Volcano Eco Retreat by Heart Core Hotels — Hotel in Hawaii

I just returned from a five-day stay on the Big Island at VMR. My trip exceeded my expectations across the board. I’m going to divide this review into two sections: first is it safe to visit the Big Island now, and then my stay at VMR.

The volcanic eruption is isolated to a remote part of the island, the Puna District. The only indication that something is going on, driving the Saddle Road at night as you approach Hilo you can see an orange glow in the clouds in the distance and you sometimes get a slight sulpher smell near the Pahoa turnoff on Highway 11. Volcanos National Park remains closed; however, the Kahuku Unit of the park (just about half a mile west of the Highway 11 turnoff for South Point) is open five days a week. I spent a day there and took two incredible hikes. You may also hear about the explosive steam events and earthquakes at the Kilauea Summit Crater. There was one on Friday morning, 6/29, I was sitting outside at VMR at the time it occurred and heard, felt, nor saw nothing.

The national media breathlessly reported on the current event for the first two weeks, listening to them, you would think lava was flowing down the streets of Kailua. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t want to minimize the huge effect this event had on the lives of people who lived in the impacted communities that have lost their homes, and in many cases, their livelihoods, the area is very rural, and many people raised crops and / or tropical flowers, so not only did they lose their homes, but many lost their source of income.

There isn’t a vantage point to see the fissure 8 eruption or the ocean entry. I decided to book a helicopter tour before I left home, assumed that we would see the lava off in the distance, but would at least have a chance to see it. I couldn’t have been more surprised when we spent about 20 minutes over and in the vicinity of fissure 8 and about 10 minutes over the ocean entry. I used Paradise Helicopters and they were excellent.

If you want a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a major volcanic eruption, this is the time to go to the Big Island. Plus, due to the sensationalized coverage, bookings at many places are off by 40 to 60 percent so there are fewer people.

Now, VMR. The reviews are great, even to the point where you wonder if VMR can be that good. I can unequivocally say that they are true and yes, VMR is that good. My stay at VMR was wonderful. Robert and Scott are the perfect hosts and will do whatever they can to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. VMR provides luxury accommodations in the middle of tropical tranquility. The bungalows have everything you need. Probably the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in with super soft bedding and left the windows open at night to hear the rain and coqui frogs lull me to sleep. Beautiful décor, a fantastic shower with incredible water pressure and almost instantaneous hot water. The porch is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the tranquility. You have WiFi as well as satellite television with the full range of channels and most of the premium services. The spa was wonderful after a day of hiking. I would get up in the morning and sit on my porch to catch up on my e-mail and social media. Scott would bring me my first coffee and delicious breakfast bread or muffins. We would then decide when I would have breakfast. Other reviewers have noted, and I strongly concur, that Scott provides gourmet breakfasts every morning. I couldn’t wait to see what creation he would provide each morning. The breakfast was so big that I often skipped lunch since I was still full. Robert and Scott have created a tropical paradise with their landscaping. If you want a luxury, secluded tropical oasis, then VMR will meet all of your expectations.

To conclude, this IS the time to visit the Big Island and if you want to stay in a secluded tropical oasis with personalized service then you can do no...

If you’re looking for a relaxing, luxurious Hawaiian getaway . . . this is the place. It’s rare that I take the time to review places, but this eco-friendly retreat truly deserves the utmost praise. It was our first time in Hawaii, so my partner and I were unsure of where to go and what to do. We were greeted with exceptional warmth and welcome upon our arrival, which made us feel very comfortable! Within the first couple minutes of checking in, strolling the grounds, admiring the garden and the gorgeous vegetation everywhere, I knew that we’d chosen the right place to stay. . Shout out to Emily for making us feel so welcome, and frankly, like we’d arrived at our second home :D

The Bungalow itself was even more spacious than I’d imagined from the pictures, and I don’t know how they made it so adorable and fancy at the same time. The fluffy king bed cozily snuggled in the middle of the bungalow was an obvious pleasure, and so was the rain shower. The decoration was very well done, and then there were other details that just complimented the whole experience for me, like the provided yoga mats, soft and cozy robes, indoor slippers, the electric fireplace, the TV (which had Netflix on it!), and more of such things.

