Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [231]
Midrange & Top End
Dolphin Bay Hotel (Map; 935-1466; www.dolphinbayhotel.com; 333 Iliahi St; studios $100-110, 1br/2br $140/160) The glowing ‘lava-fall’ framing the office is your first clue that the owner loves volcanoes and has fashioned the Dolphin Bay into an ideal base for East Hawai′i adventures. In a residential neighborhood walkable to downtown, the 18 unfussy, functional rooms with full kitchens make comfortable crash pads after a day spent exploring. In the morning, fresh fruit and coffee are available, along with slightly charred walking sticks.
Hale Kai Hawaii (935-6330; www.halekaihawaii.com; 111 Honoli′i Place; r $145-165; ) For memorable views of Hilo across the bay, book one of the four rooms here, which your talented, well-traveled hosts have decorated with their own art. Smallish rooms have character, with pretty quilts and bright color schemes; all open onto a shared lanai. A hot tub and tiny pool look out onto sweeping views, and they provide a convivial gourmet breakfast. Hale Kai overlooks Honoli′i Beach Park, north of downtown Hilo.
Bay House B&B (Map; 961-6311, 888-235-8195; www.bayhousehawaii.com; 42 Pukihae St; r incl breakfast $150; ) Across the Singing Bridge, these three attractive tropical-themed rooms offer generous lanai with bay views, the serenade of restless waves and luscious privacy. Indeed, the gracious owner, making sure nothing disrupts your quiet escape, leaves a breakfast basket in your room.
Hilo Honu Inn (Map; 935-4325; www.hilohonu.com; 465 Haili St; r incl breakfast $140-250; ) On the hill above downtown, this remodeled 1933 home has three custom-designed guest rooms. All are wonderful, with mosaic-tile baths and memorable furnishings. However, the top-floor Samurai Suite is a memorable standout. The house’S original Japanese tea room, it boasts authentic Japanese furnishings, including tatami mat floor, sliding paper-screen doors, awesome sled bed, furo (soaking tub), and sweeping, 180-degree views of Hilo Bay. The engaging hosts make you feel at home, and they serve one mean breakfast.
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (Map; 935-9361, 800-367-5004; www.castleresorts.com; 71 Banyan Dr; r $155-205; ) The Hilo Hawaiian is Banyan Dr’S best big hotel. Rooms are pleasing, if standard – neat and clean, with a tropical floral decor. Ocean-view rooms really deliver and are the real draw. The expected comforts and amenities – a freshwater pool, decent restaurant etc – seem better with an internet discount.
At the Beach with Friends B&B (Map; 934-8040; www.hiloinn.com; 369 Nene St; r incl breakfast $170-190; ) Across from the beaches on Kalaniana′ole Ave, with jungly grounds that include an anchialine (a mixture of seawater and freshwater) pond swimming with fat koi, this three-room B&B feels a world away from Hilo. Carved Bali doors, bamboo bed frames and mosaic-tile baths set the tone for rooms packed with Hawaiiana. Breakfast is a buffet, and it’S fully wired for business travelers.
Shipman House B&B (Map; 934-8002, 800-627-8447; www.hilo-hawaii.com; 131 Ka′iulani St; r incl breakfast $210-250; ) This gracious, stately Victorian mansion, still run by Shipman heirs, is Hilo’S most historic property. Play the grand piano Queen Lili′uokalani entertained on, and sleep where Jack London once lay his head; the family’S museum-quality collection of antiques and artifacts fills every nook. The three main-house rooms are the most memorable, but two rooms in the nearby 1910 guest cottage are no slouch either: all rooms have nice baths, high ceilings, vintage furnishings, hardwood floors covered with lauhala mats, and refrigerators. A delicious breakfast is served on a spacious patio with thrilling views, and the owner hosts a hula class Wednesday night.
Several more Banyan Dr hotels can be OK, but only with an internet deal:
Hilo Seaside Hotel (Map; 935-0821, 800-560-5557; www.hiloseasidehotel.com; 126 Banyan Dr; r $85-120; ) Bland, boring but adequate; view rooms are disappointing, so save your money.
Uncle Billy’S Hilo Bay Hotel (Map; 935-0861, 800-442-5841; www.unclebilly.com;