I absolutely loved staying at the Dragonfly Ranch. Barbara and her staff could not have been nicer or more accommodating. I was able to borrow snorkeling gear and visit three nearby spots that were full of gorgeous fish. I especially recommend the four mile round trip hike to the Captain Cook Memorial for an easy in and out amazing snorkeling experience. The location is ideal for a secluded get away that isn't difficult to access. After enjoying a nice visit to lovely, but rainy Hilo, it was nice to warm up on the sunnier side of the Big Island. Another nice benefit was meeting interesting guests from all over the world and getting to know Barbara and her helpers. Also, I've had some good massages but the best ever was from Jennifer in the yoga area overlooking the ocean where she sang in her angel voice. A beautiful experience that's etched in my memory! David Christie…
This is a 1960's throwback place . The place is a fire hazard, poorly planned, noisy and hot. At night, you can hear all sort of animals besides the croqui frogs including dogs, roosters and other people far into the night. The bedding is old and uncomfortable and the lighting very poor. The room is hot and the fan is noisy. There is little room to put anything away. The toilet seat did not close properly and the bathroom stank of urine. The staff were nice and the vegetarian breakfast was good. I survived. I would not stay here again.
The Dragonfly Ranch is a unique, eclectic, laid-back space where everyone is welcomed and loved. The trees, plants and views of the ocean are amazing!! The room has a fresh jug of triple filtered water that gets refilled as needed. The bed was heavenly, jet-lag was not an issue after a 20 hour day. We had private bathroom with a beautiful outdoor shower. A very thoughtful and gracious breakfast, offering of organic teas, coffee, creamers and sweeteners to please all tastes... a delightful selection of honeys, nut butters, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits, berries and more... The cats and dogs that live on site are like therapy animals. I personally have pet allergies, but their presence didn't bother me. We will definitely be back :
We enjoyed our stay at Dragonfly immensely. The owner Barbara has a loving and mystical aura. She is generous with her time and seems to know how to care for every guest in the way they need. The rest of the staff was wonderful as well. They really took great care of us. The property is an artful labyrinth with thoughtful touches everywhere you look. My daughter loved the pet cats, dogs and ducks. The nighttime sounds of frogs and insects are truly deafening but the provided earplugs took care of it. The location in Captain Cook was everything we were looking for, low key and away from the touristy center. But still plenty of options for dining and groceries and even treasure hunting in local thrift shops. And the best snorkeling is just down the hill. If you're not into chain hotels and want to immerse yourself in nature, kind people and a true island vibe, this is the place.…
My husband and I stayed here for two nights. Upon arrival, nobody was around. We called the phone number and were quickly greeted by the owner. A lot of interns work and stay here. There is a lot of mosquitoes here! If mosquitoes love you, I recommend spraying yourself before you even leave the car. The tree frogs serenade you all night long which can get a little annoying. They do have earplugs available. The outdoor bathroom was interesting -- it was as clean as any other bathroom. It took us a moment to figure out how to work the hot water, but once we did, it stayed hot. The "king" bed was two twin beds and because of it, it had a weird hump in the middle. A national historical park and snorkeling spot are a few minute drive from the hotel. Kona is about a 30 minute drive and the airport is about 45 minutes. Breakfast is available. It was various fruits, buckwheat, jams and bread. Given the jungle location, we did see a lot of bugs including in the kitchen.…
Other people seem to find the owner warm and friendly. I found her intrusive and overbearing. I was grieving the loss of a spouse, and I was seeking peace and quiet. Instead I got Barbara telling me that I should look at the death of my husband as an opportunity to bloom because marriage requires compromises. That may be appropriate to say to someone who is divorced, but not to someone who has lost a spouse after 42 years of an excellent marriage. There were many other inappropriate interactions with Barbara, including questions from her about my wine consumption and my eating habits. The facilities are just okay. The breakfast is substandard.
This was our favorite place we stayed at over our two weeks in Hawaii. My seven year old said “Great job finding this place, Mama!” Barbara told us she has run Dragonfly ranch for 47 years! And she has clearly been pouring love and presence into the place all that time. It’s probably not for everyone—if you’re a Hilton resort kind of person or don’t like to be close to nature, skip this. But if you swoon over private outdoor showers and a score of Big Island night sounds serenading your sleep, you’ll love it here. Breakfast is wholesome and comes with an incredible view. The sunsets are amazing, too. It’s like living in a retreat center. The charm and loving vibe are through the roof. This place is special, absolutely one of a kind. I wish we’d stayed much longer. It would be easy to make this a home base and travel all over the island while staying at the Dragonfly. Highly recommend!…
Dragonfly Ranch was by far my favorite place I visited during my stay on Kona. Like others, I wish I had stayed longer and I do really intend to return. It is a place that is built with true welcome. It is like a treasure box - filled with such beautiful artistic detail in all the layers of rooms in the tree house structure. I felt so welcomed and taken care of. Barbara, the owner, is such a caring soul and shares so so much. I am so grateful that I met her and look forward to returning to continue conversations! Please know when you come here that you are entering a very special place. The website is very clear: this is not a fortress like resort hotel. You will be able to hear the frogs at night. You will hear the wind in the trees and if you are lucky you will get a rain storm and you can listen to the rain on the roof. It is a lovingly created and cared for space that is connected to the natural environment it is built in. To me, that's the magic.…
My boys and I wanted to explore the untouristy Hawaii. So we rented a van and camped. For our last night we decided to stay at the Dragonfly Ranch. After arriving we realized we wished we spent our whole time staying at the dragonfly with visits to various places. The owner, Barbara, said many people say that. She asked me to write a review to let others know our experience. It is wonderful to be close to nature yet have all the luxury of a comfortable bed, hot showers. and a delicious, healthy breakfast. We highly recommend staying longer than a short while.
Be Prepared for A Swiss Family Robinson Experience. This place is not for everyone, but for those wanting to really connect with nature, to really experience a jungle vibe, this is a great opportunity. The breakfasts are very healthy. The fruit was to die for. The outdoor shower was cool. I had wanted to soak in the outdoor tub but didn't get around to it. It takes a couple minutes for the water to heat up, but their is hot water for the shower and tub. We were in the Ali'i Suite. It is really like a separate hut. To give you an idea, the door was a really just a screen sliding door. Yes. this is natural all the way! for many this is just what they are looking for. The wildlife is loud at night. But that didn't bother me. We realized at the end of the stay they had put ear plugs on the corner of the bed for us to use if we needed it. Bring LOTS of bug repellant. This is the jungle! The suite we had had a mini fridge and counter with sink that was very helpful. Also there is a public kitchen anyone can use. Incredible views all over the property! On a personal note. I came to this property miserable, with swollen legs and in a ton of pain. The owner, Barbara, got me in to two treatments that evening that made a world of difference. She was very friendly and always checking up with us and giving me other things to try to improve my health. A very caring hostess!…
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