Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho`Omaluhia

Don’t stay here. No hot water in any areas, including the shower buildings which should have hot water to shower. So we were forced to skip showering or take a freezing cold shower. Supposedly they have solar heated water but nope. Place seemed deserted, no staff anywhere. No water to drink on the entire property. No food availability, even though they claim they have fresh food with a chef. Very misleading advertising. The brochure sounds great but once you get there it’s nothing like advertised. Was quoted one price and charged a higher price. There literally was no staff anywhere and even though we were told that the rooms would be cleaned every day they weren’t. Salt water pool area dirty and also the pool water, hot tub old and dirty. Stay away from this property, camping in a tent would be better and much cheaper.

I just spent 5 wonderful days at Hawaii Island Retreat and words cannot express how special my time there was. They treated me like a part of the family and I wanted for nothing. Every morning my breakfast was ready for me at 8am. They would make me fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and sliced mangoes right off the trees on the property. I’d also get fresh made goat cheese, which was absolutely delicious. Jeanie took such wonderful care of me my entire stay and gave me a personal tour of the land. The retreat is built on 55 acres of sacred ground. She told me stories of the ancient rituals and traditions that used to take place there. I even got to meet the resident goats and chickens! I took full advantage of the spa menu and got multiple treatments with both Jeanie and Momi. Both were fabulous and deeply pampered me. Yoga with Lia was a very special experience. She taught class in a beautiful glass room overlooking the valley and infinity pool. Absolutely breathtaking. On the last day of my stay, I got a special treat with a private Hula class with Mike. He was SO fun and class was educational and easy to follow. If you stay there, I highly recommend taking a walk down to the private cove. It’s not safe to swim BUT it’s really beautiful to watch the waves. I definitely plan on coming back and staying again as 5 days on the Big Island was really not enough. The retreat is really conveniently located and super easy to get around the island from there. I had SO many great shops and places to eat close by. But truly, I think the most special part about this place is the staff. They made everything feel so first class for me. I can’t wait to return!

I attended a retreat here and the experience was wonderful. The staff were so helpful in anything I asked for; they are wonderful in every way. The property is so peaceful and I enjoyed the massage treatment I received so much. Being right there with a gentle breeze made the times indoor so enjoyable. The trails were wonderful and the pool amazing. I would highly recommend and intend to go back and probably take my family with me this time.

This is a very special place. While a lot of aspects are great, to me, it is the location, the land itself, that really sets it apart. The facilities, rooms etc. are all fine (the saltwater pool is fantastic actually) but when you walk down into the valley, hit the beach access from the property, you're in a gorgeous and powerful place. I don't know how to explain it exactly, but I felt like I was drinking in the energy from the place. While it feels like you're a million miles from anything, it's also a short ride into town if you need any basics or a meal off the property. Maybe not everyone would appreciate the place as much others, but I absolutely loved it and can't wait to return.

The hospitality, everyone and everything about the place was exceptional! I felt like I was coming Home to Family; all of the staff were warm, welcoming, caring, and friendly. The property was magnificent and magical! I enjoyed the walks to the water and around the land. The food was always delicious! My questions and concerns were answered and addressed immediately with enthusiasm. What a special and beautiful place!

This place has no equal. It is the only accommodation in the area on the ocean. The view is like out of a movie. The service is impeccable. This place was hand built by Doc Watkins and his wife Jeannie. The infinity pool overlooking the mountains and ocean is unparalleled. Every room in the lodge is different and beautiful. The semi-outdoor dining room brings the fresh air in as you eat. As you follow the trip down to the ocean you'd a first think you were in a lush forest. The staff is all local and friendly, most of them having worked there for many many years. If you want to experience the real Hawaii, go there and stay there.

