Overlooking Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kilauea, this casual hotel in a restored 1846 building is 2 miles from Thurston Lava Tube and 3 miles from the Jaggar Museum.

Cozy, basic rooms come with free Wi-Fi and desks; many rooms offer volcano views. Simple cabins with BBQ grills and shared bathrooms are available in Namakanipaio campground.

Amenities include a relaxed restaurant overlooking the crater and a cocktail lounge (Uncle George's Lounge) with a TV and regular live music. The property also offers loaner bikes and daily guided walking tours of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

They have a large gift shop as well.

HISTORY:

In 1846, the original Volcano House was built – a simple one room shelter made of grass and native Ohia wood.

In 1866, a four bedroom wooden structure replaced the original hotel. Notable guests included Mark Twain who recounted his stay in Roughing it: “Neat, roomy, well furnished well kept hotel. The surprise of finding a good hotel at such an outlandish spot startled me, considerable more than the volcano did.”

In 1904, George “Uncle George” Lycurgus purchased an interest in the Volcano House Company and managed the Volcano House until 1921 when he sold his interest. He subsequently regained the hotel in 1932 and remained the manager until his death in 1960. He was known as the dean of Hawaiian hospitality and died at the age of 101 after 45 years of direct involvement with the Volcano House.

Like many restaurants, they were temporarily closed due to the Covid pandemic, but have since re-opened.

Details

Type

Hotel, Bar & Restaurant

Phone

(808) 756-9625

Address

Pāhoa, Hawaii, United States

Closed?

No

Links

• hawaiivolcanohouse.com
• facebook.com
• instagram.com