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Reviews of Off the Beaten Track On the Island of Hawai`i!

Off the Beaten Track On the Island of Hawai`i!
Naalehu, HI

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 155 out of 160 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 160 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 160 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 160 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 160 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nancy F., Montreal

Liked: Cleanliness
Short overnighter
I was extremely impressed by the beautiful location and well-kept environment. It shows they have pride in their homestead and take very well care of everything. The guest house was extremely clean and had everything you needed for a comfortable and peaceful stay. I was sad that I only stayed there for one night and will absolutely be back next time.. thanks!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short but sweet
If you like the outdoors you will like this place would have liked to stay longer
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect quiet retreat
Off the beaten track was the perfect place to stay while we explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's quiet and private, and not too far of a drive from restaurants and coffee shops. Wendy and David were excellent hosts. They helped us find the turnoff when we arrived after dark and were easy to contact via text or phone. Overall, this was a relaxing quiet retreat - exactly what we'd hoped for!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W., Anchorage, Alaska USA

Liked: Cleanliness
The place you will want to come back to!
We immediately felt welcomed by Wendy and David. It was a delight to meet and greet briefly. The house and the gorgeous surroundings offer true relaxation. Our only regret is that we only had one night here. We are already discussing when we can come back.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily R.

Liked: Cleanliness
So peaceful
My partner and I booked this as a staycation to get away for valentines. It was exactly what we had hoped. It was beautiful and quiet. The hosts were accommodating yet gave us plenty of privacy. We will hopefully be returning and for longer next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise!
We absolutely loved staying here. A gorgeous property and very comfortable studio. Thank you so much for letting us stay❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

JAMES M., Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Off the grid
Having been to the big island once before we decided to stay somewhere different then we did last time that was around Kona. This was a very nice quiet VRBO completely off the grid. Power was solar, gas for stove through propane, water filtered. Had everything we needed though and really enjoyed our stay
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Clay Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing accommodations
Extremely quiet and relaxing. Loved the cabin and property. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house and furnishings, a cool and scenic refuge
The house is nicest VRBO we've stayed in, with nice architecture, classy furnishings (including Tiffany style lamps and great rocking chairs on balcony), decorations, and views from wrap-around balcony and huge windows--include from a deep bathtub; wonderful! The view is of a huge pasture and tall trees where their pet donkey and some wild pigs reside. Kitchen was well equipped. The property is similar to the Kahuku Unit (about 10 minutes away) part of the nearby national park (where Wendy is a ranger) and very nice, meaning lush and cool--unlike the hot, bare lava ground of most of the island. There's a sweet little area below the balcony where you can meditate by a Buddha statue. The road through the neighborhood makes for a nice, quiet walk through scenic jungle. A motorized gate makes the property feel even more secure. Just half a mile from the road to South Point, and near black and green sand beaches. We would love to stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Feb 2024
Mahalo for the kind words, and we'd welcome you back anytime! Thanks for staying with us.

10/10 Excellent

Rick C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to relax,
Great place to come back to after day trips seeing the sites. Secluded and relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness
As advertised
No surprises, nice and clean, conveniently located. Friendly and helpful host.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roland G., Southern California

Liked: Cleanliness
Southpoint Haven
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Siyi L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very beautiful scene
A very peaceful and lovely place. We saw pigs, an old donkey in the farm, and frogs after a rain in the yard. The scene is really beautiful, better than what we expected from photos. Wendy and David are very nice. We love this place much more than the resorts in Waikoloa.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

April M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil get way
Wendy and David provided clear concise directions on how to access their property. They made me feel welcome they offered fresh citrus for me. The studio was clean, beautifully decorated. I had a beautiful kitchen full size. The best part for me was a nice deep tub that I could relax in and they had a beautiful window which was large and I could look out on the greenery of the property. I was able to Black Sands Beach, Green Sands Beach and the volcano national park. I enjoyed the local farmers market on Wednesday and Friday with many crafts and food made by the local residence of Naalehu. Wendy and David provided amazing hospitality while providing me enough privacy to have a relaxing holiday. I definitely would stay again and would recommend their home.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronda/Dave R., Kalama, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
Came back to stay here because of the tranquility of being off of the beaten path. Seeing Tuffy again, (yay!) the fun little geckos, birds and franklins and yes even the wild pigs. Our awesome hosts, who we prefer to call friends, Wendy and David are wonderful and always so helpful. It always felt good to rest with a beautiful view.
Stayed 26 nights in Oct 2023

