The Hilo center point is approximately the area of Downtown Hilo and the area of Pacific Tsunami Museum.
The best season to visit Hilo and the rest of the Big Island is between September and November when hotel rates are lowest. Another excellent time to see the area is the week after Easter, during the Merrie Monarch Festival. It honors King David Kalākaua, who restored many Hawaiian traditions, including the hula. The festival includes a hula competition for individual and group performers. Hilo is often crowded around the time of this event, so you should make hotel reservations well in advance of your trip. Temperatures stay constant all year so that you can enjoy the warm weather and beautiful scenery anytime.
At Hilo Seaside Hotel, discounts are available for AAA members, AARP members, people on business trips, and Hawaii residents. This hotel is right on the beach, and it has an outdoor pool. The 135 air-conditioned rooms have free wireless internet access, flatscreen TVs, balconies, complimentary toiletries, hair dryers, desks, coffee makers, and daily housekeeping. There's also a picnic area, a restaurant, a bar, a computer station, complimentary newspapers, a 24-hour front desk, safe-deposit boxes, and laundry facilities. If you're having a special event, there are 400 square feet of conference space on the property.
The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is a Doubletree by Hilton that's on the waterfront and near Coconut Island Park and Naniloa Country Club. It's also close to Liliuokalani Park and Gardens and the Hilo Art Museum. The 265 air-conditioned rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, and complimentary wired and wireless internet access.
Other amenities at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo include 48-inch LCD televisions, free toiletries, hair dryers, safes, desks, a nightclub, an outdoor pool, a golf course, fitness facilities, and a hotel restaurant and bar. Wedding services are available, and the hotel has 11,000 square feet of facilities for events. Kids 12 and younger can stay in parents' rooms for free, and everyone can get complimentary chocolate chip cookies when they check in. Breakfast is available for an extra charge, and you can reserve a free shuttle from the airport. The Eforea Spa offers any guest customized experiences.
All guests get a free nine-hole round of golf, and you can save up to 15 percent with a valid Hawaii state ID. Seniors and AARP members get at least 5 percent off the hotel's Best Available Rate. Members of the United States and Canadian military also get discounts, and if you're a AAA member, you can save 10 percent. Students, staff, alumni, and parents of the University of Hawaii Hilo will get one free night for every 10 nights they spend at the hotel.
The Wild Ginger Inn Hotel & Hostel in Hilo has free wireless internet access, a Hawaiian-style continental breakfast, and plenty of activities like hiking, surfing, and self-guided tours. You can stay in a regular hotel room or an even more economical indoor or outdoor hostel. Private and dorm-style rooms are available.
The historic building was a sugar cane plantation workers' house in the 1920s, and it still has an old-fashioned country atmosphere. It was changed into an inn with 27 private bedrooms and bathrooms in the 1950s. There's a relaxing ocean view, and some rooms have cable TV, mini refrigerators, and microwaves. The Inn doesn't have air conditioning, but it catches lots of cool ocean breezes. Airport shuttles are available, and you can rent boogie boards, surfboards, and coolers. The minimum check-in age is 18, and kids under 12 can stay for free when using existing beds.
Hilo is one of the best vacation spots in the United States. You can relax on the beach, go fishing, explore the island, and learn more about Hawaiian culture. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see an active volcano. The area has several black sand beaches, and the clear water is excellent for snorkeling or scuba diving. You can even watch whales or swim with dolphins. There are many museums as well, including the Hale'iwa Surf Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, and the Mokupapapa Discovery Center.
Whether you're looking for a romantic, luxurious getaway or just a comfortable place to sleep, you can find an excellent hotel in Hilo. There are lots of places to stay on the beach or within walking distance, and everyone will enjoy the warm, comfortable, tropical climate. You can see some of the most breathtaking natural locations in the world when you stay in Hilo.
Below are reviews of the city of Hilo, HI from an actual visitor's perspective.
Hilo is beautiful. Many shops, lots of waterfalls and places to explore!
Love the view of the bay!
I'm from the other side of the island, so I wanted to stay in an area where it felt safe. Weather was okay and Hilo is always nice.
My favorite parts of Hilo were the beautiful lagoon, the nice park and good restaurants. The Big Island Cookie store is a must visit and also the winery just outside Hilo. We took a couple of hikes and the flora was beautiful.
Lovely, small town lifestyle. Very little tourism.
City of Hilo is a nice, very slow paced town, really enjoyed it here.