Retreat to a Zen-like setting in the Trees! Slow down and relax in this unique octagon studio on a working coffee, vanilla and chocolate farm. Private lanai with lush tropical views and a magnificent Queen of Burma tree right out your door! Watch the stars through the octagonal skylight above the bed. This is the perfect place to de-stress, meditate, read, write, dance, create and breathe! Luxury linens, King bed with BedJet air systems make for a very comfortable sleep surrounded by nature. The space Aloha and welcome to our Zen Treehouse! TREEHOUSE This detached, unique redwood octagon-shaped building was originally an artist studio and is situated among the treetops away from the main house, overlooking lush tropical rainforest a seasonal stream and field below. You do not need to climb ladders or stairs to access the Treehouse, however there is a sloped entryway that can get wet or muddy during rainstorms, so please watch your step. Unless you have 4WD (weather permitting), there is a short walk across a lawn that can get wet and muddy during rain. COMPLIMENTARY CHOCOLATE FARM TOUR...AN AIRBNB 5 STAR EXPERIENCE! Included in your stay is our complimentary Chocolate Farm Tour( provided we have one scheduled during your visit). If there are none scheduled, we will do our best to arrange for an abbreviated tour which may or may not include making chocolate, depending on our kitchen schedule. If we are not making chocolate, you will still get plenty to take with you. Note: The value of the Chocolate Farm Experience for 2 is roughly equivalent to one night's stay in the Treehouse. This 3-hour in-depth Agri-Tour tour covers how coffee, cacao (seed-to-bar) and vanilla are propagated, grown, harvested and processed into the products we all know and love. Included are an array of refreshments, tastings and locally made gourmet ice cream. The highlight of the tour is making your very own chocolate to take home in our certified farm kitchen. Check out our reviews on Airbnb Experience/Chocolate Coffee & Vanilla Farm Tour/Papaikou, HI. A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF GOODIES! Enjoy an ample supply of Hilo Shark's 100% Hawaiian coffee, cacao tea and pure dark Hawaiian Chocolate during your stay, all grown and produced right here on the farm. There is fresh fruit (seasonal) and a supply of staples for you to use and plenty of cooking options. Our water is county approved/treated and is sourced from local artesian springs, so drinking from the tap is perfectly ok. BATHROOM & OTHER AMENITIES The private, sheltered bathroom is just around the corner on the covered lanai, surrounded by a bamboo forest and complete with flush toilet, sink and double-head shower/massage, plenty of hot water, toiletries and soft towels. Enjoy nature from your private lanai with comfortable seating, grill, outdoor dining, bluetooth speaker and a welcoming Zen foot bath to pamper you. AND THERE'S A POOL! (Subject to conditions) Use at Own Risk (Please lock gate) The pool is an older, 5' in-ground cement pool that's lovely for refreshing dips. We deep clean the pool weekly, but know that the surrounding trees and tradewind storms often drop leaves, dirt and flowers into the water which you may need skim out with the net. We use a natural filter and use as little chlorine as possible. Night swimming is permissible, please be mindful of our neighbors and refrain from loud talking or splashing after dark. The gate is kept locked to protect neighborhood children and the key is accessible by reaching over the gate. Pool may be closed without notice for maintenance or weather- related conditions, and we cannot guarantee it will be available during your stay. OTHER AMENITIES OFFERED (Subject to Availabilty & Season) Yoga or Meditation, anyone? We have yoga mats, blocks, bands and balls as well as cushions, incense, singing bowls, art supplies and reading materials to bring out your inner OM.... Ask Ana for items you don't find, she keeps them elsewhere. GRILL: There is a propane grill for you to use poolside. Please do not leave grill unattended. It is your responsibility to clean the grill after use. If we have to clean your baked-on food, or if food is left and becomes rancid, you will incur a charge of $50. BOOGIE BOARDS, BEACH & SNORKEL GEAR: You are welcome to borrow the beach and snorkel gear in the entryway (ask us for snorkel gear). It is your responsibility to clean, sanitize and return them properly when done. Failure to clean/sanitize these items will result in a fine of $50 or the cost to replace them, whichever we deem