Dolphin Bay Hotel

Location: 333 Iliahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, Hilo, US

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 7:00 PM. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free WiFi
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Concierge service
• Picnic area
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Smoke-free property
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Free self parking

Rooms Available

• Basic Studio, 1 Queen Bed, Kitchen

  1 Queen Bed

  170-sq-foot room with garden views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, and cookware/dishware

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Clothes dryer, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Shampoo
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Dryer
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blender
  • Freezer

• Family Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Kitchen

  1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

  355-sq-foot room with garden views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, and cookware/dishware

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Clothes dryer, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Shampoo
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Separate bedroom
  • Dryer
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blender
  • Freezer

• Superior Studio, 1 Queen Bed, Kitchen

  1 Queen Bed

  172-sq-foot room with garden views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV with cable channels

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, and cookware/dishware

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower/tub combination, free toiletries, and a hair dryer

  Practical - Clothes dryer, iron/ironing board, and desk; rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and ceiling fan

  Non-Smoking

  Room is accessed via exterior corridors

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Shampoo
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ceiling fan
  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Free WiFi
  • Dryer
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blender
  • Freezer

Guest Reviews

• GERVACIO (10/5): - Very ‘old school’ facility that’s been around 50+ years… but, is simple, clean and very nice staff!!! Close by to downtown Hilo and is in a residential area. The fresh coffee, papaya & banana bread in the morning was very ono!!! We’ll definitely stay here again with our ohana on our next weekend trip to Hilo.
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Cancelled only small refund despite protection purchased
• Claire (8/5): - We spent two nights at the Dolphin bay hotel and enjoyed the quiet neighborhood, the proximity with the town center and the warm welcome upon arrival. The rooms are tidy and the small kitchen very useful.
• Mary J (8/5): - The grounds were lovely, with an exquisite garden. Staff were friendly and helpful. Location was close to the center of town and I would definitely recommend the hotel.
• Monica (10/5): - We love staying at the Dolphin Bay Hotel. It is conveniently located near many places we visit, the staff is wonderful, and the rooms are simple but roomy. We also enjoy how peaceful the neighborhood is and a big bonus is getting fresh coffee, banana bread and fruit every morning. Parking is easy, the WiFi is 5G so accessing devices is super quick.
• Elisa (10/5): Nice, retro hotel - Driving through the neighborhood to the hotel I was thinking we made a bad call, but once we walked in the room and I checked for cleanliness (the bud bug check, always), I think it's a nice, albeit retro, place. The office staff was very friendly and accomodating. There was fresh coffee early every morning, with delicious banana bread and tropical fruit. The shower was wonderful and the room felt very clean. I'd recommend!
• Michael (10/5): - Nice clean room
• Juli (10/5): - This little hotel was tucked away in an older, residential neighborhood. At first glance, we were wondering what we got ourselves into. The owner was so very friendly and had our rooms all open with ocean air flowing through. He made a list of his favorite restaurants for us and made us feel as though we were visiting a long lost cousin. The hotel is definitely dated but it was so clean and in great shape. We went to dinner at a Jackie Rays Ohana grill. It was delicious. It was Friday so they had a farmers market across the street with a unique band that played oldies music. I loved the music. When we returned to the hotel, it sounded like tons of birds in the trees and I thought we would never get to sleep. When my husband opened our door, there was a frog standing on our threshold and he hopped right into the house until my husband grabbed it and put it outside. Later the owner told me that the noise we heard was the frogs that had been been brought to the island many years ago. I soon got used to the sound and it was soothing. We slept well in the comfortable bed and nice pillows. Next morning they had fresh banana bread, coffee and fresh papaya for us. I would definitely stay again. I’m
