Volcano Rainforest Retreat

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Aaron Fincham
a week ago
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  Jamie Aygen
3 weeks ago
My family and I just came back from staying at this little gem. It was in a beautiful location and we really felt like we were in the rain forest, the outdoor shower, and hot tub were an extra bonus. The staff was super friendly and helpful with local recommendations. My 10 year old and 14 year old loved it and didn t want to leave. My husband and I also felt it would have been great as a couples getaway as well.We have already talked about how we want to come back!

  Lee Chabowski
2 days ago
We absolutely loved the charming, unique and secluded Sanctuary cottage where we spent three nights while exploring nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The cottage is situated within a rainforest and is accessed via a flower- and fern-lined winding path that feels wild and a bit magical. The cottage's hexagonal design and floor-to-ceiling windows on most sides gave us an immersive 360� view of the rainforest, and was a perfect place to unwind. Since it is a rainforest, it did rain often and the temperatures in mid-March were in the mid-50s early in the morning, climbing into the high 60s throughout the day. The cottage is equipped with a small, propane-fueled pot-bellied stove that made the room feel very cozy, especially when combined with the pitter-patter of rain on the roof. Staying in bed all day here would not be unwelcome. Another great feature of the cottage was its outdoor shower and adjacent o furo hot tub for two. After a day of exploring, we couldn't wait to submerge in the hot tub and gaze out at the forest. Truly relaxing! The cottage is also equipped with a small kitchen, and fruit, granola, coffee and a selection of pastries were provided each day. Staff members Jenny and Danyelle were both charming and helpful. We would definitely stay here again, and we both wish we were there now!

  Morgan
5 months ago
My husband and I stayed in the Bamboo Guest House for a few nights during our honeymoon. We loved our stay!From the second we booked our stay to until we checked out, communication with the hosts was fast and informative.The house itself was spotless, cute, and so much more comfortable than a generic hotel. There was not a single thing we found we needed that wasn't already there, including breakfast! We were impressed with the amount of options we had in our daily breakfast basket and each time it was delicious. We also hiked Volcano National Park all day, so the outdoor tub really came in handy. We left joking that we now need one at home.I highly recommend booking even just a few nights in one of these wonderful guest houses!Thank you again to all the wonderful staff that made our stay amazing!

  Matt Ion
5 months ago
A wonderful spot for a week's getaway from the city, especially if you're into touring the Big Island's volcanoes!The cottages are all of different designs and sizes, but all boast generous porches for sitting outside to watch the rain, and plenty of windows and skylights to let in the natural light and local animal noises.The thick forest and cleverly designed paths connecting the cottages give an excellent sense of quiet and privacy despite the relatively small footprint of the entire resort.The staff were all amazing, but the biggest treat was Jenny, the manager on duty for most of our stay. She was always cheery, helpful, and had no end of advice for places to visit and things to see, as well as filling us in on the colourful history of the resort.Definitely consider a stay here if you want to relax!Rooms: The Forest House was cozy and perfect for the week we spent. We had the opportunity to check out all the other cottages while we were there, and honestly, any of them would make a fantastic choice; in fact, I'd love to come back for a week and spend a different night in each one, as each has its own charm.Nearby activities: Nearby Volcano Village is rustic with some incredible food options.Easy proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can view Kilauea's craters, tour a lava tube, or drive down Chain of Craters Rd. to the oceanside.Take a drive to Punalu'u Bake Shop, the southernmost bakery in the US, for some of their delicious treats (I highly recommend the lilikoi (passionfruit) malasada), or head the other direction to Hilo for Ken's House Of Pancakes (best loco moco anywhere!). Or if you like Thai food, give Auntie Pon's food truck in Volcano Village a shot!This was our "base camp" for a week of exploring the Big Island as well as a two-day jaunt to Oahu.Noteworthy details: My only "complaint", if you could call it that, is that the website needs updating with better pictures and descriptions of the cottages. We chose the Forest House based on what was presented, and were perfectly happy with it, but might have selected differently if we could have seen better views of the others. For example, the Guest House has a loft bed that in the pictures looked like it was in a cramped space that would be difficult to access; when we saw it in person, it was actually a fairly spacious semi-attic bedroom with plenty of room to move around. If you're considering staying here, I would recommend calling and asking for more details about the cottage(s) you find interesting.

