Kamuela Inn, Kamuela

I've never written online reviews but felt compelled to warn people about this hotel!!!! I never even ended up staying here because the management people were so rude. Lee, the desk manager, could not have been worse. I called to book well in advance. A local friend had recommended the place. I was told that all cancellations had to be made 48 hours in advance. I called about three weeks prior to change my stay to only 2 nights instead of 5. They gave me a confirmation number and quoted the price they'd charge. Once I got to the Big Island, I was unable to get a ride out to the hotel. I told them I wasn't going to be able to make it but would still pay for my room. Then, I received a call the next day from the hotel, asking why I wasn't there. I explained that I had told them that I would pay but was not going to be able to make it. They claimed I still had three nights left (total of five nights) when I had only booked two nights. They claimed that I had never changed my reservation even though I had the confirmation number saying that I had. The woman, Lee, told me I was stupid, a liar, and that I just didn't know how to listen or else I would have done this correctly. Actually, I thought I had been very considerate, had offered to pay the amount I had booked for, and never raised my voice or said anything insulting. She threatened to make an unauthorized charge for the full amount on my credit card, and I had to call my credit card company to see if they would block them. The desk person actually hung up on me even though I never raised my voice or insulted her! I had to call back multiple times just to get them to say that I wouldn't be charged for the extra nights. I would NOT ever recommend this mismanaged, disorganized, and rudely-staffed place to anyone, no matter how cheap it is.

This Inn is an adequate place to stay if you're not going to spend much time in the room. The basic units are in an older part of the Inn and the room was "musty" and "worn", but what do you expect for

This is an addorable Inn. The rooms are basic but have charm. It is a great bargain for staying in Waimea or anywhere in the proximity of the northern Kona beaches. I live in Hawaii and often come to Waimea and this Inn for a mini vacation.

Rooms are small, dark and dingy. The clerks are rude, not at all friendly and not helpful. Water in the shower comes out in a trickle. Noisy and no help available.

I was concerned about staying there after reading some of these reviews. However, some local friends said that it would be fine. And it was. It's a small country Inn on the Big Island... it's not the Ritz. But, that's not why you come to the Big Island. It was clean, the room was very large, the shower worked just fine and the grounds were nice. I didn't have much interaction with the staff but the only negatives were that mattress was a bit lumpy and the walls were very thin. The overall appearance of the Inn is charming and very well lit. Oh, the sign on the street was covered by hibiscus and I ended up driving right passed it. I didn't see any signs of scary drug dealers (as was mentioned in one of the reviews written about the time period). I would recommend this Inn to friends.