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Dolphin Bay

333 Iliahi St, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-2399
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Traveller (355)
Room & Suite (104)
Dining (15)

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About

#1 of 7 hotels in Hilo
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Seasoned guidance for a wide range of Big Island adventures. Walking distance to downtown Hilo. Clean quiet & reasonable. All rooms with kitchens. Free WiFi Internet available. Rated nicest small hotel in Hilo.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Room features
Private balcony
Seating area
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
2.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Centrally Located
778Reviews11Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Maps63339878407 wrote a review 8 Mar
1 contribution
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
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT IS THE BEST VALUE
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Keith B wrote a review Jan 2024
Wayne, Michigan450 contributions111 helpful votes
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
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
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Trip 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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gack wrote a review Dec 2023
thomaston, CT132 contributions37 helpful votes
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.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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Natalie F wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution
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.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Warning for those who prefer not to drip with sweat the whole night: The website fails to mention...
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Sarah C wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution
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.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Frogs are extremely loud- I loved it but there are earplugs in the bathroom.
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gopats1972 wrote a review Nov 2023
MA44 contributions9 helpful votes
We loved our stay here. The room was very clean and comfortable. The property is off the beaten path. I was a little concerned about the no A/C because I run hot, but I was completely fine with the fans. Loved the sound of the frogs at night. The banana bread, coffee and papaya in the morning were all delicious. The location was great for exploring the East side of the island and Volcano National Park. We are already planning another trip and will definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Jack wrote a review Sept 2023
Ashland, Virginia99 contributions18 helpful votes
What a gem of a motel for a couple of nights. Just a few blocks away for the downtown Hilo center. Easy parking safe. An older motel, but well kept. We had a kitchenette with a Lanai. So peaceful, woke up to the birds chirping in the mornings. the garden out back was just so peaceful. We enjoyed it more than the famous grounds over at the Waikiki Royal Hawaiian. Staff was super friendly and most helpful. I mentioned I had an early checkout and they made sure they had a to go cup ready for me at the desk next morning. We were there during 80-85 degree days, the fans were able to keep the room cool. It was a delightful place to chill while visiting Hilo. We would happily stay there again. A real gem.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
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RedSock04 wrote a review Aug 2023
Boston, Massachusetts10 contributions6 helpful votes
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The Dolphin Bay Hotel is a comfortable, almost no-frills small motel within walking distance of downtown Hilo. We used it as homebase to explore Volcanoes National Park and the Hamakua Coast. There’s no a/c in the rooms, but plenty of fans keep it comfortable and help drown out the symphony of the coqui frogs. The hotel provides fresh coffee, delicious banana bread and fresh ripe papaya every morning near the front desk, which you can bring back to your room to enjoy on your lanai (ask for a room on the second floor). And the staff’s extremely helpful - they pointed us to the Hilo Night Market, a short walk from the hotel (don’t miss it if you’re in town on a Friday night).
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Ask for a room on the second floor with a lanai. Avoid Room #1 (breakfast is set up just outside...
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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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Ineedatrain wrote a review Aug 2023
Clearwater, Florida85 contributions31 helpful votes
Very nice for an older hotel. Super friendly staff and room was quite good for price. Banana bread, coffee and guava available for breakfast. Only other comment would be that walking to downtown from there means going past a fair amount of homeless folks hanging out. Not an issue at the hotel but between there and downtown, a bit sketchy although you can detour around fairly easily. We would stay and recommend for anyone else, particularly for the price. Really close to a lot.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Just be aware that walking from hotel to downtown takes you through a homeless hangout downtown. ...
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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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Yankee33 wrote a review Jul 2023
Williamsville, New York940 contributions179 helpful votes
We stayed at this hotel for only one night prior to flying off the Big Island. The owner was very friendly, and changed our room location when we requested a first floor room. He also referred us to an outstanding restaurant for dinner. Our room was a good size complete with a full kitchen. I killed several ants in the kitchen, a few bugs in the bathroom and had a 6 inch lizard climb up the wall near the desk. A word to the wise, a walk to downtown Hilo is not pleasant, with many homeless individuals and closed stores and restaurants.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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PRICE RANGE
£156 - £185 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
dolphin bay hilo, dolphin bay hotel hilo
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiIsland of HawaiiHilo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are provided by our partners, 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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DOLPHIN BAY - Updated 2024 Reviews, Price Comparison (Hilo, HI)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dolphin Bay
Which popular attractions are close to Dolphin Bay?
Nearby attractions include Lyman Museum (0.5 miles), Pacific Tsunami Museum (0.3 miles), and Hilo Farmers Market (0.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Dolphin Bay?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Dolphin Bay?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Dolphin Bay?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Dolphin Bay?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Dolphin Bay?
Conveniently located restaurants include Paul's Place, Two Ladies Kitchen, and Moon and Turtle.
Are there any historical sites close to Dolphin Bay?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Kaipalaoa Landing (0.3 miles).