Luxury Hilo Home Walk to Downtown

• Lovely house - great location

  Lovely house - great location

  • Guest Rob & Barbara
  • Date of stay 01/24/13
  • Review Submitted 02/10/13
  This fully equipped house was clean and well maintained, and exactly as described by the owners. There was more than ample space for the four of us. We had a truly delightfull stay, enjoying the garden and the surroundings. The sounds of nature are amazing (but take ear-plugs if you're a light sleeper!). It's an easy walk into the older part of town, for restaurants, the farmers' market and many interesting stores. The Lyman Museum is a "must see" (be sure to go on the house tour). Thanks you Phil and Dianne - we highly recommend.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+.

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• Paradise !!

  Paradise !!

  • Guest Jim L.
  • Date of stay 10/11/12
  • Review Submitted 11/13/12
  Our stay @ Zen Hideaway could not have been more enjoyable! Location of a quiet, private setting, yet close to downtown made it convenient for shopping, sightseeing and dining out! VERY comfortable home w/all necessities for cooking, eating, doing laundry etc. Personal favorite: beautiful lanai with comfortable furniture ideal for lounging, reading &/or morning beverage while overlooking beautiful lush vegetation. Added bonus was abundance of fresh bananas, avocados, oranges and tangerines all growing on the trees surrounding the home. Could not have asked for anything more from a vacation home! BEAUTIFUL and gave a true sense of Hawaiian living and culture. Book written by owner (available for reading) extremely interesting and informative. Several points mentioned in this review have been shared in previous reviews but good things are worth repeating! Confirming the Zen has not lost its PIZZAZZ! Certainly HOPE our next getaway includes a great, RELAXING time @ a new found "Hideaway" !!

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• Private Zen Hideaway

  Private Zen Hideaway

  • Guest Laura P.
  • Date of stay 04/20/12
  • Review Submitted 05/03/12
  This home exceeded our expectations. Having never rented a vacation property, we were pleasantly pleased with what we found in this peaceful, lovely, immaculate, large home.....truely didn't want to leave. My husband and I were in the upstairs, master suite (our own private tree house) and enjoyed waking up every morning to the beautiful views, either off the lanai of the hills or out the bathroom window of the ocean and sunrise. Our fellow travelers each had a bedroom downstairs and also said that the views from their rooms were difficult to leave. The covered lanai was, without a doubt, everyone's favorite place to chill out, listen to the coqui frogs at night and watch the birds, mongoose and rain pass along. My daughter attended the University of Hawaii Hilo and we were in town to attend her senior softball game, but did have time to enjoy many of our favorite attractions and restaurants. The farmer's market is a must! We found that Ponds is a lovely restaurant with great atmosphere, wonderful service and great food! Richardson's beach is fantastic and beautiful and Coconut Island is also very pretty with it's gorgeous view of Hilo! The owner was available to answer any questions or concerns and we truely felt pampered with fresh bananas every morning. We enjoyed walking in the garden and took a million pictures of the property to show friends and relatives and they are all hoping to one day visit Hilo and stay at the Zen Hideaway themselves. I am just sorry that I didn't try this years ago when my daughter first came to Hilo, it is the only way to stay in Hilo!

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• Seems like you're out in the middle of the jungle

  Seems like you're out in the middle of the jungle

  • Guest Brian B.
  • Date of stay 03/21/12
  • Review Submitted 04/03/12
  This house was just like advertised and more. Despite the fact that you are just blocks from downtown, you would swear when sitting out on the private patio that you were stayng in the middle of the tropical jungle. The house was very clean and well stocked with everything you need to enjoy your stay.We vacationed with our two teenage sons and they both had their own rooms. My wife an I slept upstairs in the master bedroom. Their were no window coverings, however it was very private. In fact all you were facing was the jungle, and laying in bed you had the impression you were sleeping in the treetops.( Hint, if you need absolute quiet at bedtime, don't stay up here. The nightime croaking of the frogs, the pitter patter of rain, and the morning serenade from the local songbirds were always present. Both of us rather enjoyed the background noise, although when it rained very hard it could be quite loud). We spend four days in Hilo and it did rain pretty hard one day, but we were prepared for it. It's not all lush and tropical on this side of the island for no reason. To get some sunshine we spent another seven days on the Kona side. Sort of the best of both worlds. Best feature of the house- sitting out on the patio enjoying the sounds and views of the surrounding jungle and walking around the wonderful yard. What could be improved- some available yoga mats would be nice for doing yoga on the patio, and having a solar powered water heater was OK except for the day the sun never came out and we had no warm water.However, it is Hawaii and it's not like it gets cold. Overall a great place to spend a few days and unwind and see this side of Hawaii.

