Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!
House in Puako, HI
6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
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About this house rental
The “Lalamilo Beach Bungalow” has been a labor of love for the owners, who have taken a personal interest in the restoration and preservation of this historic,1930’s beach front home. Originally accessible only by boat (there were no roads to the beach) the owners vacationed there with just their family and friends. Now a vacation rental, the three bedroom house is available to beach lovers from around the world. Nestled against a gradually sloping hillside and overlooking Waialea Bay, one of the Big Island’s few white sandy beaches, the house epitomizes Old Hawaii with its simple, open architecture that invites ocean breezes and frames spectacular sunsets. Original hardwood floors and Ohia (a native Hawaiian wood) counter tops add to the charm as do the authentic Hawaiian furnishings and artwork throughout.
The close proximity of the house to the water make this an ideal spot to snorkel, swim, sunbathe, surf, dive and whale watch. From the kitchen, dining and living areas, you can watch children playing in the water and building sand castles on the beach. Designed for three couples or a family, the house sleeps up to 6 adults. Two of the bedrooms can made up into either king or twin beds while the third offers a double bed. All three bedrooms open out onto a lanai and have ocean views.
Please note: As desirable as this property may be due to it's charm and remarkable location, the Bungalow is not a hotel. We keep the property as clean and secure as possible but please understand that this home is located on the beach in a natural, tropical environment. While the house is fully screened, and we maintain a regular pest control service, guests may encounter insects. If you love the sounds of the ocean and the beauty of the great outdoors, you won't find any place better! But if you prefer a climate-controlled, manicured, hotel-like environment, this may not be the place for you.
STVR-19-359909 // NUC-19-1261
Transient Accommodations: TA-20-140-682-01
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Garden
Map of Puako, HI
$$$$
Reviews
5.0
I've been intrigued by this cottage for years and am grateful that I had the opportunity to stay there. I'll be back! <3
5.0
Location is everything! Bungalow on the beach made for amazing memories. We loved being able to enjoy meals on the patio and then pop back down to the beach. Not packing up for all day beach outings was an absolute joy! We used the recommended company for groceries upon arrival which was a life saver! Thank you for letting us stay at the bungalow and enjoy such an amazing piece of Hawai’i! What a treat! Mahalo!
5.0
If you love the waves crashing, which did take some getting used to because of the winter storm sizes.
The bungalow is a100 years old and has its quirks and mostly charm. If you like to cook the kitchen tools etc and equipment is a C. Your outdoor patio is a A.
Enjoy it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
5.0
This home is the rare Big Island single family home that is directly on the beach. It’s such a beautiful location that is secluded during the time that the park is closed. Since it is in a park, people do come use the beach as soon as it opens in the morning, but it really didn’t bother us and there were plenty of times when we had it all to ourselves. This is such a unique property that was perfect for our family. We’d love to come back!!!
5.0
What a hidden gem of a place, just as wonderful and relaxing as it was in 2018 when we’re last there. Can’t wait to return!
5.0
We had a wonderful stay in this bungalow on the beach. Thank you so much.
4.0
We loved the beach location and the day of Iron Man we had the whole beach to ourselves. Rustic and very Hawaiian type of experience.
5.0
Perfect Hawaii Getaway
This home on the beach provides all the amenities and opportunities you could wish for. It's a spectacular spot for a getaway. While the beach gets crowded during the day (like all nice beaches in Hawaii), between 7 pm and 7 am when the state park gate is closed, it's empty. We loved eating on the beachside lanai and swimming early in the morning before anyone else arrived. The water is safe for children and perfect for swimming. Leilani has thought of every detail, from extra towels and boogie boards to quality furnishings, a cooking-ready kitchen, and more things than I can name. We loved our stay and would come back in a heartbeat!
5.0
Amazing property
Look back at my review 1 year ago. Nothing has changed. Very pleased with my stay. Family had a great time. Prince had a great time. Feel free to look forward one year from now and read my review then. Good luck renting this place as it is crazy popular.
5.0
Lovely Beach Vacation
We so enjoyed our week staying in this charming beach bungalow. As others have stated, it may not be for everyone, but it was exactly what we were expecting - charming, a little rough around the edges, and beachy! The side yard was perfect for a little seclusion and morning yoga. Sunset cocktails on the patio were breathtaking and the sound of surf at night lulled us to sleep (and occasionally woke us from sleep:) So glad we were able to enjoy this speacial place! Thank you!
