My five nights at the Ohia House were not enough! Cindy and…read moreRick made me feel right at home and welcome, from the second I stepped into the lanai (my favorite part!). They were friendly, yet not overly present - very conscious of boundaries. They asked me questions about myself and made sure things were suitable. Which they were! The room was great! It had a comfortable bed, large closet, cozy couch and attached bathroom with robes! There was a book shelf with local books to read and even games to play (on the lanai) when I was not out and about. Most importantly, this room was CLEAN! I never hesitated to sleep in the bed, never thought about wearing sandals in the shower, or wondered who had been in here before me. It felt like I was at home. The lanai was, like I said, my favorite park. It was HUGE, and full of tables, chairs and informational brochures about fun things to do locally. I spent most of my time at Ohia House on this lanai and wish I had one of my own. It was screened in so even at night when I could hear the frogs; I was not worried that they (or the mosquitoes) would get me. The grounds are beautiful too, and though I walked around, I enjoyed observing them from the comfort of my chair. The breakfasts were incredible. I wrote down what Cindy gave out because I want to try and recreate them for myself later. Without listing complete recipes, they included but were not limited to: fresh fruit, mango, papaya, blueberries, bananas, muffins, yogurt, oatmeal and, Dutch cookies (not sure if this is the right name but it was still good!!). I could have eaten breakfast all day. They were great tasting and a good way to start my day. The friendly chit chat from the beginning of my stay came back to me in the form of GREAT, and on-point to my likings, recommendations. During my trip I saw an active volcano, a lava tube, a coffee plantation, botanical gardens and the local zoo. It was perfect, and a lot of it was free! I even got to see sea turtles at the bay in Hilo. It was incredible. I had a wonderful time on the Big Island and I can thank the Ohia House and Cindy and Rick for that. I will most definitely be back and I highly recommend it to any travelers on their way to this piece of paradise!!

This is actually the BEST place we've stayed at on any of the Islands. Comfortable, serene,…read moreprivate and the breakfasts are to die for! We stayed a week and wished we could stay longer. Cindy & Rick were the perfect hosts. We will definitely go back

For the last few days of our honeymoon, Pete & I booked the Royal Hibiscus Room at the Coconut…read moreCottage. Our honeymoon up to that point had been nothing short of disastrous. My over-adventurous eating choices and selection of swimming spots on Maui led to what I thought was a stomach bug, but ended up being parasites and an intestinal infection. I arrived at the Coconut Cottage rather green, feverish, in desperate need of hydration, and constantly watching my back because I feared Pete might willingly sacrifice me to Madame Pele. When we pulled up, we immediately felt like we were coming home. The Coconut Cottage B & B is so welcoming and is set in such a beautiful and lush area. After spending some time on the drier Kailua-Kona side of the island, we were excited to be surrounded in so much greenery. The landscaping showed such keen attention to detail and the Hawaiian plants and flowers were so bright and vibrant. Upon entering the Coconut Cottage, every ounce of stress in my body washed away. The music, the trickling water from the fountains, the scents (I've never been in a home that smelled so good), the decor...all amazing. When we arrived the hosts were not there, but we were greeted with a sweet note and information on what to do in the area. We let ourselves in and took a long nap on the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. Actually, aside from a trip to the ER in the middle of the night, we mainly slept the whole time here. The room was so comfortable and the B & B was so quiet, we had trouble getting out of bed. We literally fell asleep by 8pm every night, woke up only to be spoiled by breakfast, and then napped...exactly what we needed. Breakfasts were served at 8:30am on the lanai in the main house, and each morning we were shocked to see there were other guests there. We never heard or saw anyone except at breakfast-which is great if you are on your honeymoon (check) or really sick (check). Guests in the few days we were there were from various parts of Canada, England, and California. The guest book revealed guests from around the world had stayed in our room. One of the bed and breakfast owners was not there, so instead, Todd's mom was there to assist. What a warm and caring family. I felt completely taken care of. As Brooke mentioned, the hosts were very unobtrusive, but were available for questions any time we had them. They gave us great recommendations for dinner, outings, etc. Breakfast always consisted of fresh tropical fruits, coffee, tea, and fruit juice and then something fabulous on the menu like Macadamia nut pancakes or vegetable quiche. When we booked the B & B online, we were asked for any dietary restrictions or food preferences, and those were all followed. On our last day, our flight left early, and they packed us a breakfast. So sweet. Breakfasts gave us a chance to talk with other guests about places to go in the area and plan our day. Only a few miles from the Coconut Cottage is a Lava Viewing area. You just take Hwy. 130 until it ends. The Lava Viewing area is open from 5pm till 10pm, but the last car is let in at 8:00pm. Get there early so you don't have to walk over the hardened lava fields in the dark. I lost my footing quite a few times. Bring a flashlight for the walk back! The town of Pahoa, where the Coconut Cottage is located, also has some great restaurants and shops. I would highly recommend the Coconut Cottage to anyone heading to the Big Island or anyone in need of relaxation.

This place is a hidden gem just outside of Pahoa that I was lucky enough to stay at last week,…read morewhile my girlfriend was here on a visit and we were both very impressed with everything about this place. We stayed in the Hibiscus room which was cute, cozy and absolutely immaculate. The entire house was very clean and everything was well organized and convenient right down to the little map and restaurant guide that was in our room. The breakfast of fresh fruit, banana bread, juice, coffee and frittata was fantastic and enough to put even the crankiest non morning people (like myself) in a good mood. The grounds are beautiful and the owners Jerry and Todd are both very friendly and helpful. It was a great stay and the prices are a great deal, especially with what you get. I didn't want to leave!

