Hawaiian Sanctuary Eco Retreat Center

A bit out of the way, but a nice location. Great value with several great amenities. Room was very nice and spacious. Very clean. Could be noisy at times, but I have stayed in nosier hotels, so for me at least it wasn't an issue at all but your mileage may vary.

Not just a hotel - a community. I felt so relaxed the second I arrived. The place is beautiful and well kept, and it houses folks staying monthly for courses and internships and what not, so lots of people to talk to. Felt like staying in a social hostel, with the comfort of a hotel. Some other reviews described it as dirty - you have to realize that a space so tucked away in the jungle will naturally have bugs and whatnot. Plus it's a nonprofit doing it's best, so you're not going to get the perfect cleanliness of some luxury hotel in Waikiki. However, I live in the jungle myself and was wildly impressed by how clean everything was. The spa room especially was pristine - and how lovely that you can reserve it all for yourself (do know there's a limit of 1 hour a day, but that's plenty). The yoga class I took (from Sydney I think?) was so lovely, and the Bee Dance on Friday was fantastic. If you're a young backpacker type, this is the place to be. Lots of locals come from the dance, and it's a great way to meet people (fire going in the back with goodies to eat and drink). Or if you don't love electronic music, it's far enough away from the main building for it not to trouble you - you'll hear some music in the distance. I'll certainly be back!

Hawaiian Sanctuary lives up to its name, it truly was a sanctuary. Such a calm, relaxing atmosphere. I enjoyed every minute I was there. From the fragrant flowers and beautiful peacocks, to the soothing sounds of the coqui frogs and gentle rain at night. The people were all very friendly and helpful, my cabin was excellent. I will definitely stay again on my next visit to Hawaii.

The onsite manager Lakshmi was very friendly and helpful. Room was simple and sufficient. Shared bathrooms were clean. Nice to have a sink in the room. Wandering the property in the morning amusing to watch the peacocks and chickens. We were there on a Monday night and were the only guests and were only there for 11 hours — didn’t do any classes and left before cafe opened. Another reviewer described it as a step up from camping which I think is accurate

My 19 year-old-daughter and I celebrated my 65th birthday with a 3-night stay a Hawaiian Sanctuary and loved it. We were warmly greeted, by pre-arrangement, by Laxmi who showed us to our room in the main pavillion and gave us a tour of the "campus." The place was clean and super welcoming. Our queen bed room with a sink and mini-fridge was steps away from the nice shared bathroom and the heavenly spa room with sauna, hot tub and shower that we used every day. We cooked our breakfasts and dinners in the kitchen shared with staff and interns which was fun and made us feel part of the community, despite our only staying 3 nights. Easy drives to hot pools on the beach created by the 2018 eruption and a magnificent and very swimmable black sand beach, plus the town of Pahoa with an interesting Lava Zone Museum staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. I highly recommend a stay at Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat.

Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center is truly enchanting, a place where nature thrives in a permaculture haven. The facility offers a magical experience with clean and comfortable rooms, a private spa, and the freedom to explore lush surroundings with peacocks, turkeys, and chickens. The variety of activities, from yoga and ecstatic dances to insightful classes, creates a vibrant and tight-knit community. It was a unique experience for us to stay in Big Island for two nights. This sanctuary is a gem, offering a raw and beautiful Hawaiian permaculture experience, highly recommended for those seeking relaxation and a break from ordinary life. The farm-to-table food, cozy rooms, and engaging activities make it an ideal retreat and starting point for exploration in the heart of nature. I would love to try there again once I'm back to the Island.