Bobi G.
December 2023
The home was well stocked and in an amazing location. Communication with the owner was easy and timely. We had everything we needed and more.
Julee H.
December 2023
Convenient location and walk to the beach, we watched surfers from the front window. Spacious, we had 8 adults and the rooms were comfortable. The house has lots of character… it was everything we needed and more! Beautiful stay!
Arthur S.
October 2023
loved the place and location
Sargent M.
September 2023
My filters had for an air-conditioned home. This house has no air-conditioning. If you are hot natured, you will not be happy here except a few nights . Even with fans, the house was very warm and extremely damp the entire time. The dryer did not work.. It is an older home, so it does show a little bit of wear, but a beautiful location, beds were comfortable, sofas sink badly when sitting. could use a board under the cushions. Would be great for a large family, but again, very hot and humid. Could not use the kayak as it was full of water, nor the bikes, as there was no way to pump up the tires.
Kosalee K.
September 2023
Loved how accessible the bedroom was. The upstairs had a lovely view of the ocean and was a great place for all of us to congregate and have a great time!
Amber W.
August 2023
Really enjoyed our stay in the house. Especially great location for early morning and late walks near the water. We made good use of the kayaks and appreciated the life jackets and water shoes. Noticed a few previous reviews made comments about tropical bugs, but we didn’t see anything like that! We stayed cool in the house in late July. Hope to be back.
July 2023
This house has the most beautiful view of the ocean! Must love nature to stay here! Frog songs will lull you to sleep and the geckos will entertain you! Just minutes to downtown Hilo!
Joel Olani L.
July 2023
It was so enjoyable making it an annual event
David C.
April 2023
Can't beat the location here with such easy access to beach parks, and a quick drive to downtown Hilo. Great family stay to explore the area. Easy communication and access.
Cliff G.
April 2023
A decent place to stay considering the price. Was a good place for 6 adults with plenty of room for all. It was noted that the first level has a different outside entrance which isn't always ideal - so be sure that works for your group. Kitchen and other areas were well stocked with essentials and extras. The location was great except that there is another larger rental house nearby (20 feet) so you'll hear conversations/noise from there. Owner was very good with all communication and was proactive in providing lots of detailed info and responded to questions/comments right away.
Christy Z.
April 2023
This beautiful beach property is right beside some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island. We went out for a quick snorkel on our last morning and were able to observe 16 sea turtles!
Richard is a great host that communicates clearly, quickly, and is kind.
Dee Ann S.
March 2023
My family enjoyed our stay in the house. The kids especially enjoyed being able to walk across the street and snorkel with turtles. The owner is very available and helpful. We appreciated the information book with all the details and opinions.
Michael W.
January 2023
Wow this property was wonderful for our family of 8. We loved the room set up, the number of bathrooms, kitchen and all needed supplies, the sporting equipment, especially the snorkeling gear. There was even sand toys for the kids. The property itself was perfect. We walked across the street to great beaches. Thank you so much for helping make our trip excellent!!
Katie F.
January 2023
This place was perfect for our family. The host was very easy to get a hold of and the house had everything we needed. We only had to walk across the street to see sea turtles! Its a great spot just slightly out of the busy area of town. I would highly recommend staying more then a day in Hilo. You can find so many places to get away from crowds.
David C.
December 2022
Awesome property
Devin D.
November 2022
Great spot, convenient location - and we were there for the eruption which you could see from most places in Hilo. Until next time.
Thomas S.
November 2022
Property owner provided all of the check in information in advance. Very responsive to a couple of question we had while we were there and their recommendations for activities were awesome.
Judith W.
November 2022
What a lovely place to vacation! Very clean and comfortable. The host was very accommodating. The views are to die for! I never imagined how special this place could be. The park right across the street is home to many sea turtles, one of my favorite highlights of my Hawaiian adventure. And it’s right across the street! And a very quiet street it was! The tree out front is surely to impress - so immense and beautiful. This place was a winner all the way around!
Laurel W.
September 2022
We loved our stay in Hilo. We had tons of space - loved having multiple bathrooms. The kitchen is well stocked. All the toiletries were an unexpected plus.
