Volcano Rainforest Retreat

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 wait to return.

Absolutely wonderful experience. We traveled with our two teenagers and loved staying in the guest house. Jenny is a lovely host. The adjacent jacuzzi was a bonus, as were the cool evening temperatures. The landscaping of the grounds means that every bungalow feels special and private. The birds and frogs were amazingly loud (which we loved). We appreciated the high quality coffee and breakfast baskets. It was close to Volcanos National Park and the very small town of Volcano.

The cottage was so special! One of the most unique places I have ever stayed! Just minutes from the park and such a sanctuary! Very clean, comfortable and special. We were lucky enough to check in the evening before the eruption and the manager gave us great advice on monitoring activity, where to go, etc. I would highly recommend staying a few nights instead of doing a day trip from Kona.

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 sometime. Mahalo!

Our family of four had an amazing stay at Volcano Rainforest Retreat. We stayed in the skylight house and loved everything about our stay. Our hosts were wonderful, sharing information about local spots and happenings in the town as well as highlights to see in the National Park. The special touches during our stay, like tue daily breakfast with fresh fruit and granola, the daily housekeeping to wash dishes and make beds, made the stay so special. The skylight house has an outdoor shower and soaking tub that we loved. I don’t think we took more than one shower indoors the whole time we were there. We fell in love with the house and the area and can’t wait until we can come back. The area and the hosts are special and we highly recommend staying here to rejuvenate your soul!

Stayed in the Skylight house with Japanese soaking tub. The rainforest ambience is amazing-peaceful, serene and beautiful, a perfect match for the Sky. The hosts are great-informative and accommodating. Plan to return and highly recommended!

We stayed 3 nights in the Bamboo Guest House. This property is truly special and exceeded our expectations. The grounds are gorgeous and tranquil, the house was spotless, the fresh fruit, pastries and coffee were generous and delicious, the soaking tub amazing. The management goes above and beyond (ex. we had a slow leak in our rental car tire and Danielle brought us an air compressor from home!). We are so glad we chose Volcano Rainforest Retreat!

My wife and I had an amazing time at Volcano Rainforest Retreat for one of the legs of our honeymoon! The location was great - just a few minutes to some nearby restaurants and to the national park, yet tucked away in a residential area in a highly forested lot that felt both private and exotic. The rooms are beautiful and clean (we stayed in the forest house for two nights), the staff is friendly and responsive, and the breakfast they provided was great - shoutout to our new favorite: papaya with banana and lime juice!

It was awesome. Our room had a lot of windows. I felt like I was in the rain forest. The breakfast basket was amazing.

Stay here for an amazing experience! My husband booked this place for our honeymoon/vacation and I cannot have been more happy to stay here. Wish we stayed here a little longer to enjoy the hot tub! Our host, Jenny, was very helpful and inviting. She gave us a tour of the grounds and provided some information about Volcano National Park. The sanctuary provides all the amenities you'll ever need: mini fridge, sink, bowls/plates, heater, utensils, TV, DVDs, books, plug ins, coffee maker, coffee grounds/tea, juice, milk, creamer, cream cheese and spreads for the baked goods, soap, dish wash scrub, etc. You name it, they have it. The bed was so comfortable, clean, and relaxing. I enjoyed the outside shower and hot tube! Enjoyed the nature all around us. The only downside was the WiFi connection. We were only able to get 1 bar inside the cottage. Our host was able to reset it in which worked great for awhile but returned to the same bar later that night. If we ever come back to Hawai'i, I would love to stay again!

What a wonderful way to end the day by relaxing and enjoying the tropical night sky. Can't wait to return!

