Kelaia Ranch, located on the Kona, or west, coast of Hawaii's Big Island, is a working cattle ranch that offers visitors a variety of activities. The ranch offers half-day and full-day four-wheel drive tours of its land, along with hunting excursions. The ranch also has an on-site store that sells locally-produced crafts and goods. Visitors wishing to visit the ranch on their trip to the Big Island will find several accommodation options nearby.
Horizon Guest House
Horizon Guest House is a two-minute drive from Kealia Ranch and occupies 40 acres of sloping pasture lands at a 1,100-foot elevation. The guesthouse is so secluded that Frommer's describes it as "the Hawaiian hideaway of your dreams." Each of the four suites is positioned so that they are not in sight of each other, and all offer views of 25 miles of coastline. Suites feature handmade quilts, refrigerators and private lanais, and facilities include an infinity-edge outdoor swimming pool with built-in whirlpool. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning and guests are free to use the barbecue grill to prepare their own meals. Restaurants within five miles of the guesthouse include Big Jake's Island BBQ.
Hale Hoola
Hale Hoola offers bed-and-breakfast accommodations a mile and a half north of Kealia Ranch and two miles south of Wakefield Botanical Gardens. Hale Hoola occupies a plantation-style house surrounded by tropical gardens. All three suites are spacious and offer ocean views and the complimentary breakfast features fresh fruit grown on the property. Restaurants within three miles include the barbecue-style Keke's.
Manago Hotel
Manago Hotel is located seven miles north of Kealia Ranch, in the town of Captain Cook, close to shops and restaurants, and at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Described by Frommer's as a "living relic," the hotel is run by the third generation of the same Japanese family that originally opened it in 1917. The hotel has 63 basic, budget-priced rooms, including 22 with shared bathrooms. Traditional Japanese-style rooms are also available and feature tatami mats, deep hot tubs and Japanese decor. The hotel is surrounded by a Japanese garden, home to a school of carp. American-style cuisine is available at the on-site restaurant.
Areca Palms Estate Bed and Breakfast
Eight miles north of Kealia Ranch, in the town of Captain Cook, Areca Palms Estate offers four distinctive guest rooms with private and shared bathrooms and views of the ocean or gardens. Frommer's notes the attention paid by the owners to every detail, from the landscaping, to the furnishings and fresh flowers in every room. Facilities include a hot tub and large communal lanai, along with beach equipment to borrow. A large, varied breakfast is complimentary and includes a hot plated entr e with side dishes and fresh fruit and bread. Restaurants within walking distance include Mi's Italian Bistro.
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