Grant F.
August 2022
We had a great stay here! So close to a little beach that was perfect for young kids and for snorkeling for adults! We saw lots of turtles! The yard was beautiful with lots of fruit trees. House is big and was perfect for our family!
Trudy H.
August 2022
It was great to be walking distance from the beach. Great relaxing stay.
Bettina A.
July 2022
We were a family of 12 and really enjoyed our time here in Hilo:) The location was absolutely perfect! We really enjoyed the kayak, drinking our coffee across the street, snorkeling, watching the sun set, and walking to all the ‘beaches’ and coves! We saw more turtles than we could count! The house was comfortable for our entire family… we cooked at the house a lot, played games, and enjoyed lots of family time. The temp was comfortable in the house and we never felt like we needed ac! It is a tropical climate… so be prepared for house geckos and bugs:) Honeslty if you are looking for a resort stay in one, but if you are wanting more of a chill vibe, with easy access to the ocean, and no crowds this is the perfect place! We would stay here again any time!
Sue D.
July 2022
This is an older Hilo home with need for repairs and updates. IT was clean and nice to walk across the street to the rocky beach area. The kids in our family had a hard time with ants and bugs but are not use to being in the rainest town in USA!!
margaret G.
June 2022
The place was great. It had everything we needed. Views were amazing and we were so close to a great snorkeling beach which was what we came for. I love the big island and this was the perfect way to experience it
Ruthann W.
May 2022
We very much enjoyed the home. We had plenty of room and the home was well stocked. Even though it rained a lot while we were there, we were able to enjoy many outside activities. The location of this house is what makes it special; being directly across from a nice park and swim area was wonderful. We especially enjoyed watching and listening to the many sounds and sights of a rain forest. Hopefully we can come back again.
Brian P.
April 2022
Well stocked, quiet neighborhood with lovely parks close by. The upper part of the house with 2 comfortable bed, 2 bath. Kitchen well stocked. The lower level with 4 rooms (1 bathroom included). Could use a little updating in the lower level, TV was not available but property manager was there when we arrived and fully informed us of this. Enjoyed seeing the pigs and chicken roaming the area! Thanks for letting us stay in your homey place!
Haley S.
April 2022
The house was beautiful and conveniently located in Hilo. The views from the living were gorgeous and we can’t wait to stay here again soon. Mahalo for a fabulous stay.
Chieko M.
March 2022
We stayed at this vacation rental for 5 nights.
The house is very spacious and all we need were provided. The best of this property is its location, just a few minutes walk to Richardson Ocean Park where we enjoyed snorkeling and sea turtle watching every single day. Wonderful Vacation!! Thanks ;-)
Chieko
Dana H.
March 2022
I’ve rented numerous other vacation homes in many countries and this experience is on the top of the list.
The location is second to none if you’re looking for nature - rock pools teaming with fish and sea turtles less than 50m from your front door. It is a short 15 mins drive to the farmer’s market, several supermarkets and big box stores, but you feel as though you are away from it all. You can hear the birds and crickets - it’s magical. It is also situated on an island full of outdoor excursions. Aside from snorkelling at our doorstep, we enjoyed manta ray snorkelling, hiking to Green Sands Beach, cliff jumping at the most southerly point of USA.
The house is large, and although there is no air conditioning, it turns out you don’t need it at all. There is a natural cooling breeze from the hill and the house is full of windows. Even if you arrive and it is a bit musty because the windows had been closed and there hasn’t been a guest for a few days (we arrive past midnight and this was the case), open all of the windows and in 3-4 minutes it is completely aired, cooled and refreshed.
The house is furnished not as a rental property to maximize returns, but as a home. It has all the comforts I have at home: good appliances, ample cookware, dishes and condiments; nice washrooms, well stocked towels and cleaning supplies; sporting equipment and even extra sun block.
The host, Richard, is super organized and very generous - one of the best I have ever met. He is second to none with suggestions, responsiveness and thoughtfulness of how to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. When I notified him that my friend might be coming to visit me from Oahu as a last minute decision, he okayed it and refused to accept extra money for her stay. In his own words, he doesn’t go after the small stuff. That’s just it - everything is stocked and built here generously to ensure you enjoy your time. It’s not about the small stuff to make a profit.
