Cassin's place might just be THE best kept secret on Airbnb! If you are looking for an absolutely amazing stay on the Big Island with a host who goes above and beyond, look no further... if your dates are available, book it now!
Right from our very first message exchanges with Cassin, we knew that we'd found someone who not only was offering a quality place to stay, but was completely passionate about and invested in creating the best possible experience for his guests. Within our first two days staying at Cassin's place, we ended up juggling around our work schedules and staying an extra week since the days were available on Airbnb... it is THAT GOOD!
The photos in this listing do not do justice to how amazing this listing is in person. Arriving late at night, we could see the pool and found our way in (coded door lock for late night self-check in) without any issue, and the hosts were incredibly kind with leaving a few snacks for us before bed after a long day of traveling.
Waking up in the morning... wow... the views from this location are absolutely breathtaking any time of day or night. While you're a few minutes away from the coastline, there's a clear view due west and one of the best parts of our stay were making sure we were on the pool deck, beverage in hand, to watch the stunning sunsets. One added bonus we learned is that the elevation of Cassin's place is just right to have a comfortable temperature... it warms up nicely during the day (but not the sometimes stifling humidity and heat of downtown Kailua-Kona), and cools off just enough at night to have the windows open while you sleep.
Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, this location is only a few minutes drive from everything you need for an extended stay: Costco, Walmart, Safeway and Target are all within 10-15 minutes drive, along with a number of coffee shops and other small shopping centers. Even downtown Kailua-Kona -- the tourist hub of the island -- is just a 15 minute drive away. If you're looking for the hustle and bustle and tourist crowds, you can find them there, but Cassin's place is truly a luxury retreat away from it all.
Back to the listing and property itself: this is a self-contained suite that is attached to the owner's property, but they are incredibly respectful and leave their guests to enjoy their time and space. Along with the very comfortable queen-sized bed, the bathroom includes a nice hot shower, full-sized laundry (dryer and washer); there is a main sitting area with a fold-out futon for a third guest (super comfy!), and there's both a desk (great for storage/sorting out your day) and a small dining table... we ended up eating out on the pool patio/deck pretty much every meal. The kitchen is incredibly well-equipped and has absolutely everything you could need or want to prep meals, along with access to the Weber (!) barbeque on the pool deck. The refrigerator also has enough space to stock up for a week or more without any issue. Beyond that, everything you could imagine needing or wanting for a stay on the Big Island was already at hand in this suite: Reef-friendly sunscreen? Check! Portable Bluetooth speaker for music by the pool? Check! (quick note: the pool isn't heated, but wow was it a nice treat on the warm/sunny days, even in the middle of winter!) USB charging station for all your phones and accessories? Check! At least 5 different ways to enjoy your morning coffee? Check again!
In addition, knowing that our stay and review is from the midst of the COVID pandemic, we felt 100% safe in this regard. Cassin and his family have lengthy careers in healthcare so they know a thing or two about cleanliness and sanitation, and the hand sanitizer and spare masks provided in the suite were a nice touch. There is also the option for a change of linen and bedding to be provided each week if you have an extended stay. The location itself is also incredibly safe and quiet, so no worries in that regard.
Beyond the stay and property itself, however, is the quality and character of the hosts. After numerous Airbnb stays over the years, this is the first time I can truly say that the hosts themselves were the absolute highlight of our stay and our entire trip. A lot of people may not realize that Airbnb -- with it's large corporate presence around the globe, 5500+ employees and $3B in annual revenue -- has a really interesting story of origin... that being, a way for people to connect and belong within the communities where they travel, work, play and find themselves staying. For a bit more on this, check out this letter from the founders that I found on the Airbnb site (https://news.airbnb.com/what-makes-airbnb-airbnb/) -- full disclaimer, I have no connection to or relationship with Airbnb other than being a frequent guest!
Back to our hosts: Cassin and his family truly welcomed us into their home, and we now count them as dear friends and look forward to staying in touch in the months and years ahead, and maybe (hopefully!) spending more time together in person some day. The foundation of 'connection and belonging' that started Airbnb might often seem lost in these days of faceless mega-hosts with countless properties listed on the site... but I can tell you that Cassin gets what Airbnb can (and should) be. and how it was originally envisioned to make the world a better place. That in itself is worth the price of admission as they say... and if you're choosing between listings and options for your stay on the Big Island, keep in mind who your host truly is: even if you only have the chance (or only want!) a quick smile, wave or passing hello from Cassin and his