  Heather Howell
3 months ago
The location was perfect for our trip the Volcanoes National Park. It was an easy drive from Hilo (about 45 minutes). Danyelle went above and beyond to welcome us when we came in after hours. The basket of goodies was perfect. The bamboo guest house felt magical and like we were in the jungle. The outside bath tub was perfect after a long day. We would definitely stay here again.Nearby activities: The national park is less than ten minutes away, and Hilo is only about 30-45 minutes away.Safety: We felt very safe. It is secluded enough to feel private, but it is in a neighborhood so you don't feel isolated.

  Kimberly Lobit
6 months ago
It was absolutely magical staying here!! The retreat is tucked in the middle of the rainforest and each cottage is very private. As soon as you arrive you are overcome with the beautiful scents of the fresh flowers and sounds of chirping frogs and birds. Each morning, they provide you with an incredible basket of a variety of fresh fruits, muffins, pastries, granola, tea, coffee, and more! The hot tub was perfect after a long day of hiking and was incredibly relaxing. There was a nice fire in the room and the bed was super comfy! The owners are so very kind and positive energy just envelopes the place. We are definitely going back!!

  Deborah Beach
a month ago
Not very often does a place exceed one's expectation like VRR did for us. The interior designs draw you into the tranquil surroundings and embrace the beauty of the rainforest. The furo is a private oasis and the Staff is welcoming and available . The delicious breakfast basket is the perfect starter to the day. A AMAZING PLACE to experience the Big Island .Noteworthy details: Filled with local art and fine art. This cottage has its own entrance and parking. Very Private. Lush gardens! High quality food items. Spotless!

  Kevin Tadlock
4 months ago
This place is great!!! We stayed one night as a stay-cation! It was super cool! Beds were comfortable! Super cool to feel like you are sleeping in the jungle!! And you are BTW!!!!It s great!!!! The hot tube was cool! We actually it was HOT!!!!!! very nice!I would recommend this place for sure!! This place is super close to the volcano, so you won t have to drive far!!!Nice!!!! This place has to many amenities to list! They have thought of them all!!!!!

  Kitty
7 months ago
This place is absolutely amazing! We could not have asked for a more beautiful & relaxing place to unwind, after being in Lahaina for a week with the fires. Just what we needed. The staff is friendly, accommodating and great with communication. Every day your kitchen is filled with pastries, coffee, fresh fruits & more. The location is gorgeous, enveloped in the foliage, with birds singing & frogs chirping. Truly paradise! It is wonderful how close it is to Volcanoes National Park. I would give it 10 stars, if that was possible! Thank you, Jenny & Danyelle, for everything!Rooms: Stunning house, enveloped in foliage with birds singing & frogs chirping. Every day the kitchen was filled with fresh fruits, pastries and coffee. Privacy in your home is wonderful. Very unique experience.Nearby activities: Volcanoes National Park nearbySafety: We felt exceptionally safeWalkability: Can t really walk to something but you have a parking spot at your house and everything is only a few minutes away.Food & drinks: It is a very small town but still had some yummy restaurants; including The Rim, where you dine with a view of the volcano.Noteworthy details: Fabulous place!!!

  Joe C
11 months ago
Volcano Rainforest Retreat is truly an oasis that makes you question if you are just in a dream. The staff greeted us with such a warm welcome that set the tone for our stay. We stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage, which was surrounded by beautiful plants and a mini bamboo forest that afforded complete privacy and peace. It was amazing to use the covered outdoor shower and hot tub while listening to the birds and being one with nature! It was also so stress-free to have breakfast delivered to you the night before - you can order whatever you want the day before (exotic fruits, pastries, coffee/tea) and it will be in your room the day before you need it! We highly recommend staying here and will 100% be back someday! Thank you Volcano Rainforest Retreat!

  Jacqueline Radebaugh
2 months ago
This place looks fabulous, but didn't exactly match my group's requirements (work trip). The reason why I decided to write a review is because the person who I got on the phone went above and beyond to answer a few questions I had about making a choice that would work for my work group, and so next time I'm back on the island with friends & family, this place is already our top choice.

  Andrew Keesler
7 months ago
My wife and I loved staying here. We identify as "outdoorsy" (we enjoy hiking, camping, but are more towards the "car camping" end of the spectrum), and this place was exactly what we were looking for. I felt like it was sort of "glamping" at times because it was so great.First of all, staying in a rainforest was so cool. It was made even better that the houses are nestled right up against the native vegetation. We loved hearing the frogs at night, the rain fall on our Forest House, and how dark it got at night.Second of all, the amenities are fantastic. These people thought of everything. I'd come back just for the hot tub. We also loved the postcards that the staff will pick up and mail for you, the breakfast checklist that you get every night, helpful maps and local information, and the fireplace (just to name a few).Finally, this place is perfectly positioned to experience Volcanos National Park. It was an easy ~1hr drive from Hilo to get to Volcano Rainforest Retreat. It is an easy ~5min drive to the park (and on the way there are spots to pick up hiking provisions for the day).We felt energized, cared for, safe, clean, and happy. Thank you for a great stay!

