Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
I recommend spending at least 3 days here to really see and enjoy the park. For
a family, the best way to do this is to rent a cottage or house, and the best rental
agency is
Hawaii Volcano Vacations
, P.O. Box 913, Volcano, HI 96785
(
&
800/709-0907
or 808/967-7271; www.hawaiivolcanoevacations.com).
Manager Aurelia Gutierrez selects only the top cottages, cabins, and houses in
Volcano and makes sure that they are perfect for you. Extremely reasonably
priced, her units range from $95 to $175, and each one is outfitted with full
kitchen, outdoor grill, cooler, flashlight, umbrella, and fresh flower arrangement
for your arrival.
The
Guest House at Volcano
(
&
808/967-7775;
www.volcanoguest
house.com) is a terrific cottage that rents for just $85 double. It's an ideal place
to stay with the kids: completely child-proofed and complete with toys (even a
basketball hoop). It has two twin beds and a queen in the upstairs bedroom, a
sofa bed in the living room, a full kitchen, and a backyard forest trail that goes
all the way through 2 miles of tropical rainforest to the Thurston Lava Tube in
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Other great family options include
Hiiaka House
(
&
877/967-7990
or
808/967-7990; www.volcanoplaces.com), a 1930s three-bedroom home that
sleeps up to six. It's tucked in the rainforest and rents for $135 double (2-night
minimum). Check out their website for other cabins, some as low as $95 a
night. The
Log Cabin
(
&
808/262-7249;
www.crubinstein.com) is a century-
old ohia log cabin for the young at heart, for just $100 for four and $125 for
six. A third option for families is the
Volcano Teapot Cottage
(
&
808/967-
7112;
www.volcanoteapot.com), a quaint, renovated 1914 two-bedroom cot-
tage, decorated with one-of-a-kind antiques, complete with hot tub spa in the
forest out back and renting for $150 double.
MODERATE
Carson's Volcano Cottage
Not only a B&B (with a few rooms that will
accommodate a small family), Carson's also rents several cottages and houses.
(Some even have their own hot tubs and freestanding fireplaces.) Plus, you and
the kids get to enjoy the hearty breakfasts that are served every morning. On our
last visit, I found that some of the units were showing their age and the new
owners are repainting, renovating, and replacing things as quick as they can to
bring the property back to its normal tip-top shape. Note that the three cottages
do not have private phones and TVs, so if that's important to you, book one of
the houses.
P.O. Box 503 (in Mauna Loa Estates, 501 6th St., at Jade Ave.), Volcano, HI 96785.
&
800/845-5282
or
808/967-7683. Fax 808/967-8094. www.carsonscottage.com. 11 units (3 with shower only). $110 double,
$125 suite, $125-$165 cottage, $125-$135 house. Extra person $15. Children 2 and under stay free in par-
ent's room. Rates include full buffet breakfast. Cribs free, futons $15. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Jacuzzi.
Inroom:Kitchen in some units, fridge, coffeemaker.
INEXPENSIVE
Hale Ohia Cottages
Take a step back in time to the 1930s. Here
you'll have a choice of suites, each with private entrance, located in the main res-
idence or a cottage. There are also four guest cottages, ranging from one bed-
room to three. The surrounding botanical gardens contribute to the overall
tranquil ambience of the estate. They were groomed in the 1930s by a resident
Japanese gardener, who worked with the natural volcanic terrain but gently
tamed the flora into soothing shapes and designs. The lush grounds are just a
mile from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Finds
