Guest Comments
Guest Comments

There are two sources of feedback from our guests.  In our condo we keep a Guest Book, which many of our guests
use to write comments or suggestions concerning their stay in our condo.  Following is a list of
every comment
entered by guests over the last few years.  These comments are transcribed word-for-word from our Guest Book,
which is located in the condo.  Unlike some other vacation rental owners we post all the comments written in our guest
book.  We don't just select the most favorable ones.  As you'll see, however, most all the comments written by our
guests over the years have been extremely positive.  Several repeat guests noted the wonderful improvements we
made to our unit over the years.  It's one reason why they keep booking our unit for their Hawaii vacations.  Other
guests remarked that our unit was the best place they've ever stayed when visiting the Big Island.

The second source of guest comments are so-called "verified" comments or reviews that guests enter directly on
websites such as FlipKey.  We've started collecting these as well.   Refer to the following link to read a few of these
verified guest comments.  
Dates: 7/29/09 to 8/7/09.  Charles, Donna, Emily (13), and Alex (11) S., Tucson, AZ  

We loved our first visit to the Big Island!  From snorkeling and boogie boarding at various beaches, kayaking with
spinner dolphins, hiking to black sand beaches – we did it all!  Returning to such a spacious and homey condo really
made our trip special.  We were really able to relax, read, play games and enjoy our family.  Thanks for sharing your
home with us!

Dates: 7/20/09 to 7/27/09.  Guido, Katrin, Joann, Florian R., New Jersey (from Berlin, Germany)  

Thank you so much for letting us stay and enjoy your beautiful condo!  Our first night on the Big Island we spent at a
hotel in Kona, but decided to move out asap.  Luckily we found this lovely condo and felt right at home.  We always
loved to come back after a long day of activities on the island.  We went snorkeling almost every morning with our
son, hiked the Kilauea Iki crater, went horseback riding, enjoyed several beaches (from black to white sand), and
visited the Billfish tournament to see the big catches (mostly Marlin).  But there are so many more things to see and
explore, so we will return soon.  We would love to stay at your place again!  Thanks again!

PS we also spent 9 days on Maui but liked the Big Island better.  Now we are heading to Oahu (only one night in
Honolulu) and then we will fly home.  So sad!

Dates: 6/19/09 to 6/28/09.  Kenny, Suzie, Melenie, Zachary & Matthew M., Tacoma, WA  

Tom & Jaci: We want to take this time to thank you again for the wonderful accommodations.  The condo is truly a
home away from home.  We could not ask for anything more.  We visited a few new places this time.  We drove
through the north shore and up through the green, lush hills of the Parker Ranch area.  Breakfast in Waimea of
course. (A must)  Visited a new beach down Waikaloa Beach Drive.  It was perfect in the respect that it was sunny
but there were palm trees for shade.  Favorite beach Hapuna!  Akaka Falls was beautiful!  Went and watched the
Manta Rays at the Sheraton.  Saw 11 in all, a spectacular sight.  This was truly our best vacation to date.  Had fun
and relaxed and very little sunburns this time.  We will have a lot more memories to take back with us.  We will
always have Kona!  Mahalo.

Dates: 5/28/09 to 6/1/09.  Justin, Ranya, Tamara A., Albany, Oregon

Thanks for a great vacation spot.  We’re all in town for a friend’s wedding and could not have asked for a better
location or accommodation.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and look forward to the day we can return!

Dates: 2/28/09 to 3/7/09.  Frank, Pete, Donald, Ben Jr..,  

Wonderful accommodations, great location.  This was our first trip to the Big Island for all of us – age range 66 year
to 19 months.  We all had a good tiem and having this place as our home base made it all the more enjoyable.  
Been to all the islands and now having added the Big Island to the list of those visited, would love to come back.

Dates: 2/8/09 to 2/26/09.  Gregg & Benita P., Blackie, Alberta Canada, and Brenda M., Milo, CA

Thank you for letting us rent your condo.  As we are writing this on the lanai, looking out onto the ocean, we are
asking ourselves why we are going back to Alberta where it is – 25 degrees right now !?  It is very difficult to leave
Paradise.  We enjoyed staying here with all the amenities.  You have the condo decorated so well and it was great
to stay here.  We enjoyed the golf at the Kona Coast Golf club.  It is a beautiful course.  There aren’t too many places
where you can golf and watch whales at the same time!  Thank you!

