The Vanillerie
The Vanillerie
5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
About
We invite guests to our farm to see, smell, taste, and feel vanilla growing on the vine in our shade house oases in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, five minutes from the Kona International Airport. Come to learn about the beautiful vanilla orchid's fascinating history and experience entertainment and delight for all ages. Our vanilla infused food and body products excite all the senses, and allow guests to take the experience home with them.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travellers are saying
- Jennifer BSan Jose, California42 contributionsVery interesting and unique farmThe Vanillerie was an interesting farm with delicious products. The information provided by the guide was fascinating but after taking many, many tours in many places, my husband and I agreed that our particular guide was not the best presenter. Still, it’s a unique farm and there is a little photo booth offered as well as a vanilla ice cream tasting.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- Nina A2 contributionsUnique and informative experience!Very informative and entertaining tour! It was amazing to find out how much time and effort goes into the vanilla making process. Candee was a very knowledgeable tour guide and answered all our questions. Loved the recommendations to mix the ice cream with the other vanilla products (ie vanilla salt/coffee rub) at the end of the tour; very tasty!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- CdeyarmoAnn Arbor, Michigan3 contributionsHoneymoon guestsOne of our favorite places that we stopped at during our honeymoon. We scheduled a tour and Candee was our tour guide and she was wonderful. So passionate about vanilla and the farm, she recommended the lotions and body scrubs which are amazing! We cannot wait to make our own vanilla extract at home with the kit!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- Tami TLa Mesa, California3 contributionsVanilla ParadiseMy family and I stopped for an impromptu visit after we noticed The Vanillerie sign. We arrived in between tours, but the proprietor graciously gave us tour so we wouldn’t have to wait an extra 40 minutes for the next tour. The tour was fascinating! We learned how intricate the process is to harvest and produce.In addition, the vanilla products in their ship are outstanding. This is an outing that all ages will enjoy. Don’t miss out on the delicious vanilla ice cream that you receive at the end of the tour!!Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 12 October 2023
- Catherine B3 contributionsWorth the visit!It was amazing to learn about the delicate and manual way to grow vanilla beans! The staff was so nice and knowledgable (Steve!), and we could see that a lot of love was brought to this place and to everything that was done there. Nice photo booth! We visited the Vanillerie a few hours before our flight, it is very close to the airport. We absolutely recommand.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 October 2023
- Diane H1 contributionA small farm experience to rememberReally fun and interesting. We had a slightly shorter tour because of the young children and it was perfect. We appreciate that the staff was so accomodating. The ice cream was delicious and we bought some vanilla and vanilla infused honey. Yum.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 15 October 2023
- Joseph R1 contributionThe Big Island vanilla Farm TourCandee and Steven were wonderful hosts at the Big Island Vanilla Farm. Candee was a very knowledgeable, professional and pleasant guide and host. Who knew so much was involved in growing and making vanilla. Many thanks to both of them and the rest of the staff for such a pleasant and informative day.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 20 October 2023
- ChchfoodieChristchurch, New Zealand31 contributionsEveryone should do this!This tour was fantastic. We are so happy we booked this tour. Largest Vanillery in the United States. Our guide was very knowledgeable, answered all questions and we even got ice cream samples made with real vanilla. Great experience, would highly recommend to anyone!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 October 2023
- Thomas K1 contributionFantastic staff!!!After a fantastic tour of the Kona Salt Farm we discovered the Vinillerie was just 5 minutes away. We missed the tour BUT Steve was kind enough to give us a brief overview of what they do and why vanilla is the 2nd most expensive spice on the planet. The vanilla ice cream was incredible as well as the high-quality products available for purchase.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 27 October 2023
- Lamar JKailua-Kona, Hawaii12 contributionsThe Vanillerie an Outstanding TourOverall this tour was FANTASTIC and well worth the tour fee. If you have an interest in culinary or even gardening you will find this tour fascinating. Our tour guide Candee was exceptional. Candee gave us a 360 degree lesson on everything about vanilla. The history of vanilla. Horticultural and agricultural discoveries and challenges of growing the plants. A complete run down of the process of taking the raw bean and turning it into the final vanilla bean product. Candee was very knowledgeable and enjoyed fielding our questions. I highly recommend this tour.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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722 reviews
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Joe T
Louisville, KY9 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Really a must see if you want to understand a learn about vanilla. The tour is $15 per person. Steve does a great job educating you about the history and growth of vanilla orchids. The Vanillerie is an interesting place to stop and you get to try some vanilla ice cream as well. I would highly recommend stopping in. You can sign up for the tour online.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacquie S
Calgary, Canada63 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We stumbled on The Vanillerie in 2017 but they weren’t open to the public yet. It’s been a long 5 years waiting for our next trip to the Big Island to experience it. So glad we went on the tour. We leaned a ton about vanilla and have a new appreciation for the astronomical price of vanilla!
