16 Best Hotels in Big Island, Hawaii

Six spacious rooms and suites—plus two vintage one-bedroom cottages perfect for honeymooners—are available at this 30-acre coffee-country estate, a few miles above Kailua Bay in the heart of the artists' village of Holualoa. Stunningly appointed with Asian furnishings and fine local art, the inn offers "garden-to-plate" breakfasts including Kona coffee grown on the property, fresh fruits, homemade jams, eggs from the inn's coop, quiches, French toast, and macadamia-nut butter. On-site are rooftop gazebos and a mosaic-tile swimming pool, hot tub, fireplace, guest kitchenette with refrigerator and utensils, massage pavilion, and tropical gardens. There's even a meandering coffee trail through archaeological sites. The inn offers an open-air pavilion for weddings and retreats. Two cottages, one a vintage farm building that has been transformed into a large bridal suite, feature a kitchenette and dressing room. The elopement package includes a two-night minimum, a beach wedding, lei for bride and groom, officiant services, and Champagne. The inn often sells out well in advance, so plan early. 

Here, above the sea cliffs in North Kohala, sustainability meets luxury without sacrificing comfort: the resort generates its own solar and wind-turbine power, harnesses its own water, and grows much of its own food. Beautiful floors are made from sustainably harvested woods, and rooms take advantage of natural light and ventilation to keep energy usage low. Surrounded by 50 acres, 20 of which are a dedicated conservation area, the retreat feels both luxe and completely hidden from the world. Handsome rooms have high ceilings, elegant doors, crown molding, and private balconies. Three cliff-side hales (houses) with kitchenettes offer ocean views. More affordable options are available at the retreat's Yurt Village, which includes access to the saltwater infinity pool and fitness center. Breakfast is sourced from the resort's garden supply, augmented by island-fresh ingredients from local farms.

On a 5-acre coffee farm above Kealakekua Bay, proprietors Mike Martinage and Greg Nunn operate a grand yet very reasonably priced B&B in a plantation-style home featuring a 2,000-square-foot wraparound veranda with excellent views of the bay and the entire Honaunau Coast. The outdoor lava-rock shower is a treat, and the authentic Hawaiian cedar steam house, swing, and outdoor hot tub also offer panoramic views. Full breakfasts include ingredients harvested from the property, including homegrown 100% Kona coffee. Greg was once head of housekeeping at a five-star resort on Maui, and it shows. A detached cottage in back of the main house provides additional accommodations for families.

Hospitality abounds at this luxurious B&B in a secluded rain forest, where the separate suites (connected by paths) offer amenities including fine furnishings, dining niches, jetted bathtubs, heated blankets, and private forest entrances. In the lobby, the friendly staff "talks story" with guests and shares complimentary coffee, tea, cookies, and baked goods. On cool Volcano nights, warm yourself in the hot tub set under the stars.

In the hills above Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, this guesthouse offers quiet elegance, complete privacy, and beautiful ocean views from every room. With a focus on nature, the house is tastefully furnished in tropically inspired earth tones. The bath products are 100% organic, and the yummy full breakfasts are as close to organic as they can muster, with produce grown on-site. Common areas include a kitchenette and living area with a high-definition television, DVD library, and computer with high-speed Internet. Minimum stays may be required, depending on the season. 

Quirky yet upscale, this accommodation features four artistically distinctive rooms that unveil beautiful views of the rain forest from a great location five minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The hotel offers imported linens, custom-made wooden bed frames, a garden gazebo, a koi pond, and a six-person hot tub. It's one of several properties under the umbrella of Kilauea Hospitality Group; another is Lokahi Lodge, which has cozy rooms with comfy beds and plenty of exposed beams and wood. The group's most reasonably priced lodge is the Volcano Hale, which dates to 1912 and has a communal kitchen and fireplace.

In cool, upcountry Holualoa, Hale Hualalai offers two exceptionally large suites with exposed beams, whirlpool tubs, and private lanai, but perhaps most memorable are the breakfasts ($15 per person)—owner Ricky Brewster was a chef at Four Seasons Hualalai Resort's Beach Tree restaurant. These are as varied as they are delicious, reflecting individual guest preferences—from Italian margarita frittatas with tomatoes and herbs grown on-site to Punaluu sweetbread French toast with Tahitian lime gastrique and crushed pecans. Ricky even grows and serves his own Kona coffee. Each 650-square-foot suite has a private entrance, whirlpool tub, and sunset views, making it perfect for couples.

On a bluff above Honolii surfing beach, this modern, 5,400-square-foot home is 2 miles from downtown Hilo and features four rooms—each with patio, deluxe bedding, and grand ocean views within earshot of the surf. Fresh flowers and artful decor add a warm tropical touch. A continental breakfast is served every morning on an outdoor deck or in the kitchen's bay-window dining area. From their lanai, guests can watch spinner dolphins or migrating whales during the season. These are ideal accommodations for honeymooners and empty nesters.

