My girlfriend and I booked a last minute trip to the big island from Oahu and called Hawaii Volcano…read moreTours to set up a tour. Despite suggesting on the website that we book two weeks in advance, they set up a tour for us for the next day with no extra charge. We flew into Hilo, had breakfast in town, then Mark picked us up and took us around the island. We booked the Kilauea tour, but got so much more. We saw the lava fields, lava tubes, black sand beaches, went swimming in the hot springs, and ate like locals. The best part was Mark's indulgence of all of our requests, including our search for macadamia nut pie. It was really like visiting a friend who lived on the island and knew where everything was. He even spent some extra time with us because of our late flight. His suggestions and knowledgeable guidance made our trip to the big island the best part of our whole vacation. I cannot recommend this company enough.

if wanting an in depth experience at the national parks tour and the volcano, this tour is for you…read more Eric did a great job,

Kilauea Eco Guides = Top. We selected the 5 hour tour and we have absolutely no regrets. With a…read moreguided tour by Kilauea Eco Guides, you'll learn how the volcano's complex geology ties together with the flora, fauna, and culture of the Hawaiian islands. We were lucky to have the lead guide/proprietor, Erik, as our guide - Erik has tremendous credentials as a trained geologist and academic in Hawaiian language and culture. Erik is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and he made our park experience a great one. The main benefit of a private tour is that there are countless details that would be easy to overlook as an inexperienced visitor. Want to hold a real life example of "Pele's Tears"? No problem. Curious about how a traditional Hawaiian bandage is made from native plants right on the trail? Done. Think that is just a crack in the lava surface? It is likely 3,000' deep. If you are on the fence, go for it.

We decided to spend a night on the Hilo side and booked this about a week before departure, so it…read morewas a bit of a last minute decision. It served its purpose for a quick overnight near Volcano, but it's not somewhere I'd choose to stay again. The room itself felt very outdated and in need of a refresh. What stood out more than the decor, though, was the cleanliness. There was noticeable dust buildup on the light fixtures and bathroom vents, which honestly felt gross and like such an easy thing to address. It's the kind of detail that makes you question overall upkeep. The property has a koi pond, but when we were there the water was pretty murky, which took away from what could have been a charming feature. Soundproofing is also minimal. You can hear just about everything other guests are doing, so if you're a light sleeper, that's something to consider. A couple other things to note, the check-in process is self serve so it is super simple and you can arrive anytime. The coffee pictured here was undrinkable for us and we ended up going out to buy some instead. If you're in a pinch and just need somewhere close to Volcano National Park for a night, it works. But with so many unique and cozy options on the Big Island, I'd likely explore other accommodations next time.

This hotel is such a gem. No front desk, but check in/check out was easy. We felt like we were…read morestaying in a beautiful tropical tree house! Comfy bed, very clean, fridge, microwave, hair dryer. We slept so well! The shower was fun - a lot of the space felt like you were in a cave. I'd highly recommend staying here! The perfect spot to stay while enjoying Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

This place is absolutely magical! I really don't think I can express in words how incredible the…read moreVolcano Eco Retreat was, and I truly don't think we'll ever find something as magnificent again. My wife and I came here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary/late honeymoon, and we could not have DREAMED of a better experience! Emily and Court were such gracious hosts and you can immediately tell how much love they put into this place. The cottages were absolutely PERFECT, equipped with a mini fridge, WiFi and a smart TV, and a ceiling fan for temperature control. The shower was fantastic, and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud! The resort itself was STUNNING, with beautiful lush greenery as far as the eye can see. We found ourselves easily able to fall asleep to the sounds of nature every night. It was so wonderful to be able to unplug and just enjoy the sounds of the forest around us, and the rain falling. Unbelievably relaxing! If you've never been to Hawaii before, the weather changes pretty frequently. It rained every day we were there, but only for about 30 minutes or so. Definitely don't worry about getting rained out on vacation, because if you drive even just a few minutes down the road it'll be clear skies and sunshine! All of Emily's recommendations were spot on! She really knows her stuff and I felt like we had an inside source to all the best spots on the island - the ones only known to locals. The handmade breakfasts every morning were to die for, Court is an exceptionally talented chef - seriously Michelin star quality food that was breathtaking to look at and some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted! Not to mention everything comes from their own garden! I myself am not vegan but every meal we had was filling and absolutely DELICIOUS. A VERY special shout-out to Naomi the massage therapist! If you get a chance to do Naomi's retreat I HIGHLY recommend it! She really gave us such an amazing experience and we came away from it feeling relaxed and rejuvenated! Plus being able to see all the great work they're doing for the land is truly incredible. Whether you're vegan or not this place should be at the absolute top of your list. We can't thank Emily and Court (and Will!) enough for making our honeymoon a truly unforgettable experience! We will DEFINITELY be back!

I can't express enough how amazing our stay here was. The property itself was well kept, beautiful…read moreand extremely clean! The owners Gabby, Tony and their fashion forward dog Sushi were welcoming, accommodating and kind! My favorite part was brunch! They brought out an amazing spread of pineapple pancakes, spinach bubble waffles and a papaya filled with overnight oats-a straight up chefs kiss! It's the perfect place to relax, unplug and enjoy yourself!

We LOVED our stay at the Crater Rim Cabin! The cabin is beautiful, roomy, well-appointed and…read moreromantic . . . a really unique place. We appreciated so many things about it: attractive living spaces, the easy-to-operate fireplace, helpful materials, and many thoughtful touches. From all the rooms, there are views of the beautiful grounds surrounding the cabin. Given its restful surroundings, it is surprisingly convenient . . . just 2.5 miles from the park entrance and visitor center and close to the town of Volcano for dining options. Our hosts, Jim and Barry, were excellent: knowledgeable, helpful and welcoming. From detailed information on the volcanos (they are geologists) to great touring tips and dining recommendations, they were superb. The Crater Rim Cabin is a very special place and we feel very lucky to have found it.

This is our second time staying at Volcano Teapot Cottage and I can't say enough great things about…read morethe cottage and Bill & Antoinette! The cottage has two bedrooms, though they only rent to one couple at a time, a livingroom, large bath, kitchen and a dining area. It is surrounded by a lush tropical rain forest completely private from neighbors. It is decorated with such style that the name "Teapot" is perfect. Bill & Antoinette have thought of everything, from toiletries, entertainment, comfort, information about the area, breakfast items, and all the supplies you could possibly need. If you can't find something here, you really don't need it. I really can't say enough about Bill and Antoinette and their beautiful cottage. Can't wait to visit again!

We were very fortunate to book a 3-night stay at this very comfortable, modernized plantation…read morecottage with more amenities that we'd anticipated. I don't usually write reviews but see that existing ones could use an update. Nothing has changed since the previous reviews as far as the beautifully manicured grounds on 2-1/2 acres, the lush greenery and quiet stillness of the neighborhood setting, gracious hospitality of hosts, Bill and Antoinette, the generously well-stocked kitchen, amazing choices for breakfasts, the details such as umbrellas, flashlights and binoculars for hiking and volcano viewing. The hot tub is not available - but we weren't expecting one, anyway. All the 5-star reviews here are the real deal and every one of them describes the kind of experience I had here (except for the hot tub). If you are traveling with a party of 2 or less, this is the place to stay at in Volcano!

Thoroughly enjoyed our short stay at this farm retreat: especially going to sleep surrounded by the…read moremesmerizing calls of coqui frogs, the interesting farm animals (muscovy ducks, saffron finch, the rowdy guineafowls, a lot of peacocks, a few piglets) at the farm. Our cabin had private shower, fan, condition was okay but lacked coffee supplies. There were frequent sounds of cars moving to/from cabins but overall it was a good stay. We did not use the shared kitchen but everyone seemed to be really nice and friendly.

We stumbled upon Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center while looking for a last-minute place to stay…read morenear Hilo after deciding to extend our honeymoon from Kona to explore the other side of the island, and we're so glad we did! What started as a spontaneous stay turned into one of the most healing and transformative experiences of our lives. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was peaceful, welcoming, and full of genuine care. We ended up spending nearly all of our time at the sanctuary instead of exploring because their healing services were exactly what we needed. Dr. Rich was phenomenal! Combining medical expertise with a holistic approach to help us address some long-standing health issues. Tammy's bodywork and her deep understanding of frequency and energy work were absolutely essential to our experience. Anita's hydro cleansing session was nothing short of incredible, my wife actually regained her sense of smell for the first time since losing it after Covid and a stroke in 2021! And then there was Kelly, her food and fresh juices were out of this world! Every meal was nourishing and full of life. The entire staff radiated warmth, kindness, and a genuine passion for helping people heal. We didn't want to leave and are already planning our return trip. Thank you, Hawaiian Sanctuary, for making us feel like family and for the life changing care and love you poured into every moment. You've truly left a lasting mark on our hearts.

Wow! What an incredible visit we had at this amazing retreat. The drive in was breathtaking. The…read moregrounds are so beautiful and well taken care of and the ocean view from the property is very serene and calming. We stayed in the Rainbow cottage and couldn't have asked for a more perfect atmosphere. Everything was super clean and welcoming, with all the standard amentities. They have a booklet with tons of information about the area and recommendations for food, sights, etc. After a long day traveling, the hot tubs were heaven sent. We soaked while listening to the birds and frogs at a perfect temperature. There are two tubs and both were exceptionally clean and fresh. They are private from each other and we used them almost every morning. I highly recommend walking along the steam vent trail. It's so peaceful and relaxing. There are tons of fruit trees that you can pick from on the grounds too. I just fell in love with this place and we are already planning a visit back to this gem of a retreat.

This place is absolutely amazing. For a truly unique experience of a post volcanic eruption in the…read moremost heavenly paradise with the most kind and gracious hosts, spend a couple days here. The steam vent trail is fascinating as are their steam heated soaking tubs. Fruit bearing trees of all types are ripe for the picking. The nearby town Pahoa is a rare delight on this island - more like Hanalei in Kauai or Paia in Maui or the North Shore of Oahu. The ocean front drive to Pohoiki is other worldly through mango tree covered roads and past the massive destruction of the 2018 volcanic eruption (very safe now). This place will rejuvenate your soul and a must see on any trip to the big Island.