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The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe"

Holiday home in Kailua-Kona with private pool and kitchen

Photo gallery for The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe"

Architectural mood lighting for a soothing evening
Aerial view of the main house and adjacent master bedroom area.
Aerial view: main house (R) and master suite (L) connected by covered breezeway
Pool
Pool

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6151.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Magic Sands Beach
  • Place, Kahalu'u Beach Park
  • Place, Kailua Pier
  • Airport, Kailua-Kona, HI (KOA-Kona Intl.)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Guest Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Guest Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Master Bathroom

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Shared Guest Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe"

PLEASE READ COMPLETELY PRIOR TO BOOKING REQUEST:

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. Groups of 6, while they can be accommodated, will find privacy is limited.

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 and these country 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) Rental guest vehicles shall be parked in the designated onsite parking area.
(D) The STVR shall not be used for commercial purposes.
(E) Guests beyond those named on the rental agreement are fairly strictly limited. Hosting gatherings with visitors outside of the rental party is quite limited - Please inquire.

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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 12
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
No children under 12 due to safety concerns.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outdoors on deck only.
Please note that the County of Hawai'i has implemented new vacation rental regulations - as a licensed rental, we share them in the rental agreement.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Property Registration Number 3770090520000, TA-157-258-9568-01, GE-157-258-9568-01

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Kailua-Kona

Located near the beach, this holiday home is in Holualoa Village, a neighbourhood in Kailua-Kona. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Magic Sands Beach and Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, while Holualoa Gallery and Hulihee Palace are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Holua Racquet and Paddle or Holua Tennis Center.
View more Holiday homes in Kailua-KonaOpens in a new window
Map
Kailua-Kona, HI

What's nearby

  • Magic Sands Beach - 3 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Keauhou Shopping Center - 4 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Kahalu'u Beach Park - 5 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Kailua Pier - 6 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Keauhou Bay Beach - 6 min drive - 6.5 km

Getting around

  • Kailua-Kona, HI (KOA-Kona Intl.) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sunset Kai Lanai - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪L & L Hawaiian BBQ - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Shaka Tacos - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Magics Beach Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Walua Social Club - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe" have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe" pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe"?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe"?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Onion House "Architecture so full of life it seems to breathe" located?

Located in Holualoa Village, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and Donkey Mill Art Center. Kona Le'a Plantation and Magic Sands Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 154 out of 166 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 166 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 166 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 166 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 166 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

mabel r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Most Unique House!!

Had a great stay at the Onion House….. the neatest house we’ve ever stayed at! Amazing living areas, the pool and the view are things we will never forget…..they made our stay on the Big Island very special!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Unique Stay

The Onion House was a truly unique place to stay. Beautiful views, great gardens and pools, and our host was informative and fun to speak with. Close to town, but with a very secluded feel, it was perfect for a family getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The onion paradise

The property is beautiful. Plan to be one with nature. There was no air conditioning but we never missed it. I have never had the opportunity to stay in a place like this. It was a great part of our trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful place!

This place is very unique and beautiful! We love the history book it came with.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darla B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best place ever!

This house is a work of art. Jeanne was a wonderful property manager. It was like staying inside a living, loving organism. The outside flows to the inside leaving you feeling like you’re an organic part of the island. This place has spoiled me for any other place.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Like being in another world!

This amazing property was our home away from home for a too short 5 weeks. There are tons of things to do on the big island, but nobody wanted to leave the pool and this absolute work of art house! Jeanne the manager was extremely helpful and made us feel at home. The most enjoyable trip ever!
Stayed 37 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Onion House

So unique and so much fun! Loved the open air experience. Great views of the ocean and sunsets. Beautiful landscaping! Loved the pool and outdoor areas. Would highly recommend (as long as you don’t have a problem walking up and down steps).
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James M., Santa Clarita

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Future repeat customer

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter D., San Francisco, California, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Very Rare Gem!