  Tyson Jesser
a year ago
Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Volcano National Park, which is just minutes away. The Retreat is about a mile off the main road in a heavily forested area, which made it feel very secluded. We stayed in the Bamboo Guest House, it was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The soaking tub was lovely after a day of hiking. The bed was big and comfortable. Breakfast and coffee were provided. All interactions with the staff were great. Also nice having no bug problems.

  Steven Plato
11 months ago
Volcano Rainforest Retreat was absolutely stunning. More beautiful and quaint than the photos can convey. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Privacy was excellent and the environment was absolutely stunning. It s a quiet place away from distractions if you re looking for a lot of people and things to do this is not the place. If you want a peaceful retreat near the volcano to relax for a bit then I would highly recommend. We will definitely be back one day.

  Jamie Gill
a year ago
Wow! My husband and I are on our honeymoon and chose to kick it off with a stay at this B&B at Volcano & the two of us couldn t have been more pleased! The Sanctuary cottage was a beautiful & cozy spot for us to spend our evenings listening to the sounds of the majestic rainforest around us. The staff was all so friendly & accommodating, especially Danyelle who helped us figure out some real cool adventures to go on during our stay. The accommodations were top notch & we will definitely be back some day. Thank you all for making our stay so wonderful!

  Dhanashri Kondap
a year ago
When we reserved the skylight house we were a bit worried about the cancellation policy which honestly is not great.The minute we entered the property we felt transported to a different world. Danielle came to our skylight house to go over everything in person.Skylight house is very spacious for a family. A calm and comfortable resting place. The wrap around porch is so beautiful and I loved sitting there with a cup of coffee early in the morning listening to the bird songs and roosters before everyone else was up. I could just sit there for hours.Skylight house even had an outdoor shower in addition to the full bath indoors.The light switches have dimmer so you can adjust the brightness.They have flashlights, umbrellas and torches we could use though we did not end up using them.They have plenty of pillows and sheets and comforters.There are fireplaces in main living area as well as bedroom. They thought about tiny details and kept earplugs we could use so that sound of rain on the tin roof would not disturb our sleep.The staff stocks the cottage with fresh fruits, milk and baked goods daily. There papayas were the sweetest I have had. The best part was when they said you can make your own meals but don't need to worry about doing the dishes :)Danielle and Jenni are great and both of them helped us a lot to plan our days there. We loved their recommendations. They even sent us a list of restaurants in the village way in advance if our stay so we could plan and make reservations.I'm full of praise for everything and everyone at the Volcano Rainforest Retreat.If I were to nitpick about downside of staying there, the only thing I would say is it is quite expensive and cancellation policy is not good.I would cherish our stay there for years to come.Nearby activities: Volcanos national park, Pahoa, Hilo southeast side beaches, black and green sand beaches, southern tip of USA

  Erica P.
11 months ago
The location was amazing and the room was designed to allow you to experience the entire rainforest from every angle. Full mirrored sliding closet doors reflect the greenery through the plate glass windows so you re surrounded no matter which way you look. We fell asleep and woke up in a comfortable bed feeling fully immersed in nature.The breakfast basket was chock full of goodies and they replenished the food and room essentials with everything we needed.100% peaceful!

  Farid Shahid
4 weeks ago
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  China Doll Travels
8 months ago
This is one of the nicest bed and breakfast place I ve stayed at in Hilo and it s close to volcano national park about a 5 min drive! They will text you to meet you at the time you arrive to show you around and if you need anything you can text. The place does come with free wifi and it has a kitchen and free breakfast items. I loved the Japanese hot tub in the back but this place is so cozy in paradise tranquility! I definitely recommend this spot if staying in Hilo! Only thing is the closest grocery store is 30 min drive if you plan to cook here.

  Kelsey Austin
a year ago
Volcano Rainforest Retreat was a romantic haven for my husband and I. We stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage and was astounded at how gorgeous the cottage was and the grounds. The cottage was nestled in the rainforest with privacy from the surrounding cottages. The outdoor shower was a fun experience as well as the Japanese soaking tub! Danyelle & Jenny were easy to communicate throughout the whole process and were there greeting us with a smile! The breakfast foods that were provided were some of the freshest fruit I have ever tasted and the coffee paired well with it! The cottage was also close to Volcanoes NP which was ideal for us. If you are looking to splurge and stay at this cottage, I HIGHLY recommend it!

