Danielle W.
November 2023
This home is the rare Big Island single family home that is directly on the beach. It’s such a beautiful location that is secluded during the time that the park is closed. Since it is in a park, people do come use the beach as soon as it opens in the morning, but it really didn’t bother us and there were plenty of times when we had it all to ourselves. This is such a unique property that was perfect for our family. We’d love to come back!!!
Danielle W.
October 2023
This home is the rare Big Island single family home that is directly on the beach. It’s such a beautiful location that is secluded during the time that the park is closed. Since it is in a park, people do come use the beach as soon as it opens in the morning, but it really didn’t bother us and there were plenty of times when we had it all to ourselves. This is such a unique property that was perfect for our family. We’d love to come back!!!
Susan Q.
December 2022
What a hidden gem of a place, just as wonderful and relaxing as it was in 2018 when we’re last there. Can’t wait to return!
Susan Q.
November 2022
What a hidden gem of a place, just as wonderful and relaxing as it was in 2018 when we’re last there. Can’t wait to return!
Ryan W.
November 2022
We had a wonderful stay in this bungalow on the beach. Thank you so much.
Ryan W.
November 2022
We had a wonderful stay in this bungalow on the beach. Thank you so much.
Joe F.
October 2022
We loved the beach location and the day of Iron Man we had the whole beach to ourselves. Rustic and very Hawaiian type of experience.
Joe F.
October 2022
We loved the beach location and the day of Iron Man we had the whole beach to ourselves. Rustic and very Hawaiian type of experience.
Kari T.
July 2022
This home on the beach provides all the amenities and opportunities you could wish for. It's a spectacular spot for a getaway. While the beach gets crowded during the day (like all nice beaches in Hawaii), between 7 pm and 7 am when the state park gate is closed, it's empty. We loved eating on the beachside lanai and swimming early in the morning before anyone else arrived. The water is safe for children and perfect for swimming. Leilani has thought of every detail, from extra towels and boogie boards to quality furnishings, a cooking-ready kitchen, and more things than I can name. We loved our stay and would come back in a heartbeat!
Kari T.
June 2022
This home on the beach provides all the amenities and opportunities you could wish for. It's a spectacular spot for a getaway. While the beach gets crowded during the day (like all nice beaches in Hawaii), between 7 pm and 7 am when the state park gate is closed, it's empty. We loved eating on the beachside lanai and swimming early in the morning before anyone else arrived. The water is safe for children and perfect for swimming. Leilani has thought of every detail, from extra towels and boogie boards to quality furnishings, a cooking-ready kitchen, and more things than I can name. We loved our stay and would come back in a heartbeat!
Nathan W.
April 2022
Look back at my review 1 year ago. Nothing has changed. Very pleased with my stay. Family had a great time. Prince had a great time. Feel free to look forward one year from now and read my review then. Good luck renting this place as it is crazy popular.
Nathan W.
April 2022
Look back at my review 1 year ago. Nothing has changed. Very pleased with my stay. Family had a great time. Prince had a great time. Feel free to look forward one year from now and read my review then. Good luck renting this place as it is crazy popular.
Mary M.
March 2022
We so enjoyed our week staying in this charming beach bungalow. As others have stated, it may not be for everyone, but it was exactly what we were expecting - charming, a little rough around the edges, and beachy! The side yard was perfect for a little seclusion and morning yoga. Sunset cocktails on the patio were breathtaking and the sound of surf at night lulled us to sleep (and occasionally woke us from sleep:) So glad we were able to enjoy this speacial place! Thank you!
Mary M.
March 2022
We so enjoyed our week staying in this charming beach bungalow. As others have stated, it may not be for everyone, but it was exactly what we were expecting - charming, a little rough around the edges, and beachy! The side yard was perfect for a little seclusion and morning yoga. Sunset cocktails on the patio were breathtaking and the sound of surf at night lulled us to sleep (and occasionally woke us from sleep:) So glad we were able to enjoy this speacial place! Thank you!
Megan C.
November 2021
Best vacation yet. The house allows you to actually relax because you don't have to go anywhere to enjoy the beach and ocean. We had Connor and Kristin cater our stay with pre-prepped meals and one meal where they came and cooked and served. We also recommend the masseuse Angelica.
Megan C.
November 2021
Best vacation yet. The house allows you to actually relax because you don't have to go anywhere to enjoy the beach and ocean. We had Connor and Kristin cater our stay with pre-prepped meals and one meal where they came and cooked and served. We also recommend the masseuse Angelica.
Gina D.
August 2021
WOW simply sums it up! This was our 1st stay here and we cant wait to go back. The beach bungalow was perfect for us. The property was just like described. The beach is public but still had plenty of privacy in the morning and evenings. Leilani was great to work with too. I highly recommend this place.
Nathan W.
June 2021
Sad to see the price go up for next year, but I will be reserving 2022 happily. This should speak for itself. The location, and atmosphere cannot be beat. The kitchen and living room was amazing and well equipped. We really appreciated the hot shower right off the beach to wash off between beach sessions with our child. The white noise provided by the ocean meant we could hang out without worrying about our 3 year old waking up at night. The amount of toys and beach equipment in the rental is impressive...snorkel gear, flippers, body boards, shovels, toys, umbrellas, extra chairs, you name it.
Things you should know, but are not negative:
1. This unit is at the end of a public beach/park. It opens from 8-8, so expect a crowd during the day, but fairly private after sunset and in the mornings. This is especially true on weekends.
2. The house is old. Very clean, but you can see signs of wear such as certain wooden structure rotting. This makes it feel very authentic, and is not a problem in a beach cottage that is probably at least 70 years old and located directly next to ocean spray.
3. The bathrooms are a little separate from the house, due to needs of the septic system. You just step out the back of the house and walk a few steps. The facilities are very nice, and this would only be an issue I think if I brought my elderly parents who would be nervous about navigating to the restroom in the dark. We had no problem with it.
Overall, best stay I have ever had in Hawaii. Highly recommend you rent the stand up paddle boards for the week that the owner suggests.
Andrea S.
June 2021
This little bungalow nestled at the end of the beach is all we needed for rest and relaxation. We snorkeled and slept and enjoyed the stars. Feels like summer camp!
Love this place! Thank you Leilani for everything! We will be back!
Erica M.
March 2018
Amazing little bungalow right on the water. Couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay and such a great experience for our 3 young (5, 7, 9) children.
Having the beach right outside our door was the absolute best part. The beach gets pretty busy during the day but everyone is very respectful of the patio and personal property.
I would not recommend this property for families with extremely small children or children that wander/sleep walk. The bedroom doors open to the back porch which could be scary for some parents.
tina c.
February 2018
Lovely place
April & Bob Y.
February 2018
Stayed here for a week in January and loved the bungalow! Private gated entrance, the house is right on a beautiful beach - couldn't be more convenient. Quant little beach house - well equipped, simple finishes, everything you need for the beach. Rented kayak and paddle board from recommended company - they delivered and picked up - paddled out each day to get a close up view of the whales and other sea life. It is on a state beach so you do have others on the beach. The deck overlooking the beach is very unique and a great place to people watch. Well equipped beach stuff - chairs, towels, fins, toys, etc. Don't need umbrella cause trees on beach provide shade. Kitchen well equipped and stocked with extras. Grocery store convenient - just a couple miles away - grill off the kitchen worked well. Three cozy bedrooms, all with separate entrances. Wished the living room had a standard couch set up - only one comfortable chair. If you are looking for a resort this is not for you - if you are looking for a quant beach front place to chill this is it. It's a bit rustic - two bathrooms outside and nature. We all had an amazing time and we'll come back to this unique bungalow for more fun!
Annemarie H.
August 2017
You couldn't imagine a more beautiful location. This property is spectacular. The beds are comfortable, the kitchen is very well-equipped, the bungalow is charming Old Hawaiian style, and Leilani went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed for a great stay. We had our 17yo, 18yo and 22yo and their 84 year old grandmother with us, and all six of us had an incredible week. The outside bathroom was tricky to navigate to for the 84 year old at night, but she said that it was worth it to be at that spot. Every morning, we had the beach to ourselves, swam in the cove (about 0.6 miles across the opening of the cove and back), saw turtles, and one of us even saw a manta ray one morning on our swim. The only problem with staying here is that you won't want to leave it to go anywhere else.
