I travel to the Big Island often and I must say the last visit was a little extraordinary. I attribute this to Jade Chen, who owns and manages the Lava Sanctuary in Kalapana. First of all, just staying in a place that sits on top of a lava field, surrounded by lush mountains, rich history, and stunning views of the starry sky, is surreal in itself. The lava temple was was one of the best accommodations we've stayed at on the island. The open, bali-styled structure, the cool breezes, large dining table, and eco-shower were just a few of the features we enjoyed. It's typically hard to get high speed internet and phone reception when you're this off-grid, but it was perfect here (I had to work while on vacation). But the best part of the experience was Jade herself. She was so welcoming and accommodating. She sent us a whole list of places to visit during our stay, checked in with us to make sure we had everything we needed, and even invited us to a local event she was leading at the Kalani center!

Do yourself a favor and book your accommodations at Jade's Lava Sanctuary. The rates are so reasonable for everything you get (two-story loft, full-sized kitchen, tasteful eco-living, and an active volcano a short drive away).