 "We stayed at this property for 3 nights and loved every minute of it. The house is gorgeous and the backyard is amazing. We enjoyed BBQ'ing each night as well as using the hot tub and pool at night. The night sky is amazing here, as there are no city lights close by, so it is absolutely black and the sky is filled with stars. Our only regret is that we were so busy trying to see as many sights in the Hilo area as we could that we didn't get to spend hardly any time enjoying the house. If I was to come again, I would definitely plan to spend at least one afternoon enjoying the backyard and pool. We enjoyed a very local activity about 15 minutes from the house that included music, dancing, excellent food and some distant lava viewing. I believe this happens every Wednesday night at the end of Highway 130 or 137. It was a definite highlight of the trip. There are so many things to do in this area. The weather is not nearly as good as the Kona side, but if you know this ahead of time, there's no dissappointment. Plan for your beach activities when you visit the Kona area. We did ziplining, toured the Tropical Botanical Gardens, went to the Volcano National Park, visited the hot ponds and the Kapoho tide pools, and went to the Hilo Farmers Market. Would highly recommend this property." - STVMIC, , 03/20/2012 (HomeAway Review)Thanks for posting such useful information, this is great. We hope you can visit again soon.
"We stayed at this property for 3 nights and loved every minute of it. The house is gorgeous and the backyard is amazing. We enjoyed BBQ'ing each night as well as using the hot tub and pool at night. The night sky is amazing here, as there are no city lights close by, so it is absolutely black and the sky is filled with stars. Our only regret is that we were so busy trying to see as many sights in the Hilo area as we could that we didn't get to spend hardly any time enjoying the house. If I was to come again, I would definitely plan to spend at least one afternoon enjoying the backyard and pool. We enjoyed a very local activity about 15 minutes from the house that included music, dancing, excellent food and some distant lava viewing. I believe this happens every Wednesday night at the end of Highway 130 or 137. It was a definite highlight of the trip. There are so many things to do in this area. The weather is not nearly as good as the Kona side, but if you know this ahead of time, there's no dissappointment. Plan for your beach activities when you visit the Kona area. We did ziplining, toured the Tropical Botanical Gardens, went to the Volcano National Park, visited the hot ponds and the Kapoho tide pools, and went to the Hilo Farmers Market. Would highly recommend this property." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 03/12/2012 (VacationRentals Review) Thanks for posting such useful information, this is great. We hope you can visit again soon.
"We stayed three nights and couldn't bear to leave. The roar of the ocean and pounding of the surf serenaded us continuously. This home is in an isolated spot and away from the hustle and bustle. Just what we needed after a hectic week on Maui...We will return.." - Owner Submitted Review, , 03/04/2012 (HomeAway Review)
"If you are looking for privacy and beautiful suroundings, this is the place..We hated to leave but we will return..a little bit of heaven on earth.." - Owner Submitted Review, , 03/04/2012 (HomeAway Review)
"After a week on Maui, we knew we would need a private place to unwind and relax. Hale Mar exceeded our expectations and yet we could still get to the volcanoes or the city in a short amount of time. The views and solitude made our stay unforgettable." - Angry sea, houston, texas, 03/04/2012 (FlipKey Review)
 "We stayed three nights and couldn't bear to leave. The roar of the ocean and pounding of the surf serenaded us continuously. This home is in an isolated spot and away from the hustle and bustle. Just what we needed after a hectic week on Maui...We will return.." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/25/2012 (VacationRentals Review)
"If you are looking for privacy and beautiful suroundings, this is the place..We hated to leave but we will return..a little bit of heaven on earth.." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/25/2012 (VacationRentals Review)
"Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Owner Submitted Review, , 02/24/2012 (HomeAway Review) We're so glad you enjoyed Hale Mar! Hope you can come back soon!
"Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Owner Submitted Review, , 02/24/2012 (HomeAway Review)
"The house was so cozy and comfortable! The views were majestic and extremely relaxing. The sunrises and sunsets over the ocean were unforgetable. The breeze blowing and waves crashing onto the cliffs were very calming!! This truly is a wonderful vacation home away from home!! Would recommend it to anyone!!!" - Owner Submitted Review, , 02/20/2012 (HomeAway Review) Thank you Bridget, and hope you come back to Hale Mar again soon!
 "Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/11/2012 (VacationRentals Review) We're so glad you enjoyed Hale Mar! Hope you can come back soon!
"Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/11/2012 (VacationRentals Review)
"The house was so cozy and comfortable! The views were majestic and extremely relaxing. The sunrises and sunsets over the ocean were unforgetable. The breeze blowing and waves crashing onto the cliffs were very calming!! This truly is a wonderful vacation home away from home!! Would recommend it to anyone!!!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/07/2012 (VacationRentals Review) Thank you Bridget, and hope you come back to Hale Mar again soon!
"We stayed for three nights at Hale Mar and it was amazing. We actually didn't do much sight seeing around Hilo because we didn't want to leave the beautiful house! We ended up relaxing, enjoying the hot tub, the amazing ocean view and spending time with family at the house. It was the perfect getaway house to unwind after the holidays. We would definitely stay there again as the view is out of this world!!!" - Kathy, , 01/07/2012 (HomeAway Review)
"We stayed for three nights at Hale Mar and it was amazing. We actually didn't do much sight seeing around Hilo because we didn't want to leave the beautiful house! We ended up relaxing, enjoying the hot tub, the amazing ocean view and spending time with family at the house. It was the perfect getaway house to unwind after the holidays. We would definitely stay there again as the view is out of this world!!!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 12/26/2011 (VacationRentals Review)
 "We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was wonderful. The house had plenty of space with an open feel to the ocean with all the windows. The house was stocked with most amenities and the owners were fabulous with details as to our schedule, arrival, details, keys, departure,etc.. the house is laid out spaciously with many seating areas outside as well to enjoy the view..We loved our time there and would recommend a stay there. Did I mention the privacy- great. The ocean view was so beautiful, I would get up early every morning just to watch the sunrise over the ocean. The pool & hot tub were great and made a fantastic view at dusk with lights on against the ocean. The Big Island is my favorite of the Islands. At Hale Mar you are close to all the sights. Hawaiian Volcano National Park; I suggest a drive Crater Rim Rd to the ocean, short hike to Thurstons lava tubes, Kilauea Caldera and craters, to many to name in the park- there's the rainforest too. Black sand beach with green sesa turtles coming ashore to sun in the morning- beautiful. Green sand beach- quite a hike but worth it, take your swimwear- it's about 3 miles- I suggest taking the locals up on the ride there in their 4 wheel drives- they are very nice and will do so for a small donation. We took helicopter ride over volcano & rainforest 45 minute ride and were able to see active red flowing lava and hundreds of waterfalls..Look forward to returning on vacation again to Hale Mar." - Owner Submitted Review, , 08/01/2011 (HomeAway Review) Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. We aim to please, and it's rewarding to hear we have!
"We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was beautiful. The house was spacious and clean with most all amenities stocked. The owners Marty & Laura had thought of everything including information on area to schedule, directions, arrival , keys mailed to you, departure instructions. I communicated with them several times and they were great, nice people. The view is fabulous both downstairs and upstairs from the house. The pool and hot tub were a great feature with plenty of outside seating areas. We plan to visit again. Privacy was another feature we loved. Hale Mar is close to all the major sights- Hawaiian Volcano National Park, black snad beaches, green sea turtles, green sand beach, active lava flows, waterfalls, etc.. I plan to stay here for my next vacation. It was so relaxing.." - Owner Submitted Review, , 08/01/2011 (HomeAway Review)
"We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was wonderful. The house had plenty of space with an open feel to the ocean with all the windows. The house was stocked with most amenities and the owners were fabulous with details as to our schedule, arrival, details, keys, departure,etc.. the house is laid out spaciously with many seating areas outside as well to enjoy the view..We loved our time there and would recommend a stay there. Did I mention the privacy- great. The ocean view was so beautiful, I would get up early every morning just to watch the sunrise over the ocean. The pool & hot tub were great and made a fantastic view at dusk with lights on against the ocean. The Big Island is my favorite of the Islands. At Hale Mar you are close to all the sights. Hawaiian Volcano National Park; I suggest a drive Crater Rim Rd to the ocean, short hike to Thurstons lava tubes, Kilauea Caldera and craters, to many to name in the park- there's the rainforest too. Black sand beach with green sesa turtles coming ashore to sun in the morning- beautiful. Green sand beach- quite a hike but worth it, take your swimwear- it's about 3 miles- I suggest taking the locals up on the ride there in their 4 wheel drives- they are very nice and will do so for a small donation. We took helicopter ride over volcano & rainforest 45 minute ride and were able to see active red flowing lava and hundreds of waterfalls..Look forward to returning on vacation again to Hale Mar." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 07/25/2011 (VacationRentals Review) Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. We aim to please, and it's rewarding to hear we have!
