Warm weather. Turquoise sea. Thundering volcanoes.
Hawaii offers tranquility and drama in equal measure.
And if it is the latter that is a priority, then this is the perfect hotel. Because it is well regarded for its ‘outstanding views’ of glowing lava and smoking caldera by tourists.
Welcome to Volcano House, located at 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above sea level in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site it is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa – as well as the Chain of Craters Road, lava fields, steam vents and lush rainforest.
Kilauea exists in a state of near-continuous eruption, having blown more than 60 times since the 1800s — including three times in 2023 alone — and the hotel offers travelers the chance to wake up on the rim of its Halemaumau Crater.
The park resort, which one reviewer described as ‘cosy’, boasts historic hotel rooms with queen or queen-size beds, as well as family rooms with sofa beds.
Standard rooms are decorated with “rustic cabin accents,” according to the property’s website, while volcano view rooms have windows that look out onto the caldera — the large crater created when a volcano erupts or collapses — which often spews lava. spit.
Volcano House sits at 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above sea level in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa
The Rim at Volcano House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner – overlooking the ‘rolling Halema’uma’u Crater’
“At night, the lights in the seating areas (right) are dimmed to allow for the best possible view of the lava glow (left),” said reviewer ‘KICon’ of Volcano House
The rooms have coffee makers filled with local coffee and holidaymakers will also benefit from island mimosas on arrival – and an ‘evening cookie service’.
Volcano House also has spaces in the national park’s Namakanipaio campground, where you can sleep in a tent that is set up and taken down by resort staff.
Those who want to feel like they’re in the park but don’t want to sleep on the ground can rent a Namakanipaio Camper Cabin. The 10 ‘rustic’, one-room wooden cabins sleep one to four guests and have bedding and al fresco dining tables as well as access to braai facilities and campfires.
The hotel’s bar, Uncle George’s Lounge, serves cocktails with a view of the volcano
LEFT: Standard rooms are decorated with “rustic cabin accents,” according to the property’s website. RIGHT: Uncle George’s Lounge
There are several dining options on site – The Rim at Volcano House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the ‘rolling Halema’uma’u Crater’ and Uncle George’s Lounge serves light snacks, local beer and signature cocktails .
Glowing reviews for the resort have been posted on Tripadvsiorwith ‘KICon’ noting that it offers ‘outstanding views of the main attraction from the lush green spaces outside the rooms as well as the communal areas off the lobby and two on-site restaurants’.
They add: ‘At night, the lights in the seating areas are dimmed to allow the best possible view of the lava glow. Some rooms have direct access to the grassy areas overlooking the smoking caldera.
‘Several trails to steam vents, Sulfur Vents and viewpoints start and end at Volcano House, but be sure to wear a wet weather jacket as the rainforest environment can be prone to drizzle and fog. Not a cheap experience, but one worth savoring to marvel at nature’s show.’
‘Sunny1’, from the UK, added: ‘I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of our room as it is the only hotel along the edge.
‘It has an impressive history and is comfortably decorated and even had chairs outside our window so we could sit and view the volcano. It was cold and foggy part of our time here, but the room was cosy.’
‘Vacation60872538314’ said: ‘It’s expensive but it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Absolutely worth it.
Those who want to feel like they’re in the park but don’t want to sleep on the ground can rent a Namakanipaio Camper Cabin, as seen above.
One reviewer said of Volcano House: ‘It’s expensive, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience’
LEFT: Lava entering the ocean from Hawaii National Volcanoes Park. RIGHT: A lava field near the Volcano House hotel
‘The hotel itself is nothing special, but I would stay there again. Can you see the glow of lava from your hotel room? Priceless!’
Volcano House can be found on Crater Rim Drive on Hawaii’s Big Island (Moku o Keawe). It’s best to rent a car to get to the park, with the resort about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Hilo Airport.
Guests will need to pay park admission to access the accommodation – $15.00–$30.00 (£12.36 to £24.72). Rooms start at $337 (£278), campers from $95 (£78) and campsite tents from $40 (£33) per night (or $15 (£12.36) if you bring your own tent).
Visit: hawaiivolcanohouse.com.
