Vacation Rentals by Owner
Truly Oceanfront! Sea Watch, the Perfect Honeymoon Spot! [#23700] | View Property
Hilo
House, 2 Bedrooms + Den, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
$160-$285/nt
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Traveler Reviews (15)
Loved Sea Watch!
Guest: brenda c.
Date of Stay: 04/18/12
Review Submitted: 04/25/12
I have never stayed in a vacation rental: With such a well stocked kitchen So perfectly maintained So well thought out. Sam certainly pays attention to Every detail. I highly recommend this property. I wish I could have stayed for at least a month
Recommended for:
Dreaming of my return to this amazing place
Guest: alohatad
(Palm Springs, California)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11
Review Submitted: 01/22/12
For starters, this is the most wonderful rental property I've ever seen and I can't wait to return to Sam's Sea Watch! As others commented, photos don't do it justice. I was drawn to the place by the photos listed, the clean sight lines of the blue Pacific against the beauty of lava rock bluffs and the sparkling white interior. But now that I've seen it with my own eyes, taking dozens of photos myself, there is no substitute for being there in person. A picture is worth a thousand words yet those who travel know that photos never fully capture the essence of a place. Sam is a very conscientious innkeeper and a friendly host full of tips to assist you in enjoying the island. Someone else made an analogy to the concierge you would find in a fine hotel. The home has brochures and many pages of typed information, books, maps - and Sam is just a phone call away to help answer any question. And phone calls are free from Sea Watch to anyone in the USA or Canada. Free internet access is also provided. This sizable light and airy home really is as clean as you could hope it to be. She has a team of people devoted to prepping the home for the next guests and they are very thorough as it truly is spotless. It was so peaceful to relax in a quiet residential area by the sea. Lush foliage and large lots make it feel quite private and secluded. Remote enough to feel secluded yet a short drive to stores and restaurants when the need arises. Sam provides very detailed and accurate directions to Sea Watch. We enjoyed cooking large family meals, including one prepared on the grill. There are copious amounts of spices, condiments etc. provided. And it seems many guests leave dried goods, etc. they couldn't consume. I know we paid it forward by leaving things behind. All of the appliances and gadgets you need are here for you. And cupboards full of every size of cookware, dishes, glasses, mugs - you name it. Loved the bay windows surrounding the dinner table. All ocean all the time! Nice to have a washer & dryer. Sam provides laundry detergent. Water pressure and temps were always great in the shower by the way, and that isn't always true in hotels, let alone rental homes. Dozens of towels to choose from. Sorry if I sound like a broken record but you really do have everything you need at this place. Sighing as I realize it's impossible to express how much I loved my time by the sea at this tasteful, relaxing, special home - heaven on Earth. Mahalo, Sam!
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Outstanding views and location
Guest: Patty
(San Diego)
Date of Stay: 10/19/11
Review Submitted: 10/25/11
I cannot say enough wonderful things about the house, location and owner. Samantha went out of her way to help us when we had a minor medical emergency. The location was perfect. It was great to wake up and eat breakfast on the porch where we could watch and listen to the surf. Unlike other rentals we've used in the past, Seawatch did not have any mildew smell.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Stop looking, this is the place.
Guest: Big Sissiy Gail
(Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 09/06/11
Review Submitted: 09/13/11
If I could imagine the most perfect vacation home, I could not come close to imagining this wonderful house. We were so happy there, I did not want leave, ever. Thank you Sam for being the best hostess ever. I hope we can come back.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Sea watch
Guest: Sea watch
(Crystal Lake, Il 60014)
Date of Stay: 01/07/11
Review Submitted: 01/27/11
We loved our vacation at Sea watch. The house is beautiful and kept perfectly. We loved the view from the patio doors and especially the corner glass above the kitchen sink. No obstructions to spoil the view. The fishing was fantastic. Being a fresh water fisherman, it took me awhile to figure out a stragey. The waves and cliff weren't a problem once I learned what to do. By using a large bobber, or float, and attaching a heavy sinker just under it will give the distance and depth you need. Attach a small hook 6ft. below the bobber and let the current and waves provide the action. I used squid, cut up, in strips for bait. Buy frozen instead of fresh. Then there isn't a bad smell. I left a tackle box with necessary gear. Wash off salt water after each use and spray the reels with the WD-40 left with fishing equipment that way the equipment will last a long time. We will recommend this rental to everyone. We loved it. Larry and Sandy from Crystal Lake, Illinois
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Sea Watch, The Beautiful
Guest: Kaye
(Louisville, CO)
Date of Stay: 04/19/10
Review Submitted: 04/08/11
Walking into the doors of Sea Watch is an experience that will stop the hands of time and leave you completely awestruck. The first thing you will see is the large bay window across the room from the doorway into the home. The scene displays the lava rock on which the house is built. Out of that rock grows a low-lying shrub in beautiful green. Less than 100 feet away is a cliff against which waves crash and spray upward in majestic splendor and beyond that is the spacious ocean. The rolling waves are the most beautiful blue-turquoise color that you can imagine. The sound of the waves will rock you to sleep at night. Once you can release your gaze from the beauty beyond that bay window and you focus on the house itself, you will be engulfed by the calm, clean colors and exquisite home design. The vaulted ceilings and spacious living quarters of the main room is cheerful, calming and captivating. The openness of this home is delightful. No matter which room you occupy, whether it be the kitchen, dining area nestled in the bay window, sitting room that faces the sliding glass doors that lead to the lanai, the bathroom shower or the master bedroom, you have a large view of that beautiful ocean. The pictures that can be viewed online do not give this beautiful piece of art justice. I found Sea Watch to be one of the most medicinal havens I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. It embraces your heart, mind and soul and leaves you with a memory that will drive you to return. Sam, the owner, is a treasure. She is very accommodating and extremely intelligent. Her wealth of information relative to the area in general, where to shop and other places of scenic interest was extremely helpful. Her hard work with the property upkeep and friendly spirit has made her a friend of this family forever.
