We're here on our honeymoon and it turns out we have the entire place to ourselves. The house is…read moreHUGE and comes with everything you would want in a B&B. The innkeepers are great - they gave us some great recommendations that have turned out to be very helpful as we traipse around this side of the island. This is the perfect place for either a family or even several couples - lots of space; huge yard, close to Volcano National Park and convenient to Hilo. Take a trip and plan to stay here.

Nice yard and big house. Although the common areas of the house were spacious, the property manager…read morewas not a people person - not hospitable at all. Other than some coffee and papaya on the first morning, there was no breakfast provided. Any coffee after the first day had to be purchased and it wasn't even from the island. We stayed 3 nights/4 days and ran out of toilet paper and clean wash cloths. This was just a place to sleep - very dated and moldy. Definitely would not recommend for anyone with allergies.

We stayed a couple of nights in Kate's Volcano Cottage. It's a little hard to find at night in the…read morelocal jungle (set back from the road), so you may want to get there before dark. Kathryn does email you directions when you book. The cottage is very nice inside and out, and Kathryn and Kenneth did a great job on their renovations and put a lot of thought into what to stock inside. The abundant wood gives it a "homey" cabin feel. A good size for four people. It is well-stocked with kitchen items, and picture books and guidebooks etc on the local area and volcano. Also, flashlights and gloves for hiking on the trail to see the glow of new lava of Kilauea at night. If you slip, the lava can cut you, so do wear the gloves. Would highly recommend this as a place to stay near Volcanoes National Park. Great value.

The way to begin our marriage, in a "place of the heart!" Nohea Cottage at Volcano Places…read more This was so much more than staying in a cottage; it was a Volcano experience! Kathryn, the owner, was just wonderful. She gave us so much information about the area and facts about the volcanos of Hawaii. Nohea is such a beautiful structure, handcrafted, a labor of love. The warm woods and detailed construction make this cottage so special and warm. Every window has a beautiful view into a forest of ferns. The kitchen is really well equipped with quality cookware and all sorts of basics including local coffee and a coffee press. Robes, hair dryer, iron, lots of towels...a shower for two! Videos of the volcano, maps, books...really helpful! Oh, a gas stove and heated pads to take the chill away were wonderful! The trip to Volcano is an easy drive from Hilo as the mountain is a shield volcano with gently sloping sides. To my amazement the road is straight, unlike the curvy roads clinging to the cliffs we have experienced around Kona. It's hard to believe you drive from the coast to 4000 feet without curves! Kathryn suggested we go to the Volcano Farmer's Market at 6 am to be there for the cinnamon rolls! That was so worth it! Everybody was just so friendly and we bought delicious fruits and greens as well, all grown in Volcano. Nohea was so special we decided to be married on the back covered porch. It was the perfect place for our intimate ceremony for just the two of us. The birds singing around us, the brilliant green rainforest surrounding us. Kathryn was so gracious in allowing us and as we used a local couple to perform the ceremony and do photos, they knew each other. Volcano is a special place. The most perfect place my husband and I could have chosen to begin our new life together! We hope to return to Kathryn's Nohea cottage again and again.

We found Mountain Cottage through Hawaii Volcano Vacations online and stayed there for two nights…read more The online site displays detailed information and pictures of Mountain Cottage, so we had some ideas how the inside is like before we left for our trip to Big Island. This was my first time staying at a cottage, and the whole experience of staying at Mountain Cottage was amazing. After driving through rural and quiet road following the direction we received, we finally found Mountain Cottage. Because there is no street light in the whole area, if it is your first time going there and you arrive after dark, it will be difficult to find the cottage. We were feeling lucky that we made it there before it turned dark. This cottage is inside a gated area and surrounded by fern trees. The outside of the cottage looks nice. After walking up the stairs, I peeked at the inside through the window, and I immediately felt in love with this cottage, because the inside looked so cute! Although the space is small inside, everything is very clean and organized! It is equipped with every standard thing you may find at a regular hotel (i.e., refrigerator, microwave, heater, coffee maker, etc.). And there were a few handwritten post-it notes from the cottage owners to pass messages to us. Besides this, the cottage owner also provided a flashlight for us to use, which was thoughtful. In the morning, the cottage owner provided us blueberry muffins and fresh-cut papayas to start out our day. During the two nights we stayed there, I felt I was staying at a friend's homey place instead of a rental cottage. Because this experience was so great, I was actually feeling a bit sad that we had to check out from the cottage after two nights. If I am coming back to this area again, I would want to stay at the same place!