• Yeole (10/5): - Exactly what I needed and as described; in Hilo town, off the beaten path, in a quiet neighborhood, cozy, with added personal touches. I loved everything about the hotel. It was also a Blessing that I was able to book it at the last minute. It had a wonderfully quaint, 60s’ nostalgia feel to it. From the ceiling fans, to the furnishings. Love everything about the hotel. From the freshly picked papayas, to the homemade banana bread, freshly brewed coffee, to the beautiful sound of birds chirping when I awoke everything morning. To the beautiful surrounding foliage and garden. Kelli and the hotel, I felt,was full of Love and Aloha. If the above is what you seek I highly recommend the hotel. Would love to stay there again. Mahalo Kelli and the Dolphin Bay family. I definitely felt as if I was at home with Ohana.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Convenient location to Hilo, walkable. No AC which didn’t bother us because it wasn’t hot. Mattress was not good for my chronic back problem. Shower was great. Plenty of off street parking.
• pamela (10/5): Great little hotel - Older hotel tucked away in a neighborhood, but we had a very comfortable stay. We hit Walmart for some groceries since the rooms have full kitchens, and we loved the banana bread and papaya in the lobby for breakfast. The office cat was a bonus too. They also have books and games to borrow. Convenient to downtown, UH-Hilo, and not far from the beaches.
• Muru (10/5): - The staff AMAZING! Great location for Merrie Monarch and free parking on the street. Will return.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Okay stay - Staff was friendly. Room layout could have been better and kitchen was pretty small for hosting 5 or 6 people. Needs some upgrades. One complaint was bed linens. They did not smell clean as if they had not been changed from previous guests.
• Sunny (10/5): - The place itself was great. Incredibly relaxing! Breakfast in the porch was so nice! Stay went totally smooth. I wouldn't consider it walkable due to lack of sidewalks. But for those people who are looking to relax and sightsee, I actually think the location is better than in the heart of downtown. It's both close to everything and also "out of the way".
• Deborah (10/5): - Dolphin Bay Hotel is a sweet, laid-back, vintage hotel. It has loads of character and beautiful gardens. I love staying at the Dolphin Bay Hotel because it is unique and well-maintained and always clean. The hosts are very friendly and accommodating, and they offer fresh coffee, homemade banana bread and sweet, ripe papayas in the morning.
• Yoshinari (8/5): - I like there
• Brittney (10/5): - The hotel is super cute and retro but clean, with a great surrounding garden. Staff was amazing!
• Moises (10/5): - Had a wonderful stay and restful night. Thank you.
• Abhilash (10/5): - Very nice property just outside the Hilo downtown. Lots of walkable restaurants, bars and shops, and very friendly staff willing to help you out with just about anything you need during your stay.
• Kate (8/5): - Neighborhood is a little questionable. Some possible homelessness. Staff are kind and attentive. The building has maintained a sense of culture. Coffee banana bread and a whole papaya for breakfast was appreciated. Appliances are old but functional. Noise carries but it's ok because it's part of the experience.
• apikalia (10/5): the sweetest place in Hilo - We loved our stay at the Dolphin! It’s a cut above a motel and more like a family inn- there’s complimentary breakfast -fruit and banana bread every morning. It’s worth having the apts in the higher floor to get a feel for the island- the tiny birds sang to us every morning. The Hotel is very clean and all our requests were welcomed. Mahalo nui loa🌺🙏🏼💙
• Lisa (8/5): - Staff are welcoming and helpful. We arrived at 8 pm and I was struggling with the key lockbox on our room since we were arriving after hours. Thankfully, a staff woman was still present at the front desk and helped us get into our room. She was so nice it was a relief after 13 hours of traveling from Boston. Beautiful grounds and garden. Rooms are clean and near but old school - 70’s vibe, quaint. The coqui frogs at night can be loud but we have peepers in Maine in the spring and summer so we’re used to the noise. Felt like home in the summer. The only downside is the lack of soundproofing between rooms. You can hear the person in the next room coughing so just be aware they can hear you too. Neighborhood is mixed - some rough looking places but just use street smarts due to Hilo’s prevalent homeless population. Overall would recommend mainly due to the welcoming staff and motel cats. :)
