Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

Needs Much More Renovation

This hotel is still undergoing renovations. It appeared our room was finished, but it has a tile floor- no carpet- which resulted in cold and dirty feet most of the time. There is no restaurant at the hotel, but they did have a very nice breakfast buffet for $12.50. The surrounding area is smaller and less touristy than Kona (definitely go to the tiny Italian restaurant Cafe Concerto which we found downtown- wonderful!). There is a pool which appeared clean-ish but in need of paint. The grounds are somewhat overgrown and have obviously been let go in the past (hence, the renovations). This is a sufficient hotel for the price, but if you’re looking for anything nicer, keep looking.

Must try a little Italian place called "Cafe Concerto" in downtown Hilo (look up the address online). It’s a tiny hole-in-the-wall but served amazing pasta dishes which are very affordable. We returned a second night for dinner there!

nice hotel in Hilo

The hotel was under construction when we were staying there, so water was not available after 10am. It appears that they are in the process of renovating the entire resort. The hotel room was clean and the decor was very simple and beautiful, it had sliding japanese inspired shades and the view out the window to the ocean was spectacular.

Bring your ear plugs

The service in the hotel was really good. However, several rooms I examined have some noise, probably from the AC units, which makes it difficult to sleep without ear plugs. The people at the front desk were really supportive and I was able to move to a different room that was somewhat less noisy. Besides that I was really satisfied with my stay.

so so renovations`

not especially thrillled w/ renovations, but i guess it could have been worse....it would have been good if tv had dvr and at least korean/japanese stations so programs could’ve been dvred while we were away sheets were "strange"....mine didn’t feel or look like regular linen...... don’t see the purpose of the wall outside of bathtub......too high for older users to get into......water flow and drain not best in tub/shower glad to have the regrigerator in the room.....hilo hawaiian had taken theirs out the last time we were there earlier this year.....’’ didn’t like the wooden sliding doors instead of drapery at all.....it felt very claustrophobic when wooden sliding door were closed at nite.... if prices stay the same and hilo hawaiian keep raising theirs w/o any improvements or renovations., we may recommend to our friends staying at the naniloa .....and may stay there ourselves again ......

I plan to go back.

The renovated rooms are nice. I loved the view of Hilo Bay. The hotel is within walking distance of downtown Hilo and the Farmer’s Market. I have recommended the hotel to many. Only problem, there was no restaurant in the hotel or even a continental breakfast. So I stocked the in-room refrigerator for breakfast.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Don’t miss the Farmer’s Market, Volcano National Park and Imiloa Astronomy Center.

Clean, Spacious, Convenient

The room was spacious and clean but very simple. Nice ammenities in room like fridge and coffeemaker. The location made travel very convenient-close to Hilo town. No restaurant or Sundry store on prem-nothing to do at the hotel itself. Good hotel to stay at if you just need a place to sleep at night. Ocean view rooms offer a fabulous view!

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Lots of Yummy treats to bring home from Hilo: Big Island Candies, Hawaii Island Gourmet Taro chips, Skinny Ladies Mochi, Handsome Donnie’s Smoked Marlin

Not impressed

Ok

Will definitely go back

Even though the hotel is undergoing renovations, we were extremely pleased with our stay. Everyone was friendly and we never were bothered by construction. The rooms are very comfortable and the bathrooms are really big and very nicely done. I usually don’t sleep well in hotels, but here I slept better than I do at home!

Under renovation, noisy during daytime but clean and excellent site

Ideal location, best in Hilo for parks and view Under renovation (will be for a certain time!), therefore no extra service, no restaurant but a couple nearby, old swimming pool without maintenance, sometimes noisy works during daytime, should ask for renovated rooms. Renovated rooms are clean but bare minimum, no microwave. Just a good place for sleeping at very good price, we’ve been there twice and would come back.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Beautiful park area, best spot in Hilo

great value for your $$$

We stayed there for the Labor Day weekend. The hotel is going though some renovation, so there is some inconvenience. However, the newly renovated rooms are great. They kept the decor to a minimum: tile floor, no curtains (wooden terrace door to block out light), no carpets (which is great as carpets typically attract dirt in hotel rooms). Clean, simple inexpensive room with ocen view. GREAT VALUE.

Did not like the Construction going on! Should have been warned or compusated for it.

This could have been better if they weren’t doing construction. People should be warned before hand. This was suppose to be a romantic get-a-way, the dust and noise was rather bothersome. I wish we could have been better accomadated better. Other than the construction, dust, and elevator not working a few days, I guess I’d rate it 1 1/2 stars.

Traveler's tip

Make sure to find out if a place or street you are going to is not under rennavations. That way you won’t be disappointed when you get there. Laugh as you never laughed before, sing like no one is listening, dance as though no one is watching, and love like you never been hurt.

Great Staff!

The hotel is currently under major renovations but that being said my rooms was first class as was the staff. If you’re looking for a Ritz Carlton then go stay in Kona. If your looking for a nice place to sleep while you explore the island then the Naniloa is the place for you.

Traveler's tip on dining

Eat in the old downtown district, or at Ken’s,or Coconut Grill. I had the hardest time getting someone to tell me a great place to eat. Verna’s for Hamburgers is awesome too!

Pleasantly surprised

My room was excellent. The working space was great, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom has lots of counter space. Plus, my housekeeper kept my room immaculate! Did not expect this, considering that the hotel is under renovation.

