Holualoa Inn
When researching hotels on the Hawaii’s biggest island, aptly named: Big Island, we came across a number of typical 5-star luxury resorts. While I love me a 5-star resort, we were looking for something more… intimate and special. Somewhere cosy and personal, where we didn’t need to see throngs of tourists slathering on sunblock by the pool or waddle down a long hallway to find our room, one amidst dozens per floor all sterile-y similar.
When we stumbled across the Holualoa Inn, in all of its quaint and quietly beautiful glory, we knew this was exactly what we were looking for.
Perched 1,400 feet above sea level, the Holualoa Inn was the perfect backdrop for a refreshing romantic getaway trip for the hubby and I, after what felt like years of grinding away in our new jobs.
Once a historic house built in the 1970’s by a publisher of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser newspaper, the 30-acre plantation-style estate was then converted into a bed-and-breakfast a decade later. Today this cosy home features six unique guests rooms and suites and an external private cottage.
The moment we stepped into the Holualoa Inn, we felt right at home — not an easy ambiance to create! The home was furnished with beautifully restored pieces from around the world. Ancient bells from Mongolia, buddha statues from Thailand, adornments from Belize; all brought together tastefully. As we made our way through the house admiring the beautifully polished eucalyptus floors to the posterior, we were met with the breathtaking sprawling views of the Kona coastline.
The common areas scattered throughout the property featured all the amenities of a hotel but the sharing culture of a friend’s home — BBQ grill, guest kitchen, pool, gardens, living and sitting rooms. All meals were prepared with the freshest ingredients, home grown or locally sourced. Even the coffee was from their signature Kona coffee farm.
This bed-and-breakfast was absolutely the highlight of our trip to Big Island. We did have one regret though — not staying longer!
Hotel:
76-5932 Mamalahoa Highway
Holualoa, HI 96725
808-324-1121 | reservations@holualoainn.com
