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We stayed at VOlcano Eco Retreat Oct 24 - Nov 1 2020 and can't say enough great things about it. The property was recently sold and was reopened with new owners, name, and branding. We were the first guests since the change and Hawaii's recent relaxation of visitation rules after seven months during the pandemic. The property is gorgeous, tropical, and secluded. With four individual bungalows for guests it's an ideal place for couples. There are also group dining and socializing gazebos as well as a covered outdoor hot tub for guests to use. The owners, Tony and Gaby (and their small dog Sushi) were ideal hosts - helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The idea is that the property is environmentally self-sustaining and the elaborate, delicious breakfasts are plant-based with entirely local ingredients. The food was delicious and presentation was superb. Although we aren't vegans, the food was nothing short of amazing. The property is ideally located for exploring the nearby Volcanoes National Park and the many sites and activities in Hilo and the south side of the big island. Kona is also under two hours away by car and the drive itself is one of the joys of the trip. This was an amazing vacation and VER was a big part of making it that way. If you're looking to stay somewhere that isn't a cookie cutter Hawaii beach resort, that advocates for more responsible tourism, and offers privacy in a relaxed tropical setting this is where you need to go. Highly recommended.
If you're looking for a relaxing, luxurious Hawaiian getaway . . . this is the place. It's rare that I take the time to review places, but this eco-friendly retreat truly deserves the utmost praise. It was our first time in Hawaii, so my partner and I were unsure of where to go and what to do. We were greeted with exceptional warmth and welcome upon our arrival, which made us feel very comfortable! Within the first couple minutes of checking in, strolling the grounds, admiring the garden and the gorgeous vegetation everywhere, I knew that we'd chosen the right place to stay. . Shout out to Emily for making us feel so welcome, and frankly, like we'd arrived at our second home :D The Bungalow itself was even more spacious than I'd imagined from the pictures, and I don't know how they made it so adorable and fancy at the same time. The fluffy king bed cozily snuggled in the middle of the bungalow was an obvious pleasure, and so was the rain shower. The decoration was very well done, and then there were other details that just complimented the whole experience for me, like the provided yoga mats, soft and cozy robes, indoor slippers, the electric fireplace, the TV (which had Netflix on it!), and more of such things. THE FOOD was just unbelievable. Being plant-based, my partner and I sometimes struggle finding places to eat. Here, we were able to fuel up each day on the most exquisite, nutritious, fully plant-based breakfasts! From the taste, to the colorful, elegant presentation of it, the food was just perfect. From what I understand, you will be well-accommodated even if you have intolerance to certain foods, but we didn't make any special request in that regard - we just let them surprise us each morning. Having just left a Waikoloa resort with a "continental breakfast" of severely limited options for us, we were elated to enjoy such lavish brunches. We had the best ube pancakes, fantastic loco moco, avocado toast, crepes suzette, and more. Five nights, five fantastic meals which came with delicious, fresh coffee and a variety of tropical fruits! We met and thanked the incredibly talented Chef Court, who also works very hard on the garden and on the upkeep of the grounds. These guys plant their own foods, collect and purify rainwater on-site, use and provide products that support small-businesses, and manage this LEED-certified retreat in such a green way that I didn't feel the usual guilt I experience from consuming at other hotels or resorts. We discovered Avatar-ish looking plants that I'd never heard of before - apparently certain species of ginger can be used as sanitizer/shampoo!? Waking up to the green Eden nestled into the hilly, Hilo - side of the island, to fresh coffee and Court's food, to Emily's friendly service and smiles, to the lovable doggo Will, and to a day full of both excitement and rest, was by far the most rejuvenating experience I've ever had. Emily gave us fantastic recommendations on places to visit and things to do for our first time in Hawaii, which we did indulge in, but ended up spending more time than we had planned just kicking back by our bungalow! There was a hammock, a very nice hot tub, lounge chairs, tables, and even a christmas-themed area so we were just fine where we were! I highly, highly recommend this place for everyone, and we'll definitely be coming back. An enormous thank you to the beautiful couple, Court and Emily, who not only made our stay so enjoyable and healing, but also introduced us to a more environmentally sustainable way of life (and vacationing!), and are making this world a kinder, safer place to live for all. Mahalo :D
Epic oasis in a literal rainforest. What an experience. The property has new ownership and the couple in charge are great. The location is very remote which is fantastic. Even though you "are off the grid", the internet works, there is a TV in your room with all of the streaming services you would look for. Hot tub is amazing. The yurts are so cool. The sound of bird and roosters is super cool. Cant wait to come back.