Rodney E.
July 2017
We absolutely loved the Lalamilo Bungalow. The highlight, of course, is the rare opportunity to stay ON an incredibly beautiful beach in Hawaii. My family and I basically lived on the deck, often fielding questions from others on the beach about how we were so lucky to stay in this house. It is a dream-come-true to be able to walk out of the house and onto the beach to snorkel in the mornings. By the way, the snorkeling around the reefs off Beach 69 was astounding, along with turtles and eels. The kids loved jumping off the rock in front of the house into the ocean. Then, watching the sunset into the ocean from our own private deck was breathtaking. Usually, by then, there were no other people on the beach, which made it even more extraordinary. The house itself was very charming and really nicely and simply decorated. We didn't really even notice the heat outside because of the constant breezes blowing through the house. The configuration of the house wasn't completely clear to us from the description, in that the entry into each of the bedrooms is from the outside on the patio. We loved it, and it made for a great sense of privacy and space. The bathroom/shower is also separate from the house, requiring a trip in the dark at night to use the toilet. The description also did not adequately convey how much space there is on this property. We LOVED the upper lawn overlooking the beach! The grill worked perfectly outside, and it was great to have a shower downstairs in the laundry room to wash off the sand. The house was fully stocked and just beautiful. We would love to return again, and I highly recommend this amazing house.
tom s.
April 2017
Our family of four had a great week here at Lalamilo Bungalow. Our two teenage children each had their own bedroom, very important for those afternoon siesta times in between snorkeling or boogie boarding sessions. The house is laid out very well, so that you enjoy cooking ocean breezes blowing through screened windows the entire length of the house, including living room, dining area, and kitchen, and all three bedrooms. There is a short path down to a concrete patio with comfortable lounge chairs just four feet above the high tide line. You will sit and enjoy the changing views here all day, if you like to relax in your vacation. The ocean and horizon is always changing as are the people on the beach. This beach is never crowded, even on weekends. Nice mix of locals and visitors come to swim, sun, and swim. We saw surfers on the outer reefs during a serious 5-6 foot swell with perfect offshore breezes for three mornings, local boogie boarders doing their barrel rolls and 360's on the inside reefs while the surf was big, and then lake-like conditions for 3 days on which we could see hundreds of reef fish on those same reefs when the surf was flat. We snorkeled each reef in Waialea Bay. Best is the rock projection closest to the patio, if you swim out about 200 yards to where it holds large coral formations and some crevasses. We saw puffer fish, schools of 50-100 yellow tang, a moray eel, a sea turtle, a spiny lobster, and lots of juvenile fish which are fun to watch.
On big surf days, it is a 5 min drive on the access road to Hapuna Beach or Mauna Kea beach for good boogie boarding on a sand beach, safe and super fun for kids even when the shore real is well overhead. Buy groceries to cook in just 10 min down the highway at Mauni Lani shops- there is a very well-stocked grocery store there. Very nice gas grill on the deck near the kitchen. The constant breeze means no AC needed at all. Good showers both inside and outside for rinsing sand off. Quiet all day and night. You can hear birds cooing and singing all day. Aloha to Hawaian paradise. Mahalo to all the great people here! You'll love it here.
Kirsten C.
March 2017
We stayed here Mid-March. It was great for snorkeling and relaxing. Didn't want to go anywhere else. The waves are loud and some of us wore ear plugs at night, not really an issue for us. So great to be able to go in the water whenever you want. It is all about the location. Lealani was quick to take care of any of our needs. It is fairly rustic but that is one of the things we liked about it. Almost like camping at the beach, but in total comfort. We also rented kayaks and a SUP from the company Lealani suggested. They were great and delivered and picked them up for us! House is also very well stocked with boogie boards and snorkel gear and beach chairs and toys. We can't wait to go back!
becky s.
March 2017
Very much enjoyed our stay! Loved the beach- very busy on the weekend but the weekdays are perfect! Cozy, quaint and rustic bungalow, wonderful family vacation!
Paul L.
January 2017
If this 1930s beach cottage was any closer to the water, it would be a house boat. It's within the confines of a state park, part of a small cluster of bungalows, so we assume it is grandfathered in. The location is remarkable -- I'm sure no one would be allowed to build here today. One steps out and is in the water.
