Entire home

Guest Cottage at Historic Estate

Photo gallery for Guest Cottage at Historic Estate

Property grounds
Smart TV, books
Aerial view
Exterior
Outdoor pool

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 41500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Dryer
    Dryer
The price is HK$1,277
HK$3,250 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Guest Cottage at Historic Estate

This gem of a guesthouse has been built to accommodate occasional visitors in the plantation days. It is totally preserved in its originality, the floors, the trims, the moldings on the high ceilings, the sash windows on weights, everything still authentic original. Even some of the old window panes with the hand made wavy glass have made it through to this day.

Our property is all about Big Island history.
As soon as you enter the Royal Palm lined drive to the former Ola’a Sugar Plantation estate, you will feel the ambiance of times gone by.
The buildings are authentic Victorian and have been tastefully restored to their old glory and equipped with all modern amenities.
They are surrounded by about ten acres of luscious botanical gardens, meadows, orchards, and jungle, preserving its unique ambiance.

Three aspects make this property unique:
Location, ambiance and history.
There are no similar places on the Island to compare it to.

Location:
Keaau, on the east of the Big Island, meaning the area of water springs.
We are conveniently urban, yet secluded within our privacy.
We are on safe county water and dependable grid electricity and WiFi.
We are always on paved roads and only a minute away from the next supermarket and restaurants in Keaau shopping center. We are 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Hilo and central to all visitor sites, most of them less than an hour away.
We are in proximity to Hawaii Volcano National Park, and the coastal waterfalls.

Ambiance:
In the midst of our botanical exuberance and wildlife you connect with the charm of a simpler life, as it used to be on the Island a century ago. A rare opportunity to experience country living as its best.


History:
The land, originally owned by King William Charles Lunalilo (1835-1874), was purchased by the Shipman family.
In 1902 the first manager of the Ola sugar plantation planted the Banyan tree near the cottage. It is now considered the biggest on the Island.
The Main House, nineteenth century Queen Anne architecture, has been used in many photography sessions and for movies, recordings, magazines, books and commercials.
A 1950’s photo is shown in the book “The Hawaiians”.
Films recorded on the property include: Four Frightened People (Claudette Colbert)-Diamond Head (Charlton Heston)-The Hawaiians (Charlton Heston - Geraldine Chaplin)-Hawaii Five O-Hawaiian Eye-Big Hawaii (Cliff Potts)-Danger In Paradise (Cliff Potts & Ina Bolin).

After the plantation closed and sold the residence in the early 1980’s, it fell in disrepair until the present owners acquired it and worked for several years to restore it to its original beauty.

But the history dates back beyond the plantation era to ancient Hawaiian legends and fairy tales.
The most known is of the mythical Princess La'ieikawaii, hiding in the place known as Paliuli.
The Mango forest on the south-west corner of the property still holds the remains of an ancient hei'au.
The Hawaiian movie Choreographer Henry Pa, recounts in an interview: "When I was involved in the movie, "Bird of Paradise," my grandmother Grace Kealiiaua Pa told me to go to the island of Hawaiʻi, to Olaʻa, at Keʻeau. I was to sit beneath a certain tree, which was the birthplace of my grandfather and his former home. There I was to gaze out at the water and look for two stones, one of which was Hiʻiaka-ika-poli-o-Pele, and the other was Lohiau. I was to meditate on the task before me. By doing this, I would receive the strength and inspiration that I needed to choreograph the dance scene for this movie."

Property manager

Lisa Potter

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Outdoor pool
  • Shared/communal pool
  • Fence around the pool

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Paper towels

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Porch or lanai
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking allowed on lanai

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near outlet shopping
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Cycling on site
  • Golf nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Marina nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Unit size: 1500 sq ft (139 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: There are mostly safety concerns

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number GE-079-875-0720-01, TA-079-875-0720-01, 160030850000

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Map
Keaau, HI

What's nearby

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 13 min drive - 12.6 km
  • Ha'ena Beach - 14 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 16 min drive - 17.1 km
  • Port of Hilo - 17 min drive - 15.8 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 19 min drive - 17.6 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Kaleo's Bar and Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Guest Cottage at Historic Estate have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Guest Cottage at Historic Estate?

