I had heard horror stories about booking paradise holiday locations through Airbnb, especially those that look "too good to be true". I'm thrilled to report that Grand Melemele is real! I'm so glad I picked Grand Melemele of all the Airbnb properties on the Big Island. It is on a quiet residential road set back from the highway, with a view over jungle/forest to the ocean in the distance. The well-tended garden, overlooked on one side by a neigbouring property, is quiet and peaceful; great for a day's sunbathing when not out exploring the island. Inside, it was everything I hoped for: well-equipped, comfortable and spacious. There were only two of us staying (small isolated properties not being easy to find!), but we didn't rattle around inside. There was enough room for us to have our own space. The beds are extremely comfortable, with luxurious soft matresses and lots of pillows. The shower in the master bedroom was a particular delight. The kitchen was excellent and well-equipped. I definitely felt at home cooking here. The BBQ/grill outside is also of very high quality and we enjoyed some great steaks! The natural pool is large enough to get a good amount of exercise (swimming in circles), although can be a bit bracing if it's not caught the sun. I managed a moonlight swim one night, but it was certainly a bit nippy after dark - better keep moving! There were only a few minor annoyances, which I'm sure Sharla will be happy to set straight. Firstly, there was insufficient cutlery to cater for a large family (although there was enough for just two of us). If you're travelling with a large group, do make sure to check that has been dealt with. Secondly, the WiFi uses a 'captive portal' which means you need to keep re-typing the access password on each device multiple times per day which can be a bit annoying. That said, I hope you'll be able to detach from the Internet as much as possible! Thirdly, there weren't any sun loungers for use in the garden, which I thought was a strange ommission. Using cussions from the front lanai (make sure to cover with towels to keep them clean!) was a very comfortable alternative. Finally, we weren't able to make the shower by the pool produce anything more than a dribble; but that's not a big problem as there are plenty of other showers in the house to choose from. One leads directly off the laundry room from the back lanai so you can go through there when you're wet from the pool. Talking of the laundry room, the washer and dryer were large (by European standards) and very easy to use. It was a real treat to be able to do most of my laundry before leaving so as to not have to deal with that chore when I got back to the UK. Renting a car is an absolute must for staying here as it's a...