My wife and I stayed here for two nights in mid June in the Princess Kaiulani room. This inn isn't for everyone. There are few of the amenities that most people expect of hotels. Many of the individual rooms have no TV, microwave, ac/heat, mini fridge, or kettle/Keurig in the rooms. Fairly Spartan, but the rooms are clean, the staff is great, the bed is comfy, and there is a decent but limited hot breakfast included every morning. When we went there was a choice between egg scramble, breakfast panini, and French toast. There's also a communal area with a coffee machine and hot water kettle. Instant oatmeal, muffins, juice, and breakfast bar snacks are included. There's a fridge with bigger snacks and cold water for purchase. You're really here for the waterfall and the natural serenity. And both are wildly spectacular. The waterfall is huge, multi-tiered, strong even in the dry season and you can see it from the dining area and several of the rooms. Inn policy is to check in with the innkeeper to see if the water is safe to enter but even if you don't go in, it's relaxing to just read on the deck to the sounds of the waterfall. There's kayaks and standup paddle boards for rent. The water is cold even in June but it is quite refreshing to take a swim in. Do not drink the river water and avoid getting any in your mouth or eyes. For the outdoor enthusiasts, they offer repelling down the waterfall. The Inn does sell day passes to non-overnight guests but waterfall activities have a few morning hours exclusive to overnight guests. When we stayed, the Inn had low occupancy and it was nice having the morning waterfall all to ourselves to paddleboard and swim. There are two trails on the property that both lead to the waterfall. There's also a covered open air structure down river with seats to enjoy nature. Buddha statues are placed along the bamboo trail. Both trails are pretty easy and it's hard not to feel some sense of calm with this much lush jungle. Totally a place you can just peace out, write your novel, read, or just commune with nature. Parking is included in their shared lot. Coqui frogs are out of control and it can be quite loud. We didn't have problems sleeping but you may want to bring ear plugs. Bring bug spray for the mosquitos, slippers/flip flops or water shoes for the waterfall pool and hike. There's a communal box of supplies containing mostly sunscreen. The drive to and from the Inn is rather sketchy as it's through rural Hilo with no street lights, several blind turns on a 1.5 wide road with often very overgrown plants on both sides. Vehicles have to pull off into dirt or plants to let another vehicle pass. Do not recommend driving it late at night, especially when it is raining. There's also the main gate to the Inn and a main gate to the rural road right off from more urban Hilo that closes at night, but also can be opened with the same code you get from the Inn. If you're a nature lover and love waterfalls, you'll find this place absolutely enchanting. But if you're looking for a Waikiki style experience, you'll want to look elsewhere. read more

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This spot is simply perfect. Great staff, beautiful grounds, very comfortable beds, great breakfast options. This is a very special.

If you're going to book anything on the big island, let this be your top 1. We booked in the morning so it was cheaper. Our pass included 5 total hours with access to the private land, waterfall, and restaurant. It's definitely worth the price. The gal who showed us around is probably the sweetest person I've ever met. She's great at her job. We also booked their paddle boards for an hour as we are frequent paddle boarders and really wanted the photo-op of us on our boards in front of the waterfall. They have life jackets on site and I do recommend grabbing one cause after you're done paddle boarding, you can just float in the water. It's so refreshing! read more

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The room was comfortable though no heater. The staff were kind and accommodating. The views of the fall for the mini hike was such a highlight in my trip. Breakfast was pretty good and not bad. The egg with cheese and sausage scramble were a 4. The panini was a 4.5. French toast was a 4.1. They also gave fresh fruit which was excellent. And there's also koi here it was very beautiful. 5 for the waterfall views act :) read more

So there are many different ways to enjoy this place, each with different price tags. 1) you can buy a day pass and come to hike/play in the waterfall area, limited passes each day. 2)you can stay overnight in a cabin with no bathrooms, and just a phone charging station. For extra charge you can get a hot breakfast served near the falls. 3)you can stay in a room or suite. The rooms fit 2, some larger suites/houses fit 4 and have electricity and attached or shared bathrooms, so check carefully what you book. We stayed in the Pagoda House, a 2-story house with 2 bathrooms, full kitchen and living room, 1 king bed, 1 sofa bed, 1 rollaway bed...and it's close to the waterfall. Parking space next to house, walking distance to breakfast area and short hike down to the water. We loved it! Breakfast was included and was just a simple hot breakfast, but perfect. Location: The drive was 12 minutes out of Hilo, best to do your initial trek during daylight because at night there are no streetlights. Waterfall: depends on the rainfall, we went on 2 great weather days. SUP, kayak, or swim at your own risk. Overall I loved it. It's unique, you don't feel like you're in Hilo, or anywhere really. You are in a forest away from traffic and people and it's so peaceful...except at night when thousands of Coqui frogs start their mating calls. That's when you know you are still in Hilo, read more