As of 23 Nov 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Guest Cottage at Historic Estate on 24 Nov 2024 start from HK$1,276.61, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Guest Cottage at Historic Estate pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Guest Cottage at Historic Estate?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Guest Cottage at Historic Estate?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Guest Cottage at Historic Estate located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden, Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center and Kilauea Caverns of Fire. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory and Ha'ena Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Guest Cottage at Historic Estate Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 101 out of 109 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 109 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 109 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 109 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 109 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Donna B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Keaau fun
Came to visit friends on the Island, had a great time in the pool every afternoon.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff C., Portland, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness
The Perfect Hawaiian Getaway
I have been coming to Hawaii for almost fifty years and the cottage in Kea’au is the nicest place I have stayed. The cottage is historic while being both comfortable and authentic to the time it was built at the turn of the last century. The grounds are spacious and private surrounded by jungle complete with singing frogs at night and crowing roosters in the morning. The swimming pool is an added bonus as is the spacious front lanai. It is ideally located near the beaches and the Volcanoes National Park. Shops are five minutes away yet you feel like you are out in the country. The hosts are lovely both friendly and accommodating. My wife and I came with my sister and my wife’s twin sister to celebrate their 75th birthday. We couldn’t have been happier. The cottage would also be perfect for a young family.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

N R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private. Peaceful. Perfect.
This is a piece of a historic plantation 5 minutes from Kea’au. Sprawling green lawns and meadows tucked in behind jungle. Huge main house. We stayed in the only guest house, and by the clean pool. Yes: great front porch. Yes: TV. Yes: roosters and frogs! Peaceful and clean. No: air conditioning (didn’t need it, there were fans)
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Property
This is our second time staying here. We highly recommend it. The house and the property are absolutely gorgeous. We are comfortable here and the hosts are very sweet and accommodating.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, magical place!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Darel G.

Liked: Cleanliness
A small step back in time
The cottage is tastefully decorated and we appreciated the antiques here and there. I felt like I should be wearing a different outfit and I told my wife it felt like we were on a film set at times. I always wondered what "the jungle comes alive at night" meant. Now I think I have at least an idea. This was a great place to stay that is out of the ordinary and has a wonderful historical feel about it. We all enjoyed having something that was extraordinary instead of average and run of the mill. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle O.

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved our stay!
Super quiet and peaceful property! Surrounded by the jungle, this property was amazing! Plus our own private pool which was just lovely. We absolutely would stay again! This property is absolutely perfect for two couples. The two rooms are exactly the same with their own bathrooms. 10/10 recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Historic Guest Cottage
Loved our stay at this lovely cottage set on 9 beautiful acres. It felt like we were actually guests of the original plantation house. Stayed for thirteen nights, and were joined by our daughter for five nights. Plenty of room for the three of us. Favorite times were morning coffee and afternoon cocktails on the veranda. Easy drive to both Hilo and Volcano, and Foodland grocery is a mile away. Highly recommend.
Stayed 13 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christiane Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay in Kea'au
This historic cottage is an absolute gem! Surrounded by lush gardens on a quiet estate, it is about as peaceful and relaxing as you can get. The cottage is beautifully furnished and spacious. The location is convenient to Volcanoes National Park as well as Hilo and the Hamakua Coast. I look forward to coming back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very pretty and unique property, loved the feeling of being away from it all and the sounds of nature on the farm but with the convenience of driving right out to stores etc
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

teri k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint and Comfortable
The cottage was beautiful and well restored. We only stayed two days and would have liked a few more. The cottage was clean and comfortable. The beds were the perfect comfort level and we all slept well. The cats and chickens running around added to the charm. We didn't use them, but be sure to use the ear plugs if you are disturbed by early morning roosters crowing, they were loud! The cottage is a little hard to find the first time in the dark, but we were prepared so only had a little trouble. Be sure to stay several days if you book the cottage!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laila M.

