Big Island Hotels

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Dolphin Bay Hotel

At a Glance

    Pros

  • great value
  • full kitchens in all units
  • extremely helpful and pleasant staff
  • weekly rates are a good deal

    Cons

  • no pool
  • no phones in the rooms

Dolphin Bay Hotel Review

Units in this circa-1950s motor lodge are modest, but charming, clean, and inexpensive. A glowing lava flow sign marks the office and bespeaks owner John Alexander's passion for the volcano. Stunning lava pictures adorn the common area, and Alexander is a great source of information for visiting the park and for exploring the back roads of Hilo. Coffee and fresh fruit are offered daily. Four blocks from downtown Hilo, in a residential area called Puueo, the hotel borders a verdant 2-acre Hawaiian garden with jungle trails and shady places to rest. Guests of the hotel return repeatedly, and it's ideal for families who seek a home base.

    Hotel Amenities

  • 18 rooms, 12 studios, 4 1-bedroom units, 1 2-bedroom unit.
  • Rooms have: no a/c, kitchen, Wi-Fi.
  • Rate includes no meals.
  • Credit cards accepted.

Member Reviews

  • jayboo, from Los Angeles
    5/21/07

    John truly goes the extra mile to make his guests feel welcome and comfortable. The hotel rooms are not fancy, but they are clean. the coqui frogs may sing you to sleep, but in the morning you wake up to a great cup of coffee, fresh papaya, and scrumptious sticky buns. Take a walk in the garden or sit in the lobby and talk story with John about the volcano, his adventures on the high seas, and sleepy old Hilo town. Ah...

    Ratings details: Room: 4 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
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