The Onion House is a rare combination natural and architectural beauty in a breathtaking, private setting. It is a true feast for the senses. And Jeanne, the onsite manager, is a pleasure. We look forward to returning as often as possible.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Patti T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Artistic Paradise

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.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical in Nature

Must be a nature lover to stay here we were absolutely happy every single moment of every single day. We were visitors during monsoon season with pouring down rain, but the weather was still warm and we were able to sit out and enjoy the pool during the day. A favorite part of our stay is watching the parakeets fly overhead by the dozens and having the geckos overhead in the house an absolutely beautiful property with never-ending new fines of eye candy. It’s a must do.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique and Excellent

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!
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Liz and Steve D.

Keep this place a secret!

Words are totally meager at trying to describe what an amazing place the Onion House is. We spent 6 beautiful days here, excited and happy to get back to it each afternoon after hiking or exploring. It is not for everyone, thank goodness, and if you need daily maid service and air conditioning, don’t like the sounds of birds and chickens waking you up this is NOT your kind of place. But the space is like nothing you’ve ever experienced and if you delight in crazy beautiful architecture, wild sounds from nature and personal space, this cannot be beat. We will be back, unusual for two intrepid travelers who rarely return to a vacation spot. But let’s keep this a secret, just a bit longer.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Trish N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was wonderful. Really loved this unique property. Great having our own pool!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lori H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely fantastic property! Beautifully constructed and decorated. Pool was fabulous and the sunsets were an added bonus. Highly recommend the Onion House!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terry S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An amazing architectural beauty tucked into the Hawaiian hillside. The descriptions are apt. If you’re looking for the Four Seasons turn left out of the airport. But if you want serious glamping with a healthy side order of the outdoors, The Onion House is your place. Easily accessed, this gem brings contemporary elements for daily living to your Hawaiian vacation. Beautiful facilities for housing up to six - 2-4 adults would be ideal - there’s plenty of space to spread out, inside and out.Warning: this NOT a bug-free environment!! The house does have doors and windows but it is also open to critters that crawl and fly.Nevertheless, a stay at The Onion House feels like a stay at a home on Lifestyle’s of the Rich and Famous, Hawaiian style! And with the McCormick Spice family as the original owners and developers for this incredibly fun home, you can sleep, swim, cook, relax, or entertain in serious eclectic style! Thank you to the current owners for your loving dedication to maintaining this beast!! It’s an obvious labor of love and for those who choose to stay with you, that love will surely be in evidence.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jennipher L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical

The house is in an excellent location and while close to the road, you feel like you are in a rainforest and have complete privacy. Perfect size for our family. We used the pool almost daily and the sunsets from the pool couldn't be better. We found some handy floats & goggles in the laundry area which were a plus. There were plenty of pool towels to use. We cooked several meals and enjoyed eating outside on the terrace and using the grill. However, cookware was sparse and old. The stove, oven, and microwave are old. Marketing does a good job explaining this is indoor/outdoor living. The lack of a/c was not an issue at all & the temperature of the house was fine. Hearing the birds, frogs, and rooster was lovely. There is a ton of natural light. What we did not expect was the amount of insects and geckos inside the house, There is not much you can do about the geckos and it may have been weather related while we were there but, each morning I had to clean the kitchen counters before preparing coffee/ breakfast. The geckos were also an issue in the main bedroom. Despite these concerns, the pros far outweigh the cons.The home is truly one of a kind and there is a certain sense of peace and magic when you stay at the Onion House. Being here and connecting with our older children was a delight. You need to come with an open mind and accept the home for the uniqueness and charm it brings.The property manager was very responsive and helpful during our stay.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandon G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A gem

The onion house is absolutely the most unique place you could ever stay at. We were completely immersed in nature yet close to everything. The sunsets from the house were spectacular. Everyone loved it and hated to leave. An easy 5 Stars.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Dolores W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique experience!