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
The Best-outfitted Rental Ever
Guest: fitseniors
(Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 02/06/10
Review Submitted: 03/16/10
The pictures of Seawatch do not do it justice: the view is panoramic with the bay wrapping around on both the north and south ends, endless vistas look straight out to sea, and crashing waves against the cliffs in the distance as the sun rose each morn made our breakfasts in the nook unforgettable. We could only imagine what it would be like to see this every day, rather than just for the precious week we spent here. Our experiences with other vacation rentals has been mixed, with our biggest complaint being missing essentials, such as salt, or paper products, but at Seawatch we were amazed to find the cupboards and shelves brimming full with every kind of dish, utensil, pan, appliance, condiment, enetertainment items... the list on their seawatchhawaii.com website gives an impressive rundown. What is so wonderful about this is that you can settle in and begin your vacation immediately. If you shop for food, all you'll need to buy is the food itself, and not any expensive extras. This neighborhood is very quiet and only 25 minutes away from Hilo shopping but well removed from the crowds and bustle. We wanted a quiet, peaceful vacation experience, and we could not have been happier with our week in Paradise on Paradise Drive! We saw whales every day and loved having wine on the oceanfront lanai as the setting sun created rainbows over the water, and seeing the full moon rise over the horizon was magical. Seawatch is bordered by a vacant oceanfront lot on one side, and the quiet owner on the other. Very private, very quiet. The perfect getaway. We recommend Seawatch for its beauty, magical location, welcoming neighbors and close-by but unobtrusive hosts, and the wild nene that came everyday to knock on the window for a handout.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Unbeatable
Guest: Mike B
(Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 11/15/09
Review Submitted: 07/01/10
I stayed here with my wife and 5 year old daughter and we had a fantastic time, so much so that we are planning a return. This place is everything you would hope for and much more.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Fully equipped and well maintained home
Guest: Margaret & Ben
(Upland, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/06/09
Review Submitted: 12/03/09
My husband and I spent a week at Sea Watch in November 2009. It was highly recommended by friends who stayed there in 2007. The home is everything they reported and even more than advertised. The home is so well equipped you need only your clothes. It is very clean and well maintained. If you like to cook, the kitchen is fully equipped. For entertainment, there is cable, DVD's, CD's, and board games. There are travel/tour books to plan your outings. There are beach chairs, towels and coolers and even some snorkel masks and fins. And after a day of sightseeing, the lanai at Sea Watch was the best place to relax with a glass of wine and watch the ocean. This home is on a lovely residential street a bit away from the tourist crowd but close enough to Hilo and many attractions. If you want quiet relaxation, this is the place to be. And your innkeeper, Sam, is most gracious and helpful. The information she supplies is better than any hotel concierge. You will not be disappointed!
Recommended for:
A wonderful place - highly recommended!
Guest: RoseH
(Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 10/19/09
Review Submitted: 11/30/09
Paul, my partner and I stayed at Sea Watch in October 2009. I was there for one week on my own while Paul was observing at one of the telescopes on Mauna Kea, and then we had a week there together. We enjoyed everything about Sea Watch and its location, and it was great to have the friendly and helpful owner, Sam, on hand to answer any queries. The house itself is fabulously stylish and airy, making the most of the light and the sea view. It is also very clean, well equipped, and with an attention to detail that included wonderful flower decorations in different rooms. Somehow it is both spacious AND cosy, which was important for me when I was on my own. The compact desk area was ideal for emailing and skyping, but not intrusive and the open kitchen layout was delightful. Whether sitting in the comfortable living area or relaxing outside on the front deck, we loved hearing the noise of the ocean and watching the spray rise up above the black volcanic rock. The location is absolutely ideal for Hilo and its wonderful farmers' market; exploring the Hamakua coast, its waterfalls and the fantastic tropical botanical gardens; snorkelling at Richardson Beach Park; and exploring the two live volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea - from seeing the orange glow of molten lava at night to hiking along well marked and fascinating crater trails. The only thing to bear in mind is that you are dependant on the car - no stores in walking distance. But not a problem as long as you are aware of this. And good restaurants a short drive away in Pahoa. We would definitely recommend Sea Watch!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
