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9.4/10 · 43 reviews

River View Family House with a Full Kitchen (No Cleaning Fee)

Hilo District, Big IslandView location
Bedroom
1
Bathroom
1
Guests
6

A place to make Hawaii yours.

Overview

A closer look

About this property

This small house is located adjacent to the river and you will enjoy the relaxing sounds of the water from the house. This house includes a full private kitchen and a private bathroom. Also included is access to our shared waterfall swimming area.

This house is off-the-grid. Being off-the-grid means that we get all of our electricity from the sun and all of our water is collected from the rain. We are not connected to the island's grid power system. Our solar panels charge a large bank of deep cycle batteries all day in order for us to have power around the clock. Guests are asked not to use any appliances that generate heat from electricity (such as toasters, hair dryers, curling irons, etc...) as they consume too much energy for an off-grid power system.

The second apartment unit in this house is sometimes occupied by the property owner. The owner (if present) prefers to allow guests to initiate any contact so they may interact at their own comfort level.

Regulatory Note: This is a hosted rental and is not subject to Hawaii County Bill 108.

Registration Number: GE-038-495-8464-01, TA-038-495-8464-01

Availability

Make time for Hawaii

Availability calendar

Choose an available check-in date, then your check-out. Your selected dates and booking link will appear in a popout.

12-month availability

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Availability can change. Final availability, rates and booking details are confirmed by our partner.

Guest reviews

Guest experiences

Guest reviews

Dustin W.10.0/10
Jan 29, 2026

We had a great stay! The place was clean, comfortable, and exactly as described. The host was friendly, responsive, and made the whole process easy. The river was very nice and we really enjoyed spending time there. One thing to note is that it can be a bit difficult to find after dark, as it’s easy to drive past due to how dark the area is. Also, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is definitely recommended since the road is not paved. It was an easy drive in a Jeep, but lower-clearance vehicles may have some difficulty. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and will definitely come back.

Shelley F.10.0/10
Jul 9, 2023

Simple home with everything we needed and the host was very helpful.

Anna10.0/10
Mar 22, 2023

We are so fortunate to find this place. It is off grid with modern amenities, Netflix , reliable wifi, refrigerator , stove and oven and really all you need except for hair drier, microwave and airconditioning. But not a problem for us. This place is already luxurious being off grid. The surroundings have beautifullush vegetation of a rainforest. It is also has plenty of fruit trees that you can enjoy when in season. And the beautiful river in front of you and the stunning waterfalls about couple of minutes walk is paradise and magical. We enjoyed our stay here big time and we seemed to have the river and waterfalls all to ourselves during our stay.This maybe off grid but very near Hilo and surrounding interesting places. My only advise though, is to come here during day time at check in to avoid confusion. There was a couple who came around 1 am looking for their cabin and tried to get in to the house and woke us all. We tried to give them direction to the other cabin also near the river but only to come back and said that it's not it. They were looking for a house. I can hear all the swearing because of frustration. We don't know exactly where they went next. So please arrive during daytime. All in all, this place is a 5 stars for us. Of course it depends on an individual preference.

Rebecca B.10.0/10
Jan 5, 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at this remote gem. From the fresh tropical fruit we were given to our visits with Miney Mo the cat, this clean and well stocked (including waterfall!) hideaway was a great place to escape the masses. Proximity to Akaka Falls and our Cacao farm tour was a bonus.

Rose F.10.0/10
Jan 1, 2023

We loved our stay at the Family View River House. The kids (5&9) were blown away by the waterfall swimming hole. What a special place to get to experience! I also appreciated the reasonable fees and “clean up after yourself” policy. That said, if you are looking for a resort-type stay where you throw trash wherever you want, expect room service and someone else to clean up after you, this might not be the place. But! If you’re looking for a lovely jungle forest accommodation with a gorgeous natural waterfall swimming pond off the beaten path, this place checks all the boxes!

Daniela P.8.0/10
Dec 28, 2022

I absolutely loved this small little place. It accommodated my son and I so well. We loved the views we woke up to every morning and the waterfall right outside our door was so soothing to fall asleep to 10/10 recommend.

Katie S.10.0/10
Dec 8, 2022

We stayed in the River View House that was separate from the main house. The home was nestled in the jungle with views overlooking the river and a waterfall. The River View House was cozy, had a well-stocked kitchen, had plenty of space for the two of us, and was very clean. The directions to the location were thorough and we appreciated the secluded and gated location. The dirt portion of the road can be a little rough in the rainy afternoons but we really enjoyed the off the beaten path experience. Also, the waterfall just beyond our front door was a fabulous bonus. They were very quick to respond with our questions and needs. Would definitely stay here again.

Katrina H.10.0/10
Nov 25, 2022

Always amazing

Dawn H.10.0/10
Nov 15, 2022

Very off the grid as described. Friendly but destructive cat on the property, kept getting in the cabin during our stay. Some miscommunication with the host lead to a dismal end of the stay, but overall we really enjoyed the out of the way location and the beauty of the surroundings. No a/c!!