Dates: 1/10/09 to 2/7/09.  Christa & Hans H.., British Columbia, Canada
Mahalo for a wonderful stay in your nicely decorated condo.  Everything was here that we needed and it felt like
being at home.  We had enough time to relax and explore this beautiful island with a perfect climate.  We are sad to
leave and hope to be back in the future.  We left a blue-white boogie board to enjoy.

Dates: 12/26/08 to 1/01/09.  Scott, Dawnetta, Alice, & Andrei B., Holladay, Utah
We have been to the Big Island a number of times and this was the nicest place we have stayed.  We had a great
time snorkeling at Kahalu’u and boarding at Ku’a Bay.  We got to the lava at the Volcano National Park and made it
to dinner at our favorite restaurant twice: the “Bamboo” in Hawi. We enjoyed our visit and, in particular, this lovely
condo.  Thanks.

Dates: 11/18/08 to 11/24/08.  Karen & Greg G., Cambridge, Ontario Canada
Thank you for sharing your beautiful condo with us.  It had all the comforts of home and so much more.  Jaci, your
decorating taste is wonderful … loved the sea turtles, dolphins, geckos and tropical fish.  We will miss sitting on the
lanai with our Kona coffee listening to the birds and gazing out at the ocean.  The binder listing the attractions was
very helpful.  We snorkeled at Kahalu’u Beach and Honaunau.  The fish and sea turtles were an amazing sight.  We
definitely recommend dinner at Bubba Gumps.  Go early and get a table by the water where you can watch the
sunset.

Date 10/15/08.  Martin, Linda & Kevin
Thank you, mahalo and “shukiran” for a great condo during our Ironman stay!  Hope to return again some day!  “Ma’
salama” for now … back to Aba Dhabi and the heat.

Date 7/21/08 to 7/28/08.  Roger, Laurie, Matthew, and Griffin Arnold Meriden, CT
The condo is very comfortable and relaxing “home away from home”.  Right away we settled in to “island time”.  We
appreciate all the little extras in the condo, including the boogie boards, X-Box, and extra coolers, which made our
stay much easier.  The highlight of our trip was the helicopter tour over the lava flow.  We also visisted the Volcano
National Park, parasailed over the Pacific Ocean, and attended an authentic luau at the Royal Kona Resort
(unfortunately, we didn’t enjoy the poi).  The beaches in Kona were very easy to get to and fun for the whole family.  
We spent some time at the Magic Sands beach, which had a lot of big waves, great for boogie boarding, and at the
La’aloa Bay, great for snorkeling and has many cool fish to see, including pufferfish and many others.  We also saw
many sea turtles during our stay in Kona.  The KTA supervarket was very convenient, and Don the Beachcomber
restaurant had great food.  This was our 1st time to the Big Island, and it was very memorable.
Mahalo!! The Arnold family
P.S: We are now on our way to the Hilton Waikoloa Resort in Waikola.
P.P.S: Helpful hint: If you are on your way to the lava flow viewing at night, bring some flashlights located above the
washing machine,

Date 6/30/08.  Dave, Mo, and Vanessa Bornholdt and Julie McGuirem Ashburn, VA
This past week has been extremely memorable.  We went hiking at Volcano Nat’l Park, snorkeling, on a helicopter
ride and to numerous beautiful beaches.  The condo was amazing, so spacious and homey.  The restaurants had
delicious food to offer and we will miss having an L + L in Virginia.  We’re all going to miss Kona, and will all be
back soon.  Thank you so much for letting us stay in your “home away from home”.
Sincerely, Julie, Vanessa, Mo, and Dave

Date:  4/03/08  Roger & Kathy W., Camp Sherman, Oregon
Great place!!  We’ve been to this property since 1996.  You’ve done a great job making a “home away from home”
in a great location.  We appreciate your well stocked kitchen.  We cooked lots of breakfasts & lunches.  The weather
was great.  We had several overcast days early on, but we worked on our base tan.  We finished off our tans with a
day at Hapuna Beach.  A must visit for all!  I seem to remember Robin Leach listing it as one of the top ten beaches
in the world.  We were here during the most recent surface eruption at Pu O’o.  We visited friends in Kalapana,
trekked out to the flow and had fun.  Not too many spots in the world where you can walk to where the lava is flowing
into the ocean!!