A charming old Craftsman home lovingly restored by a friendly and hospitable couple from North Carolina, the inn offers variety in guest room size and decor, though every room has a fridge. The Honu's Nest provides fantastic views of the sunrise from the comforts of a large bed. The larger Bali Hai Suite has a sitting room and a window seat that looks out on tree ferns, orchids, and anthuriums. Upstairs, the entire second floor is the Samurai Suite, furnished with traditional tatami mats and antiques imported from Japan. Breakfast is delicious and usually includes homemade baked goods. 

Surrounded by McCandless Ranch on 40 acres in South Kona, this place may seem remote, but it's actually just a short drive from some of the best water attractions on the island, including Puuhonua O Honaunau, Kealakekua Bay, and Hookena Beach. The gated driveway winds past herds of goats, donkeys, horses, and cows. Offering four suites with private entrances and lanai, plus beautiful ocean views, this tastefully appointed inn has an open-air living area, plus a media room with a DVD library of 1,500 titles. Buffet breakfast is served by the owner, plus there's a barbecue facility by the pool. Snorkel and beach gear are available. Minimum stays are required. 

Overlooking downtown Hilo and the ocean beyond, this inn sits next to a 120-foot waterfall that tumbles into a 300-foot-wide natural pond—enticing for swimming, conditions permitting. Powered by its own hydroelectric facility, the compound consists of a main residence with four guest rooms; the six-bedroom Harmony home; and the three-story Pagoda Guest House, with a bedroom and 1½ baths, perched near the cliff above the falls. All rooms have a private bath. Adding to the resort-style offerings, the chef's table dinners showcase local ingredients. Guest activities include waterfall rappelling and cooking classes. The addition of rustic off-grid cabins provides an affordable glamping option akin to a communal hostel experience. The inn offers a day-pass program for nonguests to enjoy the waterfall.

You wouldn't expect to find a top-notch B&B in Kau, but this grand residence offers large private suites with locally harvested hardwood floors and private lanai with ocean and mountain views. Choose between a full hot breakfast or a farm-to-table breakfast that presents locally sourced fruits and baked goods—and comes with award-winning Kau estate coffee. For those who want to explore the area's green- and black-sand beaches, or hike to the Kahuku unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hosts Kenny Joyce and Kilohana Domingo are happy to share their knowledge of the area. The inn prides itself on its programs involving Hawaiian cultural arts, and guests may take part in Hawaiian feather arts or weaving workshops.

The former home of the late legendary artist Herb Kane, this luxury boutique guesthouse occupies a 16-acre avocado farm overlooking the South Kona coastline. Internationally traveled proprietors Michael and David leave no stone unturned; amenities include fresh flowers, evening turndown, robes and slippers, Molton Brown products, and tropical fruit baskets. Kane's iconic artwork is displayed in all the suites. Detached from the main residence, the Kane and Kanaloa suites are spacious and private. The Kane Suite opens onto a water garden and porch, and includes koa furnishings designed by the artist along with a minibar, library, marble bathroom, and atrium Zen garden. Breakfast features ingredients grown on the property.

This B&B, with its rare location within walking distance to splendid Kealakekua Bay, offers three high-luxury rooms with kitchenettes in the main house that share the pool-patio area, as well as two suites with more room and privacy in the detached Ohana Cottage. Gorgeous, well-appointed rooms feature plantation-style furnishings and decor with Hawaiian touches. The property, renovated in 2019, includes a sparkling, chlorine-free pool. Romantics take note: facing the emerald pali (cliff) is a lovely, grassy space with a small gazebo, should you wish to renew vows or pop the question.

A stately and comfortable Queen Anne–style mansion, the Dillingham House is the centerpiece of the property and was built in the 1930s as a summer home for a wealthy Scotsman (the property is listed on the State Historic Register). There are three suites in the residence, two of which can be combined to create larger accommodations for families. The Grand Suite includes a fireplace, dining area, and two sitting areas. Also on the property tucked in near the rain forest, the Volcano Village Cottages offers six stand-alone cottages, some with full kitchens. Separate from the stand-alone cottages, there are five modern bungalows offering various luxury amenities including heated floors and towel racks. Continental breakfast is placed in your refrigerator while you're away in the afternoon so that you can enjoy it at your leisure in the morning.

Nestled amid the avocado, mango, coffee, and kukui trees of a historical plantation estate (circa 1932), this serene home provides a retreat close to the Waipio Valley. Each room has its own character with touches like warm woods, Chinese antiques, or patchwork quilts. A sprawling garden has an orchid-covered deck, and a little gazebo has hammocks for indulging your lazy side. Many of the rooms have ocean views. A full organic breakfast is served in the dining room.