7 Best Hotels in Big Island, Hawaii

Four beautifully restored ranch houses and bungalows occupy this historic country estate in Hawi, where guests enjoy their own private swimming pools, horseback riding, round-the-clock concierge availability, and plenty of fresh fruit from the orchards. Listed on the State Historic Register, Puakea Ranch pays homage to the four generations of cowboys and plantation workers who once lived on the property. The two-bedroom Yoshi's House sleeps six and has ocean views from the lanai, plus a lava-rock swimming pool. Cowboy House is a three-bedroom former bunkhouse that sleeps six, while the Miles Away bungalow provides two bedrooms and its own private dipping pool. A large studio, James Cottage shares a swimming pool with Cowboy House and also has its own private hot tub. Decorated with local art depicting the property, each home has its own kitchen, barbecue grills, and washer-dryer. It's 15 minutes to the closest public beach, and just down the road from the artists' town of Hawi. It's one of the few properties on the Kohala Coast that can also be entirely booked for weddings and events. 

Spend the day swimming at the beach just steps away from your private lanai and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean at one of four artfully decorated, one-room cottages on the sandy beach at Anaehoomalu Bay. These cottages are among the few beachfront rentals you will find anywhere on the island. It's a short stroll to the adjacent Lava Lava Beach Club bar/restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner daily. Ride your included cruiser bike in the morning to the nearby coffee shops at the Kings' Shops and Queens' MarketPlace.

Built in the 1930s by a Japanese doctor, this vintage home offers stunning views of downtown Hilo and the bay. The Zen garden on the grounds reveals three colossal stones weighing several tons each and installed by the home’s original owner. A total of four simply furnished rooms come with private baths, and two of the rooms offer panoramic bay views.

Three private cottages set on a 10-acre working ranch afford total privacy, with a few more amenities than a vacation house or condo. Owners Mark and Amy drop off a welcome basket with breakfast goodies your first day, and there's a washer and dryer in each unit, an outdoor pool, and a hot tub. The ranch is great for animal lovers, as it is replete with sheep, friendly goats, and chickens throughout.

Both rustic and Zen, this magical cottage in the rain forest features cathedral ceilings, spruce walls, cork flooring, and amenities not usually found at Volcano vacation rentals, like bathrobes, a Bose home theater system, and Trek mountain bikes. The outdoor patio feels like a contemporary lodge, with an enormous stone fireplace to warm those cool Volcano nights.

A near-perfect spot for couples seeking a romantic getaway in Volcano Village, this historical 1912 two-bedroom cottage evokes a vintage country feeling in keeping with the summer homes of the era. The claw-foot bathtub, hot tub, and fireplace add to the general coziness. Continental breakfast is included, and the restaurants of Volcano Village are nearby.

Surprisingly luxe yet cozy and quaint, the three charming country cottages and one suite at this historical Hawaiian homestead are surrounded by flowering private gardens and a backyard stream. One cottage (Kohala) and the Ohana Suite include a full kitchen, and the others (Waimea and the Garden Studio) a kitchenette. Each is stocked with provisions, including fresh farm eggs from the property, for a generous and hearty self-serve breakfast. All have beautiful hardwood floors. The Kohala Cottage features a luxury bath with whirlpool soaking tub, and the Garden Studio is equipped with a rain showerhead. The grounds are teeming with birds and plant life that will make you want to move in for good. Inquire for seasonal specials. The physical address is given out only after a confirmed reservation.