JOHN D.
March 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! The place is wonderful - the antithesis of cookie-cutter vacation rentals with lovely art and aesthetic flair. It's well equipped and maximizes the use of space. Highly recommended - we'll be back!
brian s.
March 2025
Every detail was well thought out. From parking (excellent) to communication, instant check in, and extras available like beach chairs and a cooler. Very clean and comfortable studio apartment with most everything you need. Even a nice grill to use.Hosts were available to answer questions and provide local tips and were very polite and respected our privacy.A quiet setting (except for the local frog population) and beautifully landscaped and maintained.A great stay. Easy access to beaches and Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
Lech J.
February 2025
Everything was excellent.
February 2025
One bedroom with the toilet room in the bedroom and the shower/sink off the kitchen. But it's rural, in a nice neighborhood, and the owner (the one we met) is very friendly. The place has a good low-key feeling. I would gladly stay there again.
Landyn B.
January 2025
Great little apartment with amenities. Jim and Kepi gave us insight on local happenings which were fun to attend! There was also snorkeling gear, boogie boards, cooler, chairs and an umbrella available for use! Over all great stay!
cindy h.
December 2024
The property is just as described and the host is very nice. Just a couple of things to consider: the toilet is very low, so if you have knee or back issues, this may not be your place. Also there is no air conditioning. We were absolutely fine, but I don’t know how hot it would be in the summer. The drive across the island is 1.5-2 hours, so plan ahead. Overall, I would stay here again. It was comfortable and safe.
Sandra P.
December 2024
Great location for trip to Volcano National Park and to Hilo and all it's waterfalls. Large rooms and cool enough with fans and no air-conditioning
Matthew H.
December 2024
Nice, relaxing, laid-back. Very very easy in and out.
James W.
November 2024
Unit is in a separate building with several units. Ours was the farthest to the left and very nice. The rain at night was slightly loud on the metal roof but not so that it was a problem. The location is good for activities in the area. Only regret is not meeting the host.
Barbara M.
October 2024
We loved our stay. It was clean. The outside is beautiful! Mahalo.
Nghia N.
September 2024
It’s actually the best place and host for me and my boyfriend. We had such a wonderful stay and awesome time. Lots to do yet more awaits for our next return. If i could give 10 stars, it’d definitely be 1000 stars. Perfect gorgeous place full of amenities especially the host did the laundry for us while we were out exploring. Come see the lava bedroom for yourself because I could sleep so much better inside such magical vibes
Linda H.
August 2024
Property grounds well maintained (Tropical Garden) with ample parking. Our apartment was neat, clean and efficient. The property owners live on site and were very friendly and helpful with any questions we had.
Edwin B.
June 2024
Had a great time staying here. Thank you
Susan T.
May 2024
Well positioned for volcano national park & viewing lava aftermath. Excellent directions given by owner, is quite a way out of Hilo. No beach access in area, coastline very rugged.
Property very dark due to lava rock used internally and low lighting (solar) not much air flow into bedroom even with use of fans.
Great shower, small kitchen 2 burner gas stove works well. Big fridge. Ice in freezer. TV & internet a bit slow but worked. Very quiet area, birds, very pretty gardens showing owners artistic side.
Rained everyday and most nights an umbrella would have been nice.
Jug for cold water was appreciated.
Toilet in bedroom did not bother us.
Overall an eclectic property had all the important things, fine for the money.
Stephen M.
April 2024
We were very please with our stay. The accommodations were perfect and our hosts were responsive. We did not have any issues at all, and the premise was equipped with everything we needed. The surrounding area was very quiet, clean, and safe. The garden was beautiful.
MacKenzie Z.
March 2024
My stay at this apartment was fantastic. The location was great. Close to Hilo for shopping, dining, and exploring the local sights, as well as to local beaches and Volcanoes National Park, yet the apartment itself was in a quiet area.
The apartment was clean upon arrival, and it had all the necessary kitchen essentials, beach towels, etc.. Would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a comfortable and convenient stay on the Big Island.
Patrick M.
