Just a short walk from downtown Hilo, Dolphin Bay Hotel offers comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price. We are a small hotel catering to those who want to get out and see Hawaii. During your next Hawaiian vacation, stay at the hotel rated the nicest small hotel in the Hilo area. Find out why most of our clientele are repeat visitors.
We invite you to take a look around our website. See what our rooms look like, take a look around the hotel grounds, get the latest information about Kilauea Volcano or sign our guest book. Here you will also find information on the various regions of the Big Island to help you plan the best Hawaiian vacation possible.
We invite you to take a look around our website. See what our rooms look like, take a look around the hotel grounds, get the latest information about Kilauea Volcano or sign our guest book. Here you will also find information on the various regions of the Big Island to help you plan the best Hawaiian vacation possible.
Reviews (27)
Detlef Soennichsen
Jan 02, 2022
Report
A wonderful well maintained hotel from the end of the sixties.The garden got wonderful flowers. The room is clean and spacious, the bath too. The kitchen even had a gas stove which saved me as I am not accustomed to a microwave. Thank you for the fresh papaya for free. The right choice for me. Almost a pity my plan had no more nights at this place. Thank you Robert, the german speaking friendly person at the reception.
A place that give a lot and is affordable compared to the crazy prices other places ask for.
A place that give a lot and is affordable compared to the crazy prices other places ask for.
William McKee
Dec 17, 2021
Report
Maia Yap-Powell
Dec 16, 2021
Report
John Foushee Foush
Nov 26, 2021
Report
Tristan Rieckhoff
Nov 20, 2021
Report
Jetsforme M.
Nov 01, 2021
Report
Sarah McKnight
Nov 01, 2021
Report
Cute hotel. The location is very convenient to Hilo, and the hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. It is an older building but is well kept and clean. Small but sufficient parking area in the back - I recommend backing in to park if you can. Being from a warmer climate I was concerned about not having A/C but the temperature was perfect.
Stephanie Cs
Oct 27, 2021
Report
Dolphin Bay hotel was incredibly cozy and a perfect host during our stay in Hilo. The fresh papaya, banana bread, and tea every morning was perfect. The outdoor sitting area by our room was very cozy to spend the mornings as well. John and everyone who worked at the front desk and housekeeping were very kind and helpful. They even brought a rice cooker to our room upon request and lent us binoculars to get a close look at Kileaua flowing. Very cozy homey stay!
Jaime Peters
Sep 23, 2021
Report
David Currie
Sep 22, 2021
Report
As many other reviews say, this place is a taste of older Hawaii - REAL customer service, plenty of smiles and kindness, good conversation and a relaxed vibe. Super location just a few easy walking blocks from downtown Hilo. The fresh banana bread and fresh papaya make a lovely breakfast. Having a full kitchen in room is great for the budget- minded traveller and even just the convenience of cold drinks and ice. Yes, the frogs can be loud but John and staff graciously provide ear plugs if you need them. But being lulled to sleep by frogs ‘singing’ is also pretty special. Anytime we’re in
Brian B.
Sep 15, 2021
Report
I have stayed here twice now with my husband, and his family has stayed here many times since the 1980s. We love this place! Great staff, clean, beautiful courtyard and garden, and it is charming! We're not resort guys. I like to pack our day bag and head to Volcano NP, or go for a hike, then head back to the hotel, have dinner on the lanai, and crash. I'm the morning, they have coffee and banana bread and fresh fruit at 6AM, then we are ready to go again! It's perfect! Also, it's walking distance to downtown Hilo, but you wouldn't know it; it's surrounded by lush
Marc B.
Aug 28, 2021
Report
My wife, our three children and I stayed at the beautifully landscaped mini hotel for 3 days and WE LOVED IT! It’s right on the edge of Old Town with lots of shops and museums nearby. The rooms were nice and John and his team of vacation professionals were the Best! If you’re unsure of what to do or where to go, John has many recommendations! We’ll be back again! Mahalo Dolphin 🐬 Bay Hotel!!
🤙🏼😃🌺❤️🇬🇺
🤙🏼😃🌺❤️🇬🇺
Dan A.
