Laughing Gecko 'Ohana


Rates: $138 / night (avg.)
Bedrooms: 0
Bathrooms: 1
Bed types: Q (sleeps 2)
Reviews: 5.00 (from 128 reviews)
The Laughing Gecko, a 100% smoke-free property, sits on a peaceful acre near cliffs and black sand beaches on Hawaii's east side. The studio offers a private entrance, queen bed, kitchenette, bath, and lanai. Amenities include a washer/dryer, coolers, and beach towels. No A/C, as it's rarely needed. Rooster, chickens, and dogs are on-site.

The studio offers a queen bed, kitchenette, bathroom, and a cozy living area, along with a private lanai perfect for relaxing. Enjoy your morning coffee, cocktails, or meals on the lanai, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of Hawaii. This little slice of paradise is close to a variety of activities and attractions!

The kitchenette is equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, electric skillet, sink, and all the essentials for quick meals. While most guests choose to dine out, we also have a large BBQ available upon request for those who prefer to cook on-site.

Whether you're here to work or unwind, the studio includes a desk, chair, couch, smart TV with Chromecast, and high-speed internet. Please note, there is no A/C, as the mild temperatures and cool nights make it unnecessary. Though we are in a serene, rural setting, we're conveniently close to Pahoa, Keaau, Hilo, and Volcano.

Guests enjoy a private entrance and access to shared spaces like the carport, laundry area, and yard. Upon arrival, you'll find a lockbox at the gate with your keys—simply use the code we provide for easy access.

We're here to make your stay memorable! I'm happy to recommend activities, dining spots, and places to explore. If you have any questions or special requests, just let us know.

We're in a charming rural area, so you’ll encounter chickens, rabbits, dogs, and friendly geckos on the property. If you have any concerns about the dogs, please inform us in advance.

We respect your privacy and won't disturb you during your stay, but we're always available if you need anything.

We are located 30 minutes south of Hilo, in a peaceful rural area on the east side of Hawaii. Just 10-15 minutes from the charming towns of Pahoa and Keaau, you'll find shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and historic sites to explore. We're also only a half-mile from the stunning ocean cliffs, perfect for catching breathtaking sunrises and, during the right season, whale watching.

Our location is ideal for those looking to experience the natural beauty and local culture of Hawaii. Visit nearby attractions like Isaac Hale Beach Park, Volcanoes National Park, Kehena Black Sand Beach, and the vibrant Uncle Robert's Farmers Market. Don't miss the bustling Sunday Maku'u Market, a local favorite for food, crafts, and entertainment.

We're centrally positioned for easy day trips to other parts of the Big Island, giving you the perfect base for your Hawaiian adventure.

Please note, our property is smoke-free, and we do not allow pets. We offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and are here to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible—just let us know how we can assist.

We look forward to welcoming you! Registration Number: 150561400000, TA-138-007-1936-01, GE-138-007-1936-01

Laughing Gecko 'Ohana Reviews



Katharina K.
May 2024
We really enjoyed our stay. Loved the Geckos that came to visit every morning. Apartment had everything we needed and was very private.


Julie s.
February 2024
Close to location we were visiting .. Property was clean and quiet.Parking space a little tight but doable.


Neal H.
June 2023
nice location away from condos and urban areas, practical for trips around big Island especially to Volcano Nat'l Park. Easy access to good restaurants.


Doug R.
May 2023
We enjoyed our stay. The patio was quite pleasant and host responded quickly to any questions. Some "adult" plates and bowls would be a small improvement. A bit more counter space in kitchen area would also be good.


lucie h.
May 2023
The owner is very nice and easy to talk with ! The location is nice if you want to visit the volcanoes national park, but otherwise it’s not the right place because it’s far from restaurants and shopping. The condo was clean and comfortable. I highly recommend if you want to enjoy the volcanoes !!


Julie
February 2023
disappointing! this unit is over 15 miles and a 30 minute drive from Hilo, totally in the middle of no where. *it has no view. there is no air conditioning. the unit is dusty due to being located on a dirt road and the windows being open for whatever relief from the extreme humidity. there is a rooster that crows like crazy. the property is extremely difficult to find. no tv service unless you hooked your cell phone to their unit (wierd) we booked for 2 night stay, but could only tolerate it for one night, and had to go somewhere else. a total disaster


Susan L.
February 2023
Clean, small and well equipprd.


Elizabeth W.
January 2023
After years of hard work, we chose to start our retirement exploring and decompressing on the Big Island. The Laughing Gecko could not have been a more perfect choice for us.


Shelia F.
December 2022
The neighborhood is very aloha. The studio ohana is sufficient and comfortable; perfect for a couple. The owners allow for privacy, but are friendly and helpful. We were able to come and go easily to explore the island. The property is well lit with sensor lights for evening arrival, and the access to washer and dryer very handy for travelers.


Todd M.
December 2022
Extremely nice hosts who cared about the guests. Will stay again when we come back to the Big Island!


Michelle F.
November 2022
We stayed just two nights in this very cute cottage. And though we were very busy, off property, during that time, we did take time in the morning to walk the 4 blocks down to the ocean, it was a lovely walk where we were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest surrounding us, we highly recommend you do the same. We made it a loop which was 2.5-2.7 miles. The view from the water's edge is beautiful in the early morning and the contrasting colors of the black lava, lush green scenery, red dirt, turquoise water and blue sky, make for stunning photos! The bed was very comfortable, water pressure great, we did not use the kitchenette but it seemed appropriate for the basics. There is a nice deck where you can sit and enjoy the Koki frogs at night and the chorus of tropical birds in the morning. We were visiting in November and the two circulating fans were enough to keep us comfortable at night. It's an easy drive to Hilo and to Volcano Natl Park. We recommend Jackie Rays in Hilo, Ola Brewing in Hilo, Rim Restaurant in the national park. We hope to be back for a longer visit in the future, if we do get back we would definitely consider staying here again.


Ceva K.
November 2022
The unit was clean, bed was comfortable, fans worked well to keep airflow, lanai was private and pleasant and the grounds were very pretty. The owner provided beach accessories- everything was in good condition. The kitchenette for us was limiting as it is designed for just heating up but for a short stay it was nice.


Julia W.
October 2022
We liked the location. It‘s near Hilo and not so far away from Volcano National Park.


Valerie B.
September 2022
So clean! Cute decor and comfortable. Listening to the birds was so nice. We recommend going to watch the sunrise. Coast is 4 blocks away. We brought two chairs and sat on the lave cliff.


Cecilia M.
August 2022
The place is very cozy and quiet, everything you need to rest up after a day of adventure. The hosts are the best available to take care of any concerns you might have, very friendly, but never bother you. Definitely stay here again, thanks Chris and Cole for the wonderful stay..


Mary V.
July 2022
Very cute! Very clean! All directions of how to get to the home and how to get in were accurate and helpful. It is quiet. It is close to the ocean so you get the ocean breezes. There is everything you need like kitchen items, towels, pillows and more. I highly recommend this home for your travels!


Bob D.
July 2022
Very nice place, remote location, super clean, so much light with all the windows. The balcony was great to have a drink at night and a coffee in the morning. Be aware that the rooster is your alarm clock, but it comes with the place. We would recommend in a heart beat this place, the best one so far on big island


Mary V.
July 2022
So cute! It’s cool since it is close to the ocean and you get the breezes from there. Tall bed. Large room and bathroom. Kitchen has everything you need. There is a lanai with table and chairs. It is very quiet here. Owners are helpful and very nice.


Nihal E.
June 2022
It was the perfect spot to hit the park before sunrise. They had everything I needed and then some there. My only complaint was it was too hot in the room during the day since there no AC but with the windows open and the fans on it eventually cooled enough at night.


Jennifer K.
June 2022
We had a wonderful stay at the Laughing Gecko! It was the quiet break we needed during a long trip. The studio is very well-appointed and one of the cleanest VRBOs we've ever rented. We had everything we needed. Chris was a perfect host, easy to reach with questions and clearly concerned with making sure guests are comfortable. The country location is beautiful--we loved watching and listening to all the birds. We'd absolutely stay here again.


Julia G.
May 2022
Sweet studio in a peaceful garden with kind and communicative host. Note that it’s not near anything so bring your dinner or breakfast with you 😊


John G.
May 2022
Hosts very accommodating. Had beach chairs, blanket, boogie boards, umbrella, snorkeling equipment (all the things you would have difficulty bringing on an airplane) available for your use. Close to the ocean. Wonderful stay.


Ralene F.
April 2022
We loved the ease in finding the place on a rainy day. The accommodations were simple and complete. We had everything we needed for this one night stay. We enjoyed the peaceful setting for our morning coffee on the deck. Highly recommend.


Brenda G.
April 2022
All aspects of our short stay at this property were fantastic. Chris, the owner, was great at communicating, and was very informative as well. We loved being able to have our breakfast on the deck/lanai, while enjoying the view of their landscaping, and listening to the birds. At night it felt like we were staying in a rainforest/jungle with all the bird and insect noises. That was very unusual for us, but not unpleasant. The property had all the amenities you could need and was very clean. Would definitely stay here again.


Donna E.
March 2022
Cutest dang place to stay! Very clean and comfortable. It had what two people would need. And YES I would come back again in a heartbeat. Donna


Courtney F.
January 2022
We had everything we needed and more at the Laughing Gecko Cottage. Our hosts were respectful of our privacy but readily available as needed. Lots of amenities were available for our use to include laundry, beach gear, and kitchen supplies. We enjoyed the private lanai and the property is lovely and lush. We would absolutely return to this location iin the future.


