BookNoFees
Holiday rentals in Big Island.
BookNoFees is expanding in Big Island. Be among the first stays travellers discover here.
The difference
A host wants NZ$1,975. Here’s what it costs.
The host keeps their full price. The displayed total includes a 3.9% cost contribution for Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it.
Take a simple example: an owner who wants to earn $1,975 for a week.
| What each platform takes | Airbnb | Booking.com | BookNoFees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform commission | 15.5% | 15%–25% | 0% |
| Payment processing & protection | included | contract-specific | 3.9% |
| Owner keepson a $1,975 listing | $1,669 | $1,481–$1,679 | $1,975 |
| Guest paysfor $1,975 to reach the owner | $2,337 | $2,323–$2,633 | $2,052 |
Over 18 weeks let, that is more than $4,938 a year in this example — money that stays with the guest or reaches the owner.
Rates checked in September 2026. Under its single-fee structure, Airbnb charges most hosts 15.5%; Airbnb says other hosts typically pay between 14% and 16%. Exceptions depend on country and account type. Booking.com sets the commission rate in each accommodation agreement, and visibility programmes may increase it. This worked example uses a possible range of 15% to 25%. If Booking.com facilitates payment, the applicable payment terms and transaction cost are contract-specific. Our 3.9% cost contribution is included in the displayed total and contributes towards Stripe payment fees and refunds. BookNoFees earns nothing from it. Nothing is added at checkout and nothing is deducted from the owner. Fee models can change, so please check each platform’s current terms. Sources: Airbnb Help Center and Booking.com General Delivery Terms.
Be the first
Be the first host in Big Island
List your property for free and be among the first stays travellers discover in Big Island.
- Less competition while the destination is new
- Early visibility as the marketplace grows here
- Free to list — 0% commission, you keep 100% of your price
- Keep using Airbnb or Booking and sync your calendar
With fewer properties listed in Big Island today, early hosts have less competition for visibility.
List here for freeAlready listed elsewhere? Keep it there — add BookNoFees as an extra booking channel. No stays available here yet.
We’re also looking for first hosts in Maui · Oahu · Florida Keys.
About Big Island
Staying in Big Island
The island of Hawaii, universally called the Big Island to avoid confusion with the state, is the largest and geologically youngest in the chain, and still growing as its volcanoes erupt. Its scale is its signature: within one island you can pass from black-sand and green-sand beaches to rainforest, high desert and even the snow that sometimes dusts the summit of Mauna Kea. The two main towns sit on opposite coasts. Kona, on the drier, sunnier west side, is known for its coffee farms, snorkelling and manta-ray night dives, and a coastline of resorts and lava fields. Hilo, on the wetter east side, is a lush, historic town of gardens, waterfalls and easy access to the national park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the island's headline experience, where you can walk across cooled lava, peer into craters and, when activity allows, witness the raw process of land being made. Mauna Kea rises above it all, a sacred mountain and a world-class site for stargazing from its lower slopes. Distances are long here, so plan drives and fuel accordingly. Note that Hawaii has strict short-term rental rules that vary by area.
Good to know
Holiday rentals in Big Island — FAQ
Should I stay on the Kona side or the Hilo side?
Kona, on the west coast, is generally drier and sunnier, with beaches, snorkelling and resort areas, making it a popular base for beach days. Hilo, on the east coast, is greener and rainier, close to waterfalls, gardens and the national park. Because the island is large, some visitors split their stay between both sides to cut down driving.
Can I see lava and visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open to visitors and offers craters, lava fields, steam vents and trails. Whether you can see active, flowing lava depends entirely on current volcanic activity, which changes and cannot be guaranteed. Check the park's official conditions and any closures or air-quality advisories before you go, and stay on marked trails.
Can I visit Mauna Kea?
Mauna Kea is a sacred mountain and a renowned site for astronomy and stargazing. Access to the summit area can be restricted and conditions are extreme, with high altitude, cold and thin air; a visitor information station on the mountain is a common stopping point. Check official access rules and weather before attempting any drive up, and respect the site's cultural significance.
Do I need a car, and how long are the drives?
A rental car is effectively essential on the Big Island because it is large and public transport is limited. Drives between the Kona and Hilo sides, or out to the national park and beaches, can take a couple of hours or more, so plan routes, fuel and daylight. Ask your host about typical drive times from the property to the sights you want to see.
Are short-term rentals allowed on the Big Island?
Hawaii has strict and evolving short-term rental rules that vary by island and area, and can include permit requirements and restrictions by zone. Legal, permitted stays are available, but rules are tighter than in many places. Confirm with your host that the property is legally permitted for short-term stays before booking, and keep that confirmation in writing.
How does booking direct on BookNoFees work here?
You can message the host before booking. For a booking request, Stripe first places a card hold for the full amount; the host has 48 hours to accept, and only then is the amount captured. Instant Book is charged immediately after Stripe confirms payment. Do not transfer the booking amount directly to the host. The displayed total already includes the 3.9% cost contribution for Stripe payment fees and refunds.
Hosts wanted in Big Island
Own a place in Big Island? List it free.
Keep 100% of your price — 0% commission, always. Add your place, connect your calendar, go live.
List here for free