What an amazing place to stay. So close to Volcano National Park. We were able to catch this mini…read moreeruption and arrive within 10 mins. The Coffee and banana bread were spot on. Would recommend staying here 100%. The Staff was so friendly and accommodating. We didn't actually check in until 10pm. Very easy to find. The room was clean and comfy. The only thing we missed out on was asking for their banana bread recipe.

About the only positive thing I can say is that it's close to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park…read more The issues: - Upon arrival around 5ish PM, there was no one around to greet us. Finally someone was running around and told my travel buddy to look for an envelope in the basket. - The room: Small, kind of musty/moldy kind of vibe. The bed was small and squeaky. You need a key to turn on the electricity. Also, there is no TV! - No potable water in the room. The provided water in the carafe had mold on the lid. - Bathroom: The shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were all filled about 1/4th of the way. The shower gel wasn't even labeled. Very little counter space for toiletries. - Breakfast: I was expecting something a little more substantial. There were papaya boats and banana bread. - No shoes inside policy. Sorry, I wasn't leaving my shoes outside the room. Rain? Bugs? Heck no! All in all, I didn't see the value for $285 for a single night. This was my first time ever staying at a BnB and I didn't feel like it was very hospitable.

Cute quaint space. They just finishing renovating when I stayed in Feb, so it wasn't fully booked…read more It's located pretty centrally, so it was easy for me to walk to a few places. Staff was so friendly, gave recommendations and even had a white board with local events happening some nights. The lotus (female) dorm doesn't not have outlets near all the beds. It wasn't a huge deal for me, but something to be aware of. Everything else was great, and so clean!

This Hostel is pretty cool, about the best choice when staying in the area. Is super clean, fully…read moresecured, has small parking space for the rental but also is close to many places we could walk to. We were able to use their lockers to store our stuff while we were out and about. They have your typical amenities like kitchenette, fridge, free coffee and tea and whatever one may need to prep a small meal. Showers have shampoo and conditioner available. The hostel did provided us with a towel each. The restrooms were very clean actually and you are able to lock the showers so that its at least private while you shower. Our room in the back had its own bathroom and shower, which was neat. The guests were super nice and it was a nice mix of guys and girls. I love hostels and I have actually stayed here before and made a few friends I stay in touch with. Overall I recommend this place, the employees will totally help out with whatever you could need while you stay.

Nothing good to say about this place…read more We couldn't stay because it was bad from the moment we got there. Hot water would take 15-20 minutes to get to the shower. No ice machine, no internet, no TV, no place to set your luggage except the floor. The pictures must be old because when we got there it was more rundown. Stairs were sketchy and the place really needs some work all around. Unsure why anyone would give this place a 5 star review when I am giving it one star because you have to give something. Do not make a reservation unless you want to give your money away because they have it posted that if you have a complaint about this place built in 1911, it will not suffice to get a refund of your first day if you don't cancel 24 hours prior. I highly recommend asking to see your room and tour the property before choosing to stay there so you know what you are getting yourself in to.

if I could give it minus stars I would. I urge you not to stay here. Everything is rundown what…read morethey call a superior room is a dump. They will tell you your room will have a king bed, but they give you a queen there are no phones, TV or alarm clock in the room & the toilet wobbles. There are holes everywhere. Someone tried to enter my room, and suddenly the manager claims it was a room check. I don't understand it and she didn't seem to care about my safety or the fact that I got an anxiety and had to sleep with when I open I didn't even feel safe to leave the room with my belongings to go into town to get something to eat. It was a nightmare. I didn't trust to leave my belongings for fear that someone would enter my room to steal them by the way, the manager says her family sleeps at the hotel. It's more like a motel dump.

I spent a week at Gay Hawaii B&B during Xmas holidays 2018. What a fantastic and wonderful…read moreexperience! The host is perfection, he is so knowledgeable about the island and the local sights and so helpful, sweet, friendly, and fun. The house is comfortable, clean, calm, and I met some other guests that have become forever friends. The area is amazing with the ocean so close you can walk and a black sand clothing optional beach a short drive away. Uncle Awa's bar is very close, also a little market there, and don't miss the Wed. nite food and arts festival. Also a short drive to Pahoa, a quaint sleepy town with wonderful hippie shops and great Thai food! Also a not too far ride to Volcano National Park, and also several waterfalls- very cool! We picked fresh passion-fruit and lemons in the tropical garden and made passion-fruit lemonade. The kitchen is fully stocked and we made fabulous meals. All in all it was the perfect vacation. I will definitely be returning and can not recommend Gay Hawaii B&B highly enough!!

