Bamboo Orchid Cottage Bed & Breakfast

My boyfriend and I booked a room in Volcano not realizing it was a secluded part of the Big Island. On top of that, our car rental fell through, and we were stuck without transportation in an area that is almost impossible to get around without a car, as the roads are narrow and dark at night and dangerous to walk on.
However, things greatly improved when we met our innkeeper, Gary. We might have struggled our first night of arrival, but the days following were absolutely amazing. Gary offered very useful information and recommendations about things to do and places to eat. He even offered to «shuttle» us around the Volcano area until we got our transportation situated. Thanks to Gary, we were able to pick up a car in Hilo (approx. 50 min drive). And thanks to Gary, we weren’t stuck in our room, wallowing in self-​pity, or eating packaged food our entire vacation!
Speaking of room, ours was great. We were told that each room had its own fireplace, which absolutely came in handy with the colder and wetter weather in Volcano. Our room was clean and absolutely adorable. In the mornings, we had a nice breakfast spread awaiting us. From bagels and English muffins, to papaya bowls and Hawaiian sweet bread, treats were plentiful and a great way to start each morning.
We can’t thank Gary enough for his hospitality, world-​class service, and pleasant personality.

We stayed in the Kipuka room for two nights while we explored Volcano National Park and nearby areas. Although Gary, the owner, was not there when we arrived, there was a note on the door that gave us clear instructions and relaxing music playing in our room which was a very nice welcome touch. The room was small but cozy and very tastefully decorated (the bed was pretty soft, though). The room had a nice little balcony area looking out into the trees. Breakfast was excellent with so many choices of breads, jams, and cheeses, and of course, the famous papaya boat, which we enjoyed in the company of Gary and his other house guests.
If we’re in the area, we’ll stay here again.

My girlfriend and I really like this place. It is a cozy little house inside the forest, very secluded and quiet. We stayed in the Kipuka room, which was perfect for the two of us. The papaya boat breakfast every morning at 8:00 AM was also very nice. Gary was also very friendly to talk to and offered suggestions on where to go and what to see on our last day of stay.
I have a hard time understanding why some of the reviewers below gave it such a low score. I found the bed to be very comfortable, at least it was for Kipuka room. Also it had electric heaters to heat up the bed, which was immensely useful for my stay there in December.
The only improvement I would like to see is that maybe upgrade the hot water tank. I literally had to let the water running for a minute or so before it heats up. I hate wasting all the water like that.

Gary l, the Inn keeper, was super nice. He prepares delicious papaya bowl for us every morning, provides directions and advices for us whenever needed. The place itself was comfortable and clean. We got electric heating blankets on the bed. :) The only negative things I would say is that the room was a little cold and you need to keep the water running for a bit entail it gets hot.

Stayed here for a few days while exploring the southern and eastern coasts of the Big Island. What a charming B&B! It’s located in a rainforest section of Volcano and only 5 miles from Volcanoes National Park. Gary is a kind and informative innkeeper. Although I had a good start, Gary helped me organize our ambitious itinerary. He also suggested several great restaurants. The papaya boats for breakfast were delicious! The room in which we stayed, the Enchanted Forest, was large and relaxing. The heated mattress pad was very welcome during the cooler nights. It was so nice waking up to the gentle chirping of such songful birds in the morning! The communal hot tub was very relaxing after a day of hiking. We will definitely be back!

The bed in our room was horrible, and the owner’s (Garry) attitude made things worst. He simply doesn’t care and customer service/​satisfaction is an unknown concept to him.
His response to the issue with the bed was a series of excuses, ranging from absurd to comedic. He never offered a solution, sent me a text message around 6 p.m. saying that he had to eat and go to sleep and disappeared.
Don’t expect much of the breakfast either, especially if you’re not planning on getting up with an alarm clock on your vacation and being there exactly at 8 a.m. I suppose leaving the bagels out passed 8 must be a major inconvenience.
Other annoyances include the check-​in form he hands you, that asks for your personal information (including your credit card number, expiration date and security code) and the shower that requires you to waste many gallons of water before it gets hot.
I know choices are limited in volcano, but I’d go anywhere else.

The owner is the rudest person. Never willing to make his guests happy always making them feel is a burden for him. The worst part was the bed. The second night my neck and back hurt so much I slept on the floor since it was better than the horrible bed. It was a nightmare!!! Would never stay here again even if they pay me!
If I could I would give negative 3 stars!!! It’s really the worst experienced. If Gary’s goal is to make his guests uncomfortable and not welcomed then he is doing a pretty good job!

