Maria and Steve are kind, generous hosts. We felt welcomed and at home right away. Their home is a short drive from downtown Hilo, which was great for us. We liked being in a residential neighborhood--we could hear the kokis at night. And Maria and Steve's property is gorgeous--lush and tropical and beautifully landscaped. They are also a short walk from two great beaches--Richardson's and Carl Smith's--so we took advantage of that proximity. It's useful to rent a car in Hilo, anyway, because you're going to want to drive all over the island, so the location was really perfect for us.
The suite was much, much larger than we anticipated. The bedroom is roomy, clean, and tastefully decorated. The adjoining bathroom is also very clean and does NOT get mildewy--a major feat (and plus) for such a damp place. The lanai has a little kitchen and sink--we spent a lot of time out there, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. The small living room is really nice, too, with a TV, and a couch, so we could hang out in there and watch movies when we weren't adventuring. We also had our own front lanai, which was amazing. Seriously--this spot is generously sized!
Maria was always close by, and generous to offer clean towels, travel and food suggestions, etc. She replaced our beach towels and our bath towels, and even offered to change our sheets halfway through our visit. Steve is really friendly, too--they both clearly love their home in Hilo, and are excited to share their favorite things about living there. They also have three very cute and friendly dogs, which was a plus for us because we love animals.
We also had our own parking spot--a major plus!
Overall, we are so glad we chose to stay here. From the location, to the price, to the amount of space we had, to our kind, generous hosts--this spot can't be beat.