My husband and I had a great stay at Volcano Rainforest Retreat in their Skylight House. We used this stay as our home base while we traversed the Volcano and East side of the Big Island. Kathleen and Peter were amazing hosts! They met us when we checked in and Kathleen spent a lot of time with us providing tips for visiting points of interest (lava viewing!) and excellent recommendations on hikes and dining in the area. Our breakfast baskets would be refilled each morning with fresh local fruit, pastries, and coffee. Besides being tasty, this was so convenient as we had some early starts in our days, we could just have a quick, tasty bite at home before setting out. The Skylight House was such a special place to stay. Kathleen explained to us that this was originally built as a home for her and Peter, and we could really tell the thought and care they put into the home. The home was well decorated with artwork and the construction of the home was so unique (12 sided house with a skylight and adjoining master bedroom). The house was located in the middle of a lush rainforest, so the ambience was so relaxing. We fell asleep each night to the patter of rain. The soaking tub and outdoor shower were great to shower off and soak our bones after a long day of hiking. Highly recommend! I can't wait until we can visit again.

This place is super unique, special, MAGICAL, a gem. We stayed here for our honeymoon and it was over and above what we expected. I was hesitant to book the Sanctuary at first bc the shower is outside! Haha. 1. They congratulated us with a small bottle of champagne and a daily basket full of homemade pastries and local fruit. It was so much food we had more than enough after breakfast. 2. It was magical bc Volcano rains a lot. We were able to see and hear it with the 360 glass walls. Which thankfully have sliding curtains. We were so amazed by the huge ferns and being surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation. 3. For July, it was still in the 50s at night bc of elevation. We would get cold and the electric gas heater heated the room up super quickly AND the 24/7 hot ofuro outside (Japanese deep tub for soaking) was such a treat. 4. You are far enough from the other buildings and surrounded by forest that hopefully no one is peeking when u r showering naked outside! 5. Loved the deep blue Japanese decorations in the room. Thank you thank you for making part of our honeymoon soo exceptionally over the top and special.

We had an amazing and relaxing stay at the Sanctuary Cottage for our first wedding anniversary. We actually planned our entire trip around getting to stay here and it definitely lived up to our hype. This cottage looks like a dream inside and out, and is surrounded by a beautiful tropical forest. It felt like luxury indoor camping. The soaking tub was so relaxing and perfect.. I think I need one in my future house. Sitting outside on the porch, sipping coffee or drinking a beer (depending on your pleasure) and listening to the frogs was so perfect. Peter told us everything we needed to know about visiting the park and all of the restaurants in Volcano. They provide a wonderful packet with everything you need to know. Peter and Kathleen are wonderful hosts- so kind and friendly. Every amenity we could have asked for was provided, and the continental breakfast was perfect including fresh fruit, locally made honey and granola, plenty of baked goods, and of course coffee and tea. I recommend the macadamia granola with almond milk, sliced apple bananas and a drop of honey on top. Yum! I would absolutely stay here again, and it is worth every penny.

This such a beautiful place, to enjoy nature in style, lots of things to do or just to do nothing

We stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage for the first two nights of our honeymoon. We felt like family the moment we arrived and were shown around the property. The soaking tub and outdoor shower was so serene. The sounds of the rainforest while showering felt like a dream. My parents called to arrange for chocolate and champagne to be in the room when we arrived and it was a gorgeous display and surprise! Peter's suggestion for Papaya, bananas and lime juice was a must! It was our breakfast everyday during our entire honeymoon. Thank you Kathleen and Pete

We (2 adults) stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage over New Years, and had a wonderful time. The owners, Peter and Kathleen, greeted and showed us around when we checked in, and also gave us some great info/suggestions about restaurants and must-see spots in Volcano National Park. They were super welcoming and friendly, but also gave us a ton of privacy during our stay. The property is beautiful, with just a few cottages in the middle of a rainforest. It was so quiet and serene that it often felt like we were the only ones there -- it really does feel like a retreat. The cottage itself was impeccably clean, and the daily breakfast basket was fantastic - loved all the fresh local fruit and tasty muffins. The cottage also had flashlights, headlamps, and umbrellas, all of which we ended up using. The grounds were full of beautiful tropical plants and trees, and surprisingly no bugs (and I'm a magnet for mosquitos), probably because the altitude made it significantly cooler than at sea level in Hilo or Kona. Unfortunately, we didn't get to try the Japanese soaking tub, but the hot tub on site was the best. This is such a beautiful and unique place to stay. I'd definitely recommend staying here to make the most out of your visit to Volcano National Park, which is just 5 minutes away. Go spend the day at the park, pick up dinner at one of the places the owners recommend, spend some time in the hot tub, then come back to the park after 9 pm (after most of the crowds leave) to see the volcano glow and smoke. It'll be one of the most memorable experiences on your trip to the Big Island.