• Erin (8/5): - Nice.
• Hector C (8/5): - Free morning coffee, papaya and banana bread🙂
• gordon (10/5): - Very nice people.
• Andrew (10/5): - Beautiful, old school. Steer away if you need AC.
• Ronald (8/5): - Rooms were spacious with bedroom, kitchenette, living room, bath, and balcony. Weather was great, 75 to 83. Enjoyed the whole stay experience!
• Philip (10/5): - Well kept, nice room.
• Joel (10/5): - My stay was excellent…property is a little older, but cleaner than anywhere I’ve stayed before. The Staff is very friendly…would definitely stay here again.
• Melanie F. (10/5): - Kelly was so welcoming and allowed us to check in early and provuded us with a lovely room. Delicious fresh fruit and bannana bread in the morning was a big plus. Would definitely stay again.
• Alexander (10/5): - Super friendly staff, cute lobby kittens :)
• Philip (10/5): Classic old time Hawaiian hotel close to downtown - Sitting at the picnic table with my morning coffee, watching the sunrise over the lush hotel garden! Yesterday, walked 10 minutes to downtown, had breakfast at Booch Bar, then 3 more blocks to farmers market. Near market is the island public transportation stop (Hele on). Perfect location. Clean and quiet (except for all the birds and nighttime frogs!) Kitchen in room is a wonderful bonus.
• Sue (10/5): - Beautiful people, great sleep (much needed!).
• Wendy (10/5): - Old Hawaii elegance in this small, friendly hotel.
• Jessica (10/5): - Clean! Clean! Clean! Also, very walkable, reasonably priced, includes kitchen, quick breakfast, wonderful staff, and beautiful tropical views.
• Jindong (6/5): - I like the room that provided a queen bed and two twin beds, also with full kitchen, which were very convenient. The hotel is old styled, no AC but fans, no room card but using the key, and small rooms. The worst was no sound proof at all especially we had a neighbor who was working as customer service for mainland US and started taking calls constantly at 2am every day.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Fantastic property! Check-in great. Friendly, professional staff. Hotel has more amenities in the room than many "fancier" (and more expensive ) hotels we've stayed at. HIGHLY recommend. We'll come back. Thank you!
• Robert (6/5): - This guy s
• Nancy (10/5): - I appreciated this cosy comfortable apartment. It has a complete functional kitchen, sitting options, and a lanai with a garden view. Morning coffee and fresh banana bread was a treat. It's a short walk into town.
• Kyle (10/5): Dolphin Bay was a Fantastic Treat - The rains definitely started to fall two days into our 3 day visit to Hilo and we desired to move from our relatively off-grid Hipcamp (which we loved!) into an actual hotel room with amenities. Dolphin Bay has been a bucket list hotel for me and sure enough, I checked Hotels.com to see if they had a room on the fly and they did! and one with a kitchen...PERFECT! Chrissy was so friendly and welcomed us and told us about things to see locally. The kitchen was immaculate and well set up. We were able to cook up a delightful gourmet dinner, wash and dry our laundry, I took a nice long bath annnnd I had Hallmark Christmas movies on almost the entire time...The rains just fell and fell outside the entire night and through the next day and it was soooo relaxing to just have the windows open listening to the rains and even thunder. Odie (I think his name is ) the kitty came in to visit us when my hubby opened the door. We love kitties and he is just a precious one; we welcomed him right in and he hung out with us the day of our checkout. The coffee and Banana Bread in the lobby was such an Amazing treat. We already had a reservation for another hotel on the waterfront just a few miles away so we checked with Katie in the lobby and she gave us the go ahead for a very relaxing Late checkout which worked perfectly to meet our reservation at the other hotel. She found out Kauai was on our itinerary and gave my husband some great info on places to visit. We love Dolphin Bay!
• John (10/5): - Very atmospheric place with old-school Hawaii vibes. Excellent service, clean facilities, a true hidden gem!
• Pamela J (10/5): - The accommodation was on ground level. Parking was very easy and close to the room door. Our family room unit was very clean and spacious with everything we needed. We even had a nice sitting area out front with all kinds of shade it was very beautiful and peaceful. The grounds were very well kept up. I will definitely stay here again when visiting Hilo. Another good thing about it is you are walking distance from the downtown area!
• Brian (10/5): - Not a fancy place, but the staff are amazing - they know the island, and can always guide you to interesting places/events. 12 out of 10 for the friendly, knowledgeable staff
