Waipi'o Lodge

This was an amazing experience, but it's not for everyone. First of all, it is a "hostel" - it's not a motel, and it's not a B&B. It is way off the beaten path, and is quaint. But, it has a lot going for it. First of all, it is minutes away from the Waipi'o Valley lookout. Even if you don't do a tour down to the valley, the lookout itself is a must-do. We were driving from Kona to Hilo, and wanted to stop midway for the night, and the location was perfect for that. The hostel itself was super clean, and cute. You have 3 bedrooms in the main building and two "tents" outside. I put the word tents in quotes because they are quite large with high ceilings and hardwood floors. Calling them tents is just not doing them justice. They are a bit more private than the rooms, so if that's important to you, or if you're traveling with kids, it might be a better option. As the descriptions says, you do share the bathrooms, but the number of people is small, and the place is kept very clean. It is really nice and quiet. The biggest attraction is the garden. As a guest, you are allowed to pick any fruit from the property. We had fresh tangerines, papayas, oranges, and some other exotic fruit I didn't recognize for breakfast. We also picked and roasted some macadamia nuts too. Everything was very delicious. The place is also well stocked with tea, coffee, and other essentials. There is a fridge and outdoor kitchen for people to use. We really enjoyed socializing with the other people staying there. If you're looking for a quiet and unique experience and the chance to taste some fresh fruit right off the tree, this is the place to go. If you need room service, it's not for you.