What great memories!

Rubytoyota (Meadow Vista, CA)
Review submitted: February 16, 2013   Date of arrival: February 21, 2012

Still daydreaming about our stay at your clean, comfortable, well-stocked home. Thank you for giving us our peaceful private space, yet growing to become our special friends near the end of our stay. Of the 4 homes we stayed at in the month of February 2012, yours stands out as the best! Centrally located for our jaunts to the ocean, HIlo, volcanos, the little towns, and your Farmers Market. Your quiet street so we could hear the ocean. And, no surprises - your home was just like you advertised. You really made our trip enjoyable, and we'll see you again. If available, we want the whole month next time!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 1 / 1

a great place to be!

Petra (Germany)
Review submitted: February 13, 2013   Date of arrival: January 18, 2013

Aloha Laura and Gary!
How lucky we were to be able to stay with you at Dolpin Hideaway for almost four weeks. We had a wonderful time. We loved to come back to your comfortable flat in the evening to relax after adventures trips and meetings with nice people.
We felt at home immediately. It was impossible not to because it is so beautifully decorated and taken care of with love.
Also it was nice to discover that your place was perfectly situated in regard to our travelling tours. Thank you again, dear Laura, for showing me where to find the turtles, since the meeting with them was a highligt for me (hopefully also for them) ;-) We are happy to have got to known as warm hearted people as you. We will recommend your studio all people who look for a comfortable place, from which you can reach easily the wonders of Big Island. Mahalo!
Petra and Lone

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, sight seeing

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Great place to see the Hilo side of the island - for us the best deal on the whole trip!

Birgit (Germany)
Review submitted: April 16, 2012   Date of arrival: March 14, 2012

The Studio is a great place to stay for visiting the volcano and the beautiful beaches around Puna.
We loved the place, even though the kitchen is not too big, there is everything you might need. Everything was very clean and well kept. We liked the wood (floor, bed etc.) very much.
It looks exactly like on the pictures!
We enjoyed having breakfast at the lanai! But unfortunately, if it was raining before, there were mosquitoes, just to be aware.
Considering to the price and what you get for it, it was the best deal on our four week trip!
The only thing we didn't understand is, if there would have been WIFI? But in the end, we didn't need it anyway.
So Laura and Gary, thank you for giving us the possibility to have such a great time! We would definitely recommend the place!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 5 / 5

A home away from home in paradise!

Jan (Carlton, WA)
Review submitted: February 1, 2012   Date of arrival: September 16, 2011

This ohana is a beautiful, well appointed, very very clean, private and peaceful place to stay. Definitely a BARGAIN whether vacationing or honeymooning. Centrally located for exploration of the Hilo side of the Big Island, you will love it here. The listing is completely accurate. We visited 09/11 for an extended stay and were able to cook all our meals, enjoy fresh produce from the Farmer's Market, and spend our days exploring the Puna and Hilo districts. The owner is very helpful and kind. We loved going to the "hot pond" near Pahoa, the massive tide pools in Kapoho, Volcanoes Natn'l Park, and also circumnavigating the island, experiencing the different climate zones. The "Saddle Road" is newly completed so it is only an easy 2 hr drive to Kona. Less than a mile away from this ohano are breathtaking ocean cliffs to sit by and feel refreshed. For walkers and runners, there are miles of safe roads to enjoy. Need a beach chair, beach towels, snorkel gear, etc? They are free for your use. DON'T PASS THIS LOVELY OHANA up! We have recommended it to several friends and they are looking forward to staying here and fall asleep to the sound and rhythm of the ocean like we did.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 7 / 7

Hannah & Larry (Dallas, TX)

LarryS (Irving, TX)
Review submitted: September 1, 2011   Date of arrival: June 28, 2011

My wife and I took an extended getaway in the islands for a month during the summer of 2011. We chose the dolphin hideaway through the word of mouth of friends living in the islands. It was the perfect location to set up homebase for our trip- remote, quaint, private. Driving distance to Hilo, the volcano, and Kona was reasonable.
Most of all... the price was stunning! Surely the best deal in the area. Everything you might need was included.
Laura and Gary were certainly a pleasure.
You won't be disappointed!

Recommended for: sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Enjoyed the central location and comfortable studio

Karrie (Wisconsin)
Review submitted: June 9, 2011   Date of arrival: June 3, 2011

A perfect location and jumping off point for Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea, Hilo or the Puna District (tide-pools and warm springs on the east side). We spent three days enjoying the Hilo and Makuu Farmers Market; Mauna Kea and in a day took in Lava Tree State Monument, Kapoho Tidal pools and Kalapana. It was a nice place to return after sight-seeing. Our only regret is purchasing groceries at Foodland in Kea'au instead of waiting for the abundance at the Farmers Market. Gary and Laura have a tidy well-kept acre!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, families with young children, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

a real bargain

jan j. (aptos, ca)
Review submitted: February 16, 2011   Date of arrival: January 31, 2011

Great, new studio. Accommodating hostess. Convenient location. Amazing chattering birds. A real bargain!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

The Perfect Hideaway!

cristina (San Francisco, CA)
Review submitted: February 3, 2011   Date of arrival: August 11, 2010

This studio is truly the best deal on the Big Island. We spent 3 nights in this cute and comfortable studio. Laura was very friendly and even let us borrow some flashlights for our nighttime lava viewing. The room was very clean and nicely decorated. We especially enjoyed the table and chairs on the front porch for our morning coffee. I would definitely stay here again. Thanks, Laura!

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

Excellent place for the price.

KT (Upstate NY)
Review submitted: September 8, 2010   Date of arrival: August 8, 2010

Very nice and clean guest apartment. Although it is attached to the owner's structure the guest quarters are more of like a "mother-in-law" apartment that is very common in Hawaii. Since it was separated from the main house by a carport, it felt very private. The small kitchen and Lanai out front were really nice added touches.
The setting helped to establish this feeling as well. It is a few miles of the main road, in between Hilo and Volcano, so a pretty good spot and relax at night, but still be pretty centrally located to many of the sites most people would want to see on the East side of the island. You will definitely need a car to visit this area, so make sure to book one.

The hosts were excellent too, very helpful in giving suggestions, but also giving us plenty of space to relax and adjust in our first few days on Hawaii.

No, it's not the most extravagant listing you'll find on VRBO, but considering the relative price, helpful owners, and very clean and comfortable place, it was a great place to stay.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, sight seeing

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4

It was like home

Review submitted: July 24, 2010   Date of arrival: February 17, 2010

When I arrived I was tired and ready for a bath and a good place to call home after a long day of travel. Laura, the owner , had already arranged things for me so that I could be comfortable and ready to use the studio even at my late hour.

The studio was very clean and nicely arranged, even in the atmosphere and energy that it inspires. I felt relaxing just by stepping in ... then the clean bathroom and tub with as much as the bubble bath available was a genuine welcoming touch.

Laura was always available and interested in making my stay pleasant and worry free. She is a very caring, loving lady and though you perceive the caring presence, she lives next door, you'll feel your privacy and space truly allowed to you. I truly felt cared for, in every sense. I had friends who were staying at nearby vacation studios and homes , but, by far, Laura' studio was the best. I was happy, happy, very happy of my choice and ... I'm planning on coming back if I am in Keaau again.
Thank you Laura, for your hospitality and service.

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

Great Place to Stay

Review submitted: July 24, 2010   Date of arrival: January 27, 2010

We stayed at the Dolphin Hideaway for our short trip to the Big Island. It was very clean and comfortable, we only wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks Laura!

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

Loved it!

Review submitted: July 24, 2010   Date of arrival: October 20, 2009

We enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin Hideaway while in Hawaii. It was clean unlike a hotel room and came with the extras. We had chairs to take to the beach, and beach towels available which is always important for us. There was satellite tv available as well as several movies to choose from.

There was a microwave, small fridge, and all the dishes and accessories. The owner wanted to know if we needed anything else in our room. We could hear the waves crashing some days from our lanai where we ate our meals, thanks to the fridge and microwave.

Recommended for:

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4

It was like home

Lilli P. (Arcadia/Sierra Madre, CA)
Review submitted: March 26, 2010   Date of arrival: February 17, 2010

When I arrived I was tired and ready for a bath and a good place to call home after a long day of travel.
Laura, the owner , had already arranged things for me so that I could be comfortable and ready to use the studio even at my late hour.
The studio was very clean and nicely arranged, even in the atmosphere and energy that it inspires.
I felt relaxing just by stepping in ... then the clean bathroom and tub with as much as the bubble bath available was a genuine welcoming touch.
Laura was always available and interested in making my stay pleasant and worry free. She is a very caring, loving lady and though you perceive the caring presence, she lives next door, you'll feel your privacy and space truly allowed to you. I truly felt cared for, in every sense.
I had friends who were staying at nearby vacation studios and homes , but, by far, Laura' studio was the best. I was happy, happy, very happy of my choice and ... I 'm planning on coming back if I am in Keaau again. Thank you Laura, for your hospitality and service.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Susan Saunders (Seattle, WA)
Review submitted: January 27, 2010   Date of arrival: January 27, 2010

We stayed at the Dolphin Hideaway for our short trip to the Big Island. It was very clean and comfortable, we only wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks Laura!

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Barbara and Alan (Bailey, Colorado)
Review submitted: October 20, 2009   Date of arrival: October 20, 2009

We enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin Hideaway while in Hawaii. It was clean unlike a hotel room and came with the extras. We had chairs to take to the beach, and beach towels available which is always important for us. There was satellite tv available as well as several movies to choose from. There was a microwave, small fridge, and all the dishes and accessories. The owner wanted to know if we needed anything else in our room. We could hear the waves crashing some days from our lanai where we ate our meals, thanks to the fridge and microwave.

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Helpful votes: 1 / 1