2/10 Terrible

Spike K.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Yes it is named correctly
Started our tour around the big Island here. Staying at 5 different locations. This is the only place I would have wanted to stay longer. The Marriott was our last stop, 4 days was too long ! So many people and no Donkey . We would come back to Off the beat track and stay a week. It was restfull. Hikeing the Park trails was lovely. The hosts were lovely too.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marvin S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice overnight stay
Simply stayed overnight. Arrived well after sunset, and the hosts met us at the end of the lane. Very nice accommodations with lovely view in the morning. I would certainly recommend this location to other travellers!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathan C.

Liked: Cleanliness
100 Years of Solitude
Truly remarkable location and house. This place is set up so well to have a once in a lifetime vacation. The secluded setting and open format of the house made it feel as if you were alone in a treehouse in a jungle. Dave and Wendy had the perfect balance of being super supportive and communicative, while also allowing solitude and space. From this location, you could see either side of the island without an all day drive. If I ever go back, I wouldn't stay anywhere else.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberlee G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Treehouse in paradise!
Beautiful spot with the most amazing views of the gorgeous property. Felt like we were in a tropical tree house with everything needed for a perfect overnight stay. Loved every minute of it!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly Off the Beaten Track!
David and Wendy were very personable, kind and accommodating. Their property was beautiful! The unit is clean, quaint and cozy. Will definitely be back to stay again. Don’t hesitate, you should definitely book for your next trip to the Big Island!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet well-equipped surrounded by native bush
Just the break we needed from boisy Waikiki. This place was quiet and remote with easy access to the green sand beach, black sand beach and volcano national park. Great price too. Owners live far enough away to give privacy... lovely people too, easy to deal with.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kirby K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exploring South Hawaii
Fantastic hosts and a gem of a property. We hiked to secluded beaches and swam in pools next to Rainbow falls. So different than the Kona/Hawi north coast. So glad we stayed here. The place has everything. We had perfect sunny mornings thru the afternoon. A perfect cooling rain each evening that could be enjoyed from the covered porch. Slept well to the sound of chirping frogs and woke to doves and so many other song birds. I can see why they settled on this awesome property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd M., Kelseyville, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Heavenly Paradise!
The property exceeded our expectations. Absolutely stunning location, extremely clean and well-kept, and had all amenities one would need. Very comfortable, private and relaxing. Wendy and David were awesome hosts; very responsive, friendly and accommodating. Falling to sleep with the songs of the Coqui frogs and waking to birds singing was amazing. Although remote, still an easy drive to Kona, South Point, and other lovely destinations. Will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
David & Wendy are great host quick to answer any questions. If you’re looking for a place to stay and commune with nature this is the place for you.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great hosts and secluded location
Wendy and Davide were great hosts - for example they met us out at the highway turnoff since we were arriving after dark. As many reviews have indicated, it is a great secluded location.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had such a wonderful time! The owners were both so nice and welcoming to us!! We both really wished we had more time there :)
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Caitlin A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful remote and private stay
The hosts were very helpful and friendly. The place was stocked with everything you could need (soap, towels, kitchen, even hawaii guidebook), and actually not in view of the host's house or any other house which is nice in terms of privacy. The location is so beautiful and the first night we were there we could see the entire milky way because the sky was so clear and dark. It is a bit out of the way, but very close to green sands beach which is a must-do. The tree frogs are loud at night but I personally love falling asleep to that sound
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

aishi d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and peaceful retreat
We loved our stay. Naalehu in general and the vacation property in particular are gorgeous. Very green, with birds singing during the day and frogs singing at night. The temperature cold down nicely at night, we never wished for AC, the open windows kept our place very comfortable. All the amenities offered were much appreciated. We loved being able to grab beach towels, chairs and the cooler for our adventures exploring the island. If you want to avoid the crowds in Hilo or Kona, this location is ideal. It’s conveniently close to Volcano National Park, Green sand beach, and a black sand beach. An award winning coffee stand is just for the road and there are coffee and macadamia farms everywhere. Buying directly from growers was a wonderful experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason, Jackson

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very peaceful place to do some relaxing. Convenient to the green and black sand beaches and south point. Owners were very nice and place had everything we needed. I hope we get to come back someday.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ken B., Edmonton, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Adventurous getaway
This is a lovely studio space on beautiful, secluded grounds. The place has all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay and is well located for access to volcanoes, hikes, beaches, caves, and some attractions. Highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gwenna Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private and tranquil with a beautiful view
Lovely experience that I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on! Home away from home, we only stayed for one night and I wish we had more time to stay longer.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bill G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Setting
This property is set with a view of the ocean in the distance. Sitting on the porch, looking at the ocean, is a tranquil experience. The size of the accommodation is just right for a party of two. The owners, Wendy and David, are friendly and accommodating. The unit was clean and comfortable. Unfortunately, we had rainy and overcast weather for 5 of our 7 day stay. This is an off the grid property so the sun provides the electric power. No sun equals little power generation. There is a generator for backup on days like these, which the owner runs so that you are not completely without power. This was effective but we still needed to be conscious of our power consumption. We were intrigued with having the experience of living off the grid. It was a good experience, despite the poor weather. If we were in the area again we would certainly stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet, Relaxing Stay
We had a LOVELY time! The house had everything we needed for cooking and relaxation. Tangelos were in season. They were DELICIOUS. The tree was VERY close to the house … we feasted on them and made juice. Short drive to Green Sand Beach and Black Sand Beach. Wendy and Dave were very accommodating and accessible. The water pressure for the shower was awesome. We were wondering how it would be, since they are off the grid Would definitely come back and recommend it
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jackie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Big Island get away
Lovely property. Quiet and secluded Volcano Park, green beach and black sand beach nearby. Gracious and accommodating hosts
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Local Gem!
We are locals and have stayed here before. The peace and tranquility is perfect. Having coffee on the lanai and enjoying the beautiful view is awesome! We also love visiting with Tuffy the donkey! :-)
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jan 2023
Mahalo for being a great guest and staying with us again...we love hosting Hawaii folks!

10/10 Excellent

J O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway in tranquil setting!
Beautiful location and wonderful hosts. Perfect distance between activities around both Hilo and Kona. Lush and private property, one of our all-time favorite stays!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place, amazing views and very private
This house is beautifully nestled in the middle of a ranch with magnificent views from the balcony. In fact the cabin has many glass windows and doors so the view from the inside the cabin is amazing as well. You wake up to beautiful sunrise in morning. Weather is beautiful, after all it’s Hawaii. You smell the fresh air. There were tangerines on the trees. The view from the bathroom IS beautiful (like mentioned in many other reviews). Wendy and David are amazing hosts. They met us at the entrance to let us in and had a really warm chat with us. Wendy also gave us details about the volcano National park and which volcano or hikes were a must-do. We felt very welcomed and really enjoyed our stay and wished we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything about our stay was awesome. The owners were incredibly nice, and the room/kitchen/bathrooms were all very clean and organized. The only disappointment we had was that we only booked a single night.

10/10 Excellent

Karen F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Little piece of Heaven
Second time staying at David and Wendy’s beautiful home. What an amazing Zen house where you can sit out in the upper deck and watch the resident donkey and at night get serenaded by frogs What a marvelous stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christian B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding!
The highlight of our honeymoon! Unbeatable for a quiet, relaxing stay! Beautiful night skies! If you like solitude, calm, and perfect temperatures day and night, you'll love this property!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