What a find! I found Elvie and Huge's place on Craigslist and after the first email to inquire…read moreabout availability, I felt an instant connection with them. We stayed for 3 nights in the Mango House. Our group had 5, but the house could comfortably accommodate 6 (2 couples and 2 singles), more if people wanted to fit snugly. The beds, even the sofa bed, were wildly comfortable thanks to thick foam mattresses and luxurious silk sheets. You'd never imagine this house was "off the grid." We had 24-hour electricity to charge our computers and cameras, unlimited hot water (the semi-outdoor shower is DIVINE!), and pretty dependable WIFI (a few times it was difficult to connect, but have you ever tried connecting to WIFI at LAX? Sheesh...) The kitchen was appointed enough that we made several full breakfasts and dinners. They thoughtfully stocked the fridge with organic eggs and milk. A basket of organic fruit from various trees around the property was always kept full for us, and there was a quart of raw honey from their bees on the kitchen table. Each morning Hugh (Huge) stopped by with a treat for us...the first morning it was smoothies of yogurt from their goats, raw chocolate, organic bananas, and raw honey. The second morning it was a raw juice drink of tangerines, ginger and turmeric from their organic ginger farm, and honey...spicy, exotic, and incredibly delicious. The third morning it was rich, tangy goat yogurt...the best I've ever had. The location cannot be beat for those looking for an authentic Hawaiian experience. Far from the touristy, artificial beaches of Kona/Kohala, this spot is in utterly gorgeous, slow-paced Puna. In less than 10 minutes from your porch you can be soaking in a hot spring, sitting in a natural steam cave, or sunning on a nude black sand beach. In 15 you can be at the parking lot for the lava viewing area, which is really the only place where you'll see other tourists. We didn't stay in the large Ohana House but we got to tour it, and it's spectacular. Ornate Balinese carved teak everywhere you look, river rock bathrooms and kitchen counters, and even a pair of outdoor bathtubs for an incredibly romantic sunset. If you like independent travel...if travel, for you, is about meeting fascinating people...if you cherish the earth and its rich, organic bounty...Your Hawaiian Retreat is exactly what its name suggests. I've already made my plans to go back in a couple of months, it was that incredible. I cannot recommend it highly enough...I've traveled on all 7 continents and NEVER felt more overjoyed about another accommodation.

