Maybe if the weather was warm, dry, and sunny we would be writing a positive review. But it was cold, damp, and rainy, as it often is in that part of Hawaii, and so was the cottage. The one stove that supposedly heats up two of the four rooms was not working. We tried to contact the caregiver, to no avail (no ability to leave messages), so we reached out to the owners who were very responsive but did nothing, so we remained cold and damp. Even if the stove was working it leaves the bedroom and kitchen unheated but by a small space heater you have to tote around…. As we initially pushed the door open the first thing that one noticed is the smell of mildew…. The bed smells of mildew…
I arrived with a tee shirt that was damp from the beach. 30 hours later that tee was still not dry…. Although superficially clean the place needs a deep cleaning. There is a lot of dust on all baseboards, the windows are grimy…. It’s too bad because it is easy to see how with a proper heating system and a bit more care this could be a gem of a place. Instead you are left to plow through the 7-page binder of instructions on how you as a guest are expected to behave, which seems very much like a one-way street. Do not follow the instructions and take off your shoes outside of the cottage (really inconvenient when you are loading and unloading anyway). If it is raining, as it was when we got there, you will never get your shoes to dry. Overall it was a very uncomfortable place to stay at, even if the stove was working, as according to the owners it heats up only 2 rooms anyway. Everything else was functional but rather unexceptional. This place is the reason why I always travel with a down blanket and pillow….