Karen met us at the door when we arrived even though it was after 9pm, and was an incredibly gracious host. You may be put off by the fact that this is not a separate unit from Karen's living space, but she is somehow both welcoming and friendly but not at all intrusive. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend this to anyone else looking for a great place to stay on the Big Island off the beaten path. we even enjoyed an evening at home with Karen and a friend playing ukuleles, singing Hawaiian songs and visiting. truly a gem of an experience.