March 2024
My wife and I greatly enjoyed staying here and it made a convenient place to stay near Hilo. It's in a nice peaceful neighborhood and you are serenaded by birds at night. One oddity you should be aware of is that the toilet is not in the bathroom but is instead in a curtained off alcove in the bedroom. That makes using the bathroom a bit inconvenient and can cause unpleasant smells in the bedroom. That was the only negative point though.
Scott A.
March 2024
Unusual one bedroom unit (in a good way - for me). Obviously owned by an artist (Kepi), some of whose art can be seen on the walls. Beautiful, clean and functional.
Greg F.
March 2024
Kepi's place was the perfect lush and beautiful home base for day trip adventures. We were grateful for a cooler to take with us on daily adventures and fun beach gear. The kitchen had everything needed for basic meals and the bed was really comfy. There was plenty of space for two people and appreciated having a closet and chest of drawers so we didnt have to live out suitcase. It was convenient to the beaches, Hilo and Volcanoes NP. Very clean interior and easy parking. Even with other units nearby, it was very private and no issues with noise..and could be a great space for larger group vacationing together.
Steve B.
February 2024
Easy access on the ground level. The kitchen had all we needed. Comfortable bed, Awesome shower, enjoy our host
Jana M.
February 2024
This was our second stay here. We love this cute, funky little apartment. Jim & Kepi are sweet, solid folks. We will be back!
Jonathan H.
February 2024
The attention to detail of this place is so great.
Everything was so well cared for and the decor is so cool you just want to hang out and make tiki drinks and chill. Highly recommend
Susan L.
January 2024
Very nice time in a convenient, colorful location.
Stephanie M.
December 2023
This is the second time we stayed here and it’s one of our favourites. Feels like a cottage in the jungle and really embraces the Hawaiian lifestyle. The lava apartment has everything you need to make your stay comfortable, and feels very private. Hosts are super friendly and you can tell they really care about their guests and property. Great communicators and welcoming.
Thanks for having us!
Jeffrey I.
December 2023
Great hosts. Nice garden. Comfy room and bed. Well equipped kitchen. Close to everything yet in the jungle. Spent 11 nights here in November. Will be back with family next year as there are options to house a family gathering.
Nissa K.
November 2023
We had the most amazing time at the Lava Apartment. The property is beautiful and has an enchanting garden, and the hosts were incredibly kind and helpful. We were very happy to have a kitchen, fridge, and shower that we could use as we liked, and the location was perfect! We were only a short drive from beautiful cliffside views and hiking trails. Keaau and Hilo are both close by and full of great places to eat and explore. Our hosts answered every question we had and were always so happy to help. We will definitely be coming back!
Kj T.
October 2023
Cute decor…Great little hidden gem…just wish it had AC.
Eleanor D B.
September 2023
Kilauea erupted while we were there, so that’s the highlight of our trip
Rachel C.
September 2023
The place was clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated. The host was so generous as to provide amenities such as coolers, beach towels, snorkeling and beach activity gear, bug spray, as well as the standard amenities you’d assume! We did a little bit of “cooking” (microwaving leftovers and cutting fruit) and it was lovely the amount of appliances and dishware provided. As this was our first time to Hawaii I hadn’t realized how far this unit was from most things, it was usually a 30-45 minute drive to anywhere we were looking to go since the unit’s sort of tucked in the middle of everything. We’re from a walkable city so this was simply an adjustment but no big deal just a heads up that it’s in a neighborhood, perhaps a foresight on my end! I will say the only part that wasn’t ideal for us is that in our unit, the toilet was INSIDE the bedroom with a canvas curtain as the “toilet door”, and the sink and shower in a separate room across the unit. Wasn’t a deal breaker for us but something to note from one shy bathroom person to another lol. Aside from that truly a lovely stay and I would certainly do it again! Great for young couples on a budget!
Ayush K.
August 2023
My friend and I absolutely loved our stay at Kepi and James's lava apartment. Kepi and James were on top of things to make sure our stay was comfortable. They showed us around the property and even took care of our laundry for us. We really enjoyed talking to them and getting to know them. Such a lovely couple. We will be back.
August 2023
It was close to Hilo and Volcano park, it was clean and private. Nice place to stay
Khamis B.
