My wife and I stayed here for two nights in mid June in the Princess Kaiulani room…read more
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.
