First, don’t let anyone talk you out of visiting Hilo. This is closer to tropical paradise than the Kona side. The cottage is a 10-15 minute drive from the airport and Hilo town. The cottage is exactly as described and surrounded by beautiful foliage and across from Richardson Ocean Park (the beach is to the right once you cross the street). There are chairs, mats and beach towels available and shovels/pails if you have little ones. Rain or shine, you will love sitting on the front screened patio where you can be relaxed by the ocean breezes and sound of waves. We weren’t sure about the coqui frog noises at night (we thought they were birds) but it didn’t bother us sleeping and we miss them now! There’s a part of Hilo that’s more commercialized (mall area) but I encourage you to go downtown and meet the locals who run the shops, restaurants and the farmers market on Wed/Sat mornings. You’ll find us back here if we’re Blessed to visit the Big Island again!