4.0
Beautiful Place
Best vacation yet. The house allows you to actually relax because you don't have to go anywhere to enjoy the beach and ocean. We had Connor and Kristin cater our stay with pre-prepped meals and one meal where they came and cooked and served. We also recommend the masseuse Angelica.
5.0
Amazing bungalow
WOW simply sums it up! This was our 1st stay here and we cant wait to go back. The beach bungalow was perfect for us. The property was just like described. The beach is public but still had plenty of privacy in the morning and evenings. Leilani was great to work with too. I highly recommend this place.
5.0
Best Vacation Ever
This little bungalow nestled at the end of the beach is all we needed for rest and relaxation. We snorkeled and slept and enjoyed the stars. Feels like summer camp!
Love this place! Thank you Leilani for everything! We will be back!
5.0
Amazing location
Sad to see the price go up for next year, but I will be reserving 2022 happily. This should speak for itself. The location, and atmosphere cannot be beat. The kitchen and living room was amazing and well equipped. We really appreciated the hot shower right off the beach to wash off between beach sessions with our child. The white noise provided by the ocean meant we could hang out without worrying about our 3 year old waking up at night. The amount of toys and beach equipment in the rental is impressive...snorkel gear, flippers, body boards, shovels, toys, umbrellas, extra chairs, you name it.
Things you should know, but are not negative:
1. This unit is at the end of a public beach/park. It opens from 8-8, so expect a crowd during the day, but fairly private after sunset and in the mornings. This is especially true on weekends.
2. The house is old. Very clean, but you can see signs of wear such as certain wooden structure rotting. This makes it feel very authentic, and is not a problem in a beach cottage that is probably at least 70 years old and located directly next to ocean spray.
3. The bathrooms are a little separate from the house, due to needs of the septic system. You just step out the back of the house and walk a few steps. The facilities are very nice, and this would only be an issue I think if I brought my elderly parents who would be nervous about navigating to the restroom in the dark. We had no problem with it.
Overall, best stay I have ever had in Hawaii. Highly recommend you rent the stand up paddle boards for the week that the owner suggests.
5.0
Lovely stay
We would return to this bungalow in a heartbeat. It was well represented in the images online and may not be for everyone, but for our family it was perfection.
5.0
Amazing, amazing, amazing
This is the only home we ever want to rent in Hawaii! It is right on the best Big Island beach. It is decorated in a charming, vintage Hawaii style but has all the modern facilities you could want. Leilani went out of her way to make our stay comfortable and fun. It was an absolutely amazing vacation and we only left to buy groceries; there was no need to go anywhere else!
5.0
Perfect relaxation!
Loved our week there at our little piece of paradise! Having the beach right outside the door made everything so easy. Mornings and evenings when it was totally ours were blissful. The snorkeling was surpringly good, even swam with a sea turtle! Whales even passed the bay a couple of days. The screened in house really kept you right in the ocean feel night and day. Would happily return to this perfect world!
2.5
Great location and great view. Snorkeling was superb most days. The bungalow itself had all the amenities and then some. The beach got a little crowded at times, however, having our own beach side patio was wonderful.
5.0
Great time!!
Great location and great view. Snorkeling was superb most days. The bungalow itself had all the amenities and then some. The beach got a little crowded at times, however, having our own beach side patio was wonderful.
5.0
love this rental!!!
We love this property!! You truly can’t find another place like this with so much character. Yes, the beach is crowded but everyone was great and my girls loved all the action. Leilani was so great to work with and made our stay that much more enjoyable. The bathroom is outside but it’s not a problem at all as it’s about 5 steps outside the kitchen. We rented paddle boards and had them delivered to the house for the week. Definitely a bonus to have them. The downstairs shower is wonderful with a great washer dryer in the room as well. The rooms all open to the outside porch and slept the 6 of us comfortably.
5.0
Breathtaking
From the moment we walked in the front door until the moment we departed ... the Lalamilo Beach Bungalow took our collective breath away.
We have stayed in amazing places around the world and the bungalow is a new favorite. If you’re looking for poolside service and views of the golf course this is not the place. If you’re looking to kick off your shoes, bury your feet in the sand, grill your own fish and make your own cocktails then this place is heaven. Our family of 5 needed to get unplugged and that we did. But don’t worry- the WiFi works!
Not to mention:
The sound of the surf —
The gorgeous beach—
The moonlight on the water—
The sunlight on the sand—
And the friendly people!
It’s a vacation to remember :)
We plan on returning! Thank you Leilani!