August 2023
My partner and I stayed on this beautiful property of Jim and K. It was comfortable bed, heard the noise of the insects which I miss a lot to hear. It is also convenient to go to volcano national parks and some falls near by. The place is clean and it feels home. I will recommend this please to my clients, family and friends
-Khamis and Marlon
David H.
July 2023
If you want a quiet, laid back experience this is the place… James and Kepi have created a one of a kind place with tropical landscaping and everything you need for an enjoyable and relaxing time… I stayed a week and moved to the Kona side for the last three day and regretted doing so… special place!
Bret S.
June 2023
Cute as advertised. Great ambiance. Rustic and cool
Caroline G.
April 2023
Great place! Clean, calm, convenient and well equipped. We loved our stay! Host where welcoming and gave good advices.
Lana A.
April 2023
A lovely place where we have stayed numerous times on our visits to the Big Island. The apartment is very clean and comfortable, decorated with a tropical vibe. The grounds are beautiful and lush. The hosts, Kepi and Jim, are so kind and helpful. We can’t wait to return to this slice of paradise!
Ashley Lauren W.
April 2023
I stayed here with my family and we had a great time. We were greeted with a cute, hand-written welcome sign and check-in was very easy. The owner came and introduced herself and gave us some great sightseeing tips. After sunset, the garden is light up and beautiful and was such am awesome surprise. We enjoyed being out in nature and listening to the frogs song all night.
Caroline B.
February 2023
I really enjoyed this place for an entire month. I didn't interact much with the hosts but they were very friendly and helpful. The location is quiet, lots of vegetation, yet close enough to quickly get on the highway. The unit was nicely and colorfully furnished and decorated with all he kitchen items you could possibly need. Nice dining table for two, sofa, and a very comfortable bed.. The only problem was sounds coming through the bedroom wall from another unit. Kepi said they will be improving the sound insulation. Would definitely stay again!
Audrea L.
January 2023
The hosts were wonderful, we enjoyed getting to meet them in person and talk with them about the area. They had great suggestions on what to do and where to go. The unit we stayed in had beautiful artwork, was clean, and had everything we needed. We will definitely be back again in the future.
Maria S.
November 2022
Jim and Kepi are adorable and their house is cozy, artistic and calm. Surrounded by a lovely garden, you will feel at home right away. Well-equipped and conveniently located, it's an ideal place to spend some days. Mahalo, we enjoyed every minute there!
John K.
October 2022
The owners have created a very nice, uniquely styled and comfortable place in the Lava House. The design might be considered "artsy" - which makes sense since the owner, Kepi, is an artist. But the art extends beyond her impressive paintings that hang on the wall, and include the various floor colors/designs (the bathroom floor is water, with a 3-dimensional quality). It all works, and you feel you're in a special place. Much better than a hotel at 2-5x the price.
And the grounds are beautiful too, nicely landscaped and worthy of a quick stroll - it all adds to the feeling of tranquility.
While everything may not be brand new, it is very clean and most everything you'd need is there (the only thing missing was an oven/toaster oven - shouldn't have bought that frozen pizza!).
I think there are 2 other rental units in the building (looked to be a good sized house, converted to apartments), but I only saw others very briefly. Maybe I got lucky when I visited, and the others were as quiet as me.
I was a little concerned by some other reviewers concerns about the toilet, I think at least one reviewer said it was in the living room. That isn't true, it's at the corner of the bedroom, in a slightly elevated area and is actually a separate room, but doesn't have a door, only a curtain, which is fine. Technically it's not a bathroom but a water closet - pretty common in much of the world. You have to walk around the corner, several feet through the living room, to get to the bathroom, which itself is good sized and includes a large shower. The walls of the water closet, and much of the rest of the unit, are solid, thick, lava rock (hence the name), and at night is dramatically lit, showcasing the deeply textured, dark surface.
Kepi, one of the owners stopped by and we had a nice conversation. It's her house (they live in the house in the back) so it's much better than dealing with some management company, and therefore has a more vested interest in your satisfaction, and it shows in every respect.
