Vacation Rentals by Owner
Amazing Oceanfront Estate with Very Nice Ocean Access [#97196] | View Property
Puako
House, 3 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 3 Baths (Sleeps 7)
$725/nt
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Traveler Reviews (22)
Perfect spot for a wedding
Guest: Alan
(Honolulu)
Date of Stay: 12/25/11
Review Submitted: 01/04/12
Puako is one of the most idyllic spots in Hawaii, and this property is one of the best locations in the area. The house is well designed and immaculately maintained. The Puako reef and the sunsets are magnificent. The management goes out of their way to make your stay special. Who could ask for more?
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
A special place in our hearts.
Guest: Never To Be Forgotten
(Hilo, Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11
Review Submitted: 09/11/11
The five days we spent here were amazing! The pictures on the website just do not do it justice. Thank you for letting us into your home and allowing the most important day of our lives happen in a way we will never forget. This house and and its ambiance created an amazing vibe for our ceremony and reception. "Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary" will always hold a special place in our hearts. We hope that we can come back one day...maybe for one of our anniversaries! PS. My four year old daughter absolutely loved the whimsical touches- swings, kid's table, kid's bench, etc. It was just wonderful all the way around!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Expectations exceeded...and then some
Guest: Expectations Exceeded
(Mill Valley, California)
Date of Stay: 04/12/11
Review Submitted: 04/23/11
Wow.....we had a perfect trip to Hawaii. Thank you so much for having such a great house that you share. Everything exceeded our expectations, ...and then some. We look forward to returning next year, but next time we are staying for 9 or 10 days! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Sleeping Turtle sanctuary is truly an amazing place and was a huge part of what made our trip perfect. My two boys were fascinated with the turtles that slept on the beach right in front of the house, and both snorkeled away hours of the day in the waters in front of the house. They saw MORE turtles, found the home of an eel that they visited everyday, parrot fish, tangs and so many others. We also enjoyed watching two whales one morning while having breakfast on the lanai. The house gave everyone their space and the surrounding gardens, lawns and beach entertained my boys while I was able to sit in the Sky Chair and read a book. The house is also five minutes away from several of the best beaches on Hawaii. The Big Island is now our favorite island. We found it hard to leave, and we will definitely be back!
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Pleased as can be
Guest: Home Away From Home
(Salinas, Calif.)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10
Review Submitted: 01/24/11
What an amazing week we spent in your beautiful island home! We loved every minute here. Whenever we left for an outing, we couldn't wait to return to this house. Thank you for your generous hospitality. Your attentiveness before we arrived helped answer all our needs so that we were able to step right into paradise. We had many highlight moments on the island, yet each time we returned to Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary, we were so happy to be "home". You provided such comfort that our extended family relaxed as never before. Thank you, mahalo, see you soon.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Our Best Hawaiian House Rental Ever !!
Guest: Allison and Adam
(Vista, California - San Diego County)
Date of Stay: 10/02/10
Review Submitted: 10/16/10
We stayed at 40 Puako in Oct & every aspect of the home, property, & ocean access exceeded our expectations. This was our sixth house rental in Hawaii, coming from the San Diego area of California. We certainly feel that 40 Puako excelled in every aspect of what you want from a vacation beach rental in Hawaii. We had a short six day trip this time, and spent most all of it just relaxing around the house, kayaking, and snorkeling. We just did not want to leave. We feel the listing could not have been more accurate; easy, flat, and a smooth entry to the water is literally just 30 feet from the stairs of the home. And, the volcanic rock has created a reef at the very edges of the home's property. On other vacations we gotten in the car and traveled to find the best snorkeling, but not here. At 40 Puako, there were so many fish and turtles within seconds of being in the water. For good swimmers, the drop off to deep blue waters, and an even better reef, is a very short swim. You are there before you even realize it. And when you do get there, you will be amazed at the ocean life right before your eyes. We strongly suggest bringing one of those new underwater cameras and you will get some of the most amazing photos ever. As for the inside of the home, the kitchen is top notch, with all of the very best top line appliances. You will have everything you could possibly need to make some incredible meals. The house has so many fans, and the lights dim down everywhere making this property a real mood setter. With all the window and doors, there is a constant sea breeze making this a very comfortable property. Everything else from linens, to pillows, to place settings was there in abundance; and extremely clean as well. The grounds are meticulously maintained and you will really appreciate the outdoor shower, and hoses to spray off snorkel equipment when you come out of the water. There is a super neat grill outside, and the home is stocked with so much stuff you just won't believe it. When we first arrived, we were also surprised how quickly we got there from the Kona Airport. Finally, I would like to commend both Lon and Kalia on their methods of caring for and maintaining this home for guests such as us. They have an excellent communication style, and could not have been more responsive from our first inquiry to our good byes, and in between. Not only would we highly recommend this property, but we plan on a return trip.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Peace in Paradise
Guest: Peace in Paradise
(Salem, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 06/11/10
Review Submitted: 06/20/10
Words seem so inadequate for an experience like we had at the Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary. I have never felt so at home and at peace anywhere else in all my years of travel, and I surely hope we can return someday. Your home by the sea is truly a sanctuary- all 6 of us have loved our time here and are already dreaming of coming back someday. I particularly loved the sunsets- so beautiful and peaceful. And your home is a work of art in itself. Nothing can compare with walking off your own lanai into the deep blue waters filled with every color and shape of fish. How wonderful to glide along with the turtles! We also especially enjoyed the wildlife that visits your yard and this area- chameleons, gekos, so many birds and of course the sea turtles. We thank you for allowing us to share your wonderful house.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Absolutely loved it!