Gary is a wonderful host. Excellent home very clean and well equipped. Will return for our next vacation to volcano.

We saw all the great reviews and booked a 2 night stay through
for the enchanted forest studio. I booked that room because it seemed perfect for the two of us and had a balcony and fireplace. I just happened to email the place the day before we were coming to say we would be there late due to our flight not getting in until 8pm. I get an email back letting me know I did not get the room I wanted because someone booked it directly on their site. I was told I was «upgraded». The email contained instructions on how to find the place because it was off site several blocks away. It was hard to find at night, and did not have the charm of the room I booked (and already paid for, I might add). We were so disappointed that we packed our bags the next morning and headed to the main lodge for the breakfast. We planned to just find another place when Gary, the onsite host, said the people in the room we actually booked were checking out, so we could have it. He also set it up with some goodies to make up for our troubles. It was nice after a day of hiking. However, DO NOT book through
with this place unless you contact them directly as well. The administrator blamed the mishap of confirming I got the room I wanted and the lack of communication on how they work with
. This may be true… however, the first night was not a good experience at all.
The second night was lovely and just what we expected based on the reviews. I would give it 4 stars based on the second night… but with the way this was handled for the first night (whether it was their issue
or a combo) I had to give it 2 stars and a warning to contact them directly, no matter how you book.
Oh… and the jacuzzi was not working.

After regretting that I made the decision to stay near the Volcano’s National Park late (all the rooms were booked), I was able to find a room at this place.
Now I used the Big Island Revealed book and it did not recommend this place but boy it was great! The rooms were extremely clean and cozy. The manager, Gary, was very friendly and the breakfast was well timed and well done.
If I ever decide to come back to the Big Island and need to stay at a B and B, this place will be it!

Great place super close to the volcano visitor center. The inn keeper, Kathy, is sweet and helpful with volcano things to do and restaurants in town. We stayed in Wild Orchid. Fireplace in room was nice as was electric mattress warmer. Breakfast was really good; fresh fruit parfait, pastries, juices.

Our family of four stayed in The Enchanted Studio room. It was a little tight (the kids were on the day bed and trundle), but it worked really well. Kathy was warm and helpful and her papaya fruit boats for breakfast were scrumptious. This is our second time staying in Volcano and the Bamboo Orchid is perfectly located — only a couple of miles from the National Park and about 30 miles from Hilo and Puna.

We recently spent 3 nights in the «Enchanted Forest Studio» loft. It’s a large room separate from the main house; built above the garage, so it’s nice and private. Has a dry bar area with microwave and refrigerator. Room has a fireplace, and an extra daybed in addition to a queen. The outdoor hot tub is really nice since this is a wet and chilly location (it is a rain forest!). Breakfast was wonderful; I loved the fresh papaya fruit boats. Be sure to ask Kathy if she can make her cinnamon waffles one day while you’re there! Yum. Kathy is a GREAT host; she’s warm and friendly, definitely knows how to get a table conversation started, then sits back and lets everyone get to know each other and share experiences. She’s very knowledgeable about the island and the volcano area, and happy to offer suggestions on things to do, places to eat, where to shop, and even to loan you any last minute items you might need (she had umbrellas, rain capes, and even gave us some distilled water for a CPAP since all the local stores closed by 7). This was a lovely B&B, and overall was a wonderful experience. We WILL stay here again if /​when we ever return to Volcano or Hilo.

My husband and I recently stayed at Bamboo Orchid Cottage during our honeymoon. We stayed in the Wild Orchid Suite and enjoyed the accommodations! The fireplace, jacuzzi tub, and electric blanket were perfect for cool nights after long days of hiking in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Our host, Gary, was super-​friendly and made great recommendations for tourism and dining. Breakfasts were so tasty– we loved the papaya boats and the taro waffles! Maurice the B&B cat was also a great host! We appreciated the flashlights, umbrellas, and tour books available to help in our local adventures.
Thanks for a great visit!!! Highly recommended!

We stayed at the The Enchanted Forest Studio room. Great location near the volcano but far enough to eat out and have things to do.
Great B&B, very helpful and accommodating! Hot tub was great because it was cold and rainy. Nice warm atmosphere, very cozy. They were totally fine with getting us a room with an extra bed to fit us all in. Very clean and new facilities and equipment. Breakfast was very good, fresh fruit, waffles and coffee. Wish we could have stayed longer.