• Marilynn (10/5): - Great location. Friendly staff
• Bryan (8/5): Cozy for the right price - Very nice for the price. You wont have AC, but you will have fans around the place so do keep that in mind if you are visiting with major heat weather. The staff is super friendly and have banana bread on the daily for their guests. They also provide local bananas and papayas. A nice kitchenette so you can definitely cook your own foods and a full fridge. The living room have two futons for anyone to sleep on and the master bedroom has one large queen bed in addition to another futon! One thing I didn't like too much was the ramp onto the parking lot in the back. It would scrape the bottom of your rental if its fairly low. Would definitely stay here again.
• Sharon (10/5): - Like being a resident in paradise. Homey spacious living space. Daily bed, towel, trash service. Friendly aloha spirit during the entire stay.
• Joseph (10/5): - Amazing property with a gorgeous tropical garden attached. We loved the proximity to downtown. Great restaurants nearby yet still quiet.
• DATTA PRASAD GANAPATI (10/5): - Very nice place
• Marcel (8/5): - Old place no AC but nice
• Robert (10/5): - This was our second stay at the Dolphin Bay Hotel.. the staff have always been friendly, welcoming and helpful. The kitchenette is a plus for the longer stays.. always love the fresh Banana bread and Papaya in the morning with our coffee.. very walkable for downtown shopping or restaurants a very easy 5-10 min walk..
• Eileen (10/5): - Our 3rd visit over more than 50 years to this property. We love it!
• brianbX2722DU (10/5): Lovely little hotel in Hilo - This is an older hotel, but it is well-maintained. There is no AC. You are in paradise. Stop complaining. September is one of the hottest months, but we used the fan, kept the windows open and were quite comfortable. The chorus of frogs sang us to sleep every night. There was a constant supply of free tropical fruit in the lobby, which we enjoyed. The staff cats are quite friendly, and if you pet them, they may try to follow you into your room. The kitchenette in the room was fully equipped. The bed was comfortable. The gardens and landscaping around the hotel were lovely.
• CARLOS (6/5): - Coming from a big condo in Waikaloa this property was kind of a disappointment. Maybe our fault not doing better research but the NO A\C was a big no-no, although weather was not that hot. Really tiny room etc.
• Ethan (10/5): - Good coffee and banana bread, ear plugs provided for the frogs. Only two blocks from downtown Hilo for dinner and shopping. Nice staff.
• Linda (10/5): - Laid back, friendly, very clean.
• DLM2019AM (10/5): A hidden gem in Hilo - What a gem. This place is clean, cool, restful, a tropical oasis. And a great base to explore all that the east side of the big island has to offer… which is a lot. Easy 5 min walk into town with all its restaurants, coffee shops, museums etc. Yet removed from the hubbub. Spacious, cool (great crossbreeze, despite the lack of AC), even had a TV that got the Olympics which we were psyched about. Friendly and knowledgable staff who gave us great tips. Will stay at Dolphin Bay again for sure!
• Matt (10/5): Dolphin stay - one night only. room was big! and tidy. Bit dated but for me that was no problem. Frogs at night outside were a pain but hey if you elect to sleep in the burbs then one needs to appreciate that will be part of the landscape
• Elizabeth (10/5): Lovely local spot for getaway weekend - This was a weekend trip with my nieces so we got a family room, which allowed for 2 bedrooms and a small kitchen, very nice, at a very affordable price. The Hotel does not have A/C but has ceiling and other fans, and is in the tropical forest so it was comfortably cool. Low key, local, very friendly. Comes with motel cats for we cat lovers. 7-10 minute walk to Hilo town and the farmers market, very convenient. Overall a great stay. I may come again with my husband for a fall weekend getaway. Also Hilo is easy to access Volcano National Park.
• Estella (8/5): - Staff was kind. Banana bread was awesome. The location is quaint Hawaiian style with a beautiful garden out back.
• Fiona (6/5): - This property does not have air conditioning and that is not stated on the website.
• Richard (8/5): Great efficiency conveniently located. - Great location in a residential area across the river but just a few blocks from downtown. Plentiful papayas, morning banana bread and avacados from onsite tree made in-room breakfasts delightful. A real find for those who want to cook their own meals.
• westerndriver (10/5): Old School Charm - This cozy, friendly hotel is an easily-walked few blocks to downtown Hilo. Our room had two beds in one room, and two beds in the living room. There was also a kitchen, a front door and a back door! We were so comfortable here; the staff is very friendly and helpful, especially Opie, the staff kitty!