THE FOOD was just unbelievable. Being plant-based, my partner and I sometimes struggle finding places to eat. Here, we were able to fuel up each day on the most exquisite, nutritious, fully plant-based breakfasts! From the taste, to the colorful, elegant presentation of it, the food was just perfect. From what I understand, you will be well-accommodated even if you have intolerances to certain foods, but we didn’t make any special request in that regard - we just let them surprise us each morning. Having just left a Waikoloa resort with a “continental breakfast” of severely limited options for us, we were elated to enjoy such lavish brunches. We had the best ube pancakes, fantastic loco moco, avocado toast, crepes suzette, and more. Five nights, five fantastic meals which came with delicious, fresh coffee and a variety of tropical fruits! We met and thanked the incredibly talented Chef Court, who also works very hard on the garden and on the upkeep of the grounds. These guys plant their own foods, collect and purify rainwater on-site, use and provide products that support small-businesses, and manage this LEED-certified retreat in such a green way that I didn’t feel the usual guilt I experience from consuming at other hotels or resorts. We discovered Avatar-ish looking plants that I’d never heard of before - apparently certain species of ginger can be used as sanitizer/shampoo!?

Waking up to the green Eden nestled into the hilly, Hilo - side of the island, to fresh coffee and Court’s food, to Emily’s friendly service and smiles, to the loveable doggo Will, and to a day full of both excitement and rest, was by far the most rejuvenating experience I’ve ever had. Emily gave us fantastic recommendations on places to visit and things to do for our first time in Hawaii, which we did indulge in, but ended up spending more time than we had planned just kicking back by our bungalow! There was a hammock, a very nice hot tub, lounge chairs, tables, and even a christmas-themed area so we were just fine where we were!

I highly, highly recommend this place for everyone, and we’ll definitely be coming back. An enormous thank you to the beautiful couple, Court and Emily, who not only made our stay so enjoyable and healing, but also introduced us to a more environmentally sustainable way of life (and vacationing!), and are making this world a kinder, safer place to live for...

Eco HeartCore is a premiere, luxury adventure into the tropical SouthEast side of the big island of Hawaii. Just 10 minutes off the main road (a well paved and fascinating drive over gently rolling lava tubes) you enter a tame, lush tropical wonderland center to which are amply spaced, well constructed, immaculately clean octagonal bamboo bungalows. Oh and a hot tub under an open thatched roof, steps away. All fabulous in the day, even more so in the night time.

Hosts Tony, Gaby and their delightfully, friendly, quiet Chihuahua (Sushi) greet you. Their kindness is but second to their marvelous, generous breakfast feasts! I promise, night and day we did not want for anything, Eco HeartCore is so well thought out.

Ten to fifteen minutes north of Eco HeartCore is a Foodland store ( a big grocery store) where we stocked up on lunch and dinner foods. Eco HeartCore bungalows each have a small refrigerator so we bought drinks, salads, fruits, cheeses…. ready to eat foods ….

It’s a 30 minute drive (south) up to the Volcano National Park where the Rangers were ever so friendly in helping us plan our hikes and drives. Two full days visiting the park was ideal.

Frankly we enjoyed being away from the Volcano National Park and nearby lodge accommodations for the tranquility of Eco HeartCore - big time!

Come prepared with a poncho or similar for the occasional tropical rains…. An old pair of “Nikes” which might get a bit wet are a good walking shoe. Hiking in the Park with sandals, a No! 180 inches of rain a year on this Windward side of the island makes a drop here or there unavoidable. But boy is it beautiful, even enchanting, in the rainforest sunny and/ or with a little rain, at Eco HeartCore.

Thank You Gaby, Tony and Sushi for marvelous accommodations: FIVE STARS...