Apartment

Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner

Photo gallery for Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner

Welcome!  Front entrance.
Outside front view.
HA!  Pots and pans that match my color theme.
For all your dining needs.
Rice maker and colander.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Sleeps 273 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Hot tub
  • Washer
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Keaau, HI
  • Hobby Garden Hawaii
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
    ‪34 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪38 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

0 bedrooms (sleeps 2)

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner


A private studio cottage situated at the back of a one acre property. Surrounded by thick vegetation, you feel like you're in the jungle! Vaulted wood ceilings with exposed beams and optional dim mood lighting are two wonderful features.

Garden views surround from the 384sqft. lanai, giving you peace and privacy. Included on the lanai is a hammock for 2 (up to 450 lbs.), a portable gas BBQ grill, patio furniture with mosquito net umbrella cover, wheeled cooler, beach towels, snorkels and masks, beach chairs, 2 boogie boards, large beach umbrella and 2 large umbrellas for rainy days. The lanai is 8 feet wide and runs along two sides of the cottage, extending the living space. A roof overhang of 4 feet protects the lanai on rainy days so you can still enjoy being outside without getting wet. Listen to the roosters, Hawaiian doves and other sounds of nature as you relax with your tea or coffee.

There are many sounds of nature all around us, primarily Hawaiian dove, coqui frogs at night, crickets, birds, and other frogs. We have small hobby farms on each side of us, so you will also hear their dogs, ducks, goats, chickens and roosters. I realize roosters can be very annoying if you are not used to them, so I have two fans in the unit that can be used to help muffle the sounds. There is also a sound machine with 10 different sound scenarios that is very effective in covering the roosters crowing. Roosters are very common throughout the Puna district - I've even heard them inside the Hilo airport post office! If roosters are a concern you want to avoid, be sure to ask your potential hosts about their own or neighboring roosters.

Inside sleeps 2 with a queen-size bed. The queen bed is medium firmness with a center reinforcement for back support and plush mattress cover for added comfort.

There is no A/C, however, there are two stand fans and a ceiling fan to help keep cool.

Dish satellite TV and internet are included. The TV is a 39" LED/HDTV with 120 channels.

Full kitchen with gas stove, oven, refrigerator. It is fully stocked with pots, pans and wok, utensils for eating and cooking, rice maker, microwave, crock pot, coffee maker and Starbucks coffee, blender, 4-slot toaster, 25 spices, and purified water dispenser. Dishes are a service for 4, including plates, bowls, wooden salad bowls, large coffee mugs, glasses, wine glasses, shot glass, and plastic cups.

The bathroom has a shower stall, pedestal sink, laundry basket, plenty of towels, hand towels and wash cloths. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are also provided. Our property also features tankless hot water heaters, so you will not run out of hot water.

You are welcome to use our washer and dryer located in the main house carport storage. Laundry soap, bleach, and dryer sheets are provided as well.

We provide the book "Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed" so you don't miss any off-the-beaten-path places of interest.

Although our location is central to Hilo, the Volcano Park and the coastlines of lower Puna, this is the BIG ISLAND - it is not The Island of Convenience, lol. In other words, there is no getting out of long drives no matter where you stay.

Getting here is super easy, and on paved roads the whole way. We look forward to seeing you!

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns that I may not have addressed here.

Property manager

Karla Nava
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 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
No smoking allowed anywhere on the property.
The existence of neighbor dogs and roosters is disclosed in my ad. They are common in Hawaii. Please do not leave low-star reviews for them.
Please use the sound machine or fans to muffle the roosters, dogs and nature sounds if they bother you.
Please do not leave lights on or fans running while you are out for the day.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number GE-031-630-1824-01, TA-031-630-1824-01

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Keaau

Located in Keaau, this apartment is in a rural area and by the sea. Palace Theater and Lyman Museum are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Prince Kuhio Plaza and Hilo Shopping Center. Hobby Garden Hawaii and Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Keaau, HI

What's nearby

  • Hobby Garden Hawaii - 14 min drive - 1.9 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 34 min drive - 28.4 km
  • Port of Hilo - 38 min drive - 33.3 km
  • Ha'ena Beach - 43 min drive - 24.3 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 43 min drive - 36.0 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kaleo's Bar and Grill - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Kurtistown Cafe - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Lemongrass Restaurant - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded ~ Centrally Located ~ Huge Lanai ~ Onsite Owner located?