"We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was beautiful. The house was spacious and clean with most all amenities stocked. The owners Marty & Laura had thought of everything including information on area to schedule, directions, arrival , keys mailed to you, departure instructions. I communicated with them several times and they were great, nice people. The view is fabulous both downstairs and upstairs from the house. The pool and hot tub were a great feature with plenty of outside seating areas. We plan to visit again. Privacy was another feature we loved. Hale Mar is close to all the major sights- Hawaiian Volcano National Park, black snad beaches, green sea turtles, green sand beach, active lava flows, waterfalls, etc.. I plan to stay here for my next vacation. It was so relaxing.." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 07/25/2011 (VacationRentals Review)
"Hale Mar is a spacious and well appointed home which is RIGHT on the ocean. The grounds are just as lovely as the house so it may be difficult to leave. When you do decide to leave you are close by to a wide variety of activities and sites which make the Hawaiian vacation experience even better. I can't wait to organize a trip back with my girls just to see the look on their faces when they walk through those front doors!" - Owner Submitted Review, , 06/11/2011 (HomeAway Review)
 "Hale Mar is a spacious and well appointed home which is RIGHT on the ocean. The grounds are just as lovely as the house so it may be difficult to leave. When you do decide to leave you are close by to a wide variety of activities and sites which make the Hawaiian vacation experience even better. I can't wait to organize a trip back with my girls just to see the look on their faces when they walk through those front doors!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 05/31/2011 (VacationRentals Review)
"This is a gem of a house. If you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Owner Submitted Review, , 03/20/2011 (HomeAway Review)
"This is a gem of a house. It you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Tricia, CA, USA, 03/19/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"This is a gem of a house. It you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Tricia, , 03/19/2011 (HomeAway Review)
"This is a gem of a house. It you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming "home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I've even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Tricia, Costa Mesa, CA, USA, 03/19/2011 (FlipKey Review)
 "This is a gem of a house. If you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/25/2011 (VacationRentals Review)
"This is a gem of a house. It you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 02/21/2011 (VacationRentals Review)
"Thanks, We had a great trip- Plan to make it an annual outing at your place. Your house is the perfect get-a-way!" - Rick A., Oregon City, OR, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We can't even tell you how much we enjoyed our stay at your beautiful home. We found everything to be just perfect upon our arrival. The best feature of the home is the sound of the endless waves crashing on the rocks while you drift to sleep. It was all we could do to drag ourselves away from the house to explore that corner of the island. I would have been content to hang out in the backyard all day, but my fellow travelers hadn't been there before & wanted to sight see. My husband agrees we must return sooner than later." - Liza L., San Jose, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"House is beautiful in an extraordinary location, décor is classy and refined. It was a pleasure dealing with you both, we will return." - Susan and Shelly S., Mount Kisco, NY, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
 "We LOVE Hale Mar and we will be returning every time we go to the Big Island. We really enjoyed staying at your place, we want to LIVE in your house... it is AWESOME!!!" - Craig and Julie H., Encinitas, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We loved Hale Mar... seems hard to believe that it was a month ago already. The weather was great, the house even more perfect than it shows on the web...everything was superb. Great sunrises, the pool and hot tub were great. I could go on and on. Our whole family loved it!" - Tim F., Omaha, NE, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We REALLY enjoyed your home! It was amazing. It was the perfect way to conclude our stay! We were on the Island with 3 other couples that rented homes and when they came to visit us they ALL were drooling over your place. When we return to Hilo we will certainly stay with you again." - Michelle R., Concord, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We have loved our stay in Hale Mar; it's spectacular! The ocean looks like it's going to come through the sliding door. The weather has been good. The first day it was quite stormy as a system lurked around, and we worried about the rest of the stay. But it cleared up and has done the Hilo thing...intermittent rain from time to time mixed with gorgeous days. The main lesson we learned was: don't sweat the weather! Proceed with your plans and most of them won't be affected. We drove the scenic seashore drive that is south and east of your area and really enjoyed some spectacular scenes. We also visited the tidal pools. Other visits: Rainbow Falls (but didn't see a rainbow) and Akaka Falls (wow...really spectacular, and the drive to get there is great; stop at the bakery in the little town it takes you through for German-inspired taste treats) As much as anything though, we have loved your incredible home and just being here doing nothing except listening to the sea roll in against the rocks. Thanks much for sharing it!" - Richard H., Tyler, TX, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We particularly enjoyed the serenity and spaciousness after a hectic week in Waikiki. The Master Bedroom was amazing... like an oasis! We could not have enjoyed the house more and the setting was an absolute dream." - Teresa and Tom C., Carlsbad, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
