Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

The hotel is old and needs a total makeover - however given the economy and price per night it’s a good value - got to remember Hilo doesn’t get the attention or business ($) that the Kona side does. I was expecting worse but was surprised. The Castle Hilo was clean and functional - my room was on the seventh floor facing the bay. I choose Castle Hilo for my last nite on the Big Island because my departure flight is out of the HIlo Airport - very convenient 5 minute drive if you have an early morning flight.

two very good locally owned eateries for breakfast/lunch - Big Island Grill in Kailua Kona and Don’s Grill in Hilo - good size portions, value and good service.

Best of Hilo

Our first stay in Hilo was a great experience. Location of hotel is prime for base point of excursions. Staff service was great. Rooms are a little dated, but still adequate.

Good value for the price.

The hotel needs a new sign. I drove past it 2 times in the dark. And followed a friend who drove past it. The restaurant is too pricey for its food but the island does not offer much competition (my best food was native fruit bought in store). The cleaning staff was the best part. The front desk was helpful but occasionally inaccurate about the island.

Traveler's tip on dining

Eat at Ken’s and Sumo Size it.

Dated but Clean

We stayed in Hilo one night so we could be close to Volcano National Park and see the lava flows at night. This hotel is dated but met our needs. It is by a beautiful park. We enjoyed our morning walk there. The staff was friendly. We enjoyed our breakfast in the restaurant. We would stay there again.

Hilo Hawaiian

Satisfactory, even the garden view was a nice view of banyan drive. Better than Naniloa and Hilo Bay.

Castle Hilo Hotel

We were satisfied with this hotel for our stay in Hilo. The location is very nice and the staff was also very accommodating. We were one floor above and right next to the bar and were kept up late by the music, which we could hear in our room very well. The staff immediately changed our room upon our request and even moved our bags while we were off property. You can definitely tell this hotel is one of the older ones on the island; however, it was adequitely maintained. Overall, we would stay there again, especially considering the price over other hotels.

Nice hotel for the price with excellent ocean and mountain views

Request an ocean view room--it’s worth the extra cost. The mountain and ocean views are beautiful and tranquil. The grounds are also beautifully maintained and you are within 5 minutes walking distance to a nearby island and park. Hotel is one of the nicest in the area although the indoor carpeting in the halls looked like it needed cleaning. Otherwise, it was a very nice hotel for the price. The bar has a decent happy hour with free appetizers.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

The hotel is strategically located adjacent to other hotels and near Queen Liliukalani Park which is a beautiful park next to the ocean with spectacular views. Great area for jogging, bicycling, swimming.

Definitely worth the money!

This hotel had several mixed reviews, but we chose to stay here anyway as we didn’t plan on spending a lot of our time in the room. We were pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and condition of the hotel. Unbeknownst to us, our air conditioner was leaking water - the maid notified maintenance and they promptly took care of it. The deluxe ocean view room is worth the extra money! We would definitely stay here again.

Traveler's tip on dining

We took everyone else’s advice and ate at Ken’s House of Pancakes on several occasions. If they don’t make it, you don’t need it!

Recommended: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

The hotel staff was very friendly, professional, and helpful. Minor concern: soda cans were left in the bed of our truck perhaps due to a lack of ample trash receptacles in the parking area. Suggest that one be put in strategic areas so others won’t have this problem. Otherwise everything was perfect!

Hawaii’s nomal Hotal

Beautiful view

Traveler's tip on shopping

no

Wonderful Place

This is a great hotel on beautiful Banyan Dr. The Banyan Trees create an exotic atmosphere. The hotel employees were very helpful and friendly

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Eat at Ken’s Diner

OK for the price

A good clean hotel.A bit tired but for the price was worth while.