I particularly like this place because it is large and has two floors with washrooms on both. It can easily accommodate two families, but it was great for us that our teenagers were on a different floor. It was like they had their own place.
I would love to come back. Next door is an even larger house, also owned by Richard, which would make this perfect for large family gatherings or school reunion vacation spot.
I highly recommend this place and I don’t usually write reviews.
Hollie S.
March 2022
We would definitely stay here again! Everything was perfect!
Ellen L.
February 2022
Had a great vacation. Location was good. We weren’t there for the night life so the Hilo side of the island was perfect. House could use some work but was adequate for what we needed.
Christina c.
January 2022
We had a lovely time at this home. It had everything we needed to have a wonderful experience. There was more than enough equipment (snorkels, mask, fins, coolers, etc) to outfit our family. It’s wildly apparent the owner strives to make his home, a home for anyone staying here. Thanks to the home owner.
Kendall K.
November 2021
Perfect getaway retreat for a big family or group of friends. The bottom three rooms are secluded from the top floor, which has the kitchen and two more rooms. It worked perfect for our family. The house is also packed with all your necessities for a great beach day! No need to bring your own snorkel etc! Thanks so much, Richard!
Denis C.
September 2021
One of our party contracted Covid 19 just before the trip. Had to cancel.. Richard was very nice about the late cancellation.
Kim M.
August 2021
House was perfect location and so much to do in the area. Loved the list of activities and directions included. House was fully stocked and lots of room.
Kelli P.
February 2019
The Orchid house has fantastic views from two expansive balconies - we saw whales from the upper level! The house was immaculate and had everything we needed to enjoy our vacation. Beds are super comfortable . We will be back :)
Nancy R.
July 2018
When we drove up, we were very happy that there was parking for both cars. Upon entering the house, we were happily surprised at how open and roomy the great room/kitchen seems. Speaking of the kitchen, we rent houses/condos because food allergies make restaurant dining difficult. I have never been in a kitchen so well equipped. Every gadget, pan, and knife you might need were there. These were quality knives which were sharp.
The beds in the upstairs bedrooms were very comfortable and the fans in the rooms kept them at a great sleeping temperature. All of us loved going to sleep to the sounds of frogs and crickets.
Two elementary school children and an 18 year old shared the downstairs. I can't attest to the comfort of the beds, but heard no complaints. They loved the privacy and the ability to "chill" without adults with them. They did use the fan provided, but did not feel that it was stuffy in there.
All of us loved watching the geckos, especially the baby ones which appeared on the kitchen window screen every evening. I think it liked the air from the fan blowing on it.
The kids also made great use of all the water toys provided. The kayak made going past the reef possible and the paddle boards made snorkeling more enjoyable for the one person not comfortable on her own.
Overall, everyone had a great time. We did see some of the sights away from the house, but the snorkeling just a few doors down and the pool across the street with no waves and turtles was fantastic. There was no need to go elsewhere.
We thought the KTA market was wonderful.
Richard S.
June 2018
The house had many beds so the kids each had their own. We were a large party and we all fit well into the house. We used the beach toys across the street for a once in a lifetime experience. We checked out the turtles each evening. Never were disappointed. Very close to town and everything there is to do. We also used the hilovacationhomes website he has to plan what to do.
Steve W.
July 2017
We were four adults and four teens, and this house worked very well for us. The downstairs room was perfect for the teenagers to get away by themselves, but the great room upstairs (kitchen/dining room/living room) was perfect for all of us to gather for dinner, TV, or card games. We walked across the street (Richardson Beach) nearly every day to snorkel. Lots of tropical fish and sea turtles. We followed the owner's suggestions about activities -- they were accurate and objective. We zip lined, visited the Volcano park for some excellent hikes, as well as the lava flow via rented bikes, traveled to the summit of Mauna Kea, and visited the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Lots to do on the Hilo side of the island! And this is an excellent place to come back to every night.
Gary G.