gareth p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful Countryside
Wendy and David's place is close to the southernmost point of Hawaii Island and that makes it close to thee southernmost point in the USA. It's very peaceful, loved the old donkey in the meadow. Wendy and David are the nicest people and Wendy is so knowledgeable about the botany of th area. Altogether loved our stay with them.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert D., Bastrop, TX USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic stay
We stayed at this lovely location for a November week, and Waiola was wonderful! David and Wendy, our hosts, were always available for any questions we might have, including one about the 3.9 earthquake that we experienced. The apartment is on the second floor of a building; the first floor is not used while tenants are there. It is an open-plan studio with a separate full bathroom and a large walk-in closet containing hanging space, shelving, ample extra towels, etc. The apartment is very well appointed. We found essentially everything we needed was already there. The lanai goes almost all around the building, and in the front - looking toward the ocean that is distantly visible - is a simply marvelous view of open green fields, many lovely trees, old lava walls, highly colored ti plants right below the building and the stunning Hawaii sky. Available for use are two beach chairs and a cooler. Below the apartment there is a gas grill, a large washing machine and dryer. Every day we looked for - and often saw - the resident donkey, quietly and very very slowly munching grass. There were daily visits from three very friendly geckos. We never grew tired of sitting and simply looking at that lovely view. There are large windows on three sides of the apartment, so viewing is always possible even in the rain. Waiola is 1800 feet elevation, so it is cool at nights and even sometimes during the day. A sweater or light jacket is strongly recommended. Rain does occur occasionally - this is Hawaii. There are no supermarkets within many miles, so one should buy major groceries in Hilo or Kona. There is a small grocery at a service station in Naalehu that has most essential things. There are several small restaurants that we enjoyed, and the Punaluu Bakery in Naalehu has good things to eat - especially malasadas! There are major tourist locations in Kona and of course Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, both an hour or more away. And South Point, the southernmost location in the US, is only a short distance south. An especially beautiful and interesting location to visit is City of Refuge National Historic Park - less than an hour toward Kona. However, the Waiola area is not really a traditional tourist center, so if you stay here for several days you should expect to largely entertain yourselves. But if you want to have a beautiful location with wonderful hosts and tremendous hosts and tremendous peace and quiet, you cannot beat Waiola!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Nov 2022
Mahalo, Bob, for your kind words and glowing review! We were delighted to have you as guests and so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for staying at Waiola!

10/10 Excellent

Huijun

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is excellent!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kyle J., Calgary Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and peaceful
The property was like a retreat. Everything we needed to be comfortable was there and the owners were very friendly and available if needed. “Tuffy” the donkey was very happy to have us to visit him in his pasture and loved the head scratches.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

SHERWIN M.

Liked: Cleanliness
REMOTE GETAWAY
Had a very secluded and pleasant stay at this property. The lanai overlooks a very colorful and vibrant foliage. The owners, David and Wendy are very attentive and easy to communicate. Highly recommend especially for couples looking for a very scenic and quiet getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bree W., Bakersfield, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely spot, comfortable and gorgeous property, loved it! Bonus! Hugs from the donkey!
We were so impressed with David and Wendy’s rental! Gorgeous lanai overlooking their property just off HWY 11. Easier to find than we thought it would be! David and Wendy live on the property but the space was private and welcoming. Had everything we needed. Washer and dryer was a nice touch, cooler and beach chair and plenty of linens. Great air flow in the condo so no need for an AC. kitchen had everything we needed and there were a couple spots to eat a few minutes away in Naaleahu. Hana Hoi had great pizza, sandwiches,and salad and sweets! Don’t pass up a stop to the Ali Lani small farmers market. Not much selection but their apple bananas were fabulous. It’s a pay on your honor system and so sweet. Black sand beach a few miles away and south point are both great. Volcano national park entrance isn’t far either. This was the perfect spot to just relax after a long day of doing and going. Bed was comfortable, space was clean, very thoughtful touches. We will definitely be back again! Mahalo!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Peter T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Extraordinary!
This is a wonderful lodging. The setting is secluded and gorgeous, the studio room is lovely and everything is designed and maintained with thoughtfulness and obvious caring. My night and morning here were very inspirational!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug 2022
Mahalo, Peter. Thanks for staying at Waiola!

10/10 Excellent

Thomas L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Home Base for Exploring
We spent most of our vacation hiking at Volcanoes National Park, snorkeling at Two Step or driving and exploring the vast wilderness. After a long day of being out we felt so comfortable winding down on the deck as the sun went down. We never felt like we were missing any amenities. We were able to grill, wash dishes, bake, do laundry and shower. It's extremely impressive for somewhere that is off the grid. We will never forget the wonderful experience we had. Property owners are extremely helpful and accommodating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kara L.

Liked: Cleanliness
A joy!
Little did we know this would be our favorite VRBO experience during our multi-island Hawaiian adventure. Wendy and David were excellent hosts. We were greeted at check-in with their sweet dog and fresh eggs from their chickens. The property is beautiful and the living space is very airy and clean. Although there is no WiFi, there is full Verizon LTE coverage. The few hiccups we ran into were immediately addressed by the hosts (i.e. clothes dryer was malfunctioning but ended up working just fine, electricity from solar panels ran out because of hurricane but generator ran without issue). We felt welcomed, clean, and comfortable throughout our stay. Thank you for the terrific experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

capucine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Perfect
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022