Volcano House

We have stayed in several national parks, and knew that accommodations were not going to be fancy. It was great being inside the park, we got a head start on the day before it filled with tourists. The front desk staff were very nice, but we would not stay here again. We did pay extra for a crater view room, that was pretty neat, but you can't see it half the time for the clouds. It is what it is, but just be aware you could pay extra for a view that you will not get to consistently see. There is no air conditioning, not a big deal. It is chilly at night, so you sleep with the windows open. The downside to this is if you get a room by the restaurant, you hear the noise from the restaurant until it shuts down for the night. The walls are also super thin, so you can hear everything in the hotel. At 3am there was a crying baby that sounded to be across the hall that you could hear clear as day. Also, people coming and going throughout the evening and morning, you can hear everything. The inside of the room is very basic and rustic. Carpet is old with zero padding, furniture is old, but the room was clean. There are no televisions, but that didn't bother us as we were exhausted from hiking and just wanted to sleep. They had free coffee in the morning and you got a mimosa at check in, so that was a nice touch, but they charged for the bottle of water they have in the room. For paying almost $400 for 1 night in a VERY basic room, just give me a bottle of water - that was annoying. If we had a second night booked here, we would have cancelled it because of the mattresses. They needed to be replaced YEARS ago and are the worst mattresses I have ever slept on in a hotel/ lodge/ resort. They are old spring mattresses that squeak, are sunk in the middle and you can literally feel the springs. Between being able to hear everything at night and the awful mattress, we did not get much sleep at night. I had very small expectations for this place - be clean and have a comfortable place to sleep. They completely failed on the comfortable part.

The "lodge" is directly on the rim of the volcano. Be prepared that in bad weather, there is nothing to see. But it is worth taking a chance. The property is expensive, but there is no choice. You must pay to enter the national park ($30 per car- much less if you are a senior and buy a membership), The front desk staff is awesome (shout our to Krystal). The rooms are akin to an old motel, battered mismatched furniture and mattresses that need to be replaced. BUT...it is what it is. Just be prepared. The lobby lodge area was redone in such an unfortunate way, perhaps in the 80's...so holds little charm except the fireplace, which is always lit. There is limited battered seating, but folks were enjoying drinks, conversation and games in front of the fire. The bar looked fine, and featured a variety of items that were also in The Rim Restaurant...plus sandwiches and such. It is a better choice. The Rim serves ok food at high-end prices...but in a dining room so tattered and hostile (bright glaring LED ceiling lights in your face) that we thought we were being interrogated. It was pitiful that they seat you in front of a wall of windows but the lighting 100% disallows you from seeing one inch out. SKIP IT and eat at he bar. PS- the polyester linens in this "fine dining" establishment were pilled, dirty and tattered.

Despite the location and novelty of staying in the park, this place is just plain shabby. The small room and tattered furniture with old carpet is a rip off at well over $300 a night. Plus you still have to pay admission to the park ($30 a car- senior discount park passes are available). Really akin to a cheap motel interior. The lobby is also shabby, and quite different from the lodges at most national parks. Location is what it is… so two stars. Note- it was misty the night we stayed, so we didn’t even have the view… not their fault. I was a bit embarrassed to see so many international tourists seeing this “ lodge” in this condition

How many places in the world allow you to stay on the edge of a volcano? There's no other location like it. The trail around the crater is right out of the backdoor. But, you may need to adjust your expectations. I was prepared for the lack of elevator. I was prepared to lug suitcase up/down stairs (I did feel bad for the lady who took it upstairs for me, so I brought it down myself). I was sort of prepared for no air conditioning although my room was pretty warm when I arrived. I was prepared for no TV and dated furnishings. I was prepared for no real view from my deluxe room with a view. What I wasn't prepared for was 50 to 60 moths and giant mosquito hawk flies in the room that night. They were a real nuisance. The front desk said these flies cannot be helped. On a positive note, I had an excellent dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. I only stayed one night. This hotel is expensive. I would recommend for one night because of the incredible location but I would not plan a long stay. There is a wonderful gift shop.

OMG, the view of the volcano rim is incredible! This is a historic hotel so the rooms are on the cozy side. Very clean and comfortable. This is a beloved hotel. The food at the restaurant was excellent as well. We ate a hearty breakfast buffet everyday before going on our adventures. The fresh fish at dinner was spectacular as well. Being in the heart of Volcanoes National Park, the location cannot be beat. Easy access to trails and drives around the park. We drove the entire length of Chain of Craters Road all the way to the Arch and it was amazing! It felt like walking on another planet. The Thurston lava tube was neat too. It was much cooler temps up in the mountains vs how hot it was at Kona and Hilo towns. There's no A/C but we didn't need any. We just cracked the windows open and let the fresh mountain air breeze in.

This hotel keeps the front doors wide open despite chilly weather. Our first night there we went into the bar and it was chilly. The outside temperature was in the high fifty’s and it was damp and breezy. Then we decided to iced to eat in the adjoining restaurant. I asked the hostess why the door was open and she didn’t have an answer. I told her it was very chilly and she sat us away from the draft. But my husband still had to go to the room and get his coat. We noticed another couple and the man had a jacket on and was shivering. The woman had on a jacket and had the hood on her head. Several employees wore jackets. I went to the front desk and asked why the doors were wide open and she said “fresh air.” I told her I had been miserable the whole evening in the bar and eating dinner, so she closed the doors. The next night we ate in the fancier restaurant and it was further away from the wide open doors. It was 58 degrees outside. We couldn’t enjoy sitting at the bar or being in the lobby due to the discomfort. Perhaps the locals are used to this, but their guests are not. Also, I can’t eat gluten and each restaurant only offered one gluten sensitive menu item, which was discouraging. We have visited and stayed in several national park lodges and have never had such temperature discomfort. Also, I don’t usually have such difficulty seeking gluten free/sensitive options in a “nice” restaurant.

Lunch average. Boring dining room, but a great view of the crater. Order green salad, which was ... green ... with a few other things. Specified gluten free, but it came with croutons on the top. Also tomato bisque with cheese toast points---this was amazingly good. We don't know what it is like for dinner, but for lunch it is for the tourists, and lots of them. No feeling of teamwork and no feeling of wanting to be working there.