On our next trip in spring 06, our inclination is to spend most of our BIU time on the west side with a few days on the east to visit Hilo and the volcano parks. However, many advisories suggest overnights at the edge of the area in the village. Aside from B&Bs and smaller hotels, what other accomodation might we find there? We're not stuffy but also not looking to rough it.

Or can one successfully negotiate decent time around the volcanoes while staying in Hilo?

The only lodging in Volcano Village are B&Bs and small hotels. There are no larger hotels/resaorts in the area. If you're willing to drive to Hilo, there are bigger hotels there. It's about a 30 to 45-minute drive each way.

We stayed at the Country Goose B&B and loved it. It was not "roughing it" by any stretch of the imagination. We were in the main house, but they also have cottages for rent in the area. Our room had a private lanai, and the bed had down pillows and a comfy feather bed on it. Breakfast was wonderful! I would not hesitate to stay there again.

Kilauea Lodge would be my recommendation. My sister-in-law stayed at the Country Goose B&B and was very happy with the B&B. Kilauea Lodge has a nice restaurant to enjoy. The last time I stayed at Chalet Kilauea (Artists' Cottage) we were kind of dissapointed. I have stayed at Ohia Hideaway two times, the last time in 2002 and it was very nice. No idea about how it is now. Volcano Village has two nice restaurants, Firehouse Grill (I think) and a nice Thai Restaurant.

You can actually stay _in_ the park itself -- at the historical Volcano House, perched right on the rim of Kilauea crater:
http://www.volcanohousehotel.com/

It's rustic and charming -- definitely a "lodge" feel, through and through. We loved it.

I'd recommend Country Goose as well. We stayed in the Hale Iki house and it was wonderful.

How far would the Couuntry Goose be from the Volcano, how long did it take to get there? Am trying to compare the distance from Country Goose v/s distance from Volcano House.

Country Goose is in the residential area right outside the park entrance, about a 5 minute drive. Volcano House is INSIDE the park. Even if you don't stay at Volcano House, the maps in the lobby are really neat!