Guest: Nancy
(Evergreen, CO USA)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10
Review Submitted: 06/23/10
I had the pleasure of staying with my family for a week in May. This house was everything I hoped for and Lon & Kalia were very helpful with our planning. It is a beautiful home and the kitchen has absolutely everything you could ever want or need. The layout is very nice and allows privacy between the bedrooms. The lanai is an amazing place to watch the turtles & dolphins and is perfect for outdoor dining. Snorkeling was also very good. Without a doubt, we picked the right home and cannot wait to return.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Beautiful Wedding Location
Guest: Emily and Mark
(Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/12/10
Review Submitted: 06/02/10
My husband and I were married at Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary and we could not have picked a more beautiful location! Our ceremony took place right on the beach with the ocean as a backdrop. All of our guests raved about the beauty of the location and the house. My family stayed with us at the house and it was incredibly comfortable and luxurious. The amenities are amazing and just as described in the listing. We snorkeled and played in the ocean just steps from the beautiful backyard of the house, and we even had a chance to shore dive from the beach. The outdoor shower and easy access to the bathrooms from outside were great amenities for anyone who spends a lot of time in the water. And the BBQ was a real plus! We would definitely recommend Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary to our family and friends. Thanks to Lon and Kalia for all their help!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Everything we needed, and more!
Guest: Could Not Be More Pleased
(San Jose, Calif.)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10
Review Submitted: 05/08/10
What a fabulous home! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and wish you could have heard us raving everyday. Mahalo, Lon and Kalia, for thinking of everything we could have needed GP (San Jose, CA) and family from Hilo & Waimea
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Heaven in Puako
Guest: Heaven in Puako
(New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/14/10
Review Submitted: 04/24/10
I always feel magic in Puako and being here, in this spectacular hale, always reminds you what a gift it is to be alive. We are so grateful to experience the energy here and will indeed be returning. We came to relax here before our wedding next week- it has been a blessing and a time we will have as beautiful memories. Thanks to Lon and Kalia (managers) for doing such great work! Aloha, C & J
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Puako Paradise
Guest: Happy to be in Hawaii
(Eugene, OR, U.S.A.)
Date of Stay: 10/19/09
Review Submitted: 11/11/09
We just spent nine days with two other couples at Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary. We had a fabulous time! The house is perfect! The interior spaces are large and beautifully decorated and the kitchen is well equipped and big enough for many cooks. We spent hours on the oceanfront lanai--watching the turtles swim and come to rest on the beach, enjoying the spinner dolphins entertaining us while swimming by the house. We snorkeled right from the beach and saw a multitude of different fish on the reef. We visited Beach 69, Hapuna and the beach at Mauna Kea Resort, but we really didn't need to go anywhere. Everything we wanted was at Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary. It is truly paradise!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A Photographer's Heaven
Guest: Photographer in Heaven
(Sunnyvale, California)
Date of Stay: 09/12/09
Review Submitted: 10/31/09
As my daughter so aptly put it: "There is no justification to leave this place in order to see something somewhere else!" It's all right here: the beautiful ocean in all shades of blue and green; the sound of the waves; the sea life... sitting on the deck is just like looking at a vacation brochure! The house is so lovingly designed and decorated, and the kitchen is so well equipped that it feels much more like visiting friends at their home rather than "renting a vacation place". An important feature for those of us with back issues: the beds are really comfy! The set up of the house offers possibilities for groups of people to spend time together but be able to separate too- it is ideal for a family (and friends) trip. The breathtaking ocean life coaxed even me, an utterly non-aquatic and non-adventurous individual, out to the reef and marvel at the sights...wow, it is just like a David Attenborough documentary! Such an incredible experience to be right here with the fish and turtles- who are also very obliging in coming right up on the beach for an afternoon nap. We had an absolutely gorgeous time!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
More than a dream
Guest: Puako Dreamin'
(St. Louis, Mo.)
Date of Stay: 06/05/09
Review Submitted: 06/30/09
There is not much to add to the comments already posted. Everything said before is SO TRUE. We could have dreamed this house and setting if we tried. The house is spacious and comfortable with a fabulous kitchen, plenty of ceiling fans and a beautiful lanai for watching sunsets. The snorkeling is amazing, and the sound of the water lapping the lava rock is constantly restful. Our family stayed there is June, and there is no reason to leave the property. If you do plan an excursion, coming back to 40 Puako is heaven.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.
