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Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood

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High Ceiling, lots of windows and natural light
Welcome to Rain Forest Retreat. Large studio with full bath.
Interior
Comfy queen bed with 100% cotton high quality bedding
Very private covered lanai off the back of the ohana

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bathroomSleeps 232.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Hilo, HI
  • Carlsmith Beach Park
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Richardson's Ocean Park
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood

Newly added AC in 2024!

We fully remodeled and upgraded what was already a popular vacation rental in Summer 2018. Details below:

Here is a unique retreat, set in the charming and historical Hilo beach neighborhood of Keaukaha, that feels like the old Hawaii. Large and luxurious studio with full bath, AC, and private covered lanai. Property is across the street from the ocean & surrounded by the rainforest. Beautiful room with comfy queen bed, HD Smart TV, full HD cable with Netflix (etc.) and high speed WiFi. Kitchenette includes small refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker. Clean, comfy and relaxing.

Originally built as an artist studio, the 'Ohana was (2018) completely remodeled and transformed into a perfect get-away. It's separate from the main house (basically a guest cottage) and very private. There are lots of large windows, all facing the rain forest.

We added more space (higher ceilings and a little more square footage), a new private covered lanai off the back, new flooring, windows, custom kitchenette, recessed lighting, ceiling fan, AC, etc. It maintains that old Hawaii feel but everything is nice and new.

The kitchenette has custom cabinets & a granite counter. You can eat indoors at the bistro table or out on the covered lanai and enjoy the sounds and colors of the forest.

• Walking distance to ocean and Hilo's best beach parks for snorkeling, swimming, tide pools, sea turtles, kayaking and whale watching (in winter)
• Beautiful rainforest/garden setting and views.
• Remodeled July 2018, approximately 350 square feet plus lanai
• Full bath (shower, sink, toilet)
• Ceiling fan
• Tastefully decorated
• Large comfy new queen bed, 100% cotton sheets
• Just 10 minutes to downtown Hilo
• Beach gear available for use: towels, chairs, mats, boogie board
• Sunny part of Hilo
• Two private deck/lanais attached to Ohana

Just a short walk to the ocean. There are beach parks within 5 minutes of this property including Carlsmith Beach Park, Leleiwi Beach Park and the popular Richardson's Beach Park with black sand.

Hilo Town is home to one of the best Farmer's Markets in Hawai'i and some of the best restaurants around. Yummy dining options, shopping, gateway to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, orchid orchards, waterfalls, rainforest, golf, zip lining, hiking, and more. We are happy to share our knowledge about where to go and what to do while on the Big Island.

We also own a popular vacation rental in Volcano, Hawaii, VRBO #756303 and one in Klamath Falls, Oregon, VRBO #2406940.

Hawaii State Tax ID numbers:
GE 138-641-6128-01
TA 138-641-6128-01

Property manager

Cathy and Jeff Dale
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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Room

Escape to your private oasis

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Microwave
10.0 out of 10, (42 reviews)
Escape to your private oasis

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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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
No smoking allowed indoors or outdoors.

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
This property uses solar energy
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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
Property Registration Number GE-138-641-6128-01, TA-138-641-6128-01

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Hilo

Located by the sea, this apartment is in Keaukaha, a neighbourhood in Hilo. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Wailuku River State Park and Kaumana Springs Wilderness, while Hilo Art Museum and Wailoa Center are cultural highlights. Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Pacific Tsunami Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Hilo, HI

What's nearby

  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Richardson's Ocean Park - 14 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Keaukaha Beach Park - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Onekahakaha Beach Park - 4 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Port of Hilo - 8 min drive - 3.8 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ken's House Of Pancakes - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Don's Grill - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ocean Front Kitchen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Waioli Lounge - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rain Forest Hideaway-Cozy, Private & Beautiful Studio in Hilo Beach Neighborhood located?

Located in Keaukaha, this apartment building is within a 15-minute walk of Carlsmith Beach Park and Richardson's Ocean Park. Onekahakaha Beach Park and Keaukaha Beach Park are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 133 out of 156 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 156 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 156 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 156 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 156 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Barbara S.

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

Great location

Very clean, roomy out of the bustle of downtown Hilo so quiet !
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian Y.

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

Excellent and beautiful stay.

Very well kept dwelling and grounds. Only difficulty was the croakies get really loud at night after it rains. Beautiful rainforest setting.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peggy F.

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

Great Place in Good Location

The property was just as described. The host gave great description of property. The patio that was surrounded by beautiful plants was a great place to enjoy your coffee in the morning. It was also walking distance to a beach. I would recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachary P.