necessary. WASHER/DRYER (subject to availability) DO NOT LEAVE LAUNDRY UNATTENDED...it will get put into a basket "as is" if we have to move it! Because we use these appliances daily, they are only available to Guests staying 7+ nights, By Appointment Only. Please leave a $25 donation to cover our cost for utilities and supplies, and limit use to 1 washer load (washer is large capacity and holds up to 2 loads/cycle; dryer holds 1 load at a time). Please do not leave the premises while doing laundry and do not leave clothes sitting in the machines for extended periods. They will be removed! There is a full service laundromat nearby in Hilo, they've got it all! WHY DO WE CHARGE A CLEANING FEE? The $100 Cleaning Fee is for the 6-hour deep cleaning and sanitizing protocol we perform IN ADVANCE of your stay. The Cleaning Fee is NOT for maid service after you leave and it is expected that you will be tidy and respectful of the space. The Treehouse is private and completely separate from any other structure. The screened-in doorways allow for clear ocean breezes to flow through the studio. Cleaning/Sanitizing Protocol *We disinfect and steam-clean all floors, surfaces, rugs and appliances before you arrive. *We assure that dishes have been properly washed, steamed and air dried. Note: Please leave your WASHED dishes in the drainer and we will sanitize and put them away. *We deep clean/sanitize bathroom and stock ample toiletries, supplies and towels. *We change out and update with freshly laundered bedding, towels and linens (backups in the dresser) before each stay. We also provide extra beach/pool towels, accessories and products. *We re-stock staples and ensure an ample supply of our Hilo Shark's 100% Hawaiian coffee, teas, chocolate and macadamia nuts, pantry staples, fresh fruit (in season), creamer, local honey, vanilla sugar and more. CHECKING OUT: * We do not require you to do any heavy cleaning before you check out, but we do ask you to ensure the following for health and safety reasons: * Leftover Food: Please do not leave out any food items or wet trash that will attract insects or critters. There is a trash can located next to the grill in the entryway where you can leave wet trash (extra bags provided under sink). Meat scraps and unwanted leftovers can be left in the covered compost bucket, refrigerator or freezer. Coffee grounds and tea bags can simply be tossed over the rail to compost naturally. * Dishes should be WASHED after use and left in the drainer so we can steam, dry and properly store them. * Please notify us if you break anything so we can replace it before the next guests arrive. * Wet towels should be hung on the coat rack, hung on bars or pegs, or draped over the lanai railing. Please do not leave wet towels on furniture or in a pile on the floor or bed as they attract centipedes who seek out damp places to hide. * THAT'S IT! We take care of the rest. Guest access HOUSE RULES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Zen Treehouse Retreat & Unique Farm Stay THE SPACE: You will have use of the private lanai and entire Treehouse studio. Parking is limited to 1 space. Any visitors MUST be approved in advance, and parking arranged for. There is a short walk across the lawn, and a slight slope which can get muddy and sometimes slippery to reach the entrance (umbrellas and flashlights are furnished); a wagon and sometimes golf cart are available to haul suitcases and groceries. If you have an AWD or 4WD vehicle, we will show you where you may drive across the lawn to park closer to your entrance, WEATHER PERMITTING. You are welcome to explore our orchards and grounds but please ask permission to enter the greenhouse, chocolate kitchen or cabana (‘she-shed’) or other private areas. WHAT WE DO NOT ALLOW: * NO VISITORS UNLESS APPROVED BY HOST The grounds and pool area are for registered guests only and we ask that you do not invite or bring visitors onto the property without receiving approval and parking instructions from your Host IN ADVANCE. Bringing unauthorized guests or visitors on the property will be considered grounds for terminating your stay without refund and you and your visitors will both be asked to vacate the premises immediately. *No parties or gatherings are allowed without expressed, written permission. No exceptions. FOOD DELIVERIES *We do not allow food deliveries to the farm for security, safety and liability reasons. If you break this rule, it will be grounds for terminating your stay without refund, and you will be asked to leave immediately. Note: If you arrange to meet a food delivery