- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Dolphin Bay Hotel
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
Sponsored Result
You Might Also Consider
Palms Cliff House Inn
- 4 reviews
- Location:
- Honomu, HI
"Spectacular, Hilo convenient location. Aptly named since the palms are lush, the cliffs, impressive and the house immaculate. The grounds…" read more »
7 reviews for Dolphin Bay Hotel
We really liked this place. It is super clean and the staff is amazing. I almost felt like I was at a bed and breakfast.
This place is a little outdated but the staff and cleanliness help make this place a 4 star. Although if the sounds of frogs bother you, you might want to find somewhere else to stay.
This is exactly the kind of hotel one should look for. The nice feel of a home away from home, and the guy knows everything about the island. He never led us wrong.
I don't have much to add to the others' glowing reviews. Modest and homey, tree frogs at night, little kitchens in rooms, coffee, fruit and Danishes for breakfast. Very characteristic of friendly, laid-back, unpretentious Hilo. (That doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive, though.)
What makes this place shine is the service! John, especially, gave us dead-on tips, directions, suggestions, warnings, and flashlights and beach towels on loan. He even invited us back for an after-beach shower, even though we'd already checked out! And he wasn't one of those over-eager, intrusive folks who continue to give you suggestions after you already have the information you need.
The only negative: the free wi-fi was a little unreliable. But that was no big deal.
We would stay here again, definitely.
My boss had cautiously recommended this hotel. "It's not fancy" she warned. The Dolphin Bay Hotel is a small older hotel located in a residential area not too far from central Hilo. The accommodations are nothing special, though the rooms do include a full kitchen. It is the expertise of the management and the attention to detail that set this place apart.
From the moment we arrived we were asked if we would like recommendations on where to eat and what to see. Maps were immediately pulled out, marked up, and detailed instructions were given to find all the special spots.
The hotel property includes an extensive lovely garden with orchids, bromeliads, banana trees; a tropical paradise. The lobby area has free wi-fi available. Also in the lobby area are fresh bananas and papayas. Umbrellas are available for the inevitable rain. A bookshelf of novels for those that forget reading material sits in the hallway. The staff will gladly loan you flashlights for night-time lava viewing. There are even ear plugs in the bathroom medicine cabinet to help drown out the croaking of the frogs at night. I highly recommend the Dolphin Bay Hotel for anyone that doesn't need first-class or resort accommodations.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Awesome is the adjective I will use to describe the Dolphin Bay. It is conveniently situated near downtown Hilo which allows us to walk everywhere. John (the owner) and Annette are very, very friendly and super helpful. They had great recommendations for places to eat, things to do and see while in Hilo. John even lent us flashlights and batteries when I wanted to visit the Kaumana lava tubes.
The Dolphin Bay is a simple and peaceful hotel. If you are into luxury resort-like hotels, this is not the place for you. We stayed in the Annex which is right across the street from the main hotel. It is basically a one bedroom apartment equipped with a full kitchen. Awesome! We fell asleep each night to the sounds of tree frogs which was very cool. We were told to walk around the main hotel gardens and pick any fruit off the trees. Fresh coffee, cinnamon buns, bananas and papayas were at the front office for our enjoyment each morning.
Originally, we had booked a regular room but due to some mix-up, John had to put us in the Annex which we really liked. John gave us a discount because of this, even though we never would have asked for it. We were really happy with the place, and the price was still a bargain for Hawaii. The discount was not necessary, but we really appreciate his gesture. We will stay here when we visit Hilo again.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (3)
I love to travel. It gives a person an opportunity to relax, explore and inquire about the places s/he visits. Traveling also affords you the insight of how life is in that particular part of the world. More importantly, traveling helps remind you of your own life in the context of that place. You are what you are.
I'm on day 3 visiting the town of Hilo on the big island of Hawaii. Having read an airplane magazine ad for property on the Big Island, I was curious on what that really means. Hence the visit to the Big Island and another excuse to take a vacation.
There are no resorts, nor any fancy hotels in Hilo. Why? it's just not Hilo's personality to do so. Or maybe because the weather has something to do with. There's alot more rain on the eastern part of the island than the Kona side of the island; it's like that with all the Hawai'ian islands. Hilo is working class town with an old school Hawaiian charm that time forgot.
Having stayed at the Hilton Waikola Village and the Holualoa Inn (http://www.holualoainn...) on the first 5 days on the Big Island (Kona side), my expectations for Dolphin Bay Hotel were slightly compromised
I asked my co worker who has land in Hamakua Coast where to stay in Hilo, he had no reply.
I asked my good friend who grew up in Waimea ( Kamuela) where to stay in Hilo, he said he's never stayed a night in Hilo so he had no recommendations. I picked this hotel because it was recommended by Wizard Pub and the Lonely Planet.
I didn't like the Dolphin Bay Hotel. I wanted to leave the first night I stayed here. I've stayed at nicer motel 6 and Best Western hotels in the past. Having travelled for work and got a taste of finer things in life, this was a step down for me. People who stay at Four Seasons know about Motel 6 | Comfort Inn | Super 8 , but they just don't cross the line and stay in one. But over time, I started to appreciate the Dolpin Bay Hotel.
The hotel itself is close to down town, but in an area where there's many older, run down buildings. But downtown Hilo is old and run down. It's not KONA! that's the whole point.
The Dolphin Bay Hotel is not trying to be the Four Seasons,the Fairmonts, or the Hilton's of the world. You are what you are. I'll never be a NBA or NFL player so I don't pretend, neither does the Dolphin Bay Hotel. The Dolphin Hotel is run and owned by John Alexander. It's not owned by shareholders and run by corporate big wigs.
The Good: The staff ( Verna, Anita and John) are the most friendliest and thoughtful people on the island. They gave tips on places to eat, places of interest with maps. On an afternoon looking for a good beach for my two year old son, they not only gave me a map but also give me a beach mat and a beach towel. They'll do they best to accomodate you.
Every morning they put out coffee and the most delicious cinamon buns from a local bakery (O'Keefe's and Sons). The hotel also offers bananas and papayas. Take as much as you want. The hotel is clean , sparan clean. No cockaroaches. Walking distance to downtown Hilo.
Roman style tubs, kitchenettes with pots and pans. refrigerator and microwave. Beautiful rain forest garden in the back of the property. You're not held hostage for pricy food options like you are at the Kohala / Kona resorts.
The Bad: no pool. no air conditioning ( you don't need it on this side of the island ) the hotel was built in late 60s / early 70s and it needs some updating. The garbage truck pickup at 5:30am on Friday mornings. You can hear the coqui tree frogs all night long; while it adds a tropical feed to the ambience, I wanted less of it.
Bottomline: If you plan to stay in Hilo for 1 to 2 nights, this is a good place for the money. The staff is helpful.
If you have young children who likes a pool, this is not the place to go; you should stay on the Kona side and do day trips to the island. If you want real to stay a month long in Hilo, with hawai'ian friendly staff, this is the place to be.
This trip makes me realize that I'm a snob. Just because I have money doesn't mean I need to spend it on a fancy resort.
Hipsters of Yelp, it's good to go native when you travel!
There's good people in Hilo. and some of them work at the Dolphin Bay hotel!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
I agree with Dennis d. This place is good for the money. The owner is rad and very helpful. He gave me great suggestions for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling, which was not listed in our tour books. He was very friendly and made me feel like home. I too have stayed at five star resorts in the big island, but this place was very special. I felt a greater sense of aloha than any other place I have stayed at in Hilo. I do not recommend this place for those that require room service or a pool. But simply want a place to relax, put up your feet and reflect on the waterfalls you toured that day!
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