Vicky K.
January 2022
Peacefull paradise


Cristina N.
October 2021
The place was very clean. Chris was so polite and helpful. They provided all you would need, towels, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair dryer, washer/dryer. Nice little kitchenette. The grounds were beautiful to wake up to.


Cat L.
March 2021
Nothing but amazing things to say about Chris and this wonderful stay! Highly recommend - great location, clean/quite space nestled in a stunning setting (complete with the ability to hear the ocean!). Perfection! Will 100% be back!


Micheal D.
January 2021
Everything aspect of the property was well documented and convenient. My host chris meet me upon arrival with clear instructions for access and property use laid out as a welcome document. The little touches around the site were wonderful and exceeded my expectations. My trip was to equal parts exploration and relaxation, Hawaii didnt disappoint and neither did the dolphin studio. Thanks for everything.


Elizabeth S.
January 2021
Dolphin Studio worked out beautifully for us. The owners are wonderful. They even had waters & juice in the fridge and instant oatmeal & coffee in the cabinet; enough to get started in case we arrived too late to stop by a grocery store. It's walkable to the lava cliff/ocean, which is stunning. We hear that it is a perfect place to see the sun rise, though we didn't get up that early. Our trip was all about our impending move to the area. Chris and Cole were great resources and we look forward to their friendship as we continue our home building and soon become neighbors. Hope to be back soon!


William P.
October 2020
Great house, great location


Len B.
February 2020
This is the second time we stayed here. We love the location, the studio, and the warm, generous and friendly host.


Kevin P.
May 2016
The room was a wonderful place to stay for our 5 days on the island. Well maintained lawn and property. The house was new and very clean. Nice size bathroom with a lot of counter space. No stove, but the microwave suited us very well when we needed it. Morning coffee on the lanai overlooking the property was awesome. Highly recommended!


Kirk P.
April 2016
Thank you Laura for making our stay most enjoyable. The room was everything (and more) as advertised. At the end of each day we were able to relax and renew in a well stocked and very clean and comfortable room. You were a delight and we will be recommending the Dolphin Hideaway to family and friends. Mahalo, Kirk & Rebecca


Susan S.
April 2016
We enjoyed our stay very much! The property had everything we needed and was super clean! We would recommend this spot to anyone who is considering this property.


George C.
March 2016
This was a really nice place! Very quiet and relaxing for us. Loved the view of the garden and watching the birds feed. Host was very helpful and informative. We would definitely recommend this place to others. It was also a very reasonable cost.


Stephen S.
March 2016
Our stay at the Dolphin Hideaway was a delight. We found everything as Laura and Gary described it. It was immaculate, comfortable, and relaxing as we enjoyed the landscaping, birds and tropical sounds of the area. Laura was available for answering questions, and offering great suggestions and advice. It was a perfect location for exploring the island, especially the volcano, Mauna Kea, Puna and Hilo areas. We also planned a couple of day trips to Kona and Kohala for whale watching and taking in the beautiful and varied scenery of the island. The Dolphin Hideaway is located about 4 blocks from the ocean, when the tide is high you can hear the distant waves crashing on the shoreline. We enjoyed every minute of our time on the island and at Dolphin Hideaway. We would highly recommend staying there and would definitely return given the opportunity. Thank you Laura and Gary!


Lea F.
February 2016
My husband and I had a beautiful week on the big island and Laura's home was a big part of that! The accommodations were warm and comfortable. Everything was immaculately clean and well stocked in terms of bath towels, beach towels, chairs, snorkel gear, and the like. I really hope that we get to experience the island again sometime soon and will certainly hope to revisit the Dolphin Hideaway on our next adventure.


Kari S.
February 2016
Wonderful place to stay and Laura is great host....mahalo.


Steven L.
January 2016
We spent the weekend exploring the Hilo side of the island and the location was just perfect for us. Off the beaten path with nothing to block the views of the stars at night when you just want to sit outside and stargaze. Would come back to stay when on the island again. Thanks for relaxing weekend.


Christopher( Chris) D.
November 2015
Mrs.Laura was wonderful. She helped so much. The studio was at a central location for us. It was clean,quiet, and beautiful. Easy access from everywhere. And all this and a great price. Which made celebrating our 25th anniversary that more enjoyable. Thanks for everything.


matt m.
October 2015
Nice little place , clean and peaceful Laura the owner was very nice if there's one thing I would change would be a softer bed a little to firm for me, other then that i enjoyed myself. Aloha, Matt.

Note: Vacancy calendar is approximate. Visit the owner/manager's reservation site to verify your dates.

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