Mahalo!
5.0
great location!
Leilani was very helpful and responsive. A vacation we will never forget!
5.0
A gem of a place, right on the beach
Our group of five spent Thanksgiving week here, and it’s a very special place. Well stocked kitchen, comfortable beds, and a lovely patio right on the edge of Beach 69. You’ll have lots of company on the beach during the day, but before 8am and after sunset you’ll pretty much have it to yourself. Good snorkeling right off the beach.
5.0
Best hideaway ever!
Could not have been happier with the location and the property. Located behind a locked gate and down a private drtive (shared with 3 houses), Lalalimo Beach Bungalow is gem.
It is tucked away on the edge of a white sand beach with a private platform overlooking the water. Perfect for morning coffee, evening cocktails and mid-day sunning. The house is vintage Hawaiian - and fully stocked with beach toys, cooking and eating utensils - even an ice machine. Swimming, snorkeling, relaxing. I can't wait to get back!
4.0
Rustic
The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is because it was so hot. There was no air conditioning and my wife was miserable at night. Leilani was very responsive and brought more fans, and it was very unusual for the weather to be so hot. But still, we expected a better experience.
That being said, this is the best house on the best beach on the big island. Incredible location, very secluded after the beach park closes. I will definitely return, but leave my wife at home!
5.0
Rustic Beach Gem!
This house could not be in a more perfect location. It's tucked right back in a cove with a great beach right out front. The water isn't super rough and it was perfect for our 4 year old, plus there was some great snorkeling right around the rocks out front that the adults enjoyed.
The house itself is pretty rustic but it was comfortable. We had our family of four and two other single adults. With the space in the living room, we were all able to fit comfortably. One thing to note is that each bedroom is more of it's own unit, as is the main part of the house so you access each room through a separate entrance from the porch. I was a bit worried about our 4 year old wandering down to the water by himself since we would be totally separate but we made due. Also, the bathroom is detached from the house which is not a big deal, just different. There was a resident lizard that lived in there but it just took a little getting used to.
Overall, this is a wonderful house if you're main interest is proximity to the water and a nice beach. It is quite rustic and not a particularly fancy accommodation but you really can't beat the setting!
5.0
Rustic and beautiful!!
This property is a hidden gem. Imagine walking out into your private patio with the waves lapping at your feet. This is the perfect beach right at your door, but be prepared to share it with locals and tourists alike. You will swell with pride when the beach goers realize that this is YOUR little corner of paradise! The sunsets are amazing and the water and snorkeling are the best. Be prepared for a “glamping” type atmosphere with regard to the bathroom and accommodations - there will be some insect and gecko visitors to the facilities in the evenings, but how can you blame them? Everyone will want in on this awesome bungalow.
5.0
Perfect family bungalow!
Came here for only five days and wish we had stayed longer. The house was so perfect with our grandchildren and adult children… Set up so that we could sit on the deck while the kids played in the sand. Snorkeling was great. We rented a kayak and stand up paddle board which added to the fun. The fact that the bathroom is detached from the rest of the house is actually a positive and is well laid out and spacious. The kitchen is well-equipped and the beds comfortable. We will definitely return to the bungalow, which is our perfect idea of a beach vacation ( we are not resort people) and very true to the old Hawaiian style, simple and basic but still comfortable.
4.0
One of a kind quintessential Hawaii experience.
Amazing little bungalow right on the water. Couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay and such a great experience for our 3 young (5, 7, 9) children.
Having the beach right outside our door was the absolute best part. The beach gets pretty busy during the day but everyone is very respectful of the patio and personal property.
I would not recommend this property for families with extremely small children or children that wander/sleep walk. The bedroom doors open to the back porch which could be scary for some parents.
5.0
Sweet spot
Lovely place
5.0
Love the bungalow!
Stayed here for a week in January and loved the bungalow! Private gated entrance, the house is right on a beautiful beach - couldn't be more convenient. Quant little beach house - well equipped, simple finishes, everything you need for the beach. Rented kayak and paddle board from recommended company - they delivered and picked up - paddled out each day to get a close up view of the whales and other sea life. It is on a state beach so you do have others on the beach. The deck overlooking the beach is very unique and a great place to people watch. Well equipped beach stuff - chairs, towels, fins, toys, etc. Don't need umbrella cause trees on beach provide shade. Kitchen well equipped and stocked with extras. Grocery store convenient - just a couple miles away - grill off the kitchen worked well. Three cozy bedrooms, all with separate entrances. Wished the living room had a standard couch set up - only one comfortable chair. If you are looking for a resort this is not for you - if you are looking for a quant beach front place to chill this is it. It's a bit rustic - two bathrooms outside and nature. We all had an amazing time and we'll come back to this unique bungalow for more fun!