This is my worst experience ever staying at a B&B. I've…read moretraveled all around the world. What was supposed to be a lovely getaway for a personal holiday, it was basically a nightmare. The owner over booked & offered a BALI HUT which is The NIGHTMARE. Rainstorm downpour 5 days. Dripping roof from rain, screens not secured & 2 inch opening under entry door for easy access from jungle critters. The door doesn't lock. If you're looking for numerous mosquito bites, critters & way too many ghekos trying to get out of rain. They live between the rafters. I tried to move back & reclaim my room main home. No one replied, owner got angry & accused me of coming all the way there & making this up not to pay. I also was accused of stalking because of trying to get moved or something? This is NONSENSE. I had to check out after 2 days with no sleep. Because of a holiday wee I paid triple the cost at a last minute hotel back in Hilo I've had nothing but contention & threats trying to be compensated for overbooking & my experience in Bali Hut. I have no reason to lie or make this up. Please Beware

If you're looking for sand and beaches, spend your afternoons in Kona, if you're looking to connect…read moreto land that is in harmony with the island, travel half an hour around the side of Mauna Kea volcano, to Honoka'a and stay at Hamakua Sanctuary. Ryan and Jasmine are the perfect hosts and they both radiate the love they have for the land, and everyone who joins them at the Sanctuary can feel it. When you put your foot on the land you can feel the love they have for the land and can see everything it is giving back. The land vibrates at a frequency that flows over you and clams your nervous system. Within minutes of being there you feel the calmness and serenity of the land and find yourself taking a deep breath exhaling and feel your body relaxing. Walking the land and seeing what Ryan is doing with his planting practices makes you understand what is happening there. It rained most nights when we were there and the gentle pattering of the rain on the roof is a wonderful way to fall asleep. If you're lucky enough to be there during rainy season you will understand why they call it a rain forest. There are so many fruit trees on the property there is always something fresh to pick or new fruit to try. There is a banana plant before the gate to the parking area where you can grab a few bananas before you take off for a day of adventures around the island. If you stay on the big island, staying a few nights at Hamakua Sanctuary will be the highlight of your trip, but I suggest a few weeks to really get to know the land and people who visit the sanctuary. We met so many wonderful people in the outdoor kitchen every morning at breakfast with baskets of fresh fruit and veggies picked and ready for you to cut up and sample. Some mornings we would all eat together and talk about our adventures the prior day. Connecting with people from all over the country and world. I know someone will roll their eyes and think this is too woo woo for me, but I guarantee within 10 minutes of stepping onto the land you'll be thinking, damn she was right!

Ryan and Yasmin's Mana Loli is in just a few words: heaven on earth. The Sanctuary will provide…read moreexactly what you want and/or need. It can provide deep rest, relaxation, restoration, and connection to the nature and life that surrounds you. It can be connection with the community, if you choose. The people that I met during my stay offered such special communion and welcomed me like family. We laughed, we danced, we spoke of the deep and the lighthearted. My absolute favorite part of my stay was connecting with Ryan, his friends, the other guests, and the folks who have come to work on the 'aina and be part of Ryan's program. The space itself goes above and beyond. The house is beautiful, well-kept, well-appointed, extremely clean, peaceful and serene, with character for days. The sheets and bedding are luxurious. Stunning, sun-soaked kitchen. Cute bathroom with a full tub! Gorgeous, big screened-in lanai (porch) for yoga, meditation, reading, or what have you. Separate structure just below the main house offers a peaceful little meditation studio. I have never seen anything like it. It was a joy to putter around the property and sit with all the wonderful beings that live there - from humans to dog and cat friends, duckies, and birds. The road on which this property is situated is quiet and pastoral with beautiful vistas, flowers, trees and more along the way. I highly recommend taking a leisurely stroll during your stay. Mana Loli was exactly what I needed, and if you feel drawn to it, it will be exactly what you need, too.