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

Hilo studio

The studio is perfect location for Hilo. Very close to popular beach’s, waterfalls and an easy drive to volcano national park.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Wonderful

Stayed a week for an anniversary trip. Very comfortable for two, with a lovely jungle view, beautifully landscaped property, and the soothing sounds of coqui frogs and the surf in the distance. Easy walking access to the ocean and easy drive to everything else. restaurants
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey H.

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

Such a cute spot!!

Loved this spot! The bed was comfy and the AC worked great for when we used it overnight. The little lanai was super cute and i would sit out there occasionally to read and enjoy my morning coffee :-). Its in a great spot too! Super close to two beach spots, a good coffee shop, and tons of great food. Yes the frogs are a little loud but after the first night they actually became kind of comforting to go to sleep to, but ear plugs are provided if needed. There is also shampoo/conditioner along with sunscreen and bug spray provided which was much appreciated!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandi S.

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

Name says it all!

Loved, loved, loved it! The grounds were immaculate and absolutely gorgeous. Totally secluded from the main property, really felt private even though it was next to the main house. The ohana was clean and had absolutely everything I needed, right down to the magnified cosmetic mirror. The mounted TV swivels so you can watch a movie in bed. Absolutely loved falling asleep to the symphony of the Coqui frogs every night. I am a solo female traveler and felt very safe there. The location was fabulous. Walking distance to tide pools, which I enjoyed swimming in every morning. Will definitely be back! One thing: Hiked quite a bit during my stay on the Big Island. Left my hiking boots outside on the front porch because they were so mud filled, don't recommend doing that. They got hit pretty hard by a cat and had to throw them out.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harrison K.

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

Outstanding stay and location

The host and the property is outstanding. Very cool and comfortable throughout the stay, easy to find and drive into, short easy drive to the main part of town, and the best part is the walkable beach access that regularly sees multiple seaturtles for feeding and a wonderful snorkeling location with clear water and natural wave breakers. Its pretty much a perfect location to stay in Hilo and is very much recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

RJ S.

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

Tropical oasis

We enjoyed the attention to detail, cleanliness, and good communication. A perfect place to stay for two. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte C.

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

Excellent retreat

Very accommodating, comfortable , well located location in a beautifully landscaped property. Hosts are pleasantly helpful but not intrusive.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Yue

Liked: Amenities, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness
We stayed for two nights and unfortunately did not enjoy our experience. The hosts were responsive which was a plus. There were also various complimentary sun care products to choose from. However, in our opinion, the current condition of the property makes it overpriced. Cleanness: - Foreign hair in our bed sheet and in the shower. - Bed headboard has mold. The woven texture of the headboard and the humid local weather are not a good mix. Noise level: - Very poor sound proofing in the built structure. When all windows and doors are closed, the noise level is similar to when windows/doors were open. With the widespread of coqui frogs on the island, using ear plugs was less of an option but more of a must to sleep through the night in this property. - The property is right off of an commonly taken road and you can hear cars passing. We stayed at another place for the rest of our trip and did not need ear plugs when windows/doors closed. Other: - Bed (mattress and spring box) is on a thin-metal mobile frame. Not very sturdy. - Kitchen breakfast table was quite wobbly. - Washroom sink is loose with caulking coming off. - No bug screen for the bathroom window - some insects will come in, especially when light is lit at night. We can see the hosts put in lots of efforts for the outdoor space. There were a variety of flowers and fruit plants to view. It was very enjoyable to walk in the back. Hope the actual studio can be maintained better.

8/10 Good

Rod H.

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

Clean comfortable stay - Noisy

The place is cute, clean and comfortable. Very nice for a short stay. The outdoor spaces are very inviting. Lots of road noise, screaming neighbors, dogs barking at all hours and the frogs go all night you will love them or hate them, owner fortunately provided ear plugs.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

doreen

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Rain Forest hideaway was a perfect spot for my husband and I. It was clean, uncluttered but had everything we required for our stay. The surrounding garden is beautiful! As mentioned by the owners, the frogs are noisy but we ended up looking forward to listening to their chorus every evening. The location is close to town, the airport, grocery and other stores. The beautiful beaches and parks are a very short walk away. Cathy was very quick to respond to our questions. Otherwise, it was a very private location. We highly recommend Rain Forest hideaway for a “big island” stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jae J.

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

Amazing Experience

Host was super nice and property was beautiful! Highly recommend!
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shawn W.

