The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls

I don’t normally write reviews but the innkeeper here was so kind, helpful and joyful! And the room and entire property was so nice and peaceful that we really didn’t want to leave. The waterfall is unreal. Next time we will stay here for much longer.

We have been coming to the Inn since 2015. The first time I saw the inn and waterfall was on a tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail. I instantly fell in love. My now husband and I came back two years later and stayed in the Jade cottage and it could not have been more romantic. We returned the next year with 8 family members and got married under the waterfall. Our wedding day was beyond special and they made our entire family feel like we were home. We have returned twice since then and it’s just as special & beautiful. Don’t miss out on this gem. Book the room, swim in the waterfall as much as you can, sit on the porch with coffee and just enjoy where you are at. This inn will forever be apart of our love story. Mahalo to the entire team….you are amazing!!!!

Our stay at The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls was incredible. Located just outside Hilo, this secluded inn offers stunning views of a majestic waterfall and lush rainforest. The rooms are cozy, clean, and well-decorated, with the soothing sounds of the waterfall providing a perfect backdrop for a restful sleep. The staff is exceptionally friendly and attentive, adding a personal touch to the experience. Highlights include a delicious gourmet breakfast, a well-equipped communal kitchen, and various activities like paddleboarding, waterfall rappelling, and hiking. Overall, The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is perfect for a relaxing getaway or an adventure in nature. Highly recommended!

Staying at Kulaniapia Falls was an absolutely incredible experience! Stayed for one night, but would have stayed longer, if possible. It was my absolute favorite part of my Big Island experience. Highly recommend!

Awesome spot if you love the jungle and waterfalls! Incredible essentially private waterfall experience. Kayaking around the waterfall was magical. Room was comfortable and breakfast was so so good. would definitely recommend and visit again if staying in the Hilo area! Just 10 minutes drive into town and a gorgeous drive.

This place was a true retreat of the senses.

I don't usually write a lot of reviews, but I specifically came back to this booking that we had in April of 2022 because I've thought about it so much since that stay. This was possibly the most idyllic setting I've ever had the pleasure of staying at; the grounds around the main property are like a movie set. It was impossibly pretty, and the hiking trail they set up around the multitude of tropical plants they grow there was a lot of fun to walk. We swam in the pool where the waterfall was flowing, but the water was a little too high to try and get up underneath the falls itself. We had a wonderful night's sleep away from the bustle of town; we slept with our windows open and during the night one of the house cats decided it wanted to sleep in the bed with us, so we made a little space for our new friend. If you're looking for a unique experience in Hilo I'd highly recommend this incredible property. We only stayed one night so I can't comment on a lot of the hospitality outside of the excellent breakfast we had, but I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that it would all be equally great.

This was a magical experience. So private, beautiful, and serene. Loved all the employees as well.

The key thing to understand is you are paying for the location - the waterfall, the country estate, the gated access and charming buildings. The experience is much more like an AirBnB than an hotel or resort: all very much self service. Accommodation is in a number of separate 'houses' spread along a length of driveway, and overlooking the small gorge containing at one end the waterfall and then a series of pools and a river. Depending on the amount of recent rain the falls can be very impressive. There is also a very nice river walk through bamboo gardens. Everyone we interacted with was very pleasant, but the level of service is pretty low, almost like a bunch of friends helping out rather than service matching the room price. The 'house' in which we had a room had a full kitchen and lounge. Coffee and tea was provided along with a small selection of sweet things. All very nice, but sparce. Breakfast (extra) was served on a deck overlooking the waterfall in the main building. There is little choice, and it is served late. Because of the location (20 minutes up a mostly one track road from town and then 10 to closest breakfast place) going out for breakfast is not a practical option. Every interaction from gate access to booking breakfast and checking out is all done via an app or text message. Very impersonal, and a little odd given the otherwise Zen vibe of the place. The lack of air-conditioning was absolutely fine. The rooms are not designed with cross drafts (as would be traditional in no a/c places) but it is high enough to be cool. The humidity levels are nowhere near a Midwest or New England summer. We split our week in Hilo between here and an hotel in town. We enjoyed our stay, but we wouldn't return here. We would return there.