I just returned from a five-day stay on the Big Island at VMR. My trip exceeded my expectations across the board. I'm going to divide this review into two sections: first is it safe to visit the Big Island now, and then my stay at VMR. The volcanic eruption is isolated to a remote part of the island, the Puna District. The only indication that something is going on, driving the Saddle Road at night as you approach Hilo you can see an orange glow in the clouds in the distance and you sometimes get a slight sulpher smell near the Pahoa turnoff on Highway 11. Volcanos National Park remains closed; however, the Kahuku Unit of the park (just about half a mile west of the Highway 11 turnoff for South Point) is open five days a week. I spent a day there and took two incredible hikes. You may also hear about the explosive steam events and earthquakes at the Kilauea Summit Crater. There was one on Friday morning, 6/29, I was sitting outside at VMR at the time it occurred and heard, felt, nor saw anything. The national media breathlessly reported on the current event for the first two weeks, listening to them, you would think lava was flowing down the streets of Kailua. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't want to minimize the huge effect this event had on the lives of people who lived in the impacted communities that have lost their homes, and in many cases, their livelihoods, the area is very rural, and many people raised crops and / or tropical flowers, so not only did they lose their homes, but many lost their source of income. There isn't a vantage point to see the fissure 8 eruption or the ocean entry. I decided to book a helicopter tour before I left home, assumed that we would see the lava off in the distance, but would at least have a chance to see it. I couldn't have been more surprised when we spent about 20 minutes over and in the vicinity of fissure 8 and about 10 minutes over the ocean entry. I used Paradise Helicopters and they were excellent. If you want a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a major volcanic eruption, this is the time to go to the Big Island. Plus, due the sensationalized coverage, bookings at many places are off by 40 to 60 percent so there are fewer people. Now, VMR. The reviews are great, even to the point where you wonder if VMR can be that good. I can unequivocally say that they are true and yes, VMR is that good. My stay at VMR was wonderful. Robert and Scott are the perfect hosts and will do whatever they can to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. VMR provides luxury accommodations in the middle of tropical tranquility. The bungalows have everything you need. Probably the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in with super soft bedding and left the windows open at night to hear the rain and coqui frogs lull me to sleep. Beautiful décor, a fantastic shower with incredible water pressure and almost instantaneous hot water. The porch is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the tranquility. You have WiFi as well as satellite television with the full range of channels and most of the premium services. The spa was wonderful after a day of hiking. I would get up in the morning and sit on my porch to catch up on my e-mail and social media. Scott would bring me my first coffee and delicious breakfast bread or muffins. We would then decide when I would have breakfast. Other reviewers have noted, and I strongly concur, that Scott provides gourmet breakfasts every morning. I couldn't wait to see what creation he would provide each morning. The breakfast was so big that I often skipped lunch since I was still full. Robert and Scott have created a tropical paradise with their landscaping. If you want a luxury, secluded tropical oasis, then VMR will meet all of your expectations. I also got a massage from Gabriel, their on-call massage therapist. It was one of the best massages I have ever had. I strongly recommend using Gabriel's services. During my stay, I was the only guest, two others had cancelled their reservations. That allowed me to really get to know Scott and Robert. I was fascinated to find out the engineering and planning that went into the creation of VMR and its services. To conclude, this IS the time to visit the Big Island and if you want to stay in a secluded tropical oasis with personalized service then you can do no better than VMR.
3 years ago
This place is absolutely magical! I really don't think I can express in words how incredible the Volcano Eco Retreat was, and I truly don't think we'll ever find something as magnificent again. My wife and I came here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary/late honeymoon, and we could not have DREAMED of a better experience! Emily and Court were such gracious hosts and you can immediately tell how much love they put into this place. The cottages were absolutely PERFECT, equipped with a mini fridge, WiFi and a smart TV, and a ceiling fan for temperature control. The shower was fantastic, and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud! The resort itself was STUNNING, with beautiful lush greenery as far as the eye can see. We found ourselves easily able to fall asleep to the sounds of nature every night. It was so wonderful to be able to unplug and just enjoy the sounds of the forest around us, and the rain falling. Unbelievably relaxing! If you've never been to Hawaii before, the weather changes pretty frequently. It rained every day we were there, but only for about 30 minutes or so. Definitely don't worry about getting rained out on vacation, because if you drive even just a few minutes down the road it'll be clear skies and sunshine! All of Emily's recommendations were spot on! She really knows her stuff and I felt like we had an inside source to all the best spots on the island - the ones only known to locals. The handmade breakfasts every morning were to die for, Court is an exceptionally talented chef - seriously Michelin star quality food that was breathtaking to look at and some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted! Not to mention everything comes from their own garden! I myself am not vegan but every meal we had was filling and absolutely DELICIOUS. A VERY special shout-out to Naomi the massage therapist! If you get a chance to do Naomi's retreat I HIGHLY recommend it! She really gave us such an amazing experience and we came away from it feeling relaxed and rejuvenated! Plus being able to see all the great work they're doing for the land is truly incredible. Whether you're vegan or not this place should be at the absolute top of your list. We can't thank Emily and Court (and Will!) enough for making our honeymoon a truly unforgettable experience! We will DEFINITELY be back! read more
