Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - A Doubletree By Hilton
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About
Daily Resort Charge includes: Guest internet access; two drink coupons per night; lobby beverage station 10am-10pm; snorkel rental for 2; two rounds of 9-hole golf daily; 20% off select Kapohokine Adventures Tours.
Boasting a stunning oceanside location with magnificent views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel occupies a historic site amidst a lush, tropical landscape. Our ideal setting also offers guests convenient access to Hilo Airport, just 2 miles away. Tee off on our 9-hole golf course, or soak up the sunshine in our beautiful outdoor swimming pool. Energize in the complimentary fitness center, or hire some water sports equipment and take to the waves. Our inviting guest rooms offer complimentary WiFi, a generously-sized work desk, a microwave, refrigerator, and in-room safe. Upgrade to an ocean-view suite with a separate living area and a balcony offering memorable ocean views.
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I stayed at the Hilton DoubleTree Grand Naniloa Hotel along Banyon Drive in Hilo in January 2020, and caught fantastic weather which made the overall visit most enjoyable. As a Hilton Honors Gold, I can watch for good values at their website (especially if purchased in advance), and enjoy the benefit of a continental breakfast included. The hotel was fully occupied when I checked in and I was offered a king room with ocean view in the Mauna Kea Tower. I found that the rooms in that tower are not as nice as the rooms in the Kilauea Tower where I had previously stayed in 2019. The problem is also that the south/east facing side of the Mauna Kea Tower has the noise of the restaurant exhaust fan from early morning until late at night. The fan is not properly muffled. I was able to move after two nights to the much, much better Kilauea Tower, and so the second part of my stay was delightful.
I had a rental car, and there is valet parking or self parking included in the mandatory daily resort fee. The rental car allows you to visit the many volcanic Hilo city beaches only 10 minutes from the hotel. I have reviewed the very popular Carlsmith Beach separately.
In conclusion, the Naniloa is still my choice for stays in Hilo, and I would stay there again once safe travel resumes, but it is important to request or select a room in the Kilauea Tower.
I will review the now independently owned and operated on-site restaurant (Hulas) separately.
Due to Covid there isn’t room cleaning or towel/linen service unless you ask for towels/linens. Most everything is contactless including food delivery from restaurant downstairs or any order you place for delivery outside of hotel. Everyone is quarantined to the room for 14 days unless you’re part of essential medical staff which is why I was there. The hotel will tell you that they are obligated to report you to the government if you are seen outside of your room and they mean it. The staff were excellent and did their best to accommodate for any special need. I was there for 2 weeks and requested cleaning supplies and vacuum which was delivered within 30 minutes.
The hotel appears a bit dated but that’s Hilo Town in general. The lobby is welcoming with a bar and friendly staff. Hotel desk is very helpful. I would suggest you ask questions about accommodations as they change as vacancy increases.
The grounds are beautiful with lots of walking trails and swimming areas. The hotel has a fitness option and swimming pool. The area is fishing friendly.
Hotel rooms vary depending on the building. Lower doors tend to have the worse views. Ask if you would like a better view.
Overall I would return for sure!
This speaks to the overall level of service at the hotel. It's an older facility and felt this way. While hilton is trying to give the appearance of cleanliness, it provides no service beyond your initial room cleaning. Your room will not be cleaned or linens changed until the 4th day of your stay and each 4th day thereafter. If you want fresh linens or sundries, you can get them at the front desk, though we had to wait for 10 minutes after calling ahead to get some.
In addition, be aware that you will still be charged the $30 per night resort fee, unless you book your room as an islander, and receive only free self parking, even if you dont have a car. This is despite the Hilton website saying you will receive complimentary; parking, 2 rounds of golf at the resort, breakfast, 2 beverages and use of snorkeling equipment. Self parking is free ( there is no valet service for bags or cars), the bars are not open and only 1 of the restaurants. There is no use of the hoel snorkeling equipment, kayaks or paddleboards and breakfast is not being offered anywhere at the hotel. You must leave fir any breakfast service other than coffee in the lobby. In addition, the you will not receive 2 rounds of golf complimentary, but a discount at the course across the street.