Liked: Cleanliness
great stay
We had a lovely peaceful stay here. We really enjoyed sitting on the porch in the mornings with our coffee watching the wild pigs and piglets. We wished we had booked it for longer. The cottage is decorated impeccably with everything you need.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Monica W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wet Side getaway
We enjoyed this historic property, beautiful old cottage. Two days here exploring the botanical garden and Volcano NP
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Millie K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Guest cottage stay in Keaau
The stay here was amazing. We arrived quite late in the evening and you certainly need a flashlight of some sort to walk the path to the cottage. Beware there are frogs along the pathway. Lol. Thank God for the lights on our phones. Everything about the cottage was more than I could ask for. It was clean. The beds were comfortable and the fresh flowers were so fragrant and added a nice touch. Lisa was wonderful. She was welcoming and helpful with all our questions. She sent me links to all the places we wanted to visit and/or recommended by her. Lisa offered to show us the main house. That was something I was looking forward to based on some comments from other people who stayed there previously but we just ran out of time. My only regret is that we didn’t stay longer and we didn’t have time to appreciate everything that was available to us. I would have love to have cooked a meal there as the kitchen was fully stocked with cookware. Thank you Lisa for hosting a wonderful stay. We will be back in the near future.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Old Hawaii Charm
It was a very charming cottage. It reminded me of old Hawaii. A little worn like grandma's, but welcoming. Beautiful grounds with all the vegatation. It was very peaceful even with the roosters and frogs at night. Our property manager was awesome. Quick to reply to text messages. She was full of hIstory about the main house and the property. It was an awesome experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Jen W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very special place
Lisa was an amazing host with a willingness to share history and give local recommendations. If AC is an option, it would be a nice addition--mainly to drown out nature's nightly concert.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura and George C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Simple Life
Our second stay in this cottage on the large grounds of an old estate house that has a beautifully renovated interior. (On request, we were given a tour of the main house on our previous visit.) We were graciously greeted when we arrived. We like the location, within easy driving distance to the Hilo coast as well as Volcanoes National Park. We enjoyed the evening/night rains, and the occasional gecko. The kitchen was well equipped. Brighter light in the main living area would be much appreciated. We will probably return!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim K., Woodland Park, CO, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic but lovely
This little cottage is a great peek into the past - its historic significance is interesting, and knowing how the owners have worked to save this property is incredible! It's simple, has all you need for a delightful stay, and is a quiet oasis (well, see note about coqui, but I love them)! It's close to town but still feels rural. The house is stocked with everything you need, including fans, a great selection of pans, towels, beach chairs, etc. They even thoughtfully provided earplugs, because as other reviews note, those little coqui have a voice 100x their size and the give a concert all night long! I love the sound, so it didn't bother me, but if you're a light sleeper or haven't experienced the frog chorus before, you may need them. There are lovely trees, many beautiful plantings, and you'll enjoy spotting a pig or two crossing the lawn. And we were lucky enough to see the hens and chicks scouting the lawn for tasty morsels, they were such cute fluffballs! The one thing I wish we'd thought to bring or have handy was a flashlight. At night, it's so wonderfully dark, but that's when the toads like to hang out on the brick walkway to the cottage! Being fearless (or slightly dumb, but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt), they don't move out of your way, so we were careful to use our phone lights to find them and gently nudge them off the sidewalk so we didn't splat them. Overall, wonderful!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Historic Hawaii
Charming two bedroom cottage with the feel of rural Hawaii.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Very Relaxing ‘Hawaiian Style’ Week
My sister and I were looking for a place to just relax and savor ‘old’ Hawaii. We lived in Kona in the late 60’s and 70’s and my parents were there for nearly 30 years. This property was perfect for us and we hope to return for a longer stay. We did a bit of sight-seeing every other day, but wanted a place to mostly relax and read. We only took advantage of the pool one day, but enjoyed peacefully floating in the inner tubes, while exchanging old stories. Gisella was a lovely hostess. The ten acres of jungle comes complete with beautiful flowers, resident chickens and cats - and occasional wild pig sightings (though they apparently aren’t terribly welcome due to their destructive foraging habits). The bedrooms and living area all have high ceilings, with ceiling fans, which seem to deter insects and kept things cool. The bedrooms are large and inviting and it was a bonus for us each to have our own bathrooms. It rains a fair amount on the Hilo side, but the big covered porch area provides a great sheltered spot from which to enjoy the down pours. We both agreed we wished we could have stayed much longer.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle N., Kingsley, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Cottage
Gisele was a wonderful host. The cottage was exactly what I imagined, the quintessential Hawaiian cottage in the jungle. Sounds of nature abound and nothing else. Good location to stay to begin each adventure. It rained but never all day, every day. I never missed the AC. Comfortable bed.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie A P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Can’t wait to go back
I kind of don’t want to tell everyone how great this place is as it will be too booked up for us to get back in. It isn’t for everyone though. If you are looking for pristine and perfect then go to a resort. We loved every single thing about this place. From the cats, chickens, frogs and pigs to the fresh flowers, pool and free standing house itself. Thanks Gisella for your hospitality!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