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My family and I loved every minute of our stay at The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. The setting, the rooms, the staff, and especially the Chef's Table Dinner experience. The setting is so beautifully stunning that I wish we planned a day to simply stay on the property. The waterfall, the rainforest garden walk, the bamboo trees, the sounds of exotic birds singing - It is now what I imagine the Garden of Eden must have been. If you enjoy the calm spirit-rejuvenation of nature, do not pass up any opportunity you have to stay here! It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rooms have a charming decor befitting this Hawaiian paradise, embracing the natural surroundings. The staff were all super sweet and accommodating, and they do it all: make breakfast, clean the rooms, act as a personal photographer, you name it! The breakfast they made was delicious and made to order. We didn't get to meet the innkeeper in-person, but he was amazingly helpful and accommodating with our multiple reservations on the phone. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the Chef's Table Dinner with Chef Lisa A. as our private chef and connoisseur. We felt so elegant and comfortable as we were wined and dined with such local luxury. As described, it is small, exclusive dinner with uniquely Hawaiian ingredients, created in the kitchen steps away from our table and the waterfall. Chef Lisa is a culinary artist, as well as brilliant chef! We felt like we were lucky tasters on an episode of Master Chef. We all got to taste Hawaiian delicacies that few others on the mainland have ever tasted. Chef Lisa was super gracious, generous and modest. She taught us a great deal as she warmly explained each course table-side. Her love of food and Hawaiian culture translated into divinely delicious dishes. Thank you, Chef Lisa, for all the magic you created for us in the kitchen! Our stay here, overall, could not have been better! We are so grateful that you had rooms available for all of us!! Mahalo, from the bottom of my heart!!! read more

I really loved staying here! It's a bit of a trek to get here from the town, but luckily there's not too much traffic, and people do indeed drive with aloha here. Once you reach the inn, it is very secure and safe! (The big yellow gate in the front has the same gate code as the inn.) The people who run this inn are super friendly and really care about the land. I stayed in the main house, and the room was so spacious! There is even a balcony with awesome rocking chairs. The bathroom was very comfortable, and the water always reached a nice warm temperature. I was a little shocked to see that there was no tv, but I honestly didn't need it. There is so much to do that you don't even miss the tv. Every morning you can have breakfast on the patio overlooking the waterfall, and the breakfasts were really tasty! I also had the amazing opportunity to have a dinner here. While pricey, it was well worth it!! You won't regret it! The chef, Jessie, is extremely creative, and she uses very local ingredients! Every single course was exceptional! And the best part of this inn is the private waterfall! It is really beautiful, and it was so relaxing to hear it while falling asleep. read more

The Inn At Kulaniapia Falls - Kulaniapia Falls - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We stopped in here and had a fabulous time. We stayed in one of the cottages, and it's mature Hawaii. Yet the waterfall the grounds, the staff and the amazing chef are all fantastic!! We had a dinner on a price fixed basis from the chef on two nights. And both dinners were fabulous!! The dinners were of the kind and quality that can only be found at the finest restaurants . Which, for Hilo, this chef's dinners were at the very top of the restaurant food chain. Go Greg! Highly recommended! read more

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Celebrated our 21st anniversary here and it has become one of our places. We are locals and are thrilled that we can so easily return here for many celebrations to come. Can't say enough about the beautiful property, sweet critters, lovely staff and amazing, locally sourced food. The breakfast each morning was very tasty. The private chef prepared dinner for our anniversary was beyond our expectations. To wake to the falls each morning was a dream! Mahalo nui loa! A hui hou (until we meet again)!!! read more

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My room was in a building with about 5 other rooms and a shared kitchen/dining area. Room was attractive and well decorated, but small by modern hotel standards -- nightstands, an armoire, but no desk and only 1 chair. The kitchen/dining/public area was decently appointed with snacks, coffee, and cocoa, but the knobs had been removed from the stove so cooking was disallowed. Breakfast was good but not memorable. The staff were nice and friendly. From the marketing, you get the sense this is a well managed, well staffed luxury resort with tons of activities and gourmet meals (and room prices to match) but the reality didn't live up to it. The falls is the main draw and well marketed but you had to get permission on a daily basis to actually swim in it. There are 2 paths down to the falls -- one is long and gradual and rather pretty, the other rocky and steep. Mosquito repellent is a must. Everything seemed a bit inconvenient, from having to select your meal the day before to the gate codes to getting the swim permission. The night light in the bathroom wasn't working, and I brought it to the desk expecting they would just swap it, but it was "oh sorry" and they wouldn't be able to get me one till the next day. You don't stock a spare night light, seriously? The road to get there is long and unlit, not especially dangerous or challenging but just inconvenient. I would not bother with this place again. read more

