Pros: Great view, hot tub, pool…read more Cons: Not what it used to be. I've stayed here at least three times since the early 2000s. Gone are the days of live-in hosts who greet you, prepare great breakfasts on the communal deck where you mingle with the other guests, and provide a sense of welcome. I get that all that can change with new ownership and especially in the wake of Covid, but the place is in need of maintenance. The huge view window in the Bamboo room we rented was filthy. Breakfast was marginal. Very sterile rent/check-in process. We are not picky travelers and prefer to be self-sufficient with meals so we brought a lovely fresh fish to grill and they no longer provide an outdoor BBQ! A disappointing stay in comparison to our past experience here.

Pros: Nice View Cons: Everything else. Terrible breakfast,…read moredirty room, missing smoke detector, no staff on hand. Ignore the old reviews and pictures. They describe a very different place and experience. We were bitterly disappointed. It's called a bed and breakfast. This is technically true. There is a bed, and you get breakfast. If you want to be welcomed by a smiling inn keeper and served a piping hot, freshly cooked breakfast, stay somewhere else. First, there is no welcoming staff (or staff at all other than housekeeping). The property is currently managed by a company that runs multiple places on Big Island. We arrived at noon and got a message to just go to the room (it was unlocked) and grab the key. On the plus side, we did ask to check-in early at noon, and that was accommodated. We had the Bamboo room which is more private than the others. Second, the room was dirty. The coffee maker had not been cleaned. There was a bunch of coffee in the paper filter, with several dime-sized blobs of mold. The pot still had some liquid coffee in it (see picture). There was some green something or other on the nightstand. After a few hours, my wife noticed that her socks had turned black, so we walked around in sandals the rest of the time. The shower is moldy (see picture). Third, calling the breakfast uninspired is high praise. When we arrived, inside the small refrigerator in the room we found a plate of cut fruit, two muffins, some milk, two Yoplait yogurts, and a bowl with two hard boiled eggs. That was to be our breakfast for the next day. We ate the fruit, one muffin and the yogurt. The next day, the pattern repeated: a new plate of fruit appeared in the fridge, but no extra muffins (gotta finish them if you want more!), and the yogurt was replenished. That pattern repeated the third day, so that's the extent of the breakfast. (They also have some standard oatmeal packets and granola bars on the desk that looked picked over). Is the fruit plate a collection of local Hawaiian fruits like papaya or pineapple? Nope - bog-standard bananas, apples, cantaloupe, and strawberries. And since it's cut the previous day, the banana and apple start to turn brown by the morning, even though it's in the fridge with plastic wrap on it (see pictures). Oh, did I mention that our room was missing the smoke detector? It had been pulled out, so there is just a hole in the ceiling with wires hanging out (see pictures). The view is great, I will say that. Bottom line, look elsewhere. You've been warned...

My wife and I stayed here for two nights in mid June in the Princess Kaiulani room…read more This inn isn't for everyone. There are few of the amenities that most people expect of hotels. Many of the individual rooms have no TV, microwave, ac/heat, mini fridge, or kettle/Keurig in the rooms. Fairly Spartan, but the rooms are clean, the staff is great, the bed is comfy, and there is a decent but limited hot breakfast included every morning. When we went there was a choice between egg scramble, breakfast panini, and French toast. There's also a communal area with a coffee machine and hot water kettle. Instant oatmeal, muffins, juice, and breakfast bar snacks are included. There's a fridge with bigger snacks and cold water for purchase. You're really here for the waterfall and the natural serenity. And both are wildly spectacular. The waterfall is huge, multi-tiered, strong even in the dry season and you can see it from the dining area and several of the rooms. Inn policy is to check in with the innkeeper to see if the water is safe to enter but even if you don't go in, it's relaxing to just read on the deck to the sounds of the waterfall. There's kayaks and standup paddle boards for rent. The water is cold even in June but it is quite refreshing to take a swim in. Do not drink the river water and avoid getting any in your mouth or eyes. For the outdoor enthusiasts, they offer repelling down the waterfall. The Inn does sell day passes to non-overnight guests but waterfall activities have a few morning hours exclusive to overnight guests. When we stayed, the Inn had low occupancy and it was nice having the morning waterfall all to ourselves to paddleboard and swim. There are two trails on the property that both lead to the waterfall. There's also a covered open air structure down river with seats to enjoy nature. Buddha statues are placed along the bamboo trail. Both trails are pretty easy and it's hard not to feel some sense of calm with this much lush jungle. Totally a place you can just peace out, write your novel, read, or just commune with nature. Parking is included in their shared lot. Coqui frogs are out of control and it can be quite loud. We didn't have problems sleeping but you may want to bring ear plugs. Bring bug spray for the mosquitos, slippers/flip flops or water shoes for the waterfall pool and hike. There's a communal box of supplies containing mostly sunscreen. The drive to and from the Inn is rather sketchy as it's through rural Hilo with no street lights, several blind turns on a 1.5 wide road with often very overgrown plants on both sides. Vehicles have to pull off into dirt or plants to let another vehicle pass. Do not recommend driving it late at night, especially when it is raining. There's also the main gate to the Inn and a main gate to the rural road right off from more urban Hilo that closes at night, but also can be opened with the same code you get from the Inn. If you're a nature lover and love waterfalls, you'll find this place absolutely enchanting. But if you're looking for a Waikiki style experience, you'll want to look elsewhere.

