My wife and I stayed here for two nights in mid June in the Princess Kaiulani room…read more This inn isn't for everyone. There are few of the amenities that most people expect of hotels. Many of the individual rooms have no TV, microwave, ac/heat, mini fridge, or kettle/Keurig in the rooms. Fairly Spartan, but the rooms are clean, the staff is great, the bed is comfy, and there is a decent but limited hot breakfast included every morning. When we went there was a choice between egg scramble, breakfast panini, and French toast. There's also a communal area with a coffee machine and hot water kettle. Instant oatmeal, muffins, juice, and breakfast bar snacks are included. There's a fridge with bigger snacks and cold water for purchase. You're really here for the waterfall and the natural serenity. And both are wildly spectacular. The waterfall is huge, multi-tiered, strong even in the dry season and you can see it from the dining area and several of the rooms. Inn policy is to check in with the innkeeper to see if the water is safe to enter but even if you don't go in, it's relaxing to just read on the deck to the sounds of the waterfall. There's kayaks and standup paddle boards for rent. The water is cold even in June but it is quite refreshing to take a swim in. Do not drink the river water and avoid getting any in your mouth or eyes. For the outdoor enthusiasts, they offer repelling down the waterfall. The Inn does sell day passes to non-overnight guests but waterfall activities have a few morning hours exclusive to overnight guests. When we stayed, the Inn had low occupancy and it was nice having the morning waterfall all to ourselves to paddleboard and swim. There are two trails on the property that both lead to the waterfall. There's also a covered open air structure down river with seats to enjoy nature. Buddha statues are placed along the bamboo trail. Both trails are pretty easy and it's hard not to feel some sense of calm with this much lush jungle. Totally a place you can just peace out, write your novel, read, or just commune with nature. Parking is included in their shared lot. Coqui frogs are out of control and it can be quite loud. We didn't have problems sleeping but you may want to bring ear plugs. Bring bug spray for the mosquitos, slippers/flip flops or water shoes for the waterfall pool and hike. There's a communal box of supplies containing mostly sunscreen. The drive to and from the Inn is rather sketchy as it's through rural Hilo with no street lights, several blind turns on a 1.5 wide road with often very overgrown plants on both sides. Vehicles have to pull off into dirt or plants to let another vehicle pass. Do not recommend driving it late at night, especially when it is raining. There's also the main gate to the Inn and a main gate to the rural road right off from more urban Hilo that closes at night, but also can be opened with the same code you get from the Inn. If you're a nature lover and love waterfalls, you'll find this place absolutely enchanting. But if you're looking for a Waikiki style experience, you'll want to look elsewhere.

This spot is simply perfect. Great staff, beautiful grounds, very comfortable beds, great breakfast…read moreoptions. This is a very special.

My partner and I love Bed and Breakfasts, and the Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast did not let us…read moredown. They had everything we needed for a comfortable stay (including air conditioning), and it was all done with great style (Matthew, the owner, has a fabulous decorative sense). The house keeper, Carolina, was sweet and a great conversationalist. She and Matthew talked to us about our plans, making sure we hit the highlights of Hilo. The house is located a few blocks away from downtown and very convenient to everything we wanted to see and do. There is plenty of street parking, and we felt safe in the location. To top it all off, the food was fabulous. They were very accommodating to dietary restrictions, and made sure there was lots of fresh, local produce for their guests. My partner and I hope we are lucky enough to return for another stay at the Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast.

We stayed at the Hilo Bay Hale B&B over the Holiday and it was our third stay here. We really love…read morethe place for its location right in Hilo town. It is only a few blocks away from the famous Farmers Market and lots of dining places around. It is also one of the few places in Hilo that is pet friendly and allows pets to stay. We always bring our two dogs with us when we visit so we don't have to board them while we are gone. Their amazing breakfast is really a fine example of what a real B&B should serve. For this stay they had fresh fruits, eggs, potatoes, breads, yogurt, juices and coffee. Everything was prepared by Carolina who was our host. She was so accommodating and attentive. She made an extra effort to allow us an early check in. We will be back again when we come to visit Hilo. Also, please note that they have a Kamaaina discount so be sure to note the request in the comments section when you book the reservation.

