Lemon Tree Lanai

Lemon Tree Lanai Overview

First Impressions

When I first pulled up to Lemon Tree Lanai, I’ll be honest — it’s not what you’d expect from a typical hotel. This three-star property sits tucked away on Enos Road in Keaau, and it feels more like discovering a hidden local gem than checking into a standard accommodation. The free parking right on-site was immediately reassuring (you know how tricky that can be in Hawaii), and there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about the whole setup that puts you at ease right away.

The Big Island Location Advantage

Here’s what I love about this spot — you’re actually positioned perfectly for exploring the real Big Island, not just the touristy coastal strips. Keaau gives you that authentic Hawaii vibe where locals still wave from their trucks, and you’re close enough to Hilo for supplies but far enough out to feel like you’ve escaped. The couples who stay here seem to get it — there’s something romantic about being tucked away in this lush, green part of the island where the pace just naturally slows down. I mean, when you wake up here, you’re hearing actual birds instead of traffic, which honestly makes all the difference.

What Makes It Special

The room I stayed in had this laid-back island charm that you can’t fake — think comfortable rather than flashy, with those little touches that show someone actually cares about the place. What really struck me was how quiet it gets at night; you’re surrounded by all this tropical greenery, and it creates this natural sound buffer that’s incredibly peaceful. The staff here aren’t trying to impress you with over-the-top service, but they know the area inside and out, which is way more valuable when you’re trying to figure out where to catch the best sunrise or find that hidden waterfall everyone talks about.

Exploring from Here

This location is actually brilliant if you want to see the parts of the Big Island that most visitors miss. You’re about twenty minutes from some incredible hiking trails, and the drive to Volcano National Park is totally doable without feeling like a major expedition. I discovered that staying here puts you in the perfect position for those early morning adventures — you know, the kind where you want to beat the crowds to the good spots. Plus, there’s something to be said for coming back to a place that feels like a retreat rather than just another hotel room after a long day of exploring.

Why Guests Love It

What keeps people coming back here isn’t fancy amenities or Instagram-worthy lobbies — it’s that genuine Hawaii experience that’s getting harder to find. The 8.7 rating makes perfect sense when you realize this place delivers exactly what it promises: a comfortable, authentic base for exploring the Big Island without the tourist markup. You’ll sleep well, wake up refreshed, and actually feel like you’re experiencing the real Hawaii rather than some sanitized resort version of it. Sometimes the best travel experiences come from places that don’t try too hard, and Lemon Tree Lanai gets that balance just right.

Lemon Tree Lanai Accommodations

Reviews of Lemon Tree Lanai

• Sigloff from Israel (9/10)

  Amazing host! Helpful and had all the knowledge about the location, which was close to the national park, black sand beach and the falls.
  The place itself is wonderful, quiet, and calming.
  Highly recommend!

• Maria from United States (9/10)

  Loved the remote location, screened in lanai, and lovely sounds of the rain forest. Host was very accommodating and thoughtful in their amenities and hospitality. The only thing that caught us off guard was no door (there was a curtain) separating the only toilet and bed which is not necessarily a problem if you are staying with people you are comfortable with. Overall, it was an amazing experience and lovely place to stay. Would stay here again and recommend to friends!

• Lau from Hong Kong (8/10)

  Kitchen, location

• Ami from New Zealand (9/10)

  Close to Volcano National Park, it was quiet, lots of info in the booklet about amenities in the area, had everything we needed – kitchen was fantastic, easy to follow instructions to find the home and super responsive host.

• Rachel from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Beautiful location in the lush rainforest. The sounds of the frogs and things at night were glorious, like your own natural sound machine. Nicely equipped place and fresh (beautifully scented) flowers placed in the bedroom and sitting area before we arrived was a lovely touch. Lovely host too! It is a rainforest so we did get got by some mozzies, but bug spray works wonders.
  
  Really nicely located for exploring volcanoes national Park, but also ventured off down to southernmost Point.

• David from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Really not too far from Hilo and Volcanos National Park. You really feel close to nature, with lots of relaxing noises from the frogs at night. Host was very easy to contact.

• Gunhild from Norway (9/10)

  It is like an beautiful oasis in the rainforest! On the lanai you will feel like you are IN the rainforest, while still being in a cosy living room, since it is protected with roof and screen walls. The location is rural and you need a car, but to us this was exactly the location we needed.

• Jerry from Netherlands (7/10)

  Location is a little remote but still close enough to the main road. Lots of beautiful flowers, pineappels, trees and lots of green. Perfect for a night and also with the little kitchen.

• Tao from United States (8/10)

  独立的小环境非常好，像置身于热带雨林里，晚上各种鸟叫虫鸣，起居室让人感觉非常温馨，有一个设施全面的小厨房，主人和狗狗们非常nice。

• Cinto from Spain (9/10)

Surroundings

Facilities