C W.
Yelp
Oh my, where to start?
Maybe I should start with the not-so-good to get those out of the way first.
1. The property is just a renovated house with carport driveway, and the sign is small so you are most likely to miss it. Sign is lighted after dark though, it is written on a turtle shaped short white post, refer to the picture I posted for better reference. Luckily it is located at a dead-end street so you know you are on the correct street. The house is right after the big sign for Arnott's Lodge when you come in on Keokea Loop, the very inconspicous house right after that sign is your destination.
2. Room is not very soundproof, the jalousie styled windows doesn't help either. So the frogs croaking away at night might be a big issue for light sleepers, so take that into consideration when you are booking.
3. If you are arriving after 8pm, you most likely won't be greeted by the owners for the check in process. There will be a printed welcoming letter taped to your room door, but you have to use flashlight or your cellphone to see it since the porch isn't lighted. All instructions will be on that paper, so check in is relatively hassle-free. The owners live right next door, so if you need them for anything they are nearby.
4. Driveway can park two cars, and it is on a first come first serve basis. So if you are the third party, you will have to park on the big grass yard at the front. Just watch out for the tree, and if it rained, watch out for muddy grass lawn.
5. I don't think there is room service, but you can also double check with the owners on that.
Now that is done, let's talk about all the PROS!
We reserved two nights for room #7. Island style decoration with lots of windows. Ceiling fan and air-conditioner available. We didn't use the AC but owner said it works fine, you just need to give it a bit time to work its magic and you'll have an air conditioned room.
1. Very homey and welcoming, amenities include: coffee maker, two mugs, a small fridge, a small dining table, TV, closet space. The bathroom has some cute decorations and in general it feels as if we are staying at a friend's place instead of booking a hotel room.
2. Wifi available, though signal is a bit slow, but it works and it is free.
3. Hairdryer available, body wash is provided, but no shampoo or conditioner. Huge stand-in shower with pedestals. Showerhead is actually the take-off type, so cleaning those hard to get places is much easier!
4. Back patio has chairs and a small table so you can enjoy the nice big back yard. Back patio leads to a separated room that is the kitchen, with working stove, stocked with pots and pans, dinnerware and such so you can cook some light meal if you desire. Just remember to clean the dishes well! It is a rainforest and insects are plenty.
5. Breakfast is provided at the kitchen in the back every morning starting from around 6am. The first day owner provided canadian bacon and home backed sweet bread rolls. Eggs were DIY. So we made scrambled eggs ourselves while another room made sunny-side ups. The second day owner said to make lives easier for us and so we don't have to wash any dishes, she made our breakfast and put it in to-go containers. Second day's breakfast had: half of a papaya, sliced strawberries and a lemon wedge, hash browns, scrambled eggs and sausage patties. Home-cooked meals that are both healthy and delicious! YUM!
6. The back yard is HUGE! So many fruit trees too! There are coffee, cacao, papaya, apple banana, pineapple, mandarin oranges and some other ones that I don't recognize. They also raise their own chickens, so the eggs we had for both mornings were fresh out of the pen!
7. They are located in a dead end street. At the end of the street to the left is a small access road that lead to a beach. Beach is closed after dark and opens at around 6-7am. So 2minutes walk from the cottage you can have a nice quiet beach with the view of the Hilo Bay. There are also several beach parks within walking (or driving if you so prefer) distance from the cottage, and they were all great spots for sunrise, turtle spotting, sunbathing or any other beach-related activities you do desire.
8. Pet owners rejoice, for this is a pet friendly facility! We've seen two parties with huge dogs on our second day here, so for people who love traveling with their furry family members, another place on your list!
Friendly owners, great breakfast, homey welcoming rooms and great location, we've enjoyed this place so much that we are already planning on booking it again for our next visit.