Kalaekilohana Inn & Retreat

We had a wonderful 4 night stay at this private hotel in the south of Big Island. The meals were great and each was specially prepared for us by a master chef, using local ingredients.||Our hosts gave us useful tips on how to spend our days. This included going to a local National park that we hadn't heard of. The walk up through the old farmland to vantage points and seeing the remains of the farm was amazing and a highlight of our two weeks on Big Island.||They also gave us tips on when and how to see Green Beach (go early!) which was a great half day. They also gave us tips on going up the lower part of the east side of the island - some places to see and cafes etc.||All in all this was an excellent combo of high quality dining, great big days out, stimulating conversation with our hosts and a luxury room plus indoor and outdoor spaces to unwind in.

Staying with Kilohana and Kenny was, without hesitation, the highlight of my trip. Their welcoming nature, the special inn they have built and tend, the land, the art, the music, and the food -- I felt so connected and excited being there. It felt like a little bit of magic. The meals were stunning: plated deliciousness with healthy, local, tasty food, by a professional chef. The room was so comfortable and unique. Their travel recommendations were brilliant: they told us to get up at 4 to see the volcano rupture, and they were absolutely right. A true pleasure being there, and I hope to visit again.

Anyone looking for the real Hawaii need look no further ! Truly wonderful hosts, top-quality immaculate room with a truly comfortable bed. And includes a wonderful breakfast , and we had dinner there as well for both nights - truly top-notch food, and locally sourced where possible. The house is itself a beautiful statement. Sitting on the Verandah with a drink and chatting with Kenny and Kilohana was magical. Absolutely the best experience in Hawaii.

Exceptional in every way. We have travelled all over the world and you just don’t get this level of experience and service anywhere much these days. Genuine authentic Hawaiian hospitality, and having a drink with the wonderful Hawaiian hosts is a memory we shall forever cherish. You know when you get back from my vacation and you have perhaps one or two lasting memories? This for sure is the one.

Welcoming and gracious hosts, fabulous food, beautiful surroundings, lovely and comfortable rooms. Staying at Kalaekilohana Inn was absolutely a highlight of our trip! Many thanks to Kenny and Kilohana for a memorable visit. We will never forget your warm hospitality!

Kalaekilohana is the best inn and retreat I have ever been to. If you are looking for a place on Hawaii Island to relax, reflect, disconnect, and truly enjoy the natural surroundings, then this is the place for you. The hospitality of Kenny and Kilohana was outstanding. My friend and I not only had breakfast at the inn but dinner as well. Both were so delicious! Featuring locally grown product, we especially enjoyed the fresh fish, fruit, veggies, and the vegan avocado and coconut cream ice cream. Fantastic! If and when Chef Kenny opens a restaurant, we will be there! We just love the warm aloha spirit at Kalaekilohana!

Our recent visit was our third and longest (5 days) at Kalaekilohana, an ideal location to enjoy much of the Big Island. There is so much to explore in the area, but it's also lovely to just relax in this warm and inviting Bed & Breakfast. We relished Chef Kenny's meals and also delighted in a feather lei making session with Kilohana. Magical!

Stay here.|| The only regret is we only had 2 nights. The highpoints to consider are the location as a base for the south side of island, the house, the food (must eat dinner), but mostly the hosts, Kenny and Kilohana. We've stayed in many places, but never had such pleasant evenings. ||Mahalo again to Kenny and Hilohana. ||Couple over 50, Ocean Room

We spent three nights here while in Hawaii. The entire place was immaculate! Ultra clean!! The hosts were very accommodating. It was extremely quiet at night which made for very good sleep. Those breakfasts were completely OVER THE TOP with locally sourced food. We couldn't ask for better. HIGHLY recommended!!

My husband and I wanted a special place to celebrate our 25th anniversary. I heard only great things about Kalaekilohana, and thought that would be great for us to put in our album of memories. The breakfasts were sooo good and nourishing, and the dinners! First class allll the way. Kenny and Kilohana are great hosts, so much aloha not only for us, but for everyone around them as well. They keep the "Hawaiian" mana`o (thought) , always apparent in what they do. I love this place!