Do not stay here. Especially if you have small children. It’s dirty, gross and not as advertised!! This is NOT a resort. This is a rundown 70’s hostel. If it advertised as a hostel, my expectations would be in line and would have been fine with my stay. Instead it touts itself as a “luxury resort” and it is anything but that. My family rented this entire resort and time and time again they said they were kid friendly. 100% not kid friendly. Like why are there low and dirty pond everywhere that kids could trip and fall into?? We rented the entire resort, yet other guest where staying there? We paid for breakfast and random guests joined us? We were allowed to use their kitchen and it was the most disgusting kitchen I have ever seen. There was a small refrigerator in the open dining room for all the guests which was also dirty and disgusting. The people working here seemed like backpackers working for free. The girl who made our breakfast was wearing short shorts with no bra. Like there are small children everywhere. Our rooms were so gross and dirty. We knew there was no air cond but bec we our room was in the back, it was sooooo hot. If you not going have screens on the doors, no air conditioning at least provide mosquito nets. It was so hot that we left the doors open but guess what flew in? Cockroaches. No no no!! We stayed (3) days and left. We could not waste another moment in Hawaii at this hostel. 0/5 would recommend.

I stayed 3 nights in this hostel, with my husband and child. It was a very great rest and rejuvenating time. The rules are simple. No wifi accept in the main zone, no noise. This is an eco friendly place, and very respectful of environment ( no air conditionner, no TV in room, shampoo and conditionner biodegradable...). The place is beautiful and amazing, in a Hawaiian traditional style, all in stone and wood, with asian decoration. very few people which help to be disconnected. the nature is everywhere in the hostel and around, with the trees, ocean, and cliffs. But the room are very clean and quiet. So it s a perfect deal. The jacuzzi and pool space are great. we were calm and in peace in this beautiful place. It is not a noisy and terrifying place such as the big resorts. It s another way to travel and to regenerate itself. Maybe one negative point, the food. Their no food available, like snacks, or drinks, and it s too bad. But the town is just 5 minus ride and you can get anything you need. the breakfast is expensive and not included it s too bad too. Nevertheless, it s a very relaxing and enjoyable experience ti stay in this incredible place.

Save yourself a lot of time, money and negative energy and stay away from this horrible place and rude people! We booked to stay here for 3 nights. We were going to have a small wedding ceremony on the property. We could have chosen anywhere to get married but we chose this place because it’s “eco friendly” and the privacy of being away from everything. We thought it would be perfect for our very sacred and intimate wedding ceremony. We payed for our friends to come out from Oregon and we are from San Diego. We left after the first night. Here’s why… For starters, if you’re expecting a luxury retreat center like the website and pictures state, you’re in for a real treat like we were. The land is pretty, sure, however, this place is completely over priced for how run down it is, no amenities and how rude the staff are. I wouldn’t pay anymore than $80 a night here and that’s for the upgraded ocean view rooms. I must state that there was blood on the sheets (pics added) and dead bugs in our bed which Jeanie, the owner, didn’t seem too bothered about. The “free coffee” in the morning was cold from the prior day and cold showers. Starry - She’s your unfriendly welcome staff that has absolutely no hospitality skills and or just basic people awareness. Upon arrival she very coldly greeted us after a very long trip and 1.5hr drive up and before even getting to the front desk asked us for our credit card. It seemed like every question we asked her was a bother.Hot tub - doesn’t work. Don’t bother! Pool - Freezing cold! Fitness Center - Doesn’t exist. Maybe a couple of broken gym machines dusty and pushed into the corner of a dirty room. Beach - can’t swim in it because it’s too unsafe. Food - Have to drive to get it or they will charge you $45 for dinner/$25 for breakfast but only if you have a party of 6. So when we asked Starry for extra meals she rolled her eyes and said if it’s not more than 6 people then it’s costing them money (at $45/$25 a person!) Jeanie - who was so sweet over the phone when we spoke is actually really unorganized and when approached about our disappointment did not want to hear any feedback and was extremely rude. She didn’t accept our feedback at all and dismissed us when we tried to share our experiences with her. Her rudeness and attitude toward us was shocking and this was all the day before we were supposed to get married. This was one of the most stressful times for us as we had to less than 24hours to find a new place to stay for ourselves and our friends we flew out and we had to find a whole new location. Nobody deserves to experience this kind of thing and especially the day before your wedding. On top of that she proceeded to charge us over $1000 after we left for a horrible experience that happened in less than 12 hours after she said she would refund us which I actually had to argue for my money back! We had to cancel our cards to make sure they didn’t charge us more! Nightmare! I would not recommend