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A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2!

Photo gallery for A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2!

View from the lanai
Oceanside Lanai
View to South
entryway
living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2134.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Keaau, HI
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Carlsmith Beach Park
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2!

Explore the Big Island and use Casa Tortuga as your home base. Only 40 feet from the ocean, this 1400 sq. ft. luxury custom built home has a feeling that brings serenity to all of its guests. It lies on one half acre in a quiet upscale neighborhood. Watch whales, turtles and dolphins from the lanai, walk the scenic lava cliffs, enjoy old Hilo town or Volcano National Park. But be sure to save time for relaxing to the sounds of the crashing waves and hearing the nenes fly by every morning and evening.
We feel it is a privilege to share what we have lovingly built over the past 7 years. We have added local and international art throughout the home. Handblown glass art, oils, lithographs and ceramics will surround you.
And as you watch the waves, the small fishing boats that traverse every morning, the turtles floating the surf during breakfast on the lanai...well, you will feel a closeness to the world around you that is very special. You can't help but be touched by an appreciation of natural beauty! Casa Tortuga is a special place that you may visit now and like so many of our guests, you will want to return to recapture the special moments of your stay. STVR-19-364011; NUC-19-1534

Property manager

Deborah Kimball

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Per Hawaii County regulations: Quiet hours are 9pm-8am during which time the noise from rental shall not unreasonably disturb adjacent neighbors assoc
Sound audible beyond property boundaries during non-quiet hours shall not be more excessive than otherwise associated with a residential area.
Guest vehicles shall be parked within designated onsite parking area. Guests shall not use the rental for any commercial purpose.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number TA-002-074-6240-01, GE-002-074-6240-01, 3150570770000

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Keaau

Located in Keaau, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Prince Kuhio Plaza and Hilo Shopping Center are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lava Tree State Monument and Kilauea Caverns of Fire. Hobby Garden Hawaii and Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Keaau, HI

What's nearby

  • Hobby Garden Hawaii - 8 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Ha'ena Beach - 25 min drive - 23.5 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 28 min drive - 27.2 km
  • Port of Hilo - 29 min drive - 29.7 km
  • Carlsmith Beach Park - 37 min drive - 32.8 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kaleo's Bar and Grill - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Lemongrass Restaurant - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Blane's Drive Inn - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Custom Built Home 40 Feet From The Ocean - a Unique Romantic Getaway for 2! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2 mi (3.2 km) from Hobby Garden Hawaii and 9.5 mi (15.3 km) from Pahoa Museum. Hiʻiaka's Healing Hawaiian Herb Garden and Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 93 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 94 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

gail c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Totally relaxed and felt at home

Great place to unwind. Views and sounds of the ocean was the best therapy for relaxing.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

David T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An awesome place by an awesome host

This is our third day at the property. We are pleased as always. We are hopeful to be able to stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Authentic Hawaiian house

This was definitely what we were looking for. The house and grounds were beautiful. The ocean view was amazing. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

jeff R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Ever

Can’t say enough positively about our stay!! Thanks for sharing,Deb Jeff & Beth
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unbelievable View from this Home

This home had the most fantastic view. We hated to see our 5 days stay end. Home was exactly as described and shown in the photos. If we ever return to The Big Island, we would check on staying here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great as usual!

Doesn’t get any better than staying a few feet from the water’s edge in a “Zen” house. See you next summer.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelley T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved Casa Tortuga

The home is exactly as listed, except the pictures don’t do the view justice! It is fabulous 🌅The bed was comfy , kitchen fully stocked (and then some ) and the jacuzzi was so great to use at the end of a great day !! Maholo for allowing us to stay in ur beautiful home 🌺
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James K., Champaign, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Honeymoon

Absolutely loved staying at Casa Tortuga, It was a beautiful place to stay for our honeymoon.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

damon r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It was perfect!

We appreciated the clear communication from the host. Everything was clean and very well stocked, The decor is amazing. The views of the ocean and well maintained property are breathtaking. We feel fortunate to have stayed there. It was was so aloha!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grace R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Views!

This house was very unique and cozy. As we drove in, the first thing we noticed was the beautiful 3D wall etching of a palm tree & monstera leaves. As you walk in, the entry garden gave you a sense of peace, and we loved the saltillo tile floor. The kitchen was very well stocked and the entire house was very clean. We will definitely stay here again! Thank you Deborah!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Annie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home with incredible views

Everything about this home was perfect. Exactly how described.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

This is such a beautiful property, it was hard to leave to explore the island. We enjoyed being located out of town in a quiet neighborhood while still being close to Hilo, Mauna Kea & Volcano NP. House is stocked with so many amenities - (sunscreen, mosquito spray, cooking supplies, coffee filters, cooler, etc). We arrived during a hurricane and Deb made sure to share information, lanterns and water, and checked in to make sure all was well. Once the weather improved, we watched sea turtles and dolphins swimming every morning from the deck! Mahalo for a perfect island getaway! I wouldn't think twice about staying here if I get to return to Hawaii again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shirley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our 4th time

Our 4th visit was just as nice as the rest. So tranquil with an old Hawaii vibe. Close to the water—the deck feels like the bow of a ship. Fantastic open air shower, soaking tub and view. Always matches with the description. Gracious owners. Many thanks to them. We hope to come back yet again.
Stayed 28 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leanna R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Big Island Honeymoon stay

My husband and I stayed here for the first half of our honeymoon, and it was perfect! It was a great location to see Hilo, Volcanoes, and do other adventures. We loved the hot tub, drinking coffee on the lanai in the mornings, and the friendly geckos. Recommend Pele’s kitchen for breakfast. Mahalo!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Frederick L., San Diego, Ca

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Casa Tortuga is the Best

This is our 2nd time visiting Casa Tortuga and we would never think of staying anywhere else. The house is truly a one-of-a-kind jewel with a great location, a completely stocked kitchen, great bathroom, and wonderful original art (including an antique canoe in the kitchen). Deborah is wonderful to work with as well. We will be returning!!
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Casa Tortuga

Fabulous accommodations. The lanai was the crown Jewel. The owners having lovingly added personal touches throughout. The gardens are beautiful. Well stocked kitchen, including spices and a lovely greeting tray ready with coffee and chocolate. We definitely will be returning!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hans S., Concord Ca

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

5 stars

what a great home away from home, everything was great but the elevation changes take a day or so to get used too.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic

We so love your beautiful home. Beautiful inside and outside. Spent our last morning just listening to the waves. Will miss it all when we leave. Thank you again for another wonderful experience. Sincerely, Diane & Donna
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The pictures don't lie.

When we saw the pictures, we knew we wanted to begin our Hawaiian adventure at Casa Tortuga. Walking through the front door has the effect of a deep cleansing breath. Every household need is provided for. Nothing to do but relax.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dream House

This is the second time that I have stayed at Casa Tortuga. My wife and I just love this house, it is so beautiful with the most gorgeous view of the ocean. It is so relaxing to sit in the living room or the balcony hearing the sound of the waves. The kitchen is stocked incredibly well, we don’t even have some of the stuff at our own house LOL. We always bring our own sunscreen and bug repellent, but those items were available too along with umbrellas, walking sticks beach chairs, etc. We feel Debbie really went out of her way to make guests feel as comfortable as possible. The neighborhood is very nice, we always enjoy our daily walk and meeting some of the neighbors. Casa Tortuga is really one of the nicest house that we have stayed at while vacationing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg J., Lewisburg, West Virginia, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Simply the best

Designed for couples, the layout, panoramic views and amenities in this home are first class. In fact, after years of staying in rental houses we can’t think of any we’ve liked better than this one. The open plan design feels spacious, and the large tiled shower has doors opening to a private deck with a hot tub, turning it into an indoor/outdoor shower. The kitchen is more than well equipped. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood of beautiful cliffside homes, it feels homey, not resorty and the location lends itself to strolling around. Highly recommend!
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hailie M., Salt Lake City

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

My boyfriend and I stayed here for his Birthday. We immediately fell in love upon arriving here. The views are unmatched! Such a peaceful stay. They even provided snorkel gear for us to use on our beach outtings. We went down to Pulualu'u black sand beach and swam with sea turtles! We saw sea turtles below the cliffs this house sits on and we saw a huge pod of spinner dolphins early one morning! We watched them for an hour or so. Oh my godness the jacuzzi was amazing! I could've lived in that thing. Absolutely would recommend this place if you're coming to stay on the island.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

AJW

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just WOW.

