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Hilo Bay Hostel

101 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-2435
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Traveller (35)
Room & Suite (10)
Dining (1)

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Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#1 of 3 hostels in Hilo
Location
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Shared bathroom
Clothes dryer
Washing machine
Room features
Seating area
Clothes rack
Iron
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
212Reviews2Q+A28Room tips

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Abwawa93 wrote a review Jun 2022
Brindisi, Italy7 contributions2 helpful votes
I state that I have traveled far and wide around the world and I have never found myself as bad as in this place. Let's start from the beginning, as usual I book through booking.com and I receive instant confirmation of the reservation after paying for the first night of the 4 booked (the other three I would have paid upon my arrival as written on booking). 5 days before my arrival I received an email from the hotel saying that they would have canceled my reservation if I had not immediately paid the full amount and that they have never received the deposit for the first night, so I immediately call the structure and even reluctantly I go to meet him by paying everything to avoid problems even if once you have the confirmation from the booking you are not required to do anything more !!!! In the next email they confirm my reservation and say that the door of the hostel is open from 9am to 9pm. On the day of my arrival my flight is delayed by 2 hours and I arrive at 9:30 pm at the hostel certainly not my fault. The doors are closed and nobody opens me, I call 10/15 times and NO ONE ANSWERS ME. In short, if anything happens they don't give a damn about you and LEAVE YOU OUT. They have absolutely no respect for the customer. The next day I explain what happened and I am told that it is my fault and that after 9 they no longer care about you. (Of course since I had already paid) The guy from the reception (the only really nice person) tells me that he will ask the manager at least for the refund of the first night but the manager obviously refuses categorically. Not to mention the rooms with ALL THE WINDOWS BROKEN AND THAT DO NOT CLOSE with the ensuing noises and everything that can enter, the shower and everything else dilapidated abd dirty. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE ABSOLUTELY AVOID COMING HERE.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Avoid this place
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Missk wrote a review Oct 2021
Vancouver7 contributions3 helpful votes
I get a Drill sergents vibe aroound here. Some nice staff for the most part but been screamed at over nothing and heard other people reemed out too. I think people here are mostly depressed and misrable. Polite and welcoming signs such as if u dont like our rules theres the door... haha like really great way to run a business guys.. because the owner seems like not a chill person, theres strict rules. No kitchen use (or available water except bathroom) after 925pm &lightsout so get ready to tip toe on the old squeeky floors. Which is good for people who sleep early but personally i eat after 9pm and sleep after midnight so a bit of a challenge if u want to be here after 9 alive and awake. They only have one toilet for woman which has no ceiling/privacy so i hope you enjoy your business around others. Otherwise theres nothing cheaper in the hilo area, i would recommend staying in kona hostel. Or a private room here as dorms seem to have black mold on most beds. :)
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
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Lorraine S wrote a review Aug 2021
10 contributions1 helpful vote
This place is gross. Dirty, over priced and unsafe. Definitely stay away if you are traveling and have lodging options within you options. Borderline homeless camp. Only positive thing to say is that the location is good.
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Date of stay: August 2021
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Louise wrote a review Mar 2021
1 contribution1 helpful vote
In this time of pandemic I have travelled safely, tested negative multiple times, received my second COVID vaccination in February 2021, and have the proof. I have never been treated more rudely than by the front desk at Hilo Bay Hostel. The woman employee did not wear a mask, but berated guests in the lobby for violating imaginary rules. This woman admitted that she has not received a single vaccine, and did not practice social distancing while getting in guests faces. The woman at the front desk appears to have a serious illness, and should not be working at a hotel. I will tell everyone who asks to avoid Hilo Bay Hostel, they might catch something.
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Date of stay: March 2021
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1 Helpful vote
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Brian D wrote a review Jul 2020
1 contribution