Very impressed

Yes, the hotel is under renovation so you should know that at this time, no services are really available (restaurant, room service...). But the newly remodeled room we were in was clean and bright. The front desk staff was very friendly. We reserved the cheapest room, a "Banyan Tree Drive view" room, which upon arrival we noticed were all under construction. Since it was clear they would have to upgrade us anyway, and clear that the hotel was far from full (empty parking lot), at checkin I asked what was the best room she could give us for our rate. She indicated she had preassigned us to a room, but she continued to work the keyboard and said she could give us room 429 for the reserved rate, which she said had a partial bay view. It was a GREAT view. She went out of her way to give us the best room she felt she could. Oh, and if you don’t already know, the coqui frogs croak throughout Hilo like crazy all night, but we ran the airconditioner and didn’t hear a thing.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

North of Hilo, must see/do: - 4-mile scenic drive; stop for pic at Onomea Bay & at Low Store for Chai Latte & Mac Nut ice cream - picnic lunch at Kolekole Park where the Wailuku River meets (crashes into) the ocean; prime surfing spot South of Hilo: - Pana ewa Rain Forest Zoo - Puna region afternoon: Kapoho tidepool for snorkeling, then Ahulani pool (volcano-heated), then nighttime lava viewing (don’t forget flashlights).

I’m Hooked!

I’ve stayed at the Naniloa before and at that time was an OK hotel. This month I returned to the Naniloa and was floored. The recent renovation to the hotel rooms is beautiful. For the price that we paid for the cleanliness and comfort of the hotel room, I couldn’t be more satisfied. I complimented the hotel to everyone that I saw during my trip. There is a lot of parking spaces available for the hotel guests and what I liked is when my husband and returned later in the evening, the parking lot was blocked off by security and access was granted after presenting our parking pass (free parking). We will definitely return over and over again and when the opportunity arises I will refer as many friends and family as I can.

Traveler's tip on dining

The hotel is in close proxity of my favorite Verna’s drive-in and the can’t miss Ken’s Pancake House.

Newly Remodeled Gem

The Naniloa was a genuine find after years of disappointing hotels in Hilo. It is spartan and a bit noisy due to all the hard surfaces, but that is an added plus in a very humid climate. The decor is contemporary, another great change from all the "island" decor and I look forward to the finished product after the remainder of the hotel is remodeled.

Hotel being renovated

This hotel is getting better each day as the renovation continues. The renovated rooms are clean with nice bathrooms. All tile which is clean,but a little noisey. Interesting window coverings made of wood, however they were clean. No mildew or mold or critters in the room. Don’t let the outside of the building scare you off. That is the last place they are renovating for some reason. The grounds behind are nice and right on the bay. Parking is free and the back of the building is the best place to park next to the elevators. There is construction noise during day hours but only means that the hotel is getting better. Great Location to coconut island and gardens.

Needs remodel - not rearrange

Though we were in the upgraded room, this old hotel needs a facelift: overall scheme gives room a sterile feeling, but if all you need is a place to stay, this is it.

Naniloa Volcanoes Resort

This is a nice hotel to stay at in Hilo

can’t wait to go back

The rooms are beautiful and clean and the view is great if you get an ocean front room. If you don’t have an ocean front room, every floor has a ocean front balcony accessible with chairs for anybody to enjoy. There are also chairs and benches in the yard along the waterfront. But they are currently renovating this hotel (May 2009), so a few of the floors are closed down, as are the gift shop and spa and other things they may have had. Also there is some noise as they work on the floors, but if you are out and about, rather than just sitting in your hotel room, you really won’t notice. The hotel is in a good location with stores, restaurants and downtown Hilo (with the Hilo marketplace) just minutes away. Coconut Island and Liliuokalani Gardens are right across the way in walking distance.

Camp Out Instead

Although the hotel is making an effort to remodel they have made some critical mistakes. First they chose to tile up to the exixting stained bath tubs rather than replace them in the bath rooms. Second and most important is that they have tiled the entire hotel including the floors in the rooms. This creates an echo chamber that magnifies every sound. It was very hard to get an sleep with the noise coming at you from every direction. Camp out if you want any sleep.

Basic Room, Downtown Hilo

Hotel in the midst of upgrading, which it is dire need of. Very old, run down. Tiny pool. Little front desk service, check-in included a run down of extra charges should we lose things, etc - not a "friendly greeting". Room extremely basic - 2 double foam matresses, tiled, big screen tv. Clean and enough for a 1-2 night stay.

Traveler's tip on dining

Try the Loco Moco (or Kalhua Moco)- yummo!!! Cafe 100 about 5 min drive from hotel.

Clean but needs updating

This hotel is still in the middle of the remodel. The room I was in was clean and updated. It had a nice desk and veiw, but needed a lounge chair of some kind. It is clear that they are in a remodel that is taking some time to complete and appears to be moving forward.

falling into disrepair

Will not go here again..yes they are remodeling but it will take bulldozing this place down and rebuilding it from the ground up to really make it a place I’d consider ever going to again.

Acutally in the middle of being renovated...

The hotel is not renovated, it is in the middle of construction! It will eventually be a lovely place, but the entrance, lobby and amenities are shabby and aged. We were pleasantly surprised by our lovely room which had already undergone renovation. The room was modern and beautiful, with a great view. The location is great, 20 minutes from Volcanoes National Park and only 5 minutes from Hilo.

Traveler's tip on dining

We highly recommend the Hilo Bay Cafe which is located by Borders and Walmart. Despite the shopping center location, it is a charming restaurant serving local and organic foods. we liked it so much that we went back twice!