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Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC

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Sit, Relax, and Enjoy our very comfortable Living Room
Sit, Relax, and Enjoy our very comfortable Living Room
Sit, Relax, and Enjoy our very comfortable Living Room
Your kids will sleep comfortably on our queen-size pull-out couch.
Sit, Relax, and Enjoy your private deck

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym

Explore the area

View map
Hilo, HI
  • Place, Wailuku River State Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Kaumana Caves Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Rainbow Falls
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC

Our Tropical Retreat Guest House is a luxurious 1 bedroom, 1 full bath resort-style guest house located in one of Hilo’s premier subdivisions. Our guest house is truly a tropical paradise with a very spacious living area. The guest house opens up to a beautiful manicured tropical garden on over an acre of lush tropical gardens with numerous fruit trees, and indigenous plants found only in Hawaii.

The guest house is equipped with an air-conditioned, uncommon for vacation rentals in the area, and full-size shower-tub. The property also features a fully equipped kitchen (including gas stove with electric oven, rice cooker, blender, air fryer, toaster, coffee maker, washer and dryer, cooking utensils, drinkable filtered water system, etc), a queen size pull out sofa bed, house phone, high-speed internet, and a 50” LCD High Definition TV with Hulu live TV, Hulu on demand, ESPN, Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. The living room TV is also connected to a High Definition Surround Sound System, BlueRay player, and a Nintendo Wii Console. The 32” LCD TV in the bedroom is equipped with Hulu live TV, Hulu on demand, ESPN, Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. The guest house is also equipped with smart locks, smart smoke/carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguish, baby proof outlet covers (available when needed), and recycling station. Finally, for guest traveling with babies and infants, we offer a clean and extremely well maintained Pack-N-Play and high chair.

The guest house has its own private gated driveway, parking, and it is protected with 24/7 security monitoring for the protection of our guest and our property (there are no cameras inside the guest house or on the private back yard).

When in season, trees are loaded with bananas, Kau orange, lemon, loquat, mountain apple, coconut, tangelo, rambutan, lychee, mac nut, lime, star fruit, tangerine, breadfruit, avocado, grapefruit, and more. Not to mention a large variety of beautiful palms (Royal, Fan, Rica, Foxtail), tropical plants, and flowers. There is a screened garden house with a table and chairs in the middle of the garden for guests to enjoy a relaxing fresh air snack. The guest house is located on a gated property approximately three miles from downtown Hilo. It's more than a beautiful place to stay, it’s a lifestyle. You'll experience charming “Old Hawaii” where life is slow and easy. Our property allows you to relax in style or pursue a variety of adventures right outside. Amenities include a secluded beautiful outdoor garden. The landscaped grounds and naturalistic setting capture the tranquility and beauty of the islands where travelers can relax and experience the true Hawaii where the locals live.

Your host resides just a couple minutes up the road, and can be available in person at anytime when requested. Your host will be happy to answer questions you may have, assist you with any special needs and help you plan your stay. Your host is also happy in sharing tips on where to visit, how to get there, where to lunch and favorite local dining spots.

The property is within walking distance to a very picturesque area of East Hawaii surrounded by streams, waterfalls and off a quiet street perfect for walking or jogging. A private serene opens up to views of the garden below for ultimate relaxation. Our Retreat is a perfect Hawaiian getaway for couples celebrating their special occasion and is centrally located making it an ideal home base while exploring exotic points of interest on the island.

Hilo is famous for its warm aloha spirit, relaxed lifestyle, unique shops, art galleries and restaurants with local regional cuisine. Local attractions include Lyman Museum, East Hawaii Cultural Center, historic Palace Theatre, Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, UH Hilo Performing Arts Center and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. Hilo Farmer's Market is a favorite for fresh, local produce. The Merrie Monarch Festival, Hilo's premier hula competition, and cultural events are held annually in April. East Hawaii's black sand beaches and freshwater pools are some of the best for snorkeling, diving, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming with turtles and tropical fish, or watching the whales offshore. Take a helicopter volcano tour or a short scenic drive to active Kilauea volcano to view a lava flow, ride horses in Waipio Valley or tour the summit and view the night skies of Mauna Kea.

Our retreat is a Non-Smoking property: Hawaii State Law dictates that all public areas are designated as smoke-free. The safety and comfort of all our guests are of the utmost importance to us. As such we have a non-smoking policy. Smoking is not allowed in any of our buildings or on the property grounds. Please inform your visitors about our non-smoking policy. Your support and cooperation to maintain a smoke-free environment.

Sorry, no pets are allowed.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 18

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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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

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number TA-117-179-2896-01, GE-117-179-2896-01
Property # 7182126
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

About the area

Hilo

Located in Hilo, this holiday home is in the city centre and near the beach. Lyman Museum and Imiloa Astronomy Center are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Gilbert Carvalho Park and Joint Astronomy Centre. Pacific Tsunami Museum and East Hawaii Cultural Center are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.
Map
Hilo, HI

What's nearby

  • Wailuku River State Park - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Pu'u 'O'o Trail - 5 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Kaumana Caves Park - 5 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Kaumana Caves County Park - 6 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 6 min drive - 5.0 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Ohana Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Crazy Grandmaz - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Antics Pizza - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Kozmic Cones - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC located?

Located in the heart of Hilo, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Wailuku River State Park, Pu'u 'O'o Trail and Kaumana Caves County Park. Native Hawaiian Lava and Kaumana Caves Park are also within 3 miles (5 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. 191 out of 197 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 197 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 197 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 197 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 197 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mariella G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice place great location
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice, safe property. We actually ended up staying at another property through the same owners. Maintenance was being done at property. Very happy with communication! Property was clean and welcoming. Would recommend!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Greg B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Overall good property. Host is very friendly and responsive. However there were quite some roaches in kitchen area. Some are common in this area but it was quite a lot. Also listing pictures has playground for kids but that area is not accessible for renters.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 May 2026
Aloha Greg, Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience you experienced during your stay. I truly did everything I could to address the concerns while you were at the property, including offering to have our pest control company come inspect and treat the area, which was declined. Our property is treated monthly by a local pest control company, Will Kill Pest Control, to help ensure the home remains pest-free. In addition, the property is fully cleaned and sanitized after every checkout and receives a deep “white glove” cleaning approximately every three months. In the 8 years we have been hosting, we have never previously had guests report an issue of this nature. After your checkout, we had the property inspected by our pest control company, and they confirmed there was no evidence of a roach infestation or nesting on the property. I also showed them the photos provided, and they advised that the roaches shown are not commonly found in Hawaii and may have been brought in through luggage or personal belongings. Since your stay, we have hosted three additional guests, and none have reported any pest-related concerns. Regarding the playground, we understand the confusion. However, the playground is not listed as an advertised amenity on our rental listing. It is a private, non-commercial playground intended for our children’s personal use. Due to liability and insurance concerns, we are unable to allow guest access to that area. We truly appreciate your feedback and ar
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was perfect. Very clean. Comfortable beds. Peaceful. We visited Hilo to see family and the location was 5 minutes from my mother -in-law’s house. We will definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

laura e.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you so much for welcoming us to your beautiful property! We had a wonderful stay and truly appreciated the immaculate cleanliness throughout—every detail was perfect.Your thoughtful amenities made our visit so comfortable, and we especially loved spending time in your lovely garden. It was such a peaceful retreat.The location is serene and scenic, though we did note it's a bit of a distance from nearby shops and stores. That said, it's a beautiful spot for anyone looking for a quiet getaway!We'd absolutely recommend your place to friends and family. Thank you again for being such a gracious host.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

June O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
The kitchen was fully equipped. However, we did not cook and used disposable utensils that we brought for our short stay. The guest house had everything you would need to be comfortable. I have one comment about going there at night for the first time. We had difficulty finding the right address. A motion sensor light would have been helpful when in the driveway. We were not sure where we should park, not knowing if others would need to drive through. It was difficult to see since it was dark and raining heavily.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Todd P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay. Host was very available and helpful. The place is well equipped with quality furnishings and amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ping H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Everything is great. But if you could provide the dishwasher it would be much better
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely spot. Very clean and comfortable, and in a beautiful neighborhood. Great to have a kitchen, and a washer/dryer. Raul was nice, and very responsive to our questions. A perfect spot for our trip. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lukas W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
very beautiful place, super well furnished, a bit outside, but the way to the airport was fast enough.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

TEODORA S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you :) Clean and nice home
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adam G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was very nice and we thought the location was really nice, kind of tucked away from the hustle and bustle but still not too far from town. The AC worked great and kept us cool at night and they left a large container of filtered water in the fridge, which was super helpful. Overall, we would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dennis M.

Great stay, excellent accommodations, attentive hosts.

Great stay, excellent accommodations, attentive hosts.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 30 March 2020
Thank you for the review Dennis. We enjoy having you and your wife as our guests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph R.

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

Clean spacious stay

Well thoughtout and maintained home. We enjoyed the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

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

Happy in Hilo

Great place
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Douglas A.

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

Hilo Trip

Great place… I would definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

scott m.

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

Peaceful Getaway

The property is well maintained and pretty much has everything one could want in a vacation rental. If one wishes quiet solitude, then this is the place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andy G.

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

Excellent spot in Hilo

This was a great spot to stay as our home base while we explored the Big Island. Great location- central to everything we wanted to do on the Hilo side (about an hour from VNP, and within an hour of several waterfalls). Easily the cleanest VRBO we have ever stayed in, and the added bonus of a gate made us feel safe and secure. If we return to the Big Island, we will definitely be staying here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard B.

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

5 day stay

Very clean, everything was in working condition and well furnished, great place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian O.

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

Excellent place!

Location great, right between Moana Kea and Volcanoes National Park super clean outdoor seating for those who smoke✅.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pelham H.

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

Tropical retreat

Great place
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Cozy Tropical Retreat was just as advertised. It was located in a quiet neighborhood with easy access to parking through a dedicated guest security gate. The bed was comfortable and the full kitchen had everything we needed to prepare great meals. Raul was quick to respond to our questions and special requests. The AC worked great. I wish we would have had more time to spend in Hilo at the Guest House. The guest information book was a masterpiece!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cade

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
A beautiful guest house with everything you would need. There is a gate for privacy and very good hosts that can help you with whatever you need.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim Q.

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

Nice Place

Very nice place and well equipped. Would stay there again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Nice place!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Raul Castro

Host profile image

Raul and Stefanie are a young, friendly, and welcoming couple. Raul is originally from Portugal but has been in the USA since 2007 (since 2009 is Hawaii). Raul owns a medical billing company and is a graduate student from BYU Hawaii. Stefanie was born and raised in Hilo. She is an ER nurse and a graduated from University of Hawaii in Hilo. Together they have 2 amazing children. Raul and Stefanie love traveling, making new friends, and enjoy family time activities.

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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