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Reviews of Fern Forest Getaway

2.5 out of 5
Fern Forest Getaway
11-2226 Makoa Road, Mountain View, HI

Reviews

6.4
Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 101 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 101 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 101 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 101 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 29 out of 101 reviews" "

6.0/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cozy, quiet and comfortable with the nicest host!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from leon on 1 Mar 2024
thanks a lot and welcome back

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from leon on 1 Mar 2024
thanks a lot and welcome back

4/10 Poor

Theresa

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disappointed
The facility did NOT match the website description. No pool or hot tub. Very run down and dirty but lots of cleaning supplies left on multiple surfaces. We found another place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Leon on 1 Nov 2023
What is bad about supplies? Any pool wasn't mentioned in the description.

2/10 Terrible

Lucien, Astoria

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is unkempt, dirty and the air in the entire house is thick with mold. After a brief inspection of the dump we hightailed out of there. This place should not be allowed to do business on the Expedia platform. This place is not fit to be a vacation accommodation. Expedia should do a better job to assure quality control so customers are not misled to believe the Fern Forest Getaway is a place to stay.
Response from Leon on 19 Oct 2023
When I gave them the initial tour they were happy and didn't mention any issues...

6/10 Okay

Joe

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Leon on 14 Oct 2023
Thanks a lot

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We absolutely loved staying at fern forest. It is a conveniently located to all of the sights we wanted to go see. The owner sat with us and made wonderful suggestions for sights to see and places to eat as well as he had knowledge of the history of the area. Every night the frogs sang us to sleep. The house is an older house located in the rain forest and filled with antiques. We quickly felt like we were staying at a friend's house. We would absolutely stay again!
Response from Leon on 13 Oct 2023
Thanks a lot, Kathy. Always welcome back.

2/10 Terrible

ANN

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty is being kind. It was FILTHY. I slept in my car. Worse place I have ever stayed in my life and I am a seasoned traveler. The Expedia photos do NOT represent any way, shape or form the actual property or location. I have pictures of disgusting toilet & shower (water came out brown), mold, bugs, smelled like dog urine. Common kitchen area was gross. Place so run down we did not even stay our second night. Awful
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

James

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This property needs a thorough cleaning. Dirt and dust in the corners, dead bugs on the windowsills, the dining table had crumbs and rings on it from previous renters, the furniture was covered in fleece throws that had multiple cigarette burns in them, and the kitchen garbage was sitting bagged on the floor and SMELLED rotten. The refrigerator had a partial package of raw meat in it, and needed to be cleaned. There were black stains on the bathroom ceiling, leakage from the upstairs bath? Or mold? The host said the outside door remains unlocked in case of late arrivals; not very safe if all you can lock is a hollow-core bedroom door.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Leon on 21 Jun 2023
I don't know, other people were satisfied... They had a personal empty fridge in their room, but prefer to use a communal one in the kitchen, which I can't control. I asked them to lock the door when they return from the night volcano, I just can't wait for them like a leashed dog the half of the night when they decide to return.Leon

6/10 Okay

Neela

Travelled with partner
The property was very close the Volcano national park. However you need Google map to find this place because it is in the middle of forest. You need to drive on a 1 lane gravel road. If you have Google map not to difficult to find it. The house was a big, nice house. However, the kitchen and the common area requires good cleaning. There wasn't any cream or even milk powder for a cup of coffee. When we arrived, the host was very nice and explained all about the house and the neighborhood. Only saw him once after that never saw him. The bed and the bathroom was fine. The bathroom could use more cleaning. Overall it was an ok stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Leon on 16 Jun 2023
Sorry, but it was half-and-half in the fridge and dry milk on a counter. Just in purpose, I don't want to bug my guests for their privacy, though I am only 20 feet away in Ohana and if you need something just call me or drop in.The house was full of other guests and just can't wipe after everyone in communal areas.

10/10 Excellent

Pete

Travelled with family, Business traveller, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very peaceful, nice staff , will recommend , will return
Response from Leon on 30 May 2023
Thank you, welcome back.

2/10 Terrible

Ash

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Leon on 20 May 2023
Sorry, still don't know what was wrong

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Character in spades
This place was great. I prefer out of town locations. Peaceful. The frogs singing at night. The troop of Geckos that visit you on the porch. Set out some juice for them and watch them scamper about. Bed was comfy. Best sleep I've had in a while. Mr. Leon is a fantastic host. But I feel like I made a friend instead. All the more reason to visit him again. Water was hot for the shower. Also it's nice to have a laundry facility in case you need it. Extra blankets if you get cold. This is not a hotel. This is a home. You should not expect anything different. Plenty of room to spread out and relax. Which is what one should do when you stay here. I learned a little Russian. I love languages and culture. Mr Leon was a character, and his bnb was character in spades. I will be back. Already planning my return to Hilo. And I will stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Leon on 28 Apr 2023
Thanks a lot and welcome back anytime.