Jul 04, 2021
Report
Alx Ric S.
Apr 15, 2021
Report
Jimmy H.
Mar 21, 2021
Report
They said they had recently upgraded their wifi and it showed; worked remotely from this hotel for a week. Lots of corporate video calls via Google Meet and one via Zoom, all hours of the day, and hardly a single issue. Also streamed NPR every morning and evening, watched some YouTube videos, and streamed some Peleton workouts on my phone. Again, no issues. Given how important work was, I was grateful that this worked as advertised and things went well. The staff said they were at 70% occupancy that week, so it wasn't for lack of usage by other guests. It was mentioned some people were booking
Yixian Z.
Nov 28, 2019
Report
Pam K.
May 14, 2019
Report
The location is excellent, the room is very clean. Full kitchen. Breakfast has the best banana bread, home grown papaya and incredibly good coffee.
The hotel is in a lovely garden property. The rooms need to be updated but you are a good value. Best part is the owner John who has lived in Hilo his entire life. He is an amazing resource and very available. I would stay here again.
The hotel is in a lovely garden property. The rooms need to be updated but you are a good value. Best part is the owner John who has lived in Hilo his entire life. He is an amazing resource and very available. I would stay here again.
Sean C.
Mar 06, 2019
Report
The good:
* Lots of amenities including a kitchen, fridge, free breakfast (banana bread, coffee/tea and fruit). The banana bread is so good, it's bananas. The papayas are also unbelievably fantastic.
* Extremely thoughtful and delightful details like napkins with cartoons on them, pre-chilled container of water, kitchenware, flowers, hair drier
* Brandon was very nice and accommodating and offered to give us tips on where to be a tourist
* Large, scenic outdoor area for relaxing
* Location to downtown Hilo (though it gets pretty sketchy to walk at night, since the bridge path is not lit
* Lots of amenities including a kitchen, fridge, free breakfast (banana bread, coffee/tea and fruit). The banana bread is so good, it's bananas. The papayas are also unbelievably fantastic.
* Extremely thoughtful and delightful details like napkins with cartoons on them, pre-chilled container of water, kitchenware, flowers, hair drier
* Brandon was very nice and accommodating and offered to give us tips on where to be a tourist
* Large, scenic outdoor area for relaxing
* Location to downtown Hilo (though it gets pretty sketchy to walk at night, since the bridge path is not lit
Tara K.
Oct 22, 2018
Report
I am a travel nurse and I stayed in countless hotels in Hawaii during my transition to getting an apartment and this one was my favorite. Friendly staff, papayas, bananas grown on the land and banana bread out for the guests everyday and the outdoor grill felt like home. I love how everything is outdoors and anti plastic/pollution. Such a good vibe
Susie Q.
Aug 12, 2018
Report
Casey P.
May 23, 2018
Report
A great place to stay in Hilo! Highlights: very clean, easy walk into town, yummy coffee, fresh fruit, and banana bread in the morning, beach towels, snorkeling gear, and great service. The rooms may appear a little retro but are very clean and comfortable. John and his staff made our stay in Hilo exemplary with their knowledge of the island and friendly service. We will be back!
Amanda G.
Mar 28, 2017
Report
This place was great! Not what I expected at all.
We got the 2 twin room which had 2 beds, a nice, clean bathroom, and a full kitchen with utensils and everything you'd need to cook... Including a full fridge!
The bathroom mirror had some earplugs which were super helpful. I couldn't hear the frogs or anything outside. I appreciated that!
There was tea, homemade banana bread, the most delicious apple bananas ever, and papaya for free every morning.
The man that checked us in was really friendly and gave us some tips of what to do.
This place was really close to everything in Hilo
We got the 2 twin room which had 2 beds, a nice, clean bathroom, and a full kitchen with utensils and everything you'd need to cook... Including a full fridge!
The bathroom mirror had some earplugs which were super helpful. I couldn't hear the frogs or anything outside. I appreciated that!
There was tea, homemade banana bread, the most delicious apple bananas ever, and papaya for free every morning.
The man that checked us in was really friendly and gave us some tips of what to do.
This place was really close to everything in Hilo
Louise M.