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.

I have stayed on the big island of Hawaii many times and I have to say this was my favorite place…read moreto stay. We stayed for a week in the cottage out back and found it to be quiet, clean, and spacious for the price. The hosts were very nice and we had nice conversations out on the breakfast deck. You can see and listen to the ocean while eating breakfast. The location was perfect for us as we like to be near Puna and Hilo but don't like to be in town. Breakfasts were top notch. I loved their Hawaiian French Toast. Excellent selection of fruits and breads as well as the main breakfast course each morning. They have a swimming pool be we didn't use it as we spent most of our time snorkeling. It was nice to have a full kitchen so we could prepare our own meals in the evening. We will be coming back in the future.

I found this location on Travelocity when booking a package deal. I saw the ratings were very good,…read moreso that made it easy choice. I was not disappointed. I felt like I was at home. The owners Erich and Suzy live at the location and were very nice and welcoming. They made it there goal to educate me about the island, pointing out the great locations to visit. They always had coffee and breakfast ready in the morning, greeting the guests as they arrived. Great views of the Pacific ocean from their front yard and porch. Bedrooms were spacious and had fans and A/C if needed. I would recommend this location to friends and family. When I return to visit family in the future I will attempt to book a room here at Ala Kai BNB. Thank you for the great time!

Thanks guys for the great night in your B&B very good service, much better breakfast.read more

Stayed at the Kimos Ohanas for 4 days while in Hawaii. It's within an hour to volcano national…read morepark, hilo, akaka falls, and black sand beaches. Location is only half the story... The Kimos is owned by Jim & Jim- and they might be my favorite people in the world. The breakfasts were awesome, the hospitality first class, the grounds beautiful and private. I could call this a great value stay- but it just doesn't do it justice. The Kimos Ohanas was the highlight of our stay, and it was a steal to boot.

Stay here for an amazing experience! My husband booked this place for our honeymoon/vacation and I…read morecannot have been more happy to stay here. Wish we stayed here a little longer to enjoy the hot tub! Our host, Jenny, was very helpful and inviting. She gave us a tour of the grounds and provided some information about Volcano National Park. The sanctuary provides all the amenities you'll ever need: mini fridge, sink, bowls/plates, heater, utensils, TV, DVDs, books, plug ins, coffee maker, coffee grounds/tea, juice, milk, creamer, cream cheese and spreads for the baked goods, soap, dish wash scrub, etc. You name it, they have it. The bed was so comfortable, clean, and relaxing. I enjoyed the outside shower and hot tube! Enjoyed the nature all around us. The only downside was the WiFi connection. We were only able to get 1 bar inside the cottage. Our host was able to reset it in which worked great for awhile but returned to the same bar later that night. If we ever come back to Hawai'i, I would love to stay again!

Let's just say they don't cater to disabled people. I was extremely insulted and don't plan to…read morereturn !!! I found the help very rude

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.

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

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!

What a treat! We left about 3/4 weeks ago and miss Honu Kai so much already!!!!…read more If you are looking to really experience the island like a local instead of just staying at a hotel, I highly recommend honu Kai, especially if you love nature. Honu Kai provides a unique yet comfortable stay. This was my first time at a b&b so I had a lot of questions. Months prior to booking, I called and texted Amy with my questions, and she always got back to me quickly. Location was great because target is only 10 min away if you need to stock up on the essentials. Lots of amazing restaurants are within 15 minutes as well. The property is so beautiful and well maintained. It truly felt like a second home. It has a peaceful and zen feeling that is extra magical at night due to the coquis. Our bed was so comfortable and our room was cleaned everyday. The fresh breakfast everyday with coffee and juice was excellent as well. The fruit was always fresh and sweet! I'm someone who appreciates quiet mornings alone so I was unsure about having breakfast with other people, but I'm so glad we did it. It's a really amazing and unique experience to sit and eat with people from all over the world! I truly miss sitting on the porch watching the birds and chickens on the lawn. What really made our experience special was Amy. She is so friendly, personable, and just a genuinely kind soul! Absolutely loved her! Our time here wouldn't have been the same without her. She truly goes above and beyond and really cares. 100000% recommend Honu Kai. We will definitely be back!

I originally had a night reserved here before flying out from Kona to Maui but after the Lahaina…read morefire, had to pivot, cancel the Maui portion and tried to extend our Kona stay. Unfortunately, with less than a month to go and only 4 rooms total was not able to get extra nights here. The one night we did have here was exactly like how I imagine old Hawai`i would look like. Just a short drive to downtown Kona for food and even Costco but far enough that you feel like you can disconnect. With so much shared public area and again only 4 rooms, nothing ever felt crowded. You had access to an outdoor dining area, gardens, sundeck, grill, plates, utensils, your own shelf in the fridge and even snorkel and beach gear. The only issue I had was when I used the hot tub, my eyes started stinging so not sure if it was overly chlorinated so only lasted less than 5 minutes as I kept tearing up. The rooms were comfortable, very thought out and has such nice little touches that make you feel at home. Only thing to note is since they are in such a tropical setting, they do not want you eating in your room to avoid ant infestations, etc.. Again, no big deal as they have a spacious dining area right downstairs that we had all to ourselves when we wanted to eat or snack. Innkeeper Amy was friendly, welcoming, and made sure we were taken care of. The breakfast in the morning was better than what you can get at a restaurant and the ambiance just cannot be beat. The sound of the rain while we ate our takeout dinner was so soothing and relaxing and the sound of the birds on a sunny morning paired well with that breakfast. We honestly didn't want to leave that we lingered after check out enjoying our lunch at their public area. I honestly could not ask for anything more.

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!