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

Another great stay

This is the second time we have stayed at this lovely unit. It’s a great location for easy access to the beaches and activities of Hilo. The unit is very comfortable with all amenities including beach going items. Highly recommended with easy to work with hosts. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen W.

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

Visiting Hilo

I had a great stay in this very private room. Although attached to the house, it was completely private and I had my own patio for enjoying my morning tea in private with the birds and palm trees. The unit was very well laid out and very clean and comfortable. I would recommend to friends who may travel here. Good size for one or two! Great hosts and gorgeous property.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M.

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

Absolutely amazing

Loved everything about the place, location, owners, etc etc. Cannot say enough about it! Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

James H.

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

Great location and beautiful setting

We like the cleanliness, the amenities were great and closeness to the beach. I lived in Puerto Rico years ago and so the coqui were a treat for me. We very much enjoyed being there and would come again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia F.

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

Great space

A very inviting place to stay. Location is great and very easy to get into. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to stay in Hilo. Only negative and only my preference, is that it doesn't have a washer & dryer on site for use especially since it's hard for items to air dry due to the wetness. But truly nice space inside & out.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anitra W.

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

Uplifting, refreshing, tropical

A beautiful clean relaxed studio perfect for two! Lovely lush plants all around. Thoughtful amenities and generous use of beach equipment. We loved it here and will definitely return!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie D.

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

the perfect stay for rest & adventure

We couldn't have asked for a better place to stay in Hilo. Cathy and Jeff were gracious hosts who made sure we had what we needed and were quick to communicate. The location to local spots was excellent for our excursions - farmer's market, Carlsmith Beach, Volcanoes National Park. It was also the perfect spot to relax in the morning with coffee or wind down in the evening after a long day out. Coming from a city, we loved falling asleep to the coqui frogs at night and waking up to rain a few mornings; such a nice break from the sound of traffic. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a getaway in Hilo.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brittany L.

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

Great!

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay there!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan E.

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

Lovely Private Studio, Walking Distance to Local Beach Parks!

We enjoyed the spotlessly clean well organized simplicity of this little Ohana! Very private lanai off the living area afforded us peaceful ams and pms after returning from our travels of the day. Very much appreciated the excellent coffee beans provided, along with local juices. Enjoyed chatting briefly with Jeff, sorry to have missed Cathy. Would absolutely return again in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

James E.

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

Private, enjoyable hideaway

This property is precisely as described: a "studio" apt. adjacent to the owners' main house. It has its own entrance; and we always had the sense that we were in our own space. There's no air conditioning, but we didn't feel much that we missed that, despite the definite humidity of the area and of the time we were there, early April. The coqui frogs are certainly present, but we didn't mind them at all: some background sound is nice in a residential neighborhood. (There occasionally was a neighborhood dog barking, which the owners could of course do nothing about; and we have a thing about that, which others might not.) The location is handy to a lot of things we wanted to see and do, so during the week we were there we were able to use it as a base to explore most everything on the north, east, and south sides of the island. We got to Kona but spent very little time there, on the west. One suggestion: for 2 people, a 10-12 cup coffee-maker is not especially efficient. It's difficult to make 3 cups, for instance, in a larger machine such as this. Adding a 3-cup or similar coffee maker would be perfect. Overall, however, we recommend this unit highly.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

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

Great spot

The property was great - really beautiful yard and lanai, comfortable bed, very nice set-up. This was a perfect base for outings to Volcanoes National Park as well as the nice waterfalls and hikes around Hilo. The coqui frogs are undeniably loud, but they really added to the rain forest feel of the spot - and, at least for us, were a great way to fall asleep. Thanks Cathy and Jeff for sharing this great place.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

About the host

Hosted by Cathy and Jeff Dale

Host profile image
Cathy and Jeff Dale love the Big Island and are excited to share this wondrous place with you. Born and raised in Hilo, Cathy has returned to live here after 25 years in Northern California. Jeff fell in love with Hawaii on the first of many visits from California and is fulfilling a life long dream to live here full-time.

Why they chose this property

Enjoy a piece of Hawai'i in a special corner of the Big Island of Hawai'i without breaking the bank. We love our kama'aina (local) style island home and are excited to share it with others wanting to experience the beauty of the Big Island.

What makes this property unique

This home was built in 1938 by Cathy's grandparents. The 'Ohana was originally built as an artist's studio. The studio is part of a one acre property with extensive beautiful landscaping including fruit trees, tropical plants and flowers.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests