Hate to give them 5 stars...but what a great place I hope I don't ruin it. Small hotel, owner run, spotlessly clean, thoughtful service, beautiful gardens, within walking distance of the Hilo historic district. Our room had a small kitchen so you could 'eat in' if you needed to...great if you have kids. Very good value for the price. Not 'just a motel' as someone said: but a wonderful boutique hotel in a garden setting. Oh one thing; there aren't any dolphins or a Bay for that matter but don't be picky. A garden jungle is just outside your door...but would stay at the Garden Jungle Hotel? No; I didn't think so. read more

We stayed here for one night while staying in Hilo. Overall, pretty good if you are looking for low key, low amenity, low price. The woman who greeted us when we got there was very nice and showed us the amenities (coffee, banana bread in the morning, etc.) and showed us to our room. FYI it has more of a motel feel than a hotel feel, but who cares? Our hotel room was pretty spacious, had a kitchenette with full sized freezer and a water dispenser, sink, gas stove, etc. it was clean and everything was nice. My only wish was that they gave more than two little pillows to sleep on. I sire I could have asked for it, but oh well. Also, as per Hawaiian living, just watch where you are stepping sometimes. In the morning on the way out there was a centipede walking around our floor. Just part of island living. We put a glass on top of it and just left it. Maybe they out it back outside... Also, outside of the hotel there are steps that lead down to a little pretty garden area. Beware though, tons of Mosquitos. I was down there for like thirty seconds and walked out with six bites. And one last good thing to know was that they do provide shampoo/conditioner, soap, and lotion (I love that). read more

My son and I absolutely love Dolphin Bay! Home away from home very polite staff with wonderful hospitality with loving care and kindness yo animals as well. Never felt so welcome comfortable and safe. Look forward to more vacations here. If I could stay forever I would. read more

Highly recommend this hotel. Stayed one night before Thanksgiving 2019. It was a Great stay! The room is very practically good with full kitchen. The help desk staff was so friendly and helpful. Breakfast was not fancy, but fresh island fruits and banana bread& coffee/tea. I liked it very much. read more

This is the best place to stay in Hilo and I'll miss much about it when I get to the Kona side and stay in one of the very fancy hotels there. It is not a fancy hotel. But it is worth the experience. If you want, for the first day you can think of it as a natural approach to the natural side of the Island. Beginning with setting up the reservation itself and interacting with friendly and helpful people who make you feel like part of the family is itself a pretty unique experience. And it is hard to pass up an offer of free Kona coffee and banana bread. The free Kona coffee lasts much of the day, and is worth a quick stop back to your room. (My room was only 2 doors down from where the coffee awaits!) The rooms are clean and neat. It is July and the evenings are comfortable enough that being without air conditioning is not onerous. Yes, the frogs are noisy, but the fans in the room mostly drown them out. (This brings to mind a variant of a Zen Koan: "What is the sound of one frog croaking? I'll never know there are thousands of them out there!) The trees in the back area have fruit and flowers and add to the ambience. The cat mentioned by others is friendly, but not troublesome. I am allergic to cats, but would have pet him anyway. He didn't come up to me though! He is now about 18 or 19 years old with the spirt of an 8 year old. Free Wifi (medium speed), TV, fans in the room, comfortable bed, and kitchen area with utensils, toaster, microwave, full size refrigerator,gas stove, and more rounds it out. Make sure you stop in town or nearby for groceries for snacks and drinks. read more

If you're looking for a hotel on the hilo side, this is probably your best option as the other hotels/motels in the surrounding area looked pretty shady. Upon check-in, Ellen greeted us and she was super nice. She first asked what our plans were and how she could assist us. Awesome service! Pros: Clean and up-kept hotel for the area. Beautiful garden in the back of the hotel. It's really a piece of work! Coffee in the lobby at 5:30am and banana bread at 6:30am All you can eat papayas, bananas, and avocados (depending on season and if it's ripe). Good service. They have umbrellas/flashlights if you need 'em. Full kitchenette / fridge. Ample parking in the back lot. Cons: No air conditioning in the rooms. I had a miserable sleep my first night because it was so hot and muggy. There were ant trails on one of our walls (no biggie, the tiny ants are the least of your problems in this tropical climate). A gecko running around our room helped keep the ants at bay =) . I would stay here again if I ever come back to hilo...however, I think this city is a once in a lifetime visit as there isn't much to do. read more

It's not fancy, but I'm not one for the luxury hotel experience. I want a nice place sleep and leave my stuff when I'm out and about on vacation. It's in a low traffic area away from the main hotel "strip" (ok, that's kind of a stretch) on Banyan, closer to the old town across the Wailuku River, but still conveniently close to things. The rooms are clean and have kitchens. Earplugs are supplied if the coquis are too much for you. Coffee, fresh papaya, bananas, and pastry from a local bakery are provided in the morning. The staff has always been friendly, helpful, accommodating, and a source of good advice and information. Due to quirks of circumstance, we've actually ended up staying in the annex across the street, which is normally reserved for longer-term stays. Its parking lot features super generously sized parking spaces, which is nice. read more

We arrived early in Hilo & thought we'd head to Dolphin Bay Hotel to see if our room was ready. The woman in the office was very friendly & said that it would be ready by 11:00 AM (unheard of in larger hotels or resorts). Rather than stick around, we decided to see the sights & were offered a number of suggestions by the office worker. When we returned that evening, we explored the hotel & our room. It's a small place: 2 floors with maybe 20 rooms. It's also quite old, so don't expect key cards & top notch accommodations. Our room had a small kitchenette with refrigerator, sink & microwave. The bedroom had an extremely soft mattress, dresser & large armoire. Again, this place is old. Charming in its own right, but old. Opening the armoire, I was hit with the scent of perhaps mildew & bath towels were small & rough. There is no air conditioning. However, there was a wall fan in our room & windows at both ends to help facilitate a cross breeze. Be warned that the coqui frogs chirp all night long. So, if you have problems sleeping with noise or without ventilation, you might have a problem here. We were so exhausted every night that the frogs were no problem at all. Also, the open windows & room fan were sufficient for keeping us cool at night. The parking lot gets pretty full, so people parallel park behind the designated parking spots. There is also only one way in & out of the lot. This can be a challenge when trying to pull out. At one point, I had to carefully back out & drive in reverse throughout the entire parking lot because I could not find a place to turn my car around. Had someone been trying to pull in, I'm not sure what I could have done. Overall, Dolphin Bay Hotel is a friendly, unassuming place to call home while staying in a Hilo. read more

The location is excellent, the room is very clean. Full kitchen. Breakfast has the best banana bread, home grown papaya and incredibly good coffee. The hotel is in a lovely garden property. The rooms need to be updated but you are a good value. Best part is the owner John who has lived in Hilo his entire life. He is an amazing resource and very available. I would stay here again. read more

We stayed at Dolphin Bay for 4 nights recently, and loved our time there. The rooms are basic, but have everything you need. We had one of the "1-bedroom apartment" rooms, and had everything you'd need for cooking, etc. along with good closet and storage space. The hotel is also within walking distance of downtown Hilo and all the various attractions there. Rooms are VERY clean, and staff is friendly and helpful. John (the owner) staffs the desk throughout the morning, and is great! He assisted us with local maps, restaurant and attraction information, volcano information, and even has equipment (walking sticks, flashlights, etc) available for side adventures such as exploring the lava tubes. John also supplies coffee, muffins/banana bread, and fresh fruit in the morning. We loved being able to grab bananas (taken from the garden behind the hotel) off the bunch anytime we wanted them. Also loved the fresh flowers (also from the garden) in the room each day. We will definitely stay here again! read more

Very nice hotel room for the price tag. actually, I would not call this place a hotel. The rooms are more like studio apartments in my opinion. We were warmly accommodated after trekking from kona, to ocean view, ka'u, then to volcano and our eyes were weary and feet tired. The rooms are large and spacious. Even having a dining room area complete with table and chairs, and a fully stocked kitchen complete with anything you would need from dishes to mugs, to can and wine openers (although we did not partake). The full size refrigerator came equipped with ice and water. The room had a stove with pots and pans for the longer staying guests. The bathroom was also decently sized and also came stocked with shampoo, soap, and even ear plugs (but why would anyone want to drown out the sounds of nature?!- we didn't need these). I woke up early for coffee, banana bread, papaya and fresh bananas on the vine. Some of the best I've ever had! The energy to this place is definitely mellow and I appreciated that. A private lot in the back protects your rental car and belongings. Thank you dolphin bay for accommodating us on such short notice! We will definitely be back. read more

You guys rock and are so kind , caring! Clean rooms , right by singing bridge ! It's a hidden gem . Very quiet , I just loved it ! John is the nicest person ever and his crew is amazing ! read more

Hands down I have to agree with everyone that has stayed here this place rocks!!! The staff are friendly and very helpful, the rooms are very clean and neat. We reviewed other reviews from other sites and everyone said that this place is the jewel of hilo!!! A must stay !!! read more

I don't have much to add to the others' glowing reviews. Modest and homey, tree frogs at night, little kitchens in rooms, coffee, fruit and Danishes for breakfast. Very characteristic of friendly, laid-back, unpretentious Hilo. (That doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive, though.) What makes this place shine is the service! John, especially, gave us dead-on tips, directions, suggestions, warnings, and flashlights and beach towels on loan. He even invited us back for an after-beach shower, even though we'd already checked out! And he wasn't one of those over-eager, intrusive folks who continue to give you suggestions after you already have the information you need. The only negative: the free wi-fi was a little unreliable. But that was no big deal. We would stay here again, definitely. read more

I am a travel nurse and I stayed in countless hotels in Hawaii during my transition to getting an apartment and this one was my favorite. Friendly staff, papayas, bananas grown on the land and banana bread out for the guests everyday and the outdoor grill felt like home. I love how everything is outdoors and anti plastic/pollution. Such a good vibe read more

A great place to stay in Hilo! Highlights: very clean, easy walk into town, yummy coffee, fresh fruit, and banana bread in the morning, beach towels, snorkeling gear, and great service. The rooms may appear a little retro but are very clean and comfortable. John and his staff made our stay in Hilo exemplary with their knowledge of the island and friendly service. We will be back! read more

We really liked this place. It is super clean and the staff is amazing. I almost felt like I was at a bed and breakfast. This place is a little outdated but the staff and cleanliness help make this place a 4 star. Although if the sounds of frogs bother you, you might want to find somewhere else to stay. read more

This is a lovely property, convenient to downtown, with many amenities, including a friendly manager (John), who seems to know everything about Hawaii, a free breakfast of coffee, tea, fresh fruit from the nearby trees, and banana bread. And there's a friendly tabby, Opi, who will be more than glad to stay in your room should you invite him. I wouldn't stay in any other place in Hilo. The rates are also great--not rock bottom but not pricey, either. read more

We had a wonderful time at Dolphin Bay- John and the rest of the staff went above and beyond to make sure that not only our stay with them was enjoyable, but that we also would have a great vacation. John has created his own maps of downtown Hilo and Big Island to help you easily get around, and he is most helpful in recommending places to eat and activities to do. The rooms were very clean and neat- the missing fifth star is because one side the bed was not very comfortable- we had to flip our mattress. Overall this was exactly what we were looking for and was an amazing value. read more

Dolphin Bay is a welcoming & friendly community with the host of recurring characters that visit annually. The owner, John , is a fantastic host along with his accommodating staff. We stayed the annex portion of the hotel and couldn't have had a better experience! The location is walkable from downtown, it's superb. Papaya & banana bread breakfast is available every morning- fresh coffee and tea also available! Highly recommend Dolphin Bay Hotel! read more

We come to Hilo often to visit family. The Dolphin Bay Hotel is quaint, quiet, and is absolutely perfect for us. We can walk into downtown Hilo, we love having our own kitchen, and exploring the grounds behind the hotel is relaxing. The staff is friendly and down home--we love this place! The Dolphin Bay is a place to sleep and to have your own space. If you are looking for a day spa, pool, or in-hotel restaurant and services, this place isn't for you. Those things aren't important to us as we are with family when we are over here. The one bedroom unit is perfect because our nieces and nephew can hang out with us and we aren't cramped. We love the Dolphin Bay Hotel!!! read more

You really can't beat this place for the price. The staff was incredibly friendly and gave great ideas on things to do while visiting. After checking into another motel on the island I was beyond nervous going here. Once we got settled in there was not much to complain about. I've never been somewhere that made it feel like a home. Every door opened was just another surprise of how much this place offered. Extra fan and pillows in the closet. The cons were, loud frogs, no ac, and the sheets were not the most comfortable. Turning both fans up drowned out the frogs and kept the room cool. It's not like staying in a resort, but dollar for dollar this has probably been one of the best places I have ever stayed. If I ever ended up on the big Island again, would definitely stay again. read more

Super cute and friendly place! Only reason it cannot get 5 star is because of no air conditional! If you dont care about it, this hotel will promise your good stay! read more

Great place very near downtown - easy walk to old Hilo Very attentive manger Just there one night but really enjoyed it read more

One of the best places I have ever stayed. It is almost like the Dolphin Bay Hotel premises has dismissed the fact that Hilo is somewhat sketchy and become a sort of paradise. To start off with the staff is extremely friendly. It is quickly apparent that for them the hotel is less of a business and more of a love for sharing the place they call home. The hotel also owns an incredible "garden" with paths leading in and around it bringing you to the depths of the of what I can only describe as a tropical forest. There they grow bananas, avocados, bread fruit, and tangerines along a little creek teeming with tadpoles. and in the crevices of some of the trees they grow all sorts of orchids. Be warned however the mosquito also flourish here so borrow the bug spray the hotel provides. Along one of the paths in the garden I met Dolphin Bay's permanent resident Rubble a tabby cat that has free reign over the place. Although the staff ask that you don't feed him because he has been known to show up at peoples doors at 5am and meow till the whole hotel wakes up. Overall it was a great experience. read more

If ten were an option...we'd give em' a steady 12. Definitely one of Hilo, Hawaii's better kept secrets. Go to the guest sign in Wepage on their site. Everyone that's been there say how much they want to come back. Wife and I loved this place. Say hi to John and Branon ... Mahalo my friends !! read more

