The Onion House \"Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe\"
About this house rental
Created for the McCormick Spice family, the Onion House is a unique architectural treasure with stunning visual aesthetics. It has been featured on MTV, Travel Channel, Learning Channel, Fine Living Channel, HGTV, Global Architecture Magazine, and Architectural Digest. You will have the entire house to yourselves. Swim and sunbathe in privacy on the huge lot that is well screened via foliage. You'll feel alone in your world, enjoying the 70' pool (unheated), gardens and lily ponds. The terrace faces sunsets and Kailua Bay, providing the ideal setting for candlelight dinners. The translucent roof and walls of stained glass allow filtered sunlight throughout. The detached master suite features a private walled garden. A covered outdoor walkway leading to the master bedroom structure is flanked by lily ponds and the turquoise pool overlooking the sea. With grounds of nearly an acre, five minutes from town or beach, this is the perfect base camp for exploring the Big Island. If you google this property name, you can learn a great deal more about it from our personal website. Read the page "Vacation at the Onion House" for more information on your stay. The Onion House does have limitations that make it unsuitable for younger children (under 12) or individuals who have difficulties with stairs and/or mobility. The owners do no allow guests under 12 years of age. Please contact us for further information. In addition, the Onion House is most ideal for smaller groups of 2-4. The rates quoted are for two guests. Additional guests have an additional fee of $25/person/day added to the quote identified in a separate line as "additional guest fee." Please note that the County of Hawai'i has implemented strict vacation rental regulations which must be clearly published on this site. The Onion House has been officially licensed by the County. Common sense rules apply to guests: (A) Quiet hours shall be from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., during which time the noise from the STVR shall not unreasonably disturb adjacent neighbors. (B) Sound that is audible beyond the property boundaries during non-quiet hours shall not be more excessive than would be otherwise associated with a residential area. (C) Guest vehicles shall be parked in the designated onsite parking area. (D) The STVR shall not be used for commercial purposes. The STVR Registration Number is: STVR-19-361289 The Nonconforming Use Certificate Number is: NUC-19-1205 ("Nonconforming" basically means that our vacation rental is not located in a resort zone.) Hawaii State Tax ID # GE-157-258-9568-01, TAT: T-157-258-9568
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Map of Holualoa, HI
House in Holualoa, HI
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen / Kitchenette and more
$$$$
Reviews
5.0/5.0
Outstanding(143 Reviews)
10.0
This property is a must experience. You will never stay anywhere like it. Built in the 1970s it has been well preserved. The atmosphere on the property makes you feel like you are staying in a far away oasis but it is actually in town with surrounding neighbors. The Onion House has also been named as one of the top 10 places on the Island to view a magnificent sunset. The pool is cool and refreshing. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Such a great space for friends and family. I highly recommend.
The only drawbacks may be the parking is tricky if you are driving a larger vehicle (ie Jeep Wagoneer) and if the neighbors are cutting trees on the neighboring property it can ruin the ambiance. We had chainsaws running one day of our stay starting at 7 in the morning. Only a big deal if you are spending your day on property Not a big deal if you are going to be out for the day. Otherwise, the evenings were quite peaceful.
5.0
This place is very unique and beautiful! We love the history book it came with.
5.0
A great 10 night stay and the Onion House. The house is so unique and interesting. The pool is huge and super clean. Great views of the Pacific. Do pay attention to the description provided of the house as it is accurate and not for everyone. The wall panels are half screen and half window or door, so it is sort of inside/outside living. There is a fair number of stairs and hard edges, so not for the very young or infirm. All in all, we loved it!
5.0
Onion House has been on my bucket list for decades and it did not disappoint. We were beyond happy to eat our meals, hang out in the pool and watch the amazing sunsets from our perch on the hillside. Truly a magical place like no other.
5.0
Loved our stay at the Onion House. Communication was clear and consistent throughout the entire process, house instructions very clear, and we appreciated the additional information about the house and advice for the area. My in-laws checked in and out but instructions were clear and sounded like it all went smoothly. The property was simply breathtaking; we loved the "outdoor indoor" living set in a very quiet neighborhood while still conveniently close to Kona and surrounding attractions. Really couldn't have asked for a more perfect stay. Thank you for such a special, memorable experience!
5.0
This was a special stay. The Onion House is amazing. It is such a creative, unique structure. Our family of four absolutely loved our time here in late July, and we will forever cherish the memories of our stay in this work of art.