 "Everything was excellent... the view, location, pool - everything!" - Derek F., Burbank, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"This is paradise." - Meg C., Alexandria, VA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"Awesome speaker system." - Maxime R. (age 12), Woodside, CA, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"Hale Mar was amazingly stocked with every amenity anyone would possibly need. For an amazing, oceanfront, private escape, Hale Mar is the perfect location. My family and I had the vacation of a lifetime thanks to the comfort of your home. 1,000 thanks. We would advice future guests to check out Hokumanis Steakhouse and cliff diving off Southern point with a swim back through the lava tubes." - Julie T., Doniphan, MO, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"Thank you again for sharing your home with us. We all had a fantastic time. We all just made it back to the states and all found Hawaii worthy of visiting again. While on the Big Island we managed to take in the new Zip Line and it was fantatstic. We also found the Waipio Valley extremely worth going down into. We found the Kona side so dry and boring so were very pleased with staying at your place. My daughter and boyfriend did a lot of hiking in the Volcano area and it was erupting well so were able to see the flow. The rest of us just got to see the magnificant steam arise. Your house is gorgeous, and a breathtaking view of the wild side of the ocean." - Susan H., Houston, TX, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
 "What a wonderful vacation! After a fun day of hiking and exploring the Big Island, it was wonderful to come back to beautiful Hale Mar to relax in the hot tub and pool and enjoy the sound of the ocean. Jared and I loved sharing our morning coffee watching the waves crash and looking for turtles swimming around. Laura and Marty were so accommodating with our request to check out later. Thank you! We look forward to a future stay at Hale Mar." - Lauren and Jared S., Kailua, HI, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"We enjoyed Hale Mar very much. You have thought of every possible need to make our stay enjoyable. The guide books and all the instructions on how things work were great! This is a beautiful setting that promotes a real Hawaiian experience. Thanks for thinking of all our needs and ensuring we had a comfortable stay in your home. Kapoho tidepools nearby has excellent snorkeling and is a beautiful drive." - Neera McN., Canada, 02/14/11( HomeAwayConnect Guestbook Entry)
"It goes without saying that lodging is typically the most expensive component of a vacation and the entire vacation experience is related to that. Hale Mar provided a splendid lodging experience at a reasonable cost....even without the fact that complete privacy was ours and the neighbors were friendly. The owners have taken great care in making certain that all, and I do mean all, necessities are provided to those staying there. From matches to beach towels, and even an umbrella, nothing has been spared. If I do visit Hawaii again Hale Mar will be the only place I will consider to stay. Nothing more need be said!" - Randy, Minneapolis, 01/28/2010 (FlipKey Review)
"the most relaxing, beautiful week we've had in a very long time. gorgeous house, incredible weather, sea turtles and whales - what more could you ask for?!? i have never seen so many stars in my life and falling asleep to the waves crashing outside each night was truly amazing." - pinkpoodle, philadelphia, pa, 01/24/2010 (FlipKey Review)
"I rented Hale Mar for 2 nights in August 2009. A Tuesday and Wednesday.The property was clean and well maintained. The TV remote downstairs did not operate properly.The advertised description of the property was accurate. Tuesday my wife and I arrived in the afternoon and settled in for a nice dinner and slept with the crashing waves. Wednesday we shopped the Hilo farmers market and planned to have a lazy afternoon by the pool and dinner. At around 3pm I heard my wife scream.(i was inside preparing a snack) I encountered a shirtless man saying he was going to cut the back and front lawn. I decided to let him do his work and we had to go inside for over an hour to escape the noise. I contacted the owner, Marty and explained that I was disappointed about not being notified that there was a groundskeeper cutting the lawn on Wednesday. I rented Hale Mar for seclusion and Wednesday was my only full day to do so. The unexpected groundskeeper forced us to abandon our afternoon plans. Marty's handling of the situation was very disappointing. He said that the groundskeeper comes every Wednesday and I have been given no refund for my time lost. Marty was also unprofessional on the phone. I had put this terrible experience behind me but only wrote this review after I got an automated email. (probably sent to all 2009 renters)" - chefbruce, , 01/07/2010 (HomeAway Review)