Situated by the sea, this apartment building is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Hobby Garden Hawaii and within 12 miles (20 km) of Pahoa Museum and Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden. Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center and Kilauea Caverns of Fire are also within 12 miles (20 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. 151 out of 168 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 168 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 168 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 168 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 168 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.4/10

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

Jill b.

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

nice place and location

This place was very comfortable and private. Everything was perfect. stayed there during the hurricane and felt very safe there. We would stay there again if available.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Connie F.

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

Perfect for us

We have nearby family so the location was perfect. Karla keeps everything just right. Beautiful surroundings and everything we needed for a nice beach day. Highly recommend!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We weren’t sure we would like this and were very pleasantly surprised. The owner was very nice and very helpful where to go. She had lots of added things to make the place great. We were able to use a cooler and snorkeling gear to enjoy a day at the beach with a picnic lunch. We would recommend this place and happily stay here again. Only thing is you have to have a car as it was back in a neighborhood. This wasn’t a problem for us.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle G.

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

Great location and property

Karla was a great host. She met us when we arrived and showed is around. The studio was the perfect place to help us relax and unwind. We really enjoyed eating on the lanai. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carmel G.

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

Perfect little home

This is one of the sweetest places we have ever stayed. You can feel like you’re living as a local on the big island 🏝️
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky H.

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

Vacation

Just a vacation to enjoy the island.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy P.

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

Quiet junjle stay

Nice, quiet. The comfort of the bed was way to firm. But overall a great quiet place to stay.
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Dale W.

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

Great base of operations

Cute property just right for the 2 of us. We were on the Hilo side to explore east and south of the big island and this place was a great base. Clean and serene with a great lanai. Mahalo
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthias S.

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

Perfect stay for Bi Island visit

This was our second stay in Karlas cottage. Wonderful little spot with an awesome porch and everything what you need for good time. Karla is a fantastic host, very thoughtful. We would highly recommend this place and we will return for sure. All the best for Karla.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald Y.

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

Perfect location for the Hilo side

This is a great stay for those wishing to explore the Hilo side of the Big Island. It's located in a secluded area that makes you feel like you're in Hawaiian tropical forest. It features a beautiful lanai that makes the morning perfect. Karla was very welcoming and we really appreciated the use of the washer and dryer (particularly with the rain we experienced!)
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christel V., Santa Cruz, California USA

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

Hawaiian adventure

This was the perfect quiet home base for our stay. We loved falling alseep to the coqui frogs and being greeted by the little geckos around the property. This unit has pretty much everything you could need and then some. Communication was easy. I would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darla N., Regina, SK, Canada

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

Adorable Cottage

My husband and I spent a week at this location and thoroughly enjoyed our accommodations here. Karla has the cottage well stocked with lots of extras you don’t always get in other rentals. She met us at check in and answered all our questions. Any other questions throughout the week were answered quickly. Very private location.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clark A.

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

Quick stay to see volcano eruption

Karla was a fantastic host - best ever. Unit was also stocked very well. Great location to visit Volcano National Park (45 min drive). We did night viewing to see active lava flow from Kilauea caldera and wanted place close by to shorten drive after long day. Bonus that unit is less than 2 miles from Puna Trail Trailhead which we did 6 mile hike next morning. We had a great nights sleep!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kari G.

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

Perfect Paradise

First of all, the hostess Karla was so sweet and kind and met us when we showed up. She showed us around the beautiful house and had chilled wine and chocolates waiting for us. The house was clean and super cute! It has a hammock and an enclosed dining room out on the deck. She also has boogie boards and snorkels, towels, and a cooler. There’s a full kitchen cute living room and a comfy bed. I would rent this house over and over again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Isabelle

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great little house next to the owner's house. Not a lot of space but cozy. Owner is easy to reach and answers questions quickly. Warm welcome. However the location is not that convenient as it is a good 25 min from Hilo, and the roosters and dogs of the neighborhood are very noisy at night...
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marcia M., Red Deer

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

Cute, peaceful cottage

We enjoyed our short stay in Karla’s cottage. It is well stocked with everything you will need and more. Karla is very accommodating and informative. After enjoying the Volcano National Park until after dark, it was only a 40 minute drive back to the cottage. We had a great lunch in the Rim Restaurant overlooking the smoking caldera. Driving down the Chain of Crater highway to the ocean and viewing the sea arches and then seeing the lava flow once it was dark were definitely highlights.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte S.

