This location is perfect for anyone that wants to experience a step-above glamping in the Volcano National Park area. The proximity to the park was absolutely perfect for the hiking adventures we had planned. We loved that the area was quiet enough to feel secluded but still close enough to other properties so we didn't feel totally isolated. The glass house, along with the rainforest garden, is absolutely beautiful- especially once you turn on the string lights outside. Its such a magical environment that puts you right in the middle of all the beauty Hawaii has to offer.
We loved that the house was environmentally conscious without sacrificing the comfort of our stay. All of the accommodations provided were perfect to supplement our travels. The house uses solar power for the electricity and gas to heat up the water- we really needed a hot shower at the end of a day full of hiking, so this felt like a step- above glamping. Just be patient with the water to heat up- it will take a few minutes, but it will be there! The bed was large and comfortable, towels, soap, and shampoo were provided for the shower, and they also had a stovetop coffee machine with a canister of coffee in the mini-fridge. Nothing like starting the morning in hanging chairs watching the sun rise with a cup of hot Kona coffee! Oh! and there's Wi-fi! Parking is outside of the property gate on the street, but we were able to park our rental truck out with just enough space so it wasn't in the road.
Check-in was a breeze and Efrosinea made sure to provide us with all the necessary information upfront. We felt very well prepared in our expectations and were pleased to say that the property and amenities were exactly as described (We are especially appreciative of this as we had a horrible experience with another rental that used fake photos). Further to this, Efrosinea provided us with a lovely booklet of their story as well as recommendation for hikes, food, and attractions. We took a lot of ideas from here and had a great visit as a result! One thing I would add is to see if there is active lava flow at the park during your visit. The glass house was such a short drive from the park, that we were able to get up early and hike through the park to get a glimpse of it in before the crowds came- definitely one of the coolest things we've ever seen!
As many have mentioned previously, you are in the middle of a rainforest, so be honest with yourself in your threshold for nature and plan accordingly. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs. I personally loved falling asleep to the frogs chirping at night but my boyfriend had a vendetta against them keeping him awake. The sun does rise early, so bring an eye-mask if that will keep you from sleeping well. It's a small shared space where you have little privacy from your travel partner, so be sure you are comfortable around them and their bodily functions! The temperature can fluctuate depending on what time of year you go, so we packed light and heavy pajamas just in case, but found that the blankets provided were plenty for a mid-october visit. Pack socks! The floor can get cold at night. It can also get humid during the night, but on the second night we opened the doors to get better ventilation and slept much better! None of these are negatives by any means, in fact we loved the glamping experience, but just things to consider if you are not used to camping or glamping.
If you are the kind of person that prefers staying in hotels and fully-equipped rentals, I would not recommend this for you- But I would highly highly recommend this for anyone that wants to immerse themselves in the beauty of the island and is willing to give up some luxuries to live more simply and in tune with mother nature. We loved our stay here and will certainly come back the next time we visit the big island!