One of the most important parts of planning a trip is deciding where to stay. With so many options ranging from traditional hotels to small inns to vacation rentals, it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the destination.
That’s why we are here! In this article, we shed some light on the different lodging options available in the Hilo area, providing recommendations about where to stay based on various interests and price points. So, whether you’re an adventure seeker or a beach bum, we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay in Hilo.
Table of contents
- FAQ + Map
- Best places to stay for Families
- Best places to stay for First Timers
- Best places to stay for Solo Travelers
- Best places to stay for Active Travelers
- Best places to stay for Beach Bums
- Best places to stay for Repeat Visitors
- Region Comparison: Hilo Regions and good reasons (not!) to stay in Hilo
- Kona vs. Hilo: reasons (not) to stay in Hilo.
Table of Contents
- FAQ + Map
- Best places to stay for Families
- Best places to stay for First Timers
- Best places to stay for Solo Travelers
- Best places to stay for Active Travelers
- Best places to stay for Beach Bums
- Best places to stay for Repeat Visitors
- Region Comparison: Hilo Regions and good reasons (not!) to stay in Hilo
- Kona vs. Hilo: reasons (not) to stay in Hilo.
Below, we break down the best options on the Hilo side for different kinds of travelers, including families, first timers, solo travelers, active travelers, beach bums, and repeat visitors. In our suggestions, we include high-end, mid-range, and budget-friendly suggestions for each.
FAQ
Where you stay on the Hilo side of the Big Island depends on your ultimate goals. Adventurous folks might want to stay at elevation nearby the national park, while families may find the services in Hilo Town more appealing.
We recommend at least 2 nights in Hilo to explore the points of interest in this region.
If your primary focus is beaches, you should really be staying on the Kona side of the island, where there are more options. However, Hilo Town does have a small selection, including Richardson’s black-sand beach.
Hotels in downtown Hilo are generally within walking distance or a short ride (less than 5 minutes) to shops, restaurants, and bars.
The Hāmākua Coast is full of open space, ranches, farms, and high sea cliffs.
Setting up shop somewhere in the Puna District will give you the feeling of being off the beaten path.
Volcano Village is the closest “hub” to the national park (less than 5 minutes to Park entrance). Temperatures are a bit cooler in Volcano (elevation of 4,000 feet) and lodging options in Volcano are limited, so many still choose to stay in Hilo Town, which is an easy 45-minute drive to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Summary map of all places recommended in our guide
We list all hotels mentioned in this guide on the map below (in blue), as well as some of the highest-rated vacation rentals (in red), on the map below. Fill in your trip date on the map to find which places are available during your stay and at what cost.
Tip for more accurate pricing: make sure to fill in your expected dates to directly see price and availability.
Affiliate disclosure: This overview contains affiliate links to accommodation aggregator websites such as Booking.com and VRBO. Clicking on those links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only include affiliate links when they offer good value to our readers, read more about the use of those links on the Love Big Island website.
Where to stay on the Hilo side for Families
Families can technically stay in any of the Hilo-side regions, though Hilo Town provides the most services and easiest access to restaurants, stores, and other conveniences.
Recommended High-End accommodation options for Families:
The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is a DoubleTree/Hilton property located along the coast of Hilo Bay. It provides wonderful views of the bay, an water-view restaurant/bar, a swimming pool, is within walking distance of local parks, and it’s less than five minutes’ drive to downtown Hilo.
Alternative Options: Volcano House (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park); Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast; Vacation rentals in Hilo.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for Families:
The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is located next door to the Naniloa, offering similar coastal views and access. It also has a bar and restaurant with great views of the bay, a pool, and is within walking distance to green space and coastal access.
Alternative Options: Kīlauea Lodge (Volcano); Lotus Garden Cottages.
Recommended budget accommodation options for Families:
Depending on what exactly you need, a vacation rental could fit your budget needs. There are also some smaller hotels, such as the Wild Ginger Hotel, that can accommodate families at a reasonable price point.
Alternative Options: Vacation rentals in Puna District.
First-Timers
You only get one first visit to a place, so might as well make the most of it. Exact needs will vary (depending if you’re traveling with a family, on your own, a partner, etc.), but these properties will showcase the best of what the Hilo side has to offer.
