Arnott's Lodge
98 Apapane Rd, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-4907
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About
#2 of 7 hotels in Hilo
Location
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Value
Arnott's Lodge and Hiking Adventures is located in a delightful, tropical area minutes from the coastline. We offer a range of affordable accommodations from backpackers in one building, to deluxe rooms with private bathroom in another. In between these accommodation extremes we have semi-private/suites that include a shared bathroom and a kitchenette which makes family vacations affordable. We also incorporate a beautiful camp ground for campers. Inexpensive bike rentals are available. Arnott's also has its own tour division where lodge guests get substantial discounts on incredible adventures such as the summit of Mauna Kea, Volcano Twilight Tour, Puna Frozen Fire Tours and private or custom tours for your very own adventure. Come experience a relaxed Hawaii environment within walking distance to green sea turtles and swimming beaches. We hope to see you soon. Aloha
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Vending machine
Bicycle rental
Hiking
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Clothes dryer
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Self-serve laundry
Washing machine
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Room features
Air conditioning
Seating area
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Japanese
Location
Contact
98 Apapane Rd, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-4907
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+1
Ok let’s start with the good. Handy location to get to the volcanoes and we were so lucky to arrive as Mauna Loa came back to life for the first time in 38 years. We also took their tour to Mauna Kea and Donna our tour guide was fantastic and the tour was spectacular. Also don’t miss the nearby Tropical Garden Reserve - it is truly paradise on earth! A few cute beaches nearby. We spent a day at the Volcano National Park where we spent a day hiking amongst the awesome power of nature. We were also preparing for the Honolulu marathon and it was easy to find places to run nearby to the lodge. The staff were mostly friendly but the level of helpfulness depended on which staff member you engaged with. Sarah was the most helpful and friendly. Now, onto the bad….. as we drove through the town of Hilo I started apologising to my wife for what a decrepit area I had led us to. The town is a horrible eyesore, particularly the industrial area which leads you towards the lodge. The lodge is just outside of this area but close enough to have quite a seedy feel. Lots of really sketchy characters walking the streets. I did not feel like it was safe for my wife to go anywhere nearby without me accompanying her. We knew beforehand we would be sharing a kitchen but nothing could prepare us for the comically small size of our optimistically named “deluxe” queen room. Literally the size of a bed. No I’m not exaggerating. Once you put your bags on the floor I think you are expected to levitate or hover around the room in the air as there is absolutely nowhere to store clothes or suitcases except for a small rail hanging limply from a wall and thus we spent whatever time we had to in the room tripping over ourselves and our suitcases and stubbing our toes on the tiny step built into the floor that led to the bathroom. You also have the bonus of hearing EVERYTHING that is said and done in the neighbouring rooms. If you have inconsiderate people staying next door, which we did, then it becomes a bit much. The bathroom was small but acceptable for our needs - but note it includes a toilet that sounds like a jumbo jet taking off every time you flush it. Sounds great at 3am!!! The shared kitchen has one saucepan, a microwave and a rather sad collection of badly washed plates, cups and cutlery. There are coin operated washing machines and dryers which is fine and not unexpected but they were not all actually working. To complicate matters, the lodge staff use the very same machines to wash and dry all of the lodge’s towels, sheets, etc so you have to compete with them just to get a chance to wash your clothes - very annoying and utterly ridiculous when you’ve got limited windows of time to fit washing in amongst the actual vacation activities you want to do each day. Overall for the low level of comfort and practicality this place offers, it should be half the price and had the price we paid been more in line with the value you receive then I would have been a little more accepting of the circumstances and a little kinder with my review. We did know in advance that we would be “slumming it” a little bit on that leg of our Hawaiian holiday but wasn’t expecting to slum it quite as much as this. And a “deluxe” queen room should fit a little bit more in it than just a bed! Oh and not that this is the lodge’s fault of course, but it rains virtually every day there. Sometimes quite out of the blue and it can settle in for hours so either prepare to get wet often, bring your wet weather gear or allow extra time to get to all the places you want to go in the inevitable event of crappy weather.…
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Hilo is a very rainy area. Make sure you pack accordingly- you will get wet while you stay in Hilo!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I absolutely hate leaving a bad review, especially when people are friendly and accommodating which they were. My husband and I stayed here one single night when we flew from Maui to Hilo for a day trip to volcanoes. I called a couple of weeks ahead to inform them that I would be arriving past 8 o’clock, and they were very accommodating with saying that they would notate it and then I would not be charged a late check in time. They were true to their word and did not charge a late check in fee. Upon arrival there was no one at the front desk, but a nice man, possibly the owner, found the person that would be assisting with check-in. The checking itself went very fast, and they directed us on how to get to our room. When we entered our room, room 6, it was absolutely nothing like the pictures or reviews has indicated. It was extremely dingy with a terrible musty odor. The musty odor wasn’t the worst part, even though I did have a hard time sleeping because the must felt like I could have an asthma attack at any moment. The worst part was the roach on our bed frame before we could even set our stuff down. My husband looked under the mattress only to find three more roaches. Honestly we should have packed up and slept in our car. Instead we slept in the bed and tried not to think about what might be crawling on us during the night. I know Hawaii has roaches, but the entire room was very unclean including the black in the shower corners, the carpet, musty smell, and wooden vanity in the bathroom with God knows what living under it! 100 dollars is affordable, but unsanitary is a deal breaker!…
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip 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.
