Lava Tree Tropic Inn

Lava Tree Tropic Inn Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to the Lava Tree Tropic Inn, I wasn’t expecting much from the name alone. But you know what? Sometimes the places with quirky names turn out to be the hidden gems, and this 4-star spot really surprised me in the best way.

The thing that hits you right away is how they’ve managed to nail that tropical vibe without going overboard with the tiki bar aesthetic (though there’s nothing wrong with a good tiki bar, don’t get me wrong). The lobby has this warm, lived-in feeling – sort of like walking into a friend’s beach house if your friend happened to have really good taste and a decent budget. There’s actual character here, which honestly feels rare these days when so many hotels seem cookie-cutter. The staff at check-in actually seemed to know the area well, not just the scripted tourist spots, and I mean genuinely helpful recommendations about where to grab breakfast that won’t cost you a fortune or which trails are worth your time.

What really won me over though was the attention to those little details that make or break a stay. The rooms are well thought out – I’m talking about things like having enough outlets near the bed (revolutionary, I know), blackout curtains that actually block light, and a shower with decent water pressure. The AC runs quiet enough that you’re not listening to it rattle all night, which might seem minor until you’ve stayed somewhere where it sounds like a freight train. And honestly, the bed was just comfortable – not too soft, not like sleeping on concrete. Sometimes that’s all you need. The whole place has this relaxed energy where you can tell they’ve figured out how to run things smoothly without making it feel sterile or rushed. Even during what seemed like a busy period, things moved along nicely without that frantic hotel energy you get some places.

I kept thinking this feels like the kind of spot that gets discovered by word of mouth rather than flashy marketing, which probably explains that solid 9.1 rating. It’s not trying to be the fanciest place around, but it delivers on the stuff that actually matters when you’re traveling – you feel taken care of without being fussed over, the location works well for exploring, and you’re not constantly dealing with little annoyances that add up over a few days. I’d definitely stay here again, and I’m pretty picky about hotels after years of travel mishaps.

Hawaii hotels range from charming beachfront bungalows in traditional Polynesian style to elegant oceanfront luxury resorts and modern accommodations with panoramic Pacific views.

Lava Tree Tropic Inn Accommodations

Reviews of Lava Tree Tropic Inn

• Claudia from Germany (10/10)

  Beautiful place in the middle of paradise. The house is in the middle of nature. The rooms are large and all have their own bathroom. The lady of the house is very lovely and makes breakfast for the guests every morning (fresh fruits from the garden). She can also explain a lot of interesting things about the lava fields. We loved to stay here. 🤩

• Noah from United States (10/10)

  You could call the setting "rustic," but that wouldn't be quite right. In reality, we had all the amenities I could have asked for down to hot water and Wi-Fi. It's rural, tropical, and best accessed with a car with more than a sedan's level of clearance. The place is lived-in, smelling of old hardwood. The faucets don't shine with a hotel's luster, but the towels are clean and the bedroom floors are kept cleaner than in my own house.
  Irene was sweet and willing to expound upon anything to which we took an interest—the cats, the birds, the fruit, her hobbies. She also had what seemed to be a knack for hosting with discretion. If it was late and we came back and said hi to her in the kitchen, she greeted us warmly but gracefully ended the chitchat when it was time to go our separate ways for the night. She's living her dream in that old house in Pahoa, and is thrilled to share it with the multitudes of characters who find her from all over.
  For what I was looking for, this bed and breakfast was the whole package, and I'd gladly stay there again—only next time, I'd bring my saxophone so I can jam with Irene's friends on a fine Friday afternoon.

• Alain from Luxembourg (9/10)

  We enjoyed the breakfast and the kindness of the owner. She gave us many information about life on Hawaii and good tips for visits and restaurants in the area. We liked the location in full nature.

• Emma from United States (10/10)

  Beautiful quiet space – Irene was such a kind and friendly host. Great breakfast, comfortable place to stay.

• Susan from United States (9/10)

  Very peaceful acerage with all kinds of tropical plants and trees, birds. Free range chickens. Frogs. You are away from city life. Irene is an interesting host to visit with.

• Jonathan from New Zealand (10/10)

  Lovely secluded tropical oasis on the slopes of Kilauea.
  Great location for exploring the island.
  I downloaded Google Maps of Hawaii so managed without phone or data when driving.
  Irene is a friendly, helpful host. I really enjoyed her eggs for breakfast!

• Christine from United States (10/10)

  The area is amazing! This is a bed and breakfast but honestly it’s more like going to stay at an old friend’s place. If you want charming, and want to be right in the middle of the sounds of a rainforest- I went to sleep each night with the windows open to hear first hand what I would listen to on a app for sleeping. Beds are comfortable and I’m super picky! There is a little town nearby and Hilo is only like 30 mins away. We spent the short time we had here just driving around the island and taking photos. This was our first time on the big island and I can’t wait to come back!

• Chao from United States (9/10)

  The location is near national park and very quiet. Has a space shade parking lot, very quiet.

• Semion from United States (10/10)

  Wonderful place with an amazingly kind host – Irene. She was welcoming and warm. Delicious and healthy breakfast full of tropical fruit and local coffee was the perfect start of every day spent there. Quiet and lush rainforest surrounds the location. An amazing place to live!

• Andréa from United States (10/10)

  Irene is very accommodating and kind. She helped figure out my brother’s transportation to and from the property. I highly recommend a stay at this charming inn.

Surroundings

Facilities