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

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

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 40 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shelley F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cool house on beautiful property
Simple home with everything we needed and the host was very helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely getaway
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rose F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Waterfall cabin
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Daniela P.

Beautiful view
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A fabulous off-the-grid experience.
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katrina H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Repeat customer
Always amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawn H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place if it’s what you’re looking for!
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!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Raja H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute little place tucked away in the woods. The private waterfall was the icing on the cake.
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Tyler T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family excursion
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.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Selcidy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
I want to live there!!!
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
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melinda M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A perfect retreat.
A great jump off point. Private. Easy. A bit warm at times, but your body adjusts.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alissa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good experience
Nice place to stay with a great waterfall in back area to swim. A little far from most tourist attractions however a fun off the grid experience. Funner than a hotel for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Katrina H.

Liked: Cleanliness
GREAT Staycation
this was a beautiful little cottage with ladder style stairs leading up to a cute loft, hot running water, plenty of lights, two twin beds, a king bed, and small futon for a child to sleep on. A beautiful view of the river from the front door and a nice waterfall five min away from the river house. Pros: great temperature day and night 90%of the time (better than at home in Kailua Kona), hot showers, all kitchen things needed available, quaint ambiance inside and out, easy to find and park, great waterfall and river views, river towels and shower towels in abundance, plenty sheets and blankets, super easy check in, promo communication, easy going duplex people next door, perfect family or couples retreat or get away, nice safe area for small kids to run around in grass with parents able to rest and sit, very few mosquitoes. Cons: fans upstairs not working, ceiling fan on hour timer, pillows a bit hard or airy, stairs leading to loft were ladder-style so not suitable for kids under 6, warmer non cotton sheets so hard to breath on humid nights Context: we had 2 adults and 2 kids (age 2.5 and 4) from a hot area in Kona on island and a 18year old daughter from big bear visiting us. Rained a little bit but had more than equal sunshine. We will certainly be returning in the future; we will bring our own pillows and a mat for the little one since loft is too high for the little to climb and he didn’t like the couch but aside from that, perfect little oasis.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew J., Yorba Linda, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Love hearing the river and frogs
We went with the 2 kids, wife, and I and this place worked well for us. Close to so many things. Owners gave great instructions and check in and check out was easy.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Special retreat
Great stay at Hamakua House (River House): remote, natural, and very well appointed. Great kitchen, comfy beds, and loved the stars at night and sound of waterfall. Instructions were very clear and easy to follow; no problems at all.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erin P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best sleep on the Big Island!!!
What a lovely location right next to a waterfall, you can hear the sounds of the river all night. They have a friendly little cats as well, and we enjoyed the hiking and the property. I would recommend this spot for a Family and the interior was really cozy and fun for everyone to be together. Thank you!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tina G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful oasis!
A waterfall swimming area! What more do you need to know!?! Book it!! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Gorgeous views all around. We loved falling asleep listening to all the rainforest sounds. The kids loved the loft!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Real Life FernGully Hideaway
Aloha, this amazing hidden cabin is nothing more than a dream. The drive to the cabin takes you through the rainforest down a narrow road deep in the trees over a rushing river where the conqui frogs chirp and the biggest most beautiful topical plants you've ever seen grow. I will point out GPS does take you to the main house. You actually want to go past that entrance probably another 200 yards to a closed bamboo gate(It'll be on your left). It's the only one so you can't miss it and if you get to another bridge you've gone to far. The cabin(a morton building house) itself was perfect. It has everything you might need while you stay. The beds are on the firm side but of course that is to be expected when you're staying anywhere besides your own home. I will say I was nervous about the futon but it was probably the most comfortable out of all the beds. The posted pictures of this property absolutely don't do it justice so please don't let them detour you from experiencing this hidden gem. There's a nice trail down to the river and your own personal waterfall is a dream. Lastly, I'd like to point out some of the negative reviews referring to bugs in the house. Reading those made me kind of leery as it probably does you but I'm happy to report we didn't have a single unwelcome visitor. You must however, keep in mind that you are staying in the rainforest and it is the perfect environment for bugs you likely aren't accustomed to. I can imagine keeping them out isn't a simple task and I can guarantee it has nothing to do with cleanliness but I highly recommend doing your part in making sure all food is in ziplock bags or the fridge to discourage any unwanted visitors as well as making sure dirty dishes are not left in the sink. I hope this review help you make a decision I promise you won't regret! Enjoy your stay! Mahalo
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Beautiful, simple place
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.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Jacob J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Jungle river cottage
The cabin with the little loft was great. Waterfall was a nifty deal. The 2 people that sleep and live in the blocked off back bedroom of this cabin didn't our bother our family, and seemed quite nice. I wish them luck and appreciate them getting extra fuel to run the generator and keep the lights on.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful stay.
Truly enjoyed the property and enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beauty & Comfort in Nature
This place is even more beautiful, private, and comfortable than described. The rushing sounds of the creek soothe you to sleep. The staff are very responsive if anything is needed. There's a short path to the creek where you can cool off in your own private spot. The décor in the house is very modern and beautiful. And there's a bidet!! Don't miss the opportunity to stay in this special place.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ashlee T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible stay!
Property is “off the grid” with all amenities! Amazing location. Close enough to beaches and towns, allowing you to be fully immersed in island life and what it has to offer. I will be bring my family back in the future! Thank you for an amazing stay!
Stayed 13 nights in Feb 2022

