I'm writing this after a long day of sight seeing, sitting on the lanai, enjoying the view, sounds…read moreof the ocean and birds singing. Earlier this morning, Steve, our host, served up a beautiful platter of fresh fruit, a delicious cinnamon roll, breads, cereal, yogurts, and coffee to die for! In the distance we could see several pods of whales spouting. Yesterday we had the same fruit platter and delicious home cooked waffles. Oh yes, this is paradise! Lol! Seriously though, our stay at Orchid B&B is 5+ star worthy! We stayed in the Hilo Suite, a huge room with all the comforts you could ask for. It's nicely decorated with Hawaiian themed artwork. The private entrance is the original front door to the home. The back door opens onto the large covered lanai. The lanai is where breakfast is served each morning. There is a hot tub, pool, a koi pond, a lush backyard of fruit trees, tropical plants and flowers. It's gorgeous! There is another smaller unit on the property with its own private entrance also available for rent. The lanai and backyard area is shared space. When the sun goes down the coquis (tiny frogs) start singing, and it's loud! The singing didn't bother us. I slept like a baby. Just part of being in island paradise. While here take time to walk the road that parallels the beach and wander further where you will see several waterfalls and more lush greenery. We didn't go down to the beach (it's a surfing beach, not really for sun bathing). Su tells us turtles can be seen there. Book through Air BNB or direct with Orchid Tree. FYI, their website isn't updated and has old prices and pictures. The pictures on Air BNB are true to what you get. Staying here you get an up close and personal touch from Steve and Su of Hawaii aloha.

We really enjoyed the beautiful well kept down-to-earth stay. The property is both immaculate and…read morerelaxing. The morning breakfast is delightfully done and creates a nice community feeling. They are SO close to the surfing beach. A nice stroll with coffee to watch the locals was sweet.

Four of us stayed at Akiko's for almost 2 months and it's easily the most special and…read moretransformative trip for all of us. Akiko is an amazing host who has been welcoming guests from all over the world to her Buddhist bed & breakfast for two decades. Not only she has been super caring to her guests, she has inspired us to be better human beings with her life stories as well as every word and action of hers. The house, Hale aloha, is spacious for four of us and it can comfortably fit two more persons. It has three bedrooms, a bathroom, a large kitchen equipped with dinnerware and cookware, a living room with dining tables and sofas, and a lush garden outside. The internet worked well even with all four of us working and doing video calls during the day. The location is perfect if you want to take a break from busy urban living and experience what "old Hawaii" is like in a lush rainforest. The closest city Hilo is about 17 minutes away, which is also where you can get the supplies that you can't find near Wailea. Honoli'i is the a great local surfing spot nearby where you can find consistent waves on most days. I'd recommend to get a car if you can especially since everything on the Big island is further apart. To the future guests at Akiko's: please take your time to experience all that Wailea have to offer. Take advantage of the Yoga or Tai Chi classes, buy local products from the Hakalau farmer's market on Tuesday, and especially volunteer at the school & cemetery cleaning! Go meet the wonderful people there and really listen to their stories. You will get to truly experience the Aloha spirit of Hawaii and develop deep connections with the land and the people. This was honestly the best part of our trip, better than manta rays, volcanos, or any other tourist attractions. Mahalo Akiko and the village of Wailea! A Hui Hou!

Come here to live intentionally, simply, and connect the land of old, wild Hawai'i. This is a…read morewonderful opportunity to learn about the land and come to yourself from a slow, hands on, and immersive approach. Akiko hosts meditation and brings in guests to host yoga. There is a community food market every week, as well as beautiful walks to the ocean available from her land. You also have an option to contribute nominal tasks to the land (sweeping, raking, weeding, etc). You will learn quickly how important and tightly woven the community is here... they will always share Aloha and welcome you in, so share Aloha back and take this opportunity to connect to something truly special on big island.

With 6 rooms to choose from, I chose the oceanview suite #3 as it was a corner room that seemed to…read moreget good light. However, do note you also get the sounds of the coqui frogs from both sides. I believe the middle room may have less coqui frog noise but confirm with the innskeepers or owners before booking. Being on the east side of the island, you will be able to catch the sunrises right from your room so having an oceanview room was a big plus especially if you end up getting takeout since eateries close much earlier in Hilo. The breakfast is made to order by one of the innskeepers, sweet Tomomi that is served in an area with just as gorgeous ocean views. There is a shared fridge with other guests in case you have leftovers or anything perishable which we definitely did. Snacks like granola bars and tea are available all day as well as a cabinet full of sunscreen, bug spray, and anything else you may have forgotten.

The views are beautiful, service is unbeatable and to top it off breakfast was fantastic! We stayed…read morein oceanfront room 1. If you're looking to stay in Hilo, look no further. Thank you Bill for your island hospitality!

