We want to explore the west coast and spend a day at Volcanoes National Park. I'm thinking the best place to stay would be around Hilo. Any suggestions? We would like a studio or one bedroom around 100.00 per night. I would like Volcano but it probably is not central enough for anything other than the Park. We want to visit Waimea, then down the coast to the Hawaii Tropical Gardens, Akaka Falls, Volcanoes National Park and a black sand beach and tide pools. Where is the best location to base ourselves? All suggestions very much appreciated.

I would choose to stay at Volcano Village at some place like Kilauea Lodge, so much more charming and atmospheric, IMO, than staying around Hilo. OR stay one night at Volcano Village, then two nights over on the Kohala Coast, at somewhere like the Marriott Waikoloa Beach. I enjoy VNP but my favorite part of the Big Island is the Kohala Coast.

elsiemoo
I appreciate your comments, tell me why you prefer the Kohala coast please.

I'm not exactly sure where you want to explore. Akaka Falls and the botanical garden are on the EAST (Hilo) side, along with a black sand beach and tidepools (actually, lagoons at Kapoho). If that is the side of the island you want to explore and you do not want to stay in Volcano, then Kapoho and Hilo have some nice rentals. Try www.vrbo.com for those areas.

This is a link to a cute studio in Kapoho.
http://www.greatrentals.com/rental-property/p304800

I haven't stayed in this studio myself, but I do snorkel at Kapoho in the lagoons a lot.

This rental is just outside of Hilo. Again, I haven't stayed there myself, but both of these are under $100 a night and central to the east part of Hawaii Island.

If you want the West, (Kona/Kohala) side of the island, just search on the same websites for rentals on that part of the island.

Hope this helps.

http://www.greatrentals.com/rental-property/p157632

Gloria
Thanks, of course it's the east! Thank you for the links. I have spent a lot of time on vrbo, I just keep coming back to the Hilo area because it seems so central, thus the reason for my questions

I live on the east side, so of course I love it. The two sides of the island are different. The east side gets much more rain, therefore it's lush and green, with waterfalls, etc. It is also more rural and not as many tourists. It is easier to access Volcano National Park from the east side, especially if you are wanting to see the lava at night.

The Kohala area on the west side is very dry, lots of black lava, but has beatiful resorts, great beaches, more water activities and closer access to Kona.

So, it just depends on what you are looking for from your trip. It's all good in my opinion.

cd, I sort of mis-read and answered your question in a hurry so let me try again. First, 3 days (2 or 3 nights?) is not much time to see the Big Island. You'll only skim the surface. I love the Kohala Coast because of the beaches and general beauty, and because it FEELS like a vacation area. Many like Hilo but it is too gray and rainy for me; I would spend one night at VNP, with your schedule, and then the others on the Kona/Kohala side. I don't think you'll find anything on the Kohala Coast for $100/night but you will down in Kona, I think. Others may be more helpful who have rented there. I don't think vrbo.com will be much help for you, as you will be there for a short time. Good luck with your plans.

cd, here's a link to a b&b on the Kona side that you might find fun and affordable (haven't stayed there but it looks like a place I'd like ... ):

http://www.mangosunset.com/reservations.html

Thanks Elsiemoo
VRBO in many cases will rent on a nightly basis but I'll rent from anybody, We will not be staying on the western side, allthough I'm sure it is lovely. Just not enought time.

CD, my son actually rented this little house http://www.hpvacationrentals.com/KaLaniKai.html
in Kapoho with it's own pond out front. Located in Kapoho, just a two block walk to snorkeling in the lagoons. He thought it was very nice. We have had several family members rent from this local rental agency with good results.

Gloria
If we stayed in Volcano, would it be too far to drive to Waimea,Akaka Falls and the Gardens for a day? And then the next day to drive south to the black sand beach and tide pools? OR is it better to stay in the Hilo area all three nights for Volcanoe National Park,Waimea,Akaka Falls, Gardens,etc. Thanks.

You could drive to all of those places from Volcano. It's about 40 minutes from VNP to the Kapoho snorkeling lagoons, probably about the same to Akaka Falls and the Botanical garden.

One note, the view of the lava at night is not accessed through Volcano National Park right now. If you wanted to view the lava at night (well worth it in my opinion), you must leave Volcano (ack down highway 11) and drive to the end of Highway 132 where the parking area is - - so again, about 50 minutes from Volcano.

I know many many people recommend staying in Volcano and it is lovely, but we personally prefer to be located Hilo/Puna so we are closer to the other things we like. It's about 30 minutes from Kapoho to Hilo. Here is a link to a map. http://www.holualoabayvilla.com/imag...hawaii_map.jpg

Oops, I meant the end of highway 130, not 132 . . .sorry

Volcano is interesting, not only because of the volcano and the park, but it is so unlike what you think of as Hawaii.

However, I think you might enjoy something in the Hilo area for what you are describing. There are more restaurants there and it is more tropical.

You can do the Kohala coast another time.

Thanks Gloria and Marginal, I leaned toward Hilo because of the location but love the jungle look of Volcano, so I guess I will stay with Hilo, a little south of Hilo would be fine. If you think of any hotel/b&b/condo recommendations, I would appreciate them. I think Kopoho is too far south. The map is more detailed then the one I have. Thanks Gloria for encluding it.

Volcano is very dry to me, arid and somewhat cool. Not at all tropical.

The Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo is in your price range.


http://www.dolphinbayhotel.com/cgi-b...v6lnCITfrSaEm7

The people who run it are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The hotel seems basic at first, but more charming after settling in.

Their website has lots of useful area information.

Thanks Marginal and Kailani. I've bookmarked the Dolphin, it's exactly what we want except we like to sit on a balcony after cooking dinner and watch the ocean.

I'd stay in or near Volcano Village.
The Thai restaurant there is great!

Again, I haven't stayed here, but this B&B looks nice, got good reviews on trip advisor and is in your price range. Just above Hilo town: http://www.thebigislandvacation.com/

This rental in Hilo looks interesting: http://www.vrbo.com/87297

House on the ocean just south of Hilo (30 minutes)
http://www.vrbo.com/73660

Again, I have not stayed in any of these, but they are in your price range. Have a great trip.