Would definitely NOT recommend staying or dining here. You are paying for waterfall access - not the room, and not the service. You can basically expect a motel room. The waterfall is beautiful. Save your money and absolutely do not pay for the chef's table dinner or its accompanying "wine pairing" - both are a terrible value. You pay Michelin star prices for subpar food, service, and wine. The wine pairing involved all of 3 half glasses of wine that weren't served in tandem with each of the 6 courses or intentionally paired with any of the dishes. The poor chef does all the prepping, cooking, plating, serving, and busing with zero support. Most dishes were unseasoned, dishes that should have been served hot were served at room temperature, and the dessert that should have been frozen was melting. We highly recommend having dinner at Moon and Turtle in Hilo. They serve amazing food at a fraction of the price. read more

I was underwhelmed with the experience for several reasons: 1) the room looks much nicer in the online photos than they are. The rooms are dated and uncomfortably small. They lack the basic amenities you expect these day like a fridge and microwave. 2) the place is a pretty long drive to Hilo which is the only place you can have dinner( except for the nightly gourmet meal at $139 per) 3) the breakfast was mediocre at best 4.) while the grounds are beautiful, swimming or SUPing in the pool is pretty hit or miss. If there's any significant rain in the mountains and the falls are running big or the water is murky the pool is closed. In three days we were there the pool was not open. If I had it to do over I would book a room in town, call ahead to see if the pool was open and uf so just buy a day pass. read more

We purchased 2 day passes , looking forward to visit these falls. We are visiting and thought this would be a great experience, we made a reservation. Got there and couldn't get in to waterfall since it was muddy we rescheduled for next day and conditions were bad again. We called and asked for refund since we weren't able to use the passes. Turns out they give you a gift card. So if you are from out of state, and you can't. One back to use your Gift card they keep your money. We asked if we could use it to have lunch there and there has to be a 24hr notice for that because apparently they only have suffice food for the day for their guest who stayed there. It's unfortunate that because of businesses like these visitors are turned off. We stayed in Hilo because we wanted to support local businesses and the beautiful people. But this business is not playing fair. What do you guys think? read more

Love, love everything about this place!! The waterfall, kayak, hiking and the shared house was amazing! I'd highly recommend staying here

Wow... beautiful location. Great place to get away from everything and relax. I recommend it for couples and fall in love again!! We came to the island to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my trip here at the Falls!! We stayed for 2 nights.. even tough I would have loved to had stayed longer the mosquitos where just killing me . I am super allergic to them and going down to the falls was torture for me. Even though I can't be out there at night or near the waterfall due to the mosquitos this place is amazing!!! ( I have tried everything to keep them off me, nothing works.. im just that sweet) But Amazing place to relax and forget about everything!! There is 2 trails you can do to walk down to the falls.. also they have paddle boards and life jackets if needed. The room I chose was tiny.. but they offer everything you need.. the Breakfast that's offered with the room is outstanding!! Especially, eating out in the lanai overlooking the waterfall and listening to the water and all the nature noises. The staff is super friendly.. the girl who checks you in just superb!! Come and check them out if you need a little getaway from that busy day in day out life!! read more

Fabulous little B&B outside of Hilo. Every room is different. But they have painstakingly decorated each one. You reserve your time for breakfast in advance via an app, and make your menu choices. There is always coffee and tea available in each house. But the real star here is the grounds. The waterfall is stunning and you see it from some of the rooms and you can hear it from many of the rooms. There is also a bamboo grove / garden that meanders down to the river. The location feels remote, but it's only about 12 minutes into downtown Hilo. The road is well paved, but twisty. I was glad we had Google maps to make sure we got there. read more

