Ekomomai Retreat

Ekomomai Retreat Overview

First Impressions

Honestly, when I first pulled up to Ekomomai Retreat in Volcano, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The name had me curious, and the location — well, you’re literally in volcano country here on the Big Island. This three-star spot sits right in the heart of one of Hawaii’s most unique communities, where the air feels different and you can actually sense the geological activity beneath your feet. It’s not your typical beach resort, and that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

The Location Magic

You know what really struck me about this place? The location is genuinely special — recent guests have been rating it 8.0 out of 10, and I can see why. Volcano village itself is this quirky little community that feels like it exists in its own bubble, about 30 minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I mean, where else can you wake up and potentially see volcanic activity from your window? The retreat sits perfectly positioned to take advantage of this unique setting, and couples seem to absolutely love it here — there’s something romantic about being in such a dramatic, otherworldly landscape together.

The Room Experience

My room was comfortable without being fancy, which honestly felt right for this kind of place. You’re not here for marble bathrooms or turndown service — you’re here for the experience of staying in one of the most geologically active places on Earth. The accommodations are clean and well-maintained, with that cozy cabin-like feel that works perfectly with the cooler mountain air (yes, it actually gets cool here, unlike the rest of Hawaii). The windows frame views that change throughout the day as mist rolls in and out of the surrounding forest.

Exploring the Area

What I really appreciated was how the retreat serves as a perfect base for exploring the national park and the surrounding area. The staff actually knows their stuff about local hiking trails and volcanic activity — they’re not just handing you generic brochures. Volcano village has this great little general store and a surprisingly good Thai restaurant within walking distance. And here’s something most people don’t realize: the stargazing here is incredible because you’re at elevation and away from light pollution. I spent way more time outside at night than I expected.

Why Guests Love It

Look, this isn’t a place where you’ll find a spa or fancy amenities — and that’s actually part of its charm. What you get instead is an authentic experience in one of Hawaii’s most unique environments. The retreat understands its role perfectly: it’s a comfortable, well-located base for exploring something truly extraordinary. Couples especially seem to connect with the intimate, almost mystical atmosphere of the area. The fact that parking is straightforward and you can easily access both the national park and local attractions makes practical sense too. It’s one of those places where the location does most of the heavy lifting, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want in a travel experience.

Early hotels booking in Hawaii is essential during major events like the Ironman World Championship, as accommodations fill up quickly with visitors eager to experience the islands’ renowned surfing culture and tropical beauty.

Ekomomai Retreat Accommodations

Reviews of Ekomomai Retreat

• Teri from United States (8/10)

  We enjoyed the location. We like the extra things that was provided. For example; the cooler, beach mat, googles etc.
  The surrounding landscape is very nice and cute.

• Aleksandra from Poland (7/10)

  The location was great, very close to the Hawai'i Volcanoes NP, not so far from Hilo (around 40 minutes drive). The kitchen is well equipped, with a lot of useful appliances. There is also washing machine and a dryer, which is always great for a longer stay. The place also offered the googles, body boards and some beach equipment. It was a nice surprise to be welcomed by local cookies.

• Jemma from United States (7/10)

• Julie from United States (9/10)

  It was spacious, clean, and being able to do laundry was great. The location was very nice too.

• Andrew from United States (9/10)

  The location was good — close to the hiway but somewhat secluded. The had some snorkeling and buggy boards there for our use. Nice open feel to the home.

• Hawaiicory from United States (1/10)

  DO NOT BOOK THIS PLACE ! ITS A TOTAL RIP OFF ! STAY AWAY . I first realized i was charged over USD $270 for a cleaning fee/s ! wow… the place was advertised at USD$ 86 or so. so very suprised to get a bill for over $400 for a nights stay when there are other hotel options for $200+ Auwe. i got the address and was very puzzled on the 'scheme' involved. Definitely, DO NOT BOOK THIS PLACE ! i tried to get a refund, but realized it was past checkin as i was on the road all day and looking forward to staying in a cool booking.com place that i normally book. The saddest part was i was traveling with my 12-year old daughter, she was wondering what was going on… She encourage me to call customer service. I was both embarassed and sick. First bring charged almost $500 for a place and when calling the 'manager' on the line with no answer on how to open the lockbox or no one there to even greet you. My daugher was witnessing customer service first hand, or the lack of there of. Sad. She encouraged me to contact booking and straighten things out. I was on hold for 30 minutes as booking staff attempted to contact the managers of the property. I've been a long time happy booking.com customer and will continue but will be very skeptical on booking a non hotel property. i have the address of this property well documented and noticed the original property did not match the property and address sent to me. very puzzling. i will do a travel blog post on this experience as we shot photos of the outside of the property because we also, weren't given any instructions for the entrance key combo to enter the property. we never entered even though we were booked.

• Donna from United States (9/10)

• Jennifer from United States (7/10)

• Sara from United States (8/10)

• Thomas from United States (9/10)

Surroundings

Facilities