Second time staying at The Onion House, enjoyed the unique experience of living in the environment. Mahalo Jeanne for your watchcare during the hard storms and flooding we addressed while there. Until next time!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

David T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Uniquely Beautiful

What a beautiful and uniquely architected home. We loved the design, the surrounding foliage, the pool, and the location. Thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

John I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Habitual guest

This is either the third or fourth time I’ve stayed. Obviously we love it. As an architect and hedonist, you couldn’t find a better place! We’ll be back. Thanks Jeanne and Terri!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erik A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Splendor in an Onion

This was the most beautiful home we have ever stayed in. From word work to stained glass, the whole home is a living breathing piece of artwork. Waking up to the birds each morning and drinking our coffee on the lanai was the highlight of the morning. While in the evening we sipped cocktails and watched the sunset from the pool. Not sure how it could have been more magical. Thank you, we will be back every year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of a kind place to stay

We loved our stay at the Onion House. It is a beautiful house, and one of a kind design. It is quirky so you have to be in the mood for that. Super relaxing, very well located, and just beautiful. The whole house is a work of art.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforgettable!

We really enjoyed our stay. Jeanne gave us all the information we needed. The house is comfortable (I loved the bed and linens), so beautiful and certainly one of a kind! We had everything we could possibly need. The erupting volcano was the only thing that we left the house for!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property

We enjoyed our stay. We had 5 people total. The owner communicated all the details well in advance of our stay. And, the property manager followed up with us the week before our trip. Communication. Was excellent! Everything was clean. In good shape. The property is really a unique place. We enjoyed staying @ the onion. Location is close to everything. Grounds are impressive.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

About the host

Hosted by Terri Watson

Host profile image
The Onion House was purchased by Harry and Barbara Last from the McCormick family a few years ago. Barbara had wanted to visit this architectural wonder some time ago and when she learned that the property was for sale, she insisted that they book their stay immediately. Upon awakening in the Onion House the very first morning, Harry fell in love with the unique architecture and as well the engineering structural aspects of the overall property. They both decided that they wanted to be the purchasers, not only to enjoy for their family, but also to continue to preserve and maintain this wonderful property for guests as well. Poring over the construction details of the Onion House also brought back memories. Many years ago in the late 1970’s, Barbara and Harry, a mechanical engineer and inventor, designed, and built by hand a hillside home in the Vancouver, B.C. area, complete with an indoor swimming pool for their three children, all in competitive swimming. In order to combat humidity in the pool area, Harry soon became interested in automatic pool covers, which eventually led to him founding a business in that industry, which still exist as a closely held family business today.

Barbara and Harry will continue to connect with Beth McCormick (the former owner) as an advisor on the maintenance and preservation of the property. Guest contact will be facilitated by Terri Watson, who has also managed guest relations on another Hawaii property for the Lasts. Property Manager Jeanne Awai, along with her staff, who have managed the gardening and maintenance and welcomed the guests to the property for many years, will be staying on as well.

Why they chose this property

There's no place on earth like this. It's a wildly original form of architecture, distinct from any other structure, hand-built by architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg. It combines the indoor-outdoor living that defines Hawaii with visionary, organic architecture. You've never seen anything like this.

What makes this property unique

A unique part of Hawaiian history, the Onion House is a pivotal piece of the McCormick family history, commissioned by prior owner Beth McCormick's favorite aunt, 'Auntie Dofeen.' and build by well known architect Kendrick Kellogg Bangs of organic architecture renown.

This home is Kellogg's first piece as both architect and builder, and launched the Organic Architecture movement of the Mid-Century Modern craze that dominated Southern California. Kellogg went on to build well-known works such as The High Desert House in Joshua Tree, CA, Lotus House, Wingsweep, the Hoshino Wedding Chapel in Japan and Charthouse restaurant in Rancho Mirage, CA.

We have the opportunity to share this home with guests from around the world, who bring friends and family to celebrate special moments in their lives. Many of our guests are repeat visitors, and the "Onion House Family" spans the globe.

Of note: The Onion House isn't for everyone......
The Onion House is not suitable for families with young children (less than 12), or for those who have difficulty with steps, due to safety considerations inherent in its design. We make no representation of the house as accessible.
Smoking outside only, please.
The Onion House is true Organic Architecture - it is not a climate controlled, sterile resort- like location. There is no air-conditioning (we use many fans!). It is truly indoor/outdoor living in a shelter of roof, screen, glass and rock cooled by nature passive design.

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