May 2017
We had never used a vacation rental or stayed at the Big Island before and we had a party of 10. This was the perfect house for us with so many beds downstairs (day bed and trundle as well as the other 3). We wish we had stayed a week here. Everyone in the party wants to come back. The house had everything we needed and things we didn't even think about. Kitchen and dining area were perfect for us. Walking across the street with drinks and seeing the turtles can't be beat. Sights like Hawaiian Botanical Gardens and the scenic 4 mile drive to get there - after visiting Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Wow. Thanks Richard for making this so easy.
Cathleen R.
January 2017
My husband and our 4 young adult children stayed at the Hilo house in January. The location and the view was the best part of our stay. The house was clean and had everything we needed. We lucked out and had beautiful sunny weather. Loved watching the waves. Every day we went snorkeling across the street. We brought our water shoes so did not need the ones provided at the house. Hope to visit again.
Willard F.
January 2017
Great house and impossible to beat location. Nice, large kitchen and living room with views out to the ocean. Good beach right across street for swimming and lounging. The road ends not far past house so it is pretty quiet as well. Town is then just a short drive for anything you need. Can't see how you could go wrong staying here. I would and probably will stay here again!
Ben S.
July 2016
We spent a week at the house with family, including 1 teen and 3 kids under 10yrs. The location was very enjoyable and especially allowed the kids to 'hit the beach' readily. However, be aware that 'the beach' is volcanic rock with pools and alcoves built for swimming and cooling off. No sand beach here. Swim shoes required. I assume they were built to allow relaxing because the waves are generally too much for kids or anything but expert and experienced swimmers.
Most disappointing was the bottom large bedroom. We put one of our parent couples and all of the kids there. It was musty and no ventilation from the ocean breezes that were generally present 'upstairs'. We had all fans going in that room to try to help. Realizing it is a tropical paradise with humidity and all, it still wasn't pleasant.
Also the presence of 'house protectors' in the form of geckos on the walls was not expected and a little disconcerting. The 'good luck' they are supposed to represent I imagine evolved because they are everywhere and can't be gotten rid of. Three in the bathroom at the same time didn't seem to bring me all that much good luck. As for keeping the house free from bugs, they needed a little bigger appetite.
The kitchen was nicely equipped, bathrooms ok, washer dryer good. The large dining/living room on the upstairs levels was great for evenings/mornings. The island was laid-back Hawaii and just what we expected. A great treat. The kids enjoyed picking some fruit from the trees in the yard. Overall, a good time was had by all but we were on the go for most of the days and early evenings.
May 2016
Incredible!! That tree in the front yard (probably infamous) was amazing as was the view from the large windows. We knew it was across the street from the ocean but that hidden little 'private' beach was awesome...and perfect for the baby and our elderly mother (path is uneven so she needed help) The house itself was large enough to accommodate the 11 of us(all female!) and the kitchen/bbq was perfect for cooking at 'home' with fresh produce and fish from the markets down the street. There were lots of towels & beach paraphernalia, beds were comfortable(pillows not so much) and the road up the back way for morning walks was a mini vacation in itself! Beautiful! We all enjoyed the spacious living area with the huge opened windows to let the breeze through in the day and the totally awesome sound of the ocean waves and frogs at night! Some of the quaint restaurants in the area were hidden gems! We enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of Hilo and yet it had the comforts of a city--Starbucks, Walmart--when we needed it. And even though we made a few day trips to enjoy the island, we loved just hanging around our own little neighbourhood!! The locals are great. Our trip and stay was a definite I'll-be-back kinda one. Have I said incredible yet??
Gary C.
April 2016
Our time at this property was great! There's a beautiful view of the Waiuli Beach Park from the houses living room. We snorkled at the Richardon Beach where we saw turtles,reef fish,octopus and a local spear fishing for his dinner that night.
Home came stocked with ocean toys to use along with fins and masks.Upon arrival we were surprised to find a bouquet of fresh tropical flowers on the kitchen table.What a nice way to say welcome to Hilo.Nice touch!
The large Monkee Pod Tree in front of the house is beautiful as is the property itself.
Richard is responsive to any concerns, and even was able to forward my wife's kindle she left behind to our home in Illinois.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.