Hotel Review: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, Hawaii

The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, formerly the Hilo Naniloa Hotel, was completely renovated in late 2016 and became a DoubleTree by Hilton property. Finally, I thought to myself, a hotel we could stay at on the Hilo side of the Big Island. We visited the Big Island four times in the past 10 years, and never spent a night on the east side of the island. During our last trip, I booked 2 nights at the hotel and was glad we did.

Grand Naniloa has been associated with Hilo’s annual Merrie Monarch Festival, and fittingly, it pays tribute to hula from the videos play on a big screen near the check-in desk to the $4 million art collection by famed hula photographer Kim Taylor Reece on display in the public spaces and guestrooms.

I booked an Ocean View room with a lanai. The room was a decent size at 369 square feet, enough room for a family of 3 (with a toddler). The room was clean and well kept. The views unbeatable, with stunning views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea in the distance. I enjoyed watching the sun set behind Mauna Kea each night we were there. The next time we’ll stay at the hotel, I’ll opt for the Ocean View Junior Suite to get double the space, better views, and a queen sleeper for the kids.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and self-parking. I was unaware of it at the time, but the room rate also includes a free round of golf daily at the 9-hole Banyans Golf Club, spanning 2,875 yards, designed by Alexander Kahapea. The golf clubs is conveniently located just across the street from the hotel.

The hotel’s location is perfect – 45 minutes away from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 20 minutes from Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, 12 minutes from Rainbow Falls, and minutes away from downtown Hilo, and dare I say Ken’s House of Pancakes, which is open 24/7.

I look forward to staying at this hotel again when we’re back on the island. And if you are looking for a place to stay on the Hilo side, we highly recommend the Grand Naniloa.

Here’s our video of the Grand Naniloa Hotel:

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