4.0
The property was really unique and beautiful, we were very comfortable staying there. My only complaint would be not having the knowledge of the flight of stairs to enter or exit the property. As two 71 year old women bringing our luggage up those stairs was close to impossible!
5.0
A perfect stay with plenty of stimuli for all guests. Beautiful sunsets, landscape, flowers, camilions, and birds. Very relaxing. The pool is large and welcoming. No one wanted to leave.
5.0
The Onion House is simply gorgeous! It was the perfect place for our week on the Big Island.
Pros:
- Great location. Convenient to everything.
- Great views.
- Truly incredible home. It really was like living in a piece of artwork.
- Pool was awesome - huge, clean, and unique.
- Caretaker was very friendly and helpful.
- Well stocked kitchen and laundry. Tons of pots and pans, towels, detergent, soap, paper products, sunscreen, etc.
- Master suite was large, beautiful, and very comfortable.
- The grounds were stunning and although the home is in a neighborhood, you do have plenty of privacy.
Cons
- The roosters in the neighborhood were pretty annoying. They started crowing at about 5:00 (which didn't bother us because we were awake anyway) but never really stopped until it got hot the afternoon.
- Two of the burners on the stove didn't work properly.
- No ice maker.
- The living room furniture isn't very comfortable.
Misc:
- We were a family of 6 with 2 adults and 4 children ages 13-19. We had plenty of room, but the two bedrooms in the main building are somewhat open (at the top of the wall) to the living room and kitchen. Our kids are pretty heavy sleepers so it didn't bother them, but it would be a problem if couples wanted privacy.
- We (kiddos included) LOVED EVERYTHING about the property except the roosters. My husband and I appreciate unique architecture and landscapes. If that isn't your thing, you might not appreciate it as much.
5.0
Great fun! Loved having our own pool and well-provisioned kitchen for breakfasts on the deck. Perfect for our friends' week on the Big Island. Great selection of guide books to help us with our planning. Be sure to check the basement for pool floaties! Thanks for a great stay!
5.0
I’ve wanted to stay at The Onion House for 16 years and it did NOT disappoint! Everything about it was magical from the view to how you feel like you’re living in nature with the screens. I LOVED hearing all the birds in the mornings to wake me up. Super close to everything which was great and Jeannie, the caretaker, was phenomenal. Thank you for sharing this home with my family!
5.0
We loved Onion House so much. The fantastic architecture and light made the house so calm and welcoming. The pool was the perfect temperature after a hot day. The kitchen was well equipped and the house had everything we could need. The location was great as well. Loved the roosters! I thought that they would be annoying but they were no bother at all and cool to see! Jeanne was so welcoming and wonderful. The only bad part was having to leave!
5.0
The onion house was amazing !! The view and the landscaping itself is just stunning !! Instead of heading to the beach everyday we spent our time there on the deck and enjoyed the pool. The house was very well stocked when we arrived there. Jeanne the caretaker is a lovely lady. She was easy to communicate with and was a pleasure to meet. For us it was a once in a lifetime experience.
5.0
Friends told me about their stay at The Onion House. They highly recommended the experience. It was MORE than I expected! Perfect location ... 5 mins from downtown Kona & shopping. I didn't want to leave.
5.0
Our second visit. One of the most amazing rental property available anywhere! An architectural masterpiece by San Diego architect Ken Kellogg. Perfectly suited for the environment with complete openness between inside and out. Nicely equipped kitchen, amazing bathes, comfortable beds and a fantastic pool. Can’t wait to return!!!
5.0
The online photographs wonderfully show the beauty of the Onion House. I could go on for paragraphs about how delightful and soothing the environment is. But also, the floor plan allowed for wonderful family time together as well as space for individuals to have “down time” alone. This is important when traveling as a family with independent, adult children. The master bathroom had an unusual and not pleasant smell, which I guessed came from the natural lava stone walls. The other bathroom didn’t have the same type of walls or the unpleasant odor. The kitchen is definitely a one (or two) person space! It worked best for us to be in it alone, or to assign one person as the cook at the stove!
5.0
We had the most amazing time at The Onion House. I have been wanting to stay here for 15 years and finally the timing worked for us. First impression was magical, I have never stayed in a house like this before and I feel it's perfectly stated as "luxury outdoor living". It took us a day or two to adjust to the feeling of living outside with all the screens instead of windows but once we adjusted it was heavenly. We became friends with the geckos living at the house and actually looked for them throughout the day (they stay pretty well hidden). The house felt very tidy and clean, very little bugs considering there isn't much between us and the outside world. We enjoyed listening to the neighborhood roosters chat with each other and the other various birds chatting about. The house is old- built in 1962 and she shows her age in a charming way...I swear I can feel Aunt Dofeen's spirit in every corner of this special house. We CANNOT wait to come back.
