Monica

Can anyone give me their recommendations on where to stay either inside or outside of Volcano Nat'l Park on the Big Island?Any info on convenience of location, amenities and friendliness of staff would be great. Mahalo!

Becky

Monica, We just got back from the Big Island, and we stayed at the Lodge at Volcano. The accomodations weren't bad... but I wouldn't recommend staying there. It's about 5 miles away from anything, and it's only good for a roof over your head. There are no "extras". We ate dinner at the Kiluea Lodge and I was wishing we stayed there, or at the Volcano House. Have a great time on the Big Island, we loved it! Feel free to email me if you have more questions and I'll try to help! Becky

Lani

Monica,

Kilauea Lodge is wonderful, rooms are beautiful, and a cooked breakfast is included. Also you're right there at the best restaurant for dinner in the whole area! It's right outside the Park so is very convenient! They have a really nice website if you want to check it out! Just "kilauealodge.com" as I recall! Aloha!

Kim

We stayed at a B&B over Christmas (live in Kona) "Volcano Cottages". GREAT breakfasts, nice and clean, quiet, relaxing. It is in Volcano Village so you can get to the good restraunts. We stayed in the artist's cottage since this was our Christmas present to each other. Only draw back was this cottage was near the little road that goes into town (but we only heard a few cars-not enough to distract us from our painting or Trival Pursuit game.) The Ohelo berry cottage is farther back on the property so it might be quieter. http://alohaweb.com/VolcanoCottages/

Check out www.wizardpub.com for the "Big Island Revealed" book and it talks about all the B&Bs since they didn't fit into their book. This is also a great book to have if you want to explore out of the way places.

E-mail me if you need any help.

Debbie

Without a doubt book the Kilauea Lodge. Incredibly romantic and reasonably priced. The setting is idyllic and intimate. We opted to stay in the older building (4 rooms) for the charm. It was very cozy with a fireplace, fresh haw'n flowers and a spacious bathroom complete with a towel warmer. We spent Valentines there a few years back and rate it as one of our top romantic getaways. After dinner one night, we took the chain of craters road down to the end to view the lava flow at night.
A lasting memory on my mind...the smell of fire, lava, and ocean in the air, the feel of seaspray and mist, and a million stars in the sky. It was the most romantic moment. We loved the Kileaua restaurant which was cozy and warmed by the stone fireplace. The ambience was very "old Hawaii" with hardwood floors, tropical fabrics, koa wood tables, and local Hawaiian art. Very magical. We dined there 2 nights and the food was quite good. Order off the menu breakfast is included in the nights' stay. I HIGHLY recommend this place. It is truly magical and reminiscent of old Hawaii.