Made an impromptu last minute trip to Big Island to enjoy the presumed last days of inter-island/corona-free Hawaii..... first time on Big Isl. from Maui and did zero research/planning.... expected to car camp the whole trip... but wound up cruising into Hilo hungry just in time to make last kitchen call at the only place open in Hilo (Cronie's) Decided to look into hotel options to discover the Hilo Bay Hostel...... Not only was the hostel perfectly located a block away from our restaurant, and right in town, but the manager, Stanley, was awesome and he agreed to wait up past the hostel's usual hours of business to ensure that we could still have a place to stay. The hostel itself was super clean and welcoming, and we felt right at home with the staff and guests... We opted for the room with it's own bathroom, and it was perfect for our needs. Loved the high raised ceilings, which made for a nice, cool night's sleep on the hottest day of the year...... also just want to say that the shower was the best shower i have ever had. The combined insane water pressure and soft reducing showerhead made for the softest/strongest shower I've ever enjoyed..... While the place was awesome, I can't say enough good things about Stanley, the owner/manager of the Hostel. He was incredibly helpful with tips on where to go and suggestions for the island, and I also really enjoyed getting to know him and hearing his story. My only regret is not having spent more time at the hostel or in Hilo, as we were racing around the island and only stayed one night. The hostel also had a great kitchen/common area and would be an ideal homebase for anyone looking to spend more time in the area. I would highly recommend Hilo Bay Hostel to anyone passing through Hilo, and will definitely be back when I return to Big Island next. MAJOR MAHALOS STANLEY!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY... ~Brian and Sam......... THE ORDER OF THE TRAVELING FLAMINGOS!!!
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Date of stay: July 2020
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Diego Valdecantos wrote a review Mar 2020
Norman, Oklahoma124 contributions55 helpful votes
It is well located in Hilo Downtown and it offers many service such a shared kitchen and nice leaving room to sit-down and meet other traverses. It was super clean and well cared. Also if you like to walk in less than 30 minutes you can reach Rainbow Falls which is one of the main attractions of Hilo. Staff is really nice too and ready to help. They offer storage if your plane leaves in the afternoon. Note that you can do laundry there but is not included on the price you pay, you have to pay a bit more to use the laundry.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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Room Tip: Private room if you travel with somebody else.
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Ms. Wolf wrote a review Oct 2019
1 contribution
I am so happy I found this place. It is clean and safe with a wonderful, friendly staff. I like how the women’s and men’s showers and bathrooms are completely separated. And the hostel, which was a hotel at one time, is quite charming with lots of beautiful woodwork. I would definitely suggest staying there. Oh, and while you are there, make sure to walk down the street to the Pineapple Island Fresh Cuisine Restaurant. Awesome menu, live music, pleasant staff and an open air environment.
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
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Alexandra wrote a review Oct 2019
1 contribution
Amazing. Hilo Bay Hostels has been one of the highlight of our trip. The new owner, Stanley, gave us the most heartwarming welcome when we first arrived. The hostel has a lot of space, cosy, clean, kitchen is big and fun to cook in, free coffee and the location is the best in town. Nearby coffee shops, the grocery store, nice restaurants and the ocean is less than a minute walk away. We could even watch the sunrise from our window every morning. Price is fair and even cheap for Hawaii. We were suppose to stay 2 nights and ended up staying for a little over a week. People were very friendly and the layout of the hostel makes it very easy to meet new people. Hostel is calm and it's a good vibes only zone. Free wifi too. Loved our experience. Couldn't recommend enough staying at this place. Stanley is putting his heart and soul in this place, and it shows. Cheers to a great place, even better memories made there and to our friendly hosts !
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Date of stay: September 2019
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Holly anne T wrote a review Apr 2019
Dunhuang, China11 contributions17 helpful votes
I stayed for a couple of nights before flying out, I love the historic building, tons of history which being from the u.k is awesome. Very friendly staff and clean. The bunk beds were large the sheets clean and great location to Potter about in. Thanks!
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Patrick B wrote a review Jan 2019
Portland, Maine3 contributions2 helpful votes
I notified this grim hostel that my flight would be late and the attendant said they'd wait until 9:30pm. I wasn't able to get there until 9:45 and arrived to find a locked gate...and no further instructions. Was not told this would be the case and logically assumed the attendant had left . After much stress, I was able to locate some last minute lodging, but I was told the next day I would not receive a refund for any of the time booked. And they could not have cared less about adversarial travel circumstances beyond my control.
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Date of stay: August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Hilo area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
hilo bay hotel hilo
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiIsland of HawaiiHilo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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HILO BAY HOSTEL - Reviews, Photos (HI) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Hilo Bay Hostel
Which popular attractions are close to Hilo Bay Hostel?
Nearby attractions include Lyman Museum (0.3 miles), Pacific Tsunami Museum (0.10 miles), and Mahi‘ai Made (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Hilo Bay Hostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a clothes dryer, and a washing machine.
What are some restaurants close to Hilo Bay Hostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Moon and Turtle, Pineapple's Island Fresh Cuisine, and Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo.
Are any cleaning services offered at Hilo Bay Hostel?
Yes, a clothes dryer and a washing machine are offered to guests.
Are there any historical sites close to Hilo Bay Hostel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Kaipalaoa Landing (0.10 miles).