Puako Bed and Breakfast

We had a great stay here. We picked the place because we wanted to spend time at the beaches on the Kohala coast, but aren’t all-​inclusive resort people. This is a great option for something homier and more personal (and more affordable). The host was friendly and welcoming, gave us great tips for beaches and restaurants, and makes a good breakfast. He also offers a bunch of bonuses, like free wi-​fi, use of the washer/​dryer, free snorkeling equipment!

I called this place based on the other review from 2008. It is off the beaten track, near the airport and close to some great swimming beaches recommended by a couple of our friends.
They had one room left so we took it for our last night. It is in a residential neighborhood across the street from the water. Access to the water is by public access paths every ten houses. It is also a five minute drove up to a couple of parks and the Ala Kahakai trail.
It was first established in 1999 and has at least two awards for service. I loved the interior and exterior spaces and enjoyed a great breakfast on the patio.
It does have an offhand funky style which is lots of fun — for example, they are using a recycled hot tub as a pond and fountain, complete with coy, guppies and an oscar. Sadly, it is soon to be converted to an outdoor shower (and there is already an outdoor shower in the front!).

When it comes to holidays, I tend to think that there are two types of people who get on a plane. Tourists, and travellers. Tourists head straight for the all inclusive resorts. They sit on the beach, or sit by the pool. They go on organized mass outings. They’re easy to spot by their cheap shirts, Calloway golf caps, and obnoxious behaviour. Travellers like to go the other way. They read the guides, talk to the locals, and generally take the path less travelled.
Which is why, when we booked our trip to the Big Island, we wanted to find a small, family run place, ideally on the Kohala side of things (hey, we want to explore, but we wanted sun too!) After much searching, we stumbled on the Puako B&B, and made our reservations.
Six days later, we were packing our bags, and wishing we were staying longer. Our host, Punahele (Puna) is flamboyant and FAAAHbulous (be warned, it’s a gay-​friendly establishment, but CERTAINLY not exclusively so) and at the end of our stay, had made us feel like family. The rooms are comfy and air conditioned, with spectacular Koa floors, and are well priced. Breakfasts depended on how fast Puna was moving that morning — ranging from simple continental, to drool-​worthy Portugese omelettes — but always fresh and tasty (should be noted too, that exploring the Big Island on a stomach full of rich food isn’t a good idea anyways!). Gear is on hand to explore the amazing snorkelling that’s a 2-​minute stroll from the front door, and when I stumbled back with slashes and cuts from the reefs, (and horrendous sunburn) Puna was on hand with medical supplies and aloe.
Again, there are two ways to go. If you want every whim catered to, and money is not an option, then check out the resorts — they’d be more than happy to have you as another faceless guest, take that credit card, and help you part with that cash. But if you want to experience more; see the real Hawai’i; get fascinating insight and tips, and take the road a little less travelled, then I can’t recommend a better starting point for your trip to the Big Island any higher than Puna’s Puako B&B. The wife and I already can’t wait to get back there.