect. Great hostess, wonderful artwork. Mahalo

.Deidre Dore, 03/03/10

A real winner for travelers who want a Hawaiian retreat

A real winner for travelers who want a Hawaiian retreat in which to settle, and a fabulous jumping off point for local adventures. A simple very Hawaiian and very charming Studio--tree-house like with screened windows on three sides. Well- appointed with everything one needs from beach gear and snorkeling equipment, coolers, beach chairs, and laundry soap. A lanai with excellent grill, private hot hub and outdoor shower adds to the overall comfort. Mahalo Kathy, your special touches are evident everywhere.

Sherry, 02/10/10

Tropical Hideaway is a hidden treasure

Tropical Hideaway is a hidden treasure. From the open air living, to waking up to gentle sounds and the view out to the bay, to the simple thoughtfulness that makes life easy--fresh fruit, a place to do laundry, a place to set your cup, a bed that is soft and inviting--it is a place of healing and returning to joy, effortlessly. Thank you! We'll be back--again and again!

Cathy Kirkwood, 01/13/10

We hope to come back again

We enjoyed this piece of paradise very much. It was our great pleasure to stay here. Thank you for caring about our privacy. We hope to come back again. Mahalo nui loa.

Sandra and Gunther, 11/29/09

The Hideaway is exactly what I picture when I think of Hawaii

The Hideaway is exactly what I picture when I think of Hawaii. I love the jungly atmosphere. How fun to shower and look up to see bananas growing overhead. It is also close to great snorkeling.

Marci & Dave Aldred, 10/19/09

A little slice of heaven

Tropical Hideaway is a little slice of heaven. We had a great time, and were very content.

Kylee Terhaar, 08/13/09

A good place to relax and unwind

A good place to relax and unwind. Conveniently located to snorkeling and visiting family. Thank you for your hospitality, we would love to return.

Rudi Sullivan, 04/12/09

Lovely indoor/outdoor feel, beautiful landscaping, very private feeling. Great outdoor shower, neat pool, handy DSL.

Miriam Levitt, 03/23/09

It was great to commune with nature

It was great to commune with nature, and be so close to spinner dolphins, kayaking, and fabulous snorkeling. Lovely views in all directions. Loved the outdoor shower. We would definitely recommend Tropical Hideaway.

Dean & Laurel McCulloch, 02/26/2009

Great location, beautiful landscape, easy going inside/outside living

Great location, beautiful landscape, easy going inside/outside living. The outdoor shower was lovely. Everything was well equipped, and appreciated having beach chairs, mats, boogie boards, snorkel gear, etc.

Jan McKenzie, 02/21/2009

You have created a little paradise here

Kathy, you have created a little paradise here. I look forward to returning very much! You are a wonderful host. Mahalo.

Harry Blumenthal, 01/31/2009

Private hot tub, an open and secluded garden

Imagine you had a really good friend with an awesome studio apartment, open to cool breezes, birds singing. Imagine a private hot tub, an open and secluded garden. Quiet and restful. Imagine Kona coffee, world class snorkeling, historic sites and vistas. No shirts, no shoes, no problems. Now call Kathy!

Chris Stratton, 11/23/2008

Makes you feel you are on a proper Hawaiian vacation

Excellent setting--pool with a waterfall, private hot tub on the covered patio. Tropical flowers and fruits everywhere. It really makes you feel you are on a proper Hawaiian vacation.

Sherry Lilly, 11/18/2008

A lush, perfect garden nest for two

We loved it! A lush, perfect garden nest for two. Quiet, well appointed, with lovely Hawaiian photos and decor.

Elaine and Bob Schroeder, 11/10/2008

We had a great time here

We had a great time here. It was very private and we loved jumping in the hot tub every morning after snorkeling and kayaking. The flowers smell heavenly at night. And the fresh flowers in the studio were a beautiful touch. Thank you!

Garyet, 10/04/2008

The utmost perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation

Tropical Hideaway is the utmost perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. The setting is peaceful and very restful. I would recommend this spot to everyone! Kathy is most gracious and helpful. This is the place to be in Hawaii!

Beth Biscuso, 08/16/2008

I loved the feeling of being outside, but with all the amenities

We had a wonderful experience staying in your Tropical Hideaway! I loved the feeling of being outside, but with all the amenities. Your photographs, the pool, the hot tub, the wind-chimes singing in the gentle breeze. And your cute and funny cats.

Janelle and Steve Barry, 07/01/2008

A real retreat into the heart and soul of paradise

This place is very special. A real retreat into the heart and soul of paradise and the spirit of Hawaii and Aloha. The studio is like a home and the gardens are beautiful. All the amenities.

Sharon Winnett, 06/22/2008

A lovely and relaxing place to stay

It was a lovely and relaxing place to stay. We especially loved the dipping pool. Right up the road from one of our favorite places to dive.

Amanda Ault, 05/26/2008

Your little piece of paradise made our trip really special!

Mahalo, Kathy, your little piece of paradise made our trip really special!

Tim and Rose Humphrey, 05/06/2008

I can't say enough positive things about our stay here

My husband and I loved this place! The peaceful location was perfect. We were nestled in our own tropical paradise. I can't say enough positive things about our stay here. Thank you Kathy!!

Kim and John Beveridge, 04/29/2008

Great place if you want to avoid the crowds

Great place if you want to avoid the crowds at the resort areas. The hot tub is a nice feature, and so was the pool. Thanks, Kathy, we had a great time!

Jeff Thomas, 03/15/2008

This is just what we needed

This is just what we needed--open air living and all the modern amenities. Nearby snorkeling was magical...And the big surprise was the discovery of your fine art. Thank you for opening your gifts to us!

Alan WIlliams, Darleen Wilson, 01/10/2008

We appreciated the so many small, thoughtful touches

We appreciated the so many small, thoughtful touches: little lights in appropriate places, useful kitchen utensils, throws by the couch, fresh fruit and help with dinner when we arrived late, info on the nearby sights, etc. Thanks so much!! We hope to return!

Marianne and Tom, 1/05/2008

Morning songbirds with the gentle breeze through the banana leaves...

Morning songbirds with the gentle breeze through the banana leaves has been the perfect morning wake up in your intimate cottage, nestled here in tropical paradise--away from heavy urban life. We love being so close to the peaceful activities of this area, especially the morning swims with the turtles and the uncrowded bay of tide pools at sunset--plus the venues of Aloha Theater and the Kona Art Center. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Charley & Jeanena Wilson, 12/20/2007

We love this place!

We love this place! It is so perfect -- the tropical vegetation that provides privacy and lovely wind music, the fresh flowers, and the extra amenities such as beach chairs and mats.

--Nathan and Keli, Oregon