Our stay at The Palmwood was absolutely wonderful. My wife and I left Kauai confident the was no better place to stay on the island. Possibly all of Hawaii. Eddi and her son, Mychael, were amazing hosts and even better cooks. Both made sure our anniversary stay was not only one we'd never forget, but also the one we'd measure every trip by in the future.

After breakfast one morning, I asked Eddi, "how long have you been taking care of people?" "All my life," she replied. It shows. Each meal, each living space, each garden area, each appointment in the rooms and common areas shows such care and thoughtful consideration, and yet everything feels so unforced. The Palmwood exudes an air of "this is as it should be."

We enjoyed the extra space the upper suite afforded us (not to mention the incredible views) over the other two rooms. The bed was wonderfully large and comfortable, the ceilings vaulted and spacious. The bathroom was luxurious, as were the towels and the two-person shower. There was a large cabinet with open shelves for belongings, and could accommodate the longest of stays (should you be so lucky). The constant breeze that made its way through the many windows kept the space cool and refreshed. We never once felt uncomfortably warm or cramped.

The area the property is in was a tranquil one, with the house having been built on a small hilltop in the Moloaa area on the northeast tip of the island. Mychael said locals see it as a farming community, without much going on (besides the crowing roosters, ha, ha). Perfect for us. Nearby Moloaa and Larsen's beaches were true escapes and free from crowds during our stay (the tucked away Sea Lodge Beach in Princeville was another favorite). When we did venture elsewhere on the island, we found The Palmwood to be more centralized than expected. Trips to either Hanalei or Kapaa took about 20 minutes by car, and a day trip to Waimea to enjoy the canyon was easily achievable.

Altogether, we were expecting something special and our expectations were met to their fullest. Should we make it back to Kauai, my wife and I know exactly where we'll be staying.