This is a beautiful house, on a beautiful property, in a beautiful location.
My husband and I loved everything about this house, starting with the surrounding profusion of tropical trees and flowers, and the pair of carved geckos on the entry door that sang "welcome!" when we arrived. As we entered, the immediate airy and relaxed vibe was a real delight. The warm, rustic kitchen with a ceiling that soared high and over the loft above the cozy living area was inviting me to cook. But we were already heading out toward the huge lanai beyond the living room, drawn by the view of yet more trees and flowers, and the ocean that was promised. It was gorgeous! We looked at each other and knew, oh yes, we had definitely made the right decision. Then It got even better: the bedroom, with the inviting king-size bed, faced the same gorgeous view! Finally, we stopped at the bathroom (usually a deal maker or breaker for us), and admired its artsy sink, and its beautiful and lofty feel. That's when my husband quietly said, " We have a problem, we might just want to stay in and not go out."
With some effort, go out we did, every day. The area was beautiful with black sand beaches, lava cliffs and pounding waves. We loved the tall majestic trees and those tropical vines with their huge colorful leaves. Every time we drove through one of the many tree tunnels, I felt like I was inside a movie setting, mysterious and romantic. Then there's the famous lava flow to the ocean, just nearby, and of course, the humbling Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, an easy hour drive away.
Dorien said she's new at Airbnb. If so, she must be a natural Superhost. Throughout our stay, she was in touch with us, even though she was out of the country. She was always quick to respond to any of our questions and needs, and her easy, friendly manner made us feel welcomed in her very lovely home. We also enjoyed the many amenities that she provided not just for comfort and convenience, but also for entertainment. One evening, after a home cooked meal in that inviting kitchen, we relaxed and watched an atmospheric Stephen King movie on Netflix.
We wish to return one day to this special place that felt like home during our entire stay. Thank you, Dorien and Ken for sharing it with us!