The best!!!!!! If I can give 10 stars I will, truly amazing. Randy was the best, hospitality is…read morebeyond expectation. The place is very serene, very clean and just magical . Thank you ! Will surely come back!

Randy and Allison have created one of the most inviting, relaxing, and comfortable specialty inns…read moreimaginable, and for an incredible reasonable price compared to a mainstream hotel. Mahana House is an off-the-beaten path tropical lodge (four rooms, one of which is a suite) that welcomes visitors to its South Pacific-themed oasis just outside of Hilo. We were here for three nights and about 95% of our time here in January there was a constant downpour. My husband and I both came to the conclusion that we were incredibly fortunate that we unknowingly chose to stay at an beautifully manicured inn that made staying indoors and watching the rain actually very enjoyable. We were roomed in the main suite, which was perfectly decorated and furnished, had a semi-full kitchen (including a microwave, fridge, bowls/cups/silverware/etc, along with tea and coffee), spacious bathroom, and a veranda that looked out over the coast and a gorgeous field of grass and trees, complete with comfortable outdoor furniture and tables. Tranquility abounds on this property thanks not only to the surrounding gorgeous countryside but all the small homey touches that Randy and Allison have created to make this an unparalleled vacation house. Not only was our room a welcoming and pleasant place to be, but so was the main common area, an immaculately and luxuriously furnished living room, with a massive kitchen stocked with the basics, and ample seating area both indoors and outdoors. Other perks: an incredibly comfortable king-sized Sleep Number bed, free laundry, a substantial stock of beach supplies, earplugs for the noisy little coqui frogs, coolers/ice packs for day trips, a vast collection of books in the main common area, a thoughtful guide (compiled by Randy and Allison) in each room about exploring the island, and nearby hosts who offer pretty much any help that is needed. Google Maps provides accurate directions to the house, but there are also a few signs pointing you the right way once you are off the main highway. Highly recommend, and would undoubtedly return next time we are in the Hilo area!

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.

This is not the HILTON or MGM Grand, but it sure does work…read more Leg 2 of our Hawaii trip. Definitely was a memorable one thanks to Art & Orchids B&B. We got in fairly late as we came from Kona side. We took a lot more extra time stopping at various points. Exhausted, we found our room (Rainbow room) quaint, pleasant and clean. Big room, walk in closet and quaint bathroom beside the common living area with kitchenette, refrigerator for guest use. Very eclectic design for sure! Most of the items are local artist which is great community support! It felt very homey. You are definitely in the middle of nature. Set in the middle, it was practical for our trip calendar which consisted of the surrounding areas of Keaau. Hilo, Volcano, Pahoa, etc was within close proximity and took no longer than 20-30 minutes to arrive. They were very accomodating! Thanks again! The breakfast buffet was excellent and fresh. There was enough for everyone. Markie was very hospitalable to help guide the days planned (Thanks for the Richardson tip!). There is sunscreen, aloe vera, snorkeling, bath towels, bath mats also available for guest use. Which was very convinient. We definitely would keep this B&B in mind on our next trip to the Big Island. Day 1 - Falls galore. Rainbow, Akaka, Pe'e Pe'e & Boiling Pots. Richardson Park where we saw a giant green turtle coming to bay to rest! What an amazing site! Some of the locals were also spear fishing! Day 2 - Volcano Park. Took about 30 minutes to get to. We were there until 8pm to glare at the luminous Lava glow ! The brightest in over 10 years! Room Tip: All the rooms are great ! See more room tips

This is my second time here. My boyfriend and I absolutely love this b&b! The scenery is gorgeous…read more The sounds of the frogs and birds are soothing and something you won't experience on many other parts of the island. There is a hot tub that lights up different colors and sits in the midst of the beautiful scenery. There is also a nice pool area with a rock waterfall flowing into it. The breakfast is complete with granolas, various fruits, monkey bread, toast, creamy eggs, coffee, assorted teas, etc. There is a large living room with books and games. There are plenty of places to hang out. The road leading to the B&B isn't that bad. However, the short road to the driveway has a lot of pot holes. They're easy to get around and this part of the drive only lasts a couple of minutes. Don't let this tiny thing discourage you. This place is great and the hospitality is excellent. We will be back again.

