The 12 best Airbnbs in Hawaii for every kind of trip

Neighborhood: Volcano

Forget the standard Hawaii hotel room. This off-grid treehouse puts you right in the rainforest, around 15 minutes from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tucked away on a quiet gravel road, the one-bedroom retreat sits 15 feet up in the canopy, with a queen bed perched even higher among the treetops. There are private lanai decks for lounging, stargazing and listening to the coqui frogs after dark, plus a proper bathroom and rainwater-fed shower, so there’s no need to go full woodland survivalist. It’s a wonderfully peaceful spot for couples who’d rather wake up to birdsong than a hotel alarm.

Time Out tip: Give yourself time to actually enjoy the treehouse rather than treating it purely as a base for the national park. The covered upper lanai is particularly lovely when it rains, and the hosts provide maps and guides to local hikes, beaches, waterfalls and lava tubes.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Queen bed, two private lanai areas, rainwater-fed shower, flushing toilet, solar power, off-road parking, USB charging points, books and games.

Price: From $230 for a night.

Neighborhood: Captain Cook, South Kona

Perched in the middle of a 1.7-acre organic mango farm, this open-air retreat is about as close as you can get to sleeping in a tropical orchard without giving up your morning coffee. The private ground-floor suite has a breezy covered lounge, hammock, garden views and an indoor-outdoor shower, while Kealakekua Bay is just a mile away for days spent snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding. Back at the farm, you can wander among mango, banana, papaya and passionfruit trees, meet the resident cats and dog, or simply settle in and listen to the birds and coqui frogs doing their thing. It's a particularly good pick if you like your Hawaii with a little less resort and a lot more nature.

Time Out tip: Ask about a farm tour and keep an eye out for seasonal fruit available to buy straight from the property.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Covered outdoor lounge, hammock, garden views, kitchenette, BBQ, indoor-outdoor shower, high-speed Wi-Fi, free parking, access to the organic farm and optional on-site massage

Price: From $600 for a night.

Neighborhood: Naalehu, South Hawaii

For a taste of off-grid Hawaii that still comes with an actual bathroom and a very good outdoor bath, this dome in Naalehu gets the balance right. Tucked away on the island's southern coast, the cosy retreat has a queen bed, outdoor kitchen, hammock and firepit, with a big tub waiting outside for long soaks beneath the stars. It's a peaceful base for exploring the area too, with Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach around 25 minutes away, South Point about 30 minutes away and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park roughly 50 minutes by car. Just bear in mind that this really is off-grid: there's no air conditioning or heating, and at 1,800 feet, nights can get chilly.

Time Out tip: Pick up some local coffee and make the most of the outdoor kitchen, then save the tub for after dark when the stars come out.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Outdoor bathtub, full bathroom, outdoor kitchen, queen bed, hammock, firepit, Wi-Fi, mini fridge, coffee maker, free parking and a peaceful off-grid setting

Price: From $375 for a night.

Neighborhood: Pāhoa, Big Island

You don’t get much closer to Hawaii’s volcanic landscape than this. The Lava Temple sits right on the Kalapana lava fields, with wraparound views of the rugged terrain and the volcano beyond. The open-air, solar-powered cottage has three sleeping areas, a full kitchen and a hot shower with lava-stone floors, while the lack of traditional doors means the surrounding landscape is very much part of the house. Spend your days exploring the Red Road, black sand beaches and nearby Pāhoa, then come back to cook dinner and watch the stars come out over the lava fields. It’s a proper back-to-nature stay, so best suited to travellers who don’t mind a little camp-like living.

Time Out tip: Drive the Red Road towards Kalapana and stop at the farmers market on Saturday morning for local fruit and snacks.

Sleeps: 6 guests.

Perks: Volcano and lava-field views, open-air design, solar power, full kitchen, hot shower, Wi-Fi, private driveway, beach access and space for yoga or meditation

Price: From $220 for a night.

Neighborhood: Pāhoa, Puna Coast

The hardest part about staying here might be convincing yourself to leave the deck. High above the lava cliffs near Kehena Beach, this two-bedroom house has a wraparound terrace where you can watch the Pacific do its thing from sunrise to whenever you finally decide to go inside. There’s even a bubble bath with an ocean view, because apparently regular baths weren’t doing enough. Kehena Black Sand Beach is about a five-minute walk away, and Pohoiki Bay is around 15 minutes by car, making this a particularly good spot for beach days followed by very little activity whatsoever.

Time Out tip: Bring your breakfast outside and claim a spot on the wraparound terrace. The ocean view is the kind that makes checking your phone feel slightly rude.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Wraparound ocean-view terrace, clifftop setting, five-minute walk to Kehena Black Sand Beach, ocean-view bath, full kitchen, Wi-Fi, TV and parking

Price: From $1,200 for three nights.

Neighborhood: Kapaʻa, Kauai

Wake up with the Wailua River right outside your window, then grab a kayak or paddleboard and get straight out on the water. This bright little plantation-style studio is one block from the beach and comes with a surprisingly generous stash of shared gear, including kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, snorkel equipment, beach chairs and coolers. Here you can snooze in a queen bed beneath a vaulted bamboo ceiling and cook in a compact but well-equipped kitchenette, with windows on the river side giving you something better to look at than your phone. It’s also a handy base for exploring Kauai, sitting roughly midway between the island’s north and south sides.

Time Out tip: Take one of the free kayaks up the Wailua River towards Secret Falls. Guests say it’s a great way to do the trip without paying for a tour.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Wailua River views, free kayaks and paddleboards, bikes, snorkel gear, beach equipment, kitchenette, queen bed, window AC, Wi-Fi, free parking and access to the garden’s seasonal fruit trees

Price: From $1,350 for four nights. 

