The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls - Hilo

a gorgeous place to stay. The surroundings are incredible...but it takes a while to get there, and to figure out where your room is. Otherwise, perfect.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Unbelievably beautiful..... and, I am a local so I have seen a lot of beautiful places. I love that they use the falls to generate electricity. They use an electric car. The coffee was made with sweet rainwater and we had scrambled eggs, tomato and basil from the garden and macadamia nut waffles! The have a tiny bit of their own paradise that they have […] shared with us. Many thanks. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

check in routine is unusual hotel is hard to find get there in day light beautiful sight of water fall no hot water in shower no tv no A/C breakfast was excellent coulld not connect to wifi mold in bathroom

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Been to HI a few times, including the Big Island. Do yourself a favor. For what you'll pay for one of the big chain resorts north of Kona plus taxes and fees, head over to the Hilo side and stay at Kulaniapia. About a ten-minute private road drive from downtown, the location is breathtaking, right next to a waterfall that's more impressive than Rainbow […] or Boiling Pots. Len and Jane have a great philosophy as innkeepers, very laid back and user-friendly. We stayed in the Pagoda, and I kind of wish I could live there, it's that cool. Photos don't do the place justice. OK so it may not be for everyone, especially if you're traveling with several kids and want to keep them occupied. If you want the all-inclusive resort experience, you can no doubt find it. But the vibe at Kulaniapia is authentic and unique, the experience is about as relaxing and as far from stress as is humanly possible. The bed begs to be slept in, all rooms were spotless, the kitchen stocked with fruit and some breakfast basics. Simple and perfect, just enough indulgent. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The setting here is amazing. You drive through quaint macadamia nut farms to get to the hotel which is on top of a hill overlooking Hilo, with a waterfall outside your window. I stayed in the King Kamehameha room, which has a private balcony and view of the falls. Breakfast was a delightful combo of macadamia waffles, fresh fruit and toast and you eat […] on the porch next to the falls. There are trails around the grounds where you can walk down to the river through the bamboo garden. Was a lovely, lovely stay! Read more

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We had a wonderful time at the Inn and we really enjoyed the beauty of the falls. What a special treat! We will definitely stay there again!!! The only thing needed was a small refrigerator.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Just like having a little slice of heaven. Our host was Eli, and he and the Inn are best yet! Just beautiful and service was at a new level. This is a must stay location near Hilo.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

unique setting, very laid back. road is well signed, but we got there in the day light which really helped, since it is on a bumpy one lane road. bamboo garden is tranquil. we would stay here again

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

If you are looking for a beutiful place right next to a large waterfall, look no further! This place is amazing! It is in excellent condition and is worth every penny!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is located on beautiful grounds right next to a waterfall. The interior and decor are new and high end (similar to a five star hotel). The breakfast was delicious and service was friendly. This was the best surprise of our vacation in Hawaii!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fantastic experience and location of Hotel is wild. Heart warming staffs receive us. Waffle for breakfast is very delicious.

Genuine Expedia guest review

It's all about the view. The waterfall is amazing. And really, there don't seem to be any great hotels in Hilo, so this is just as good as the rest. It's beautiful up there.

Genuine Expedia guest review

The inn was a great romantic getaway from town. Everyone here was very friendly. We felt like we were guests at a friend's house rather than customers at a hotel. The drive to the inn gives way to how secluded and beautiful the stay is going to be. The falls seem to be right outside our window. They have two little garden trails to take a quiet hike […] through. Great service, beautiful scenery. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

nice bed and breakfast - a bit out of Hilo but still close enough to go to town for dinner. Breakfast was made to order by a very nice host.