4/10 Poor

Karen M.

YIKES! JUST YIKES.
When we arrived to the "Riverside House" around 6:45 pm, we discovered it was half of a duplex, with no view of the river. Not sure if this was where we had booked, we looked behind the duplex and discovered a lot of things being stored and an enclosed toilet, which had a seat spattered with dried urine and next to the toilet was a trash can overflowing onto the floor. Realizing this was the place, we decided to unload our things and then go out to eat before everything closed. When we entered the duplex, and I saw no bathroom, I again questioned if this really was the Riverside House, with a full bathroom. Remembering the urine-spattered toilet outside and finding none inside, I contacted Matt, the owner, through text message and he replied that there was indeed a bathroom inside the unit and it was next to the refrigerator. I let him know the door was locked and he informed us that he'll have a staff member come unlock it. After waiting for more than 1 1/2 hours, and giving up any hope of finding a place still open for dinner, I sent another text to Matt, asking how much longer before someone would arrive to unlock the bathroom door. Matt, who was off-site, replied that staff members had left to do some sight-seeing and would be back soon. He stated I could always use the bathroom outside, telling me, "There has been an entire another bathroom available for you to use. I understand that it was not cleaned to your satisfaction, but it is located outside. Things get dirty outside immediately here. Geckos, slugs, etc. I texted back that bodily fluids has nothing to do with dirt. More than two hours after contacting Matt, three of his staff members arrived with what they could find that might open the door. Each one of the young women who arrived to try to open the bathroom door was kind and empathetic. It took nearly 30 minutes, but they got it open. YEAH! Matt's text messages to us mentioned several times that we could be more empathetic toward him and his situation. We were the one's who deserved empathy. Tired, I texted Matt that we're done texting. At 10:20, Matt sent us,. "Please vacate the property immediately if you have not left within 30 minutes I will have to call the police to have them remove you." He reported to VBRO, ".....guest has exceeded the maximum number of guests allowed in the property and is hosting an unauthorized party," which never happened. We were fortunate to find a great place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Dec 2021
This was a very unpleasant hosting experience for us. My staff reported to me that there were many additional unregistered guests in the house when they arrived to assist them with their issue with the accidentally locked bathroom door. Unfortunately, we had to cancel this reservation because of an unauthorized party being held there. Sadly, this guest has decided to post this low score/retaliatory review despite them not having actually stayed overnight in our listing.

10/10 Excellent

Stephen R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful setting - loved going to sleep with the lush jungle just outside the door.
The swim under the waterfall was perfect. I loved the sound of the rapids just below the house. It felt like we had the real Hawaii all to ourselves.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful River House with Incredible Waterfall
Absolutely loved our stay at this incredible property. Loved the cleanliness of the place, and the thoughtfulness of every little detail (we were thrilled there was ice, for instance). I loved that we could hear the River from inside the unit (with the windows open) and the bed was very comfortable. I do wish there was a larger fan available as it did get quite hot and the fans provided didn’t really help much as they weren’t powerful at all, but that was my only wish. Everything else was incredible— ESPECIALLY the waterfall that we (sadly) didn’t visit until our last day at the property. Truly very special. Can’t wait to come back here one day! Thanks again for the memories!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

2/10 Terrible

Edison w.

remote hard to fine property
The property is very difficulty to find through multiple dirt roads. There is no coffee pot. No Wi-Fi. Manager is not answering the phone. Sings to the property is not marked. VIBO never told the property is in Hilo, 6 hours drive from KONA.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Oct 2021
Wow! 1) you ignored the detailed step-by-step instructions we emailed you, decided to "wing it", and called to complain when you got lost. 2) A french press and tea kettle were provided (this is how you make coffee in an off-grid home). 3) Our Wi-Fi works great! you admitted to us that you were putting the password in wrong. 4) The staff made themselves available to you via text message 24/7. 5) Signage is illegal in Hawaii and you couldn't be troubled to read the detailed step-by-step directions to the property. 6) VRBO told you exactly where the property is located in the listing and Kona is only a 1 hour and 50 min drive from our house (not 6 hours)! Overall, I would say that your review has reminded me that some people really shouldn't be allowed to use the internet. Shame on you for harming an honest small business like this in the middle of a pandemic!