This spot is simply perfect. Great staff, beautiful grounds, very comfortable beds, great breakfast…read moreoptions. This is a very special.

First time trying Aloha Mondays. It was close to my workplace for the day and highly recommended. I…read moreopted for the Caprese Beet Salad and it was delicious! Loved the mozzarella, tomatoes and pesto toppings. They set a new menu every Monday and have at least one vegetarian option. I want to go back the next time I'm in Hilo.

One of my favorite specialty take out places that boasts a weekly changing menu. Lunch and dinner…read moreonly, pay attention to their ordering times. Order online with options to pay online and in person, in addition to ordering in person. I can't attest to the in person ordering wait time since the online ordering is super convenient for me. Pro tip: follow their instagram, they will normally post their weekly menu via insta story on Mondays, then they post photos of that weeks menu items usually on Tuesday when they open for business; it helps me decide if I'll be paying a visit that week lol. I also like that they always have at least one full vegetarian option and a dessert option. They might seem slightly pricey for take out but I do believe they offer restaurant quality food which makes it reasonably priced in my book.

I was treated this past weekend to a four day and three night learning workshop held at a private…read moreranch. Chef Kaimana was hired to cook for us the entire time breakfast, lunch, dinners and appetizers. He accommodated our groups from packing complete to go lunches for our day excursions returning back to our lodgings with fabulous locally sourced fish, beef and chicken and fresh vegetables for our delectable dinners. Every dish was flavorful, colorful and garnished perfectly. In addition Chef Kai was friendly and pleasant, someone you can easily trust in an intimate gathering. I highly recommend this talented chef to complete the special event you are hosting.

The food was delicious, the coffee divine! Our waitress…read moremade great recommendations and they did not disappoint!! My husband had the Benedict and I enjoyed the scramble of the day! Everything was fresh and fast! The view was stunning!! We will be returning!!

Service by server Abcde F. was efficient, kind and courteous…read more I loved the vegetable omelette and my nephew said the hamburger steak was excellent too. Bathroom needs cleaning but ambiance was great otherwise! I highly recommend this place

HAD the party bumpin, played bangers only, excellent services, handled the whole wedding, cermony…read moreand reception. overall great person to work with, Would recommened to anyone looking to throw the best wedding or party.

Ummmmmm, WOW! This is going to be a strange review for me as I'm usually talking about food…read more Decided last minute to get a hotel room instead of sleeping (or not) on my mother's couch. Wasn't much left for a reasonable price except for this hotel. Inexpensive but with a ridiculous rating on Expedia (only 10 reviews). Booked it, got in my rental car, and drove from Kona to Hilo. When I got to the address I thought I had made a mistake or been scammed. It was so non hotelish that I drove around the block thinking I'd missed it! Nope, it was the very nondescript, green, low rent apartment-looking building I'd ever seen. No office, just a row of downstairs and upstairs rooms with metal security doors. Called the number on the Expedia site and a lovely, super friendly, helpful man answered and explained how to get my key to the manta ray room. At this point I'm thinking my mom's couch is looking very attractive! Ok, now the "enlightenment" Unlocked the door and walked into a cute, well appointed, super clean hotel suite with a mini kitchen, granite countertops, incredibly comfortable memory foam bed, cold AC, super shower, large tv with a million channels, etc. 5 star room with a 2 1/2 star outside appearance. More good, you ask?? Just a couple of minutes and you are at a beautiful place to swim/snorkel/sun/picnic... If you fly in to Hilo, it's a 5-10 minute drive. Just a cool and bizarre experience and a high recommendation on my part. This place might not be for everyone, but there is no doubt I will be making a return trip! Cheers

Beautiful place to stay it was well equipped with essential for the kitchen and bathroom…read moreaccessories extra towels. Well maintained and close to many beautiful beaches.

The Amber Glass provides an AMAZING EXPERIENCE !!! Drinks are amazing, dancers amazing!! The owner…read moreis always at the events & really brings life into the party!! If you get a chance to check out their Instagram or Facebook page, DO!

Super great hospitality, being able to turn a small family gathering into something extra fun!read more