Favorite Place In The World
Guest: Pleased in Puako
(Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 05/05/09
Review Submitted: 06/16/09
Once you stay at the Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary in Puako it will become your favorite place in the world. It's a bit of old Hawaii: a peaceful residential neighborhood tucked away without gates or road noise. There's just the constant whooshing of waves just a few feet beyond the lanai and a general store a short walk away that seems always to have what you need. The house is perfect: luxurious but relaxed with lots of wood and windows; spacious but cozy with a great kitchen and master suite. But you'll spend most of your time on the huge shady lanai, watching the turtles paddling around in the shallow water or resting on the beach or watching the sun sizzle into the water as it goes down. It's close to the best beaches on the island and some of the best snorkeling. Prepare to unwind to a degree you never thought possible.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Perection in Puako
Guest: service
(Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 02/14/09
Review Submitted: 04/14/09
Perfection in Puako. What else can I say. This was our 2nd stay at Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary. We loved it so much the first time that we booked for 5 weeks the next year. The kitchen is a dream, a gourmet layout, with wonderful contemporary accessories. The decor of the home is pleasing and restful. The lawns are kept perfectly manicured. Whales and turtles in abundance. Snorkeling is the best right off our beach. We lacked for nothing. With the management of Kalia and Lon, all needs were instantly met.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09
Review Submitted: 02/11/09
This is a wonderful house perfectly located and equipped with everything you might need. We stayed for two weeks with two other couples. Almost every day we started with breakfast on the deck followed by some of the best snorkling ever (be sure to check out the turtle washing station). Dinner on the deck at night and life was very very good.
Recommended for:
Guestbook Comment
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09
Review Submitted: 02/07/09
Amazing place! We’ve stayed at other houses in Puako, but will definitely come back here. I could not have imagined a better place to spend my 40th. Birthday dinner on the fantastic lanai surrounded by family & friends was unforgettable. The location and view are second to none, and there were perpetually sea turtles on shore to keep us company when the whales weren’t putting on a show. When not on the spectacular lanai, the exquisitely designed and well equipped kitchen was a pleasure to spend time and cook in. I would not hesitate to highly recommend this house to anyone that is looking to stay in Puako. Lon & Kalia - Mahalo nui loa!
Recommended for:
Island living at it's best
Guest: ScubaFiend
(Redwood City, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/29/08
Review Submitted: 02/19/09
As a local girl who left the islands many years ago, this is the place I want to return to over and over. This home is an updated version of 'old Hawaii' style of island living. The home is very modern but the overall feel, open space, lanai, meticulously cared for grounds and ocean song harken back to another time. The home is perfectly located between Kona and all it's attractions and this more off the beaten path parts of the Big Island such as Kamuela, Hawi and Hamakua Coast. The local managers, Lon and Kalia, do a wonderful job of welcoming visitors and making sure all is perfect. The little beach right outside is a haven for turtles. One evening we counted six of them basking on the rocks. In the right season you can sit on the lanai and watch the whales breaching. A real treat. Puako is a great little beach community, complete with a general store, that is a mix of vacation homes and local folks. Very friendly. Without reservation I recommend this home as the perfect place to find serenity and reconnect with the natural beauty that is the Big Island.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Paradise awaits
Guest: Relaxation Seekers
(San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/09/08
Review Submitted: 04/07/09
What a wonderful house! We stayed here with another couple and can't wait to return! The house is situated right on the beach, steps away from the water. The lanai on the beach side is a great place to watch the turtles and dolphins, and to have dinner. When I think about our stay here, it is impossible to keep the smile off my face. A great house and great hosts (Lon and Kalia). Can't wait to see you again!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway
The perfect Hawaiian vacation!
Guest: The Hodges
(Scottsdale, AZ)
Date of Stay: 08/10/08
Review Submitted: 03/22/09
This was our 6th year back to Puako for a family vacation that now includes grandchildren! Without a doubt this was the most hospitable home we've rented and look forward to many other vacations here. As a family, we enjoy cooking and the gourmet kitchen was fabulous and eating on the lanai was perfect. Every sunset was special and the whole gang loved getting to know the turtles. Thank you to Lon and Kalia for the attention to detail that made our 2 weeks very special. See you soon!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Puako Beach Vacation
Guest: Venice Beach Guy
(Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 03/17/08
Review Submitted: 04/19/09
My family and I spent a glorious week in this architecturally significant beach front home on famed Puako Beach. I can only tell you that the stay was wonderful, the staff was courteous and helpful and the sunsets were stupendous. I highly recommend this location as your next vacation.
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
A sanctuary for people too!
Guest: Dar & Eileen
(San Antonio, TX)
Date of Stay: 01/12/08
Review Submitted: 02/24/09
Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary is a beautiful blend of traditional Hawaiian styling with contemporary Asian influence. The house is spacious, with great decor, comfortable furnishings and fantastic interior lighting. The house is worth renting for access to the expansive lanai alone. Turtles came to the beach every day, we saw whales frequently and viewed spectacular daily sunsets. A great place to relax and watch the ocean, with a nice front and back yard. The kitchen is wonderfully equipped if you wish to cook. Beach access is rocky, but the snorkeling is superb! Puako is a nice, quiet community and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The property managers, Kalia and Lon, are truly nice people and are sensitive to your requirements. Sleeping Turtle Sanctuary is a great choice for a Big Island vacation.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.