  Brian Haverty
a year ago
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  Victoria Munoz
8 months ago
We stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage for 3 heavenly nights. My husband and I felt rested and recharged after our time at VRR. The location was very close to Volcanoes National Park, which is what we wanted. The restaurants in Volcano Village were also delicious (we tried Ohelo Cafe and Thai Thai Bistro). The staff were friendly and accommodating but gave us privacy.Our favorite parts were 1). the ofuro soaking tub and 2). the yummy and convenient breakfast baskets, 3). the serene environment that the rainforest provides. We would happily stay again in the future and recommend to anyone visiting!

  Francis Zuniga
a year ago
We stayed at volcano rainforest retreat for our honeymoon. Our experience was nothing but the best. It exceeded our expectations. We wanted to be in nature and staying here was the highlight of our honeymoon. It s isolated, calm, romantic, and the rain and mixture of the birds and frogs sound was the cherry on top. We stayed in sanctuary and had our private jacuzzi and outdoor shower. It s super private, you can lower blinds for extra privacy. I am vegan and they made sure to accommodate a vegan breakfast. I would without second thought stay here again.I also cannot complete my review without giving a recognition to Jenny. She texted us during the day to ask about our arrival time, she waited for us and told us where to park and checked us immediately in after a long day. We were tired so she let us rest and the next day when everyone had checked out she gave us a tour of the other villas and WOW! this is a BEAUTIFUL and MAGICAL place. If you re looking to be out in nature and hit reset. This is a place you MUST stay.

  Scott Bright
2 years ago
I cannot possibly overstate how amazing it is to stay here. My partner and I stayed in the Sanctuary cabin for a few nights and loved every second of it. The cabin and grounds are as beautiful (if not more so) as all the pictures you will find. Cathleen and Peter were wonderful hosts that really embody the warm and welcoming spirit of Aloha. The property is tucked away on a quiet jungle road very close to Volcano village and the park entrance. It was not hard to find using Google maps. Our cabin was magical, with wall to wall windows looking out into a tropical jungle. Each cabin is very secluded, we never lowered our shades once. Also, our private outdoor shower and Japanese style soaking tub were the cherry on top of our whole experience. Well worth the cost! We will definitely be staying here again.

  Neil Neyman
9 months ago
Great place to stay for a big island getaway close to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a short drive from Hilo. Breakfast options are wonderful, and the staff was very helpful.The accommodations were comfortable and had a relaxing vibe!

  Kitty G
8 months ago
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  Tim Sledz
a year ago
What a great place to stay. My wife and I booked this late so we moved rooms and they were very accommodating with the move. Each of the rooms had great features making each night unique. So nice to be able to go to the volcano at night and stay nearby. They also gave us tips for places to eat when we stayed at other locations as well. High recommend and would stay there again.

  Katherine Alexandra Absher
2 years ago
The most beautiful and peaceful place we've ever stayed. Kathleen and Peter's gorgeous Bamboo Guest Cottage is perfectly situated in the jungle. Our three day stay was perfect, down to the last detail - comfortable bed, wonderful soaking tub and delicious breakfast. We felt completely relaxed and refreshed, and only wishing we could have stayed longer! We highly recommend Volcano Rainforest Retreat and can't wait until our next visit.

  Vicky Kuo
2 years ago
My husband and I had a great stay at Volcano Rainforest Retreat in their Skylight House. We used this stay as our home base while we traversed the Volcano and East side of the Big Island.Kathleen and Peter were amazing hosts! They met us when we checked in and Kathleen spent a lot of time with us providing tips for visiting points of interest (lava viewing!) and excellent recommendations on hikes and dining in the area.Our breakfast baskets would be refilled each morning with fresh local fruit, pastries, and coffee. Besides being tasty, this was so convenient as we had some early starts in our days, we could just have a quick, tasty bite at home before setting out.The Skylight House was such a special place to stay. Kathleen explained to us that this was originally built as a home for her and Peter, and we could really tell the thought and care they put into the home. The home was well decorated with artwork and the construction of the home was so unique (12 sided house with a skylight and adjoining master bedroom). The house was located in the middle of a lush rainforest, so the ambience was so relaxing. We fell asleep each night to the patter of rain. The soaking tub and outdoor shower were great to shower off and soak our bones after a long day of hiking.Highly recommend! I can t wait until we can visit again.