Amazing place to stay! You definitely need to check this place out if you are in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and looking for a place to stay. It is about 5 miles from the park entrance. We stayed at the Sanctuary, which is excellent for couples. I believe there are two or other cottages that are good for families. The retreat is in the middle of a rainforest and you'll love it. Emma greeted us and gave us a tour when we arrived. Shower and tub (just like a Japanese Onsen) are outside of the cottage, but you can always bring down the blinds if you want privacy. Windows are all floor to ceiling so when you're inside you feel like you are one with the rainforest. Complementary breakfast delivered to you, with lots of coffee, tea, coconut granola, juice, milk, and much more!! Stay here and you will not regret it.

My husband and I spent a couple of nights for our 10 year wedding anniversary trip, at Kathleen and Peter's bed and breakfast. We stayed at the forest house and felt like we were in the rainforest with how well the house was nestled in the forest. It was so peaceful to wake up with birds chirping and a tranquil surrounding. The room itself was very clean and quaint with amazing open views. For breakfast, the veggie quiches were super yummy as was the amazing fruit we had every day. The manager was super helpful with amazing tips on what to see as well as detailed print outs of maps of the area and a list of things to do in and around the area of Hilo. She was very friendly and even gave us one of her own passes to enter the Volcano national park that was expiring in a couple of days while we were staying at the bed and breakfast. Finally, we realized that we left my husband's wallet in the safe. Peter kindly mailed it to us in Chicago the next business day and didn't even charge for postage ! We completely trusted him and didn't cancel any credit or debit cards. Overall, we highly recommend this retreat and hope you get to enjoy your stay like we did.

My wife and I came here for our honeymoon and were nothing but stunned. The place is five or six cottages situated in a rainforest. Ours was a glass bubble with an outdoor Japanese hot tub and outdoor shower. They are all separated and very private. The level of care that has gone into every detail is amazing. So much thought went into everything you see and every part of the experience. The nights are quiet and the days are soft and cool. Your maybe 15 minutes from the caldera and there is a really nice town with everything you could need on the way too and from. The service wonderful and you can just see how much the owners care. I absolutely plan to return someday!!

We stayed in the Bamboo Guest House. I can't think of enough superlatives. I'd give them 10 stars if I could. This is the largest cottage, with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and outdoor Japanese tub. The kitchen is well stocked, the breakfast basket perfect, and the building absolutely beautifully built and decorated. It's in a rainforest teeming with life. (It will almost certainly rain at least a little every day, but it *is* a rainforest after all). Kudos to Lisa, the manager, and Peter & Kathleen, the owners, for being super-friendly hosts. Clearly this comes naturally to them and this is a labor of love. We will definitely stay here again next time we visit the Big Island.

Oh. My. I am typically a 5 star resort kinda person. Bed & Breakfast places really need to be great to make me happy. This. Is. It. The grounds are GORGEOUS. We stayed in two different rooms because they were booked for consecutive days. Both were beyond what I expected from a B&B. Attention to detail, amenities included, is an understatement. The staff willingly lugged all our baggage between rooms, and let us store our stuff after checkout. The owners weren't there that weekend (they were on vacation), but Ann was there to greet us. She was fabulous. She even saw us eating at a market and sat with us to discuss local hot spots. Overall, this place deserves FAR more kudos than I'm writing. Book the place.

