10 Best Hotels in Big Island, Hawaii

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.

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. 

Hilo isn't known for its fancy resort hotels, but the Grand Naniloa, built in 1939, attempts to remedy that situation in grand fashion, paying homage to hula, Hawaiian culture, and Big Island adventures. Art photography of the ancient style of hula graces the walls, halls, lobby, and guest rooms, and the open-air lobby unveils stunning bayfront panoramas from its vantage on the peninsula. Rooms are contemporary in style, nicely appointed, and outfitted with standard amenities. The corner oceanfront rooms offer prime views, while harbor views prevail from other rooms. Just off the lobby, KapohoKine Adventures operates an on-site store and activities desk where guests can easily book zip-lining adventures, volcano tours, and other treks. At the hotel's main entrance, the Willie K. Crown Room is a concert hall and theater. Located poolside, Hula Hulas restaurant has open-air dining overlooking Hilo Bay. The Hula Lounge lobby bar presents live Hawaiian music nightly.

While the location feels more parking lot than island paradise, this practical and comfortable hotel (one of Kona's newest) isn't far from the ocean and still offers lots of pluses, from nicely appointed rooms to a fitness center. You'll also find a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a lobby with fireplace, as well as a complimentary breakfast (rare for a Kona hotel). All rooms have fridges, microwaves, and 42-inch TVs. Just steps away are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops, not to mention the historical landmarks and waterfront attractions of Historic Kailua Village.

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.

This mindfully designed boutique hotel features a minimalist Zen style combined with Hawaiiana accents. Of the 128 rooms, some have private lanai, and the nicest ones overlook the koi-filled lagoon, plus there are poolside rooms. A workout studio offers Peloton bikes, TRX system, weights, and yoga mats. Complimentary bikes and stand-up paddleboards are available for exploring the surrounding neighborhood, including Reeds Bay across the street. On-site, the 24/7 Provisions Market presents locally sourced, fresh consumables. Beautiful parks and bayfront attractions are within walking distance of the hotel, as are a handful of nice restaurants. The Coconut Grill restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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.

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.

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.

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.