Best B&B I have ever stayed at. So welcoming and warm. Kenny and Kilo are such warm hosts and the property is beautiful, clean, and just gorgeous. Kenny is also a great cook and makes the breakfasts and Dinners for guests that are amazing using local ingredients. It's a privilege to stay here, our two young daughters had fun chasing chickens and relaxing on the beautiful Lanai. 10 stars!!

A wonderful bed and breakfast at the southern part of the big island. Very welcoming, clean and tidy, complementary beverages, relaxing lanai, and great food. The price includes a lovely breakfast each morning with optional dinners available. We opted for dinner two of the three nights as we went to the volcano national park one day and stayed until it got dark to see the orange glow of the lava. Both meals were wonderful. I highly recommend a stay here!

I don't even know where to start with how absolutely perfect this place is. QUIET, cozy, every detail taken care of without being in your face about it. From the moment we turned into the driveway, I breathed easier and felt wrapped in happiness. The gorgeous house was clearly built with love and is maintained immaculately. Kenny and Kilohana have a friendly but calm presence that makes them exceptional hosts. And the food! My husband and I are both vegetarians, and I have allergies (and am a picky eater on top of that), and they were so accommodating about everything. I'm glad another user here took pictures of the breakfast- I'm not one to take pics of food, but each breakfast felt like a work of art in addition to being local and sooo tasty. Kilohana gave us excellent advice about going to the green sand beach, which proved to be invaluable. As others have mentioned, he obviously knows the area quite well. If you're looking for a place to relax and get away from the world, you couldn't ask for more. We will definitely be calling Kilohana and Kenny first to make sure they have room before booking our next trip to the Big Island.

wow. I was lucky enough to come here for one night on a business trip and it was a once in a lifetime experience. This place is top notch for a honeymoon, I couldn't believe I could just hang out. We checked in at night and Kilohana and Kenny and the other guests were enjoying rum or wine on the patio with blankets and snacks. The fridge is stocked with juice and soda, and there's a music room, a playable piano, and the most amazing decor, fresh flowers, attention to detail. Having a beer with some discussion was amazing. Amazing gifts in my huge room, a million cushy pillows, and fluffy towels and a rainwater bathroom to die for. the sifted robes ever, stocked with Rainwater bath soap, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. Take the most cozy room you can imagine and add with hawaiian culture and the feeling that you're family. The hosts were amazing to chat with, as well as the other guests, and my private lanai was gorgeous. the sunrise and set is easily seen, no lights for miles, and no car sounds, absolute relaxation. Except for the occasional moo :) I love it. close on the way to South point, they have amazing suggestions on things to see. Every detail is taken care of, I only wish I had an entire day to just stay in and take advantage of the beautiful room and living areas. Amazing. Not sterile like a hotel, not kitschy like a normal B&B. just like a luxurious hawaiian home for royalty, and royalty is you :) 100% recommendation, and take your time to take advantage!

My husband and I stayed at Kalaekilohana for our honeymoon, and I can honestly say we couldn't have picked a better location. During our time there, our hosts made it feel as a second home to us. In fact, numerous times, Kenny welcomed us home in the evening. The house is spectacular - pictures online don't do it justice. The food is fantastic - definitely have dinner there. And the Aloha abounds - I miss our fellow guests and hosts, who had quickly become our friends. Definitely also take a lei class from Kilohana. The only negative is that once you're there, you won't want to leave. :)

Kalaekilohana was a spectacular place to have our Hawaiian cultural healing retreat. Kilohana and Kenny were the best host who made each and everyone of us feel welcomed with aloha. Our group of over a dozen comfortably spent the weekend at their lovely bed and breakfast estate. We were able to rent out the entire hale (house) and felt like we were staying at a mansion or 5 star resort. Ka'u was the perfect place to wake up and drive 15 minutes down the road to South Point (the southernmost part of Hawaii and where our Maori cousins left Hawaii to NewZealand). We were able to oli (chant) to the rising sun and witnessed many hoailona (good omens/signs) and blessings. Three minutes down the road we were able to visit the organic farm to pick and gather fresh produce that chef Kenny then later prepared for our dinner. The meals were ono (delicious) and the presentation of each meal was like a perfect piece of art. Kenny also took the time to show and share about the many unique native plants growing on their land and its cultural relevance and healing properties to the Native Hawaiian culture. Our group continually talked about the magical and spiritual experience that we had at our Kalaekilohana visit and can't wait to return.

Fabulous! My husband and I had a wonderful 2 night stay with Kenny and Kilohana at there beautiful property in January of 2019. Everything about Kalaekilohana Inn is delightful: flower arrangements and orchids fill their home, our room was spotlessly clean, comfortable and peaceful, the breakfast was ample and delicious with with locally sourced food, the location is away from the hustle and bustle of the resort area of Kona which was exactly what we were hoping for. Kenny and Kilohana were wonderful hosts, helpful in every regard, fun to be with while also respectful of their guests' peace and privacy. We will be lucky to stay again!

Can I give this place six stars? I hate b&bs for their forced gaiety and need to potpourri every stinking room. Oh yeah, Victorian dolls. I cannot abide by that gack. I was very skeptical about this place when we booked. I like the anonymity of a resort, my suite upgrades and my 500 point amenities, yo. So, we plunged, mostly because I had a nice convo with Kenny, the innkeeper. I was really really nauseated from the flight, the drive and the getting up before the COD to catch said flight. I managed to climb out of the car, make it up the stairs and be greeted by Kenny and Kilohana and given the ten cent tour before I collapsed on the very comfortable bed. They were so sweet while I felt so vile. The rooms are amazing, huge, nicely furnished and with balconies. The house is lovely, comfortable and not overstuffed like you see in other b&bs. Our three days there were amazing. The room was very comfortable, as stated above, the bathrooms were huge with rainwater (literally) showers and plenty of towels. TH was happy to see bathrobes as well, which is quite important to her rating of hotels/inns/resorts. The breakfasts were delicious and focused on locally grown foods. Mangoes, papaya, bananas, eggs and tons of Kona coffee. Great bread from a local baker as well. They very much emphasize community, without being obnoxious about it. As for the whole having to be nice to people thing -- the other guests were delightful and we had some really excellent conversations. As circumstances would have it, we would return to Kalaekilohana for our last night as our b&b we had originally booked had a reservation problem. Instead of spending the night somewhere we hadn't really wanted to, nor were keen to experience, we were able to get into the last room. To be welcomed back with I believe great sincerity was the most amazing part of the whole stay. We have already booked our plane tickets for December and hope that they have room for us at the inn.

A stunningly beautiful B&B in a great central location for trips to the Green Sand Beach near South Point, the Black Sand Beach at Punaluu, Volcanoes National Park, and more. Add to that, delicious gourmet breakfasts with fresh local fruits, the wonderfully welcoming innkeepers Kenny and Kilohana who take such good care of the details like proving beach towels and chairs for trips to the shore and snacks and drinks throughout the day, and you have the perfect luxury Big Island B&B. I'll definitely be back.

We had the privilege of staying at Kalaekilohana last month. The hospitality of Kenny and Kilohana was outstanding and Kenny was a marvelous chef. We would highly recommend this place.

Beautiful, Relaxing, Elegant, Comfortable what more can I say. The rooms are beautiful, very comfortable bed, and the shower is SUPER COOL. Breakfast served on the lanai made of fresh everything and locally grown. WOW!

A very relaxing stay! As echoed in the previous reviews, the breakfasts are amazing, the place is gorgeous, and Kenny and Kilohana are fantastic hosts. If you have plans to see the Green Sand Beach, the volcano area, or explore local eateries, do yourself a favor and listen to your hosts' tips. They are knowledgeable and can help you make the best of your time on the island.