In general, this should not to be considered a resort at this time. Once the services have been restored it will be more than just a mediocre hotel. If you are planning to stay, plan to pay $30 a night for self parking ( which is usually $20) even if you dont have a car and plan to have transportation to meal service elsewhere as there is no room service, no breakfast service and one restaurant open at the facility for lunch and dinner.
Having stayed at this facility before, you can see we were very disappointed by the level of service, cleanliness and fees for what was received, and this doesn't even mention the smell of pot smoke wafting through the vents on our floor.
My stay did not start off on the right foot as there were some issues at check in that had me pretty irritated BUT the hotel staff went far, far beyond what they needed to do to make it right!!
Our room was very clean, well maintained, nicely appointed, and very comfortable. The A/C worked like a champ, was quiet, and kept the room cool when we wanted. The bed and pillows were very comfortable and we slept like babies.
The property is beautiful, accessible, and immaculate. Free (great tasting) coffee and tea in the lobby each morning. Plenty of free on-site parking. All the elevators worked and were fast, and there is a key card lockout so only guests can access the elevator. The pool was crystal clear and all the outdoor tables and chairs were clean. The on-site gift shop is one of the best I've ever seen and their prices were very fair - a true rarity at a hotel gift shop.
This is by far the best property we've stayed at while on the Big Island and will definitely stay here again when in Hilo.
If you're familiar with most hotels in Hawaii, you know that many properties look nice online, but are lacking once you get on property and to your room... this one is not like that. I say this property is better in person than it looks online.
Customer service at breakfast was very slow and non-responsive for the price charged.
Swimming pool was not of resort quality.
They ran out of snorkel kits, which was supposed to be a feature they offered for the hefty daily resort fee they charged. The golf course also part of resort fee feature could not be used much anyway due to the rains. Only other resort feature which was useful is their valet parking which was very useful and good customer service by the valet parking folks. Other than that did not get the value for the daily resort fee they charged.
Overall did not get a feeling of being at a Hilton Doubletree resort.
The attached restaurant wasn't as good as the previous trip as well. Everything is basically roped off from the pool area. You used to be able to walk in through the giant garage type doors that open up, but not this time. You either had to walk all the way around to the front of the restaurant or wait at this roped off area in hopes a bartender saw you. Happy hour last time was excellent and offered for dine-in, pool side, and take out. This time we were told it was only dine-in and we couldnt get any of the specials, even though we were sitting 20 feet away next to the pool. Then on top of that, charged extra for "to go" plastic cups, which seems pretty excessive, seeing as you are spending 8+ dollars for a beer.
The bar in the hotel lobby remained excellent. The bartenders at night were very friendly and made wonderful drinks....plus no extra charges for a cup to bring a drink back to your room.
It was clean, and the view from our balcony was amazing. It was outdated and felt as if we have traveled back in time. The paint would come off the walls and we could see the mold in multiple areas.
The pool area was specious, well maintained and super nice!
The only downside is that the water were too cold and there was no hot tub. The towels were located at the front desk, so just remember to stop by the front desk on your way to the pool.
There was a restaurant at the hotel that made sure we would never come back again. We ordered two mai tai cocktails and a virgin cocktail for kids and paid $40 for it! We were charged only $2 less for a non alcoholic drink (which means a super expensive cup of juice, for about $10), and when we asked for one extra Empty cup, we were charged additional $0.79. And another $0.79 for each drink on top of the original price because we took our drinks to the pool area. The price not a big deal but they make us feel as if they are doing us a favor.
"If you’re on a tight budget, grab a couple of cookies to enjoy with your coffee the next morning. There is free parking out on the street, i"Read full review
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