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Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

Property grounds
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Sun-loungers, beach towels

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedroomsSleeps 484 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Water view
    Water view

Explore the area

Map
Pahoa, HI
  • Mackenzie State Park
    3 min drive
  • The Point
    4 min drive
  • Kehena Beach
    7 min drive
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    60 min drive

Room options

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About the area

Pahoa

Located in Pahoa, this cottage is by the ocean, within a 5-minute drive of Mackenzie State Park and The Point. .This cottage is 3.6 mi (5.7 km) from Kehena Beach and 3.6 mi (5.8 km) from Pohoiki.

What's nearby

  • Mackenzie State Park - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Kehena Beach - 7 min drive - 5.8 km
  • SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Pohoiki Beach - 13 min drive - 6.7 km
  • Isaac Hale Beach Park - 13 min drive - 6.7 km

Getting around

  • Hilo Intl. Airport (ITO) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cajun Paradise Farms - ‬39 min drive
  • ‪Kalapana Lava Boat Tour - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Dosa Mama - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Kalani Honua - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

The Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage - with a spectacular oceanfront view - is the only vacation rental so close to the ocean on the scenic Old Red Road (Rural Route 137) in the small village of Opihikao.

Situated on the beautiful Puna Coast of the Big Island amidst a majestic 'king's-grove' of coconut palms, the cottage faces directly on the Pacific Ocean with stunning, 180-degree views framed thru palms and native, mahogany trees. Set within a tropical garden planted with over 100 coconut palms, exotic fruits and the fragrance of tropical flowers, this cottage is simply the best rental in the area.

Inside this private home is a new kitchen and bathroom with tropical decor and vintage koa wood, mahogany and bamboo furnishings. The cottage is set up with everything you need - a well-appointed kitchen, one full bath, an extra outside shower for washing off after the beach, and two bedrooms with queen beds and plenty of closet space. All rooms have windows to let the natural trade-winds in, and there is a front porch and a screened lanai on the side to enjoy the balmy air.

Rainbow Dreams Cottage is the perfect eco-retreat, where you can really get away from it all. We are entirely solar-powered, so alternative energy serves your needs with a few limitations to this rental. Because we are off the grid, there is limited cell service (2 bars) and no WiFi - just the beauty and the power of nature, and the sights and sounds of the ocean. Also, we have catchment water from the rain, so we advise using bottled water, or free Pahoa town water available at roadside taps, for cooking and drinking. Full-grid services are just minutes away, up the road or in the nearby town of Pahoa.

With a direct view of the ocean, you may spend your whole vacation simply gazing at the waves, yet the cottage is the perfect base for exploring the unique nature and culture of the Big Island. All along the coast in the Puna District, you will discover special places to explore, from scenic parks to sheltered coves. Three miles from the cottage is exotic Kehena Black Sand Beach, and two miles in the other direction is MacKenzie State Park, where steep lava cliffs form a rugged shore.

Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island with a quaint Old Town that features historic architecture, specialty shops, many restaurants, and nearby attractions, including Rainbow Falls, Banyan Drive, Lili'uokalani Gardens, and the "singing bridge' across the Wailuku River, to name a few.

Volcanoes National Park, is a major attraction, and the improved Saddle Road in between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Mountains is both scenic and convenient, connecting between our cottage and the Kona side of the island in a 2.5-hour drive.
Make yourself comfortable in this cottage, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private balcony. Conveniences include a phone and a coffee/tea maker, and housekeeping is provided on request.
Take in the views from a garden.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

David Shaw

Languages

Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach sunloungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Internet access

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Water dispenser
  • Toaster
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • Shower
  • Shampoo
  • Towels provided
  • Outdoor shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Near a laundromat

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Water sports equipment
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Cave exploring nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Whale watching nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Recycling
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Water-efficient toilets only
  • Unit size: 900 sq ft (84 sq m)
  • Property does not allow children

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number TA-138-334-6176-01, GE-138-334-6176-01

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 130 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 141 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jay P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful getaway
This is a wonderful off the grid property away from all the hustle and bustle. The ocean views are spectacular. You can just wander a few hundred feet to enjoy the ocean and all the sea life. The grounds are well kept with an abundance of fresh fruit. The lack of Internet was a great reprieve from daily life. The unit is very well appointed with plenty of areas to relax and it has just enough modern conveniences.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and Peaceful
Excellent environment and atmosphere. A breath of the earth when it was young.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very beautiful home, so relaxing and wonderful
This is an amazing house, 2nd time staying here, absolutely love this place, just across from ocean, great views and can go to sleep with sound of the ocean
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful seclusion
We loved this cottage for many reasons. We renewed our vows a couple of miles from the house at a spot we found on our honeymoon 15 years ago. It was perfect to stay on the red road with its amazing views and ocean. The cottage was well furnished with good beds and appliances. Some of the lights did not work, but the candles were handy for the evenings. The breezes cooled the house pretty well, but a heat activated fan (non-electric) in the ceiling would be a great addition. It was perfectly private and we would return here in a heartbeat.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerhard D.