Neighborhood: Kailua-Kona, Big Island

There’s a lot going on at Hale Malia: four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a private saltwater pool, hot tub and a gym. The house itself is built around a big open living space, with the kitchen, dining area and lounge leading straight out to the pool and lanai. Bedrooms are air-conditioned, and there’s plenty of room for a family or group to spread out without constantly bumping into each other. Spend the morning snorkelling or swimming at the beach, come back for a few hours in the pool, then fire up the hot tub when the sun starts to disappear. The house also comes with beach and snorkel gear, while Ali‘i Drive, restaurants and other beaches are all a short drive away.

Time Out tip: White Sands Beach is an easy walk from the house, so there’s no need to pack the car every time you fancy a swim.

Sleeps: 10 guests.

Perks: Private saltwater pool, hot tub, ocean views, five-minute walk to White Sands Beach, gym, fully equipped kitchen, A/C in bedrooms, Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, beach and snorkel gear, washer/dryer and free parking

Price: From $4,770 for four nights. 

Neighborhood: Pāpa‘aloa, Hamakua Coast

If your idea of a good holiday involves chasing waterfalls rather than chasing room service, this little cabin on a 20-acre ranch should be on your radar. Set on the lush Hamakua Coast, the property has its own streams, swimming holes and waterfalls to explore, plus ocean views stretching out from the cabin. There are horses, chickens and peacocks roaming around too, so don’t be surprised if your neighbours are more four-legged than human. Spend the day hiking the property, cool off in a swimming hole, then sit around the campfire as the sun goes down.

Time Out tip: A 4WD or SUV is recommended for getting to the property, and arrive in daylight if you can as the access road is rural and bumpy.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Private waterfalls and swimming holes, ocean and mountain views, working ranch, queen bed, kitchen, Wi-Fi, solar-powered fridge, campfire area, free parking and resident horses and farm animals

Price: From $220 for a night.

Neighborhood: Mountain View, Big Island

A 15-foot-high bamboo treehouse, a trapdoor entrance and a wraparound lanai with jungle views in every direction. Sounds dreamy to us. The little hideaway sits among the rainforest canopy, with a queen bed and an indoor-outdoor shower that uses rainwater collected from the roof. There’s solar power, a compact kitchenette and plenty of thoughtful handmade touches, from porthole windows to a rock sink and vintage wallpaper. At night, expect coqui frogs, rustling trees and the occasional wild pig rather than pin-drop silence. During the day, you’re just 10 miles from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It’s romantic, a little eccentric and wonderfully removed from everyday life, provided you’re happy with steep ladder-style stairs and a few jungle bugs.

Time Out tip: Pick up groceries in Hilo or Keaau before heading over, then settle in for sunset and let the rainforest soundtrack take over.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: 15-foot-high bamboo treehouse, 360-degree jungle views, wraparound lanai, hanging bed, queen bed, indoor-outdoor rainwater shower, kitchenette, solar power, private setting, free parking and binoculars

Price: From $370 for a night.

Neighborhood: Volcano

Floor-to-ceiling windows, a private hot tub and an ōhiʻa forest right outside the door make Kuono at Volcano a pretty compelling place to base yourself near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The open-plan cabin sleeps four, with a king bed and sofa bed, while the 14-foot windows make the forest feel like part of the room. Local artwork adorns the walls, and there's a covered lanai outside with a hot tub and fire pit for post-hike soaking and evening drinks. It’s a particularly good pick if you want the convenience of being five minutes from the park without giving up a quiet place to come back to.

Time Out tip: Save an evening for the lanai as the hot tub and fire pit are arguably the best part of the cabin once the sun goes down.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: 14-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, private hot tub, covered lanai, gas fire pit, TV, kitchen, washer/dryer, Wi-Fi and free parking

Price: From $600 for a night.

Neighborhood: Honoliʻi, Hilo

Sunrise comes with the territory at this cliffside Hilo house, where the Pacific stretches out beyond the living room and covered lanai. The one-bedroom ʻohana has a king bed, a pair of twin beds in the living room and big windows that make the most of the ocean views, while the interior has been given a thoughtful update by its interior-designer host, with original artwork and plenty of lovely little touches. Grab a coffee, open the glass doors and listen to the waves below, or walk down to Honoliʻi Beach Park to watch the local surfers. 

Time Out tip: Downtown Hilo is only a few minutes away by car, making this a good base for mixing slow mornings by the water with waterfall trips, markets and bigger Big Island adventures.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Sweeping Pacific views, sunrise-facing lanai, A/C, ceiling fans, fully equipped kitchen, coffee station, washer/dryer, high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, beach chairs, snorkel gear and dedicated parking

Price: From $960 for two nights. 

Neighborhood: Kealakekua, Kona

There’s a good chance your closest neighbours here will be pigs, chickens and extremely friendly cats. Set on an eight-acre organic coffee farm in the Kona hills, this tiny screened cabin is all about the farm-life experience, with an open-air loft bedroom looking out towards the sea. Guests are free to wander around the farm, borrow snorkel and beach gear and make use of the fire pit. At night, climb into the loft bed and look out for shooting stars, and by morning, you might find one of the resident piggies waiting to say hello. 

Time Out tip: It’s a proper working farm rather than a hotel, so expect insects, animal noises and the occasional passing car along Aliʻi Drive. Earplugs are provided if your idea of relaxation doesn’t include a little farmyard soundtrack.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Ocean and sunset views, open-air screened cabin, eight-acre organic coffee farm, resident pigs, chickens and cats, private patio, gas grill, fire pit, Wi-Fi, beach and snorkel gear, free parking and laundry access

Price: From $270 for a night.