Tree Fern Cottage Writer's Retreat on the Big Island
Special rate: Only $630 for a seven night stay!
This completely private abode lies in the heart of the tropical district of Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii. Situated in Leilani Estates (two miles from the town of Pahoa), the cottage sits on two acres of pristine native forest on which to relax, unwind and get away from it all. Smell the sweet scent of gardenias, ginger, and night-blooming jasmine, gaze upon the myriad of colorful tropical flowers and let 
the birds welcome you with their song.Done in what a friend calls "exotic Bali-Colonial" décor– each room has a ceiling fan and views out to the gardens. There are two bedrooms – one with a queen size bed and another with two twins or a king, a bathroom with a shower, and a living room all surrounded by a 1,400 sq. feet lanai. One of the highlights is the outdoor hot water shower on a lava stone platform. A wonderful way to cleanse off the salt water from swims in the nearby hot ponds and ocean.
M & K Stevenson
Then, when you're good and rested, check out the incredible places of natural beauty nearby. Start with a 10-minute drive down a mango tree lined lane to the Red Road and travel it along the coastline from Kapoho to Kalapana. This is one of the most beautiful drives in the Hawaiian Islands. Until it was paved over with asphalt, it was a bright red road made from volcanic cinder.Along the route there's a lovely hot spring lagoon right on the ocean at Pohoiki Bay where locals surf, boogie board, fish and watch spectacular tropical sunsets. There is also snorkeling in the marine sanctuary tidepools at Kapoho just as close. A 15-minute drive will take you to Ahalnui Beach Park with its amazing 90+ degree geothermal-heated pool. This is a safe and gorgeous place for anyone to swim and do Watzu (gentle water massage) and is also an inspiring place to be during sunsets — watch for rainbows and whales.
Staying at Tree Fern Cottage gave us such a complete experience of the Big Island; lush rain forest at the house and ten minutes away to sunny, dry volcanic fields - another 5 minutes to ocean tide pools. We had a blast! thanks for a forever-memory of Hawaii with our family. May it not be the last time we visit Tree Fern! Robert Nordling, symphony conductor. 6/2010
And there is the picturesque Kehena Black Sand Beach – a clothing optional beach with serious surf for the strong swimmer. This bay is where the spinner dolphins come in to rest and, if you get there in the early morning, there is an excellent chance of seeing the babies leap and play with each other. The nearest town (two miles away), Pahoa, is a sugar cane village with Old-West style buildings and wooden sidewalks dating back 100 years. No tourist trappings here, either, but there are some very good restaurants from Thai, Tuscan Italian, natural-foods, an Internet café and muy bueno Mexican.
The nearby Saturday Farmer's Market at Space in Sea View and, on Sunday, the Maku'u Crafts & Farmer's Market, feature live music and just the people watching is worth the trip. It is as much a social event as a marketplace. Of course, you can also find about every kind of local veggie and fruit, plus a lot of prepared offerings, too. And just in case you're in the mood, how about an open-air Lomi Lomi massage?
In less than an hour you can be in Volcano National Park — home to the active goddess Pele. There are several fabulous hikes into the craters, lava tubes and steam vents, a fine art gallery and a Visitor's Center with free educational films. You can pay a respectful visit to the continuous lava flow on the coast. The molten lava spews into the hissing ocean and is spectacular at night.
If you need a bit of city life, drive to quaint Hilo on one of the farmer's market days (Wednesdays & Saturdays). Visit the 
market, buy a basket full of exotic produce and goodies like mango pudding and Hawaiian sea salt rub for fish. Treat yourself to lunch at Miyo above the lagoon (tempura & sashimi) and then flip a coin — do you go to the 50-cent movies or head over to Richardson Bay Park for some excellent snorkeling and count the colorful parrotfish as they cruise by? Perhaps there is enough time to do both?
The Puna region has yet to be discovered (thankfully and probably due to Pele's close proximity and appetite) so there are no resorts, no condos, and no conga line of tourist cars cluttering the roads. What you do get here is rural Hawaii at its best.
Thank you!! I had a fabulous time and spent at least 30 hours editing and writing my book. Your house is also in a very convenient location to accessing all the magical parts of the Puna area. Andrea, author
CD and tape player, wireless Internet, Hawaiian music CDs, fully-equipped kitchen, charcoal barbeque, hairdryer, washer and dryer, linens and towels provided. The telephone service includes all calls on the islands & U.S. Mainland. Use your calling card for all foreign calls including Canada. There is cell service in the area (sometimes right on the lanai) but it is sporadic.
Odds & Ends:
Weather is temperate year-round with the average being 66-84 degrees. This region around Leilani is reputed to have the cleanest air in the Western Hemisphere and the eastern lighthouse nearby is where scientists measure for a baseline on air quality. Guests staying at Tree Fern Cottage should really love nature, quiet and beauty. If what you really want are pizza, TV, video games, and lots of tourists milling about in logo T-shirts and baseball caps – go to Kona.
There are a few things to adjust to that you will not find at your own home and that define Leilani as being in the jungle: most notably the coqui frogs at night. They are symphonic and if you want total quiet when you sleep — bring earplugs. Though many times, they are silent and just the birds heralding the dawn awaken you. The other critter that can appear at dawn and dusk are mosquitoes. They aren't predominant but you should bring repellent. They do prefer some folks over others. Now the reason the area is so lush? Rain! This is not a desert or like California where it rains only six months out of the year. Here it rains frequently but, luckily, if it does rain during the day there is a high likelihood that the weather will turn to blue skies suddenly. Hence bring an umbrella and rubber flip-flops — remember – you are waterproof! The water is on a catchment (rainwater) system so you may shower, launder and do dishes but not drink it. Drinking water can be purchased at KTA, Safeway or Longs in Hilo and in Pahoa at Malama Market, Pahoa Natural Foods, and Cash & Carry.
Tree Fern Cottage Rental Terms: The weekly fee is $630($70/night thereafter). There is a 3-night minimum at $110/night. Rates are for a maximum of 4 people. The cleaning fee is included in the rental rate. An 13.25% GE & TA tax is added onto the lodging fee (not the security deposit). You may pay with a credit or debit card or PayPal.
Security Deposit: A fully refundable $300 security deposit is also required. This is returned after your stay if all is in the same condition as when you arrived. Smoking, pets, parties and loud music are not allowed.
Cancellation Policy: The $300 security deposit is non-refundable if you cancel your reservation 60 days before your rental dates though you may apply it to a future reservation with no expiration date. If you cancel your reservation less than 60 days before your rental dates, the security deposit plus 50% of your rental fee will be non-refundable. You may apply the rental fee toward another vacation rental date in the future (not the security deposit.) There is no expiration on this option.
Return Guest Discount & Referral Fee: If you are a return guest to Tree Fern Cottage, ask about the 10% discount for your next visit. If you refer a friend who books a 7-night stay at Tree Fern Cottage you will also receive a $50 credit toward your next visit.
Please email Lisa regarding rental availability.
Video of lava tube exploration with Bo Lozoff who also gives lava tours: