I'm sorry but this place is a total dump! There is no hot water in the bathroom or kitchen, the…read moreshower is outside and has hot water but you can't adjust it while you were in the shower, you have to go outside to shower change the temperature go back in the shower which is around on the other side of a wall. Furthermore the room that I stayed in had a strippers pole in the middle of the room, an extension cord stretching across the room which is a safety hazard, and the worst bed I ever slept on! It must've been a 50 year old boxspring with a 4 inch foam topper. The final straw was the host gave me expired yogurt for breakfast. I checked out after the first night. The people who gave this place great reviews must've been staying in the other unit, otherwise this makes no sense. PS - no TV, no air conditioning, hard location to find on unpaved roads, and a long walk to the cabin from the parking area on the grass.

We stayed for a week here the beginning of February. We lost our home in the Lava Flow and were…read moreoff balance coming back to a different reality. The Enchanted Gardens turned out to be a nice place to stay. Off in the green hills but very close and convenient to Keaau, Pahoa, and even Hilo. Sherri is a beautiful welcoming host and she has gone out of way to make things homey. She did everything she could to make us feel comfortable. Yes it is rustic but that is the point. We don't expect sterile when we visit Hawaii. We want to experience and share the way others live there. Humble but warm and filled with Aloha! You make your visit what it turns out to be. We had a good time and would stay here again. Mahalo.

I came here as a volunteer in March of 2012 knowing nothing about Hawaii or the Big Island. I…read moreintended to stay for only 2 weeks, but ended up living here for about 6 months. This place was the most amazing experience of my life. This is where I met lifelong friends, travelers and business contacts. Hedonisia attracts eccentric, interesting, talented hippie types and the like who all have something to contribute to the "community of individuals" that comprises Hedonisia. At Hedo, I learned how to do yoga, cook curry, tend tropical gardens, build structure from re-used and re-purposed materials, build trails, hula hoop, among many other fascinating hobbies that I would have ordinarily never have tried, all in one place, none the less! The most amazing aspect of this place is the people. Without them, Hedonisia would not be as enriching of an experience. Hedonisia is on roughly 4 acres of tropical rainforest and it's built in a whimsical play land sort of way. There are fun funky nooks and crannies to explore, lots of colorful art, cooky but functional structures, a converted hippie school bus, the works. One of my friends I met here described it perfectly once: This place feels like adult hippie summer camp. You work hard, you make friends, and most of all you have so much fun! In addition to all the property has to offer including fresh fruit, beautiful flowers, vegetables, it is located in an amazing spot in Lower Puna which is rich with folklore and culture, as it is in the wake of Kilauea (active volcano's) path. There are geothermal warm ponds just up the street, black sand beaches, amazing camping, cool farmer's markets and night markets and overall the most interesting mix of people you'd ever hope to meet. This place is somewhere to go if you have an open mind and an open heart, if you are eager and hungry to learn, explore, adventure and have fun. The owners are open, honest, fun, youthful and amazing people who I have become lifelong friends and business contacts with. They have an open door policy and often get their hands dirty themselves doing work, weeding around the property, getting to know all their volunteers, all their guests, and generally opening their little slice of paradise up for everyone to share and enjoy. Do yourself a favor and volunteer here. Now.

From the first moment I got to Hedonisia I felt at home. I came as a volunteer with no return date…read morein mind so far from home I was so glad to feel comfortable as soon as I arrived. Everything is rainbow colored and mostly open air, even the kitchen which was one of my favorite parts! The property has multiple levels and its own volcanic crater! I stayed in the Avocado Tent which to my surprise was a large tent with carpeting and a real bed inside! Over my time as a volunteer I got to meet lots of really great and interesting people. This is a great place to spend some time at getting to know people. You wouldn't really get a chance to appreciate this place if you only stay for a couple of nights. If you are looking for something truly unique I would highly recommend checking this place out!

Originally when planning our first trip to Big Island, my husband and I planned to set up a home…read morebase in Kailua-Kona and drive around everywhere. I'm sooo glad we changed our minds and decided to split our time on the island, which included a stay at Hale 'Ohu B&B. Location: The location is 10/10! Big Island is very much "drive everywhere" type of place, but even so Hale 'Ohu was incredibly convenient. It's only a few min drive from Volcanoes National Park (a def highlight of our trip!) and it's also close to some stores and restaurants. While things in the area close early, we loved that the park is open 24/7. We took full advantage of this by visiting multiple times per day, with breaks in-between as needed. The sunset views and nighttime glow were superb! Common areas: The garden and rainforest walk were lovely surprises, with lots of flora and fauna throughout the property. It was a bit damp the day we explored, but that actually seemed to enhance the vegetation rather than take away from the experience. The lounge area was small but mighty, with lounge seating and some drinks and small snacks available. Room: The room fit our needs perfectly. There was a bed large enough to comfortably sleep 2 people, a small dining area by a window, and a kitchenette with a fridge. Breakfast was set up in the fridge before each morning so you could enjoy it at your own leisure. The bathroom was well-lit and toiletries were provided. Given the time of year and location, the room and surrounding area were a bit damp, but a dehumidifier was provided and helped out. Hosts: We met Nicole at the front desk and she was incredibly friendly and helpful, offering tips and advice for our visit. (We also think we saw Gabrielle from a distance and exchanged a friendly wave.) Tbh I'm not sure when we'll make it back to Big Island, but we loved our stay at Hale 'Ohu and would absolutely consider staying here again in the future.

