It%26#39;ll be next fall before we can make it back to the BI but I figured there%26#39;s no harm in planning ahead. The Big Island just might become our regular stop before/after Kauai each year in the summer.
Now that I%26#39;ve got a three week trip under my belt I know better what my wife and I are looking for. We really enjoyed the Hilo side of the island, and even though it was clear weather nearly the whole time (unusual I know), the rain I doubt would bother us... we love the windward side of Kauai for example. I think we%26#39;d actually enjoy the rain.
I think we%26#39;ll have about 11 nights to spend on the island. 5 days we%26#39;ll probably stay with Dolphin Bay in Hilo again. It was a great value, close to downtown and we enjoyed our stay there. We%26#39;ll spend only 3 nights in Kailua-Kona this time, and perhaps none (if I can find a B%26amp;B in Kohala I like better). That leaves 3 more nights to spend somewhere...
My question is this. What are the best B%26amp;B%26#39;s of the Volcano area? My wife and I fell in love with the village and the reviews here on TA of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s and Inn%26#39;s are just what we%26#39;d expect. It%26#39;s hard to choose any one above another. I%26#39;m currently eyeing Volcano Rainforest Retreat, Volcano Country Cottages, Volcano Teapot Cottage Bed %26amp; Breakfast, and especially the Volcano Village Lodge.
We would really like to stay in as lush an environment as possible, hence why we really like the sound of the later on that list. The proximity to the park will also be nice, no more long drives back to Hilo, or killer drives back to Kona at night in the dark (I won%26#39;t do that ever again).
Can anyone help us narrow the choices down, or offer suggestions for another place? I suspect this is an area we%26#39;ll start frequenting very often for a few nights each trip to the BI.
Mahalo
Favorite B%26amp;B or Inn in Volcano?
Check out Lotus Garden Cottages (used to be called Kalani Garden Cottages) at volcanogetaway.com. I have stayed there many many times during the previous ownership. It%26#39;s private (only two units) and still conveniently located at the back of the village.
Favorite B%26amp;B or Inn in Volcano?
Thanks I%26#39;ll be sure to check them out as well.
We have booked the Volcano Village Lodge for our upcoming trip, so I won%26#39;t be able to comment fully until we are back in January. However, the owner (Kay) is already really accommodating/helpful through emails. I have read really great things about the service there. I can%26#39;t wait for the rainforest atmosphere. Hopefully, someone can also comment on it that has already stayed there.
Mahalo, I%26#39;ll look forward to your thoughts on it later next month. It really does sound like an amazing place.
We spent three nights at Hale Ohia B%26amp;B in September and were very happy there. We%26#39;d definitely stay there again.
http://www.haleohia.com/
I haven%26#39;t stayed there, but I wanted to point out what I consider ';above and beyond'; service from the proprietor of Kate%26#39;s Volcano Cottage. I had sent a reservation request for the two nights I plan to stay in Volcano during my trip in May. In her response, Kathryn noted that the cottage I requested was sold out. She then went on to provide full pricing info (taxes included) for her available cottages to compare with the price of the cottage I requested. Recognizing that the other cottages were more expensive, she then went on to recommend other properties (not owned by her) that were nearby and in my price range. Along with her recommendations, Kathryn provided contact information for the other properties. Considering most places would have ended their response with the note that they were booked on the requested days, I feel Kathryn went ';above and beyond'; by taking the time to note alternatives for my stay.
www.volcanoplaces.com
We will be staying at ';The Artist%26#39;s House'; / Volcano Country Cottages for the 2nd time in February ( we first visited in 2005). The cottage was quiet, private, set in beautiful, lush grounds and very comfortable. The hosts, Garret and Sandy, could not have been nicer. They are very gracious about sharing their huge fund of info about touring the volcano and surrounding area. They have several cottages of varying size on the property. We can%26#39;t wait to return!
ceoltoir: I%26#39;m happy to read that you had such a good experience at the Volcano Country Cottages. I ended up reserving their Ohelo Berry cottage for my trip in May. Looking forward to staying there.
pelekai, nice to see you%26#39;re getting lots of help with Volcano (I know NOTHING about places there).
You mentioned being on the lookout for a B%26amp;B in Kohala. We really enjoyed Makai Hale in Kohala Ranch. The setting is stark and zenlike but amazing. Breathtaking panoramic ocean view, incredible sunsets, fabulous in ground tiled hot tub, and swimming pool which is a bit cold but nice to look at. The hosts, Jerry and Audrey, leave you the whole area between their house and the ohana which they rent. You will be the only guests, and your hosts live so quietly you%26#39;ll hardly know they%26#39;re home.
Jerry is Hawaiian and his wife is Japanese. Jerry likes to talk story but only if you%26#39;re intersted. They bought into the Ranch early on and have this B%26amp;B OK%26#39;d despite the CC%26amp;R%26#39;s in Kohala Ranch.
The STARS are so fantastic up there at night. They are the best I%26#39;ve seen on the island other than from Mauna Kea, because there%26#39;s no ambient light and little or no cloud vapor in the air. To sit in the jacuzzi and star watch is just heaven. The bedroom w/bath is simple and has a kitchenette where breakfast is delivered quietly in the morning. There are 2 bedrooms and 2 baths (hall bath as well) and if you don%26#39;t need the second bedroom and agree to just leave the door closed so it won%26#39;t need cleaning, the price is lower) or was for us.
The location is great because you%26#39;re only a short drive from Kohala beaches and very close to Kawaihae Harbor which is as you must know the affordable place to eat in that area. Also you aren%26#39;t far from Hawi and your favorite Pololu.
The only downside to Kohala Ranch is the wind can be a bit much, but in the early fall it shouldn%26#39;t be so bad. We stayed end of November and it was quite windy, but that had no impact on our enjoyment of the hot tub, which as I said is set in ground with beautiful colored tile (almost Moroccan), not one of these raised fiberglass jobs. the tub is just a few steps from the rental lanai.
Makai Hale is extremely popular and needs to be booked well in advance. There is so little in that area in the way of B%26amp;B%26#39;s.
As an alternate, you might take a look at a rental in upper North Kohala. You seem like a good fit for that area. I%26#39;ve seen a few advertised on alternative-hawaii.com at this page:
www.alternative-hawaii.com/accom/bivkoh.htm
they look intriguing but I have no personal knowledge of the lodgings. I%26#39;ve lived in Kapa%26#39;au so if you have question about location I could help you there.
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