If you're looking for a different Hawaii lodging experience, I recommend this place & the Pagoda Guest House. It is a private property that's secluded and remote, although it's only a 15-20 minute drive from Hilo town, 1,000 feet above sea level. First of all, know that Hilo has frequent rainfall, so bring an umbrella, and expect rain at any moment. Second, research the varied accommodations (some rustic) and see what's best for you, comfort-and budget-wise. Because I seek comfort & privacy, I booked the Pagoda Guest House for three of us. It is pricey like what you would expect to pay for a luxury Waikiki hotel. It's true, you do get what you pay for! This is a beautiful rain forest retreat. There's no swimming pool or spa or air conditioning. It is quiet and tranquil. Very safe - there are two entry gates with codes. You can sleep with the windows open! The room: The Pagoda Guest House has a full kitchen, so buy your groceries before you come (the one-lane, hilly & sometimes winding road is pitch black at night, so you might not want to leave the area). The house was clean & organized. It has a spiral staircase leading to the master bedroom, so consider this if you have mobility problems. The king-size bed is at window sill level and has the best view of the breathtaking waterfall. The sheets on the bed are soft and the mattress is very comfortable. There's an adjoining half bath (toilet & sink). You can see the sun rise from the window. There's a ceiling fan and a portable Dyson fan for your comfort. There's a dresser & a desk. Downstairs living room has a pullout queen sofa bed and a smaller bed (upon request). There's a dining table and a full bathroom. There's a TV. There's WiFi, a computer. BTW, there were no bugs, contrary to some reviews I read. The breakfast is included if you book the Pagoda. It's served in the balcony dining room in the main building. You pre-order online. Currently, three items offered are a panini, scramble or French toast. All are delicious. A small bowl of fresh pineapple is offered (perfectly sweet). The adjoining Ohana Room has delicious coffee 24 hours a day, as well as tea, hot chocolate mix, packaged muffins, etc. You have a view of the waterfall from the dining area. You can walk down the trail to the waterfall. I loved the bamboo trail. There are many beautiful backdrops for photographs, including stone Buddha statues. You can book kayaks, paddleboards and rappelling if you wish (for a fee).. The waterfalls and streams are so beautiful. The whole ambience of this place is calm, serene and natural, away from the chaos of the city. The staff are friendly and helpful. A farm tour is available, ala carte. We booked it & Aidan led ours. Dress for the weather. In our case, it drizzled a little at the beginning but the sun came up for the rest. He showed us the many types of trees and plants that grow there. There's a fenced-in area where there are free roaming, egg-laying chickens and a rooster. The tour is educational, lasts about an hour. Aidan was excellent. If you enjoy gardening, it's perfect. You could attend a three-hour cooking class after the tour, at an additional fee. Aidan is also the chef. I opted out on that (too costly; I already paid enough for the expensive lodging). This place is great to get away from the hustle-bustle of the world. I recommend it. read more

My family and I reserved a chef's table reservation for this past week, and we were delighted to find that Lisa and her team's attention to detail is almost as marvelous as the creativeness of her craft. From unimaginable dips, to delectable local fish dishes, the group makes a valiant effort to change the narrative on what one can do with Hawaii's many resources. And knocking it out of the park every time. Highly recommend! 10/10 read more

You can't beat this "off the beaten path" stay with its own private waterfall....it is absolutely stunning! We were staying in Kona for 7 days, so as a surprise my husband booked a night at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls to break up our stay...the rooms were simple but had everything we needed. The highlight of our stay was booking the waterfall repelling excursion!!! And swimming in the pond afterwards. We highly recommend for a peaceful, serene, and unique experience! read more

We were really looking forward to this trip. But a week before leaving my husband injured his foot. He needed surgery and we had to cancel. I had lost my itinerary and contacted the hotel a weeks before leaving. The confirmation they sent did not show that we had purchased our tickets through a third party. It did state a 72 hour cancellation policy. I contacted them at 8:32 am on Monday June 5th. We were supposed to check in on June 8th (4pm). So, within 48 hours. They did not contact us for over 24 hours and claimed we were now not in the window of 72 hours. That they actually use a 12:01 start time three days in advance, not 72 hours, which is not what their paper works claims. Besides being disappointed over canceling a trip, worrying about my husband's foot and being out a grand, he was RUDE, and that the main reason for this post! read more

Daypass Guests! I can only review the grounds, and not the Inn, but, this was a wonderful experience for our family! First of all, it's not super cheap...$50 per person, but they limit the number of people you can reserve. So it was one other party of 3 and our group of 16. (Though we had 4 not be able to make it.) Understand, there are no refunds, so when you book, really plan on making it there...it's worth it! We arrived 10 min past our reservation, but they give you a 30 min grace period. The greeting was pleasant; allow about 10 min for checkin, signing waivers, going down the rules, etc. This is Hilo area, and therefore wet, drizzly, rainy off and on, but the daypass area is beautiful! In spite of it looking gloomy, the swimming area water is actual quite comfortable and warm. They offered us some bug spray, and even let us take it with us to the falls area, to just return when we got back up. We were sent through the bamboo garden, which really is beautiful, and leads down a green, wet, sometimes muddy path towards the waterfalls. It was suggested we could do it barefoot; I attempted...I have some tough feet and succeeded, but there were a few points where it was super muddy and even rocky that made me feel a little tender. I suggest tennis shoes or water shoes, and to tread carefully...took us about 10 minutes to navigate down to the loft. The loft is a nice covered gazebo, aside from the falls and pools, with views of the trails, and waterfalls. They had lots of benches and seating there, a countertop, and some musical activities. Plenty of room for our family to hang out and leave our belongings. (We took backpacks of day trip stuff (sunscreen, towels, etc) and cooler backpacks of lunch stuff and snacks and drinks. We spent the next 3 hours walking the trails, taking photos, climbing rocks, and playing near the major waterfall. In that pool, they had 2 paddleboards and 1 kayak. We took turns and enjoyed our time. Walking back, is uphill, but still not too bad when you just take your time. However, so not slow thru the bamboo or grassy field cuz the mosquitoes were savage! read more

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I've been to Hawaii exactly once and this is where we stayed. Couldn't have made a better virgin trip to the big island! They aren't far from the Helo airport (I think it was all of 15-20 mins), but you do sort of feel like you're lost on the way. We followed the Google map instructions with our rental and we (what seemed like) drove in this ginormous circle as we turned left and left and left - but have no fear your map isn't misleading you, paradise does indeed await at the end! The facility is simply lovely - all of their Hosts are lovely and the facility is welcoming. We stayed in the Pagoda Guest House which has a view of the Falls. The sound at night is the perfect lull to sleep! They have Happy Hour in the evening, it's a great time to meet other guests and sit and enjoy the view of the falls. They offer a few different experiences you can book, my husband and I did the Lava Tube. It. Was. AWESOME! I don't know that I can describe it properly - in short, lava from a volcano flows through the ground and dries and creates these lava tubes. Hundreds of years later we get to walk through these tubes! Literally, there is dried lava all around you. It's the coolest thing I've done, maybe ever! Their chef, Dayson, works either 3 or 4 nights a week - you NEED to make sure and reserve at least one meal with him. All of his meals are personalized to his guests. The experience is fantastic, as you get a course he lets you know what has been plated and how it's prepared and if any of it came from their farm (which is next door). Speaking of the farm, we got a fantastic tour of the farm with Megan - another Chef, she works on the farm side of their facility. A farm tour sounds a little dorky, but it isn't - it's absolutely intriguing! They've got all sorts of room options, scroll through their website they're all lush and so pretty. Their farm has some options that are (what I'll call) rustic and totally off the grid (electricity enough to charge your phone and that's it). So they really to have something for everyone. This will be a repeat visit for sure! read more

The Inn At Kulaniapia Falls - The view from the Pagoda House - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I absolute loved this place. I will start by saying that when we checked in we were greeted by Lexi who was extremely charismatic and helpful. She gave us a tour of the property and gave us tips to enjoy our stay. Service was excellent. The biggest perk of this place is the access to the private waterfall which we enjoyed a lot. This waterfall was even better than many we went to in Maui and we had it all for ourselves. You can use their paddle board and kayak at no extra cost. Breakfast is included and served from 8:30 to 9:30. We had a fresh panini that was delicious with an amazing waterfall view. It's also nice that you can enjoy snacks any time you want as well. Tip: don't forget to take a walk through the Bambú garden, it's really nice. If you are in Hilo this is definitely a great place to stay and in my opinion worth the price. Based on location and service I would say definitely 5 stars, however I'm giving it a 4, because the rooms even though equipped with everything you need they are not the most updated. All in all I will definitely be recommending this place to anyone that visits Hilo. read more

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We stayed here in October. It was pouring rain. I would love to return when the weather is better and I plan to. This unique and private property is situated in an amazing spot. This family truly owns a piece of paradise. I would love to give it 5 stars. 5 stars for the location. 5 stars for the staff. 5 stars for the breakfast. The rooms just need some updating. The bathrooms could be renovated and they could use some new mattresses. Then again, this is such a special place--so special it makes up for it. read more

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This was place was a HUGE disappointment!! The grounds were beautiful and if you want to do the waterfall activities I'm sure that would be fun but DON'T stay overnight. The bed had 10+ hairs in it and the general manager was not helpful or understanding in the least. We ended up only staying one night (versus two) and lost money since the general manager wouldn't give us any type of refund. The only thing he/she would do for us was offer us $100 off a waterfall activity simply so they could take even more of our money. This general manager definitely needs a course in customer service. read more

More like 3.5 but for the price, I will round down. I recently stayed here for 2 nights during our time in Hilo. The location of this hotel is pretty awesome, very isolated and very quiet which was awesome. The waterfalls are awesome and the whole experience and sound of it are awesome at night. Breakfast is included and is just ok, not like a good B&B but more like a continental breakfast at any 3 star hotel. What really wasn't awesome at all was the bed in the Jade Garden Cottage. It was something I wouldn't even give away to someone. I almost literally got sea sick just moving around in this thing. The actual mattress is fine but the frame is super wobbly and loud. I slept horribly here for our 2nd night. The previous night was awesome but we wanted to "upgrade" but wound up spending more and sleeping a lot worse. Overall, this property has the potential to be amazing but someone tried to cut corners in the wrong places which is disappointing for the price point. But it's 75% of the way there. Oh, and the staff, specifically Alex was awesome. read more

This is more a retreat than a hotel. There are 10 guest rooms or so. Had to take a country road - some one-lane to get here. But once here, the view is beautiful. Room is quiet, except the sound of waterfall. I like the access to kitchen, snacks and refrigerator. More like home. Room is on the small size, but clean. read more

As much as I wanted to do a 5 star review, there were a few things that caused me to go 3 and was hard to not go to 2. We traveled to the Big Island for part of our honeymoon to do a Volcanoes National Park tour. The rest of the time we wanted to relax and found this cute place that is remote from the city. The place had a waterfall which was cool! It had a private chef cooked meals.... We thought but upon arrival, they were in the process of trial runs and that feature was not available to guests. So we were forced to drive 30 minutes into the city for meals. We simply wanted to relax at a zen looking resort and not worry about much. Breakfast was simple but required reservations from 8:30-9:30. Typically the food arrived 30 minutes after your reservation time. So don't plan anything after. The breakfast area was a bit of a walk for some guests and there are no bathrooms in the breakfast area. There is a grill in the breakfast area but that was also not accessible for guests to use. There was a kitchen stove but not accessible for guests to use for a quick pizza or something to avoid driving into town for a meal. The bed was comfortable. The Wi-Fi barely worked in the room we were in. The massage was good! For a property with 21 acres, I felt very crammed into my small room during my stay. I'd suggest getting some hammocks for guests to enjoy the property. Or bring your own camping hammocks. There is a lot of potential but some work to do for the prices. We chose to pay over $300 per night for the amenities/add-ons listed but did not deliver what we expected. read more

A MUST STAY location on the Hilo side of the island. Even if it's just for one night you won't regret it! The personal waterfall right outside the Inn, hiking trails and working farm all make this for a unique and unforgettable experience. I stayed here earlier in the year and can't wait to go back! read more

This is a cozy Inn hidden from city noise. It was a great experience staying here. Limited rooms which equals little to no guest noise. Almost like your own private Inn. The staff was super friendly and attentive to Amy of our needs. Breakfast with the falls in the background was amazing as well. Definitely recommend staying one or two nights to experience the tranquility of nature. Mahalo Nui! read more

The Inn At Kulaniapia Falls - Falls at the Inn. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

I wanted to love this place, but unfortunately I can't give it five stars. This place was dirty and has bed bugs. We came here from an outer island for business, and have always wanted to stay here. When we first got there, we had to sanitize the door handles and the toilet. There was visible grime on the handles. I understand being short-staffed during the Pandemic, but the rooms were not clean at all. We were really looking forward to the "breakfast" part of the stay, only to discover they were too short staffed to offer breakfast. This would have been fine, but the price is way too high to not have the breakfast included, and no other accommodations were made. We noticed bed bug bites after the second night. When this was brought up to the staff, they insisted they didn't have bed bugs, and it must be mosquito bites (they are not, very small and in groups of three). When looking for extra toilet paper, we discovered a drawer that had several cans of bed bug spray, so the staff is aware of their bed bug problem. We also decided to have the dinner "experience." While I believe this could have been great, the main courses were inedible because they were either undercooked, overcooked (burnt), or way too salty. It was not worth the $240 we spent. With everything going on, I do understand that it is hard to keep staff and the business going, but they did not accommodate the few guests that they had. I would not recommend this place to anyone, and will not be going back. read more

One of the most magical places I have ever been blessed to visit. Truly a life changing experience. The staff was very helpful and genuinely kind. Mahalo for allowing us to visit. We will be back regularly read more

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Diamond in very rough condition: We live several months a year on the West side of the island and wanted a Staycation. The pictures looked beautiful and we were already familiar with the general area from visiting Lavaloha with our family. Rather than leaving this review with 3 Stars, I decided to review several components of our stay. Site: 5+ Stars: The site is remarkably beautiful. It is one of the more beautiful areas on the island. It is easy to reach by car located just 10-15 minutes up the mountain from Hilo. Hospitality 2 Stars: The new owner has so much to learn about hospitality. At check-in the young woman Marie asked us to sign a waiver for injury on the property and explained the dangers. That was the extent of our welcome. No one showed us to our room! No one checked to see if we were comfortable between 2PM check in until 6:30PM when we came down to dinner. The owner did greet us at that time explaining that he had just returned from Seattle. He told us a good deal about himself, but when we asked about the history of the beautiful property, he was called away and never returned. When we left the next morning no of the staff said good bye or asked about our stay. We would have told them. Cleanliness 2- Stars: This is COVID and no one including the chef, waitress, receptionist were wearing masks. There was no doubt our food was cooked without the safety of a mask. The chef was the last person to leave the kitchen. Cups were left on the counter. Dishes seemed to have been washed by hand and stacked in a dish drainer over night. Amenities: 1 Star: Lacking. This property advertises breakfast and wine with dinner. We were told that because of COVID they couldn't serve breakfast. REALLY.... they charged us $100++/person for a 4 course dinner the night before. Instead there was a bowl of fruit with a particularly rotten orange, one package chocolate muffin from the day before and power bars. To be sure there was dry packages of oatmeal to heat up in the microwave but I don't drink milk so there was no accompaniment. Property condition: 3 Star: I'm giving 3 stars because I know how hard it is to keep up property in Hawaii. However, lots of deferred maintenance they that could be completed. They advertise a paddle board that we found with a peeling finish. The one canoe also looked in need of repair. Our room was clean enough but the bathroom could use improvements. For the price of the room, we would have expected a better shower and shower head. I know this is not a good review and I'm sorry to write it. Surely the host might consider some consultation on successful hosting. I would have loved to be able to recommend the Inn to all my friends on the West side of the island. Unfortunately, I just can not. read more

We did the day pass and really enjoyed our walk around the falls and the bamboo garden. The water was too rough for us to go in on the day we were there (rainy) but nice nonetheless. Very nice place for a picnic lunch. read more

This is a really neat place to "get away from it all." I never slept better in my life! The grounds are really nice... not fancy and manicured nice - but wild and natural. We stayed at the "Harmony House," which is the newest building, I think. The room was simple and clean. You could hear the sound of the 120 foot waterfall from the room. Breakfast was good - included eggs, waffles, local fruit, breads, coffee, juice, tea, etc. The hostess at Harmony House was so friendly and helpful. They have 2 short trails on the property - one goes to the waterfall, another through some of the biggest bamboo plants I've ever seen. You can swim in the pool at the base of the falls, if the Innkeeper says it's safe enough. When we were there - there was either too much water (unsafe), or the water was terribly muddy. It just depends on the day! If you do walk down those trails... wear long sleeves and long pants or use mosquito repellent. I didn't, and I was getting eaten up down by the water. Bummer. There are no lights on the long road out to the property - so go in the daytime. It's pretty far from everything, and once it got dark - we didn't really feel like making the long drive into town. This is both good and bad... you are literally away from everything - very peaceful, but if you want to go out for dinner or something - it's an effort. We brought a cooler, and picked up food in the day to snack on at night, to avoid the drive into town. I recommend a ground floor room, for convenience sake. The Orchid Room was nice, since it had the bath tub - though the tub is pretty square - can't really lay back in it. Hot tub on the grounds seemed nice... but it was downright cool. I bet they would have fixed it - but I didn't bother mentioning it. I was happy without it. All and all - the place was pretty awesome. Comfy bed, great surroundings, friendly people, good breakfast. Internet access in the common room, if you need. "Green" hydroelectric powered. Dish Satellite TV. Sounds of frogs, birds, and waterfall... very relaxing. Oh - I should mention, no AC - but the temp was totally fine for me. There was a ceiling fan - and screens on the windows... worked fine! read more

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Pros: 1. As soon as I walked towards the residence building I was at ease and knew my money was spent well with the gorgeous and relaxing waterfall we immediately saw at the Terrance/ dinning area. I was apprehensive with this whole bed and breakfast idea and not sure if the money spent was worth it, but it was just amazingly breathtaking! 2. We came a few hours earlier and luckily our room was available! The owner showed us around briefly and welcomed us in. 3. The noise of the waterfall didn't bother us at all and might have been also comforting for our little one. 4. It was nice and cool at night and we didn't have to worry about air conditioning. In fact I had to turn off the ceiling fan at night because it was nice and chilly enough. 5. You could swim or kayak at the waterfall if it's not too rough. We just chilled and walked around a bit enjoying the scenery and racking macadamia nuts we collected in the Ohana room. 6. They offered a nice breakfast that included local coffee and Belgium macadamia nut waffles! 7. Last but not least, the were completely down to earth and friendly! They offered suggestions, ideas, and were such great hosts, always checking in on us but still giving us privacy. Cons: 1. Furniture is not my style- somewhat outdated- but it was fine. Seriously though the scenery in general trumped that. 2. No options for lunch or dinner on premises. They do however offer suggestions to restaurants that you could drive too. We just ate out for lunch and purchased our dinner and ate it on the premise. 3. Mosquitos!!! Conveniently they offered mosquito spray and that just took care of it completely. I'd advise you to bring your own if you are particular about the smell. 4. Although the towels were cleaned and smelled fine, it appeared to have light stains on them that just didn't seem appealing. 5. The drive in can be a bit scary if you don't have a 4x4 since there's only one road most of the way. Since it's not like there's busy traffic or anything it's fine, but it would suck if a car was coming the opposite way for you to move to the side if you could or have to back up..... Overall I would really give them a 4 and a half. But seriously, it was definitely worth the money, a great bed and breakfast experience, and such welcoming and friendly service otherwise. It may not be a 5 star luxurious hotel, but I would still highly recommend them for something different!! read more

