Volcano Rainforest Retreat — Hotel in Hawaii

Traveling to the Big Island for the first time was amazing. Our trip started with a four night stay at the Volcano Rainforest Retreat. The online photos, videos and overall descriptions of the property can not come close to preparing you for beauty, tranquility and paradise that this place offers.

On arrival, we were immediately greeted by Jenny, the manager and our host for the week. She provided a warm welcome and guided us to our assigned parking area. From there she walked us along the pebbled stone path, through the lush tropical rainforest, to the Forest House, which we stayed at the first night. Jenny then provided information regarding the cottage and the surrounding area within the retreat. She also provided brief but extremely valuable information regarding the Volcano Village area, local restaurants, shops, the winery, the local farmer’s market and of course the Volcano National Park. She was more than happy to answer any questions and to provide as much information as she could.

The Forest House was a gorgeous octagon designed structure with an open skylight directly above the bed, a small gas fireplace, a small table and chairs and two additional chairs, used to sit by and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace. There were also two small closets located on either side of the bed. The room was equipped with a small mini fridge, a toaster oven, coffee maker, hot water kettle and a set of dish-ware and glasses. Two outdoor chairs were located on the covered front porch and used to sit and enjoy nature up close. The view from the room was stunning and surreal.

The morning food basket in the room contained a variety of fruit, granola and pastry options, including bagels, croissants, jellies, peanut butter and several local coffee and tea choices. Juice, milk and sweetener options were also available. The baskets are refilled daily with items that you can request and that are available. More than enough food for a breakfast with plenty leftover to pack as snacks for your day time adventures.

The remainder of our stay was at the Sanctuary Cottage, which was not available for our first night. The staff was gracious enough to move all of our luggage between the two rooms, while we were out enjoying the volcano. This cottage is a slight bit smaller than the Forrest House and offers everything except the closet space. However the bed is slightly higher, so all of the suitcases can fit easily underneath. The Sanctuary Cottage comes with a refreshing private outdoor shower and a Japanese’s hot tub, which will definitely leave you feeling relaxed.

Both rooms were absolutely gorgeous, cozy, extremely clean and well decorated with fresh flowers and plants. The beds, pillows and comforters were so comfortable. We left several windows open overnight to enjoying the cool fresh air. This also gave us the ability to fall asleep to the sounds of occasional rain fall, the tree frogs and the never-ending sounds of the rainforest. Sitting on the small porch or soaking in the hot tub, with the pure beauty of nature surrounding you, is something that you must experience.

We spent our days site seeing around the volcano, hiking through caves and to waterfalls, checking out shops and restaurants in Hilo, visiting local farmers markets and bakery’s and enjoying the east-side black beach. However our evenings and mornings were equally enjoyable while unwinding and totally relaxing in a tranquil paradise surrounded by tall tropical trees, an endless variety of plants and stunning flowers. This was by far, the most rewarding and enjoyable vacation stay that we have ever had.

Thank You Jenny and the entire staff for being a great host. You were nice enough to check in with us several times during our stay, while we were leaving or returning to the resort. You also took time to get to know a little bit about us personally and to share some of your own history. We both had a wonderful experience and stay and hope to be able to visit again...

When you're planning a trip to the big island of Hawaii and you want a completely different accommodation experience, check out Volcano Rainforest Retreat in the town of Volcano, southwest of Hilo and inland. Because it's set in a literal rainforest (one of 10 microclimates on the island!) and you can only see massive canopies of foliage, you would never know this secluded gem exists.There are 5 very distinct cottages, each one architecturally different from the others, and so well hidden such that you wouldn't be aware anyone was within earshot of you. One cottage can house 2 people and the other cottages can house more than 2 - perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. The owners and caretakers of the property are so meticulous, there isn't one detail they haven't thought of, right down to providing robes and slippers for the outdoor furo (akin to a hot tub), and a wonderful basket of ready-to-eat breakfast items. Forgot something? The on-site managers will gladly try to assist you. However, because there isn't a Target or grocery store around the corner, you'll need to make sure you plan well ahead of time or go without. Housekeeping comes every day to change out your towels, replenish shower supplies and refill your breakfast basket and ground coffee for the next morning. They don't have cable TV but if you subscribe to Apple+, you can log into your personal account and watch on the provided big screen. Otherwise, plan to listen to news or music on your phone or read. They provide a wide array of books. Their nightly rates are on par with 5-star hotels. Bonus - you won't hear your neighbors stumble down the hallway after a night of drinking. If you decide to gaze at the stars in the evening, you'll have a clear view (hopefully no clouds) once you venture out of the canopied foliage and onto the seldom busy roadway. This is a very special place and I strongly...

We had the most wonderful time at the Volcano Rainforest Retreat. To be honest, we didn’t quite know what to expect—but I can say with absolute certainty that it was magnificent.

The grounds are lush and lovingly maintained, with a wide range of beautiful flowers and trees. The rooms are spotless and well cared for, and the hosts are incredibly kind and helpful. While the retreat is located in a local neighborhood—where you might see neighbors walking their dogs—the moment you step inside your room, it feels like you’ve entered a magical forest. The frogs sing, the birds chirp, and you fall asleep to a natural symphony of soothing sounds.

The location is ideal—just minutes from the entrance to the volcano, which made it easy to explore the park. One of the highlights of our trip was waking early to watch the sunrise over the crater. It was truly stunning.

But what made this place exceptional were the gracious hosts. They welcomed us warmly and gave us a thoughtful introduction to our room. When we ran into trouble with our rental car, they not only helped us troubleshoot, but—when it became clear we needed a replacement—they drove us over 30 minutes away to pick up a new one! Their generosity and care went far beyond what we ever expected and speaks volumes about what a special place this is.

In the spirit of honest feedback, I’ll note that the one downside of our stay—unrelated to the retreat itself—was the food in the Volcano area. Dining options are limited, so if you’re lucky enough to stay here, I strongly recommend either making a reservation in advance at one of the places the retreat recommends, trying Hali (which we enjoyed), or cooking at home if your room has a kitchen.

All in all, this was a truly memorable and magical experience. We can’t...