Reviews
by Travel Authors and Travelers
Read our reviews on TripAdvisor.com!
There is some confusion, on the Trip Advisor site, about the name of our vacation rental business. Kate’s Volcano Cottage is one of our four rentals, not the name of our business. On the Trip Advisor site, you will find reviews about Kate’s Volcano Cottage, Kahi Malu, Nohea, and the Volcano Bungalow, all listed under Kate’s Volcano Cottage. We haven’t contacted Trip Advisor to correct this misunderstanding, but the business name is Volcano Places.
As we say in Hawai‘i:
Actually, what we say is “minahs” or “minah, minah” (the mynah birds are merely an amusing pictorial representation of that expression, an idea which we “borrowed” from Cane Haul Road and their funny 1970s t-shirt design; there’s a link to their site on our links page). That’s pidgin for “It’s a minor thing, really!” Pidgin English is a creole language which developed in Hawai‘i when people from a number of different countries came to work on the sugar cane plantations, each speaking a different language. (See the link to bradajo’s site, on our links page!)
TripAdvisor.com
Reviewer: A TripAdvisor User, Three Oaks, MI, Mar 26, 2007
Volcano: "Cozy, thoughtful, beautiful, and a great value "
We'd stayed at Kathryn Grout's wonderful studio, called "Kate's Cottage," twice before, and were sure that nothing could beat it. But this time we tried Kathryn's newly-renovated bungalow, tucked on a secluded road in Volcano Village, and found it to be every bit as lovely and comfortable. Kathyrn's husband, Kenneth, is a master builder, and you'll see his Asian-inspired touches everywhere (check that sweet lanai!). The fridge is stocked with goodies, delicious fruits and pastries, you'll find fresh flowers all around, and the walls are filled with gorgeous original photographs and local artisans' work. Down to the electric blankets on the beds, the gas stove in the living room (yeah, it gets chilly up there!), and the flashlights and slippers stocked by the front door, the hostess has thought of EVERYTHING here. It's like staying in someone's comfy home. Kathryn has four accomodations listed as "Volcano Places" -- the bungalow is more suited to families or couples travelling together (though as a couple alone, we found the extra room delightful). And you absolutely can't beat the price.
Hawaii: An Explorer's Guide
by Kim Grant, 1st edition, 2006
Volcano Places: Kathryn Grout has built and renovated . . . great places to stay. The brand-new one-bedroom “jewel box” called Nohea offers handcrafted beauty absolutely unequaled in the Volcano Village. The utterly private treasure boasts a state-of-the-art entertainment system, a vertical spa on one wall of a two-headed shower, a whirlpool spa, and beautiful furnishings. It’s magical. . . . Kate’s Volcano Cottage is ideal for couples, though families with small children will also enjoy its coziness. The knotty-pine studio has . . . a full but small kitchen, with everything downsized to match the proportions of a small cottage. It also has a lovely view of the rain forest from across the large covered lanai. Lastly, Kahi Malu is set among tree ferns, hydrangeas, and camellias and offers two bedrooms and equally private surroundings.