Staying in the Makanella Room was one of the best parts of our trip to Hawaii. The inside is beautiful and spacious, but our favorite was the screened lanai overlooking a lush forest, river, and the ocean. We could sit outside enjoying the sounds without worrying about mosquitoes while watching the adorable geckos relaxing on flowers.

Delia was a great host, taking time to give us a tour of the space and answer all of our questions. It's conveniently located a few minutes from Hilo on one side, and many of the attractions like Akaka Falls and the Botanical Gardens on the other. It was also conveniently located for our drive up to Mauna Kea for stargazing.

If you'll be visiting the Hilo area, do yourself a favor and stay in the Makanella Room!