Raja H.10.0/10
Nov 12, 2022

Houston, the property manager was super nice and took the extra effort to bring us an amazingly fresh and tasty guava fruit for us to taste from their property! Extra driving directions they emailed was very helpful. Just a couple of things that would have made it a bit more convenient was to have a microwave oven and a toaster available in the kitchen.

Tyler T.8.0/10
Oct 27, 2022

Great way to spend time with family off the grid. On site manager is responsive and good company. House is clean and comfortable. Spent 10 days here and was a great adventure. Houston (on-site staff) was great company, attentive, knowledgeable, and a great resource for the area. Only drawback is how hot the house is at night. No fault to the property as it clearly stated it was off grid, I underestimated the temperature. Also power rarely made it through the night, so if your needing power through the night might want to reconsider. . Overall this was a great experience I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. Being in nature with the sounds made the experience all the better. I would highly recommend this to everyone.

Selcidy S.10.0/10
Sep 17, 2022

There are no words to describe how much I love this little slice of paradise. The home wad adorable and just enough room for myself and 3 kids plus 2 friends. Loved sitting outside in morning with coffee listening to the river and falling asleep to the sounds if water, frogs and crickets. My sons loved walking down to river and swimming in waterfall. I loved the drive to home the trees covering your drive up was magical. I didn't want to leave! Loved the fresh guava and avocados we found along with coconut and bread fruit. Houston the amazing gentleman who oversees the property was so helpful and sweet. We got to play with the 2 cats the live there and bonded with Houston's cute little pup critter. Don't pass an opportunity like this up! I stayed one week and was so sad to leave. I will miss everything about this amazing property. Can't wait to come back again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my first time back to the big island in years out of this world. And having this amazing area for my sons to see true Hawaii living

Matthew10.0/10
Apr 25, 2022

My wife, son and I spent a week at the River Guest house and it was wonderful. This is not a luxury resort but it has everything you will need: full kitchen, small shower, utensils, dishes, spices, hot water, enough electricity to charge your portables, run the lights and TV. There is a king bed downstairs, two beds in a loft and two futons if you need them. There are no TV channels, but there is good wifi, Netflix, Amazon Prime. The location is remote, but not too remote, and securely tucked behind a gate along a stream with a waterfall and pool to swim in. The Kokee frogs croak at night, the birds start waking about 6 AM. the drive in is through a beautiful lush jungle. It is about 11 miles from Hilo, so you will need a car. But everything on the island is within a couple hours, so it made a wonderful base camp for us.

Guest review10.0/10
Aug 20, 2021

The secluded location gave us wonderful views and a uniquely Hawaiian experience.

Location

Your island setting

Property location

Hilo District, Big Island

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Photos

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Property photos

FAQ

Helpful details

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about this property and the reservation process.

Where is this vacation rental located?
  • City: Pepeekeo (postal 96783) Hawaii

Nearby highlights

  • Location: Pepeekeo, HI (Keaukaha – Honomu – Pepeekeo Scenic Drive – 1.89 km to center), United States
  • On the river
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does it have?

1 bedroom and 1 bathroom.

How many guests can it sleep?

This rental sleeps up to 6 guests.

What amenities are available?
  • Cabin
  • Unit size: 500 sq ft (47 sq m)
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed
  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided
  • Free WiFi
  • with speed of 25+ Mbps
  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine
  • BBQ grill grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Lanai / balcony
  • Car required
  • Onsite parking
  • BBQ grill
  • Extra Bed
  • Free Parking
  • Internet
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • No Smoking
  • Outdoor Hot tub / space
  • TV
  • Washer
What should I know about check-in?
  • Check in starts at 3:00 PM
  • Check out before 12:00 PM
  • Check in time starts at 3:00 PM
  • Contactless check in available
  • Contactless check out available
  • You will receive an email from the host with check in and check out instructions
  • Government issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check in for incidental charges
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
  • Property Registration Number GE 038 495 8464 01, TA 038 495 8464 01
What are the house rules and policies?
  • Pets not allowed
  • Children are welcome.Note from host: Children old enough to walk are counted as people.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
What are popular things to do nearby and on Big Island?
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cave exploring nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Location: Pepeekeo, HI (Keaukaha – Honomu – Pepeekeo Scenic Drive – 1.89 km to center), United States
  • On the river
Do I need a rental car on Big Island, and what about parking?

A rental car may not be required for every stay, but transportation needs depend on your arrival airport, activities and how much of the island you plan to visit. Parking notes: Car required, Onsite parking.

What kind of rental is this?

This is a cabin rental.

Does the Check Availability button open the booking page?

The button opens the partner listing page where you can review final rates, fees, availability, policies and booking details before booking.

Local Weather

Today's Weather in Hilo District

Weather in Hilo District
Drizzle · Updated 9:15 pm HST · Sunset 6:13 pm HST
Temperature
75°F
Feels like
80°F
Wind
13mph
Rain chance
100%
A gentle drizzle – the kind of rain that sounds better than it looks.

From our home in Hawaii

A beautiful stay.A little aloha shared.

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