• Gen (8/5): - There is no AC in the rooms but the property overall is gorgeous. Easily accessible and a short drive to downtown hilo
• Sam (10/5): - The room was clean and nice and it’s beautiful on the outside
• AnnaRabea (10/5): Great Start to our Hawaii Vacation - We spent our first night on Hawaii here, and very much enjoyed our stay. The immaculately clean one-bedroom suite had plenty of room for our family of three, and the small kitchen provided everything we needed to prepare our own dinner and breakfast (supplemented by the hotel's delicious banana bread). Having Opie the cat pay us a visit was so much fun, and the location was great for walking to the nearby farmers' market. Great start to our trip!
• Cheryl (10/5): - Instead of driving home late we wanted a place to stay after going to the theater in Hilo. Dolphin Bay Hotel was perfect. Within walking distance to the theater, shops and restaurants made it a very convenient option. Our room and the entire area is very clean. Our room was airy and comfortable. Our host even upgraded at no extra charge. There was a complete kitchen and the shower and bath tub were great. The grounds are kept beautifully, staff were very friendly and helpful - we felt aloha from everyone. We will be back.
• MEREDITH (8/5): - It’s an older property but well maintained. More of an inn or motel. Quaint. Small. Check in and check out are very easy and quick. Only ceiling fans but it was all right. We stayed only one night so didn’t get to hang out on the property very much. Ear plugs in the medicine cabinet to counter coqui frog noise.
• Emily (10/5): - Staff was wonderful, charming little hotel. Banana bread, coffee and fruit for breakfast was great! Loved having a kitchen. Allowed us to use the towels even after our check out so we could go to the beach and drop them off on our way to the airport.
• Sherry (10/5): - This is the cutest little hotel! It’s like staying with friends or family. The staff is SO nice and the grounds are beautiful. Very well maintained and clean despite being retro. Loved the hot coffee and banana bread each morning and even enjoyed Obie the cat coming in to stay with us one night.
• James (10/5): - Staff very nice, helpful. Hotel cat sweetheart, very friendly. Just great Hawai'i vibe.
• Simon (10/5): Hilo Experience - Property was comfortable and as represented. Staff friendly and obliging. Nice touch was complementary coffee and banana loaf each day for breakfast. We’d come back.
• Ann (6/5): - Loved the garden and staff were friendly. Banana bread was good. Expedia did not make a distinction between rooms with and without a balcony. We wanted a balcony and the lady we very helpful in checking and letting us know that there was one available for an additional 20-30 per nigh. We agreed but was actually charged 40 per night. This was not what we originally agreed and seemed mean - especially considering the room was not booked. The balcony made the room and the original room we were allocated seemed dark and confined. As the property has several internet addresses it was difficult to find the one allocated and the correct password. The office closed at 7 so there was no one to ask. There was supposed to be instructions in our room but these were missing and we realized this too late. There were limited power points and as we had forgotten our power strip this meant we had to scatter our devices through the room. Again the office was closed at 7pm so we could not ask for a power strip. Would be great if the lamps could be updated to have power points USB connections and if new power points were added each side of the bed.
• Hiroshi (10/5): - Really enjoyed a beautiful morning of Hilo with free banana bread and coffee the hotel offer.
• David-from-CT (10/5): A gem: our most enjoyable stay in 2 weeks in HI - We have just come back from a 2 week vacation on Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island, and this old-school (in the nicest possible way) motor hotel won our hearts. We'd go back tomorrow - and to see Opie the cat. The lack of A/C is simply NOT a problem. We were in room 5, on the upper floor and a cross breeze from the bathroom window to the slider kept the room fresh. Hilo is not a 'hot' place - it's mostly raining. Nice little kitchen and dining nook, stove, fridge. Breakfast was coffee, banana bread and fresh papaya taken from the lobby to your room. The staff were very friendly, if you like gardens the hotel has its own little botanic paradise. The neighborhood is quiet, but its a few minutes into town over the hum-bridge (not that Hilo is a rock and roll sort of place). This is not a 'luxury' spot. It's more like staying at your cousin's - homey and friendly. And did I mention Opie the cat?
• Alison (10/5): - Such a cute place to stay. Staff is super nice and loved the laid back vibe.