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

Don't hesitate to book!

I just loved this HPP spot. Karla has created a warm, cozy, welcoming bungalo with every amenity one could need, plus some delightful extras! It's just so serene and pretty...better than the photos, even. Very clean with excellent bathroom, comfy bed, great washer, full kitchen... Easy to get to volcanoes, Hilo, other cool spots. There are dogs, chickens, and sweet coqui frogs in the neighborhood, so if you're noise sensitive there's a sound machine. The lanai is the best, especially the hammock. I would not hesitate to stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Loved everything about it!!!

Location of this house is nice as it is away from all the bustle of the island. Everything we needed was there ready for us. The house was super clean, extra linens, beach towels, beach gear, coffee, eggs, wine, and so much more! Most people mention something about the chickens, however, I did not seem to find them a problem. However, there is a sound machine and 2 fans if you do need something to drown the sounds Karla makes this house so welcoming and she is very sweet. If you need anything she is willing to help out as she is only one text away. She really did think of it all! I couldn't of asked for a better host!!! I highly recommend staying here if you want someplace "away from it all" to relax!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

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

Wonderful Stay

From the moment we arrived we knew we had made the right decision. Karla greeted us when we arrived and showed us around. We wanted for nothing while we were there. Welcome basket far exceeded expectations, as did the supplies that were there for us to use. The Guidebook provided was very detailed, offered many siggestions and answered a lot of questions we had. Centrally located , was 20 mins to Hilo and 30 mins to Volcano Nat Park. Slept very well as the bed was quite comfortable. Lanai had great patio furniture, comfy hammock and bbq. Landscaping was incredible, we found new plants to look at almost every day. The young pineapples were very cool. Any emails/requests/questions were responded to in minutes. On site laundry was a great bonus as we stayed for a month. We cannot thank you enough for hosting us during our sons graduation from university, We hope to be able to return someday to stay with you again. We cannot recommend this property more. Vacation of a lifetime, and this cottage was a big part of it.
Stayed 29 nights in Apr 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Janet A.

Would Happily Return for another Adventure in Hilo

First Karla is a great host. She provides everything you might need for your initial stay. She even had cream for coffee. That was above and beyond. ...and coffee....and fresh eggs... If anything was missing she took care of it immediately. Now the property. The house is lovely and nicely decorated and immaculate. The bed is high quality and very comfortable. Ahhh the lanai. We spent every morning out there watching and listening to the birds and the local farm animals. She has part of the lanai screened just in case there are any insects. . We didn't have any problems with insects. The coqui frogs are out there but they are pretty much every where in Hilo. They did not bother us. Karla's house is in a rural area so there are farm animals making farm animal sounds but again did not bother us. All in all a wonderful Experience.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2017

10/10 Excellent

Rachel F., St Louis

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Rainforest Getaway

We loved staying here in Hawaii Paradise Park. The property had everything we needed and more. We would definitely stay again. We did use the noise machine to sleep, but honestly the roosters and dog noises never bothered me. I would not bring more than 2 people. There's not much walkway around the bed and couch and no dining room seating. Pros: - Amazing welcome food - eggs, cream, wine, and chocolate covered macadamia nuts - Snorkeling gear (even a new mask), beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, flippers, cooler, literally everything was available - Tons of extra towels and wash cloths provided - Extra toilet paper supplied - The table and hammock on the lanai were wonderful - The lanai is literally surrounded by beautiful trees and plants. You don't feel like you're in a residential neighborhood, you feel like you're in the middle of a secluded jungle - The host is very responsive and helpful. The water stopped working one night and they fixed it immediately. Cons - Tap water is not safe to drink, but the host provided plenty of drinkable water in a large jug - The home is pretty outdated, which leads to things feeling more grimey - My husband felt like the home was clean but I am very OCD on cleanliness - there was black mold in the bathroom sink caulk and in the refrigerator door rubber gasket - The whole home could use a deep clean, as I saw grime on the toilet tank and walls. The common used areas were clean. - Several dishes in the cupboard had grease or caked food on them - No dishwasher
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jared W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan P.