Genuine Expedia guest review

We had no idea just how remote this place was when we rented it. If you want to be miles away from it all this place is for you!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The view of the waterfall and the surrounding rain forrest were well worth the trip.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

From reading other reviews and looking over their website, I was very excited to stay at the Inn. Once I arrived my expectations were exceeded. We got in late but there was no problems, my name and room were written on a board by the door and the key was in the door to my room. After a great night's sleep we awoke to the sounds of the waterfall. Lexi […] (who makes great eggs and has good advice about the island) was already beginning to prepare breakfast, so we went for a short hike down to see the waterfall, which was an absolutely fabulous way to start the day. The Inn sits in a lush green forest with 3 beautiful waterfalls and a bamboo garden along a nature trail. We returned to a wonderful breakfast before we headed out on our adventures. I would definitely stay here again if I return to the big island and definitely recommend it for anyone else lucky enough to go there too. Read more

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Beautiful setting, quiet, and relaxing. A little off the beaten path if you want to go into Hilo for dinner. Would definitely stay again and recommend.

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. From the frog sounds that greeted us when we arrived the first night, to swimming in our own private waterfall on our last morning there, our whole stay was delightful. Our bed was super comfy, our breakfast was delish....it was great!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I would stay there again. I arrived there after dark and the place is very difficult to find. There are signs, but there are small and I didn't see any at night. I was thinking of sleeping in the car until I finally found the place. At breakfast, two other guest said they difficult time finding the the place. I have three suggestions. 1. Put a large […] sign identifying the B & B at the road entering the property that is readable at night. 2. Put a printable detail map on the web site. ID the buildings and the rooms therein. 3. Add a laundry room. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This bed and breakfast has stunning views of the hilo bay area. It is just a short hike down to some of the best waterfalls in the area, don't wear flip-flops. It is a beautiful drive through several surrounding farms to get to it. Rooms were clean, but there is no AC. It was a little warm when we were there, but the temperature drops at night and the […] ceiling fan sufficed. Our innkeeper made an amazing breakfast for us!! Omelets, waffles, fresh fruit! If you are in the Hilo Bay area, this is the place to stay! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We rented the Pagoda Guest house at the Inn. The view is breath-taking. You roll to one side in the HUGE clean, bed and see a 120 ft. waterfall out your window. The sounds weren't too loud, rather they were soothing. We slept like the dead. My husdband and I enjoyed the Falls, swam in them and took many photos. If you rent the Pagoda you have your own […] breakfast in the fridge to cook, with fresh Kona coffee to brew, too. The only thing we thought could be changed, was the fact that their wasn't sausage or bacon. Otherwise, we'll be returning to this slice of Heaven. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Amazing place for a stay at a relaxing bed and breakfast. After driving through shady downtown Hilo, you make a turn and out of nowhere start driving all the way up to the top of a mountain. There you stay in one of the Japanese pagoda style buildings, in a clean and relaxing room. We had our windows open so we could hear the waterfall all night. In […] the morning we woke up to a great home cooked breakfast in the kitchen down the hall from your room. Then we took a walk down by the beautiful waterfall and through the bamboo garden. Overall a great place for a nice relaxing stay. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A bit of a challenge to find, but one could not ask for a more beautiful setting. Rooms are tiny and sparse, and we found sand in our bed. Were the sheets not changed? They seem to be coasting on the fact they are in an amazing setting, because everything else about this inn ranges from so-so to mediocre at best.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was clean and comfortable. Breakfast was delicious and the girl making it was very helpful in providing ideas for things for us to do in the area. The grounds are gorgeous. There's not only a waterfall, but a bamboo garden. The only downfall is it is not easy to get to. It's up a long, one lane (but not one way!) road and is not lit at all […] at night. The GPS got us there fine, but we were convinced that it was leading us astray. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This Inn was beautiful. There is a path that goes down to the base of the waterfall and along the river then back up through a beautiful bamboo garden with several rare bamboo types. We stayed in the King Kamehameha room, it was beautifully decorated with Asian style furnishings, with a covered lanai that over looked the falls. My only issue was that […] there was only a shower, no bath, but that was minor. The Inn is powered entirely from electricity generated by the falls. There is a spa house that has a hot tub and a massage room. Swimming is available (with permission) in the pond below the falls. Free WiFi is provided along with a communal computer in the shared room along with coffee/tea, and a TV. There are no TVs in the rooms. A continental style breakfast is made daily. Yoga is available 3 times a week for free also. I wish we had booked more than one night here, the atmosphere was great and the innkeepers were pleasant. It did take 10-20 minutes to get into Hilo proper from the Inn, but that also meant we were that much more removed from the city. In my opinion it was well worth the travel time. The koi pond out from is amazing and Coco, the owner's dog is super sweet. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The most zen experience I have ever had! The bamboo garden and waterfall are spectacular. We were treated to a lovely home-cooked breakfast and then took advantage of the free yoga class. Pure bliss!

Genuine Expedia guest review

It is an excellent bread and break fast inn, close to downtown and Volcanic National park. Very scenic and pretty with good service

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Personal attention with an excellent 'home cooked' breakfast was a surprise. View of falls was worth the ride up the narrow road. Should note that you need to return to town to each (15 minutes each way) but the suggested restaurant was superb.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Wonderful afternoon and night at the inn. Breakfast was superior.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

If you plan on visiting the Big Island and plan to spend some time in Hilo book a night here :-) We stayed in the Harmony House in the Pikake room with a great view of the fall. Lea was a wonderful Inn keeper, breakfast was wonderful and the grounds were absolutely beautiful! We stayed nine nights and it was our home away from home.

Genuine Expedia guest review

If you are anywhere near Hilo and are staying for a few days, you simply must stay here. How cool is staying on a waterfall AND at one of the best Bamboo gardens? Its certainly a 5-Star location, but it definitely is not a big resort hotel, so frame your expectations accordingly. Bring bug spray, as this is definitely one of the locations on the Big […] Island with mosquitos. Also, you really need a GPS or Smart Phone navigator to find the place the first time -- once there, its actually easy to get back and forth to Hilo. No regrets staying, and will stay again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A truly lovely place.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The retreat like sanctuary is wonderful - nestled deep into the Hawaiian hills, bamboo garden, innkeeper and staff are extremely nice and friendly, and of course it's got it's own waterfall. What's also nice is that the drive isn't too far from downtown Hilo. BUT a lot of things are overlooked at this place. The bathrooms looked newly renovated (marble […] counters, new tile), but previously used holes for the towel rack were just spackled over and exposed. We found two contacts and hair still on the floor. The King Kamehameha room wasn't worth "the view" - you get a narrow view of the falls (better than anyone else's room), but you can easily go to the common patio for a much better view. Overall, the stark contrast between innkeeper's area and guests area makes you feel like they're not putting the money back into the inn itself. Pros: beautiful location, friendly staff, laid back / plentiful provisions. Cons: not well maintained / cleaned, feeling a bit lack of value. Just a note: you basically check in yourself, so there's no one to bother you, but there's no one to greet you either. All in all - any room will do at this inn (it's actually brighter in the mornings in the princess rooms (non queen / king rooms) and they're the same size; not really worth more than a night's stay; and go with the flow. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is a gorgeous location, with direct view to the Kulaniapia Falls from many of the rooms and from the terrace of the hotel. The room was elegant, with a small balcony overseeing the falls, but far from a hotel standard (no TV - TV is only in the common area). Not that with such a beautiful landscape one would need to see TV, but it is quite a standard […] to have one. The furniture is very stylish. The bathroom is also quite small. Everything is nice and clean, but the building is not in the best shape - the humidity starts to take its toll on the wooden part. But even so, the landscape, the sound of the cascade and the sound of night creatures when it gets dark are phenomenal. The cascade is very close and one can take a bath in the lake at its base, but one needs to climb the rocks to get to the water. Overall, I don't think there is anywhere else a hotel/inn so nicely placed. If you go to Hilo, that's the place to stay. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

What a wonderful place.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hello all my fellow worms. So glad to say that there is finally a hotel for us that we can enjoy. Great amenities for any worm: Cable TV, a new computer and high-speed internet, kitchen, living room, upstairs bedroom and two bathrooms. Enough to satisfy the most demanding insect. Plenty of space to squirm around also...don't worry about any humans. […] They'll quickly leave once they see that we've taken over the entire place. Also, if you get lonely all you've to do is turn on the lights and plenty of wormy friends will appear en masse..through the light fixtures, under the floor, you won't be lonely for long my wormy friends! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Tucked into the Hilo hillside, the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is a 3-building compound set amongst Macadamia nut farmland. We shared our house with four other residents who shared stories and travel plans over free range local eggs, coffee, Hawaiian taro bread, Macadamia nut waffles, and fresh fruit -- all prepared and made to order by our knowledgeable […] innkeeper. Having a local guide to bounce travel ideas off of was invaluable. "Oh, that's a beautiful beach," she'd say while scrambling your cheesy eggs, "but if you take this dirt road you'll find a secluded volcanically-heated pool to swim in on the way there." Or, "keep walking beyond where most tourists stop and you'll find an abandoned run-down haunted resort. Bring a flashlight!" Or, "just so you're aware, that's a nude beach." All helpful information. Oh, and the waterfall. They own a waterfall! You can go visit it at the end of one of the two private walking paths on site. If you find yourself in Hilo, find yourself here. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The inn sits in the middle of a macadamia nut farm a few miles northwest of Hilo. The surrounding countryside is very scenic, not to mention the falls themselves, which rival the beauty of many public spots. However, some care is needed on the single lane roads on the property to avoid getting stuck when meeting oncoming vehicles. The sound of the falls […] provides a relaxing backdrop for sleeping. The room was clean and comfortable, although the description specified a king-size but instead had a queen-size. The included cook-to-order breakfast was prepared by cheerful staff and offered fresh local fruit and great macadamia nut waffles. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Interesting place. Not one to stay at bed and breakfasts, did not know what to expect. Our room was clean and had a nice view of the falls. There was no A/C or TV in the room. There was internet downstairs in the main room. Breakfast was made and was good. Hosts were very nice and the grounds were nice. A little out of the way to get to, but between […] google maps and their signs, we found it. Good place to stay if you are staying in Hilo. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Magnificent setting! After recent rains, the waterfall was splendid and we could both see and hear it from our room. The owners of 20 years must have had their work cut out for them, clearing, planting, and creating some beautiful paths that go down to the waterfall and follow the river. Had it been warmer and sunnier, we would have loved to swim in […] the natural pool at the base of the falls. I strongly recommend getting there before dark, because the road leading to the Inn is well pot-holed in one section, narrow and dark as it passes through what is largely an agricultural area. That's not a critcism, it just is what it is. The owners were nice enough, but not nearly as engaging as those of other B&B's in which we've stayed--almost seemed kind of distant. In general, the exterior of the main building, decks, patios and stairs could use some work--maybe a good power-washing and some paint. Muddy boots left on the front porch of the owners entrance didn't make a good first impression. Our room, on the other hand, was clean and decorated nicely. We met some nice folks from around the country over a breakfast on the lanai of fresh waffles or eggs cooked to order. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

I recent stayed at the Inn with my husband and two children (7 and 8). What a treat! The inn keepers where kind and helpful and not overwhelming! The property is spectacular with 3 separate buildings and a spaa all surrounding by 20 acres of macadamian nut farm, a lovely bamboo garden and of course the waterfall! Located right outside downtown Hilo […] it was a fantastic stop for us as we toured around the island. The room was clean, cozy and spacious. The breakfast was fantastic with items used from the local farm! Highly, highly recommend! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Not too far out of town, but we got lost. Pretty drive to hotel, beautiful gardens, bamboo garden was amazing and view from bottom so peaceful. The property was very well maintained and beautiful. We did not see anybody from the Inn during our stay. We got there, our key was in our door, nobody to welcome us, we had to leave early and would have liked […] to have breakfast a little earlier, but we had to go search for the property manager, so we just skipped breakfast. Would have been nice to have some interaction with somebody running the Inn. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review