We've stayed at the Sanctuary (small but beautiful) and recently at the Guest Cottage (roomier, with basic cooking facilities). I just love this place, but don't come here if you are expecting the Hilton. It's unique and funky, very private and very peaceful. You might not ever see your fellow guests. It's absolutely perfect for a couple's getaway. The wifi was free but a bit slow and no cable - so expect to unplug a bit. But they do supply DVDs and even a iPhone/iPod speaker set, which was a nice surprise. We'll be back!

We stayed in the Bamboo Cottage and the Guest Cottage. All I can say is this is the most magnificent lodging I've ever experienced. The cottages are beautifully crafted, all wood, windows and tile with warm decor and colors and fresh flowers. The breakfast basket is delightful with local fruits and a recipe for papaya. There are eggs, milk (for vegans too) and other foods that can be requested. They have wonderful bathrobes too... I just might have to order one. The book shelves are loaded with healing literature, there is a meditation space, and the rainforest itself is cleansing with fresh air. Dana, the manager, was thorough in showing us around our cottages so we knew where all outlets, light fixtures, bedding and silverware could be found. She was pleasant and friendly and took us around the retreat to help us get from one cottage to the other. The owners of the retreat also made it a point to introduce themselves which I thought was very admirable. I can absolutely see myself returning to the retreat. The only thing I could ask for is more time to enjoy a longer stay.

My wife and I have stayed here twice (we use to live in Kona, now in Honolulu) and we look forward to our next trip back. The seclusion is peaceful and the charming structure of the property has a calming effect on our travels. We go here to get away---not to get waited on by a B&B owner. If you expect to see the owners---good luck:) They make a point of letting each guest have their own privacy and if you want to remain hidden you can do so quite easily. The rooms are well decorated, the food was minimal but fresh. My only complaint is that each of the shower soaps and shampoos (though nice) were watered down in a clear attempt to preserve cash while maintaining elegance.

Great little cabins in a rainforest setting, near Volcano National Park. Looking out your door you feel like you are in the middle of the tropical forest...the density of the trees completely obscures the other cabins so you feel like no one else is there. Fortunately there is a hot tub on premises too. GREAT romantic spot. The one minor gripe is that I would have liked a full kitchen for every unit given lack of dining options nearby. We had to improvise a dinner one night using just a small toaster oven!

What a lovely, unique experience. Definitely stay here if you get the chance! I was skeptical when we first booked our reservation because I'm generally not keen on B&Bs. But I'm so glad we stayed here. We were in the guest cottage- with the bedroom was nestled in the loft (at tree-branch level). It was cozy, romantic and (most importantly) very clean. The staff was friendly and so helpful. And staying here made our early hiking on the Volcano a breeze. You would be remiss to miss the chance to spend a night at the volcano rainforest retreat!

we stayed in the sanctuary. although delightfully well appointed and immaculately clean, it was a bit tight for 2 with no closets or storage. And the outdoor shower is a bit startling - i recommend a new shower head. BUT! we had the opportunity to visit other places in volcano as we were part of a large destination wedding party and i will tell you one thing... This retreat is unparalleled in terms of serenity, appointments and cleanliness. The windows are spotless, there is no dust, everything is just so. I turly believe what they have created is unique and special. The owners are quirky and delightful - no one gets into your business. I feel lucky to have stayed here.

Absolutely wonderful! My husband and I stayed in the Bamboo Guest House and could not have been more pleased with the experience. Beautiful structure, relaxing, made private by dense forest (no bugs though!), a lovely selection for breakfast and full kitchen which had everything I needed to make meals. You're 10 minutes from the national park and the owners are pleasant and helpful. This really is one of those stand out places that you remember always and are so happy you experienced.