5.0
We had the most amazing time at The Onion House. I have been wanting to stay here for 15 years and finally the timing worked for us. First impression was magical, I have never stayed in a house like this before and I feel it's perfectly stated as "luxury outdoor living". It took us a day or two to adjust to the feeling of living outside with all the screens instead of windows but once we adjusted it was heavenly. We became friends with the geckos living at the house and actually looked for them throughout the day (they stay pretty well hidden). The house felt very tidy and clean, very little bugs considering there isn't much between us and the outside world. We enjoyed listening to the neighborhood roosters chat with each other and the other various birds chatting about. The house is old- built in 1962 and she shows her age in a charming way...I swear I can feel Aunt Dofeen's spirit in every corner of this special house. We CANNOT wait to come back.
5.0
I've dreamed of staying here since I discovered it over five years ago. My sister from the mainland was coming and wanted to stay somewhere special, so I booked The Onion House. Unfortunately she cancelled but I not me! I read of it's fascinating history and looked at dozens of photos. However, I was unprepared for the grandeur of the experience. There is so much detail and art in it's construction and it's furnishings that it clearly was, and continues to be, an astonishing labor of love. A craftsmen myself, I was continually intrigued by every thoughtful detail; from cement work to light switches, walls of lava rock and stained glass. There was simply nothing lacking in the house in the way of amenities. Although it's situated in a residential neighborhood, I felt totally alone in the privacy of the house and it's amazingly landscaped yard. I had a few friends over for an outside dinner and it was marvelous. I feel so grateful to have been able to experience myself within the magical embrace of The Onion House ... and I hope to return one day. Many mahalos!!
5.0
The experience was first class.
10.0
I am so thankful to have recently enjoyed my second visit to Onion House. Knowing what to expect made this visit even better than the first. This is such a special place, I so look forward to my next visit.
5.0
Wonderful amazing property. Beautiful historic house. Loved staying here and the Island is so beautiful
5.0
I found the property to be the most interesting and inspiring property I have ever stayed in. I am an architect and the creativity displayed in this home were beyond expectations. I plan on returning as soon as time allows. I found it to have everything needed to have one of my most memorable vacations. I say this as someone who has travelled the world. I also found the management to be exceptionally helpful with any of our needs. Thank you for the use of your property. Rocco
5.0
This was our 2nd time staying at the Onion House and it did not disappoint! This time was just as awesome, if not more awesome, than the first time we stayed 6 years ago. The place is an absolute Polynesian Paradise (not a boring hotel room or condo) and you will have a constant feeling of aloha surrounded by flowers, palms, pool, and the most unique architecture around anywhere! It is even more beautiful than the pictures if that is even possible. Every turn and every time the lighting changes the house and gardens look more spectacular than just before. It is so fun to wake up to the open air with the birds and breeze and glow from the translucent roof and stained glass. Sunset is gorgeous. The pool is unreal. So much fun. Beautiful day and night. We brought our 2 college-aged sons again and they just loved it just as much if not more like they did when they stayed as middle schoolers. They said it feels like a place James Bond would stay and they are right- it's a very cool and sexy house! The trails around the house are fun to explore, like having your own private rain forest. The view from the pool area on all sides is awesome. We are active travelers so we enjoyed a lot of activities on the island. We hiked Polulu Valley, hiked Kileau Iki Trail, did a manta ray night snorkel (very cool), did a day time snorkel to Captain Cook (recommend the company Sea Paradise), snorkeled at Two Step (amazing fish and reef with easy water access), Kahalu'u Beach Park (crowded and hard to get in the water due to rocks, but only 10 minutes from the house and lots of fish), and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach (fascinating snorkeling with the most diverse fish we saw and only place we saw sea turtles), drove to South Point (very windy!), did a tour of Kula Kai Caverns (highly recommend- very educational and different), hiked up the cider cone at Mauna Kea Visitor Center, went to Hilo and saw some waterfalls, hiked Makaula Cloud Forest Trail in Kona (rainforest with lots of ferns), and hiked Ohi'a Trail in Kona (dry through Ohi'a trees). We still had plenty of time to enjoy the house! If you have never been to the Big Island there is so much to do and it doesn't take long to get anywhere so it's easy to explore and enjoy the Onion House at the same time. Everything is immaculate and clean. HIGHLY RECOMMEND staying here- you will never want to stay in a boring hotel or resort again!. We will be back!! Thank you Jeanne for a wonderful stay!