terry L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Hawaiian paradise
We stayed at Gisella's beautiful estate for a month and unfortunately it rained extremely hard for a large part of our stay. Thankfully, staying here made the disappointing weather tolerable. The extensive covered lanai (veranda) where we were able to sit out and enjoy the beauty surrounding us even in the rains was wonderful, and the interior space was lovely and very roomy. Huge bedrooms, each with generous full bathrooms. The kitchen worked perfectly for us, and we prepared all our meals here. As nature and animal lovers we were thoroughly entertained and enchanted by the chickens, chicks and roosters, not to mention the geckos. Glimpses of the feral pigs were also amusing, although they have made a mess of the lawn in some areas. The photos of the outdoor areas were taken some time ago, so the externals are not as pristine, but honestly we really had no complaints. A previous guest complained about the rusty fridge, but that was just the outside of the door. The interior was fine and in perfect working order. And the cost of staying here was half what you would expect to pay at an estate like this. It was a dream property to stay at, and every time we came home from an outing I was thrilled to drive up into the property and enjoy the historical magic. The location is excellent. Gisella is a sweet woman and very easy to deal with, and we enjoyed talking with her about the history of the area. We would definitely stay here again, and would recommend it.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M., Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful historic plantation cottage
Absolutely one of a kind. Historic property that allows you to step back in time and relax! It’s over 100 years old and is maintained superbly. Secluded but close to town. If you stay here you have to use the pool. It’s immaculate. It’s ideal for a couple to enjoy but with the second bedroom and bath would work well for 2 couples. Loved it. Definitely plan to return. Host is amazing and very friendly but gives you privacy.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patricia D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful location
This is a wonderful location to explore the South and East of the Big Island. It was a half-hour up to Volcanoes in the morning (we were on East Coast time, so it was good to have a 24/7 location to visit at 6am). In the afternoon we went down to Hilo for the Museums / food / shopping / beach, or over to the Pahoa for the Farmer's Market. The kitchen was well-stocked, and the Foodland and natural food store in Keeau were very convenient for picking up groceries. The swimming pool made a lovely end to the day. There is a path out the backdoor into a small tropical forest with a flock of feral chickens. There is no air-conditioning, but the outside porch was comfortable in the afternoon, and with the fans on it was cool enough for a blanket to be welcome at night.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022