Eastside Inns

Sep 15, 2008

The Bamboo Guest House at Volcano
Rainforest Retreat is just one option
on the east side of the Big Island.
(c) Volcano Rainforest Retreat

For many clients, a trip to the east side of the Big Island wouldn’t be complete without spending time in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From hiking and lava viewing to arts activities and evening stargazing, the park provides an endless array of unique pastimes. Since clients can easily fill more than one day in Volcano, agents would do well to advise them to spend at least one night in this magical getaway. The area is rich in bed and breakfasts run by friendly innkeepers, as the following commissionable examples suggest.

Volcano Rainforest Retreat
Run by Kathleen and Peter Golden, this series of four cedar cottages feels just right for romantic vacations. The Bamboo Guest House boasts a six-foot skylight, sky-lit bathroom and private outdoor soaking tub ($260 per night). The Guest Cottage features floor-to-ceiling windows with forest views and a sleeping loft in the treetops ($200). The Forest House provides a covered deck with sitting area and domed skylight in the bedroom ($170). The 200-square-foot Sanctuary is notable for its Japanese-style decor and hexagonal shape ($140). The Goldens stock each kitchen with tropical fruits, fresh-baked goods, yogurt, granola, quiche or eggs, milk, butter, Kona coffee and teas. If for some reason your clients need to feel connected to the real world in the midst of this dreamscape, wireless Internet access is part of the deal.

Volcano Teapot Cottage
Bill and Antoinette Bullough are the hosts of this early 1900’s home, which has been restored to maintain a timeless plantation-style aura. Clients can relax on the front porch, snuggle in front of the freestanding gas fireplace in the living room, play croquet or soak in Hawaiian sea salts in the claw-foot tub. An outdoor hot tub is tucked away in a private forest setting. Clients can check e-mails courtesy of free Wi-Fi Internet access. A four-poster bed awaits in one bedroom, while the other has twin beds. The hosts stock the full kitchen with locally-baked goods, tropical juices and fruits, jams, jellies, island coffee and tea. For an added cost, clients can have a gourmet dinner delivered to their dining table. The nightly rate is $195 per couple.

Volcano Guest House
Bonnie Goodell and Alan Miller run this eco-friendly establishment, priding themselves on their recycling efforts and solar heating. The Cottage, which sleeps up to six people, feels like an old-time summer cabin, complete with family antiques, hand-me-down furniture and a 50-year-old tub ($130 per night). Claudia’s Place shines with antique maple floors and 1940’s windows ($115). Each of the Twin Cottages — which share a large lanai — sleeps four people; their beautiful box windows are highlighted with recycled redwood ($115). Clients can also rent the upstairs of the main house, with two bedrooms and its own bathroom, dining area, kitchenette and plenty of privacy ($115). Breakfast, a bounty of hot cereal, bagels, muffins, bananas, papayas, milk, juice, coffee and tea, is served in the new Breakfast Lanai right next to the hot tub. Once again, this is a Wi-Fi hot spot.

My Island B and B Inn
Flower-lovers can’t go wrong at this estate, blooming with seven colorful acres of anthuriums, orchids, hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias and ginger, to name a few. One of the oldest bed and breakfasts in Hawaii, My Island offers accommodations in the central three-story farmhouse — built in 1886 — as well as garden units and cottages. Hosts Gordon and Joann Morse and their daughter Kii share their vast knowledge of the area with clients. Rooms in the main house range from $80-$95 nightly. Garden units start at $110. The Deck House, a modern dwelling, provides three big bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, covered decks, a spacious kitchen and lots of lawn (from $150). All rates include a generous continental breakfast in the main house.

Volcano Village Lodge
Actually, this is a series of lodges, each of which comes with a fireplace, LCD television, CD player, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave/toaster oven and wireless Internet, plus access to a hot tub in a garden setting. The Haleakala and Mauna Kea lodges are custom-designed 400-square-foot octagonal pavilions, each with a queen-size mahogany bed ($215 per night). The cozy Hale Kilauea boasts floor-to-ceiling windows ($175), while Mauna Loa Lodge is a 600-square-foot two-room suite with king bed and Asian-influenced architecture ($275). The newest addition, Hale Manaluna, indulges guests with its Jacuzzi bath and covered private deck ($245). Everyone gets a full breakfast, and host Kay Lee can customize such add-on services as picnic baskets and wedding ceremonies.