I visited Hawaii for the first time ever in May of 2007, and our stay at Your Hawaiian Retreat made…read moreit one of the most magical vacations I've ever had. The occasion - celebrating a friend's 40th birthday -- gave about 20 of us the opportunity to stay at this gorgeous organic farm that runs entirely on solar power and cached rainwater. Words cannot describe the sheer beauty of this place. Accommodations -The main house consists of 6 beautiful structures painstakingly transported from Bali and lovingly reconstructed. 5 smaller huts connect to the main house and feature either Queen or twin beds, full armoires and shelving, and private balconies that overlook the lush, bright gardens surrounding the property. The main room, with the kitchen and dining room, also features wide window seats that can double as daybeds. In addition, perched above are 2 other lofted beds, while there is also a vast empty "meeting room" with a vast gleaming floor that could be used as a yoga space but could also presumably sleep 5-6 more people in sleeping bags fairly comfortably. There are fans in all the room which help with air circulation and keep the bugs away at night. The bathrooms are fully tiled and gorgeous; the 2 in the main house are very spacious with dual showerheads. Fresh linens and towels are provided daily and we never ran out, despite the comings and goings of 20 young persons who were constantly making trips to the warm springs and the waterfall, going on various hikes and journeying to the beaches... -Mango House - an additional home on the farm that can sleep 2-4 and has its own kitchen and bathroom. It's a short walk from the main house and our friends found flashlights and headlamps pretty handy in making the trek there and back -Avocado House - cozy little nest that has 1 Queen bed and a tree house on top - perfect for curling up with a good book and iced tea... also a short distance from the main houes -Amazing rates (for now!) - when we visited, rates came out to about $50/ person/ night if you came with a party of 10. Additional persons over 10 are able to stay for $20/ night. -Kitchen - well stocked and fully equipped kitchen with everything: basic spices and condiments, flatware, glassware, coffeemaker, microwave, dishes, etc. We spent happy evenings making very large, very tasty, very varied group dinners - BBQ - a recently added BBQ hut with sizeable grill, plus benches and tables for picnicking and outdoor dining Surroundings -You can wander about this well-kept property and possibly find something new everytime. -There are all manner of fruit trees: papaya, mango, lychee, lemon, lime, banana, orange, calamansi, passion fruit, pineapple, coconut... -There is a vegetable garden from which we were encouraged to graze - and we eagerly gathered Kale, lettuces, cilantro, basil, carrots, and beets ... -There are 2 very friendly pups who roam the property freely -You can visit a Tiki artist who lives on the edge of the property The Hosts -Elvira and her husband, Biker Dude (also a world-famous organic ginger farmer) are two amazing fairy godparents of hosts. They'd bring us complimentary treats almost every day, whether it was fresh goat milk (yes, from goats on the farm), to a gojiberry-ginger-honey jam, to lovely gojiberry-and-date snacks. -Elvira is also available to cook for your group and makes amazing Filipino specialties (lumpia, adobo, pancit...). She can also do vegan, macrobiotic and/or raw meals if preferred... This is *the* perfect place for an amazing vacation; I can't wait to go back. The website is also refreshingly helpful and contains a ton of great photos and information about this lovely place.

We loved our time at the Volcano Tree House! Gary, the property owner, was amazing. He was…read moreincredibly friendly and personable. Our room, the Tree Top Suite was great. We really did feel like we were living in a tree house! The surrounding rainforest was amazingly beautifully, particularly in the morning during sunrise. The sounds of the birds in the morning were very pleasant. Maurice, Gary's cat, was our little buddy in the Tree Top Suite. He greeted us when we arrived and slept in our room every night. He loved being petted and just hanging out with us. We really enjoyed our time at the Volcano Tree House and would highly recommend it. It was a really fun getaway, removed from the hustle and bustle we dealt with in Honolulu.

We came here for a week in August after not taking vacation for a couple years....we really needed…read morea place to relax and enjoy and get away from our daily stresses. This was definitely it. We stayed in the Tree Top Suite, 3 stories up in the canopy of a tropical rain forest. Windows on all walls, shades we never bothered to pull because it was very private and we did not want to block our unobstructed view of the jungle. Wrap around porch, complete with heater, comfy chairs, a quiet secluded place to read or watch birds or simply sit in the sun streaming through the upper branches. Big comfy bed with dual control heated mattress pad (it gets chilly at nights as it is above 5000 feet elevation). I spent a lot of time here reading and resting. Convenient kitchenette, walk in shower, books about birds and local history, good lighting on the stairs and walkways, I would not change a thing. Breakfast is at the sister property, Bamboo Orchid Cottage, a short walking distance away. Wonderful coffee, papaya fruit boats, homemade pastries, bagels, a good selection of granola, hardboiled eggs, yogurt, make-your-own waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. Susie and her niece took good care of us. We had the Volcano Adventure package complete with a helicopter tour, a self-guided audio driving tour of Volcano National Park, and a private tour from a local guide of the Puna coast. A good choice. We ate just about everywhere in the town of Volcano and liked it all, went to the Volcano Winery, went to the Park which is open 24-7, saw the petroglyphs (a long hot walk but worth it), ventured out to see the new lava flowing out of tubes into the ocean one night - spectacular, natural fireworks! We would definitely come back and try the new birder package. If you do go to this part of Hawaii, bring a fleece jacket and be prepared for daily rains. It's a rain forest...sun and heat are a short drive in any direction.