Our four-day stay at the Hilo Honu Inn was special - not just in the context of our week-long visit…read moreto The Big Island last week - but when compared to all vacations our family has ever taken. We booked the Samurai Room - with its Japanese themed furnishings and an unobstructed view of Hilo Bay from the sitting room. Our girls loved having their own room and separate beds, and my wife and I enjoyed restful sleep in the king-size bed, coquí frog chirps notwithstanding! We had our private parking spot, and all major attractions were a few minutes to half an hour away. Breakfast was a bowl of fresh fruit - lichee, mango, papaya, kiwi, grapefruit, melon - along with juices, lemon-infused water, tea, and fresh-brewed coffee, followed by something more filling, like banana-macadamia pancakes, quiche, French toast, or scrambled eggs and bacon. But the best part of breakfast was the conversation - with our hosts Gay and Koa - who we had all to ourselves for three of our four mornings. We talked for 2+ hours every day about Hawaiian flora and fauna, music, arts, history, language, and culture. Gay danced the hula for us and Koa played his favorite Hawaiian songs for us. They showed us their workshop - where they teach how to make feather leis, woodwork, ceremonial masks adorned with coyote teeth, traditional weapons made with tiger shark teeth, and countless other Hawaiian artifacts. I can go on and on, but that still won't do justice to what our stay meant to our family, so I'll share photos of what our girls wrote in their guestbook. Thank you Gay, Koa, and Hilo Honu Inn for a lifetimes worth of special memories. We will be back to stay with you next time we visit Hawai'i.

This was the best place I've ever stayed at!!! Gay and Koa, our hosts, made not only this stay but…read morealso my and my cousin's entire trip very special and memorable. They went several extra miles to make our stay comfortable. They were the definition of hospitality and made us feel very special. We stayed for a total of four nights. Every morning, Gay and Koa would make breakfast for us, which always included a generous bowl of fresh-cut tropical fruits and a glass of passion orange juice. The first day, we had scrambled eggs and bacon. The third day, we had macadamia nut and banana pancakes with Gay's homemade lilikoi syrup. The fourth day, Gay and Koa made us banana French toast. The second day, my cousin and I skipped breakfast because we were waking up early to go to Volcano National Park. Without being asked, Gay gave us an insulated bag to keep our food cold, made sure we had enough water, and gave us her homemade banana bread as an extra snack (which proved to be much needed during our hikes). I really appreciated her kindness and sincerity. On the days we did have breakfast with Gay and Koa, we talked for 1+ hours. I have learned so much about Hawaiian culture from them and feel so inspired by their passion to conserve Hawaiian culture, traditions, and natural environment. They gave us a tour of their workshop where they would koa woodworking and feather lei-making. They taught us about the history of the Hawaiian people and the meaning behind each of their artistic pieces. They also regaled us with stories about their lives, which were so interesting and riveting. As someone who loves to learn about different cultures and to listen to stories, I wish there had been more time in the day to just talk to Gay and Koa. They are a wealth of knowledge. My cousin and I agreed that staying and talking with Gay and Koa was the best part of our vacation! They treated us as if we were family, and I will miss them dearly.

With 6 rooms to choose from, I chose the oceanview suite #3 as it was a corner room that seemed to…read moreget good light. However, do note you also get the sounds of the coqui frogs from both sides. I believe the middle room may have less coqui frog noise but confirm with the innskeepers or owners before booking. Being on the east side of the island, you will be able to catch the sunrises right from your room so having an oceanview room was a big plus especially if you end up getting takeout since eateries close much earlier in Hilo. The breakfast is made to order by one of the innskeepers, sweet Tomomi that is served in an area with just as gorgeous ocean views. There is a shared fridge with other guests in case you have leftovers or anything perishable which we definitely did. Snacks like granola bars and tea are available all day as well as a cabinet full of sunscreen, bug spray, and anything else you may have forgotten.