A beautiful small inn/B&B about 11 miles north of Hilo and 5 miles from Akaka Falls park with…read moreluxurious rooms set amidst lush grounds and high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We stayed for 3 nights in January in room 5 which was on the end on the top floor. Our very large room featured a great covered patio with a nice ocean view and was quite large and furnished in royal Hawaiian style. Pros - large comfortable room on the end on the upper floor - fairly quiet and located high above the ocean with great views - tastefully furnished b&b that was well taken care of (or course there are small things here and there if you choose to be picky) -I liked the location and plantation style architecture - breakfast is included and way more food than we could eat-one day was French toast, another omelet or any style eggs. Each day in addition there was muffins or pastry, fruit, coffee and juice -very clean and tidy -good wi-fi coverage (no AT&T cell service here) - location was 15 minutes north of Hilo so close to restaurants but far enough away for peace and serenity Opportunities - huge shower but the extreme water saving shower head left me a bit disappointed -small window style a/c kept the room cool enough but also was quite loud all night

Paradise can come in small packages…read more My wife and I stayed for two nights. We found Palms through some travel websites. This was our first time staying in a bed & breakfast. We like to indulge when we travel so big resorts are our preferred accommodation and we travel quite a lot. We aren't the book reader types so the solitude doesn't appeal to us. To tell you the truth I had my doubts the second I reserved the place. Upon arriving at the Palms, all doubts were gone. It was truly beautiful, more so then the online pictures depict. We stayed in the Paradise room on the second floor. My suggestion is to stay in rooms with the A/C. It's nice to sleep with the waves, but when you're sweating you're not going to get much sleep. Simple rules are in place to follow - no shoes in room and luggage on luggage racks. They aren't anything crazy to complain about. I actually like the no shoes thing. Breakfast is served early. Though not an early riser it wasn't hard to wake up to a beautiful view while having homemade breakfast. They provide towels, umbrellas, and coolers for use. We did a lot of hiking so those things came in handy. As oppose to what the guide book say, I recommend staying in Hilo for 3-4 days. There is much to do and the food is excellent this part of the island.

I stayed here in the Bamboo room on a real quick one day trip to the Big Island. The location, on…read morea cliff overlooking the bay was gorgeous. It was *definitely* worth waking up early to see the sunrise over the ocean (and I say that as someone who is not a morning person). I loved the sound of the waves at night...sometimes I use an app to listen to waves on my phone to sleep, here I had the real thing :) I could also hear frogs outside, which I knew to expect based on some other reviews. Reviews for another hotel around Hilo also mentioned frogs...so I think that is common around here. The frogs were a little louder than I would have preferred, but they didn't really inhibit me from sleeping. They did also get quieter later in the night. The hosts gave me a great suggestion for where to have dinner (Hilo Bay Cafe), and what to do around Hilo (go to the beach at Richardson's Park). They were also friendly and accommodating about breakfast. Breakfast is normally served on a open balcony on the second floor that looks towards the water. I was leaving really early in the morning before the normal breakfast time, so they made me a fruit plate and left it in the refrigerator the night before, so I wouldn't miss out. Wifi worked perfectly, and I never had a problem parking. It seems like they have a space for every room. If I come back to the Big Island and spend the night around Hilo, I'll definitely try to stay here again.

Pros: Great view, hot tub, pool…read more Cons: Not what it used to be. I've stayed here at least three times since the early 2000s. Gone are the days of live-in hosts who greet you, prepare great breakfasts on the communal deck where you mingle with the other guests, and provide a sense of welcome. I get that all that can change with new ownership and especially in the wake of Covid, but the place is in need of maintenance. The huge view window in the Bamboo room we rented was filthy. Breakfast was marginal. Very sterile rent/check-in process. We are not picky travelers and prefer to be self-sufficient with meals so we brought a lovely fresh fish to grill and they no longer provide an outdoor BBQ! A disappointing stay in comparison to our past experience here.

We stayed at the Hilo Bay Hale B&B over the Holiday and it was our third stay here. We really love…read morethe place for its location right in Hilo town. It is only a few blocks away from the famous Farmers Market and lots of dining places around. It is also one of the few places in Hilo that is pet friendly and allows pets to stay. We always bring our two dogs with us when we visit so we don't have to board them while we are gone. Their amazing breakfast is really a fine example of what a real B&B should serve. For this stay they had fresh fruits, eggs, potatoes, breads, yogurt, juices and coffee. Everything was prepared by Carolina who was our host. She was so accommodating and attentive. She made an extra effort to allow us an early check in. We will be back again when we come to visit Hilo. Also, please note that they have a Kamaaina discount so be sure to note the request in the comments section when you book the reservation.

