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Reviews of Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage

Oceanfront Cottage in Scenic 'Old Hawaii' - the Original Rainbow Dreams Cottage
Pahoa, HI

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 117 out of 127 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 127 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 127 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 127 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 127 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

joe h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Washcloths
I would not recommend this property to anyone. I had one washcloth for five days. When I requested more washcloths the owner replied that a VRBO was not a hotel. That he had traveled all over the world and been in rental business twenty five years and that I was the first person ever to request more than one washcloth for five days.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2024
When this guest demanded ten facecloths, in addition to the two towel sets (6 towels and two beach towels) for his five day stay, we explained that unlike a hotel, we don’t provide a daily towel service. If this guest expected ten facecloths, that is a very unusual request. We are very sorry that the “facecloth” issue was enough to ruin their stay at our beautiful, oceanside cottage.

10/10 Excellent

tanya m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage...beautiful setting...enjoyed every minute there
Clean private well appointed...porch has an close up ocean view...kitchen dining room too.. the sounds of the ocean waves truly lulled us tp rest and sleep on between our adventures.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Most favorite!
Of all the VRBO houses we have stayed in, this one is probably our favorite! The location was ideal with the constant lulling sound of waves and birds we've never heard. Exploring the area was a lot of fun too. Especially discovering the lava flows from 2018 close by. The house was tastefully decorated with a lot of attention to detail including fresh flowers on the table upon arrival! AND very clean. No sign of any critters or bugs. Owners were very good about communication, and gave awesome detailed directions for everything. If we didn't live so far away we would probably go back ever year and stay at Rainbow Dreams house! Thank you David and Clay for sharing your lovely house to others through VRBO....thoroughly enjoyed every peaceful moment!
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Renee B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Loved everything about our off grid stay. Very cozy and lovely comfortable home in a Garden of Eden setting. Fun to see neighbors cats, rooster, chickens and the black wild boar come for a visit. Sleeping with open windows is a dream and you can hear coconuts falling, crickets, frogs, birds, ocean waves and the rooster is the perfect alarm clock to wake up to view amazing sunrises. Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Blessed Mahalo
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tina D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Everything and more than we expected. Loved our stay !! Hope someday that we can return, its just amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

William G.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Wonderfully Relaxing Cottage
We have stayed at Rainbow Dreams Cottage three times. We appreciate the sound of the waves crashing on the shore as well as the voices of the frogs and birds. The cottage is comfortable and just the right size for two. The kitchen is well equipped. We bought fresh fruit from local stands and enjoyed that with our breakfast while watching the sun rise. Area is very residential, not built up with resorts. Great Place.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little off grid cottage
Great stay at this quiet and very comfortable waterfront cottage completely off the grid. Solar power allows you to want for nothing here and the unplugged feeling is refreshing. Sunrises were amazing! Owners Davis and Clay were nearby and helped us enjoy a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

CB W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surfside Symphony
This is our second time staying at Rainbow Cottage! We love the atmosphere and the local Hawaiian culture. It feels like “old Hawaii”. It’s every thing a mega resort isn’t!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is in an amazing location, opposite waves crashing on jagged volcanic rocks. It was very clean and i loved the furniture and style of the cottage. It is out of the way and off grid, so felt like a very different experience to Kona and Honolulu.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patrick B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise in the tropics
We so enjoyed the cottage, candles, porch, and environs we did less traveling farther around than we planned. Stayed and relaxed and read. Solar power worked great and quietly if you didn't run water while someone was sleeping! The coqui frogs were quite mild compared to other places we stayed. The only improvement would be a grill.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alta K.