Helpful
Response from Arnott's Lodge, General Manager at Arnott's Lodge
Responded 14 Sep 2022
Aloha! You have already left a review on this on another site. We are unsure why you felt the need to leave another, especially since you did not let us know at any point during your stay or after checking out that there was an issue or that you felt anything needed to change. Your room was examined thoroughly and no insects were found. Our rooms are always cleaned thoroughly and this is something that not only do we take pride in, but it is frequently noted by other travelers. We will always do our best for our guests and try to provide clean and comfortable accommodations for guests that are also budget-friendly. In the future, if you have any issues with a room or feel something needs to be fixed, please let the establishment know so that they can help you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aloha! My family took Arnott's Mauna Kea Stargazing (private) tour (they accommodate large parties as well) - it was sooooo amazing! Our tour host Donna is so friendly and well informed; she's very talented and complemented the breathtaking views from the top of Mauna Kea to our stargazing site - If you are visiting the Big Island, this is a "must do" activity. Memories last a lifetime. Thanks VIP Tour guide Donna. The staff at Arnott's - Siobhan & Lauren - for coordinating our tour and answering all our questions! Mahalo - Leslie, Mo, Leila & Scott (July 2022)
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Arnott's was easy to work with. Everything was clearly communicated upfront. Donna is an excellent tour guide. She could easily be your Science and History teacher in addition to being an excellent tour guide. Very courteous and customer friendly. Great experience overall on the sunset tour. -- Anupam & Jaya. 18 Jan 2022.
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Date of stay: January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Andras was our guide and this was the highlight of our superb Hawaii trip to Maui and Big Island! Andras provided all the extra info and care for altitude sickness anyone could need to make an awe inspiring place even more amazing. He helped us take some amazing photos of the night sky! He was funny and kind and very calm as he drove what we would have found to be a not fun drive to the summit! Couldn’t have had a better tour! Thank you Arnott’s and Andras!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We toured Hilo then went to the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Despite the sights being amazing, the greatest part of this tour was easily our tour guide David. His knowledge and passion about the region shone through. His stargazing tutelage was amazing. It changed how I will look at the night sky.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Our group enjoyed this unique hotel, much more than we thought we would, The outdoor common areas were cute - they had board games, guide books, a TV and had a very communal feel, like staying at a hostel. Great place to stay on a budget. Clean, quiet, well run. We were mostly looking for a nice place to sleep and we were happy to have found this lodge.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Rooms
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
I really enjoyed this unique hotel, much more than I thought I would, actually. It’s about a 15-min drive from the airport, in a jungly neighborhood within walking distance of Carlsmith and a few other beaches. You could probably walk to Hilo but it’d be a bit of a hike. The outdoor common areas were neat - they had board games, guide books, a TV and more. It had a very communal feel, almost international. I stayed in a queen suite and it was one of four private rooms in what seemed like some sort of lodge, which also had a common room. My room was small but it had a fridge, a little patio - everything I needed for a quick budget stay, except a TV. This maybe isn’t the type of place you’d stay if you came to Hawaii to vacation, but if you’re basically just looking for a place to crash for a few nights, this should work just fine. I enjoyed my two-night stay.…
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Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Great place to stay on a budget. Clean, quiet, well run. Not fancy. But who needs frills?? Internet can be slow or non existent. But that is not why people go to HI. Places to sit out side. Bikes to rent. Walk to the beach. Clean sheets and towels. Free off street parking if you have a car. This place is what it says it is, a budget place to stay at a fair price.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: I went for a private room with a bathroom. Nice to have my own place to sit out side and to...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Arnott's Lodge, General Manager at Arnott's Lodge
Responded 2 Feb 2021
