Entire home

Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town.

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The house sits on 3 acres
Welcome to Bamboo Retreat
Beautiful landscaping along the driveway. The house sits well back from the road
Exterior
Back lanai

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6167.2 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Hilo, HI
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Rainbow Falls
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Master

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Guest Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town.

*Please note: Maximum stay is 12 nights. Mahalo.

*Please note: Bamboo Retreat is not suitable for children under age 10. Mahalo.

Located at 1400' elevation in the lush foothills above Hilo, just 15 min from downtown, this cloud forest home sits on 3 acres of manicured land amongst 8 different varieties of Bamboo, coffee, avocado, cacao, bananas and guava trees, and passion fruit, all for your eating pleasure. Relax on the spacious lanais in this quiet setting among numerous birds such as Kauai Cardinals, Saffron and Java finches. Weather permitting, there are peekaboo views of the (distant) ocean and Mauna Kea. At night a few coquis (tree frogs) will serenade you to sleep.

In this historic Hilo neighborhood, the large 3+ acre lots create a real sense of quiet, space and relaxation.

As you enter Bamboo Retreat you will find high ceilings and lots of natural light in the open concept living, dining and kitchen area. The dining/kitchen area is fully set up for all types of cooks and new appliances (including a gas stove) help to get the job done. The floors are hardwood Eucalyptus Robusta and run throughout the house.

The house is large enough for families but still cozy enough for couples. The master bedroom has a king bed, walk- in closet, and its own private bathroom with a beautiful custom open designed rock shower and deep tub. The master also features a separate private lanai with a futon and pillows where you can relax, enjoy the garden views and listen to the bamboo and the birds .

The other 2 bedrooms, just down the hall, share a bathroom with a tub/shower. Each guest room is equipped with desk, dresser, and plenty of closet space and comfortable full size beds. Along with the beds, there is also a full size inflatable air mattress (with bedding) that can go anywhere in the spacious house.

For entertainment there is WiFi and a flat screen television with satellite cable. The dining area can seat six along with a breakfast bar.

The property has a covered outside picnic area with BBQ, smoker and supplies to enjoy a meal. Downtown Hilo is a short 10-15 minute drive away where you have a large selection of international food options, shops and the world famous Hilo Farmer's Market (best on Wednesday and Saturday). Snorkel gear, beach towels and fishing poles are provided should you want to swim and enjoy our black sand beaches from Coconut Island to Richardson Beach Park. If you're looking for adventure, Hilo has everything from zip lines, hikes in the high country, waterfalls, beautiful botanical gardens, a lovely zoo giving you the opportunity to see the Orchid Isle at its best.

Nestled and tucked away in the trees on either side of the Bamboo Retreat are two small cabins where the owner and the groundskeeper reside. The large lot and layout provides for lots of privacy but they are nearby should any need arise.

This is a unique and special property in the hills overlooking Hilo and the Pacific Ocean. You will experience a connection to this place and this island that most accommodations, especially hotels and resorts, just can't provide.

We manage the property for the owner, Linda, who has created a wonderful local style retreat for guests. We own a couple of vacation rentals ourselves that have earned Premier Partner status on VRBO ('owners/managers who provide great traveler experiences'). As a new listing there are not many reviews yet, but you can rest assured that it's a first class property and you will have a great stay at Bamboo Retreat.

"We could not have picked a better place to stay! Bamboo Retreat was comfortable, quiet, peaceful and every bit what we imagined a Hawaiian tropical forest to look like..." Recent Guest, June 2019

We are following the Hawai'i State and County Government mandated guidelines due to Covid19. Because the mandate continues to be revised, please ask us any questions you may have about traveling to Hilo, Hawai'i during Covid19.



Property manager

Linda Brown

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
Children under age of 10 are not allowed
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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
Maximum stay is 12 nights. Quiet Hours: 9pm - 8am This property does not allow children under the age of 10.
Do not drag luggage across the hardwood floors which scratches it. Open the windows during your stay to allow ventilation and avoid mildew.
Stays 7+ nights Owner needs to have few hours on Sunday to do the laundry from 10: 00 am to 2:00 pm or based on flexibility

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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Hilo

Located in Hilo, this holiday home is in a rural area. Lyman Museum and Naha Stone are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Kaumana Springs Wilderness and Wailuku River State Park. Joint Astronomy Centre and University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Hilo, HI

What's nearby

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 12 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Hilo Shopping Center - 16 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Kaumana Caves County Park - 19 min drive - 16.9 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 19 min drive - 14.0 km
  • Port of Hilo - 21 min drive - 16.6 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Zippy's Hilo - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Daiichi Ramen - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gorgeous retreat on 3 lush landscaped acres above Hilo Town. located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Hilo Municipal Golf Course, University of Hawaii at Hilo and Joint Astronomy Centre. University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens and Imiloa Astronomy Center are also within 9 miles (15 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. 35 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Wendy S.