5 Star Vacation Rental!
Guest: ALOHASUNSHINE
(Tokyo, Japan)
Date of Stay: 04/22/09
Review Submitted: 04/04/10
Aloha Sam and future guests. I truly enjoyed my stay in Sea Watch for the second time. The house is beautiful, well maintained and everything was there to enjoy vacation. Saw many many whales just in front of the house everyday. Today, March 28th 2010. Sam and I kept watching a Mom and baby whale swim by early afternoon. I travel a lot and I should say this is the best place in the whole world to refresh your mind and rejuvenate your soul. I loved the bed in the master bedroom. I usually have a hard time to used to with hotel beds, however in Sea Watch, I could fall a sleep and wake up in the morning with totally rested. If there is a book to rate Vacation Rentals in the world, I will give 5 stars to Sea Watch! Will come back again in September.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
We love it here!
Guest: VeryAvidTraveler
(Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 03/20/09
Review Submitted: 03/31/09
We hate to leave this beautiful, ocean front, "home away from home". It's hard to imagine better accommodations. It had every amenity we could have hoped for, down to a brand new Tiger rice cooker!!, and the place is spotless. What a quiet, relaxing spot for a much needed vacation. We highly recommend Volcano national park, but the even closer tide pool for some of the best snorkeling on the islands. Lava flow should not be missed, as the island continues to grow. We saw whales from the front porch and even from the dinner table! Sam and Dan are most welcoming - don't forget to ask them for one of their famous (and delicious) mai tais!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Truly a Home Away from Home
Guest: Penny and Berk
(Cypress, TX)
Date of Stay: 02/10/09
Review Submitted: 04/12/09
Truly a Home Away From Home - I thought Wal-Mart was my home away from home until we stayed at Sea Watch. This amazingly immaculate and beautiful home is truly a jewel of a rental. My husband and I have rented many times and Sea Watch has absolutely been the best one. Sam and Dan have done an amazing job decorating, furnishing and supplying this home. They thought thoroughly through an entire day and week of anything one could possibly need and provided accordingly - from gorgeous fresh flowers in every room, filtered water, free long distance, makeup mirror, tape measure, scales to weigh your suitcase, tea bags, zip bags, garbage bags, discount grocery cards, paper, pens, desk, and much more. Sea Watch can make anyone feel right at home and it is truly a home with two living areas, two bedrooms, huge master bedroom overlooking ocean with an extremely comfortable king size bed with huge bath w/shower even overlooking the ocean, laundry room which is an entire room, not just a closet with a washer and dryer, beautiful lanai where you can sit and watch the sunrise, gorgeous kitchen that overlooks the ocean with a corner kitchen window at the sink where you can stand as you clean up and watch for whales. I could go on and on, but Sea Watch is truly amazing. Her pictures do not do it justice. We thought it looked very nice from her pictures, but we were so pleasantly surprised when we arrived. It was a million times more gorgeous than it looks in the pictures. Sea Watch was very easy to find with Sam's very detailed directions, and is conveniently located to the Hilo airport. Hilo with all of its breathtaking waterfalls such as Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots Falls, farmers market, Liliuoklani Gardens and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens are all a must. Volcanoes National Park is only 30 miles away and also is a must. If time permits, a day trip around the whole island is a must. Kona Coast also is very pretty, but is much busier and congested. North of Hilo is Laupahoehoe Point which is quite beautiful as well as South of Hilo Punaluu Beach, a black sand beach. Both are a must see. As you can see, there is much to see on the Big Island. You can travel all day and return to relax at Sea Watch, a beautiful and comfortable home away from home.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A family affair with the Sea Watch
Guest: SAAM
(Mississauga, Ontario CANADA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/08
Review Submitted: 09/04/08
My husband, our 7-month old baby and sister stayed at the Sea Watch and it was fantastic! We had tried other vacation places before we arrived at Sea Watch and what a big difference. We would definitely go back to the Sea Watch on our next trip (which we hope will not be too far in the near future). The place was easy to find and very very clean. I was surprised on how clean it was compared to the other vacation places we stayed. My baby girl loved to crawl all over the place. The outside property was very well-maintained. The owners are wonderful and amazing people. They were very accommodating especially with my baby girl. We needed a crib and we got one right away. They thought of everything for the house especially something small like offering a discount grocery card for food shopping. I would definitely recommend this place to all my family & friends.
Recommended for:Families with young children
Paradise on the Big Island
Guest: Nielsen
(Phoenix)
Date of Stay: 11/23/07
Review Submitted: 12/23/08
Seawatch is one of my favorite destinations on the planet. The minute you walk into Seawatch you feel at peace and like you are in your own home. Sam and Dan provide everything you need to have the most luxurious, comfortable experience you will ever have. The crashing waves, beautiful cliff views of the ocean, spacious and open design make you feel like you don't want to ever leave. However, you should since the volcano, Hilo, waterfalls, hiking and fun in the water are all within close proximity. When we think of paradise, Seawatch is where we go. It is very cost effective also for such luxury. I would recommend Seawatch to anyone traveling to the Big Island.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.