We did take in the night snorkel visit to the giant manta rays.  Another world class triumph.  My oldest daughter and I
did this 8 years ago.  This time I took both daughters.  Definitely leave out of Keahou Bay with the folks there.  It is
literally a 10 minute boat ride.  The carpenters were busy rebuilding the stairs and back decks.  What a project.  
Very professional crew.  They moved quickly and got a lot done every day.
Keep up the good work! We’ll be back.
Roger and Kathy

Date:  1/27/08  Jim & Judy W., Morgan & Jason T.,, White Lake, Michigan
Everything was absolutely wonderful.  The guys caught a 70 lb tuna and it was fabulous on the grill.  Saw a 45 foot
whale completely breach.  The tuna was caught on a snorkel trip. With Fairwinds II.  Whale watching with Body Glove
was fabulous.  Mahalo.

Date:  1/18/08  Claudette & Arthur L., Cheshire, Connecticut
Rushing to airport – wanted to let everyone know that we had a great stay at this condo.  Would love to come back
again!  Thank you, Tom!  You’re the best.  Mahalo.

Date:  1/08/08  Gayle C., DDS, Kenolal, Randi, Erica, Rachyl,Camber & Elora K., Fairbanks, Alaska
What a lovely home to base our activities from!  We are 6 + a visitor from Japan.  Many great meals enjoyed,
sunsets watched & early morning birds appreciated.  Thanks for sharing your library.  Suggestion:  A spray faucet in
the kitchen sink.  The hard flooring is so easy to keep clean – greatly appreciated.  Awesome condo – Thanks so
much for sharing!

Date:  12/31/07  Melissa, Rolf, Torsten & Varena J., Newark, Delaware
We enjoyed our stay in this condo as much as the first time.  Great upgrades!  We recommend Naalapa Stables for
exploring Waipio Valley on horseback, & Paradise Safaris Maunea Kea summit adventures.

Date:  12/13/07  Denise & Kathy, Tacoma, Washington
We arrived the evening of the 1st – the start of the worst week of storms to hit the Big Island in decades!  Thank
goodness we had a great place to stay!  We became very familiar with all the shops!  We really appreciated all the
extras – very convenient!  Once the weather cleared we enjoyed the beaches, & the great snorkeling at “two steps” (
by the Place of Refuge).  This trip was a “girls” trip – I hope to be back next year with my husband.  Thanks for
sharing all his place has to offer!  (P.S.  I left a beach mat & pillow in the 2nd bedroom – too much shopping =
crowded suitcases!  Besides, it won’t work in the snow at home!)

Date:  11/16/07  Shirley, Barb, Ray & Jean,   Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois
We enjoyed this lovely condo, especially all the beach toys.  We have an energetic 81 year old woman with us.  She
liked all the comforts of home.  We are visiting a cousin who lives in Oceanside south of here.  We especially found
the welcome book very informative.  Thanks for making that book.  What a view, what a view.  Sure beats snow
flurries back home.

Date:  11/03/07  Tom & Cathy L., Renee & Phillip G.,  Phoenix, Arizona
Thanks for everything.  We really enjoyed your home.  We were on the go for many days, sightseeing all of the
island.  It was great – I am sure we will return again.

Date:  10/23/07  Dolly, Steve & Bob M.,  New Jersey)
We saved the best for last.  This is sadly the end of our vacation in Hawaii.  Your home is beautiful.  We enjoyed the
cross breezes and the many wonderful meals on the lanai. The sunsets are awesome.  Thank you for sharing your
home with us.  We enjoyed so many beautiful sights – The Market Place – Maunea Kea and a sunset cruise.  Your
home is beautiful.  Thank you for sharing it with us.  

Date:  9/11/07  The Schroeders (Eric, Texas,  Shirrell & G, North Carolina)
Everything was so beautiful.  Thanks so much.

Date:  8/14/07  Satoru and Yumiko and Aya and Yui Hackiboshi, Tokyo, Japan
We family came to Hawaii; this trip was very pleasant.  It is 8 times to Hawaii, but we have never been bored.  We
watched at tropical fish in Kahaluu Beach, went to Mauna Kea andOnizuka Center.  And we went shopping.  We
hope that we come back here again.  We thank owner for consideration!  It is very comfortable unit. Mahalo!  (I’m not
good at English, I may write broken English .. I’m sorry!)

