Pele’s Secret Garden – Volcano, Hawaii
Accommodations: House, 2-bedrooms + Convertible Bed(s), 2 baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Website: http://www.vrbo.com/150406
Contact: (808) 937-3991 (Peggy)
Pet policy: Pets considered on an individual basis. Additional pet fee.
Fence: No (although the lush rain forest foliage provides a nice barrier)
Wireless Broadband: Yes
My review: My husband and I stayed here for our 1-year anniversary with our young Labrador Retriever (Kimo) who loved the cold weather and sleeping on the beautiful bamboo floor. Although it rained most of the time, it provided the perfect opportunity to do nothing and just enjoy the wrap-around lanai with the hammock, the patio chairs, playing guitar, or sitting inside by the fire…sipping the wide variety of teas, Kona coffees, and indulging in the warm socks and tropical fruits that Peggy (the owner) provided. The house was spotless both inside and out, and Kimo and I spent much time snooping around the yard to check out the interesting foliage, much of it being native Hawaii plants.
Peggy was fantastic about answering all my questions right away and was a thoughtful, genuine person in all of our communications. Our out of town friends from Orcas Island, WA stayed a night with us, and we all agreed to plan another stay there next year. Plenty of room for all of us, too.
There’s no real grocery store in town, so either buy your fruits and veggies at the Sunday farmer’s market in Volcano Village or stop in Hilo or Kea’au (18 miles away). We picked up delicious pizzas and salads at Kiawe Kitchen (CLOSED 9/13/12) and wine next door in the Village…and ate there at the house. Thai Thai is wonderful, too, as well as the other few restaurants.