Recommended High-End accommodation options for First-Timers:
The Volcano House is located inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the rim of Kīlauea Volcano. From the hotel, you can see our over the caldera – in a word, the views are spectacular, and it’s a stay you’ll not soon forget.
Alternative Options: Grand Naniloa; Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for First-Timers:
A stay at the Lotus Garden Cottages Bed & Breakfast outside of Volcano Village will introduce you to life in a Hawaiian rainforest. Immersed amongst the tall trees, the small inn offers a relaxing vibe with Asian and tropical influenced decor. Great place to relax on your own time after a day exploring the nearby national park.
Alternative Options: Kīlauea Lodge; Lotus Garden Inn.
Recommended budget accommodation options for First-Timers:
Vacation rentals on sites like Airbnb and VRBO let you match your specific budget to a variety of different property options throughout the Hilo side of the island.
Alternative Options: Hāmākua Guesthouse and Cabins.
Solo Travelers
Solo travelers should seek properties that help them integrate with locals as well as other travelers. For that reason, we mostly recommend hotels located in the most populated area, downtown Hilo, as well as hostels where there is a high chance of meeting other solo travelers (if you feel so inclined).
Recommended High-End accommodation options for Solo Travelers:
The Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast is a 1922 home situated on the edge of Hilo Bay, offering great views of the water and a relaxing refuge just a short walk from downtown. The included breakfast is a nice way for solo travelers to ease into the day before heading out to explore.
Alternative choices: Grand Naniloa.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for Solo Travelers:
The Lotus Garden Inn is a new boutique, eco-friendly hotel in downtown Hilo, with an array of unique rooms that each express something a little bit different. There is also an on-site co-working space where you can work remote, meet other travelers, etc.
Alternative choices: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel; Kilauea Lodge.
Recommended budget accommodation options for Solo Travelers:
Hostels are a great way to meet people when you’re traveling solo (you can bunk up in the dorms, or get a private room and meet people in the common areas). There are many hostels to choose from on the Hilo side, including Howzit Hostels Hawaiʻʻi, Big Island Hostel, and Pahoa Village Hostel, among others.
Active Travelers
Adventure on the Hilo side of the island is abundant, especially surrounding Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Recommended High-End accommodation options for Active Travelers:
The Volcano House is the premier high-end option for active travelers due to its location on the rim of the active volcano. Step out your door and onto myriad hiking trails to explore the national park.
Alternative Options: Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast; Grand Naniloa.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for Active Travelers:
The Kilauea Lodge offers rustic accommodations in the heart of Volcano Village, with very quick and easy access to the nearby national park. You don’t have to rough it too much here, though, as the Lodge offers perks like hot tubs and an on-site restaurant.
Alternative Options: SCP Hotel; Hilo Hawaiian Hotel; Vacation Rentals.
Recommended budget accommodation options for Active Travelers:
Vacation rentals across the Hilo side can be found on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. Many budget accommodations are available, including off-grid cabins or houses.
Alternative Options: Howzit Hostels Hawaiʻi; Big Island Hostel; Pahoa Village Hostel.
Beach Bums
Beach bums are best suited to stay in the downtown Hilo area for quick access to local beaches. Keep in mind that while Hilo has a collection of small beaches, most are black sand or rocky.
Recommended High-End accommodation options for Beach Bums:
The Grand Naniloa sits on the rocky shores of Hilo Bay, offering a waterfront setting for beach bums to hang out, read, and relax. Several beach parks are within a short drive, including Honoliʻi Beach Park and Richardson’s Beach, both black-sand beaches
Alternative Options: Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, Vacation Rentals.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for Beach Bums:
The SCP Hotel is located adjacent to Reeds Bay Beach Park and is a short ride from other Hilo beaches. The SCP stands for “Soul, Community, Planet” and reflects the hotels emphasis on authentic/genuine experiences and holistic wellness.
Alternative choices: Hilo Hawaiian; Vacation Rentals.
Recommended budget accommodation options for Beach Bums:
Beach bums on a budget can look to stay at one of the aforementioned local hostels or book a vacation rental in the Puna District, which offers easy access to beaches like Lighthouse Beach, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and Kehena Black Sand Beach.