driver down the road next to the school, you may do so and bring the food on to the property yourself. FILMING, RECORDING & POSTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA *We do not allow social media and/or live streaming for promoting, exploiting or featuring anyone our property, and/or using or displaying our brand without our expressed, WRITTEN authorization. If any part of our property is used for the purpose of advancing a Guest’s social media exposure, or for their status or monetary gain, you must have our written permission IN ADVANCE or face possible legal consequences and fees. Personal photos are fine, but any representations featuring our property, farm and/or business for Guest’s own social media posts, podcasts, Youtube, TikTok and the like, is strictly forbidden without our written permission, and any violation of these conditions could result in legal action, including attorneys fees. Mahalo nui loa for Agreeing to our House Rules and signing below. Other things to note THE TREEHOUSE IS OPEN-AIR SURROUNDED BY NATURE The Treehouse is intended to provide a unique experience of life in a Tropical Rainforest surrounded by nature. It is a fully enclosed structure with 3 sets of French Doors; 2 of which have fixed screens to bring in the ocean breezes and sounds of nature. The 3rd is your entryway with closing glass doors. You will undoubtedly see bright, green geckos which are a part of Hawaiian culture and are often found indoors in this part of the state. They are your friends and eat mosquitos and other bugs and we cheerfully live among them because they are next to impossible to keep out. You will see them many places on this part of the island, including restaurants and other indoor venues. There are friendly, carpenter bees who bore into the redwood building. Don't worry; they are not interested in you and will go about their business. Please do not scream and run about or try to bat them away; they are not aggressive toward humans. Rather than kill these important pollinators, we choose to live among them and honor their place in nature. You may see or hear wild pigs down by the stream. They are also a part of nature and local culture. Please do not approach them, and let us know if you see any so we can check the fencing. In addition, you will see a colorful variety of birds, flowers and critters. COQUI FROGS: At least 70% of this island (below a certain elevation) have colonies of Coqui frogs; a tiny, invasive species with a very loud voice. Coqui are active in the evening and throughout the night, especially during summer months. Most people find their songs to be rather soothing background noise and often mistake them for birds; but if you are a sensitive sleeper, you may want to opt for a hotel with fully closed windows and forced A/C. Early morning is filled with the sounds of the awakening rainforest and you may be greeted with a chorus of birdsong, the melody of ship horns and pattern of tradewind showers that (usually) dissipate by mid-morning. You may see other critters who thrive in this environment during your stay; which are a part of the experience. Please know there are insects and other critters around that are inherent to this tropical setting and each plays a role in the natural ecosystem. You may encounter mosquitos, flies/midges, wasps, rodents, roaches, spiders, centipedes, African snails and the tiny but mighty fire ant. We do our very best to control these products of nature before you arrive, and please advise us if you encounter any during your stay. You can help mitigate the possibility of encounter by not leaving out food, liquids and dirty dishes, and by immediately wiping up any spills. Centipedes seek out damp piles to hide, so please don't leave towels and clothes piled on the floor. We provide hangers and luggage racks to store your stuff. WORKING REMOTELY While we understand that most folks need some time each day to check on work activities, we discourage extensive work-from-home type situations. Our wifi is strong and generally reliable, however during inclement weather, our electricity (and therefore our cable) can go out without warning and may take some time to restore, depending on the circumstance. We therefore cannot guarantee uninterrupted internet accessibility. The intended role of the treehouse is to serve as a private retreat surrounded by nature on a working farm. During certain times of the year, there may be farm related activities during the day which are unavoidable. You are welcome to join in if interesterd. Registration number W00961032-01