Location was great for visiting the national park. We also enjoyed the seclusion away from the main highway.
This is such a lovely place to stay! The calm and peace that surrounds the property was an added bonus. The accommodations were clean and there are instructions for everything. I had such a positive experience that I hope to stay here again in the future. Thank you!
This was a perfect stay. Great family time in a home with a lot of character. The lush vegetation and cool breezes soothed all of us.
Cute cabin type feel. Great location for exploring the national park and the island.
We really enjoyed our stay. It was quiet, clean, and comfortable. It had plenty of space for our family. The location can’t be beat. It’s a little rustic but I thought that was part of the charm. You are 5 minutes from the park so if you are there for an eruption you can’t be much closer without sleeping in the park.
I really wanted to love this rental, but unfortunately it fell short in several key areas.First, I found the hospitality surprisingly lacking. The hosts provided only 2 rolls of toilet paper for the entire stay, regardless of the number of guests or nights. This felt like an unnecessary cost-cutting measure that added avoidable stress. No one wants to spend their vacation hunting for basics like toilet paper, especially in a relatively remote location. I would gladly have paid a little more to avoid this kind of friction. I fully understand that tourism can be a challenging business in the current climate, but small gestures of generosity, or simply removing sources of hassle and friction, can go a long way in building guest satisfaction and encouraging positive reviews. Stinginess is not a good quality for a hospitality business.The cleaning also left something to be desired. There were cobwebs in multiple areas, which made the space feel uncared for.Another small but notable oversight: no chopsticks among the kitchen utensils. Given that this is Hawai‘i, it seemed like a basic item that should have been included.Finally, the location wasn’t what I had hoped. The house sits right on a paved road with no real privacy. While on the porch, you can see passing cars and they can see you. This wasn’t the "peaceful retreat" I had in mind.I hope the hosts take this feedback to heart. With a bit more attention to detail and guest experience, this could be a better offering.
Great location to visit volcano national park. Had a nicely stocked kitchen and was very clean. We really enjoyed the record player as well. Thanks!
The whole process was made simple by the owner and the description and instructions were clear and precise. Beautiful place and so close to the national park. Thanks Matt, we’re all grateful and appreciative.
We loved the location in relation to Volcano National Park and the town of Volcano. We hopped back and forth to the park and were fortunate to see one of the Kilauea eruptions. We also attended the Volcano Farmers Market on Sunday morning which was very enjoyable. The home was easy to get into once we found it. Be aware that GPS and cell service is very suspect in the area. Follow the owner's instructions to find the property and you won't be led astray like we were by Google Maps. The home was well-built, spacious, clean and cozy, beds comfortable, shower hot, full kitchen with big eating space and a nice laundry in a room behind the home, and a great covered porch to enjoy the outdoor environment. The only minor negatives were the available lighting in the living room was too dim to comfortably read, and the next door neighbor had a big, loud group there for the two days we stayed. That can't be helped sometimes, and I don't know if next door is another rental or if they are residents. They had two dogs that barked a lot and young kids playing loudly with adults calling loudly off and on. We spent most of our time in the park, so it wasn't as big of an issue to us as if we were trying to relax in the home during the day. The owners and agents communicated with answers to all questions within moments of our inquiries, and had detailed instruction in a booklet in the home that was up to date on food, recreation and services in the area.
Cottage was convenient to National Park and written directions made it easy to find. In one of the reviews it mentioned the cottage was updated, I would categorize as rustic. There are a lot of owner personal items and limited closet space. The long driveway is narrow (reflectors are spaced on each side) and there is no turn around near the house. We also slept in second bedroom because the exterior door in master didn’t feel private. We had an amazing time visiting and hiking in the park and really enjoyed the short drive from the cottage.
It was a bit difficult to find Fern Cottage but Matt jumped right in on my SOS and we got there perfectly safe and sound. The cottage was extremely clean and accommodating. It was very well stocked and organized. There was a binder that Matt organized that answered every single question that might have come up.The cottage was technologically great. Remotes for everthing including the living room fireplace and radiating wall units in the bedroomsThe beds were very comfortable. The house could accommodate 4 people very comfortably.The location to the Volcano was very close (about 5 minutes) and we could be there a few times a day without any struggle.It was a great location and a great rental. Don't hesitate to rent from Matt Hubner. It was all good.Pat and Sam
My wife and I stayed with our college aged sons a week before Christmas. This place was a great way to see and hike the volcano national park (a very short drive away). After a day of hiking, we grilled tuna on the covered deck’s grill. Afterwards we enjoyed a surprising amount of top tier tech at what, on the surface, is a rural retreat in a dense forest. Be prepared though there is not a lot of commercial options in the area (I see this as a welcome break from what Kona/Hilo are like). We did find that the (one) small/local grocery store was well stocked and had an awesome 5 deal on tropical flowers! The house’s kitchen was well appointed and even supplied us with some items we forgot that we needed. Beds were comfy. Internet was quick. Washing machines were helpful- post hikes. Cell phone access was ify (not a fault of the house) so be prepared to use WiFi based apps for your comms. The nights outside are DARK (!) great way to see stars. Quiet- birds and critters often were the loudest sources of noise.(!). I wished we stayed another 2 days in order to see and feel the eruption. Relaxing and memorable!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The property was tucked into lush greenery and beautiful rainforest surroundings. The fireplace was cozy for the cool nights. The porch and rockers made for the perfect spot to enjoy Kona coffee. The location proximity to VNP was super convenient. Matt was extremely responsive and helpful. We have already recommended his property to friends and will certainly choose to stay here again if we return to the area!
Convenient. Quiet. Comfortable. Oasis
Location is perfect for visiting Volcano National Park - just 5 minutes away by car and even less to the small village of Volcano. House setting is just as the picture appears. Open living room, dining and kitchen with a gas fireplace was where we gathered. If the weather had been better (we had quite a bit of rain), I'm sure we would have made use of wrap around open porch with gas grill. Working with Matt was extremely easy and he even provided short how-to videos for operating appliances.
Property was exactly as listed. We were very happy with the stay.
Great place for a short stay. Could have used more illumination outside by the gate and front steps. Controls and electronics are a bit confusing. Overall, nice location.
The house was super clean and stocked with everything you could need, including Nespresso and laundry. It felt safe, spacious and perfect for our family of 4. Would definitely stay here again.
Beautiful home. Well thought out ammenities beyond my expectations. Area is dense plants but residential. Very close to national park. Only regret is we didnt have more time to enjoy this rental. We would definitely come back.
Spacious cottage close to Volcano National Park. Tucked in woods. Easy to live in and enjoy. Nearness to Park a great advantage.
We had an excellent stay here! This is such a unique spot, surrounded by the rainforest, and the place is big and very comfortable. There's excellent directions for using things in the place, and it's very close to the visitor center for the national park. Would definitely recommende
Great property for a quick visit to the Big Island. Proximity to Volcano National Park was a huge perk, and the property was easy to find. Beautifully renovated inside
We had a great stay! The house was clean and roomy, and the location is very close to the national park. Volcano is one of my favorite areas in the island, and this was a perfect way to experience it overnight rather than than just as a day trip.
We only stayed one night to get us closer to Volcanoes National Park before heading over to the Kona side of the island. I wish we could have stayed another! The house was comfortable and roomy for our family of four and the jungle setting was really cool. The coqui frogs do make noise all night, so bring a sound machine if you're a light sleeper.
The directions and instructions were perfect and we were able to find the house easily and use everything we needed inside the home. The house was very clean also. We enjoyed our stay!
Great location to Volcanoes National Park. Secluded and comfortable.
We booked a 1-night stay during a driving tour of the Big Island. Our goal was to stay in unique properties, and this night to be close to Volcanoes National Park. This property hit the mark! Lovely accommodations, peaceful property, clear instructions from owners on how to best enjoy this unique partially off-grid property. Would definitely stay again and for a longer stay.
We were very impressed with everything about Fern Cottage from Matt’s instructions to the property itself. I have stayed in a number of rental properties but I have never seen the thoughtfulness I found here. Kitchen drawers were labeled. Individual heaters in the bedrooms as well as heated mattress pads. A gas stove in the living room to take off the chill. The cottage is close to Volcano village and the park. The property is close to the back of the estate and surrounded by the forest so it is private in every aspect. I am sure we will back.
We loved staying here. It was close to everything we needed. Close proximity to volcano national park, close to Hilo, and close enough to south point. The house was perfect, everything we needed. Quiet and safe neighborhood. 👌
Stayed here 4 nights of a 16 night visit to taste the island at 4000 ft. It was fun although we hit a very rainy period. Home was warm and cozy and we managed the volcano visit and a round of golf. Had check in trouble (my fault for misplacing Instructions) but Matt came to the rescue with one phone call. Thanks.
Loved our stay. Nice assortment of board games, beautiful forest surround, had everything we needed.
