Cary's Surf Shack is ... absolutely unique. She's completely off-grid, so yes, you'll need to be a little careful with your electricity and water use if it's been a dry spell, but I had no problems showering or charging my phone and camera batteries. What you get for that is a stay surrounded by tropical green. Cary has created the perfect rainforest retreat, you'll be surrounded in nature, and the mechanical world just retreats into the background. I think that if you want the 5 star hotel experience, you can go find that... but if you want to breathe the natural world in, sleep surrounded by coqui frogs and birds, this is the place for you. Oh, yes, the coqui are amazing - but you probably *do* want those earplugs at night! Coqui are loud! I was rather relieved to *not* hear any roosters that are all too common on the Hilo side of the Big Island! 10/10 would stay here again -- I look forward to my next visit!