OK but not great

The room was nicely furnished, with a good view over the harbor, and it was clean, but there was a slightly musty odor in the room. The AC worked fine and the bed was comfortable. The hallways and elevators were kind of depressing - the carpet looked old and the elevators looked kind of banged up, although everything worked fine. Overall, at the low rates charged, this was a reasonable place to stay for two nights.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

There is a large, beautiful, waterfront park that comes right up to the hotel grounds. The huge banyan trees in front of the hotel are also very interesting.

Perfect for why you should be in Hawaii

This is not a luxury hotel and, as such, may not please everyone... but anyone who goes to Hawaii to hang out in their hotel all day has it all wrong. The staff is quick and courteous. The room was clean and comfortable, with a great view of the bay (and Mauna Kea on a clear day). It’s a great base for exploring Hilo, Volcano and Puna, as well as an evening trip to Mauna Kea (Saddle Road is markedly smoother from the Hilo side). This is the best Hilo has to offer at a great price.

Good Hotel

Nice hotel, staff is excellent, could use some refurbishing, but in good condition overall. It has good location and surrounding amenities good.Will stay again next year.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Some other facilities maybe nicer, but also more expensive, good value for price

Adequate accomodations, wish there was room service. Hotel restaurant closed too early.

Great location, can take bus and even walk to Hilo town. The surrounding gardens and Coconut Island were beautiful. Everyone very friendly!

Close to Airport

The hotel was very close to the Hilo airport; just turn right out of the airport and follow the road. Decent rooms and pool. Don’t waste your time on the restaurant. The bar closes at 9pm during the week so go early!

Traveler's tip on dining

There is a Japanese restaurant further down the road (north) that has good tempura and sushi. Also, there is an IHOP in the shopping mall if you go back toward the airport and follow the main road for a few miles. It’s on your left (you’ll see Borders Bookstore).

NIce hotel

Nice hotel, would stay there again. The only problem was that I made my reservations 1 month early and asked for a cot in my room, when we arrived there was NO COT in my room and it took over 45 minutes to get one.

No food and noisy

This older hotel is being remodeled. Food was limited to fish night (Friday) that smelled up the whole lobby. No real bar. Community party that lasted until early morning that was really noisy. Can’t say much nice about this one.

Traveler's tip

Hilo is short on good hotels in the tsunami of 1960s. Stay in Kona and drive to the volcano.

Not what I expected

The lobby was attractive although they offered internet service there was a charge. That was disappointing. The rooms lacked warmth & character. The furnishings were outdated & sparse. All the staff were very helpful& polite.

Good Spot in Hilo

Ocean view room had a great scenery. Outstanding view of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea (on a clear morning). Front desk was friendly and accomodated our few requests. Hotel is large but kind of hidden on a park/peninsula. Good location for Hilo and Volcanoes NP. Awesome breakfast buffet with nice staff(not included but worth it:). We would return in a snap.

Traveler's tip on dining

We didn’t have time to explore restaurants much but were quite happy with the chef’s epicurean selections at Cafe Pesto. Just in drivig around, we did not see a lot of restaurant choices but next time we will investigate.

Old School Hotel

Older hotel that looks like it was in its prime in the 70’s. It was clean.

Clean anf great location

enjoyed the great location, friendly staff and adequate lodging.

Pleasant Surprise

This Hotel was very nice and the rooms where very comfortable. They where a bit outdated but clean and comfortable.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

There is a beautiful park walking distance from the Hotel.

Perfect for our 1-night stay

We just needed somewhere to stay for one night while visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We booked the ocean-view room. Nice view for the room rate. Upon awakening, we saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky. The room is basic & a little outdated but the a/c worked great & the room was quiet. The TV was tiny, but who goes to Hawaii to watch TV? The front desk ladies weren’t super-friendly, but then again, we were only staying overnight so who cares? If you’re looking for a decent room at a decent price, the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel fits the bill.

Traveler's tip on dining

Not many places to eat in Hilo. We followed the suggestion of other reviewers & ate at Ken’s Pancake House. They have a pretty extensive menu & reaonable prices. The place appears to be stuck in a 70’s time-warp but is frequented by locals & tourists alike.