5.0
Beautiful gardens and place.
We loved The Onion House! Hope to be back someday.
5.0
Definitely not for children
Just like the description-lots of steps and angles and critters
Very relaxing
5.0
Vacation
Definitely not for children
Just like the description-lots of steps and angles and critters
Very relaxing
5.0
I hesitate to write this review because I want this place all to myself. From the time I pulled into the carport, I was in awe. Having read the background of the Onion House, I have to say Dofeen and Kendrick Kellogg created a space so amazing that absorbs all of your senses. There is so much to take in, I lost all sense of time and day, releasing control to the beauty of the house and grounds. I’m already planning my next visit 🌺. Jeanne provides all information you could ever need, such a bonus welcome to paradise!
5.0
This property is not only met, but exceeded our expectations.
Was close to everything we wanted to do and see. Very private and the most unique structure I we ever experienced. The openness to nature was amazing.
5.0
It’s hard to put into words how amazing the Onion House is! We have been waiting 2yrs to stay here and it was definitely worth the wait. Location is great, amazing views of the ocean and you cannot beat staying in such a work of art! Everything you need is there and communication is the best I’ve dealt with in a vacation rental. We loved all the writings about the history from the start of the build to it coming back to life. My husband is an architect and he was definitely in awe of the detail and design put into this place. We can’t wait to come back!
5.0
Great place
This property is not only met, but exceeded our expectations.
Was close to everything we wanted to do and see. Very private and the most unique structure I we ever experienced. The openness to nature was amazing.
10.0
It’s hard to put into words how amazing the Onion House is! We have been waiting 2yrs to stay here and it was definitely worth the wait. Location is great, amazing views of the ocean and you cannot beat staying in such a work of art! Everything you need is there and communication is the best I’ve dealt with in a vacation rental. We loved all the writings about the history from the start of the build to it coming back to life. My husband is an architect and he was definitely in awe of the detail and design put into this place. We can’t wait to come back!
5.0
Amazing stay at the Onion House!
It’s hard to put into words how amazing the Onion House is! We have been waiting 2yrs to stay here and it was definitely worth the wait. Location is great, amazing views of the ocean and you cannot beat staying in such a work of art! Everything you need is there and communication is the best I’ve dealt with in a vacation rental. We loved all the writings about the history from the start of the build to it coming back to life. My husband is an architect and he was definitely in awe of the detail and design put into this place. We can’t wait to come back!
5.0
More than you can imagine
I hesitate to write this review because I want this place all to myself. From the time I pulled into the carport, I was in awe. Having read the background of the Onion House, I have to say Dofeen and Kendrick Kellogg created a space so amazing that absorbs all of your senses. There is so much to take in, I lost all sense of time and day, releasing control to the beauty of the house and grounds. I’m already planning my next visit 🌺. Jeanne provides all information you could ever need, such a bonus welcome to paradise!
5.0
Special place
My family and I loved this house, it was like staying in a work of art. Communication and experience was one of the best I’ve ever had. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. We will cherish this.
5.0
Unique
So glad we stayed here. You discovered something new each day. But needs attention to the security system, some of the furniture and instructions on what to do when it rains so hard that water comes into the house from multiple directions.
Still this minor inconveniences were far out weighed by the house and its story.
5.0
We enjoy coming back to the Big Island from time to time and we have always stayed at the Onion House. The only first-time, unwelcome event was that the neighbors currently have a couple of roosters - so much for quiet hours.
5.0
Our Sixth Stay at the Onion House
We enjoy coming back to the Big Island from time to time and we have always stayed at the Onion House. The only first-time, unwelcome event was that the neighbors currently have a couple of roosters - so much for quiet hours.
5.0
It is a magical property - loved our stay there.
5.0
magical property
It is a magical property - loved our stay there.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Holualoa?
The average price for a rental in Holualoa is $337 per night. This rental is $755 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at The Onion House \"Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe\". For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at The Onion House \"Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe\". Enjoy the water!
Is The Onion House \"Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe\" pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at The Onion House \"Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe\"?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, and laundry.
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