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

Off the grid fun!

Beautiful property, great house! We loved the flora & fauna! Falling asleep during soft rain showers wasn’t too bad either Linda was an amazing hostess…would love to come back…Mahalo
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kilikina R.

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

Breathtaking, carefree stay

Wow! This property and home are absolutely gorgeous! As you enter the property, lush ferns, baby pineapple plants, puakenikeni tree line the driveway. The home is spacious with beautiful decor, flooring, and views of surrounding plants of the rainforest. Linda, the host, was so thoughtful in all the touches to make sure guests have everything we need, even fresh bowl of fruit 💞 She was very responsive, accommodating, and welcoming, checking on us to ensure everything was going well for our family. We were there for Merrie Monarch, which entails a lot of preparation and logistics. One thing we didn't have to worry about was any issues the lodging as everything went without a hitch. We would love to stay here again and my Aunty is looking into bringing her family back. Mahalo SO very much Linda. We are beyond grateful for you and your hospitality.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellie R.

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

Great property

We really liked this property above Hilo. Linda is very welcoming and there is a lot of love that goes into her property. We very much appreciated the welcome basket of fruit and homemade jam! The property is beautiful and the gardens are stunning. Feels very homey. A bit out of Hilo but only about 15 minutes to get into town.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy B.

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

Unique Hilo Hills home - Hawaii in the Country

We were looking for a 3 bedroom home with an immersive and peaceful environment near Hilo. This home worked very well for our 3 generation family visit. It's a peaceful property with plenty of beautiful vegetation and island wildlife. The beds are very comfortable, although two of them are Full size and not queens so they may be small for two adults, our two teenagers made it work for them. You must be prepared to fall asleep to the raucous songs from the local tree frogs, we had no issues. Linda, the host is very nice and lives on the property but she leaves it up to you weather you wish to have a private experience or engage in conversation - she is very laid back but responded quickly to ours text questions. We enjoyed our stay and would stay again, our only issue was that it's a solid 20 minutes into town(Hilo) and you must drive towards town to go north, south or west from the house - there are no short cuts to come down from the neighborhood. But, if you are prepared for the drive up into the hills then you'll appreciate the tranquility of the home when you arrive.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim C.

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

A Garden in Paradise

Our group of 5 very much enjoyed our stay at the Bamboo Retreat. The accommodations were very comfortable, clean and thoughtfully equipped. It is 15 minutes outside of Hilo, in an agricultural part of town. The grounds were amazing: it was as if we were staying in a private tropical botanical garden. It made for a very tranquil and restful stay. We especially appreciated the owner’s welcome gift of fruit from the garden.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Spring break

Really enjoyed the stay. Beautiful inside and out, perfect for a family vacation with teenagers. Linda was a great host.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Niteen S., Chambersburg, PA, USA

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

Gem of a property in Hilo

Linda keeps the property in great condition. You can see her meticulousness everywhere in the house. There's everything you need in the house, and everything is in its proper place! The weather wasn't very nice to us during our stay, and it rained constantly, but Linda was so helpful and comforting, that it didn't matter. We'd love to return in the future!
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

TERI B.

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

Ahhh-mazing! Highly recommend!

Booking this property was the best decision for my stay on the Big Island. The owner, Linda takes such pride in her property and house. Her dedication, thoughtfulness and efforts to make the renters' experience perfect is apparent as soon as you book your stay. The detailed communication, guest book of suggestions for sightseeing and dining, immaculate home and respect for privacy are just a few top qualities this property has to offer. In the morning, enjoy a cup of coffee on the back lanai and take in the beautiful landscape and watch the cardinals, finches and doves eating their breakfast from the bird feeders. At night, step outside and marvel at the clear sky, picture perfect view of the stars and moon. Ahhh-mazing! I cannot wait to stay here again! I cannot recommend this property enough. I encourage everyone looking for a rental on the Big Island, especially in Hilo....choose this property! Mahalo!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stuart C.

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

Perfect Setting and Vacation Getaway!!!

This house truly represents why Hilo is such a great place. Linda was a gracious host and she takes great care to make sure your stay is wonderful. Fresh flowers and fruits welcomed us. The rooms and living area are immaculate and it made a great impression on my entire family. The amenities, the kitchen utensils and resources allowed us to take advantage of this house and make all of our meals in the comfort just like being at home. I would recommend this to any family, friends, who are looking for a Hilo getaway. Waiakea Uka is a great location not too far from Hilo town and the volcano Highly recommend this property!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sylvan S.

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

Excellent Property

A very cute and well amenitized house that great for singles and couples that want to get away. Older kids are ok too but not the best for younger kids. The host of available if you need help (and we did) but otherwise let’s you keep to yourself.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Val S.