Aloha! Mahalo for your review. We are happy to hear that you recognize and appreciate what we have to offer. We always do our best to keep our hotel clean, quiet, and safe for our guests. If you had an issue with our internet, we hope you will reach out and let us know so that we can look into it. Our internet is some of the fastest in Hilo and if there is a problem we'd like to know as soon as possible so that we can fix it for you. Thank you again for staying with us! We hope to welcome you back to Hilo again soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We came to the place and found out the condition and hygiene is far worse than what's described online. When we came to the front desk asking if we can leave and get a refund, another customer came to complain about safety issue as the back door in her room kept getting unlocked and opened. After her complain the woman in charge agreed to refund us for both nights with some cleaning fees if we leave immediately without drawing attention from other customers. We packed our stuff and moved them back to the car, but she changed her mind claiming to charge one night as cleaning fees. We were in the room for less than an hour, barely touched the stuff in the room and took our own trash, it's ridiculous to charge that much cleaning fees. At that time we haven't booked a hotel to stay for the night, we were trying to argue for the refund she promised, but she was kicking us out as if it was our fault and threatened us calling the police. We left without knowing how much she would refund us and went to a Doubletree hotel in town. The much nicer hotel charges a very similar amount but much more reasonable. This is a hostel level place but charges at a hotel level, not true to the advertisement, with concerning hygiene and safety conditions. And the woman in charge doesn't keep her words.…
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Glory Arnott, General Manager at Arnott's Lodge
Responded 5 Jan 2021
Aloha! When flying to Hawaii we request that you don't leave your manners at home. Your treatment of our staff was awful, and you should be ashamed. This is a fact you seem to be aware of, since one of your group called the day after you left to apologize on your behalf, saying multiple times that she was sorry for how rude you all were to the staff on duty that evening. Our lodge is described precisely online, with complete photos and room descriptions. We have no issues with hygiene or safety here. You complained to our staff about insects and mosquitoes, when we are surrounded by tropical rainforest. You have complained multiple times about not getting a refund (which you are not entitled to) when the actual person who made the reservation and paid for it has not contacted us a single time to request one. No refund would ever have been issued to YOU in any situation, at any time, from us. If the guest who made the reservation has overcharged you personally, leading you to believe that you were staying at a 5-star resort, that is something you need to discuss with them. You were in the room for over an hour, you used the kitchen to cook your food, and you used the bathroom. You did not come down immediately and say the lodge wasn't to your liking and then leave. You used the room and the facilities. This was at night, when we have no ability to come and clean up after you and then resell the room to another guest. Additionally, the terms and conditions agreed to when the reservation was made AND agreed to by your group on check-in state that there are no refunds for early departures for exactly that reason. Our staff had to call the non-emergency police line because your group was continuously shouting at her and harassing her, demanding a refund that you are not even entitled to, even after she asked you to leave the premises. This is not the first instance we have had where guests have arrived at our hotel but the person who viewed our lodge online and made the reservation was not present. We describe what we offer in detail online, and we have the best reviews in our class of hotels on TripAdvisor. Again, if your travel agent overcharged you, you need to discuss that with them and not insult us for following our own clearly stated guidelines. No one from your group will be welcome at our lodge in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$139 - US$193 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
arnott`s hotel hilo, arnotts hotel hilo
LOCATION
United StatesHawaiiIsland of HawaiiHilo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Claim Your ListingARNOTT'S LODGE: UPDATED 2022 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 176 Photos (Hilo, HI) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Arnott's Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Arnott's Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Carlsmith Beach Park (1.4 km), Lyman Museum (5.3 km), and Richardson Beach Park (2.7 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Arnott's Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and self serve laundry.
Which room amenities are available at Arnott's Lodge?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to Arnott's Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Paul's Place, Moon and Turtle, and Two Ladies Kitchen.
Are any cleaning services offered at Arnott's Lodge?
Yes, self serve laundry and a clothes dryer are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Arnott's Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Japanese.
Are there any historical sites close to Arnott's Lodge?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Kaipalaoa Landing (4.8 km).
Is Arnott's Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.