The views are beautiful, service is unbeatable and to top it off breakfast was fantastic! We stayed…read morein oceanfront room 1. If you're looking to stay in Hilo, look no further. Thank you Bill for your island hospitality!

Definitely a place you would want to consider when visiting the Hilo side of the Big Island. It's…read morean immense luxury Japanese themed four bedroom / four and a half bath home available for rental on Reeds Island, which is approximately one mile from the historic downtown Hilo. The gorgeous Japanese motif home is surrounded by a thick, lush rainforest, swimmable ponds and waterfalls. Staying at one of Hilo's few ancient hotels or motels or older homes with bed and breakfast options considerably pales in comparison. Of course choose to be lulled to sleep at nights by the thousands chirps from the coqui frogs (and the deep voice of a bull frog or two!) or be prepared and bring along some ear plugs. And don't forget to bring along a can of bug spray repellant. There are tons of mosquitoes outdoors! Take a look at some of the pictures they post on their website. True lush beauty!

Our family's first trip to Hawaii had our group of eight (seven adults and one 22 month old) on the…read more"older" Hilo side of the big island. Looking back on our trip, I am really glad this was the case. Hilo resonated with me personally, having spent much of my formative years in the warmer climes of Africa. The "perfume of green," the subtle sweet aroma of tropical flowers, and the cleanly saline breeze of the ocean are all welcome olfactory recollections. Tucked near the end of a serpentine (and at times single lane) road, one is presented with two gates. Mika Taki is behind the left gate. Fair warning: parking is PRECIOUSLY lean and narrow. (Seriously; pray your neighbor is a better driver than the visiting Canadian Of Counsel that side swiped our parked rental.) Anyway... Back to this awesome vintage Japanese-inspired estate. Basics: 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Sleeps 8 $214 / day $1,393 / week There is a large kitchen good for meal prep (though, if you miss out on the amazing rustic local eateries...you are robbing yourself of a not-to-miss experience). There is comfortable though limited seating to be found in the formal living room, but there is an additional sun room porch good for a lazy mid-day nap. We spent the bulk of our in residence time seated around the large glass dining table. There is also a glorious wrap around covered deck that I strongly recommend in the cooler air of an early dawn's light. The grounds and the exterior of the residence are well worth taking in. The lush green grotto is capped in a Nature's Solarium of varied palm and deciduous species and the steep drop off the back of the house makes for a glorious symphony of birds during the day and loquacious tree frogs at night. Wear your insect repellent religiously unless you do not value your hide. The fairly treacherous descent down the left side of the property does reward you with a bona fide WATERFALL. Vacation well, my friends!

Pros: Great view, hot tub, pool…read more Cons: Not what it used to be. I've stayed here at least three times since the early 2000s. Gone are the days of live-in hosts who greet you, prepare great breakfasts on the communal deck where you mingle with the other guests, and provide a sense of welcome. I get that all that can change with new ownership and especially in the wake of Covid, but the place is in need of maintenance. The huge view window in the Bamboo room we rented was filthy. Breakfast was marginal. Very sterile rent/check-in process. We are not picky travelers and prefer to be self-sufficient with meals so we brought a lovely fresh fish to grill and they no longer provide an outdoor BBQ! A disappointing stay in comparison to our past experience here.