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

What a lovely spot!

The Bamboo retreat is located on beautiful grounds and my family enjoyed gazing at the lovely scenery from the many windows or the lanai and walking around the property as well. The star gazing and the sound of the coqis at night are part of our wonderful memories of our stay. The owner, Linda provided so many thoughtful amenities on the inside as well including bottled water, coffee, cream and vanilla sugar. Our daughter is in grad school in Hilo and we would happily stay at the Bamboo Retreat on our next visit!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gail B.

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

Serene spot

Wonderful home and property hi above Hilo. Beautiful birdsong evening and morning. We’ll splinted and immaculate. There were a lot of condiments, coffee and tea. Friendly host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

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

Amazing place to stay

Couldn’t be happier. Amazing porch, thoughtful layout, and there was even coffee and cream. Great communication. Just an all-around great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful landscaping attracts lots of birds and privacy. Cool breezes through screened windows. Beautiful hardwood floors.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sissy H.

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

A lush, peaceful and perfect paradise

From the first glimpse of the property from the driveway we knew we were in a special place. Once we saw the house with its welcoming verandas we knew we were in our perfect place. The house is beautiful and spacious and filled with lovely art, painted pottery and a pleasing, comfortable mix of eclectic furnishings. The master bathroom tile is a work of art, designed and produced by the owner herself we learned. WiFi was strong for working remotely. The house is well equipped with all you need. The grounds are so lovely with native flowers, fruit trees bamboo stands. And the birds are plentiful, diverse and entertaining. All in all, we would return in a heartbeat!
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard C.

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

Ahh Bamboo Retreat

Great place to relax and unwind!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kyle M., Cave Creek, Arizona USA

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

Great Big Island Hilo Experience

We are a family of four with two teenage kids. We stayed the weekend in this home and it was a great experience. There are a lot of fruit trees and flowers on the property and it was interesting to see all the different varieties. It rained quite a bit while we stayed here in March and the frogs made some noise at night. Fortunately, we had packed some earplugs and it was no issue. It was a great introduction to our first trip to the big Island of Hawaii. Linda, who lives on property was great in showing us around and talking about the different varieties of plants. It was interesting for all of us. Would not hesitate to rent here again
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brad C.

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

Highly recommended

We had a wonderful stay at the Bamboo Retreat. Lovely place!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve Z.

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

So nice

Great place and management. We would go back for sure.

10/10 Excellent

SUSAN K.

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

Amazing peaceful stay at the Bamboo Retreat

The house is beautiful and the yard has many wonderful flowers, flowering bushes and of course giant bamboo. This is a house and property that has lots of love in it. Linda the owner and Cathy the property manger were both helpful and lovely to talk with. I highly recommend this gorgeous property for a fabulous vacation in Hilo.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Donatella D.

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

lovely home and gardens

peaceful location and super comfortable home. Everything was there to make us enjoy our stay. The property owner and manager couldn't have been nicer or more welcoming.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

John B.

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

Beautiful Place With Excellent Japanese Style Decor

My friends and I loved this place! It's very tastefully furnished and decorated, so much so that it's just enjoyable to be in. This might be the best interior designed house I've been in. I certainly learned a couple things about how to arrange and decorate a home from staying here. The house is set far back from the road through a garden like grove of trees. There are three avocado trees that we got fresh fruit from during our stay, as well as some citrus. The kitchen is very well equipped with good quality dishes, utensils, etc, and there were also towels, snorkel gear, a yoga mat. There's a smart TV for streaming and good internet. We loved the water! The house collects rainwater as its water supply. It tastes like bottled water on tap! Linda and Ron live on the property. Their cabins are spaced enough away that the main property still feels private. They're available via text messaging and were responsive when we asked for help with a clogged sink. The only thing I can think of lacking is tupperware in the kitchen. We stored some leftover in ziplock bags and saran wrap over bowls. Overall 5 Stars!

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy L.

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

Beautiful Place

What a great home to stay while vacationing! Everything was perfect for our family and there is nothing like the singing of birds to greet us in the morning.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christine

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

Great Hilo home.

Lovely house, well supplied, comfortable, clean. Beautiful yard, Ron was great to chat with. Nice location, quiet. Hilo area was fun to visit, lots to do and see. Visiting from Canada and would stay again. Mahola

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

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

Amazing

The property was as described. Our stay could not have been any better!!

About the host

Hosted by Linda Brown

Host profile image

What makes this property unique

Especially during the warmer months of the year, being at a higher elevation is the ideal place to experience Hilo and all of East Hawaii. While it can be hot and humid down at sea level in town, at Bamboo Retreat you can enjoy the breeze and cooler air of the foothills.

Languages:

English