This property was more beautiful & enchanting than we could have ever imagined. The open, airy layout made it both comfortable and romantic, with breathtaking views inside and out. We could tell that the owners put a lot of thought and care into creating this unique space, from the beautiful craftsmanship to the thoughtful details. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the bathroom was my personal favorite—especially with the little hot tub on the deck. Our absolute favorite experience was enjoying our morning coffee while watching the sunrise and listening to the waves crashing against the lava rocks below. While we spent most days exploring, we always returned to a cool, comfortable home at night. The property was spotless, and the owner’s detailed information about both the house and the island was invaluable—especially since it was our first time in Hawaii. This was the first of three places we stayed, and it became one of our absolute favorites, not just on this trip, but of all the places we’ve stayed over the years. The views at sunrise and sunset were simply breathtaking, and every corner of the house was full of “oohs” and “aahs”—from the creative design to the thoughtful decor and overall comfort. The neighborhood was peaceful, and we felt both safe and perfectly private, even though other homes were nearby. We’ve been home for about a week, and we still can’t stop talking about how much we loved our stay here. I honestly wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!

The communication with the owners was amazing. They sent a word doc of all of their recommendations, many of which we used and they were spot on accurate. The house has everything you can imagine that you might need. I knew it didn't have air conditioning and I was okay with that, but as someone from Florida where everywhere is air conditioned, it was a little difficult to get used to. But that was my issue. Also, the bathroom, because of the skylights, can get extremely warm during the day, especially if it didn't rain that day. We would do a lot hiking in the mornings and go back to the house around 2pm or so to shower again and we had to start opening the doors from the shower to the patio and leaving them open so that we could get a breeze into the bathroom. That helped. Overall it was beautiful and we hardly watched tv while we were there because the view from the patio was the best nature tv we could ask for.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean'et N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of a Kind!

I have stayed at this beautiful home multiple times and the experience keeps getting better and better! Peaceful and serene yet close to so many cool things to do. Do your research on local farmer's markets (Downtown Hilo, Maku'u, Volcano Village are a sampling of my faves!) and cultural events. I went to the largest Orchid Show on the island and the great Experience Volcano Festival. Volcanoes National Park is about 40 minutes away. Check out Volcano Garden Arts for one of a kind treasures to take home! Make sure you are not too busy to enjoy all that this home has to offer. The pictures are accurate! Communication with the owner is excellent and I look forward to staying at Casa Tortuga again in the future. Aloha!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Deborah Kimball

Host profile image
We are a husband and wife team that have had a vacation rental home in the mountains of Montana for 8 years and now we have purchased our dream vacation home on the Big Island.
When we first visited the Big Island and stayed at Casa Tortuga, we fell in love with the home. We bought it 2 months later.
We now live in the best of two worlds. We live part time in a small tourist town near Yellowstone National Park, Livingston, Montana. We enjoy biking, fly fishing and hiking.
We have two sons. One who lives in Providence RI and works for Pandora in the music industry. The second son owns Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City and is a glass Artist.

We thank you for considering a stay in our home and we think you will love your experience as much as we did the first time! It truly is a one-of-a-kind vacation house.

Why they chose this property

We bought this property because it is located just 40 feet from the ocean. The sounds and smells of the Pacific are amazing! Wake up to spinner dolphins on their morning run by the lanai (about 7am), see the moon light hit the waves in the evening and fall asleep each night to the roar of the ocean.

What makes this property unique

On The Ocean! No matter what the hour, the design of the house allows you to feel like you are outside even when sitting inside. With ceiling to floor sliders on all 3 sides-open the doors and welcome the sunshine of Hawaii!
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