I come to Hilo twice a year for work and have found Dolphin Bay to be the best hotel to stay at. They have a range of room sizes available, but I have mainly stayed in the one to two-bedroom units. I believe that the hotel used to be apartments before converting into a hotel so the kitchen element is a nice way to save some money and your waist line for some simple home cooked meals. The staff are always so friendly and courteous and bonus tip. If you fly in early call and ask if your room is available. Sometimes they will let you check-in early if they have the room ready at no extra cost. I just checked in at 7:30 am today to drop off my luggage before heading off to work. They also have fresh picked apple bananas and papaya for guests to eat as well as a pastry breakfast and coffee in the morning. I intend to stay here for every business trip I have to Hilo! read more

Love this place! The staff is wonderful, and in the pouring rain, not only gave us umbrellas, but Chrissy lent us her raincoat (it was REALLY pouring). Kitchen facilities are nice to have. They have 1 and 2 bedroom suites, and delicious coffee, bananas, and papayas for breakfast, together with wonderful banana bread, all free. Wifi had acceptable speed. It's a few blocks from the main drag of Hilo, but the walk is beautiful. Definitely the best place to stay in Hilo! read more

We only stayed for one night but were surprised by the nice facilities including the well-equipped kitchen (with gas stove!). It's set up to be as comfortable and welcoming as possible with delicious apple bananas and papayas from their garden available all day. The grounds are lovely. John was very friendly and helpful when it came to planning dinner and what to do. It was the perfect place to stay in Hilo. read more

I agree with Dennis d. This place is good for the money. The owner is rad and very helpful. He gave me great suggestions for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling, which was not listed in our tour books. He was very friendly and made me feel like home. I too have stayed at five star resorts in the big island, but this place was very special. I felt a greater sense of aloha than any other place I have stayed at in Hilo. I do not recommend this place for those that require room service or a pool. But simply want a place to relax, put up your feet and reflect on the waterfalls you toured that day! read more

Great stay....Good facilities. Very friendly and knowledgable people. They suggested great places to eat. Provided maps for sights to visit. Try their suggestions you wont regret it. Rooms are very clean have an attached kitchen and bathroom. I booked one which also has a living room which had a 27 inch TV. Basic and pretty much everything you need. Next to downtown hilo and centrally located to all other attractions that the Big Island has to offer . They have amazing morning coffee, pastries and fresh fruits from their gardens available. Coqui frogs croak at night and birds chirp at dawn. But that didn't bother me. I slept like a log and loved the cacophony. Wifi worked like a charm. Also has facilities to wash and dry clothes. Highly recommended. read more

Clean, super friendly, convenient location. Not a fancy resort, but a relatively basic hotel -- but if you are looking for a decent clean place to sleep, this is it. No air conditioning, so you typically keep the windows open. But when I was there in February the other guests were quiet, so I slept well. read more

Very basic but met our needs. Friendly front desk and cute "Rubbles" the house tabby. Those apple-bananas were awesome, straight from the back lot. Lots of frog noises at night, but that's what makes it special. Close to downtown Hilo, although somewhat sketchy 1 block area at nite if walking. read more

Wonderful hotel staffed by people who really know the big island.

This is exactly the kind of hotel one should look for. The nice feel of a home away from home, and the guy knows everything about the island. He never led us wrong. read more

Lucky for us they had a room available for that night, last minute of course! The people I spoke with we're really friendly and helpful. When we arrived our room wasn't ready yet but she gave us the key and showed us how to get there. The room is clean and very cute. The shower was surprisingly great! New shower head, great pressure and again clean. My only negative which isn't that bad...is its loud at night. The birds and frogs are great but the other guests is weird. They have ear plugs in the bathroom for you, so that solved it! I will recommend this hotel to anyone who asks and stay here again if I am in Hilo! read more

This is a cute hotel giving you a true since of home. In the morning they offer fruit from the jungle right behind their hotel as well as coffee and some amazing baked bread. Definitely recommended if you are looking for something local and cozy. read more

The room was great; water is hot, bed and linens comfy, fans and windows provide plenty of sweet breeze. The coffee and local banana bread, and fresh fruit from the jungle garden out back, were delish! The rain on lush flora and the nocturnal symphony, lull you to sleep. read more

I have stayed here every time I've been to Hawaii over the past 20 years. I wish I felt this comfortable every time I travelled.

There is little I can add to the other great reviews of this fine little hotel. We loved all the things other people have mentioned. It has a great, low key vibe, thanks to Robert (?) and his staff. We had a kitchen unit, and like someone else said, it was as big as an apartment. The coffee is ready at 5:30 am, and by 6:30, the papaya and banana bread appears....yummy! We would recommend the Dolphin Bay Hotel to anyone! (I thought the cat's name was Opie - sweet little kitty!) read more