Mangolay is truly a gem! It's a wonderful garden of exotic plants, tastefully and meticulously curated in a well-maintained environment. The property itself is nestled in the middle of a rainforest. The drive down the road to reach the house is an exotic tour of delights all by itself. There are some nice pull-outs where you can park and watch the ocean, fish, or explore nature's ambivalence.
Puna is a bit off the beaten path. It's a good 20-30 minute drive to anywhere. This is a nice place to unplug and unwind, but if you're planning to use it as a base for day-trips, it does add some extra driving every day.
Our room was a good size, with a tiny kitchenette included, and indoor-outdoor showers for us to choose from. The pool is small but adequate, and the water temperature was wonderful. The whole place is decorated with art and collectibles from around the world. There is no air conditioning in this off-the-grid oasis, but there is a nice ceiling fan and a small refrigerator.
There are some lovely ocean "pools" nearby that you may visit if you're up for it. A new black sand beach is reachable with a 1-hour hike in the sun. If that's too far for you, be sure to visit the new lava flow that cuts across the highway. A small trail leaves to expansive views of the devastating new layer that Pele recently added.
Paul was a wonderful host, mostly staying out of our way, but also very accommodating and willing to sit and chat, explain the plants or the house, and lead me on a tour of the more remote parts of the garden. I wish we had more time to talk. He has been to many interesting places, and I just wanted to hear about them all! Maybe next time.