5.0
Sheer Bliss
You couldn't imagine a more beautiful location. This property is spectacular. The beds are comfortable, the kitchen is very well-equipped, the bungalow is charming Old Hawaiian style, and Leilani went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed for a great stay. We had our 17yo, 18yo and 22yo and their 84 year old grandmother with us, and all six of us had an incredible week. The outside bathroom was tricky to navigate to for the 84 year old at night, but she said that it was worth it to be at that spot. Every morning, we had the beach to ourselves, swam in the cove (about 0.6 miles across the opening of the cove and back), saw turtles, and one of us even saw a manta ray one morning on our swim. The only problem with staying here is that you won't want to leave it to go anywhere else.
5.0
Dream Vacation
We absolutely loved the Lalamilo Bungalow. The highlight, of course, is the rare opportunity to stay ON an incredibly beautiful beach in Hawaii. My family and I basically lived on the deck, often fielding questions from others on the beach about how we were so lucky to stay in this house. It is a dream-come-true to be able to walk out of the house and onto the beach to snorkel in the mornings. By the way, the snorkeling around the reefs off Beach 69 was astounding, along with turtles and eels. The kids loved jumping off the rock in front of the house into the ocean. Then, watching the sunset into the ocean from our own private deck was breathtaking. Usually, by then, there were no other people on the beach, which made it even more extraordinary. The house itself was very charming and really nicely and simply decorated. We didn't really even notice the heat outside because of the constant breezes blowing through the house. The configuration of the house wasn't completely clear to us from the description, in that the entry into each of the bedrooms is from the outside on the patio. We loved it, and it made for a great sense of privacy and space. The bathroom/shower is also separate from the house, requiring a trip in the dark at night to use the toilet. The description also did not adequately convey how much space there is on this property. We LOVED the upper lawn overlooking the beach! The grill worked perfectly outside, and it was great to have a shower downstairs in the laundry room to wash off the sand. The house was fully stocked and just beautiful. We would love to return again, and I highly recommend this amazing house.
5.0
Fantastic "old Hawaii" experience, perched above the surf yet shaded all day by lovely trees. Mahalo
Our family of four had a great week here at Lalamilo Bungalow. Our two teenage children each had their own bedroom, very important for those afternoon siesta times in between snorkeling or boogie boarding sessions. The house is laid out very well, so that you enjoy cooking ocean breezes blowing through screened windows the entire length of the house, including living room, dining area, and kitchen, and all three bedrooms. There is a short path down to a concrete patio with comfortable lounge chairs just four feet above the high tide line. You will sit and enjoy the changing views here all day, if you like to relax in your vacation. The ocean and horizon is always changing as are the people on the beach. This beach is never crowded, even on weekends. Nice mix of locals and visitors come to swim, sun, and swim. We saw surfers on the outer reefs during a serious 5-6 foot swell with perfect offshore breezes for three mornings, local boogie boarders doing their barrel rolls and 360's on the inside reefs while the surf was big, and then lake-like conditions for 3 days on which we could see hundreds of reef fish on those same reefs when the surf was flat. We snorkeled each reef in Waialea Bay. Best is the rock projection closest to the patio, if you swim out about 200 yards to where it holds large coral formations and some crevasses. We saw puffer fish, schools of 50-100 yellow tang, a moray eel, a sea turtle, a spiny lobster, and lots of juvenile fish which are fun to watch.
On big surf days, it is a 5 min drive on the access road to Hapuna Beach or Mauna Kea beach for good boogie boarding on a sand beach, safe and super fun for kids even when the shore real is well overhead. Buy groceries to cook in just 10 min down the highway at Mauni Lani shops- there is a very well-stocked grocery store there. Very nice gas grill on the deck near the kitchen. The constant breeze means no AC needed at all. Good showers both inside and outside for rinsing sand off. Quiet all day and night. You can hear birds cooing and singing all day. Aloha to Hawaian paradise. Mahalo to all the great people here! You'll love it here.