• Nicole (10/5): - Loved this place - super friendly staff, fresh banana bread in the AM, and fresh papaya too. We had the family suite, and found it to be very comfy. Wish we could have stayed longer than one night.
• Karin (8/5): - Very pleasant stay, quiet with beautiful gardens and easy access to town. Staff friendly and helpful. Enjoyed ability to buy fresh food from local markets and use kitchenette to prepare breakfast and picnic lunch for the day. Appreciated availability of morning brewed coffee and particularly eco friendly supply of non paper mugs
• Sanjay (10/5): - Very nice location with natural ambience and very friendly staff. They gave us a lots of free papayas and banana breads. If we come to Big Highland, I am going to book this hotel.
• Toni (10/5): - The property was beautiful, it was just right size. Easy to get to, near the bay and restaurants. Morning coffee, banana bread and papaya. Easy check in, parking available, room with kitchenette, clean and staff were wonderful. Would stay again when visiting the area.
• qing (8/5): - rooms are clean and they do provide banana bread, hot coffee/ chocolate and papayas in the morning which definitely is plus. There is no AC installed, only fans are in the room. Also, the walls are paper thin you could hear frogs singing over night. They do provide earplugs if you needed.
• Maps63339878407 (10/5): Another wonderful stay at this great Hilo Hotel - Another wonderful stay at this lovely hotel,we have stayed at this hotel several times in the past & it never disapoints,arriving here always feels like coming home & we know that we are welcomed more like family than hotel guests. The location is great & the rooms are very roomy & the free coffee,banana cake & fresh fruit each morning is a huge treat. John & his amazing staff do a truly wonderful job & John's local knowledge is very helpful
• Adam (10/5): - We truly loved our stay at Dolphin Bay hotel! The suite option drew us in, having a 5 person family. So very nice to have beds for 5! This is an older hotel, but very clean and well maintained. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the banana bread and fresh papaya in the morning was a great local touch. We would absolutely stay here again when in Hilo.
• Keith (10/5): - The folks running the hotel are very friendly and helpful. It has a sense of coming home. It's also a 5 min walk to town for dinner or walking around. Hilo's a cute place, very laid-back. Worth more time than we had...
• Jiwon (10/5): Love!!! - Wonderful hotel. It’s beautiful property with lots of fruit frees. Walkable to anywhere hilo downtown. It has a community vibe. We loved our stay in Dolphin bay hotel… we were sad to leave. Coming back soon again!
• William (10/5): - Lovely landscaped grounds; Cozy and efficiently designed rooms; kichenette is a definite plus; Very attentive, friendly and accommodating staff; excellent morning coffee/tea, delicious banana bread, and fresh fruit; nice walkable proximity to town.
• Shian Yu (10/5): - We love there: mini kitchen so convenient; bed comfortable; air breathing from window and fan is perfect setting. I love papaya for breakfast and my husband love coffee they made. Delicious banana bread too.
• Kimberly (8/5): - Nice property, older, but clean and very friendly staff. Room was right off office area so a lot of people noise in the morning.
• Robert (10/5): Vacation to Hilo! - Very friendly staff, location was quiet and out of the way, but close to downtown shops and restaurants.. coffee, fresh banana bread and papaya were great!
• Robert (8/5): - Great papaya in the morning.
• lynn (8/5): Decent stay - The room was clean even though the bed is a little on the older side, I slept well. The staff is friendly. It is a bit on the older side and could use an update. I enjoyed the complimentary fruit.
• Paul (8/5): - It is a little run but that’s part of the charm. Staff are incredibly helpful and the daily breakfast is a fun way to meet the other guests. It’s close enough to walk to restaurants and shopping. The garden is beautiful and they provide much needed earplugs for the frogs. The walls are thin and the balconies are close so do not expect a quiet resort. A great stay though snd the area is unbeatable. Great value.
• 50statesterritories (10/5): Throwback - The Dolphin Bay is a throwback, since much of it looks like it’s from the 70s. That’s not a bad thing if the place is kept up, which this is. Check in is at the main office, complete with physical keys. Entrances to rooms are on the outside, in face my ground level room had a front and rear entrance, great for a cross breeze as there is no AC. The room comes with a kitchen as well as modern TV, comfy bed, and bathroom with decent shower. It’s in a neighborhood, so it’s quiet, but within a long walk to downtown Hilo. Breakfast is coffee and homemade banana bread (yummy!) in the lobby. Staff will give great recommendations for a full breakfast nearby. Yes it’s not fancy, but it has what you need at a decent price. It’s also family run. I would return