Liked: Cleanliness
A true Big Island tropical experience
We like spending time on the Kona side ( drier) and the wetter side of the island near Pāhoa. For a true ‘old Hawaii’ experience of the Big Island you can’t beat David and Clay’s house. Beautifully appointed with Hawaiian furniture and art. The property was just as described and being off the grid was fun for us. Hearing the crash of the waves was a reminder of the beauty and power of nature.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dana R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Getaway
We loved our stay here due to the quiet, wild beauty of the Puna coast, and this lovely little cottage by the sea. The cottage was very clean, beautifully decorated, and you can hear the roar of the ocean from every part of the house. We especially loved the screened in porch to sit and listen to waves and the lovely little natural bench across the street where we could watch the waves crash and the sea turtles surface for air. Pure magic. The house is close to the Pohoiki Hot Springs and a there is a little store up the street with coffee, ice cream, and wifi. More than enough for our quiet little getaway. We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Heather F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
Second stay at this lovely cottage. The sounds of the ocean and views are incredible. Such a relaxing place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larry S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Anniversary Trip
Calm, peaceful stay at the perfect location to celebrate our anniversary.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Fan nice.
Great, A little on the warm side at night.Clean.Above expectation, overall. Get a bigger solar panel to accommodate a means to move some air around. 9 out of 10..
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew T., Terre Haute Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
Simply Amazing
The word amazing doesn't even do this home justice. The cottage is even better in person than what the pictures show! The view is about the best you could have. Waking up each morning to the waves crashing against the lava rocks across the street. The fruit trees in the back yard are plentiful and provide great fruit for a delicious breakfast. The cottage is perfectly located close to Pahoa town but far enough out to enjoy the peace and tranquility that the Big Island has to offer. It is off grid living and it is absolutely wonderful! If you are needing to check your phone or emails there is a very friendly little shop just 3 min up the road with free WIFI. David Shaw, the owner, is the very best to deal with and communicates very well! We highly recommend the Rainbow Dreams Cottage to anyone looking for an amazing Hawaii experience!
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Getaway Cottage w/ Incredible View
This place is a dream come true. David and Clay are great hosts. Communication regarding all aspects of our stay were exceptional. They even gave a walking tour of property and surrounding area. Initially we were concerned about being off the grid but the water and power were never an issue. The hosts supplied us with several gallons of drinking water. There was always plenty of hot water for showers. The gas stove worked great for our cooking needs. Using the candles in the evening made for a very romantic mood. Also no need for A/C the ocean breezes made every moment comfortable. The nightly rain shower was an added bonus. The open living/dining/kitchen had everything we needed. The bedroom with the window to the screened porch was heavenly being able to listen to the ocean at night. The yard was so very beautiful and the ocean view was breathtaking. We spent so much time within walking distance of the property and just kept finding amazing things to check out and enjoy. It's secluded and off the beaten path but so worth those extra minutes driving. Only negative some may find is there is very limited cell service and no wi-fi but was a nice reprieve from the rat race to me. We are already looking forward to another visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roger R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
PERFECT
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan S., CA

Liked: Cleanliness
A relaxing, peaceful change of pace
My husband & I stayed at 4 different areas on this visit to the Big Island. Resorts & condos serve a purpose, of course, but this property provides a more authentic, remote & peaceful stay for those seeking that type of experience. As mentioned, no cellular or Wi-Fi. Well maintained & tastefully furnished. Having the ocean within yards of your front door is a memorable experience. We saw numerous sea turtles feeding in the water every day. Highly recommend to the more self sufficient, adventurous traveler.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan C., Macungie, PA 18062

Liked: Cleanliness
Waves crashing
Perfect, gorgeous place to stay on the Big Island! The sound of the ocean ever present. Sturdy lovely green cottage with a large lenai facing the sea. Comfortable beds and living room furniture tastefully chosen to make us feel at home! Plenty of electricity and hot water. Thank you!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly a gem
What an amazing stay on the big island! This place is very special, it was beautiful, clean, and a true retreat of a space to be in. We felt very lucky to be able to stay there. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shane B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Off the Grid Ocean Cottage
It was very beautiful on the property! The ocean was right in front of the cottage across the small road. It was a gorgeous view with the rocks and waves crashing against them! That was our favorite part!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Earthly Paradise
This place is truly a little piece of heaven. We loved every minute here. As pretty as the photos are, you can’t beat the 3D experience! Thank you so much to our hosts for creating such a wonderful, welcoming space.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeff C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic experiencce
Spectacular location, right on the ocean. We used this as a base for exploring both Volcano National Park, Mauna Kea, and the coast northwest of Hilo, and then just spent a day hanging out at the local coast. The traffic around Pahoa and Hilo seems perpetually heavy, but the cottage is about 5 miles away from this, so the only sound is the surf, and at night the frogs. I was a little worried about "off the grid" limitations, but we never had trouble with the solar power, even at night, and except for cautions about drinking the cistern water, there was plenty of running water. The cottage was very clean and nicely furnished, both beds really comfortable. We were impressed how the kitchen had everything we needed to cook dinner each night. Note that cell service is non-existent not just at the cottage (which was fine!) but also spotty throughout the whole local area, so just prepare to be a bit more cut-off than normal, but isn't that the point of a relaxing vacation? Highly recommended--we hope to visit the island of Hawaii again, and this will be our first choice of accommodations!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bruce S., Marysville

