To all future travelers to Lulie's place:
Lulie and John have remodeled an authentic coffee shack on the upland slopes of Kona into a memorable cottage in the jungle. It is nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, where the air is cooler and the clouds keep the jungle wet and green.
Lulie has applied her talents to make the ambiance of the dwelling particularly charming, cozy, and even psychedelic. Every detail has an authenticity to it which enhances the quality of the experience.
We arrived at night, and the first thing we saw was the welcoming front patio and warmly lit rooms inside.
It might not be for everyone, but I loved how the windows in the bedrooms were open to the sounds of nature (protected by a screen of course). I slept to the chirping of the coqui frogs, the occasional rooster crow, and the pitter-patter of the rain on the forest outside.
The kitchen is well equipped and has a beautiful butcher block countertop.
The lighting is superbly installed to highlight the beautiful artwork hanging on the walls.
They have a spacious, clean bathroom with nice, hot water!
The side patio is covered and well lit by string lights with great sitting furniture (my favorite was the rocking chair) and a dry sauna. We sat outside and talked for a while enjoying all Lulie's artistic touches.
They have a truly gentle and loving dog and cat that make you feel as if you've been their nearest and dearest friend since they were born!
Lulie has maintained the original intent of Airbnb which is to open up her own home for visitors.
While Lulie and Jon share the living space with guests, they were very respectful of our privacy and they spend their nights sleeping in a yurt which is detached and placed at a distance from the main cottage. They are both lovely and genuine people who make it their highest priority that you feel comfortable and welcome in their home.
Finding the cottage required additional instructions since it is a little "off the map". Lulie was very reliable at communicating these instructions and making certain our arrival was as painless as possible.
I typically prefer not to have contact with the hosts when I stay at an Airbnb, however, Lulie and John were a pleasant surprise. Both of them are about the most pleasant people you could ever meet and I would love to return to Lulie's place to enjoy her company as much as to enjoy their cottage!