Sweet Mermaid Studio at Manini Beach, Kealakekua Bay

I stayed for 5 nights and can't say enough about Jill and her amazing tropical garden and property! The studio really is roomy and there is a perfect covered lanai to sit and relax by her largest pond filled with blooming flowers. Manini beach (yes just minutes to walk to) has incredible snorkeling and lovely views of the bay and a community garden for the locals. Captain Cook area truly is a jewel and I can't wait to come back!

Jill's place is very comfortable and well outfitted with everything you might need. The beach and shoreline is a short walk and the outside shower is delightful. Definitely a recommend!

A magical home - clean and with everything you need for a beach holiday!

This is a lovely place in a fabulous location. The room is attractive, spacious, and thoughtfully furnished. The garden is restful and the outdoor shower is delightful. The host is friendly but also gives space for privacy. Best of all, Manini Beach and Sunset Point are two blocks away in one direction and a kayak rental place is two blocks away in another direction. If you want mellow time by, in, and on the water, this is a superb place to stay. Things to know: All food sources are at the top of a tall hill with a narrow winding road, but the room has a full-size refrigerator and good cooking supplies. Eating lunch out and having supper in the room works well. People go out to Sunset Point to quietly watch the sunset each evening. You will hear coqui frogs and roosters and perhaps guests in the unit upstairs, but the room is otherwise exceptionally quiet and private. There is a clothes line for drying bathing suits and such, which is really helpful.

Don't know where to start! Jill's welcoming friendliness, or the well-appointed kitchenette, or the wonderful outdoor shower, right next to the pond filled with blue lotus, and the breakfast table - all these and more. But it's the location, 5 minutes to Manini Beach if you walk slowly. Looking across Kealakekua Bay, Captain Cook's monument is right there, best snorkeling on the island. Four miles down the road to City of Refuge and Two-Step, another great snorkel spot. Outside of the hustle and bustle of Kailua, quiet and restorative, but only 20 minutes away if you're missing it. I can't wait to go back.

This sweeet place was exactly as described. It was bright, homey, colorful, spacious, private, and clean. And literally a two minute walk to the beach.

Very welcoming host and nice place. Highly recommend.

Lovely Hostess, beautiful location, sweet and so comfortable.

The Sweet Mermaid Studio was exactly as described/shown in the photos, and larger than expected. There was plenty of room for my partner and I to spread out and relax after long days of adventuring. Jill was incredibly kind, and it was fun to see her art on display in the space! The location couldn't have been better for easy access to fantastic snorkeling and felt very safe and secluded, although the road to get to the property might make you car sick.

Absolutely loved this place, the whole place is a work of art, and the outdoor shower was so much fun! Got to see lots of cool insects, lizards,and frogs, and not to forget Shmozer the kitty, very loving outdoor cat! Jill was very cool, laid back, and accommodating!This stay was perfect for us, not too far from Kona, but far from the city living!

Sweet Mermaid Studio was an amazing place to stay. Jill the host was very gracious and welcoming

This was my third stay at Jill's Mermaid Studio in the small, quiet village of Napo'opo'o, about 30 - 40 min south of busy Kailua. The village is right on Kealakekua Bay and close to the best snorkelling on the Big Island (IMO). Jill is very knowledgeable about the area and is always helpful and positive. The apartment had everything: good wifi, all the cooking tools I needed, lots of room and a great outdoor shower.

We loved our stay at the exquisite Sweet Mermaid Studio! The setting is a magical tropical paradise! The building has only 2 units; this is the downstairs apt. The studio is roomy and had everything we didn't think we needed... including a coffee grinder (when we realized we got coffee beans, not ground!) and snorkling gear in a variety of sizes as well as water toys! It's very quiet; we loved falling asleep each night to all the tropical frog sounds from the pond and mango trees outside. Although it doesn't have a formal kitchen per se, there's everything you could possibly need: fridge, coffee maker, convection oven, hot plate, dishes/pots/pans, and more. And it's a short walk to 2 different beaches! Our host was very friendly and accommodating. We highly recommend this magical tropical getaway!

The Mermaid Studio is a hidden gem south of Kona. We absolutely loved our stay. The apartment was larger than expected and very clean. The grounds are gorgeous and it has the best outdoor shower I've ever been in. It's large and clean, and I didn't want to get out! The property is a two-minute walk from excellent snorkeling. The drive to the property is beautiful with winding roads and lush greenery all around. All of the basic supplies were available on arrival. I would absolutely stay here again. The fresh mangos were an added bonus to our stay. Delicious! The host Jill, has created her own little oasis here, and was a wonderful host!

Enjoyed the atmosphere and studio layout. Comfortable. Access to the ocean was great.

Sweet Mermaid Cottage is delightful and a magical place to stay. If you are looking for Aloha vibes THIS is your place. Jill’s cottage has everything you may need to cook your own meals and ample space to spread out and is extremely clean. We especially enjoyed our walks around this small island community. Snorkeling is top notch and you can rent kayaks practically next door to get out on the water! Jill was always available to answer questions and we enjoyed our conversations with her. Jill is a true mermaid and we hope to return soon!

This was our first time to the islands without kids and staying in a VRBO. It could not have gone better. Everything was comfortable and just as advertised. Easy to get there and get settled in. Neighborhood was quiet and relaxing, we didn't even close the doors at night. Loved being able to walk to the bay with just snorkel gear (no keys/no wallet to worry about) and go for a swim. We were able to use the snorkel gear Jill had on hand, so that was a bonus. Between the barbecue, microwave and the hot plate, meals were no problem. Weird, but I think the part we are missing most after coming home, is the outdoor shower! Thanks Jill!

Nice residential feel, away from the touristy bustle. Comfortable bed! Nice outdoor spaces. Lovely private garden. Walk in any direction to get a lay of land. Well supplied kitchen. Host is kind and accommodating offering ideas for fun excursions.

Just perfect !!!

Everything we needed for a peaceful stay right near Manini beach.

I almost hesitate to say how dang awesome Mermaid Cottage is because I want it to be available whenever I want to return. I loved everything about this home and Jill, our host.

The Sweet Mermaids Studio makes you feel welcome and at home. So many lovely touches artwork and flowers. The outside shower is very refreshing. We had an amazing walk down to the ocean the first evening to watch the sunset. I'd highly recommend this as a lovely quiet place to stay