My partner and I love Bed and Breakfasts, and the Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast did not let us…read moredown. They had everything we needed for a comfortable stay (including air conditioning), and it was all done with great style (Matthew, the owner, has a fabulous decorative sense). The house keeper, Carolina, was sweet and a great conversationalist. She and Matthew talked to us about our plans, making sure we hit the highlights of Hilo. The house is located a few blocks away from downtown and very convenient to everything we wanted to see and do. There is plenty of street parking, and we felt safe in the location. To top it all off, the food was fabulous. They were very accommodating to dietary restrictions, and made sure there was lots of fresh, local produce for their guests. My partner and I hope we are lucky enough to return for another stay at the Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast.

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.

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

Definitely a place you would want to consider when visiting the Hilo side of the Big Island. It's…read morean immense luxury Japanese themed four bedroom / four and a half bath home available for rental on Reeds Island, which is approximately one mile from the historic downtown Hilo. The gorgeous Japanese motif home is surrounded by a thick, lush rainforest, swimmable ponds and waterfalls. Staying at one of Hilo's few ancient hotels or motels or older homes with bed and breakfast options considerably pales in comparison. Of course choose to be lulled to sleep at nights by the thousands chirps from the coqui frogs (and the deep voice of a bull frog or two!) or be prepared and bring along some ear plugs. And don't forget to bring along a can of bug spray repellant. There are tons of mosquitoes outdoors! Take a look at some of the pictures they post on their website. True lush beauty!

Our family's first trip to Hawaii had our group of eight (seven adults and one 22 month old) on the…read more"older" Hilo side of the big island. Looking back on our trip, I am really glad this was the case. Hilo resonated with me personally, having spent much of my formative years in the warmer climes of Africa. The "perfume of green," the subtle sweet aroma of tropical flowers, and the cleanly saline breeze of the ocean are all welcome olfactory recollections. Tucked near the end of a serpentine (and at times single lane) road, one is presented with two gates. Mika Taki is behind the left gate. Fair warning: parking is PRECIOUSLY lean and narrow. (Seriously; pray your neighbor is a better driver than the visiting Canadian Of Counsel that side swiped our parked rental.) Anyway... Back to this awesome vintage Japanese-inspired estate. Basics: 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Sleeps 8 $214 / day $1,393 / week There is a large kitchen good for meal prep (though, if you miss out on the amazing rustic local eateries...you are robbing yourself of a not-to-miss experience). There is comfortable though limited seating to be found in the formal living room, but there is an additional sun room porch good for a lazy mid-day nap. We spent the bulk of our in residence time seated around the large glass dining table. There is also a glorious wrap around covered deck that I strongly recommend in the cooler air of an early dawn's light. The grounds and the exterior of the residence are well worth taking in. The lush green grotto is capped in a Nature's Solarium of varied palm and deciduous species and the steep drop off the back of the house makes for a glorious symphony of birds during the day and loquacious tree frogs at night. Wear your insect repellent religiously unless you do not value your hide. The fairly treacherous descent down the left side of the property does reward you with a bona fide WATERFALL. Vacation well, my friends!

Currently staying @ D&S Bed and Breakfast! I couldn't wait…read moreto get home before I wrote about this place. This place is a true jewel. B&B is located right in old Hilo Town. You can literally walk everywhere, farmers market, two ladies, rainbow bread, shops, all the restaurants. Only need a car if you got out of town. I will be staying here again if there is a room available. Rooms are clean and cosy. If you have a group coming to hilo town I HIGHLY recommend this place for you. It would be a super nice place to share it with your family and/or friends.

My husband and I stayed at D & S Bed and Breakfast for two nights earlier this month (June 2013)…read more Tim and Jami Vezina recently took over the management of the b & b, and they are terrific-- friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, quick to help, and great at knowing whether you're up for a chat or not. They have great suggestions for activities, dining, or just kicking around. The location can't be beat as mentioned by other guests-- literally across the street from the farmer's market, a good local grocery store, and within blocks of a huge variety of restaurants. Parking might be a little iffy as only street parking is available, but in the two days we were there, we didn't have problems finding a spot within the block. Upon our arrival, Tim was on the street waiting for us because the location is easy to miss; he pointed out a good parking spot and helped with bags. The rooms are simply furnished but clean and comfortable. No air conditioning, but well ventilated. Breakfast is simple as well, but plentiful-- fruit, juice, bagels, English muffins, pastries, coffee, tea, a variety of cereals, peanut butter, milk, etc. Our unit had a refrigerator, which was really handy, and we appreciated the in-room coffee maker, too. We appreciated the free Wi-Fi! Available to borrow are books, rain gear, and reusable shopping bags-- all nice touches. Should we find ourselves in Hilo again, we'd stay again!