Hilo should be a part of your itinerary if you are spending more than 5 days on the Big Island. This is the lush, tropical (and rainy) side of the island, and you can spend your time here on scenic drives, waterfalls, hot ponds, stargazing, lava viewing or one of the many more activities in Hilo.

If you don’t yet know how you would like to spend your nights in Hilo, we offer a word or two of advice on choosing the accommodation that suits your needs. This is an overview of the places we recommend for a good night’s rest for any budget:

Hotels in Hilo

The Hotels on this side of the island are not as posh and luxurious as you can find on the west (Kona) coast, and you won’t find a Hilton or Marriot. We recommend you to stay in a bed & breakfast or in a vacation rental because they tend to offer more of a local experience.

Everybody however, has their own preferences. If yours are hotels, have a look at the hotels in Hilo.

Hostels in Hilo

There are multiple hostels in Hilo, the most frequented are Arnott’s Lodge & Hiking Adventures and the Hilo Bay Hostel. You can read more about them in our Hostels in Hilo section.

Vacation Rentals in Hilo

There are many vacation rental possibilities here, that vary widely in price/quality and luxury. Our vacation rentals in Hilo section is still under construction. In the meantime we have a couple of vacation rentals in volcano village that we heartily recommend!

Bed and Breakfasts in Hilo

Bed & breakfasts are a wonderful way to get to know the town, with a setting that is more intimate (but offers less luxury) than those of the resorts or hotels on Hawaii. Have a look at the bed and breakfasts in Hilo here for some of our favorite accommodation options.