I can't express enough how amazing our stay here was. The property itself was well kept, beautiful and extremely clean! The owners Gabby, Tony and their fashion forward dog Sushi were welcoming, accommodating and kind! My favorite part was brunch! They brought out an amazing spread of pineapple pancakes, spinach bubble waffles and a papaya filled with overnight oats-a straight up chefs kiss! It's the perfect place to relax, unplug and enjoy yourself! read more
4 years ago
This place is amazing. We stayed for 3 nights and bought an hour massage for additional charge. We got to enjoy the hot tub for a bit. Breakfast is amazing and a burst of flavor that we were not expecting. Loved the peace and nature that you can't get anywhere else. Definitely worth it and wished we stayed longer. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
We stayed at VOlcano Eco Retreat Oct 24 - Nov 1 2020 and can't say enough great things about it. The property was recently sold and was reopened with new owners, name, and branding. We were the first guests since the change and Hawaii's recent relaxation of visitation rules after seven months during the pandemic. The property is gorgeous, tropical, and secluded. With four individual bungalows for guests it's an ideal place for couples. There are also group dining and socializing gazebos as well as a covered outdoor hot tub for guests to use. The owners, Tony and Gaby (and their small dog Sushi) were ideal hosts - helpful, friendly, and accommodating. The idea is that the property is environmentally self-sustaining and the elaborate, delicious breakfasts are plant-based with entirely local ingredients. The food was delicious and presentation was superb. Although we aren't vegans, the food was nothing short of amazing. The property is ideally located for exploring the nearby Volcanoes National Park and the many sites and activities in Hilo and the south side of the big island. Kona is also under two hours away by car and the drive itself is one of the joys of the trip. This was an amazing vacation and VER was a big part of making it that way. If you're looking to stay somewhere that isn't a cookie cutter Hawaii beach resort, that advocates for more responsible tourism, and offers privacy in a relaxed tropical setting this is where you need to go. Highly recommended. read more
4 years ago
If you're looking for a relaxing, luxurious Hawaiian getaway . . . this is the place. It's rare that I take the time to review places, but this eco-friendly retreat truly deserves the utmost praise. It was our first time in Hawaii, so my partner and I were unsure of where to go and what to do. We were greeted with exceptional warmth and welcome upon our arrival, which made us feel very comfortable! Within the first couple minutes of checking in, strolling the grounds, admiring the garden and the gorgeous vegetation everywhere, I knew that we'd chosen the right place to stay. . Shout out to Emily for making us feel so welcome, and frankly, like we'd arrived at our second home :D The Bungalow itself was even more spacious than I'd imagined from the pictures, and I don't know how they made it so adorable and fancy at the same time. The fluffy king bed cozily snuggled in the middle of the bungalow was an obvious pleasure, and so was the rain shower. The decoration was very well done, and then there were other details that just complimented the whole experience for me, like the provided yoga mats, soft and cozy robes, indoor slippers, the electric fireplace, the TV (which had Netflix on it!), and more of such things. THE FOOD was just unbelievable. Being plant-based, my partner and I sometimes struggle finding places to eat. Here, we were able to fuel up each day on the most exquisite, nutritious, fully plant-based breakfasts! From the taste, to the colorful, elegant presentation of it, the food was just perfect. From what I understand, you will be well-accommodated even if you have intolerance to certain foods, but we didn't make any special request in that regard - we just let them surprise us each morning. Having just left a Waikoloa resort with a "continental breakfast" of severely limited options for us, we were elated to enjoy such lavish brunches. We had the best ube pancakes, fantastic loco moco, avocado toast, crepes suzette, and more. Five nights, five fantastic meals which came with delicious, fresh coffee and a variety of tropical fruits! We met and thanked the incredibly talented Chef Court, who also works very hard on the garden and on the upkeep of the grounds. These guys plant their own foods, collect and purify rainwater on-site, use and provide products that support small-businesses, and manage this LEED-certified retreat in such a green way that I didn't feel the usual guilt I experience from consuming at other hotels or resorts. We discovered Avatar-ish looking plants that I'd never heard of before - apparently certain species of ginger can be used as sanitizer/shampoo!? Waking up to the green Eden nestled into the hilly, Hilo - side of the island, to fresh coffee and Court's food, to Emily's friendly service and smiles, to the lovable doggo Will, and to a day full of both excitement and rest, was by far the most rejuvenating experience I've ever had. Emily gave us fantastic recommendations on places to visit and things to do for our first time in Hawaii, which we did indulge in, but ended up spending more time than we had planned just kicking back by our bungalow! There was a hammock, a very nice hot tub, lounge chairs, tables, and even a christmas-themed area so we were just fine where we were! I highly, highly recommend this place for everyone, and we'll definitely be coming back. An enormous thank you to the beautiful couple, Court and Emily, who not only made our stay so enjoyable and healing, but also introduced us to a more environmentally sustainable way of life (and vacationing!), and are making this world a kinder, safer place to live for all. Mahalo :D read more