Date:  7/26/07  Kenny Suzie, melanie, Zachary & Matt Motto, Tacoma, Washington
Tom & Jaci:  Thank you so much for a wonderful vacation.  While we were here your beautiful condo was home.  We
could not possibly have wanted anything else.  The ice chests, boogie board, umbrella & chairs were great when we
went to Hapuna beach (which is one of our favorite spots).  We took another guest’s recommendation % visited
Waimea & had breakfast at the Hawaiian Style Café.  The breakfast & atmosphere were perfect.  We are taking
home with us some beautiful memories that we will cherish until we return hopefully to your beautiful condo.  Aloha.

Date:  7/7/07  Natsuko & Bill & Connie Hamilton, Iowa City, Iowa
We came to Hawaii for our daughter’s wedding and it will be one of the most memorable events in our families
lives.  Sixty five people ventured from places such as Iowa, Maine, Mass., Fla, and San Diego, etc.!  We rented two
other condos besides this beautiful condo and we were very pleased and everyone felt at home for 2 weeks.  Our
mother (80) loved this condo; she could watch all of us at the pool, watch the birds and the ocean all at once!  
Thanks for having such great utensils, pans, and all!  Hope to return again.  Will call for reservations with you.  
Mahalo & Aloha!

Date:  6/22/07  Natsuko & Tsutomu Nishimura, Setagaya, Japan
Thanks for the very very comfortable place.  We really enjoyed staying at this well equipped condo.  If we can come
back to the Big Island we definitely will choose this condo.  Mahalo!

Mayami & Motoka (Parents)

Our daughter & her husband took us to this island to celebrate our retirement, and this trip became an unforgettable
memory for us.  This is our first trip to Hawaii, and we learned a lot in this country which has completely different
culture.  And this one week stay in this wonderful & comfortable condo is most memorable thing through the trip.  
Now we’re leaving Hawaii and we’re willing to com back here someday.  We hope everyone who stays at this condo
will lenjoy Hawaiian life.  Thanks!

Date: 4/7/07   Ralph R., -  Calgary, Alberta Canada  
Thank you for the use of your beautiful home – it really has been a comfortable stay this week.  The info book was
very helpful and the binder also – we’ve added some menus.  We’ve had a fabulous time – there’s so much to do
and see here that we have to come back.  The snorkeling is great, we’ve seen the green and black sand beaches,
the volcano is amazing even if it isn’t currently very noticeable.  The lave tube is beautiful.  We brought headlamps
which made it much easier.  Next time we’ll do the caves.  Waimea is like being back in southern Alberta – in fact
the mural in the Safeway mall is way too familiar.  This is an extremely gorgeous island – being able to see bamboo
rainforest-like areas, cattle country and back to the beach all in a few hours is beyond amazing.  We loved Akaka
falls.  Every day has been perfect but finding ourselves with a fabulous meal in Hilo at the end of the day, in a small
bistro (Hilo Bay Café) that we expected would be nothing much – just made the trip even better.

Date: 3/17 – 3/27/07   Lee & Ginny Y., -  Victoria, British Columbia  
Thanks so much for the use of your beautiful home.  We hadcloudy weather most of our stay but the air was warm
and the small of the south pacific wonderful.  We were very comfortable here.  The resort is lovely as well.  Our
adventure to Cook’s monument by foot (wow what a climb back up) was well worth it.  Bring extra water and don’t
leave anything visible in your car.  Our window was smashed.  Luckily we locked our treasures in the glove
compartment.  It did mean a half a day at the rental car place, police report, insurance, etc…, so be careful.  
Otherwise loved it here and would love to come back again.  Our daughter says she had the best birthday ever.   

Date: 1/18 – 1/26/07  Steve & Joan K., -  Manetowat, Wisconsin
You have an awesome condo.  Very well decorated in eth Hawaiian theme.  This condo is so homelike we hated to
leave.  We enjoyed our week here – very nice weather, sunshine everyday (nice to be away from the snow & cold).  I
slept well the very first night I was here (and that usually doesn’t happen).  Because of this wonderful condo we will
probably never stay in a hotel again!  Kona is a very relaxing place and I can see why you chose to live here when
you retire and visit a few times each year.  My husband Steve sure found a great condo for us to stay in!  We are
happy it was available.  Thanks (or mahalo) for sharing your home with us!  Aloha.
Keauhou Gardens Unit 12-201:  Guest Comments  from  2007 - 2009