We had an amazing 3-night stay at Kalaekilohana Inn and Retreat. What a special place to be during our honeymoon on the Big Island! Our hosts Kenny and Kilohana were excellent. I will never forget Chef Kenny's amazing breakfasts each day with locally sourced food. Everything was delicious and gourmet at the highest level. Kilohana was so helpful advising us on our daily itinerary, including special tips for our hike to Green Sand Beach. I was grateful for the cold drinks and snacks always available throughout the day, as well as the use of a cooler, ice pack, and beach towels for our daily trips. Our room, the Green Sea Suite, was large and comfortable with a nice bathroom. We enjoyed sitting out on our own balcony or in the chairs on the front porch to take in the fresh air and good weather. We really enjoyed the convenient proximity to Kīlauea and the stunning beauty of the southern part of Hawaii. Kalaekilohana is the place to stay to enjoy the Big Island in comfort, luxury, and without the hustle and bustle of a large resort. My wife and I really appreciate the amazing experience we had here on our honeymoon, and we plan to return next time we are in Hawaii.

We spent three nights at this magical place, and will certainly return. We left rested, restored, nourished and calm. House: a flowing, beautiful structure built from scratch by its loving owners, serene, luscious Hosts: Warm, interesting, humorous, meticulous, unfussy, incredibly skilled (chef; lei weaving); knowledgable about ... everything! Sitting on the porch in the evening with a glass of rum, looking out at the night sky fat with stars, sharing our stories with each other - pure heaven.

My husband and I just completed a three night stay at Kalaekilohana and although our expectations were very high they were exceeded beyond description. As has been described by previous reviewers this place is one of a kind. Visitors can expect the elegance and sophistication of a Four Seasons AND the individual attention that can only be found in a small inn. From the time you drive through the rock wall toward the home away from home guests are made to feel as though they are staying with old friends in a beautiful setting. Each room is beautifully appointed, spacious, and very private. The breakfast each morning is served on the porch with a wonderful vista of the property. Kenny is the very talented chef who prepares each meal with local ingredients, and more importantly with the care and effort rarely seen today. Kilohana who grew up in Hawaii knows the islands as few do. He is willing and very able to answer any questions one might have pertaining to places to visit or Hawaiian culture. Following his advice each day regarding things to do enhanced our stay and made this trip more memorable. Over the years we've seen a decline in many areas of the travel industry. The lack of care and concern for travelers demonstrated by many in the industry has sadly become more and more prevalent. Kenny and Kilohana are an example of what things should be like. It is abundantly clear that they are hosts of this wonderful gem known as Kalaekilohana for only one reason - they care.

Beautiful bed and breakfast nestled in the serene southern point of the Big Island. Owners Kilohana and Kenny are great hosts and conversationalists. The hawaiian culture takes precedence in the feel of the bed and breakfast. The home, built by the owners, friends, and family is magnificent.

I've stayed at a number of b and b's. I can say I honestly do not like the "kitchy" feel of some or the hit-or-miss service that can sometimes be associated with them. But more often than not, I find them the better way to travel. Kalaekilohana is one of those rare gems... a shining star. Large rooms, impeccable and genuine service, extremely helpful hosts. This is a place that celebrates the "real Hawaii". They know all of the intimate, out of the way places that locals enjoy and tourists don't know about. If you're ever looking to visit the Big Island of Hawaii... you should absolutely make it a point to stay at Kalaekilohana near South Point.

staying with kenny and kilohana is a very special experience. they literally welcome you into their home. it is unbelievably quiet and comfortable, the food is wholesome, nutritious and local. i loved waking up and doing yoga in my room, coming down for a perfect and abundant breakfast, then ending the day with a home-cooked meal in a communal setting. sitting under blankets enjoying a nice glass of bordeaux before dinner felt cozy and relaxed. i truly hope to come back one day!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. Agreed to all of the above. Loved the attention to detail; couldn't have imagined anything like this. What a treat! Such gracious hosts, beautiful location, peaceful, perfect!