• MICHELLE EVANS (10/5): Can’t wait to return! - Wonderful location, very clean room. Great for a family or couple. The staff is super friendly and very helpful. Daily cleaning of the rooms and fresh towels every day. Beautiful to walk around and they have a very pretty garden and walking path. Looking forward to a return visit!
• BETHANY (8/5): - Great place to stay, staff is friendly and helpful. Most rooms have a kitchen and lanai or patio. Facility is a little dated and lacks AC but staying in December, fans and open windows cooled room at night. Great banana bread and fresh fruit for breakfast and a cat or two might visit. Lovely garden, location is convenient, good off street parking. We are not bothered by the Coquis at night, we like the sound.
• gack (10/5): "Dive in to dolphin bay" - I can start out there is no ac in room. And i would have taken a star off for that, but everyone at the hotel was so nice and helpfull. Including giving us a place to put our bicycles. Banana bread was excellent. We walked to town and had no trouble. AC would be nice but room was comfortable, and we spent 4 months on the 4 islands and this was the best deal on the islands.
• Jesse (10/5): Great stay - Service was pleasant and good advice on where to eat and shop Banana bread, papayas and coffee/tea were all free and good for breakfast Room was clean and nice considering it is a bit older Cool locking mechanism on the front door Fresh drinking water in the fridge Full kitchen you can use Free and safe parking 10-15 min walk to the main Street but along the bridge there there is a homeless encampment Tv and cable work but the cable can be hard to get working Free wifi which was good The room was a very pleasant temperature -there were two small fans and a large ceiling fan but that was a bit noisy when trying to sleep Very quiet rooms otherwise
• S1054ZGnatalief (4/5): Website misleading, omits to mention there is no air conditioning.. - Of all the comforts offered guests mentioned in their website, the one that really counts for many a guest is the ability to be cool; a fluffy pillow and a stove are nothing compared to the ability to spend time in the rooms without dripping with sweat—the temp is in the 80’s there. Some people do not mind, but it makes a difference to many whose level of heat tolerance is lower. Yet this is one comfort left omitted in the website. Its misleading. Had I known there was no air conditioning, I would not have gone to this hotel.
• X5852IYsarahc (10/5): Lovely little hotel - We stayed for a couple nights while in Hilo and you can't ask for a better little hotel. The rooms are comfortable, and while there is no AC with the windows open and the fans on we slept great. The scenery out back is lovely, its in a great location, and if you are a cat person there are some sweet feral cats as well as the cats at the hotel itself! :P The staff is all wonderful; very friendly and we received some excellent food/drink suggestions. And the coffee and banana bread for breakfast was a great option when we didn't feel like going out for breakfast! The frogs are pretty crazy at night- honestly they were so loud and regular that it was like white noise and it actually helped me sleep, but they do provide earplugs in the bathroom if its an issue.
• Valerie (10/5): Beautiful garden, wonderful staff, the best papaya - Beautiful, lush garden! We so enjoyed our stay in this small hotel in a quiet residential area. It was perfect for our Hawaiian vacation. We explored the nearby waterfalls, town of Hilo, beaches, and the Volocanoes National Park. The staff was very helpful with ideas. The daily papaya was so sweet and delicious. It was the best thing we ate during our whole vacation. Room is not modern or new but clean and so functional. Loved having a mini kitchen. Went to the local farmers market and got a few things, including some huge avocados and made a simple guacamole in the room.
• James (10/5): - The Dolphin Bay is a charming property. Despite being a little older property, the room was spotlessly clean and well appointed. Everything in the unit worked well and was perfect. They provide you everything you need to utilize the fully featured mini kitchen. It was great to have a complete cook range and oven. The staff are nothing but smiles. The clerk that checked us in met us at the room to let us in and reviewed the amenities. I can't remember the last time that happened. In addition to the excellent room, the grounds feature a fantastic garden with gravel paths through a lush tropical ravine and places to sit, relax and just take it all in. We will be staying at the Dolphin Bay again on our next visit to Hilo.

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