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent
What a great place to spend a week on the east shore. No way to describe how peaceful and beautiful it was there. The cottage and grounds were the best VRBO I've been to. It was clean and we didn't have any issues. The bed was comfortable and the furnishings were very nice. Loved the outside shower! I will be returning ASP!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy R., Poynette, Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Escape
Our second visit to Davids vacation home and would love to return again. Mahalo
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place unwind
We enjoyed everything about our stay in this idyllic place. The cottage is lovely and comfortable with an amazing view. The wind blowing through coconut trees, waves breaking on the lava shore and intermitten rain on the roof made it impossible to stay wound up. Exploring the immediate area including the most recent lava flows was fun, but mostly we just hung out appreciating this special place.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Heather F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Spectacular
Absolutely beautiful. Love the view. Well appointed. Interesting books. Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roger C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing and awesome view
Would definitely recommend it. It is a bit secluded, but plenty to do close to the property.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lucy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Perfect Off-grid Idyll
We loved our stay at this cottage. Having admired it from afar it was a delight to stay there. The interior is incredibly well thought-out: a wonderfully harmonious collection of furniture, art, and good utility, put together by the sophisticated eyes of two wonderful hosts. Beds are very comfortable and everything works as it should, with the only downside being high humidity provided by Nature at times when the trade winds lull--which happened a bit during our stay and left us with semi- sodden clothes to unwrinkle at our next stop--I'm sure this varies depending on the season. The kitchen has good-sized appliances, is very well-appointed and really lacks nothing-- a rare thing to find in the many vacation rentals I have seen! David and Clay were onsite during our stay and were the perfect balance between invisible hosts giving us our space and generously available, informative new friends sharing their lifestyle! If connectivity and being accessible by phone or Internet is an issue this is not your place (AT&T sort of gets one bar; Verizon nada). Otherwise, it is a wonderful place for unplugging from all that; where the ocean waves breaking and occasional falling coconut are the soundtrack to an incredibly beautiful spot.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne Marie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and Serenity
We had a lovely, relaxing 4 days at The Rainbow Cottage. It was just as it said in the listing. Beautiful setting, very tranquil . The cottage was very comfortable, clean and had everything we needed. We enjoyed our morning walks along the ocean road and just relaxing and reading on the lanai. Would definitely recommend this cottage to our friends and family !
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nathan L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Feels like a life you’d never need a vacation from.
Exactly the kind of place that you want to be for a vacation. With just the right amount of seclusion to give yourself the break you came to find. To be able to disconnect from tv and radio and listen to the world around you makes this place the one to beat. Wake up with Aloha aina and let that spirit wash over you as you listen to the waves wash over the shore.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jim G., Scappoose

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean and beautiful as described
Peaceful and quiet beauty along the ocean shore. The cottage is spotless clean inside and out. Good communication with host, who is easy to work with.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

CB W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise Delight
Such a hidden gem!! Beautiful location with fabulous ocean wave and jungle music! Such a lovely place; nicely furnished and a well stocked kitchen.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kim T., Port Townsend

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cottage
The rainbow dreams cottage is a lovely location with historic architecture. It’s clean, well appointed, and private. Because of the solar power, lights and electricity are limited, so next time I’ll come prepared with a couple more games and books. The only downside to this peaceful getaway is no fault of the owners….it’s that, due to the eruption in 2018 and the loss of the Kapoho tide pools, there isn’t any place on this side of the island to snorkel. Seeing the 2018 flow and the stories left in the cottage about what happened was really interesting. The yard is beautiful and the porch, with the water view is the perfect place for happy hour.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Dec 2022
Aloha. We are so glad you enjoyed the cottage. We just wanted to respond to the “no snorkeling spots” comment. Yes the eruption 3 years ago covered Kapaho, which was the closest spot. However there are many snorkeling spots along the coastline in Hilo, that are also very family friendly. There’s also spots south along the coast near Pahala. We go all the time! Just ask around!!

