Castle Waimea Country Lodge

Hotel Description

You know what? Castle Waimea Country Lodge isn’t trying to be something it’s not, and honestly, that’s exactly why it works so well. When you first pull up, it’s got this understated charm that feels authentically Hawaiian – not the resort version of Hawaii, but the real deal where locals actually hang out and you can breathe without someone trying to sell you a luau package every five minutes.

The location is pretty brilliant, actually. You’re right in Waimea town (which locals call Kamuela, just to keep things interesting), and I mean, this is cowboy country up here on the Big Island. The elevation gives you this incredible break from the coastal heat – mornings are genuinely cool, which is wild when you remember you’re in the tropics. From the lodge, you can walk to some solid local spots for breakfast, and the drive to either Mauna Kea or the Kohala Coast beaches is totally doable without feeling like you’re spending your whole vacation in a rental car. Parking’s easy, by the way – none of that valet nonsense or hunting for spaces.

What really gets me about this place is how it feels lived-in rather than sterile. The rooms are clean and comfortable without being fancy, and honestly, after a day of exploring the island, that’s exactly what you want. The staff actually knows the area – like, they’ll tell you which beaches are better for swimming versus snorkeling, or warn you that the road to Mauna Kea gets pretty gnarly after dark. It’s that kind of local knowledge you can’t get from a chain hotel. The whole vibe is more like staying at a friend’s place who happens to run a really good guesthouse. Sure, it’s a 3-star property, but sometimes those are the ones with the most personality. You’re not paying for marble lobbies or infinity pools – you’re paying for a genuine base camp in one of Hawaii’s most interesting regions. And with that 8.3 rating, it’s clear other travelers get it too. This isn’t where you go to hide in your room; it’s where you stay when you want to actually experience Waimea and use it as your launching point for the rest of the island.

Rooms

• Standard Room with 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Superior Room with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Studio with Kitchenette with 2 large double beds, or and 2 extra-large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Double Room with Mountain View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Marcela from Czech Republic (9/10)

  Room was very nice with lots of space.
  Nerby plenty of shops and restaurants. I can only recommend!

• Guita from United States (9/10)

  No breakfast was provided.

• Glenn from United States (9/10)

  Just a great place to stay in Waimea. Staff wonderful. Right across the street from Parker Square, places to eat, have coffee, shops.

• Angela from Canada (7/10)

  Big rooms, tv and clean washrooms.

• Susan from United States (7/10)

  The room was spacious.

• Jhl from Netherlands (8/10)

  Clean and comfortabel. Location conveniant for Waipio Valley. Parking on site.

• Anna from Italy (8/10)

  The place is nice, clean and tidy, the room and bathroom were big and beds were comfortable.
  Easy to access the main roads and also to walk to supermarkets and restaurants.
  After a misunderstanding via message, the staff went above and beyond to help fixing it. Thank you!!!

• Fred from United States (9/10)

  Location was quite good and close to restaurants, shops and other conveniences.

• Rhonelyn from United States (8/10)

  Nice renovations, loved the location. Very open and pretty room.

• Nicole from United States (8/10)

  The room was clean and spacious. Hotel staff was friendly and helpful and made the late check in process super easy and convenient. It is a great location, within walking distance of both shops and restaurants.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities