Balmy weather. Turquoise ocean. Thunderous volcanos.
Hawaii offers tranquillity and drama in equal measure.
And if it’s the latter that’s a priority, then this is the perfect hotel. Because it has been well-rated for its ‘outstanding views’ of glowing lava and smoking caldera by tourists.
Welcome to Volcano House, which sits at 4,000 feet (1,219m) above sea level in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site that’s 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 nearly continuous eruption, having blown more than 60 times since the 1800s – including three times in 2023 alone – and the hotel offers travellers 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 king or queen-sized 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 spits lava.
Volcano House sits at 4,000 feet (1,219m) above sea level in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site that’s home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa
The Rim at Volcano House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a view of the ‘billowing Halema’uma’u Crater’
‘At night the lights are dimmed in the sitting areas (right) to allow for the best possible view of the lava glow (left),’ said reviewer ‘KICon’ of Volcano House
The rooms come with coffeemakers 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’s set up and taken down by resort staff.
Those who want to feel immersed 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 come with bedding and al fresco dining tables as well as access to BBQs 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 with a view of the ‘billowing Halema’uma’u Crater’ and Uncle George’s Lounge serves light snacks, local beers and signature cocktails.
Glowing reviews for the resort have been posted on Tripadvsior, with ‘KICon’ remarking that it offers ‘outstanding views of the main attraction from the lush green spaces outside the rooms as well the common areas off the foyer and two on-site restaurants’.
They add: ‘At night, the lights are dimmed in the sitting areas to allow for the best possible view of the lava glow. Some rooms have direct access to the grassy areas overlooking the smoking caldera.
‘Numerous trails to steam vents, Sulphur vents and lookouts begin and end at Volcano House but be sure to take a wet weather jacket as the rainforest surrounds can be prone to drizzle and mist. Not a cheap experience, but one well worth indulging in to marvel at nature’s display.’
‘Sunny1’, from the UK, added: ‘I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of our room as it’s the only hotel by the rim.
‘It has an impressive history and has been comfortably decorated and even had chairs outside our window so we could sit and view the volcano. It was cold and misty part of our time here, but the room was cosy.’
‘Vacation60872538314’ said: ‘It’s pricey, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Absolutely worth it.
Those who want to feel immersed 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 pricey, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience’
LEFT: Lava entering the ocean from the Hawaii National Volcano Park. RIGHT: A lava field close to the Volcano House hotel
‘The hotel itself is nothing special, but I would stay there again. Being able to 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 approximately a 30 to 40-minute drive from Hilo airport.
Guests will need to pay for park entry to access the accommodation – $15.00–$30.00 (£12.36 to £24.72). Rooms start at $337 (£278), campers from $95 (£78) and campground tents from $40 (£33) per night (or $15 (£12.36) if you bring your own tent).
Visit: hawaiivolcanohouse.com.