6/10 Okay

michael

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Our stay at Fern Forest
The house is a bit outdated and a little run down, but overall, the accommodations was a decent night stay and relatively close to Volcano National Park. For what we paid for, we were not expecting a Hilton or a HoJos and nor should you. The bed was comfortable, the sheets were clean, we also had use of the entire living room and kitchen—and pleasantly surprised to a light breakfast (coffee, bagels, peanut butter, jam, etc...), which we made in the morning, and ate on the lanai overlooking the lush property, filled with native vegetation and fruit trees. Leon, our host, gave us great tips on what to do at night, and it was totally worth it. Thanks! Note, the location is in a mostly unpaved road off the main highway, we rented an SUV so it was no problem.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Leon on 22 Mar 2023
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Ernest

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Leon on 12 Mar 2023
Thanks a lot. Welcome back.Leon

2/10 Terrible

John

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was a mess. The outside needed some serious maintenance. The inside smelled so bad of mold and mildew and was dirty enough for us to not to even stay there. The photos shown are very old photos, it is no where near as nice as it looks in the photos.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Leon on 28 Apr 2023
Other people are happy. Why didn't you let me know?

8/10 Good

Jessica

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

4/10 Poor

Kurt

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Horrible
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Leon on 16 Feb 2023
Respond for what? Fool house of people, no complaints personally to me...

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Roomy and private. Great location for Volcanoes
I was warmly greeted and made to feel like home. Leon was very kind and resourceful. He gave me a lot of good travel tips about the island and it’s beaches. I’d definitely stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Leon on 12 Feb 2023
Thanks a lot and welcome back

2/10 Terrible

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

2/10 Terrible

Chris

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No one on site and no number to call. Place was so remote with nothing around except an old dog and some chickens free roaming. Walked around property looking for someone and reminded us of how the beginning of a horror movie would start
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Leon on 6 Dec 2022
If you read your papers it has my phone number and clearly said that check-in starts after 2 pm., when I come to the office and watch security cameras.

6/10 Okay

Yahya A

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
You will be greeted by a dog sleeping on front porch on a dirty & stinking mattress. Owner doesn't reply to text messages or calls when you need him.
Response from Leon on 4 Dec 2022
Sorry, I don't reply at night time.

8/10 Good

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
B&B in the Forest
This is a large house in the forest just below the volcano of the Big Island. Only two bedrooms but several large sectional couches for family member to sleep on. No Cable but many streaming options. Needs a sign on the door with instructions and greeting.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Leon on 4 Dec 2022
Thanks a lot. Any signs outside are illegal in Hawaii.

2/10 Terrible

Federico

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Horror in Big Island Hawaii
Beautiful house from the outside. When you approche and you enter is dirty, smelling, old … This house as a big potential, however the cleanness is an option that not available. The bathroom is horrible extremely dirty the floor of the shower was black of dirt and the floor full of dust. The toilet desgusting. Tooth past on the ting. The owner is not looking so friendly. The deco is so old fashioned. The worst place ever.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Response from Leon on 31 Oct 2022
When you moved in I asked you if it was clean enough and if everything is OK? You said Yes. The house is intentionally old-style, I'm not too fond of contemporary plastic-stamped things, so everything is handmade and many people love it. Why didn't you move away immediately for free?

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fern Forest Getaway
We enjoyed our stay. They owner is very helpful and knowledgeable of things to do an places to see. The property could be a bit cleaner, but we were satisfied with our stay for the price and would definitely stay here again. It is very close to Volcano National Park and about a 30 minute drive to Hilo.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from Leon on 29 Oct 2022
Thanks a lot

6/10 Okay

Eleanor

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Just stayed for one night at Fern Forest Gateaway due to a short drive to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Unfortunately the place is untidy and in need of repairs.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Holly

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness
The far drive on back roads was not worth the stay. Amenities were available and fair but cleanliness was on the bottom scale. My daughter had a good time with the dog on site, but it smelled pretty bad at the entry. No a/c and lounge area had all large windows which made it pretty hot in the house. The curtain rode was jenky and fell apart when I opened curtains so had to carefully balance it up again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from Leon on 28 Sept 2022
Because of the high elevation, it is much chillier here... If you need to use the fan the big one is always in the living room. If you need a/c just let me know and I will bring one, but, so far nobody has asked for it. Did you try just to open the window?

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best host in the world. Leon bent over backwards to be helpful, even planning things for us to see on the island. There is a full kitchen and three huge common areas, and both indoor and outdoor dining tables. Our room had its own balcony. It is off the beaten path, rustic, and very quiet, but there is a little grocery store at the end of the road. It would be a great place for a large family, as well as for a couple, like us. It was a great location for exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Puna coast.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from Leon on 16 Aug 2022
Thanks a lot and always welcome back.

6/10 Okay

Kathleen

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
From the movie Hostel
Welp, we got played by the bum too. I mean, I WOULD probably pay $20 a night for this place. Guy can’t even refill the soap dispensers and leaves old soap bars from other guests in the shower. Old whiskers errywhere around the sink. Vat is dis, Bratislava?? 😂 Hey at least the incredibly smelly German Shepard “guard dog” actually is very sweet…
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Leon on 20 Jul 2022
So, if it is so bad, why you just didn't leave?

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Nice having a full kitchen and laundry. Very nice owners to visit with too.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Leon on 20 Jul 2022
Thanks and welcome back.

8/10 Good

Terrie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The BnB was comfortable, homey and peaceful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Leon on 20 Jun 2022
Thanks and welcome back

2/10 Terrible

Tracy

Stayed 10 nights in May 2022

2/10 Terrible

Robin

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was filthy dirty, the host was drunk and wet himself in front of us. No help with baggage coming or going. We did not stay. Left as soon as we possibly could.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Response from Leon on 20 Jun 2022
No show, but with huge fantazy. And, per them 71-years old disabled man must carry their luggage

4/10 Poor

Malachi

Travelled with pets
Disliked: Cleanliness
Musty moldy smell at first turned into a dead rat I found outside the window of my room, was real bad. When I mentioned to the host he said” bad smell outside , close window”, it was so bad until I found it that it basically ruined my whole stay at this already very bad smelling house to begin with.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from Leon on 20 Jun 2022
I am not a dog and can't find dead rat outside of 3 acres lot. It was some smelll inside, but was from his big dog, which he kept in his bedroom.

2/10 Terrible

Lillian

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This isht hole place need to be removed from all sources. BEWARE! DO NOT GO HERE!
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Leon on 16 May 2022
Came there. Showed the entire place. Asked if everything is OK, "Yes". Asked if you need something let me know. Later they left secretly without noticing me and not canceled of booking. Found it the next day. Per Expedia policy, they were charged for this night. Two weeks later they decided to claim refund and left this "nice" review.

2/10 Terrible

Yancey

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Leon on 17 Apr 2022
Interesting case. The local guy initially stood as a tourist and claimed that he is a painter and suggested painting the house outside for$2500, but he will stay for free. He asked for four days to finish the job. I bought everything he asked for and gave him the deposit. Only after four days did he slowly start to mask the windows on the veranda. He also started physically fighting with my associate, who really helped him voluntarily a lot with job preparation. When I again saw him punching and kicking my guy I stopped it and fired him. I lost my deposit and he is still unhappy!

2/10 Terrible

Nathan

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
THIS IS NOT A HOTEL! It is someone’s house who rents out bedrooms. Very misleading. It smelled like a smoker’s house, musty, and of alcohol. The shower was grimy and didn’t drain well and the bedroom carpet was filthy in the corners. Another guest/resident sleeps behind a folding screen in one of the common rooms There is junk laying around in the yard. I nearly walked right back out but it was very late and I was exhausted. The good things: the owner was very nice, as was his dog, and there was interesting decor in the house.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Leon on 3 Apr 2022
It was standard vacuum cleaning before each guest. And Yes it is a Guest House as it showed in the pictures

10/10 Excellent

wendy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and comfortable!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Response from Leon Glasman, owner on 25 Mar 2022
Thanks a lot and welcome back

2/10 Terrible

William

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property was unkempt, dirty carpet, clothes hanging in closet in room we were supposed to stay, house smelled very musty, strong disgusting dog odor at entrance, dog blankets that smelled like they weren't washed for weeks. When we arrived owner not around, sat in car honking horn until he finally showed up. He smelled of alcohol and cigarette smoke as if a chain smoker. No breakfast available as advertised, no hot tub as pictured, owner said he hadn't used hot tub in years and was dirty. We are requesting an immediate REFUND!!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Response from Leon on 3 Apr 2022
was standard vacuum cleaning before each guest. And Yes it is a Guest House as it showed in the pictures

6/10 Okay

Harold

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Edward

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice n quiet 👌
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Response from Leon on 1 Mar 2022
Thanks a lot

10/10 Excellent

James, Tustin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Rustic rural area. Large old house and all amenities working well. Highly recommended for those who like to live with nature. Very peaceful with lots of nature sounds and birds singing. Internet is working well. Kitchen is fully stocked. Lots of berries to pick as well.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Response from Leon on 27 Feb 2022
Thanks a lot and welcome back Leon

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good people. Good stay. Mahalo
This was a last minute one night booking that I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the best life experiences I've had. Jason, if you're reading this you're my new guru. I had so much fun sitting out on the Lanai with you and Drew listening to you two rap about your amazing pasts and music knowledge. Leon was also very interesting and I would have liked to have chatted with him more. Leon was very concerned about making us feel at home in the accommodations and all the museum quality furniture inside just blew my mind. The bed was very comfortable. We will be staying with you again sometime soon for more nights.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from Leon on 23 Feb 2022
Thanks a lot and welcome back any time. Leon

10/10 Excellent

Elias

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful
It was amazing!! I loved the host!! Felt like I was at home. He made us coffee in the morning. Talk stories with us. The house was beautiful, clean. Over all wonderful.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Response from Leon on 21 Feb 2022
Thanks a lot. You are welcome back any time.