What works?
Location, location, location.
We were utterly charmed by the authentic, 1930s old Hawaii feel of the place.
It is well cared for, well stocked, clean, has good wifi, and comfortable in a cozy way.
Leilani was responsive and helpful whenever needed.
Puako is a nice location -- out of the touristy buzz of Kona (unless that's what you are seeking) and close enough to Waimea for great eating (get yourself to the extraordinary Merriman's while here). It's about escape, not a party-time location.
What you need to accept:
Bring earplugs -- the surf is incessant and while no AC is needed, the open windows means pounding surf all night long.
Authentic 1930s can look a bit funky to some people. The bedrooms are very small (and separated by thin walls), the bathroom is in an adjacent structure (absolutely workable), there is a rodent problem all over the island, so traps here and there (we disposed of a dead mouse -- no big deal).
The beach is utterly swimmable, but if you have kids you'd want to keep an eye on them -- the surf can be powerful and there is no lifeguard.
Beaches are public and the bungalow sits at the end of a state park beach, so while it feels secluded, there was also a lot of people just outside the bungalow most days until the park closed at 7PM -- it was never a problem, but its not total seclusion if that is what one seeks.
We loved it and would stay here again in a heartbeat. it's really a special place and a world away from the hotel resort options that dot the island and that we avoid.
Penn J.
January 2016
Early morning swims to sunrise, coupled with afternoon activities in and around the Island, capped by stunning sunsets allows for a most delightful, tranquil and joyful experience in the Bungalow.
Our family of 5 adults relished in the charm of the location for a most relaxing vacation.
Mahalo for maintaining such a remarkable atmosphere to enjoy time with the people you love!
See you all next year!
Kathleen B.
February 2015
We spent a week with 3 adults and 2 teenage boys. The bungalow has a rustic but cool feel to it. The island has been experiencing high surf and has remodeled the beach. It is more rocky but its's easy access for kayaks and paddle boards. We planned on snorkeling but with the churned up waters we did a lot more kayaking and body boarding. There were many experienced surfers right out our door. We were thoroughly entertained. On calmer days we were able to kayak out far and get a close up of migrating whales and manta rays. Because of the close proximity of the ocean and rocky cliffs and high surf the noise was unbelievable at night, the bedroom windows on the ocean side do not have shutters to dull the noise. I do recommend considering this for future renters. The teen age boys had a trip of a life time. The kitchen is well equipped for home cooking. Leilani the property manager was very helpful and we rented kayaks and paddle boards from the company she suggested. They were very reliable and easy to contact. We plan to go back next year.
January 2015
This is our 6th time to stay at the Bungalow and this time we had six teen age boys with us! The house and accommodations are so friendly and comfortable we truly are able to relax here. With the kayaks and surf boards available for the guys any time, there was never a dull moment. Although this is a public beach, it feels very much like our own slice of heaven. Breakfast on the lanai watching the ocean and listening to the birds is one of our favorite times.... until we sit on the lanai again to watch another beautiful sunset. The personnel at Aloha Debbie Properties are always very helpful and accommodating. Leilani is great to work with and helped us with staying at the house late due to our midnight departure from the airport. She also had great connections with local business to rent kayaks. This trip was a special one for us as we don't know if we will get all of our sons back here together again. They were 3, 5 and 6 when we first stayed in the Bungalow, they are now 16, 18 and 19. We have had some great family memories here. We would highly recommend this as a place to bring your family for some special times. We love the small town local feel that Puako, Kawaihai and Havi share with us.
daryn s.
January 2015
Our family of 4 had a fantastic time in this one of a kind location. The Big Island has so much geographic diversity and is our favorite island to explore. The setting of this bungalow is beautiful. Highly recommended.
Ina K.
November 2012
We had a great time at this house, perfect for a whole family, adults & kids and great location on a perfect beach. The kids loved playing on the beach and adults enjoyed the nice patio overlooking the ocean and convenient location to put kids for naps, grab lunch, etc. The house was very clean and stocked with all neccessities as well as beach toys, snorkeling gear, etc. We loved it here and plan to come back and tell our our friends that can afford it.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.