rugby1

We will be traveling to the big island in May with another couple and will be spending the first 4 nights on the Hilo side of the island. After that we will be spending 9 days in a house on Kealakekua Bay. Any suggestions for places to stay in or near Hilo? We have never been to this island and would like something with a tropical garden feel since we hear that is what the wet side is all about. We have thought about a bed and breakfast or small house, etc.

bluefan

Have stayed at the reasonably-priced Old Hawaiian B&B and can definitely recommend it, especially the large Hawaiian Room:
www.thebigislandvacation.com
Lori is a nice host who serves a delicious fruit and pastry breakfast.

Other Hilo B&B's to consider other than the ones mentioned above:
Palms Cliff House (palmscliffhouse.com)
the historic Shipman House (hilo-hawaii.com)
Inn at Kulaniapia Falls (waterfall.net)
Waterfalls Inn (waterfallsinn.com)

I wouldn't recommend ANY of the Hilo hotels until they're renovated (after long-term leases are renewed).

ChristieP

We stayed at the Country Goose B&B in Volcano Village and loved it. Joan is an excellent hostess! In addition to the typical B&B rooms, she also has several cottages. www.countrygoose.com

RLS

We are staying at the Waterfalls Inn next week after searching for a nice B&B for many months. Tripadvisor.com posts also give it great reviews. Email me back after 2-7 if you want specifics. RLS

fraukie

you may also want to take a look at Dolphin Bay Hotel.

Gellers

We stayed at Dolphin Bay--not fancy, but charming...very friendly management and staff. Plus, it's walking distance from town.

rugby1

Thanks for all the info. The Old Hawaiian sounded great. I just tried getting two rooms, but they only have the two smaller ones available and I think I read in one of the forums that the smaller room can be pretty hot-no ventilation. I just spoke to the people at the At the Beach with Friends B and B and they do have two rooms available-it looks pretty nice. Has anyone stayed there or heard about it?
We did book one night at the Country Goose in Volcano in one of their cottages-the Ohia Lehua cottage. It looks amazing! We're planning 3 nights in Hilo and one in Volcano. Thanks for the help.

bluefan

Having personally stayed at a B&B and the Dolphin Bay Hotel, go with the B&B's.

The Dolphin Bay is a motel, not a hotel, that is really old and dated. Yet their rates are similar to, if not higher, than several Hilo B&B's and internet rates of Banyan Drive hotels (also yuck). No A/C and the fan ventilation is fairly poor and noisy.

I do agree that the DBH staff are helpful. Although I didn't meet John the owner, I hear that he eagerly shares his wealth of info re VNP and Hilo with guests. But you can also get a wealth of info from B&B owners like Lori at the Old Hawaiian.

rugby1,

We spent 4 nights at the Old Hawaiian B&B in May 2005. My parents stayed in the Bamboo Room, and my wife, baby and I stayed in the Sunrise Room. We never felt cramped (then again, we were out and exploring pretty much our whole time) and never worried about ventilation during our stay. At least in the Sunrise Room, there are plenty of screened windows along with the ceiling fan, so I don't remember feeling bothered by the lack of A/C.

No matter where you stay, I hope the weather is as good for you in May 2006 as it was for us in May 2005. I LOVED Hilo and the nearby VNP, Hamakua Coast and even the quirky Puna district. Ask away if you have any ?'s for your upcoming trip.

Gellers

If you aren't a B&B fan (we don't like them at all), the hotel pickings are, as noted above, pretty slim pickings. The Dolphin Bay is probably the best bet based on what we saw.