The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Hilo

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Hilo

Hawaii Volcano National Park, near Hilo, Hawaii Hawaii Volcano National Park, near Hilo, Hawaii

If it's your first trip to Hilo, Hawaii for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Hilo. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Hilo. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Hilo for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Hilo beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Hilo for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls

Inn with prices starting at $92 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

Located at 1 Kulaniapia Drive, The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls has great rooms from $92 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, parking, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and city views. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 2.9 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love cooking classes, a game room, family rooms, a tour desk, and a microwave at this relaxing hotel. And with the ability to cook your own meals in the kitchen, you can save money and time. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
More Great Amenities
  • Hiking
  • Game room
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Hilo Seaside Hotel

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $141 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Hilo
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Hilo Seaside Hotel which has nice rooms starting at $141. Offering an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, hiking, and pet-friendly rooms, it also has a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 126 Banyan Drive. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers free parking, laundry facilities, bicycle rental, a kid-friendly atmosphere, and air-conditioning which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 1.8 miles from the city center. Having the delicious restaurant in the hotel is an added bonus. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Kid-friendly
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Hiking
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator


Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $175 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Beach

We found Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $175. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, snorkeling, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.20 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 71 Banyan Drive. You'll also find rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, golf, free parking, and laundry facilities which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 1.5 miles from the center of town. It's always nice to have a kitchenette to cook some basic meals or have an easy breakfast.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast

Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $238 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Hilo
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

With terrific rooms from $238, Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast, at 56 Pukihae St provides snorkeling, breakfast, golf, free parking, and car rentals. Its terrific guest rating is 9.30 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers laundry facilities, a free airport shuttle, a 24-hour desk, a microwave, and a refrigerator. It's located just 0.1 miles from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Free parking
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Aaron's Cottage

Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $109 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

Aaron's Cottage has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10, and offers parking, rooms with kitchens, a child pool, laundry facilities, and bicycle rental. The great rooms here start at $109 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 54 Keokea Loop Road. Furthermore, it also offers tennis, air-conditioning, a refrigerator, and picnic areas, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 3.1 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Bicycle rental
  • Tennis
  • Refrigerator


Dolphin Bay Hotel Hilo

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $175 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Hilo
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

The great guest rating of Dolphin Bay Hotel Hilo is 9.99 out of 10. This place has breakfast, rooms with kitchens, laundry facilities, and picnic areas. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $175, and it's located at 333 Iliahi Street. We also love the amenities which are great for visitors. And since it's just 0 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Volcano and Waikoloa Village.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Hilo, make sure you also see Best Beach Hotels in Hilo, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Hilo, or Best Hotels for One Week in Hilo.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Hilo?

Hilo Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$155

After analyzing 6 first time trip hotels in Hilo, Hawaii, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $155. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Hilo.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 3-star hotels: $168
  • 2-star hotels: $142


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