When we visited the Big Island in 2014, we spent our last day kayaking Kealakekua Bay, snorkeling the reefs and hanging out with spinner dolphins. It was absolutely magical, and we decided for our next Hawaii trip we would stay closer to the bay.

This listing seemed ideal: a one-bedroom cottage on the water with its own private launch and unlimited use of kayaks. The pictures looked fine, the reviews were positive, so we booked.

Overall, we had an amazing time, but that's largely because of the location. We spent a lot of time on the water—typically taking out a double kayak in the morning and again in the late afternoon (alas, no dolphins during our six days here). Of the properties on the water, this probably has the easiest launch, which, along with its seven kayaks, is shared with adjacent rentals. Life jackets/snorkels/masks/fins/other water toys also available.

But there was the home itself—a bit rustic, really more of a fancy shack with electricity and indoor plumbing. The photos here are apt, but what you can't detect are the insects (spiders, mosquitos, ants, roach, moth) and the ever-present smell of mold, especially in the "bedroom," which is basically an ad-hoc space created with two walls that don't quite reach the ceiling. There were screens—no glass windows, just storm shutters—to keep insects out.

The shack's lovely in the day, but the nights really bring out the bugs. We slept in the bedroom the first evening, but spent subsequent nights sleeping on the twin bed in the living room. The bedroom had too many insects, and the odor of mold was inescapable.

Everything felt damp, and it makes sense: You're on the water with no way to keep the outside out. After a shower, the moisture from the bathroom escaped into the main space (the bathroom doesn't have a window, fan or walls that extend to the ceiling). The dryer (coin-op) on premise never gets clothes fully dry. It rained just about every day. And most of the floor is covered with dank, dark brown carpeting, masking stains (and bugs/mold). None of this is helped by the fact it recently flooded.

The kitchen was probably the cleanest place inside since there wasn't any carpeting. But it's worth cleaning everything before use. Case in point: Our first pot of Kona coffee tasted funky, and after a few cups, we realized we brewed a dead bug in the machine's gross filter basket (later meticulously cleaned with cue tips and alcohol swabs.)

The owners were nice (as was Amma, the property manager), but it's apparent they never spend much time in this shack. It's a little gem, but it could use some TLC—rip out the carpeting, get the electric to code, install windows/door that seal so moisture/bugs can't get in, replace the dryer with one that actually works.

The location, though, was unbeatable. If we ever come back, we'd definitely bring a tent.

Rating: 5 stars during the day, 1 star at night, 3 average.