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved every day of our stay.
This was our second stay at this beautiful property in a stunning location. We hope to return again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Getaway
After reading the reviews, we decided to book our entire 10-day trip at the Rainbow Cottage. It was the most wonderful place we have ever stayed in. Being “off the grid” was delightful. Having no cell or internet service allowed us to totally disconnect and be present. Each night the waves and coqui frogs lulled us to sleep. As we drank our coffee in the morning, we sat and looked at the ocean while eating fresh coconut, papaya, and starfruit from trees on the property. We traveled to all parts of the island on most days, but the highlight of the trip was sitting on the cottage’s lanai and seeing spinner dolphins dancing. What an amazing sight. David and Clay’s communication was excellent and everything about the cottage is well thought out for simplicity and ease. We hope to stay again soon. Thank you for sharing your amazing place with us!
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Diane M., Shingle Springs, California

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house and stunning location
Just as the title said. Unfortunately due to the lack of any Wi-Fi or cell service we are not able to stay again. If there was a medical emergency there would be no easy way to get help. Exceptional property otherwise!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
11/10
This was the best rental we've ever stayed in. The location can't be beat and the views from all angles of the property were amazing. Couldn't recommend this place more and will absolutely be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie E.

Liked: Cleanliness
It is awesome.
We enjoyed our stay
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth L., Sunnyvale, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous Biew
Thank you for sharing your beautiful cottage. The views of the ocean from the deck through the mahogany trees is spectacular while the well- designed interior, with its large windows all over, is a pleasant place to relax. The beds were very comfortable. We enjoyed the birds-even saw a Hawaiian hawk! Too bad about those noisy coqui frogs…but they are everywhere on the island. We really enjoyed all the information you had in your binder about the local volcanoes. Fascinating!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rainbow Dreams Cottage
Rainbow Dreams Cottage is a gem. I can’t wait to go back. The surroundings are breathtaking! The cottage is decorated in “Old Hawaii“ style. The beds are very comfortable and the kitchen is well equipped.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tuan N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation
Great house in a peaceful neighborhood. Our family enjoyed the beautiful, well-maintained ground. We definitely recommend this house to anyone looking for peace and serenity.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rainbow Dreams
Really lovely secluded property. Well appointed with attention to detail. Didn’t want to leave. I will miss not hearing the crashing of the waves tonight.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

2/10 Terrible

joe h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Washcloths
I would not recommend this property to anyone. I had one washcloth for five days. When I requested more washcloths the owner replied that a VRBO was not a hotel. That he had traveled all over the world and been in rental business twenty five years and that I was the first person ever to request more than one washcloth for five days.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

tanya m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage...beautiful setting...enjoyed every minute there
Clean private well appointed...porch has an close up ocean view...kitchen dining room too.. the sounds of the ocean waves truly lulled us tp rest and sleep on between our adventures.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Loved everything about our off grid stay. Very cozy and lovely comfortable home in a Garden of Eden setting. Fun to see neighbors cats, rooster, chickens and the black wild boar come for a visit. Sleeping with open windows is a dream and you can hear coconuts falling, crickets, frogs, birds, ocean waves and the rooster is the perfect alarm clock to wake up to view amazing sunrises. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Blessed Mahalo
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tina D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Everything and more than we expected. Loved our stay !! Hope someday that we can return, its just amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

William G.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Wonderfully Relaxing Cottage
We have stayed at Rainbow Dreams Cottage three times. We appreciate the sound of the waves crashing on the shore as well as the voices of the frogs and birds. The cottage is comfortable and just the right size for two. The kitchen is well equipped. We bought fresh fruit from local stands and enjoyed that with our breakfast while watching the sun rise. Area is very residential, not built up with resorts. Great Place.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little off grid cottage
Great stay at this quiet and very comfortable waterfront cottage completely off the grid. Solar power allows you to want for nothing here and the unplugged feeling is refreshing. Sunrises were amazing! Owners Davis and Clay were nearby and helped us enjoy a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

CB W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surfside Symphony
This is our second time staying at Rainbow Cottage! We love the atmosphere and the local Hawaiian culture. It feels like “old Hawaii”. It’s every thing a mega resort isn’t!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is in an amazing location, opposite waves crashing on jagged volcanic rocks. It was very clean and i loved the furniture and style of the cottage. It is out of the way and off grid, so felt like a very different experience to Kona and Honolulu.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patrick B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise in the tropics
We so enjoyed the cottage, candles, porch, and environs we did less traveling farther around than we planned. Stayed and relaxed and read. Solar power worked great and quietly if you didn't run water while someone was sleeping! The coqui frogs were quite mild compared to other places we stayed. The only improvement would be a grill.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alta K.

Liked: Cleanliness
A true Big Island tropical experience
We like spending time on the Kona side ( drier) and the wetter side of the island near Pāhoa. For a true ‘old Hawaii’ experience of the Big Island you can’t beat David and Clay’s house. Beautifully appointed with Hawaiian furniture and art. The property was just as described and being off the grid was fun for us. Hearing the crash of the waves was a reminder of the beauty and power of nature.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dana R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Getaway
We loved our stay here due to the quiet, wild beauty of the Puna coast, and this lovely little cottage by the sea. The cottage was very clean, beautifully decorated, and you can hear the roar of the ocean from every part of the house. We especially loved the screened in porch to sit and listen to waves and the lovely little natural bench across the street where we could watch the waves crash and the sea turtles surface for air. Pure magic. The house is close to the Pohoiki Hot Springs and a there is a little store up the street with coffee, ice cream, and wifi. More than enough for our quiet little getaway. We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Heather F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
Second stay at this lovely cottage. The sounds of the ocean and views are incredible. Such a relaxing place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023