 "The location is second to none. The "relax" factor is high. The house is even better than the pictures, trust me. If you are looking to get away and feel removed from the world, while hearing and watching the ocean waves crashing 30 yards away all day long, then this house is perfect for you. I can't wait to return." - steve`, , 01/02/2010 (HomeAway Review)
"My family spent a week at Laura and Marty's gorgeous home, Hale Mar, last December. We loved it. Their home is situated in an exquisite location. The house was immaculate and beautifully decorated in gentle, calming and elegant taste. It was the perfect respite for us. Laura and Marty were attentive, accommodating and responsive. We knew that the quality of our vacation at Hale Mar was a top priority for them. We felt welcomed, relaxed and very much at home. We would love to return as soon as we can." - Yangzhou94, , 01/01/2010 (HomeAway Review)
"Our trip to Hawaii was in 2008 was a first for both of us, and it was better than anyone could have imagined. The home had everything, all we had to bring were our clothes, & it's was very clean along with the yard. Where else can you go & wake up to Humpback Whales playing out your back door, Sea Turtles every single day coming in to eat off the rocks, an active Volcano just a few miles up the road, & if that isn't enough excitment, you can travel to the highest point in the world at 14,000 feet above sea level and see snow, & the most beautiful sunsets. On your way back down as you peal your layers of clothing off, you can go swimming at the beach, take in a delicious meal at any local restaurant. Every night we would go out and look up in amazement at just how many stars there really are in the sky, then let the vibrations of the waves rock us to sleep as they crashed against the shore line. Our only problem with our trip, was that it was not long enough. Hawaii is a very laid back state and well wroth the effort to visit, especially staying at Hal Mar. I loved it so much I took the time to make a large flora arrangement for the house to say thanks. You want regret your visit, you will be making plans for a return visit before you even leave. Have fun and relax!" - Owner Submitted Review, , 01/01/2010 (HomeAway Review)
"We stayed here for 5 nights and absolutely enjoyed having our own hot tub, pool and amazing ocean views ! Our children ages 9 and 4 enjoyed the house and the nearby tide pools, some of which are naturally heated. The restaurants in Hilo and Pahoa are awesome with great food at really good prices.We really enjoyed driving upto the Volcanoes National park which is fairly closeby. The house was overall clean and comfortable. The master bedroom is upstairs and separate from the other bedrooms-just something to keep in mind if travelling with small children.The house itself is also a little far from the highway so plan your day and shopping for groceries accordingly." - Vaishali, , 01/01/2010 (HomeAway Review)
"Are perfect and paradise redundant? If so, then maybe it’s permissible in the description of Hale Mar. The house décor is elegant island – clean, comfortable and pleasing to the senses. We woke each morning to whales playing within sight of the pool, where we enjoyed a refreshing dip and our morning coffee. Our family had a wonderful experience at Hale Mar. I highly recommend it." - Owner Submitted Review, , 12/31/2009 (HomeAway Review)
 "We stayed here for 5 nights and absolutely enjoyed having our own hot tub, pool and amazing ocean views ! Our children ages 9 and 4 enjoyed the house and the nearby tide pools, some of which are naturally heated. The restaurants in Hilo and Pahoa are awesome with great food at really good prices.We really enjoyed driving upto the Volcanoes National park which is fairly closeby. The house was overall clean and comfortable. The master bedroom is upstairs and separate from the other bedrooms-just something to keep in mind if travelling with small children.The house itself is also a little far from the highway so plan your day and shopping for groceries accordingly." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 12/24/2009 (VacationRentals Review)
"I rented Hale Mar for 2 nights in August 2009. A Tuesday and Wednesday.The property was clean and well maintained. The TV remote downstairs did not operate properly.The advertised description of the property was accurate. Tuesday my wife and I arrived in the afternoon and settled in for a nice dinner and slept with the crashing waves. Wednesday we shopped the Hilo farmers market and planned to have a lazy afternoon by the pool and dinner. At around 3pm I heard my wife scream.(i was inside preparing a snack) I encountered a shirtless man saying he was going to cut the back and front lawn. I decided to let him do his work and we had to go inside for over an hour to escape the noise. I contacted the owner, Marty and explained that I was disappointed about not being notified that there was a groundskeeper cutting the lawn on Wednesday. I rented Hale Mar for seclusion and Wednesday was my only full day to do so. The unexpected groundskeeper forced us to abandon our afternoon plans. Marty's handling of the situation was very disappointing. He said that the groundskeeper comes every Wednesday and I have been given no refund for my time lost. Marty was also unprofessional on the phone. I had put this terrible experience behind me but only wrote this review after I got an automated email. (probably sent to all 2009 renters)" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 08/18/2009 (VacationRentals Review)
"My family spent a week at Laura and Marty's gorgeous home, Hale Mar, last December. We loved it. Their home is situated in an exquisite location. The house was immaculate and beautifully decorated in gentle, calming and elegant taste. It was the perfect respite for us. Laura and Marty were attentive, accommodating and responsive. We knew that the quality of our vacation at Hale Mar was a top priority for them. We felt welcomed, relaxed and very much at home. We would love to return as soon as we can." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 12/19/2008 (VacationRentals Review)
"The location is second to none. The "relax" factor is high. The house is even better than the pictures, trust me. If you are looking to get away and feel removed from the world, while hearing and watching the ocean waves crashing 30 yards away all day long, then this house is perfect for you. I can't wait to return." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 06/08/2008 (VacationRentals Review)
"Our trip to Hawaii was in 2008 was a first for both of us, and it was better than anyone could have imagined. The home had everything, all we had to bring were our clothes, & it's was very clean along with the yard. Where else can you go & wake up to Humpback Whales playing out your back door, Sea Turtles every single day coming in to eat off the rocks, an active Volcano just a few miles up the road, & if that isn't enough excitment, you can travel to the highest point in the world at 14,000 feet above sea level and see snow, & the most beautiful sunsets. On your way back down as you peal your layers of clothing off, you can go swimming at the beach, take in a delicious meal at any local restaurant. Every night we would go out and look up in amazement at just how many stars there really are in the sky, then let the vibrations of the waves rock us to sleep as they crashed against the shore line. Our only problem with our trip, was that it was not long enough. Hawaii is a very laid back state and well wroth the effort to visit, especially staying at Hal Mar. I loved it so much I took the time to make a large flora arrangement for the house to say thanks. You want regret your visit, you will be making plans for a return visit before you even leave. Have fun and relax!" - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 03/03/2008 (VacationRentals Review)
 "Are perfect and paradise redundant? If so, then maybe it’s permissible in the description of Hale Mar. The house décor is elegant island – clean, comfortable and pleasing to the senses. We woke each morning to whales playing within sight of the pool, where we enjoyed a refreshing dip and our morning coffee. Our family had a wonderful experience at Hale Mar. I highly recommend it." - Comment from Owner Guestbook, 12/30/2006 (VacationRentals Review)
"Are perfect and paradise redundant? If so, then maybe it’s permissible in the description of Hale Mar. The house décor is elegant island – clean, comfortable and pleasing to the senses. We woke each morning to whales playing within sight of the pool, where we enjoyed a refreshing dip and our morning coffee. Our family had a wonderful experience at Hale Mar. I highly recommend it." - Neil & Chris, Oxford, OH USA, (VRBO Reviews)
"Our trip to Hawaii was in 2008 was a first for both of us, and it was better than anyone could have imagined. The home had everything, all we had to bring were our clothes, & it's was very clean along with the yard. Where else can you go & wake up to Humpback Whales playing out your back door, Sea Turtles every single day coming in to eat off the rocks, an active Volcano just a few miles up the road, & if that isn't enough excitment, you can travel to the highest point in the world at 14,000 feet above sea level and see snow, & the most beautiful sunsets. On your way back down as you peal your layers of clothing off, you can go swimming at the beach, take in a delicious meal at any local restaurant. Every night we would go out and look up in amazement at just how many stars there really are in the sky, then let the vibrations of the waves rock us to sleep as they crashed against the shore line. Our only problem with our trip, was that it was not long enough. Hawaii is a very laid back state and well wroth the effort to visit, especially staying at Hal Mar. I loved it so much I took the time" - Mike & Nancy, Lawrenceburg, KY United States, (VRBO Reviews)
"The location is second to none. The "relax" factor is high. The house is even better than the pictures, trust me. If you are looking to get away and feel removed from the world, while hearing and watching the ocean waves crashing 30 yards away all day long, then this house is perfect for you. I can't wait to return." - steve`, baltimore, maryland, (VRBO Reviews)
"My family spent a week at Laura and Marty's gorgeous home, Hale Mar, last December. We loved it. Their home is situated in an exquisite location. The house was immaculate and beautifully decorated in gentle, calming and elegant taste. It was the perfect respite for us. Laura and Marty were attentive, accommodating and responsive. We knew that the quality of our vacation at Hale Mar was a top priority for them. We felt welcomed, relaxed and very much at home." - Yangzhou94, New York, (VRBO Reviews)
 "I rented Hale Mar for 2 nights in August 2009. A Tuesday and Wednesday.The property was clean and well maintained. The TV remote downstairs did not operate properly.The advertised description of the property was accurate. Tuesday my wife and I arrived in the afternoon and settled in for a nice dinner and slept with the crashing waves. Wednesday we shopped the Hilo farmers market and planned to have a lazy afternoon by the pool and dinner. At around 3pm I heard my wife scream.(i was inside preparing a snack) I encountered a shirtless man saying he was going to cut the back and front lawn. I decided to let him do his work and we had to go inside for over an hour to escape the noise. I contacted the owner, Marty and explained that I was disappointed about not being notified that there was a groundskeeper cutting the lawn on Wednesday. I rented Hale Mar for seclusion and Wednesday was my only full day to do so. The unexpected groundskeeper forced us to abandon our afternoon plans. Marty's handling of the situation was very disappointing. He said that the groundskeeper comes every Wednesday and I have been given no refund for my time lost. Marty was also unprofessional on the phone. I had put this terrible experience behind me but only wrote this review after I got an automated email. (probably sent to all 2009 renters)" - chefbruce, San Francisco, (VRBO Reviews)
"We stayed here for 5 nights and absolutely enjoyed having our own hot tub, pool and amazing ocean views ! Our children ages 9 and 4 enjoyed the house and the nearby tide pools, some of which are naturally heated. The restaurants in Hilo and Pahoa are awesome with great food at really good prices.We really enjoyed driving upto the Volcanoes National park which is fairly closeby. The house was overall clean and comfortable. The master bedroom is upstairs and separate from the other bedrooms-just something to keep in mind if travelling with small children.The house itself is also a little far from the highway so plan your day and shopping for groceries accordingly." - Vaishali, Ohio, (VRBO Reviews)
"This is a gem of a house. It you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Tricia, Costa Mesa, CA, USA, (VRBO Reviews)
"This is a gem of a house. If you want a vacation where you get away from it all but still be fairly close to the major sights, then this is the place for you. While there, we went zip lining, took an open doors helicopter tour of the volcano, drove up to the observatory, and visited numerous places suggested in the book the owners have made. The small town close by has four or five great restaurants to choose from. There is nothing quite like falling asleep to the sounds of the waves or coming “home” and having a swim and jacuzzi. I’ve even video taped the waves so that I can imagine myself back there on those stressful real life days! The owners have really thought of everything to make your stay hassle free and were a pleasure to communicate and deal with. I'm saving to get back there as soon as I can!" - Tricia, CA, USA, , (VRBO Reviews)
"Hale Mar is a spacious and well appointed home which is RIGHT on the ocean. The grounds are just as lovely as the house so it may be difficult to leave. When you do decide to leave you are close by to a wide variety of activities and sites which make the Hawaiian vacation experience even better. I can't wait to organize a trip back with my girls just to see the look on their faces when they walk through those front doors!" - K and C, Northern California, (VRBO Reviews)
 "We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was wonderful. The house had plenty of space with an open feel to the ocean with all the windows. The house was stocked with most amenities and the owners were fabulous with details as to our schedule, arrival, details, keys, departure,etc.. the house is laid out spaciously with many seating areas outside as well to enjoy the view..We loved our time there and would recommend a stay there. Did I mention the privacy- great. The ocean view was so beautiful, I would get up early every morning just to watch the sunrise over the ocean. The pool & hot tub were great and made a fantastic view at dusk with lights on against the ocean. The Big Island is my favorite of the Islands. At Hale Mar you are close to all the sights. Hawaiian Volcano National Park; I suggest a drive Crater Rim Rd to the ocean, short hike to Thurstons lava tubes, Kilauea Caldera and craters, to many to name in the park- there's the rainforest too. Black sand beach with green sesa turtles coming ashore to sun in the morning- beautiful. Green sand beach- quite a hike but worth it, take your swimwear- it's about 3 miles- I suggest taking the locals up on the ride there in their 4 wheel drives- they are very nice and will do so for a small donation. We took helicopter ride over volcano & rainforest 45 minute ride and were able to see active red flowing lava and hundreds of waterfalls..Look forward to returning on vacation again to Hale Mar." - crystal c., , (VRBO Reviews) Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. We aim to please, and it's rewarding to hear we have!
"We stayed at Hale Mar for 5 days in July 2011, it was beautiful. The house was spacious and clean with most all amenities stocked. The owners Marty & Laura had thought of everything including information on area to schedule, directions, arrival , keys mailed to you, departure instructions. I communicated with them several times and they were great, nice people. The view is fabulous both downstairs and upstairs from the house. The pool and hot tub were a great feature with plenty of outside seating areas. We plan to visit again. Privacy was another feature we loved. Hale Mar is close to all the major sights- Hawaiian Volcano National Park, black snad beaches, green sea turtles, green sand beach, active lava flows, waterfalls, etc.. I plan to stay here for my next vacation. It was so relaxing.." - crystal c., , (VRBO Reviews)
"We stayed for three nights at Hale Mar and it was amazing. We actually didn't do much sight seeing around Hilo because we didn't want to leave the beautiful house! We ended up relaxing, enjoying the hot tub, the amazing ocean view and spending time with family at the house. It was the perfect getaway house to unwind after the holidays. We would definitely stay there again as the view is out of this world!!!" - Kathy, San ramon, ca, (VRBO Reviews)
"The house was so cozy and comfortable! The views were majestic and extremely relaxing. The sunrises and sunsets over the ocean were unforgetable. The breeze blowing and waves crashing onto the cliffs were very calming!! This truly is a wonderful vacation home away from home!! Would recommend it to anyone!!!" - Bridget & Kimberly, Mississippi, (VRBO Reviews) Thank you Bridget, and hope you come back to Hale Mar again soon!
"Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Alisha G., , (VRBO Reviews) We're so glad you enjoyed Hale Mar! Hope you can come back soon!
 "Our stay at Hale Mar was great! The property was gorgeous and very well maintained. The views from the backyard are gorgeous and you can listen to the sound of the waves as you go to sleep at night. The layout was great and it had all of the amenities indicated. The internet worked without any problems. It is overall a very quiet and relaxing place. We had 6 adults stay and did not feel cramped. The response from the property management was very timely." - Alisha G., , (VRBO Reviews)
"We stayed three nights and couldn't bear to leave. The roar of the ocean and pounding of the surf serenaded us continuously. This home is in an isolated spot and away from the hustle and bustle. Just what we needed after a hectic week on Maui...We will return.." - Art W., , (VRBO Reviews)
"If you are looking for privacy and beautiful suroundings, this is the place..We hated to leave but we will return..a little bit of heaven on earth.." - Art W., , (VRBO Reviews)
"We stayed at this property for 3 nights and loved every minute of it. The house is gorgeous and the backyard is amazing. We enjoyed BBQ'ing each night as well as using the hot tub and pool at night. The night sky is amazing here, as there are no city lights close by, so it is absolutely black and the sky is filled with stars. Our only regret is that we were so busy trying to see as many sights in the Hilo area as we could that we didn't get to spend hardly any time enjoying the house. If I was to come again, I would definitely plan to spend at least one afternoon enjoying the backyard and pool. We enjoyed a very local activity about 15 minutes from the house that included music, dancing, excellent food and some distant lava viewing. I believe this happens every Wednesday night at the end of Highway 130 or 137. It was a definite highlight of the trip. There are so many things to do in this area. The weather is not nearly as good as the Kona side, but if you know this ahead of time, there's no dissappointment. Plan for your beach activities when you visit the Kona area. We did ziplining, toured the Tropical Botanical Gardens, went to the Volcano National Park, visited the hot ponds and the Kapoho tide pools, and went to the Hilo Farmers Market. Would highly recommend this property." - STVMIC, St. Thomas, Ontario Canada, (VRBO Reviews) Thanks for posting such useful information, this is great. We hope you can visit again soon.
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