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• The house with a Soul

  The house with a Soul

  • Guest Idania M.
  • Date of stay 11/05/11
  • Review Submitted 12/15/11
  I took my time,over 2 years, looking over countless of properties, to chose a special place to enjoy my first time in the Big Island.Was not dissapointed. Opened car door and my welcoming sound was my adored Coqui.I know that is not native to the Islands but to me is music to my ears. Peaceful place,away from it all yet so close to everything you need and want to do. Clean and bright.Many birds to enjoy while they feed and fly about.All the surrounding plants makes the place feel you are in the middle of a forest.My husband loved the house and the location. The builder really knew how to lovingly build a house with a soul.I believe he must be an artist that enjoys building.The use of the different types of wood is awsome. The upstairs room with private bathroom and lanai is a treat..Just sitting at that lanai and you feel you are on top of the trees. The big Lanai in the back is a wonderful place to spend it reading,listening to music,writing or just plainly watching the birds or like I did; enjoy a very rainy day,bundle up and listening to the thunder/lighting and the fabulous rain.I needed to stay at least one day there by myself to feel at home. The owner signed a book for us and my husband enjoyed the reading and told me many things of the Hawaiian History.He really liked it. Now I know why everyone liked that house so much; the house have a beautiful soul. Do I need to say more? LOVED IT.

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• As advertised

  As advertised

  • Guest Kent
  • Date of stay 09/27/11
  • Review Submitted 10/17/11
  Excellent property, very well maintained and beautiful. Easy walk to downtown and the farmers market. All the rooms are nicely furnished with great Hawaiian atmosphere. Books on Hawaii including the owner's book. The lanai room was the favorite, very peaceful and relaxing. Bird feeder and bananas a nice touch. Loved the master bedroom.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Hilo Haven

  Hilo Haven

  • Guest Rosalie
  • Date of stay 03/08/11
  • Review Submitted 03/16/11
  The Zen Hideaway is all that it is touted to be and more. The home is well maintained and has quality furnishings and appointments throughout. The location is ideal as you can easily walk to Hilo's downtown area for pretty much everything you might need and yet you are far enough away for privacy and peace with the feeling of tropical Hawaii in a country setting. The owners Diane and Phil are easily accessible by phone and Diane is available by appointment for in-house massage. I would recommend this house to anyone visiting Hilo.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Aspectacular home in every aspect

  Aspectacular home in every aspect

  • Guest Linda
  • Date of stay 02/06/11
  • Review Submitted 02/26/11
  We just spent a week in Diane and Phil's gracious vacation home. It is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with the utmost privacy, but still just a few blocks from the charming town of Hilo. When we first arrived, we were amazed at the spacious gardens surrounding the house. It felt like an acre of lush, tropical growth. The home is fairly new, and extremely roomy and comfortable. The fully equipped kitchen was a delight. The central living area was surrounded by windows and sliding doors, so we felt as if we were out doors. My son and his fiancee had complete privacy in the upstairs master bedroom and bath, which looked out on the tree tops. Our favorite room was the covered deck. We simple lived out there. It was especially thrilling to sit there with a light rain falling, and we're as cozy and dry. If I were able to design my own home, I'd use this special house as a model. We'd return in a heart- beat.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Zen Hideaway

  Zen Hideaway

  • Guest Charles
  • Date of stay 08/10/10
  • Review Submitted 08/21/10
  We were utterly delighted with this rental. We found the house to be completely up to the advertised representation. Upon our arrival, we found it very welcoming, with freshly cut tropical flowers, and a hanging bunch of bananas. Maintenance is quite high for both the house and the lawn. One can pick bananas, mangoes, limes, and fresh flowers in the yard. Every convenience is provided. The house is quite convenient and close to town, and the property is quiet and private.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, families with young children, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Lovely home, lovely setting, close to town

  Lovely home, lovely setting, close to town

  • Guest sandy
  • Date of stay 08/03/10
  • Review Submitted 08/12/10
  Zen Hideaway is a spacious beautifully designed home set in the midst of the rainforest which encloses the property on three sides. It is within walking distance of the charming old town section of Hilo with shops, restaurants and museums as well as access to the beach and bay. The owners, Diane and Phil, are readily available to offer ideas for things to do, places to eat and shop and Phil has written a concise history of the Islands, very informative and easy to read. The house is thoroughly equipped - everything is just where you expect to find it. A gem.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

1-4 guests  $1500 per week $235 per night (5 or 6 night stay) 5 night min. stay 
Extra guests $20 per night based on 5 night min. rate
Children 16 years and over okay
Higher rates for Merrie Monarch, Xmas and Thanksgiving 
Reservations made only up to 4 months in advance

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.