Do you want an experience of a lifetime? Do you want to be a part of living history? Ever want…read moreto walk in the footsteps of those that dared to be a part of something so amazing words fall short? Book a stay at the Volcano House! The rooms take you back to a magical time, a time with character! The staff feels like family. The location....the location is beyond imagination, especially on nights like tonight when the fire and flame meet an unbroken gauze of the bewildered! Stay in the only place on the Big Island Mark Twain would recommend, talk to the family that hosts you, and experience the smells, sights and sounds of the past, present, and future! Make sure to have dinner....Get a reservation for the five star food and the attached Volcano House Restaurant ! Trust me!!!!!! There is Nothing like this in the world

After hiking this is the closest (and I think only?) place to eat in the park. The view is great,…read moreyou can see the volcano! Unfortunately the food wasn't great. My friend liked her steak salad but my pulled pork was very dry. I was able to save it with barbecue sauce. The staff is friendly but the wait can be a little long since this is one of the only spots to eat nearby

This is my 2nd year that I'm visiting Open gate hostel and I feel like I home, couldn't say good…read moreenough words about this place. Very nice place to stay, well equipped and great hospitality. It's remote and made on last lava eruption in Kalapana Gardens.

Words can only scratch the surface when describing the beauty and elegance of this hostel. We…read moreaccidentally came upon this place in passing and its unique collision of architecture and artistry stood out to us. Although remote, the establishment is surprisingly accessible being just a couple left turns from town. We were struck by the owners' hospitality and our stay left us feeling fully restored. Our new favorite place to crash on a weekend in puna.

This is a great location and a cool old building. What kills it for me is the giant TV that is the…read morefocal point of the common area. Nobody talks to each other because the giant TV sucks everyone in. And you hear it everywhere. Oh, and cigarette smoke is constantly coming in because they have a smoking patio right outside. Ugh I come to Hilo often but will not want to come back to this place, sadly.

First off there is a massive rat and roach problem. I can hear the rats running along the wall but…read morethat does not phase me. What upset me is Linda's treatment of an African American patron. She was verbally abusive, accusatory and then kicked him out without cause. My phone was dead otherwise I would have included a recording. Why 2 stars, when I read reviews I tend to avoid the 1 stars and 5 star rating.

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!

Manager and volunteer are super overbearing and try to control everything you do. My research team…read morewas trying to do our work and we had two overhead lights on. Sally decided that we didn't need to use an overhead light on the porch and shut it off. She said "you guys have enough light from your computer screens anyway." We were also accused of not putting our dishes away when there were several witnesses who watched us do so. Annie also makes us all very uncomfortable as she will continually get in your space to clean and as stated, accuse you of ridiculous things. I genuinely don't know why she is in the hospitality business if she doesn't like people. I'm also pretty sure she locked our shower because we took too many despite being a company of 14. Oh and there's roaches/roach crap ON THE BEDS and in the kitchen, mice in the rooms, and ants crawled into my friends bed and got into her meds. I get it's Hawaii but this is ridiculous. On the surface level it's charming but it's infested. If you don't telepathically read Annie's mind that you need to pay 50% upfront, you're gonna get the threat of the police called on you. Wouldn't come back.

Wonderful, welcoming hostel. This is a traveler's hostel, and the staff are good at their work, and…read morevery welcoming to all visitors to the islands. One won't find locals or homeless, like one can find in other west coast towns. NOTES: There is a snorkel rental place down the road under 2 miles, and it rents kayaks, too. Kona Boys Kayak. There is NOT a rental shop on site(regardless of what other reviews say). a staff person lent me a mask and snorkel day one, said" its not a great one", but it was awesome to use in the water at the bottom of Captain Cook Trail (which is walking distance to the hostel front door). There is a Hawaii Coffee company HiCO shop across the street, so great breakfast/lunch eats and COFFEE literally across the road. Great if staying only one night, and not wanting to go to the grocery or use the excellent kitchen at the hostel. Also, a sort of mini-mart 7/11-ish kind of store for snacks and microwave dinner or beer/wine/ice cream.