We were scheduled to occupy two of the rooms in late summer 2005. After scoping out the Inn, it became apparent this was not going to work for our situation. It was too far off the beaten path and coming and going was going to present a problem. The Innkeeper was difficult to deal with, and though she did refund (for further stay only~~I don't think so!!) a part of our reservation, she was not at all sympathetic to our difficult situation. When we asked to see the rooms to make an assessment for a possible future stay, she refused. We stronly suspected she had re-rented the space and should have given us a full refund in view of that. Low marks on hospitality and the 'glowing' review found on the web needs to be updated. This is at the end of a cul de sac, which would ordinarily be a pleasant venue, but it is a very old neighborhood which is struggling to stay alive. Grungy is the word that comes to mind. In this instance 'Buyer Beware'! And read the fine print.

After much research, I was to stay at this BnB for 2 weeks earlier this year. I had a deposit for the first night and when I finally found Sumiko who, without saying "aloha" and within the first 2 minutes, gave me a hard time about:

1) Having a friend spend one night out of 14 even though I had paid for a double for 14 nights.
2) Told me "we should never rent to young people" because I said I was going to go out with friends that evening (I am 53!)

Also:
3) The place had filthy, moldy unwashed bottles and dishes piled in the breakfast area that had been there for days, if not weeks.
4) Though I love and have dogs there was not one, pleasant place to sit or read that wasn't filthy with smelly dog dirt and matted hair.
5) The whole place was not happy, sunny, pleasant or charming but dark, gloomy and creepy.
6) Without a private entrance, I was going to have to run a nasty guantlet everytime I came and went.

Needless to say this reception was so unwelcoming that I was willing to forfeit my deposit. I left without saying a thing and left my bags in the room while I figured out how to salvage my vacation. I spent the afternoon scrambling to find a place for the next 14 nights! I was very fortunate in finding one with a better location, cheaper rate and more "aloha" spirit than this place had.

When I returned to retrieve my bags I couldn't gain entry because Sumiko never provided a key or an explanation on how to get back in. Don't forget, Sumiko didn't know I was checking out and should have clued me in about how to reenter the property. I finally had to jump a fence to get my bags.
It was this kind of unhelpful, rude attitude that made me realize I made the best vacation decision in finding another place.

If you wonder why I didn't write a review earlier that's because I never write reviews. But the experience has not left me since then and thought you should know buyer (and vacationers!) beware.

This place is absolutely wonderful. Joanne Trotter has lived in Hawaii for many years with her housekeeper, Sumiko. Together the two of them know every inch of the islands and don't mind sharing their knowledge with you. We have never eaten so well in Hawaii--Joanne certainly knows her restaurants and Sumiko's breakfasts each morning were to die for. What I really appreciated were the little things they did--like allowing our 9-year old the run of their yard where he played with the dogs, caught geckos and just explored and buying a special cake for him for breakfast on his birthday.

The house is a large, traditional home on the side of Diamond Head in a very exclusive neighborhood--but it's not really fancy, it's very comfortable. There is a lot of incredible art around. We stayed in an apartment off the main house. We had everything we needed, bedroom, living room, lanai and bathroom for around $200 a night, including huge breakfasts each morning.

For anyone looking to experience true "aloha," I highly recommend staying at the Diamond Head B&B. It was so much better than being an anonymous room number at the Outrigger.