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

Restful Respite Close to Hilo and Puna

The hosts have thought of everything you will need and would want during your stay in this restful guesthouse.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave F.

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

Attention to detail

We only stayed for 3 nights, but Karla's place was in the perfect location for exploring the East Coast of the Big Island and Volcanoes National Park. Karla met us when we arrived and introduced us to her cottage. Her pride of ownership shows both in talking with her and also in all the little things about the cottage that made staying here very convenient and comfortable. She has a notebook that she prepared with menus and descriptions of all the local restaurants, locations of grocery stores, and especially all the beaches, most of which we would not have found without the guidance in her notebook. My wife particularly enjoyed laying in the hammock on the lanai. We would highly recommend Karla's cottage when staying on the big Island.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon P.

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

Lovely Stay

This studio has it all - everything needed to make your own meals, beach gear (snorkels, boogie boards, chairs, mats), and a wonderful outdoor eating/relaxing area. Karla is very friendly and wants the best for her guests. Her attention to detail is evident throughout the rental - from the welcome gift of eggs, butter, creamer, chocolates, and wine to the turtle covers on the toilet bolts (too cute - and something I want to find for myself!). A perfect place to stay, relax, and explore the Hilo side of the island. As with any place in Hawai'i, there are roosters. The host provides a white noise machine that works to keep them from waking you. There are also coqui frogs - which we quite enjoy, but can be loud at night if you're not used to them. The white noise machine works to cancel their noise, too. Wifi is strong, so digital nomads could work from here. Definitely a 10/10.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Karla Nava

Host profile image
We are Joel and Karla Nava. I'm 61 and he's 55. Joel and I have been married for 27 years and we have one son between us, Lakota, who is 26. I also have 3 other adult children in the mainland and 5 grandchildren. Joel works in I/T and I have been a homemaker for the past 10 years.

We took our first vacation to Kauai in 2006 and decided then that we had to live in Hawaii - but which island? So from there we vacationed on Maui in 2010, and Oahu and the Big Island in 2013. Due to economic and island growth factors, we decided that the Hilo side of the Big Island would be home. After a lot of saving up, we returned to the Big Island in Feb 2015 to purchase our new home!

Why they chose this property

We chose this property because it is central to Hilo, Volcanoes National Park and Pahoa. It also had a separate guest cottage that we could turn into a vacation rental for extra income. It is unique in that it has 4 separate structures on the property - the main house, a detached carport, a work shop, and the guest cottage in the back. (The work shop will not be used while guests are visiting.) We love the tropical lushness and the affordability factor compared to the other islands.

What makes this property unique

Unique benefits for this location is being so close to an active volcano and having 11 of the 13 climate zones right here on one island! You don't have to travel far to be in a whole new world and we love that. If you wake up to endless rain in Hilo, go spend the day on the Kona side or make your way above the clouds and watch the sunset on Mauna Kea! Tip: You will be told that you need a 4WD vehicle to go to the summit of Mauna Kea and this is true, but only after you've reached the Visitor Center at the 9000ft. level. You can drive a non-4WD up to the Visitor's Center but the ascent can be very rough on vehicles, so I recommend that you stop and rest the car every mile or two for about 5 or 10 minutes. The Visitors Center is at the 6th mile. Things to see and do at this level are walking a path through the rare silversword plants and hiking to the top of a cinder cone hill to get a view of Mauna Loa, the clouds below and the sunset. The Visitor's Center also has a gift shop and hot drinks for sale.

As for the property itself, we fell in love with the spacious lanais that allow you to enjoy sitting outside in the cool breeze and just taking in all the sounds of nature, no matter if it is the heat of the day or if it is pouring rain. All of our dinners are had out on the lanai! Another great feature is the tankless hot water heaters - no running out of hot water, unless you run out of propane! In that case, we can have you hooked up with a new tank right away.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests