Checking In: Big Island B&Bs

Unwind and power up for your next Hawaiian adventure at these four tropical escapes.

By Meg Weaver

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Holualoa Inn ›

Holualoa, Kona foothills

Set on the slopes of Mount Hualalai among 4,300 coffee trees and an organic vegetable garden, the inn’s six guest rooms are furnished with pieces the owner collected on her travels. Holualoa lures guests with views of the Pacific and details such as hardwood eucalyptus floors, stained glass panes that capture sunlight, and an inviting pool. Tour the inn’s coffee farm, or walk to the nearby artists village for local crafts—handmade ukuleles and paintings of native birds. From $285.

Ka’awa Loa Plantation › Coastal Kona

Overlooking Kealakekula Bay, this start-up coffee farm also grows 42 varieties of fruit including bananas, mangoes, papayas, and white pineapples that are served at the breakfast table alongside homemade baked goods. The inn’s five earth-toned rooms and one cottage have access to the shared 1,500-square-foot wraparound lanai with panoramic views of the south Kona coast. After an active day of exploring volcanoes, refresh outdoors in the lava rock showers. From $129.

Kalaekilohana › Na’alehu, south coast

One of the Big Island’s few Hawaiian-owned B&Bs, the plantation-style inn offers on-site workshops, including traditional weaving, hula, and lei making. Co-owner Kilohana Domingo received a fellowship from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and is known for his feather art, which is displayed in the inn’s library. The four suites are cozy with soft, hypoallergenic blankets and pillows, locally milled wood floors, and personal lanais. Located at South Point, where it’s thought that Polynesian seafarers first set foot on Hawaii, Kalaekilohana is minutes from the southern entrance of Volcanoes National Park. From $249.

Waianuhea › Honokaa, Hamakua Coast

Halfway between Kona and Hilo, high on the slopes of volcanic Mauna Kea, Waianuhea is practically off the grid, capturing its water from the rain, its electricity from the sun, and its fertilizer from composted food. Three of its five guest rooms include gas or wood stoves for chilly nights; two rooms offer soaking tubs. Enjoy nightly wine and pupu appetizers by the roaring fire in the common room, and wake up to views of Mauna Kea. From $210.

Tell us about your favorite Big Island retreats. Leave us the details in the comments section below.

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