We never visited, because we never received a response to our question, even though our credit card had been charged for our full stay 8 months in advance. First we posted a question (about water temperature) on Trip Advisor. We heard back from other members but not this place. Then we emailed them directly. No answer until we told them we'd like to cancel. They immediately agreed, minus 15%, even though the reason we were canceling is because we couldn't get a response from them. We visit Volcano twice a year, but we will never stay with them due to this terrible customer service

Agree with all the other reviewers. This past fall, my husband's ex (?) girlfriend had confirmed that this was the location of their unsuccessful sacred baby-making attempt(s) prior to our marriage but while he and I were "dating". This place must have been so awesome, that despite his numerous denials of the magical event(s), he kept several mementos from your property, heartfully stored. I am very pleased he chose such a beautiful and authentic space to conduct his affairs. No doubt when our divorce is final, they will return there to continue their astral soulmate adventures. Though I seriously doubt any fertility rights will occur in the near future, what an awesome setting for him to blackout with his uniquely psychopathic girlfriend of 30 years and spend his 401K as they continue to avoid reality and succumb to his addiction.

Amazing place. Stayed in the Forest House for two nights with my wife. The back part of the place is open to the jungle and you are completely secluded and no one can see into the room. On that note, we never saw another person the entire time we were there. The owners who live on the property don't approach the guests, but give them complete privacy. The housekeeper is super nice. The housekeeper took the time to show us the Volcano National Park map, explain what to do there. She also showed us around the property and discussed local restaurants. In short, she was great. The inside of the place is very beautiful. They really make a good use of the space. We had a wood stove and small fridge. All water (sink and shower) is fresh rainwater. They recycle and ask you to put compost items in a special bin. The breakfast was all fresh fruit and juice. Overall it was a wonderful, peaceful experience.

We spent the first 4 days of our honeymoon in the Sanctuary cottage, and it could not have been more perfect. The room is small, as the website accurately portrays, but it is enough space for 2 comfortably. When we arrived, Peter did an excellent job of introducing us to the property, and explaining all of the wonderful amenities. He was very kind and made us feel welcome. The bed was very comfortable, and extra linens were close by in case it got cold. We were comfortable every night and didn't even need the nice heater/fireplace. The outdoor shower and ofuro was spectacular. I'm terrified of spiders, and it was a nonissue here. The shower has great pressure, and the water got plenty hot. The ofuro was so relaxing and the perfect size for 2 after a long day of hiking lava tubes. The food left for us each day was delicious. We seriously enjoyed the locally made granola and baked goods, as well as the fresh local fruits. The staff did an excellent job with housekeeping, which is important in a small space. If we are ever fortunate enough to find ourselves back on the Big Island, we will certainly be staying at the Retreat again. Thank you for making the first half of our honeymoon better than we ever could have imagined.

As the previous reviews have mentioned, the setting is beautiful and secluded. We stayed 5 nights at the Bambo Guest Cottage. Loved the soaking tub under a pagoda...hear the rain...private...even a washer and dryer located under a porch outside of the cottage between bathroom and soaking tub. Great attention to detail...always neat and thoughtfully appointed. Only downside....queen bed mattress shot..lumpy, not supportive...that needs to be addressed. Would go here again !! Was able to drive to Hana, Hilo, Waterfalls, Volcanos...every day a new adventure on this great island.

This was a beautiful and unique place to stay. I loved the carefully cultivated environment and cottage. The main downside was that there was not so much privacy with the outdoor shower. There is a clear and direct path between two of the cabins so that there is a completely unobstructed view between the entrance to one and the shower for the other. There is a screen that you can drop to offer more privacy (though it is reedy and can be seen through), but it does not quite reach far enough over to the shower. Not a huge deal, but I doubt the family next door taking their time by the door getting their kids ready to get in the car would have liked to see me showering so I had to wait until they finished up. Not a huge deal, but the photos suggesting complete privacy are a little misleading. Don't bother with the dried-out baked goods and the surprisingly bad coffee- bring your own. As was mentioned before, bring your own shampoo, conditioner, soap as their's was so watered down it was almost non-existent.

If you ever wanted to live-action role play the game of Myst, this is the place to do it. Four small guest cottages in the Hawaiian rain forest. Each cottage is a hexagon of cedar and fir, with huge windows all around. The cottages are secluded enough that you're barely aware of your neighbors. Each cottage has a small hot tub just outside. This is an incredibly beautiful spot.