This place is amazing! All the comforts of home and then some. This is a great location from which…read moreto explore HVNP. The cottage is eclectic to say the least, this adds to the charm of this magical place. I left feeling so relaxed. We cooked great meals and enjoyed a few nights out as well. Thai Thai is really good, as was The Rim. I recommend checking out the bar at the Rim, having a Mai Tai or glass of wine while watching the glow of the cauldera. The music collection is great. I enjoyed the book selection. The best part is waking up in the trees, listening to the birds, and of course soaking in the tub.

I can't put into words what it's like being up here in this place. It's so incredible. I feel like…read moreI found a part of me that was missing but I didn't know it. We enjoyed being here so much it was hard to leave. I am so grateful to the owners and the caretakers of this place who have opened up this space to allow people a chance to get away. The video on their website really sold me on it. But being there was the most magical experience I have ever known.

This charming plantation-style inn is nestled on lush property that looks like the Garden of Eden…read more The price can't be beat! The inn has several rooms and a suite, and features a large kitchen with granite countertops, gas barbecue, and outdoor dining area so you can prepare your own food. The decor is "Vintage Hawaii" and the facilities are spotless and neat. Very kid-friendly, plenty of room to roam and explore. It is only 5-10 minutes from beautiful hot ponds and the ocean where you can snorkel or surf. A short drive to the funky, charming little town of Pahoa. Kapoho Village Inn is so peaceful, and set back far from the road. We loved the sound of the coqui frogs at night! Owners are very friendly and helpful, and provide you with a map and lots of information for local sites. LOVE this place!

Such a great find! It's definitely hidden so watch for the sign nearby. Very secluded and off the…read morebeaten path, immersed in what is pure jungle we stumbled across this lovely in. The owner, Chris, was nothing short of hospitable. Everything is at your fingertips here, laundry facilities if you need, a fully stocked kitchen equipped with utensils, microwave, etc. We enjoyed sitting on the back porch after the sun has set listening to the frogs and lovely night sounds and watching the stars and sipping a few drinks. If I ever return to the big island this is definitely where I would stay for much much longer. We don't care about wifi or tv. If you guys want that garbage go stay at your ridiculously priced resorts. This place was perfect for us. Thank you, Chris!

Not for me and first time I've had to leave a day early from our booking. Looks like others have…read moreenjoyed the place so different strokes for different folks. In my opinion this place needs a lot of work. It's a private home that has been converted into a "lodge". If you want privacy then book the suite, the other rooms are within the house. Make sure to ask questions about air conditioning as I'm pretty sure there is only one room in the main house with a wall unit. I don't think the cats that stroll the property are house broken because we had a problem with that. The host was nice until I voiced complaints. Buyer beware!

To sum up our stay at the Ma'ukele Lodge in 1 word, "Enchanting." If i could use another word it…read morewould be "Magical." Raven and Mark have woven a lot of magic into this place over the years. From the unique breakfasts with geckos that leaves you spellbound, to the meticulously manicured tropical wonderland they simply call a yard. The thoughtful decor that is woven throughout, everywhere you look reveal hidden surprises on a daily basis. We spent an entire week exploring this magical landscape mesmerized by all of the attention to detail and yet every moment revealed something new we didnt notice before. Raven's intuitive nature seems to anticipate your needs while her friendly personality makes you feel like you are Ohana. Her eye for art is uncanny and it is the glue that seems to bind the whole property together. Mark's knowledge of the area's history and culture answers any and all questions you might have and even makes you feel, even if for a moment, like you are living it as he tells it! If the lava has done anything for this place it has helped it remain pristine while it transitions into the new age. Would i return? Only if I'm lucky enough. Mahalo & Aloha