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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.
As long as you’re not expecting the Ritz you will be fine. Its a very good place for traveling around the Hilo area. I was a sceptic at first when it said no air conditioning, BUT it was never needed! It’s an older but well maintained property that has the friendly atmosphere from a family run hotel. Full kitchen if you’re interested and plenty of parking. Close to everything, but you will need a car. Bed is comfortable with plenty of sheets and pillows. The coqui frogs will serenade you into sleeping. Shower is great as perfect water pressure and plenty of towels and toiletries. Very quiet and comfortable. I’m glad I stayed here instead of the Naniloa.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Easy to book online as I had a queen deluxe room.
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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.
Awesome place Wish I could have stayed longer. The staff treated me like a long lost brother And they can give you the run-down on where to go and what to see what to do when you get there Listen to what they have to say cause they know their stuff. The bed and the morning coffee was primo. It's kind of a Hawaiian rustic Accommodation Spotless clean. What I really liked Was the little recreation area behind the hotel with a barbecue With an awning to get out of the rain. They should name it jet lag recovery park. 5 stars.
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Date of stay: April 2023
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Very relaxing Perfect for what I was doing
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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.
We spent our first night on the Big Island here. Our daughter's flight was rescheduled due to missed connection so it was after midnight when we pulled in, but the folks here were very flexible to work out a way for us to get in. The next morning we woke up to a beautiful wonderland. Our six-year old grandson loved the little jungle trail. We all loved the banana bread, fruit, coffee. A very friendly place all around. And clean. Old school, but it was just right for us.
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Date of stay: March 2023
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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.
This is a clean older hotel just blocks from "downtown". The room was comfortable with lots of space. It was quiet in a nice neighbourhood. Very Nice staff. No formal breakfast but they do offer free fresh papaya, coffee and banana bread each morning. It was a bit humid but cool enough at night to sleep. There is a 24 hr. laundry 5 minutes drive away. I would stay here again.
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Date of stay: January 2023
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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.
This is a great place to stay in Hilo. My two daughters and I shared a 3 person room with queen and twin bed. The accommodations were quite satisfactory and met our needs perfectly. The kitchen was a big plus and we cooked dinners every evening. Cookware was a bit limited but I made do with what was there. Housekeeping was wonderful (they clean and make beds daily, which is becoming increasingly rare). I requested extra towels and got new ones every day. This is an older, lived-in property...this is not luxurious, but you are paying very little to stay here. If you plan on touring the island, this place is perfect. If you are planning to lounge on property, find a resort. We visited in December, so we were fine without A/C. There was a powerful fan in the room. One big plus for this hotel was the superb coffee and delicious banana bread available every morning. The biggest drawback was the coqui frogs that live nearby, which are very loud at night. I was able to block the sound with You Tube 10 hour recordings of waves, fans, white noise etc. My daughters got used to the frogs and didn't even notice their chirping after a while. I would go back to Dolphin Bay the next time I am in Hilo. …
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
The dolphin hotel lmproves year after year Best beds and clean rooms Great bathroom and well equipped kitchen The staff are excellent and helpful Good parking if is raining Again. JOHN has a great attitude for his guests Close walking distance to town Quiet area of hilo and safe all around for walking
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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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dolphin Bay is a true gem of a different Hawai'i. If you like glitz and glamour, stay at the Hilton. But if you want real folks, comfortable rooms, breezy lanai, inviting gardens, and a resident cat, chill here. We needed this rest. John is a knowledgeable host with a wry sense of humor. He knows all the best eats and sights. The staff is friendly and meticulous with cleaning, the grounds are beautifully kept. We will be back if we can ever afford the airfare again.
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Date of stay: September 2022
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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.
Best in Hilo new beds sleeping on a cloud clean large rooms every thing a couple could ask for all supplied full bath room toiletries clean and fully stocked kitchen even a toaster After staying in wakiki this was a paradise quiet and plenty of parking Well done John
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:All rooms are great
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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.
We had driven over from Kona to Waimea and didn't properly figure the time so we found ourselves needing a place to stay in Hilo at the last minute. We took a risk staying at Dolphin Bay since we didn't know much about it, but found it to be delightful, clean, and the woman in the office gave us a very nice upgrade to a two bedroom Room which was much more space than we paid for. Beds were comfortable, linens bright and crisp and there is a beautiful garden adjacent. Very impressed. Kind of a throwback to mid-century Hawaii!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
This place fits in nicely with the general mood of Hilo: informal and a little quirky (in a good way). Our room was spacious with a small kitchen area a little patio to sit and eat breakfast on. Easy walking distance into town. It is not necessarily a quiet place but the sounds are all nature (birds, insects, probably rain). We very much enjoyed our stay.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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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.