Loved this place. Owners are wonderful. The Bamboo House was paradise. The soaking tub was great and the room is a complete house with everything you would need for a long stay inc. washer and dryer. Total solitude but right near the main crater at Volcano National Park. Must see: night at the Jaggar Museum...see the lava glow from the crater. Kids, 9 & 11, loved the VRR too. Grandparents had their own cozy cabin that was lovey and less $. Would be good to make sure the granola is fresh. And I agree with the other post about the soap and shampoo but think it is more for environmental reasons than cost savings.

An absolutely perfect experience! The accommodations were amazing, the food was delicious, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable! We stayed in the Sanctuary Cottage and LOVED the outdoor furo bath and shower! If you have the chance to stay here, grab it! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

We stayed in the Sanctuary cottage on our vacation from NYC. We were tired of big hotels and wanted a cute relaxed B and B, and that is exactly what we got. We would certainly stay here again, amazing place!

A Slice of Paradise, We spent part of our spring break at the bamboo guest house. It was a wonderful experience! The guest house was unique and comfortable. Our hosts were gracious. We loved the secluded setting in the rainforest (and yes, it did rain a little, but it made the atmosphere only more enchanting). We were enthralled by the natural beauty of the resort and the art and sculptures (by local artists) that adorned it. Add the volcano, losts of places to hike, and small galleries to shop in - VRR is a place to return to.

Volcano Rainforest Retreat was the romantically delightful lodging highlight of our latest Big Island trip. Not far off the main road, but quietly sequestered at the edge of a small developed area near the Volcanoes park, the setting is wonderfully tropical, thick with ferns and cool mist, pumice walkways winding from cottage to cottage, just enough privacy while feeling open. It is a magical setting. The owners are laid back people but don't miss a single detail in decor or amenities. The grounds are clean but you'll enjoy them most as a backdrop from within your cottage of open wood walls, beamed ceilings with skylights and ample windows. A small kitchen was open to the living area in our cottage, and the cozy loft bed above had plenty of blankets and a pleasantly firm mattress. The wood or electric fireplace was a big plus in the chilly evening and morning. We had the central hot tub to ourselves for an hour -- it was in perfect shape, a warm and welcome spot to relax after a long hike through the part. Breakfast was provided in our room in the form of local fruits, muffins, and coffee/tea. We plan on returning.

This place was our absolute favorite during our most recent trip to the Big Island this past November. Accomodations consist of four different cottages nestled on 1 1/2 acres of rainforest in the town of Volcano. We stayed in the Forest House which was perfect in every way. There are windows all around, but none face any of the other cottages so it is quite secluded and the electric fireplace makes it nice and cozy. Skylights over the bed are perfect for nighttime stargazing when the skies are clear and super-cozy storm viewing when it's raining. Breakfast foods are delivered during the day while you are out so you can sleep in and prepare the meal at your convenience in the small kitchen. The grounds are beautifully designed with winding paths and enormous ferns. There is an outdoor hot tub complete with candles all around, a perfect way to wind down after a day spent hiking the volcano. The owners were incredibly nice, but not intrusive as can happen in some b&bs. We had the feeling that we were completely alone in spite of all the cottages being full. It truly was the perfect romantic getaway.

Cute, clean, quiet, secluded, romantic, relaxing and affordable. The owner is very friendly, even mailed us a t-shirt with sentimental value that we inadvertantly left behind. So close to the National Park it makes an early start very easy -- we were THE ONLY people on the Kilauea Iki trail for 2 hours.