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Celebrating 34 years of Bliss
The rain, rainbows, the sun… The atmosphere was wonderful. It was a very nice stay from start to finish. Being off the grid was very refreshing. Absolutely amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maureen G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rainbow Dreams was Paradise Found
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The cottage was beautifully located with view of the ocean. It is “off grid” and so were we, blissfully in this age of constant connection via internet and phone... nice to get away from it ALL! Cottage was tastefully and thoughtfully decorated and well-stocked With all we needed. City beds and furnishings... nice towels and linens. We ate avocados from the trees and oranges. Very private. Close to some interesting sight seeing spots. We’d love to return someday!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

David o.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise off the grid
What a fantastic setting. Our sunrises and late nights on the lanai were awesome. Would be better if there was a fan that could circulate the air when there, as well as a dehumidifier. Also some basics like condiments and spices would be nice. Really enjoyed the property beyond those little inconveniences. I would tell others to bring a couple of high powered flashlights, like we did, to ensure you have lights throughout the nights. Worked great and we only had one warning that the power was low. Beautiful setting.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Makeda B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Photos don’t do it any justice
It’s amazing. Truly breathe taking views. There’s really no words I am grateful.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl J., Colleyville, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Off the Grid Cottage
This cottage makes us want to visit the Big Island again but there are many additional reasons. We loved this location and being off the grid. We never spent the heat of the day at the cottage so I’m not sure if having no a/c mid-day would have been an issue. It was not an issue in the morning and evening hours. We slept great and enjoyed the frogs croaking at night. We didn’t cook but found everything we needed to prep our cooler meals and snacks for the day. The kitchen appeared well appointed. We enjoyed the outdoor shower and sitting on the porch listening to the crashing waves. This property is truly a little slice of paradise and one that we hope to return to. It’s easy to see why many guests are repeat guests.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
This property is just as described. My wife and I spent a week in this cottage and had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

ANNA

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay if you don't like people and want to get a feel for what Hawaii actually is. Really enjoyed our stay. The place was beautiful and the area quiet. There isn't any touristy stuff to do in the area, which is what we enjoyed! The owner had a lot of information in his welcome email with places to go and what to see. Very helpful. The only reason I docked communication is the directions and key code things could be updated, but it didn't impact my stay at all. I appreciate the information provided. This place is great and I would recommend it to anyone who wants an out of way place to stay. Don't rent if you need to be in the middle of things and want to be close to town. This is not for you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark & Julie L., Camas, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and Peaceful
This was our second visit. We love the simplicity of this property and the area in general. We will visit again. Saw a pod of dolphins in front of the house on our last morning.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

James F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best place on earth for the soul
This is our 12th visit to rainbow dreams cottage. It’s the most relaxing place on earth, and turns us into nicer people. 😆 But seriously, it’s one of the most beautiful places ever been. And certainly the nicest location on Hawaii island. David and Clay have made this an absolute relaxing Paradise..
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our dream 40th anniversary!
We chose this property because of the location and the ideal setting. The historic look of the cottage was exactly as pictures. We enjoyed being off grid, no phones, computers, or tv. We loved watching the waves from the lanai, reading in the screened porch, and taking walks up and down the road. Thanks to David and Clay!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place!
This is an amazing rental, we feel so lucky to have stayed here. Super clean, amazing view, beautiful home. No problem with the solar lights at all, saw pigs most days. Spent lots of time just watching the ocean and taking walks. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenda L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect in all ways.
I was looking for waterfront acreage for an old Hawaii vibe. I wanted to be close enough for day trips, but secluded to just hear the waves. If you want beauty, nature, grace and efficient elegance, start here. Owners created a thoughtful space for artistic souls and explorers alike.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

william l.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Little piece of heaven!
This place is amazing. Pictures on the internet can’t really communicate the beauty of this location. It was more than expected and we expected a lot. Will be telling everyone about this place. Loved it!!!!
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nick S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A perfect introduction to The Big Island
We've only ever been to Oahu previously and really enjoyed this place as an introduction to the quieter side of the Hawaiian Islands. There are few things more pleasant that waking to the sight and sound of the ocean outside and the occasional coconut. The solar and catchment systems were more than sufficient for our needs. The furniture can get a tad damp from the humidity, but that not a big problem. If you're looking for a simple and quiet place to get away this is it.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

William G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very relaxing cottage
Cottage suited us just right. The screen porch is a pleasant place to sit and read or just listen and watch the ocean. The kitchen is well supplied to have meals in which we found convenient for breakfast and dinner. Fall asleep to the chirping of frogs. The setting is a neighborhood so there is some traffic but the road is small, good condition and generally 35mph. The village of Pahoa is about 10 miles/25 minute drive where you can get groceries, gas, etc. Also a few restaurants.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2022