Mahana House Country Inn

This small inn is set along the gorgeous Hamakua Coast, 15 miles north of Hilo in a relaxing, rural area (cell phone reception may be spotty and they don’t have phones in rooms). If you’re not looking for lots of lavish amenities and enjoy getting out to explore the island, this is great place to rest your head. The owners have found a nice niche emphasizing comfort and privacy. Presented as more of a guest house, the property features four units. Each has its own semi-private lanai (they are separated by a thin wall of bamboo harvested from the grounds). The rooms have a contemporary feel with mixed elements of Hawaiian décor and plenty of wood and stone tile. Each bedroom has a king-size, Sleep Number bed that should please anyone’s comfort requirements. Each room has its own wet-bar, but all guests have access to the full kitchen with modern appliances (and usually fresh fruit and eggs) along with the lounge area in the center of the building. The large bathrooms are especially nice with stone-tiled, walk-in showers. The grounds are at a 524-foot elevation and offer sweeping views of coastal landscapes and the distant ocean as well as great star-gazing at night. A short walking trail along the property takes you through a bamboo lined gulch and past fruit trees where you can pick your own (season permitting). The building sits in the middle of a large lawn, which makes it seem a little exposed at first, but the lack of directly adjacent trees means less noise from the coqui frogs at night (earplugs are provided in case it’s still an issue). It cools off nicely here in the evenings with breezes coming down from Mauna Kea (which you can see on clear days) and makes for good marshmallow roasting weather at their fire pit. No housekeeping. The four 1/1s (450 sq. ft.) are identical except for the north end, which has more windows and are $129–$149. 3-night minimum.