Repeat Visitors
So you’ve been there, done that eh? Vacation rentals are always nice for those returning to a destination, but you can also try out some of these newer properties.
Recommended High-End accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:
The Lotus Garden Inn is a boutique hotel offering unique rooms and a co-working space in the heart of downtown Hilo.
Recommended mid-range accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:
The SCP Hotel stands for Soul, Community, and Planet, with a focus on offering genuine cultural experiences and active daytime adventures. Also, any of the wonderful Bed and Breakfasts in and around Hilo.
Recommended budget accommodation options for Repeat Visitors:
Want to get off the beaten path? Try some of the smaller inns in the Puna District, such as the Lava Tree Tropic Inn or an oceanfront cottage.
Regions on the Hilo Side of the Big Island
Below are the four main regions in which you will find lodging on the Hilo side of the Big Island.
Hilo Town
The city of Hilo is the largest hub on the east side of the Big Island. Though it is the largest city on the island, it remains very local, with significantly less accommodation options than the Kona side. However, for many, this is the appeal. Hilo’s local vibe is relaxing, it offers a nice mix of restaurants, and it provides easy access to nature, including rainforests, waterfalls, coastal parks, volcanoes, and more.
Volcano Village
Many people visit the Hilo side of the island for the purpose of checking out Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Most stay in Hilo (about a 45-minute drive) for its conveniences as a hub, but staying up on the outskirts of the national park is also an option in Volcano Village. Here, you will find a variety of cozy vacation rentals, lodges, and bed & breakfasts surrounding the summit area of the volcano, located in a classic Hawaiian rainforest at 4,000 feet above sea level.
Volcano is a great option for travelers who plan to spend multiple days in the national park, and/or go lava viewing at night.
Hāmākua Coast
The Hāmākua Coast is located north of Hilo on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano. Filled with agricultural and ranch land and sea cliffs, the Hāmākua Coast is extremely relaxed, with only a few small towns. Most folks who stay in this area are looking to get away from it all, usually finding a vacation rental on a ranch or farm. It provides quick access to points of interest in the northern part of the island.
Pāhoa and Puna Coast
If you’re looking for a glimpse of volcanic hippie/bohemian and “outsider” culture, find a place to stay near the town of Pāhoa in the Puna District. This highly-volcanic area is located close to the riffs zone of Kīlauea Volcano, resulting in a dramatic volcanic history (for example, the town of Pāhoa was nearly destroyed in the 2014 eruption). In this area, you will find a variety of small inns and vacation rentals.
The Kona side is more popular, so why should you stay on the Hilo side?
There are some very good reasons to stay at least part of your trip on the Hilo side since being there offers a great contrasts to life on the Kona side. Some people may even want to consider only on the Hilo side!
- Less crowded. Most people who visit the Big Island make camp on the Kona side. Due to limited lodging, Hilo remains very local and doesn’t experience the same kind of crowds.
- Proximity to Kilauea Volcano. If you want to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, staying on the Hilo side of the island puts you much closer and makes it more accessible.
- Tropical environment. Kona offers a hot and dry coastal climate, but Hilo receives much more rain, offering a greener, lush ecosystem filled with big trees, waterfalls, and covered forests closer to sea level.
- Cooler Temperatures. The Hilo side receives more weather than the Kona side, and as a result is typically cooler overall.
- Local Life. The Hilo side of the island is very genuine and honest, with little tourism fanfare. Those who stay on this side will be able to get a clear glimpse of local life.
Why shouldn’t you stay on the Hilo side of the island?
While none of the below are deal breakers (and could in fact be seen as advantages by some), some commonly-voiced drawbacks of the Hilo side are:
- Less lodging options. Overall, Hilo has significantly less lodging options as compared to Kona (see our favorite accommodation options along the Kona coast here), and no full-service resorts.
- Quiet nights. Though Hilo does have a variety of good restaurants, the quantity is much less than Kailua-Kona. Most things shut down relatively early on the Hilo side, with very little nightlife. Some folks enjoy this rhythm, while others prefer Kona for its nightly availability.
- Higher chance of rain. Hilo is the “windwardside” of the Big Island and receives more rain than the Kona side.