6/10 Okay

Eric S.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Waterfall was great! The rest was a little dodgy.
Overall, the price was good and the waterfall is as advertised. I had two problems. First, a dog tied to a stake that bayed for its master for about 1.5 hours before I complained to the owner. The owner had an employee remove the dog in another 30 minutes. Second, there were lots of roaches in the kitchen. Again, I contacted the owner who indicated he'd had a problem with a previous tenant, had just sprayed (gave me a list of the chemicals used), and indicated that the spray would make the roaches active until they died. OK, not sure how I feel about having used the silverware or dishes, but both text threads were unpleasant. Never quite took ownership of the issues. The employee who owned the dog told me it was in heat the next day, and the owner told me that was none of my business. Regarding the roaches, well, I didn't ask for and the owner didn't offer a discount. Your mileage may vary since most people seem happy with the place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

YURI A.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place is amazing
Nature lovers!!! Will appreciate the singer of the birds at night time, and the relaxing sound of the river 24 hrs. This place is the most peaceful place to stay ever.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The secluded location gave us wonderful views and a uniquely Hawaiian experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nadine G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection!
I had previously stayed in the main house on a solo trip. Bringing my 2 teen daughters this time, we stayed in the River House and it was perfect for us! The kitchen is well stocked with cookware. The house was perfectly clean and lovely. You can hear the river from the house and the waterfall up the driveway is divine. Easy to get to a be a launching site for Hamakua Coast / Waipio through to all the sites of Hilo. I like to be on my own and self-responsible / low maintenance as a guest and Hamakua Guest House has afforded that, while at the same time being available and prompt via email / call if needed. Such a special place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melinda M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location. Everything we needed
The place had enough space and supplies for us to make ourselves at home. The caretaker was helpful and kind! Loved swimming in the pool, it was refreshing and Dreamlike! Nice walking into town.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bethany A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location at an affordable price
We really enjoyed our stay here! It was our final stop on a weeklong tour around the island, and we didn’t get as much time at this location to enjoy the surroundings and the waterfall pool as we had hoped, but it is absolutely beautiful. We had six in the cabin (three adults, three kids ages 3-9), and it was a bit tight with that many of us but still workable. I think it would be absolutely perfect for a four-person group. I knew about the off-the-grid aspect of this location, but didn’t realize before arriving that the refrigerator cycles off for a few hours overnight in order to conserve energy. It was mildly inconvenient for our group because we were early risers and had somewhat tepid milk with our breakfasts because the refrigerator had not turned back on yet. If we had realized in advance, we likely would have planned our breakfast supplies differently. Now that we know what to expect, we would definitely stay here again and hope for more time on site to enjoy the beauty of the location.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Ivayla P.

Off the beaten path
The river house has beautiful and secluded location. Great to have the stream and waterfall in the property. Lots of interesting places to explore around. The management was responsive to our needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Manuel L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect vacation
Perfect place for a vacation. Management was so good at communicating with us. They were very helpful. Very clean and beautiful rental. The location was great. I will definitely come back and I would recommend this place to anyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Darell B., Eagle River, AK

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay
We had a wonderful stay!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

John S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful setting and total privacy
We enjoyed our 6 days living off the grid. The house was well-equipped and comfortable, and the management took care of all our needs and questions. The location is remote, over poorly maintained roads, which might be a problem for some, but turned it into more of an adventure for us. The only criticism we have is that the online listing said "TV". Yes, there is a TV but there is no cable or satellite coverage, so no news coverage, no PBS, or other regularly scheduled programs. All in all, we had a memorable experience here.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

john m., santa monica

Clean, peaceful and beautiful
I had a lovely... lovely stay!!. I would come back and stay in a heartbeat!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Thomas J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique Riverfront Hideaway
We enjoyed barbecue next to the beautiful river and watching the stars at night. Having access to a private waterfall was wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022