Serene B&B situated in the rain forest, away from the main road just a stone's throw from the…read moreVolcano Natl Park. Extremely clean and well appointed. Beds and linens were lovely and comfy. Breakfast was stocked in the room refrigerator each day and there is a charming 'lounge' across the parking lot where we could sit for a cup of coffee and enjoy listening to the rain forest (photos). The owners are delightful and very accommodating. This property is perfect for eco-conscious guests who value quiet and serenity.

There are good things. Very clean and good quality beds etc. Plus right next to national park…read more However, all the pictures showed a wonderful breakfast and setting. But NOT a good breakfast...even for basic needs. A McDonald's style sausage patty, some papia. They said we'd get some French toast but never got any. Then got half of a bagel with it. Small amount of papaya, coffee...that's it. So can't give more than 3 stars. Give a 3 because of how cute and clean it was. But I was interested in one of the many nice breakfasts shown/ indicated on their web page. Else it was very nice.

Good location with Volcano NP just down the road. We've stayed a couple of times here over the…read moreyears with variable experiences. Communication with management can be a bit spotty. Rooms are nice and the verandas are wonderful - be aware the walls are thin - beds are comfortable, though on the softer side. Heat is via a space heater and this has come in handy for the drizzly damp days on this side of the island. The floors can get cold though since we observe the Hawaiian custom of taking shoes off in the house - so bring several pairs of socks! We did experience a day where hot water was limited. Just be aware this is a family business and not a big corporate hotel with all the bells and whistles. Aloha goes both ways.

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.

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!

THE SADDLE ROAD IS A NICE HIGHWAY!…read more================================ I have been visiting the Big Island since 1980, but I had never been on the Saddle Road until June 18, 2023. It is a beautiful highway now and not treacherous as I heard about in the old days. Rental car companies always had a blurb in their contracts that renters should never take their rental cars on it, so I never did. My sister has lived over there for ages and she never took me on the old road either. I guess she was always too busy working. Highway 200 or the Saddle Road is a great way to get to Hilo from Kona. On Father's Day it was clear as a bell, so we could see the top of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai which are three volcanoes. We also drove past the Pohakuloa Training Area. Pohakuloa Training Area provides a quality joint/combined arms facility that provides logistics, public works, airfield support, and environmental and cultural stewardship in support of the U.S. Army Pacific training strategy while maintaining an enduring partnership with the local Hawaiian community. If you return from Hilo on the Saddle Road just pay attention how to get to it. I have it on good authority from two locals that is hard to find and we all know GPS doesn't work great over there.

This review is serving as a mind jogger for myself. Prior to our most recent trip to the Big Island…read morewas five years ago. I thought at that time it wasn't safe to drive from Kailua Kona to Hilo on the old Saddle Road. So we went the long way along Hwy 11 to Hilo. I did some homework prior to coming two weeks ago today. I discovered the new Saddle Road has been transformed into the Daniel K. Inouye Hwy 200. No more pot holes or two lane roads. From Kona you take Hwy 190 then cut over to Daniel K. Inouye, Hwy 200. We got to Hilo in under 2 hours. On the way to Hilo you'll pass by Mauna Kea. We saved that for an excursion with a tour company for sunset and star gazing. But that's another review. Factoid - there aren't many street lights on the Big Island as the observatories don't want the artificial lighting to interfere with their studies of the stars. I wouldn't drive on Saddle Road once nightfall hits as there aren't any lights. Unless you're a local or you want to live on the wild side. Coming back we took Hwy 11 as we were going to hit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Slow and scenic. We got back just as the sun was setting. Safe.

Technically, I did not have the opportunity to stay here as I was scrounging around to last minute…read morealternative to the tragic Yoga Oasis lodging scenario. Dennis responded promptly to my emergency request and suggested a friends' house rental nearby. We played phone and text tag for the next handful of hours but with Dennis's patience and my sporadic GPS, I finally met up with him @ the rental property... I fell in love with the house! And so I found out Dennis and his partner Paul help clean and turnover their friends' rental house. The attention to detail was in par of a 5 star hotel! folded plush towels and small details like freshly folded kitchen handtowel and sponge was so thoughtful! The place was immaculately clean! the kitchen was fully equipped with utensils and appliances to prepare every meal! Dennis & his partner were so kind to process the paperwork @ their house with a touch of kind hospitality offering fruit. Their house was also immuculately clean, sun-filled and laid back vibed anointed that I also noted to stay here for my next visit. Just really kind & friendly people you would want to meet during a rambling trip across the Big Island! Pure Aloha spirits!

Balsam for the soul! Really beautiful and comfortable place to stay at a great price. Within…read morewalking distance to one of the best beaches on the island. Plus the owners are super nice and friendly -- a plus not to be underestimated. Their welcome fruit basket will feed you for days. They don't actually make breakfast, but you have a full kitchen so you can make any food you want any time. Great for those days when you just wanna take a break from restaurants. Plus sleep in late and eat bkfst when YOU want! We did on those rainy days! :)