The last time we stayed at the magical Eco Hale, we vowed to return. And happily, just two short years later, we were able to visit again! We love this place so much. And our host, Kaeo. We ADORE her. She is the loveliest. Hospitality incarnate.
The cottage itself is composed of two rooms: a cozy bedroom with a compact/efficient kitchen space and a bathroom that is impeccably clean with beautiful custom tilework lining the shower walls. The interior spaces spill out onto a small porch with more kitchen space and outdoor seating. There, you're nestled into a lush rainforest-garden, secluded from it all, and connected to the tropical surroundings in a way that can only happen in a place like Mountain View. The frequent rain showers, the warm sunlight through all the green, and the sound of birds and frogs envelope you in a whole new world.
Kaeo has appointed every corner of the cottage with things to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Home-baked hiking bars and a beautiful tray of fresh fruit are just two examples of the many "gifts" you may find at Eco Hale. Twenty minutes from Volcano (current lava flows are spectacular), the Puna coast (dappled with natural lava-warmed pools and home to one of our favorite things--the Wednesday night-market), and Hilo (a fun town to explore which borders waterfall country) make this location ideal for exploring important must-see sections of the island. We love having Mountain View as our home-base and no doubt we will be returning once again.