We just came back from our trip to the Big Island and for the first part we decided to stay somewhere in close proximity to both the Volcano National Park and Hilo. We found Christina’s place and instantly fell in love with the look, the grounds, and the layout. When we arrived, it even exceeded our expectations. Christina did a great job answering our questions before and during our arrival and provided us with great food and entertainment recommendations for the area. The house felt like we were in our own little tropical oasis with tropical fauna, the sounds of birds/nature, and rain that kept us relaxed and mesmerized at the beauty and sounds. There were 5 of us and the upstairs portion of the house (the part we rented) accommodated us very nicely with 2 rooms and a loft (4 beds total) that all slept so comfortably (even better than the luxury hotel we stayed at the later part of our stay on the Big Island). Though no central AC, each room had a vented AC unit and a split unit in the den which cooled the house down just fine when we needed it. It does only have 1 beautifully appointed bathroom upstairs (also with 2 outdoor showers) but Christina generously offered us use of the downstairs bathroom once our 4th and 5th guests arrived which was a huge benefit. The downstairs area also includes a bedroom with 2 beds, a tv, and an ac (which we didn’t need), a laundry area, a large grilling and dinning area (all open air), and some lounge chairs and a hammock. Though we didn’t really cook much while we were there, the kitchen had everything you would need to prepare your meals, a regular coffee pot maker, and water to drink. Probably the area we loved the most was the lanai where we could eat our meals, drink our coffee, and hangout while listening to the rain and nature. There was plenty of seating as well as a nice little bed to relax on. Our 6 year old son loved exploring (just had to make sure he stayed away from the cat houses that are sheltered under the carport area), swinging on the rope, and playing with Nahla ( the newest and youngest cat Christina has that loves people). This proved to be a great central location for us to explore both VNP and the Hilo area (25-40 min away) while still being only a block and a half from a gorgeous viewing area on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Our highlight was taking a 6 mile round trip hike through lava rocks and tree roots to get to a secluded, beautiful beach (just over a mile from her house). We were able to see a sea turtle and an eel while there! We met some really friendly locals while walking around who also gave us some good information.
Overall, Christina’s place exceeded are expectations in every way and our only complaint is that we didn’t stay there longer to really enjoy it to the fullest. We would highly recommend staying at her house if going to the Big Island, especially if you want to experience a totally different side than the dryer, coastal side of the West. Thanks Christina and we hope to return again soon!