Volcano House

I was looking forward for staying at Volcano House because of it's front row view of the volcano. I expected an older hotel as it was from the 1800s, but expected some upgrades. The rooms were very old and tired looking. The windows were peeling, old, screened and dirty, so it was impossible to take pictures from the room. There aren't enough parking spots for the hotel guests, and many spots were taken by visitors that were not staying at the hotel. We waited almost 1/2 hour and could not park, I asked the hotel clerk and she shrugged. We ended up parking several blocks away. Once in the hotel the sulphur dioxide smell was stifling. Within minutes I got a headache. Because there is no air conditioning in the room, I could not turn a fan on to help with the circulation and had to keep the windows closed. It got very warm in the room. The lobby areas smelled just as bad. So I had to go outside to get relief. I even slept with a mask on. The next day the volcano erupted and we were fortunate enough to see it. After it stopped erupting, it was no big deal to see. Anyone staying here without an eruption is likely to be disappointed. That was the only good thing about staying here. The room was very pricey, as well as the restaurants. We could have stayed elsewhere and taken a trail to get a better view or just stopped by. I do not recommend staying here because the negatives far outweigh the charm and view.

We stopped in for dinner and the customer service was less than helpful or welcoming. Our food was pretty good, but our take-away was that tourists were not exactly appreciated.

We stayed as a family at Volcano House in a Crater View room (one king bed + sofa bed). The location is unbeatable—right on the rim. Being able to reach the lava tube, steam vents, and nearby trails before the crowds was the highlight of our visit. That said, the room was tiny—truly cramped—and oddly hot. It felt like staying inside a shipping container: outside was 16°C (61°F), but inside felt closer to 30°C (86°F). There’s no A/C, just a small, noisy desk fan. Parking was also frustrating; day visitors take most spots, and we only found spaces late at night. The restaurant has a nice setting, but the food was mediocre/average. Bottom line: the location pays for itself. If you prioritize proximity to sights over space and comfort, you’ll love it. If you need A/C, room to spread out, or easy parking, adjust expectations.

Staying at Volcano House felt like a charming bed and breakfast perched on the edge of awe. The views of the volcano were absolutely stunning—whether hiking nearby or driving to scenic viewpoints, the experience was surreal. The staff were warm and knowledgeable, and the breakfast was a highlight, especially the made-to-order omelet station. Thurston Lava Tube and the nighttime view of the active volcano had me glued to the window, hoping for a fiery show. Honestly, I’d do this every day of my trip if I could. One heads-up: the drive from the south side of the Big Island is tough, so plan accordingly. And here’s a surprise bonus—the best drinks I had in Hawaii were right here. Don’t miss it!

Volcano House is dated but comfortable. There was a fridge in our room which was handy to keep water in. Our safe wasn’t working but one of the staff came up to change out the batteries and all was well. Room was quite spacious. Downstairs there is free coffee in the morning and we had dinner in the bar/restaurant which was very good. Plenty of options. Fantastic views from Volcano House. Worth staying for a few nights.