Dec 16, 2016
Report
Found this place thanks to Yelp which gave it the best listings in the area. Got a room with a queen bed and arrived with the help of GPS as it's in a residential area. More motel than hotel but had a nice feel to it. No air conditioning but aside from a ceiling fan they had also installed a pretty nice heavy duty fan aimed at the bed which made it very tolerable. Luckily not too hot out (70's) but the tree frogs which surround the area are crazy loud so I didn't close all windows but The white noise from the fans helped drown most of that out.
Small functional kitchen which also
Small functional kitchen which also
Christina K.
Apr 25, 2016
Report
Very nice hotel room for the price tag. actually, I would not call this place a hotel. The rooms are more like studio apartments in my opinion.
We were warmly accommodated after trekking from kona, to ocean view, ka'u, then to volcano and our eyes were weary and feet tired.
The rooms are large and spacious. Even having a dining room area complete with table and chairs, and a fully stocked kitchen complete with anything you would need from dishes to mugs, to can and wine openers (although we did not partake). The full size refrigerator came equipped with ice and water. The room had a stove
We were warmly accommodated after trekking from kona, to ocean view, ka'u, then to volcano and our eyes were weary and feet tired.
The rooms are large and spacious. Even having a dining room area complete with table and chairs, and a fully stocked kitchen complete with anything you would need from dishes to mugs, to can and wine openers (although we did not partake). The full size refrigerator came equipped with ice and water. The room had a stove
Michael D.
Apr 25, 2015
Report
Hate to give them 5 stars...but what a great place I hope I don't ruin it.
Small hotel, owner run, spotlessly clean, thoughtful service, beautiful gardens, within
walking distance of the Hilo historic district. Our room had a small kitchen so
you could 'eat in' if you needed to...great if you have kids. Very good value for the price. Not 'just a motel' as someone said: but a wonderful boutique hotel in a
garden setting. Oh one thing; there aren't any dolphins or a Bay for that matter but don't be picky. A garden jungle is just outside your door...but
Small hotel, owner run, spotlessly clean, thoughtful service, beautiful gardens, within
walking distance of the Hilo historic district. Our room had a small kitchen so
you could 'eat in' if you needed to...great if you have kids. Very good value for the price. Not 'just a motel' as someone said: but a wonderful boutique hotel in a
garden setting. Oh one thing; there aren't any dolphins or a Bay for that matter but don't be picky. A garden jungle is just outside your door...but
T. H. B.
Oct 15, 2014
Report
We liked this hotel for the reasons listed below:
- Kitchen facilities and dining table, so we could store the groceries and dinein, if we wanted
- fresh coffee, banana bread for breakfast,and fresh fruits available all day
- Jungle like backyard where we can experience the nature
- Walking distance to downtown for exercise
They also offer free wi-fi, and the staff was very friendly. I am very glad that I found this place, and highly recommend this hotel.
- Kitchen facilities and dining table, so we could store the groceries and dinein, if we wanted
- fresh coffee, banana bread for breakfast,and fresh fruits available all day
- Jungle like backyard where we can experience the nature
- Walking distance to downtown for exercise
They also offer free wi-fi, and the staff was very friendly. I am very glad that I found this place, and highly recommend this hotel.
Edward W.
Jun 24, 2013
Report
Excellent place to stay.
The lady at the front desk was nice and gave us some pointers on where to shop in hilo (hint it's along Front Street). We stayed 2 nights here and had no issues with our neighbors. There was a lot of bird chirping noises at night that you could hear in the living room, but they provided ear plugs.
In the morning, the hotel provides free banana bread, bananas, papayas, hot chocolate and coffee although we didn't really get to take advantage of it.
The location is convenient and close to downtown Hilo.
The lady at the front desk was nice and gave us some pointers on where to shop in hilo (hint it's along Front Street). We stayed 2 nights here and had no issues with our neighbors. There was a lot of bird chirping noises at night that you could hear in the living room, but they provided ear plugs.
In the morning, the hotel provides free banana bread, bananas, papayas, hot chocolate and coffee although we didn't really get to take advantage of it.
The location is convenient and close to downtown Hilo.