The property is at the top (a few minutes from the main drag, 130) of a large subdivision called Hawaiian Paradise Park, so it's easy to get around, from Kalapana (do the drive from road's end/the Smoothie Place to Isaac Hale Beach Park), to Hilo (Hamakua Coast North is incredibly scenic) to Volcano National Park.
All in all I loved the Lava House, and at this price point is an incredible value.
Alyssa S.
June 2022
I absolutely loved staying here and did not want to leave. Jim and Kepi really do an outstanding job and are so friendly. The grounds are so pretty and I loved the sound of the frogs and birds. The apartment had everything we needed. As some other reviewers mentioned that the toilet is in the bedroom but the bedroom has a door so it honestly was not that much of an adjustment. I would stay here again and again.
Howard W.
June 2022
Everything is there. Very comfortable unit. Convenient neighborhood to the Hilo side of the Island.
Ernie L.
May 2022
It worked out well.
Kelvin G.
May 2022
We’ve stayed here twice now and we will be coming back for a third time for sure!! We love Jim and Kepi and their wonderful paradise they built!!!
Cooper S.
February 2022
Everything was as described. Do be aware that the toilet is actually in the bedroom (with only a curtain, no door) which was a bit of an adjustment. Communication was a little lacking as well but otherwise comfortable
Kelly K.
February 2022
The lava shack was great! We had everything we needed and we loved the art and unique touches at Jim and Kepi’s. They were lovely and very helpful, would definitely recommend.
Alecia M.
January 2022
I loved the bright colors, paintings, and artwork! ( many of which were painted by the host, Kepi!) The decorative garden outside was lovely. There are tiny lizards everywhere, so don't be shocked if you find one inside. The toilet is in the bedroom and the sink and shower are in the bathroom. Loved having a kitchen and even the small courtesy items I hadn't thought about like tin foil and plastic wrap! Laundry is available for $6 a load, but they do it for you, not machines you can go use yourself. The location near Hilo is wonderful and there are not only local markets nearby, but Walmart is only a 15 minute drive away. Price is reasonable and I loved the feeling of the place. The only negative is the walls between units are very thin. I used a sleep white noise app to block out our neighbors. Other than that, it was a wonderful stay and I would definitely recommend it!
Ricci B.
November 2021
It was the bed, the mattress was comfortable but the sheets made me itch like something was in the bed with me so I slept on top of that comforter.
Brian B.
October 2021
Wonderful property.
Janet M.
January 2020
Loved the cottage. It was cozy and totally comfortable in every way. Kepi and Jimmy went out of their way to make us feel welcome in every way. Would return again in a heart beat.
Rita
January 2020
Wonderful place - very welcoming, uniquely artistic and super-relaxing. My husband and I really enjoyed staying here.
“A hui hou” ~ until we meet again.
Stephanie M.
December 2019
Loved this place! I can’t say enough good things about it. Very clean and we loved the overall feel of the property. Very easy to find our unit, with a nice welcome note on the surfboard where we parked. Jim was super friendly, there to answer any questions but still respectful of our privacy. The apartment had everything we needed and felt like home. A very cool artsy place and we would definitely stay here again! Thanks for having us Jim and Kepi!
Shawn G.
September 2018
Keppi and Jim are the best they make you feel right at home. The apartment vary clean and well equipped for your stay . I would not hesitate to stay there again. Thank you so very much.
Jen B.
January 2018
Kepi and Jim were great hosts. I spent 3 nights here. The apartment had everything one could need which was beautifully decorated including some paintings done by Kepi. I would recommend this apartment to everyone.
Laurel L.
January 2018
We enjoyed 2 weeks here. Kepi & Jim have many suggestions if needed to see Hawaii. The apartment if fully supplied for an extended stay.
Thank you for welcoming us. L & D
Brian N.
December 2017
I loved my stay at this property. The hosts are so great and friendly... we really felt at home right away. The bed is very comfortable and the shower is so spacious! The kitchen is equipped with everything you might need and parking is right in front of the door. Also, the artwork painted by Kepi inside were wonderful additions to the decor. I stayed here as I found an apartment on the island, but I'll certainly be back again! If this property is available, you should definitely book it.
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