6 years ago
Epic oasis in a literal rainforest. What an experience. The property has new ownership and the couple in charge are great. The location is very remote which is fantastic. Even though you "are off the grid", the internet works, there is a TV in your room with all of the streaming services you would look for. Hot tub is amazing. The yurts are so cool. The sound of bird and roosters is super cool. Cant wait to come back. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
8 years ago
I just returned from a five-day stay on the Big Island at VMR. My trip exceeded my expectations across the board. I'm going to divide this review into two sections: first is it safe to visit the Big Island now, and then my stay at VMR. The volcanic eruption is isolated to a remote part of the island, the Puna District. The only indication that something is going on, driving the Saddle Road at night as you approach Hilo you can see an orange glow in the clouds in the distance and you sometimes get a slight sulpher smell near the Pahoa turnoff on Highway 11. Volcanos National Park remains closed; however, the Kahuku Unit of the park (just about half a mile west of the Highway 11 turnoff for South Point) is open five days a week. I spent a day there and took two incredible hikes. You may also hear about the explosive steam events and earthquakes at the Kilauea Summit Crater. There was one on Friday morning, 6/29, I was sitting outside at VMR at the time it occurred and heard, felt, nor saw anything. The national media breathlessly reported on the current event for the first two weeks, listening to them, you would think lava was flowing down the streets of Kailua. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't want to minimize the huge effect this event had on the lives of people who lived in the impacted communities that have lost their homes, and in many cases, their livelihoods, the area is very rural, and many people raised crops and / or tropical flowers, so not only did they lose their homes, but many lost their source of income. There isn't a vantage point to see the fissure 8 eruption or the ocean entry. I decided to book a helicopter tour before I left home, assumed that we would see the lava off in the distance, but would at least have a chance to see it. I couldn't have been more surprised when we spent about 20 minutes over and in the vicinity of fissure 8 and about 10 minutes over the ocean entry. I used Paradise Helicopters and they were excellent. If you want a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a major volcanic eruption, this is the time to go to the Big Island. Plus, due the sensationalized coverage, bookings at many places are off by 40 to 60 percent so there are fewer people. Now, VMR. The reviews are great, even to the point where you wonder if VMR can be that good. I can unequivocally say that they are true and yes, VMR is that good. My stay at VMR was wonderful. Robert and Scott are the perfect hosts and will do whatever they can to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. VMR provides luxury accommodations in the middle of tropical tranquility. The bungalows have everything you need. Probably the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in with super soft bedding and left the windows open at night to hear the rain and coqui frogs lull me to sleep. Beautiful décor, a fantastic shower with incredible water pressure and almost instantaneous hot water. The porch is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the tranquility. You have WiFi as well as satellite television with the full range of channels and most of the premium services. The spa was wonderful after a day of hiking. I would get up in the morning and sit on my porch to catch up on my e-mail and social media. Scott would bring me my first coffee and delicious breakfast bread or muffins. We would then decide when I would have breakfast. Other reviewers have noted, and I strongly concur, that Scott provides gourmet breakfasts every morning. I couldn't wait to see what creation he would provide each morning. The breakfast was so big that I often skipped lunch since I was still full. Robert and Scott have created a tropical paradise with their landscaping. If you want a luxury, secluded tropical oasis, then VMR will meet all of your expectations. I also got a massage from Gabriel, their on-call massage therapist. It was one of the best massages I have ever had. I strongly recommend using Gabriel's services. During my stay, I was the only guest, two others had cancelled their reservations. That allowed me to really get to know Scott and Robert. I was fascinated to find out the engineering and planning that went into the creation of VMR and its services. To conclude, this IS the time to visit the Big Island and if you want to stay in a secluded tropical oasis with personalized service then you can do no better than VMR. read more
5 years ago
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9 years ago
Outstanding! This is an exceptional place to stay for the best in rest and relaxation!! Scott and Robert are excellent hosts. They have thought of every detail to make sure their guests have a great experience. The bungalows and common areas are exceptionally maintained. My husband and I slept great on one of the most comfortable beds we have slept on. Sitting on the porch enjoying our daily hand delivered coffee service (with a different amazing baked treat every day) was a so nice. As was the great homemade freshly baked breakfast. Great location to visit the Volcano National Park and Hilo - both a short drives way. This is an exceptional resort and a great value for the experience! read more
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More info about Volcano Eco Retreat
11-2888 Hibiscus St
Mountain View, HI 96771
Directions
(808) 968-1992
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Visit Website
https://www.volcanoecoretreat.com
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