The tour guide, Lezleigh, was very helpful and informative. Steve was also very helpful. The gift shop has some fabulous items including a ‘make your own vanilla’ kit. We can’t wait to make our own with Kona vanilla beans.
Go support this local farm! It’s worth it.
The tour guide, Lezleigh, was very helpful and informative. Steve was also very helpful. The gift shop has some fabulous items including a ‘make your own vanilla’ kit. We can’t wait to make our own with Kona vanilla beans.
Go support this local farm! It’s worth it.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
atlas993
Elk Grove, CA551 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
This is such a neat and yet strange place. The whole tour took about an hour even though it is such a small place. They go into great detail on how everything happens to get the vanilla and answer everyone’s questions. Just know our 4 year old was bored and our 9 year old was partially interested, so I personally wouldn’t take young kids here unless they’re really into this kind of thing or you want to go and the ice cream at the end is a bribe! The ice cream at the end was good, but not great, I was expecting better. Also, we accidentally paid the $10 admission fee for our 4 year old even though they didn’t charge for him. Since you have to do the reservation and payment online before you go, my husband tried to call for days to get a refund and no one ever answered. When we got there the guy said he didn’t know how to give a refund, so he gave us one of their $6 body washes…not exactly what we were hoping for, but we chalked it up to helping out a Big Island business.
Written 4 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indrid Kolde
20 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
A very informative interactive tour. I really like vanilla in a wide variety of foods and soon realized I knew nothing about something so tasty so I took the learning tour.
The tour comes with a cup of very good ice cream and their store has bargains on vanilla and vanilla related items. I was pleased with the experience
The tour comes with a cup of very good ice cream and their store has bargains on vanilla and vanilla related items. I was pleased with the experience
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KayRuth
San Diego, CA218 contributions
May 2023
Vanilla is a fussy madam and grows in very specific conditions. It was great to find a place where one could view the process from flower/plant to finished product. If you cook or bake and are interested in food, this is a very interesting one-hour tour. The grand finale is a cup of local vanilla ice cream containing vanilla bean from The Vanillerie. It is delicious. Tern was our engaging guide and the gift shop afterwards was well worth the $20 admission fee. Book ahead online, or if you want to go the day of, call them first to ensure space, as each tour accommodates a limited number.
Written 24 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentFlier740604
5 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Wow, what a cool experience! My husband loves vanilla so we decided to check this place out. We loved hearing about the history and techniques of how vanilla is grown. After learning about the lengthy and time consuming process, you begin to understand that price of vanilla beans reflect the effort that it takes to grow them. Learning about the "delicious caviar from heaven" as my husband calls it, was a real treat. Thank you Vanillerie staff for being so well informed and kind. We loved the tour and tasty treat at the end! Would highly reccomend!
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mainsailhr
Hudson, WI343 contributions
Feb 2020
I found the tour to be really informative and interesting. 5 years to grow a plant before if creates its first bean. Hand pollinated. A pound of vanilla beans is worth over $5000. The vanilla ice cream at the end of the tour was very enjoyable.
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacey J
12 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This was really interesting. It was in a beautiful setting, had a great tour guide, really nice products in the gift shop and free vanilla ice cream at the end. I highly recommend the vanilla lip balm, as it is super moisturizing. We had our kids (age 4 and 6) with us and they enjoyed the tour as well.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas K
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
After a fantastic tour of the Kona Salt Farm we discovered the Vinillerie was just 5 minutes away. We missed the tour BUT Steve was kind enough to give us a brief overview of what they do and why vanilla is the 2nd most expensive spice on the planet. The vanilla ice cream was incredible as well as the high-quality products available for purchase.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David F
2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Steve was a phenomenal host who explained everything about Vanilla history, to the details of the farm. We were able to smell the wonderful essence of the Vanilla and sample some lotion as well. I would highly recommend this place!
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you sell plant cuttings? Grow your own in years, back home?
Written 11 September 2019
I am sorry, but at this time we are not selling our cuttings. We are trying to expand our production.
Aloha,
Jeannie Cellier
Written 16 September 2019
melaniebelcher
Alpine, Utah
How is this tour for a younger crowd (11, 9 and 5 year old)?
Written 17 November 2018
The tour is somewhat technical so not sure it would interest children under 8. With that said, I am sure Steve could tailor the tour so it would be of interest to them. They would definitely love the cup of the best vanilla ice cream I have ever had which is given at the conclusion of the tour! :) I would suggest giving them a call to see how they conduct the tour with children present. The tour is less than one hour so it would hold their interest and the groups are small. Enjoy!!
Written 18 November 2018
Is the walking easy for an 80 and 87 year old? Coukd we get around in a wheelchair?
Mahalo,
Written 14 November 2018
We took my 84 year old parents and they were fine; however, a wheelchair would be difficult.
Written 7 February 2019
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