The price felt fair overall, but I think many reviewers weighted the cleanliness and renovated…read morerustic aesthetic too heavily. Having stayed in 2-5 star hotels across the U.S., this property is a good example of how subjective hotel ratings can be. Hilo simply does not have the newer luxury resort inventory you find on the Kohala Coast, so don't assume another hotel is upscale because it has "Grand" in the name. I can understand the appeal of its boutique-style, active-traveler, eco-conscious, customer-friendly atmosphere, hence the skewed 5-star ratings. Our biggest disappointments were room size, cooling performance, and noise/poor acoustic privacy. I'd still give it a low 4 stars because of the location, cleanliness, Aloha atmosphere, and staff friendliness. The property offers very basic accommodations in what resembles an old Travelodge/Motel 6-type property but cleverly renovated. The owners clearly understood that with clean rooms, vinyl plank flooring, fresh paint, and updated furniture, and a hint of a Zen/Environmental/Aloha vibe, they could offer a strong alternative to Hilo's aging high-rise hotels. While there are wheelchair ramps, the property has three stories and no elevators which means you'll have to carry your luggage up the stairs for most the upper floors. Some rooms face the inlet/ocean across the street fronted by a very old looking fish pond, while most others look across to each other with a small garden areas between or the decent pool area (no hot tub.) There's free lobby coffee in a large pump dispenser since rooms lack coffee makers, plus complimentary bikes and paddleboards. A very small lagoon beach is directly across the street, with two decent restaurants within a stone's throw. Downtown Hilo is about a six-minute drive but probably not walkable for most people. Rooms are compact, and the bathrooms are tiny with no exhaust fan. The bed leaned softer than average, and the TV was smaller than most modern computer monitors. The A/C struggled with Hilo's humid climate but managed to keep the room barely cool enough for comfortable sleeping. Shower pressure and temperature were acceptable, though the showerhead sat around chin height for me at 5'11". The biggest drawback was noise and lack of sound privacy. The glass louver windows provide almost no sound insulation, so you hear everything outside your room -- kids running the halls, conversations, foot traffic, and nearby guests. Anyone outside your room could easily overhear conversations inside. There's also noticeable jet noise due to the airport proximity, though fortunately I don't recall hearing flights between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM. Rates are typically less than the nearby aging high-rise hotels with more upscale branding (and more uneven reviews). If SCP is at least 20% cheaper than those competitors, it's probably the best value in Hilo. If it fits your budget, I would opt for the ocean view rooms with the balconies at the SCP. The hotel appeared to be finishing renovations on its last older rooms during our stay, so many of the older 1-2 star reviews are probably no longer relevant

It's unfortunate because the amenities are great and it's newly renovated, but there are problems…read morewith necessities that need to be fixed. For example, the room keys would need to reset multiple times a day, the shower didn't drain properly, and there were ants in our room. The nice look doesn't make up for the lost functionality.

After much searching, my wife and I finally found (and agreed) upon this place, just off the beaten…read morepath between Hilo and Volcanoes National Park. We arrived to a wonderfully welcoming couple and a private ranch with stunning views of Mauna Kea. Our 'cabana' was wonderfully appointed and came stocked with some papaya in the refrigerator and Punalu'u Sweetbread in the cupboard. The private bathroom is nothing short of luxurious and the open dining lanai makes it a true Hawai'ian home. Our breakfasts were absolutely delicious featuring local fruits (some grown in the garden out back), fish, eggs from their chickens, and other organic ingredients. The best part, however, were the owners. They were so warm and welcoming and truly wanted to connect with us. We were not just another guest helping their bottom line, we felt more like long time friends visiting from the mainland, being treated to a Hawai'ian luxury retreat. If and when we go back to the Big Island, we're only going to stay here.

What a great place! Wonderful accommodations. Everything's new. Spotlessly clean. Everything was as…read moreadvertised. Leslea's breakfasts are great and it was great to get to know Leslea and Daryl. Convenient to Volcano Nat Park or Hilo City. We would definitely stay again.

I'm sorry but this place is a total dump! There is no hot water in the bathroom or kitchen, the…read moreshower is outside and has hot water but you can't adjust it while you were in the shower, you have to go outside to shower change the temperature go back in the shower which is around on the other side of a wall. Furthermore the room that I stayed in had a strippers pole in the middle of the room, an extension cord stretching across the room which is a safety hazard, and the worst bed I ever slept on! It must've been a 50 year old boxspring with a 4 inch foam topper. The final straw was the host gave me expired yogurt for breakfast. I checked out after the first night. The people who gave this place great reviews must've been staying in the other unit, otherwise this makes no sense. PS - no TV, no air conditioning, hard location to find on unpaved roads, and a long walk to the cabin from the parking area on the grass.

We stayed for a week here the beginning of February. We lost our home in the Lava Flow and were…read moreoff balance coming back to a different reality. The Enchanted Gardens turned out to be a nice place to stay. Off in the green hills but very close and convenient to Keaau, Pahoa, and even Hilo. Sherri is a beautiful welcoming host and she has gone out of way to make things homey. She did everything she could to make us feel comfortable. Yes it is rustic but that is the point. We don't expect sterile when we visit Hawaii. We want to experience and share the way others live there. Humble but warm and filled with Aloha! You make your visit what it turns out to be. We had a good time and would stay here again. Mahalo.