Pros: Nice View Cons: Everything else. Terrible breakfast,…read moredirty room, missing smoke detector, no staff on hand. Ignore the old reviews and pictures. They describe a very different place and experience. We were bitterly disappointed. It's called a bed and breakfast. This is technically true. There is a bed, and you get breakfast. If you want to be welcomed by a smiling inn keeper and served a piping hot, freshly cooked breakfast, stay somewhere else. First, there is no welcoming staff (or staff at all other than housekeeping). The property is currently managed by a company that runs multiple places on Big Island. We arrived at noon and got a message to just go to the room (it was unlocked) and grab the key. On the plus side, we did ask to check-in early at noon, and that was accommodated. We had the Bamboo room which is more private than the others. Second, the room was dirty. The coffee maker had not been cleaned. There was a bunch of coffee in the paper filter, with several dime-sized blobs of mold. The pot still had some liquid coffee in it (see picture). There was some green something or other on the nightstand. After a few hours, my wife noticed that her socks had turned black, so we walked around in sandals the rest of the time. The shower is moldy (see picture). Third, calling the breakfast uninspired is high praise. When we arrived, inside the small refrigerator in the room we found a plate of cut fruit, two muffins, some milk, two Yoplait yogurts, and a bowl with two hard boiled eggs. That was to be our breakfast for the next day. We ate the fruit, one muffin and the yogurt. The next day, the pattern repeated: a new plate of fruit appeared in the fridge, but no extra muffins (gotta finish them if you want more!), and the yogurt was replenished. That pattern repeated the third day, so that's the extent of the breakfast. (They also have some standard oatmeal packets and granola bars on the desk that looked picked over). Is the fruit plate a collection of local Hawaiian fruits like papaya or pineapple? Nope - bog-standard bananas, apples, cantaloupe, and strawberries. And since it's cut the previous day, the banana and apple start to turn brown by the morning, even though it's in the fridge with plastic wrap on it (see pictures). Oh, did I mention that our room was missing the smoke detector? It had been pulled out, so there is just a hole in the ceiling with wires hanging out (see pictures). The view is great, I will say that. Bottom line, look elsewhere. You've been warned...

Currently staying @ D&S Bed and Breakfast! I couldn't wait…read moreto get home before I wrote about this place. This place is a true jewel. B&B is located right in old Hilo Town. You can literally walk everywhere, farmers market, two ladies, rainbow bread, shops, all the restaurants. Only need a car if you got out of town. I will be staying here again if there is a room available. Rooms are clean and cosy. If you have a group coming to hilo town I HIGHLY recommend this place for you. It would be a super nice place to share it with your family and/or friends.

My husband and I stayed at D & S Bed and Breakfast for two nights earlier this month (June 2013)…read more Tim and Jami Vezina recently took over the management of the b & b, and they are terrific-- friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, quick to help, and great at knowing whether you're up for a chat or not. They have great suggestions for activities, dining, or just kicking around. The location can't be beat as mentioned by other guests-- literally across the street from the farmer's market, a good local grocery store, and within blocks of a huge variety of restaurants. Parking might be a little iffy as only street parking is available, but in the two days we were there, we didn't have problems finding a spot within the block. Upon our arrival, Tim was on the street waiting for us because the location is easy to miss; he pointed out a good parking spot and helped with bags. The rooms are simply furnished but clean and comfortable. No air conditioning, but well ventilated. Breakfast is simple as well, but plentiful-- fruit, juice, bagels, English muffins, pastries, coffee, tea, a variety of cereals, peanut butter, milk, etc. Our unit had a refrigerator, which was really handy, and we appreciated the in-room coffee maker, too. We appreciated the free Wi-Fi! Available to borrow are books, rain gear, and reusable shopping bags-- all nice touches. Should we find ourselves in Hilo again, we'd stay again!

I found this location on Travelocity when booking a package deal. I saw the ratings were very good,…read moreso that made it easy choice. I was not disappointed. I felt like I was at home. The owners Erich and Suzy live at the location and were very nice and welcoming. They made it there goal to educate me about the island, pointing out the great locations to visit. They always had coffee and breakfast ready in the morning, greeting the guests as they arrived. Great views of the Pacific ocean from their front yard and porch. Bedrooms were spacious and had fans and A/C if needed. I would recommend this location to friends and family. When I return to visit family in the future I will attempt to book a room here at Ala Kai BNB. Thank you for the great time!

We stayed here for 7 nights and loved every moment! Gorgeous view of the ocean and hiking trails…read moreclose by. Suzy and Erich were amazing hosts and taught us so much about the local dining and Hawaiian culture. The room was extremely clean and immaculately maintained. We will definitely be coming back next year!