2/10 Terrible

Barbara

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

2/10 Terrible

Ashlyn, Saskatoon

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My partner and I arrived at Fern Forest Getaway and noticed a GUN and gas mask respirator sitting on the couch in the main living room. The stairway up to our room was filthy with specks of dirt, hair and other debris. Our room was not clean. The fridge in the room had specks of dirt and loose strands of hair in it. There were dress shirts hanging in the closet and the dresser next to the bed was filled with personal items including prescription medication. The bathroom was also very dirty. There was no shower gel, shampoo or soap in the bottles on the wall. There was a half-used bar of soap sitting in the holder. The floor of the shower was dirty with more loose hairs. The window in the bathroom was broken and could not be closed. There is no screen over the window to prevent bugs from entering the bathroom so we made sure to keep the lights off and keep the en-suite door closed. Connected to the main living room was a panel divider with a single bed behind it and someone's personal items strewn about on the two nearby tables. An individual in the main room was playing loud rave music that could be heard clearly from our room. We could also hear the sounds of private/personal bedroom activities from two people in the room on the floor below us. We did not enjoy our stay and would not recommend this place.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from Leon on 13 Feb 2022
I don't possess any Guns or gas masks. The associate who cleaned his pneumatic bee-bee gun in his spare time is fired though he denied that he left it on the couch. The fridge was clean and still clean, in spite of your fantasies of his there. Yes, I have spare jackets in the cabinet for tourists who attend the Volcano at night time and they appreciate it.

2/10 Terrible

Jia

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Please avoid by all means. Not a three star hotel in any dimension. Not even a legit hotel or Bnb property. I wish there are options to upload photos. The place is absolutely filthy. Floors covered with hair, windows and other places mold and mildew. Smells like mildew too. It almost looks like the only cleaning supply they have is an air freshener. You’ll also be in the middle of nowhere and we had to drive to Hilo to get food.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from Leon on 8 Jan 2022
I am tired to explain-people, please, read the description of the property and look at the pictures - it is Guesthouse in the jungle, not Ramada or Hilton. When you come and if you expecting a huge hotel, just let us know and leave.

4/10 Poor

David, WILLIAMSTON

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
There is no signage on the dirt road. GPS is impossible to use to find it. It feels like you are driving into someone's private home with no direction as to where to park. There is a dog that barks constantly outside as you prepare to come in and at one point the dog was free to roam and come up to us as we left. The room was not clean (the bed linen and towels were) and the linen closet was open and in our room. No key to the room. Would never recommend this place and not sure why Orbitz has it.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Response from Leon on 6 Jan 2022
It is another people who don't bother to read descriptions of the property. I tried to contact them during the day, but they didn't bother to respond and let me know that they are coming after midnight (check-in till 10 pm). Certainly for barked when strangest showed up, but it is very friendly and never bites. Hundreds of other people easily find with GPS. On some occasions, they ask for hand via phone, but not after midnight. Finally, I am blamed that they have a bad GPS. How nice.

8/10 Good

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Would consider staying here once again
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from Leon on 5 Jan 2022
Jason, you are welcom

2/10 Terrible

Rohit

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
AVOID!!! The property is in the middle of nowhere. It's very secluded with no food options nearby. The last few miles of roads are unpaved and the rain made it worse. The property is just someone's house where they are renting out the rooms. When we arrived, someone was already in our room and they single staff person told us he will clean the room in 15 mins. There is a (nice) dog at the property who is not taken care off. His area smells of his unwashed dog food bowl and his hair were all over the entrance area. We spent 15 mins but did not feel safe to spend the night there and decided to forgo the room/money.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Response from Leon Glasman, owner on 29 Dec 2021
Well, if they read the description of the property and look the pictures they could see that it is the guest house (not Ramada) in the jungle. When they arrived I was at another building, so my associate went over there to call me. He was working in another room on the first floor while their room. Is on the second floor and ready for them. When I came to the second floor I mentioned guys who were sitting in the car. I asked them to talk to me, but they ignored me and drove away. My associate told me that they promised to return in 40 minutes after buying the food, but they didn't come. Per Expedia policy, they were charged for one night and got pissed off. That's why decided to get revenge by leaving this review.