The Piece of Mind Retreat

Have you ever been on Pinterest and you start pinning a lot of things but someone’s content keeps finding its way into your feed?

First, it’s just one or two pins then it’s like 7-10 of their pins? Well, this is what happened when I approached Lara Sandora! In this post, I don’t talk about meeting her but we do talk about her amazing vacation home on the Big Island of Hawai'i The Piece of Mind Retreat Iand why it has many reasons you may want to work with me to book your stay there!

The Piece of Mind Retreat is a place I want to take my boys for sure.

Lara Sandora is the owner and founder of The Piece of Mind Retreat, creating special vacations for special families. The Piece of Mind Retreat is the first-ever autism-certified vacation home, located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The Sandora family achieved this certification through Autism Double Checked. She and her husband are both career public school educators who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Together they are raising two boys, the younger of whom is non-verbal autistic. The Piece of Mind Retreat is a place that creates special vacations for special families. Her family of four has been working through the puzzle of autism for almost ten years. They wanted a place to celebrate their successes, enjoy family time, and create memories. Travel is always challenging, but it is manageable when you know you have a suitable place to stay when you arrive.

The Sandora family created their vacation rental home with autistic families in mind. Only only does it not have carpet, but it also home to a sand volleyball court and pool. The property is located near the very calm Magic Sands Beach Park which is fantastic for kids or for those looking to enjoy some snorkeling you can enjoy some ocean time at Kahalu’u Beach Park.

The property contains safety precautions such as safeties on the fireplace and lights in the swimming pool. This is a place that you can feel safe in taking your loved one with autism that you don't have to feel that they are going to break anything. The home was designed to be a safe haven for families with autism to enjoy their time there. As I said there is no carpet to worry about spilling anything or other messes. It is enough space for a family of 6. The home is also very close to a neighborhood park that gives you plenty of space to run off some energy and enjoy a beautiful Hawaiian Sunset.

You will find the home to be fairly close to Ali’i Drive, the main street in Kona. From there, you can take the trolley, rent a bike, or continue walking to town and enjoy some fantastic eats in Kona such an Island Lava Jave or Da Poke Shack.  The island’s best snorkeling, beaches, restaurants, and shave ice are all within a 10-15 minute drive from your home-away-from-home. And when it’s time to tear yourself away, you’ll be at the airport in just 20 minutes. 

This is a wonderful option for families looking for a home away from home that offers quiet and sensory breaks for families with autism or other cognitive disabilities.

Are you considering a trip to Hawai'i but not sure of your options? Why not take a trip to the Big Island of Hawai'i. This vacation home will offer you a wonderful reprieve from fun days of drinking hot chocolate on Mauna Kea, exploring Volcanoes National Park, or swimming with the honu at Punalu'u Beach Park (Black Sand Beach).

I would love to help you plan a trip to Hawai'i for your family. Please reach out to me and let's make this trip work for you and your family!

You can find out more information about Lara and The Piece of Mind Retreat on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Are you interested in listing to a podcast episode about The Peace of Mind Retreat? Listen via the player below or follow me at the Special Needs Travel Podcast on all major podcasting Networks!