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During our stay at the Big Island, we did AirBnB, except for the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. I wanted that to be the highlight for our trip. The online pictures and reviews captivated me, so it was enough for me to get excited. By mystery, I got my wife excited as well, but she didn't know where we were going. Before visiting Kulaniapia, we went to Akaka falls, and made it into the inn toward the late evening, just in time for their happy hour. We winded and winded up the road to the inn with my wife looking at me wondering where we were going. The winding road kept going and going -- a narrow unpainted road going up the hilo hills -- and even I began to think that it was a longer path than I expected, but I knew that the result would be an inn next to a wonderful waterfall near Hilo, HI. When we arrived, we met Tony, the evening host, took off our shoes, were invited to wine during the happy hour, enjoyed the view of the waterfalls, the landscape, the view, the sunset, and also enjoyed appetizers. Tony was very welcoming. He provided general information about the inn, recommendations for dinner in Hilo, and also helped us make reservations for dinner that night in Hilo. The other guests were friendly as well, and it made for a very peaceful stay. The river view room had a partial view of the falls, but a nice view of the sunset over Hilo and the nature through the coast. The bed was a comfortable King bed, and overall it was a pleasant stay. The Inn provided a much appreciated breakfast in the morning, which waffles, fruit, coffee and other offerings. After breakfast, we borrowed a kayak and paddle and waddled out to the foot of the waterfalls, and took turns with my wife. After check-out, we also wondered through the bamboo trail and took great pictures and took the scenery. The landscape is beautiful. Thank you Kulaniapia! read more

This place is simply amazing. Just a short drive from downtown Hilo takes you to the most secluded and beautiful B&B in the middle of the rain forest. Definitely an "our secret hideaway" type of place and it feels as if you have the place to yourselves. Because we arrived at night, our first look at the property was at dawn and wow... it completely took our breath away. The seeing the waterfall against the dense jungle just below the terrace we stood on seemed surreal. The photos we saw of the property just don't come close capturing how beautiful and immense the surroundings are. The trail down to the waterfall is charming and loops around to connect to the Bamboo Garden trail. There are some sections of the trail down by the fall and the river that are very soggy so if you choose to walk all around, you may want to consider wearing proper footwear to keep your feet clean and dry. When we were there the entire trail was damp and sometimes slippery, but it is definitely worth walking down and seeing the falls from below and along the river. If you don't want to go all the way down, there is an observation deck about half way down with a terrific view. The Bamboo Garden is charming and I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of the bamboo species complete with placards with their history and descriptions. We stayed in the Princess Kai' Luani room at the Residence building. The room was very cozy, comfortable and clean. At night, you sleep on the softest sheets while listening to the waterfall, coqui frogs and the occasional rain. In the morning, we had the view of Hilo Bay bathed in sunrise. Our breakfast was prepared by sweet Laura. She would greet us with the biggest smile and cook us eggs to order and waffles filled with macadamia nuts. The kitchen island was filled with the best pineapple we've ever had, so sweet and juicy. Then there was the freshest mango, passion fruit juice, taro & sweet breads and Kona coffee all from local farmers. Then we would take our plates to the terrace overlooking the waterfall and enjoy the view while savoring every bite. Delicious! Len and Jane, the owners, have done a terrific job with the property and I like their "hands off" style allowing us to explore the property at our own pace. They are so relaxed and friendly, making us feel completely comfortable as if we are good neighbors and friends. Oh! And Coco Channel, their standard poodle is a total delight. The only negative thing I can think of was the lack of water pressure in the shower. Maybe it was just our room and needed to be fixed but the times that I spoke with Len or Jane, I just didn't remember to ask. Also, getting to the inn can be a little tricky especially if you arrive at night. Just make sure drive slow and keep your eyes open for the small signs posted at various intersections on the single lane roads. So enjoy the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls! Just leave a room available for our next visit! Mahalo!!! read more

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This place is seriously awesome. Rustic, well out of the way, beautiful, quiet, and had a great family pride feel to it. The folks are friendly and the view from the breakfast patio is nothing short of amazing. The road in is long and dark and it really separates this place from the hubbub of Hilo down below. The walks down to the waterfall and the bamboo garden are wonderful. Bring a good book and prepare to relax, or use this place as an evening retreat after you spend the day in Hilo or elsewhere. If you want a real natural rainforest experience, complete with the gentle sound of a real waterfall all night, come stay here. If you want air conditioning and blue skies all day long, this place isn't for you. There are bugs, and while there are screens on the windows, there are not on the doors. There are no elevators. They leave the key in the door for you so you can quietly check in by yourself, so there is no front desk per se. If you want those things, you should stay in Kona. I read some other reviews and people were complaining about the lack of street lights and air conditioning, and those are exactly the sort of things that would ruin this place. Why come to a rain forest and then spend all your time in air conditioning? And street light pollution would ruin the night sky. Thank God those folks said they would never stay here again. Good riddance, I say. read more

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This place is disgusting. Came here for honeymoon and had to leave immediately - drove across entire island to get away. No locks on doors, trash in bedroom along floor, and owner is not accommodating whatsoever. Stay away. Drive by the waterfall if you must, and then drive far away. Note that most pictures of this place are of the exterior (land which you can find away from this hotel and all over Hawaii). Disappointing because we booked this place and all other hotels were booked as we left this hotel, so we didn't get to explore Hilo. Such a shame, and such a scam. read more

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