We are beginning to plan a trip for March/April 09. Our first to Hawaii. We have used tripadvisor and VRBO on previous travels. Is there a good guide available about B&Bs and small inns in Hawaii??

Thanks.

I bought such a guide many years ago, but most of the places are long gone. Do you know which
island(s) you plan to visit? I find that the "Moon" guidebook series gives the best info on alternative places to stay such as B&B's, cottages, etc. I have their books for each island. One caution, though, is that there has been increasing enforcement of rules regarding unlicensed rentals in residential areas. You might want to verify that places you consider are licensed; otherwise you run the risk of them being closed down before your trip.

Not really a guide, but these sites have lodging including B&B's that are available. You can also order free vacation guides from each of the sites:

http://www.visit-oahu.com
Click on: OVB Directory at the bottom of the page

http://www.visitmaui.com/

http://www.bigisland.org/

http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/

You can also get a free Hawaii brochure from:

www.gohawaii.com

Lots of other info:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34812564

Here are some other B&B sites.
http://www.stayhawaii.com/

http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/accomm...ed+breakfasts/

http://www.bbonline.com/hi/index.html

Barbara
RE: "there has been increasing enforcement of rules regarding unlicensed rentals in residential areas"

What is an unlicensed rental? Or what is a licensed rental?

A licensed rental is one where the owner has applied for and been granted a permit from the county to operate a vacation rental in an area that is NOT considered a resort area. Licenses are not needed, for instance, for by-owner condo rentals in areas where there are hotels and other condos.
(Waikiki, Poipu, Kihei, etc.) They are required in places such as Kailua and Lanikai on Oahu where there has been a lot of conflict on this issue. I've read the actual county regs for Maui County, which are somewhat subjective in interpretation. I enjoy staying in cottages and less touristy locations so have followed the saga with some some interest in the on-line versions of local newspapers.

Barbara
Thanks for the information. We also prefer cottages and have rented one on Oahu and the Big Island. I just now pulled out my contracts to read if they are Licensed and neither one states that. I got them from vrbo. Do I need to be concerned that neither states 'lincensed' in the contract? I would hate to arrive and not have a place to stay.

I don't think this has been much of an issue on Big Island. You might want to ask both owners, though, if they are licensed. If not, I'd ask "..is there any concern for your area"?
My guess is that enforcement comes
only as a result of neighbor complaints. We rented in Punaluu in March. I was told by the rental agent that the area was grandfathered, and there would not be a problem. It may or may not have been true, but I was willing to risk it as it was inexpensive and just for a few days. I did cancel an expensive rental house on Molokai (part of Maui county) because owner was evasive and I would have been out $2500+ if there had been a problem. Just another tip: I prefer to rent from owners or small agencies who accept credit cards. Usually the credit card offers protection if you can prove that goods or services were not received as promised.

Thank you for your efforts to help us. Our main interest will be Maui and Kauai.

Barbara: I have ordered the 'Moon' Guides for Maui, Kauai and BI. Thanks for sharing. In past travels (mostly Europe) we have enjoyed small places. In Hawaii, with 3-4 weeks I don't think we can afford the big luxurious resorts and/or the beachfront locations that the have.

Dusty and martym: I will follow up on your suggestions. I guess I am searching for guides by someone who has evaluated the B&Bs and small inns.

Barbara...In case you see this, we have received the 'Moon' Guides - they look very promising. Thanks for the suggestion.
GBC

Hope you enjoy the "Moon" books. Short on pictures, but long on interesting history and tips for independent travelers.

www.alternative-hawaii.com

Good BnB listings all islands

Our favorite B&B (of all time) is on Maui - called the Hooilo House - simply perfection. On Kauai I would suggest The Palmwood as well as Kauai Banyan Inn.

Traveled in December 2007 and went to several B&B's. On Maui, Old Wailuku Inn and Pineapple Inn. Old Wailuku is small but very hospitable. Pineapple Inn only has 4 units and a cottage but the price is a steal for the feel of living in a residential area in Kihei. Not a tru B&B in the sense of making you a full spread type breakfast every morning (they do stock your fridge with some goodies though).

On the Big Island, we stayed at Volcano Village Lodge (absolutely awesome despite the near constant raining) and Hale Hualalai Bed and Breakfast on the Kona side. Lonn makes killer breakfasts and Kona Coffee (that you can buy to take home).

I would recommend any of these B&B's.

This year we are going to try Kei Iki Beach Bungalows on the North Shore of Oahu. There aren't too many B&B's on this Island. This isn't a true B&B, but it fits the criteria of being popular, relatively cheap and not a resort. We are going back to the Pineapple Inn on Maui and we're trying a new place on the Big Island, Ka'awa Loa Plantation..outdoor lava showers, need I say more.

We highly recommend www.tripadvisor.com for scoping out potential B&B's, since so little is printed in guide books about these accomodations.