5.0
Totally relaxing
We stayed here Mid-March. It was great for snorkeling and relaxing. Didn't want to go anywhere else. The waves are loud and some of us wore ear plugs at night, not really an issue for us. So great to be able to go in the water whenever you want. It is all about the location. Lealani was quick to take care of any of our needs. It is fairly rustic but that is one of the things we liked about it. Almost like camping at the beach, but in total comfort. We also rented kayaks and a SUP from the company Lealani suggested. They were great and delivered and picked them up for us! House is also very well stocked with boogie boards and snorkel gear and beach chairs and toys. We can't wait to go back!
5.0
Crashing ocean waves!
Very much enjoyed our stay! Loved the beach- very busy on the weekend but the weekdays are perfect! Cozy, quaint and rustic bungalow, wonderful family vacation!
2.5
If this 1930s beach cottage was any closer to the water, it would be a house boat. It's within the confines of a state park, part of a small cluster of bungalows, so we assume it is grandfathered in. The location is remarkable -- I'm sure no one would be allowed to build here today. One steps out and is in the water.
What works?
Location, location, location.
We were utterly charmed by the authentic, 1930s old Hawaii feel of the place.
It is well cared for, well stocked, clean, has good wifi, and comfortable in a cozy way.
Leilani was responsive and helpful whenever needed.
Puako is a nice location -- out of the touristy buzz of Kona (unless that's what you are seeking) and close enough to Waimea for great eating (get yourself to the extraordinary Merriman's while here). It's about escape, not a party-time location.
What you need to accept:
Bring earplugs -- the surf is incessant and while no AC is needed, the open windows means pounding surf all night long.
Authentic 1930s can look a bit funky to some people. The bedrooms are very small (and separated by thin walls), the bathroom is in an adjacent structure (absolutely workable), there is a rodent problem all over the island, so traps here and there (we disposed of a dead mouse -- no big deal).
The beach is utterly swimmable, but if you have kids you'd want to keep an eye on them -- the surf can be powerful and there is no lifeguard.
Beaches are public and the bungalow sits at the end of a state park beach, so while it feels secluded, there was also a lot of people just outside the bungalow most days until the park closed at 7PM -- it was never a problem, but its not total seclusion if that is what one seeks.
We loved it and would stay here again in a heartbeat. it's really a special place and a world away from the hotel resort options that dot the island and that we avoid.
2.5
Early morning swims to sunrise, coupled with afternoon activities in and around the Island, capped by stunning sunsets allows for a most delightful, tranquil and joyful experience in the Bungalow.
Our family of 5 adults relished in the charm of the location for a most relaxing vacation.
Mahalo for maintaining such a remarkable atmosphere to enjoy time with the people you love!
See you all next year!
2.5
We spent a week with 3 adults and 2 teenage boys. The bungalow has a rustic but cool feel to it. The island has been experiencing high surf and has remodeled the beach. It is more rocky but its's easy access for kayaks and paddle boards. We planned on snorkeling but with the churned up waters we did a lot more kayaking and body boarding. There were many experienced surfers right out our door. We were thoroughly entertained. On calmer days we were able to kayak out far and get a close up of migrating whales and manta rays. Because of the close proximity of the ocean and rocky cliffs and high surf the noise was unbelievable at night, the bedroom windows on the ocean side do not have shutters to dull the noise. I do recommend considering this for future renters. The teen age boys had a trip of a life time. The kitchen is well equipped for home cooking. Leilani the property manager was very helpful and we rented kayaks and paddle boards from the company she suggested. They were very reliable and easy to contact. We plan to go back next year.
2.5
This is our 6th time to stay at the Bungalow and this time we had six teen age boys with us! The house and accommodations are so friendly and comfortable we truly are able to relax here. With the kayaks and surf boards available for the guys any time, there was never a dull moment. Although this is a public beach, it feels very much like our own slice of heaven. Breakfast on the lanai watching the ocean and listening to the birds is one of our favorite times.... until we sit on the lanai again to watch another beautiful sunset. The personnel at Aloha Debbie Properties are always very helpful and accommodating. Leilani is great to work with and helped us with staying at the house late due to our midnight departure from the airport. She also had great connections with local business to rent kayaks. This trip was a special one for us as we don't know if we will get all of our sons back here together again. They were 3, 5 and 6 when we first stayed in the Bungalow, they are now 16, 18 and 19. We have had some great family memories here. We would highly recommend this as a place to bring your family for some special times. We love the small town local feel that Puako, Kawaihai and Havi share with us.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Puako?
The average price for a rental in Puako is $802 per night. This rental is $1,630 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, parking, and laundry.
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