Hawaii is calling, and while the masses head to Oahu and Maui, the relaxing vibes of the Big Island of Hawai’i make for an ideal vacation. No matter which side of the island you choose, lodging is key to getting the most out of your stay. By selecting an Airbnb, you get the best home furnishings, comfort, and Hawaiian culture, without sacrificing the beachfront location. In fact, all you’re missing are the hassles of dealing with resort front desks. These are the best Airbnbs on the Big Island for every type of traveler.
We hope you love the Airbnb Hawaii Big Island rentals we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Near Waikoloa Village
Four bedroom house near Kipuka Lani
Photo: Airbnb
Epicness comes in many forms, and the Kipuka Lani house is proof. Eight guests can spread out across four bedrooms and enjoy a massive living space, a pool and lounge area with the best sunset views on the island, and a private outdoor bar. Sleeping spaces are arranged to take in natural light in the morning while overlooking epic views, and as the name suggests, one of the island’s best golf clubs is right next door. If you’re looking to impress for a family reunion, business retreat, or that once-every-decade meet-up with old friends, there is no better place on the island to do so.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $2,250 per night
Resort townhome with nearby beach club access
Photo: Airbnb
This exclusive townhome provides the amenities of a resort — a private beach club, customer service, ease of access — with the convenience of Airbnb. Located inside the Villages at Mauna Lani, you get the local feel in a high-end setting. Everything you need is a quick walk or bike-ride away, including the opportunity to swim with dolphins. The home has a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor grill and comes with all the gear you’ll need for days at the beach.
Eight guests, three bedrooms
Price: $446 per night
Traveling to Hawaii? Check out Matador’s guides to the best places to stay on every island:
Spectacular ground floor condo in quiet neighborhood
Photo: Airbnb
Expansive views are the name of the game in this large one-bedroom condo. It’s quintessentially Hawaii in that the line between being outside in nature and stepping indoors to relax is exceptionally thin. The apartment opens right into the palms and is surrounded by an adjacent golf club and tennis courts, just a few minutes from the beach. The host provides beach gear, including boogie boards and an ice cooler. He’s also a pretty prolific reader — the unit features an extensive collection of books.
Five guests, one bedroom
Price: $187 per night
Luxury beach-front villa near Waikoloa Beach
Photo: Airbnb
Sometimes things work out really well — which is exactly how you’ll feel when you arrive at this beachfront villa above Waikoloa Beach. Walk to the beach and waterfall pool, with activities including golf, boogie boarding, swimming with wildlife, and more just minutes away. But the best part is actually on-site — the unit features a private lanai with an outdoor grill, so all your meals can be prepared and enjoyed without having to worry about tracking sand inside.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $218 per night
Near Kona
Renovated apartment right on ocean
Photo: Airbnb
Being able to walk from your lanai to the beach on Kona is about as good as life gets. This apartment — renovated, as the owner notes — is high in the running for the best lanai view on the entire island, as you could toss a pebble to the beach (though we don’t recommend trying). Inside, the unit is bright and airy, adorned with ocean-themed artworks. It also has a comfortable living room and a large television that you should use as little as possible (unless you save for an evening marathon of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Finding Ohana).
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $176 per night
Home on the reef and beach
Photo: Airbnb
Get a crew together for this epic home right on the reef and beach. The views are as perfect as the access to the waves. The living room lanai opens out onto the grass, perfect for beers and fish tacos. Here, you can literally snorkel, swim, and surf right from the home — and from the lanai couch, you’ll watch sea turtles feeding, parasailors soaring, and whales breaching. How’s that for entertainment?
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $390 per night
Oceanfront penthouse condo
Photo: Airbnb
Enjoy two private lanais and two stories of luxury with this penthouse apartment right on the water. If you’ve never seen a Hawaiian sunset, there’s no better spot to catch your first one than on the upper lanai with a glass of wine in hand. You’ll be right in the heart of Kailua-Kona and its fantastic dining and entertainment. And you will also have beach and on-water activities a short distance from your door. The host is flexible on check-in and check-out times with written approval, so if your flight in or out is at an odd hour, the lanai here is willing to accommodate.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $281 per night
Oceanfront Alii Drive home with lanai
Photo: Airbnb
This beachfront home is ideal for families and groups of friends looking for easy beach access, plenty of space to lounge, and the chance to sleep to — and awake to — the sounds of the ocean. The place is large enough for six, comes with Hawaiian coffee, and is only one mile from central town and its array of cafes, galleries, and markets. Every room in the house has an ocean view, so even if you come with sibling rivalries, there’s no sense fighting over who gets which bedroom.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $406 per night
Unit near Hilo
Oceanfront peace of paradise
Photo: Airbnb
If waking up and gliding out to the lanai to let ocean waves and the rising sun awaken your mind sounds like paradise, then this is the unit for you in Hilo. The surf is right outside, and the birds crisscrossing Hilo Bay provide a constant companion while you relax with a coffee or adult beverage. The center of town isn’t far either, so dining, shopping, and perusing the galleries is totally doable. Promise us that at least once during your stay, you will wake up and take in the sunrise from the lanai. Your life will never be the same.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $250 per night
Downtown cottage with easy town, beach access
Photo: Airbnb
Staying in town has its advantages — walkable dining, cafes, gift shops, and because this is Hilo, the beach is never far away no matter where you are. This cottage could be yours for your stay: a full-on home with a kitchen, bedrooms, and the semblance of normal while still being away from the madness of the mainland. This spot is also ideal for more extended stays, as the host offers a monthly discount. The Wi-Fi is better in town, and as noted above, the cafes are plentiful — so remote workers and nomads, hark.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $201 per night
Hilo Hale Kai at Honolii Oceanfront
Photo: Airbnb
Having an entire house to yourself right on the water north of Hilo is #lifegoals to the max. From the lanai, you can watch the surfers out on the waves even if you don’t participate yourself, and snorkeling, wildlife spotting, and ocean swims are easily accessible as well. All the trappings of a comfortable home are here, including spacious living quarters, a nice kitchen, and the bedrooms are done up Hawaii style. Each morning you have the opportunity to experience the sunrise over the water, and let us tell you — there is nothing more motivating and inspiring to get out there experience all the Hawaiʻi Island has to offer. 
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $199 per night