First of all, how am I the first to write a review of this place that has been here since 1990?…read more Owned and operated by the same family since its establishment. Yes I did my homework before arriving! Now that I'm here, wow! Just wow! Located close to ITO airport and the beautiful beach, this property has a little or a lot of everything for every traveler! From incredible house/lodge style accommodations (think barndominium - I live in Tennessee) to basic hotel style rooms and suites, even onsite camping for travelers! I was immediately greeted by concierge Lauren who took her time, walking me around the grounds even though I'm just here for the night. I arrived late, but just before sunset. Ok ok, let me go back.... I was flying in from HNL and as my flight departed at 5:00pm, I received a text from Arnotts confirming my arrival. This personal touch started my journey to this review. Being only 12 minutes from the ITO airport, a taxi ride is about $15.00. The drive is beautiful, scenic, and the view of the ocean pretty much the entire drive in reaching the resort. The atmosphere is green, lush, and quiet. Many common areas, so if you're traveling alone, not to worry, this Lodge makes you feel like you're among friends! Check in and be ready to be escorted around the property with a personal tour of all the amenities and your room! Although there are no TVs or phones in the rooms, WiFi is strong and the air conditioner is cold! What more do you need? You're in Hawaii! Go enjoy the sights! The Lodge has its own tour company, excursions! No need to leave your accommodation to find things to do, this place has its own all. 10/10 for sure! Listen, if you want the beach, close to the airport (without noise, I literally heard chirping birds only), excursions, friendly people, beautiful lush grounds, a clean room, and peace! This is your place! Thank you Lauren! You made my first visit to Hilo one I won't forget! ~ Kerry Kirchenberg K9comfortpaws.com

Finally had the chance to do a Mauna Kea Sunset Adventure tour in August 2023, and after doing a…read morelot of research and figuring things out, I am so thankful and glad I went with Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures! Their staff is so awesome overall in experience, communication, and knowledge. The prices are very competitive and reasonable compared to other similar tour companies. And even though Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures is based in Hilo, they are able to meet up with those of us who are staying in Kailua-Kona (or anywhere on the west coast) at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (VIS). Andraes was our tour guide for this particular adventure I was a part of and he definitely shared a lot about the history behind Mauna Kea as well as other great stories! He also had our jackets as requested in our initial reservation bookings, and one thing to keep in mind that even during the summer months, it can and does get cold and freezing at the higher altitudes. I've been told that the summer months are much better in terms of making it to the summit of Mauna Kea than any other times of the year because of the weather conditions. And on that particular stretch, it was the best weather conditions they have had in a while. You do have to spend at least 30 minutes at the VIS to acclimate to the higher altitudes prior to going to the summit. Best to bring plenty of water and snacks along with a beanie cap and mittens. You don't want to be like some crazy hikers whom we saw at the summit with only shorts and a shirt on (and barely any hiking gear on them)! Anyways, it was very clear once we reached the summit and such beautiful views! And a very nice sunset to close out the day! At that high an altitude, you don't want to move around too quickly due to lower levels of oxygen, and you might feel light-headed and a bit dazed at times. Also loved the stargazing show after sunset. Even though I could not get photos, just seeing it with my own eyes was great enough! I don't have an iPhone, but from what others were telling me, it's easier to do it on those kinds of smartphones versus an Android. Overall, excellent Mauna Kea Sunset Tour by Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures and I hope to be back for a daytime tour down the road!

We had a great experience staying at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and would definitely come back…read more The best part of our stay was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely kind. A special shoutout to Charla at the front desk. She was professional, patient, and handled a difficult guest with grace while still making everyone else feel taken care of. Employees like her really make a difference. The location is beautiful. The ocean views are amazing, there's plenty of parking, and it's a nice area to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Our room's AC worked great, which was much appreciated after spending time outside. The hotel itself is clean but could use some updating. I think it would be nice to modernize certain areas while still preserving the Hawaiian history and charm that gives the property its character. There are also a few maintenance items that could use attention. For example, our towel rack was very loose and some bathroom finishes were showing wear. We also really enjoyed WSW | The Steakhouse. The service was excellent, and the bartender was knowledgeable and made great recommendations. Overall, if you're looking for a comfortable stay with beautiful views, friendly staff, and a relaxing atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend staying here.

I think if you're familiar with the properties on Banyan Dr. you know the Hotels are old. I don't…read moreexpect much, we always stayed at Uncle Billy's (RIP) but decided to try here. First off, the Lobby area is absolutely beautiful and parts of the Restaurant is still under construction. However, the rooms are dated.. extremely dated. We had three rooms for our Family, all on the 8th floor, and our room smelled of straight mildew as soon as we opened the door. Unfortunately we couldn't keep the door open to air it out as it was also extremely humid and there were swarms of termites on the balcony. The wallpaper was bubbling all over the walls, and the rug and chair fabric looked as if it were better to just toss. The minifridge was also busted.. it would freeze all our beverages that weren't placed in the freezer. Annoying but I'd rather it be frigid than warm. The bed was very comfortable and clean.. as well as the bathroom. No signs of rust or mold. No bugs were seen in the room. Front desk was flustered when we checked up, there were a lot of activities in Hilo town this past weekend so although they weren't overly friendly, they weren't rude. Parking is onsite but of course first come first serve. It's nice that they have a garage under as well but if you miss snagging a space, there's street parking. It was a great visit for us so we do recommend it if you get your room at a decent rate. The property is very well kept and the elevators are relatively fast but the location itself is very convenient to everything you need to do.