We enjoyed our stay, the house was fine and had magnificent views of the Captain Cook area. I researched many homes from Kailua Kona down to Captain Cook as we wished to avoid the north and Hilo areas due to what we had pre-planned for our time on the Big Island.
The listing was true and mostly accurate. The surprises were the noisy nuisance coqui frogs outside all night and the roosters blaring at 4am to sunrise. I am a generally heavy sleeper and these things were not pleasant however seemingly unavoidable unless in another part of the island or resort. Some of the parts of the house are tired and worn, but I can guarantee no one is putting their best stuff in a rental to be abused. This house did not have AC so if natural humidity and no break from the Hawaiian air bothers you, look elsewhere. This isn’t a climate controlled house.
After reading other renters reviews and comments before the trip, we were aware of the extensive rules, labels, and notes in the house. We were also provided a pre-check-in extra contract which made the rental feel more strict in terms of you being on the hook for complaints, damage, and doing your part to keep the place up to snuff for the next people that come in. Basically a legal document to warn you of the potential of being kicked out at any time for noise or evidence of not fulfilling the terms. But still, not a surprise. We chose to move forward as it didn’t bother us enough and we are a family, not a bunch of partiers.
The calendar availability is booked solid throughout 2022 so there is significant interest in this house. At the end of the day, it is a rental; neighbors know this and probably threaten the owners more often than not due to irresponsible renter behavior or non-compliance of the rules. However we were a family of 4 with 2 children, 8 and 5, and we spent 3 days at this house but only 1 night there for dinner time on the lanai. That night we were wondering if any normal family noise during after dark dinner activity would warrant a complaint, so having this looming created a less than memorable and uncomfortable experience and lessened the ability to act normally with children being children.
All being said, we are sure the house gets worked over by constant traffic from renters, but at the end of the day, the owners are being compensated well by their rates and can put in any clause they want knowing people will pay a premium in Hawaii. Their bills are being paid to own the house, they are choosing to list on Airbnb. It is what it is, you know the rules prior to checking in, but at the end of the day we would not stay here again. Stay in Kailua if you want better access to shops, dining, and activity. Stay here if you want a pretty view and a quiet experience driven by the rules of this house.