Volcano Village Estates

The cottage-style rooms give Volcano Village Estates a much more charming feel than a standard hotel. We stayed in the Onomea Falls cottage, which was beautiful, cozy, and very comfortable after long days hiking and sightseeing. There are different cottages to choose from depending on availability and your group size. We also appreciated the convenient location close to the Volcano National Park entrance, which made it easy to get an early start. Parking was good, and the shared hot tub was a relaxing treat after being out all day. The staff were welcoming and consistently helpful. We had a very comfortable visit and would happily recommend it to anyone staying on the Big Island.

We don't normally pick bed and breakfasts, but this bungalow was a great fit. It was comfortable, the staff were really nice, and the park was just a mile away, so we could head in several times during the day. The picnic lunch was delicious and packed generously. We highly recommend Volcano Village Estates.

The lack of follow-up from the owners was the last of several problems during our two nights at Volcano Village Estates. I raised my concerns on departure and asked whether a room rate adjustment made sense. The property manager quickly offered about $100. I thought a refund for one night in one room was more reasonable, but was told the owners needed to approve it and would reply within two days. Three weeks later, despite several texts to the innkeeper and repeated assurances that the owners would get back to me, nothing has happened. There were also issues with the rooms. My daughter's unit had a half-eaten, partly melted ice cream treat in the fridge when we arrived. Our room, called Papa, had unfinished plywood floors and walls outside the finished bath. The innkeeper said the owners preferred it that way. The little carpet pieces beside the bed were stained and dirty, and the single low-watt pendant over the bathroom vanity wasn't bright enough for shaving or makeup. On the second morning, we found a cockroach on the breakfast in our refrigerator. The innkeeper said insects are common in a rainforest. My concern was that it had come in with the food, which made me question food handling and hygiene. I also wouldn't recommend the breakfast: it was sparse. The first one for two people was two small burritos to heat in the microwave, a kiwi, a tangerine, and about twelve grapes. There was a safety problem too. The smoke alarm in my daughter's room didn't work when we arrived. Since there was no HVAC, portable heaters were supplied for nighttime warmth. The innkeeper fixed the alarm, which had a dead battery, but it wasn't hardwired and clearly hadn't been tested. I've traveled in over 50 countries and own a vacation rental, and I found a lot wrong here, compounded by the owner's indifference to legitimate concerns. I would not recommend staying at Volcano Village Estates.

The mornings were a treat, especially the banana pancakes with fresh local fruit. We also had a bottle of Volcano Pinot Noir, which was spectacular with the calm atmosphere. After exploring the park, we loved unwinding in the clean, private hot tub under the stars. The staff were warm and courteous throughout, and the quiet, homey property felt like a real break from everyday noise, surrounded by Volcano's lush scenery. Everything about our stay at Volcano Village Estates felt thoughtfully handled. We can't wait to return.