We came here during our honeymoon last week, and spent two nights at this bed and breakfast run by Peter and Kathleen. They created such a quiet, serene environment for their guests, that for most of our stay, I really believed that we were the only guests they had. They really believed in creating a setting for their guests where they can relax in total privacy. The Forest room was surrounded by beautiful tropical greenery, and when it was chilly (since Volcano is about 20 degrees cooler than Hilo), you could put on the fireplace and it warmed the room right up. The coffee they had for their guests was SUPERB... I've tried finding the brand in supermarkets during our stay, but I couldn't! I'm also an avid tea drinker, and the Hawaiian White Honey they had was the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. Unfortunately, they get it from a private bee keeper, so while the white honey I got from the Kilauea Lodge was a good enough replacement, it was nothing like the honey they had. Definitely recommended for couples who want to get away!

We stayed in the Bamboo Guest House 2 years ago and it was the most tranquil, beautiful place we've ever experienced. We are currently at the Alyeska Resort in Alaska and just received an email that Owner/Operators Kathleen and Peter Golden are retiring and selling the resort. No place we've ever stayed at compares to our experience at the Rainforest Retreat. I can't really explain it, but once you get there, it's a combination of the location, beautiful architecture, and most of all, the incredible attention to detail, artwork, artifacts, lighting, and upkeep. The Golden's treat and decorate each guest house with more passion than most people would decorate their own homes. There is no expense spared in the quality of the artifacts, furniture, or ambiance that they put into these rentals. It's a very well thought out and creative fusion of talent that's put into the design, solely to make you feel as relaxed and rejuvenated as possible. We wish the Golden's the best and hope they enjoy retirement, as they definitely deserve it. We only hope that the new owners will continue keeping up the level of quality so other's can enjoy this incredible property for years to come.

We just stayed there last week in the Bamboo Guesthouse, we were instantly in heaven when we arrived , there was a beautifully designed single car parking garage with clear varnished golden pine timbers surrounded by a forest of kahili ginger and hapu'u fern trees . I thought if this is what the garage looks like the house must be amazing! It was beyond amazing . . . As soon as we walked through the front door and into the living room we were both in awe! You could see the caring and detail that the owners put unto the wood, design, colors and furnishings of each room. Everything was clean and amazingly well maintained. There were huge skylights in every room and windows that looked out into the forest. I took my wife there for her Birthday and she looked at me with tears of joy in her eyes! Yes!!! Guys do yourself a favor and stay here, you'll be a hero for at least a week:) Happy travels . . .

Not what I had expected. I stayed with my husband in the Guest Cottage May 13-15 for our honeymoon. I was ready to relax and be "romantic" in the rainforest. I was really disappointed in the lack privacy. I knew that there were three other cottages plus the main house on the property, but I was expected the "rainforest" to have add privacy. From our doorstep, we could see directly into the Sanctuary cottage!!! Most windows had coverings, but two in the bathroom did not. Every time I sat down to go pee I was half expecting other guests to walk down the path and peek into the window!!! Also, when ever people would enter/leave the property, the neighbor dogs would bark their bloody heads off! If you are looking for a place near the Volcano National Forest and not wanting to run around naked with your new husband, then this may be the place for you. The artistic detail to the cottage was wonderful. This cottage did have a full kitchen minus a cookie sheet. The homemade granola was great! The bagels and muffin/scone things were ok-but nothing to write home about. I was disappointed the second day we had more bagels but they did not replace the cream cheese-NBD. The bed upstairs was comfortable and gave us a place of privacy. Although, beware the stairs up to the bedroom were more like a ladder then stairs-very steep.

My wife and I have been to some beautiful places around the world, and this easily makes the top tier of all we've visited. We stayed in the Guest Cottage (one of the four options for visitors), and it was beautiful, interesting, comfortable, and clean. The surrounding rain forest is dense and beautiful, and while one might have expected an insect issue in such a setting, I don't remember seeing any inside the house. How Peter keeps these predominantly wooden buildings from showing wear and tear in this setting is a mystery to me - I should have asked. We made liberal use of the hot tub a few steps away and generally wished we had another week to stay. The restaurants we tried in Volcano were good, as well, though there aren't many of them. We were also able to spend most of a day trooping around the Volcanoes National Park nearby, which was great on lots of fronts. All in all, a fabulous place to be.