Hilo Town Inn — Hotel in Hawaii

We chose this place for our family trip to the Big Island after a lot of online research — and it didn’t disappoint. As someone who also runs two hotels in Los Angeles, I’d like to share a few thoughts from a fellow hospitality professional:

Fantastic location! Right in the heart of Hilo’s main commercial street. The farmers market is next door, with fresh fruits and veggies, and on weekends, a fun local market with Hawaii-themed goods.

Smooth contactless check-in. I booked through Booking.com, and the host messaged me before arrival with the front gate code, room number, room code, and all the check-in details — very efficient. However, guests unfamiliar with this process might feel confused upon arrival if they don’t realize the info is in their inbox or messages.

Charming old two-story building. The exterior is nice, with a gravel parking lot behind the property. But what really stood out was the interior design — full of warmth, color, and personality. The wall decor, vintage photos, and little touches give the whole place a cozy, homey vibe.

There’s a tiny on-site restaurant with just two tables on the ground floor, serving special breakfast items. Reviews say it’s amazing and must be booked in advance. I stayed for two nights and only saw it open once — clearly a local favorite! Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try it due to our tight travel schedule.

Room 5 was enormous! We booked a queen room, but the beds were so spacious they felt like kings. The linens were top-quality — clean, soft, and super comfortable.

Thoughtful details like bedside outlets with USB ports made things very convenient.

Large bathroom with separate shower area, soft fluffy towels, and excellent-quality toiletries — clearly chosen with care. These kinds of details speak volumes about the host’s hospitality.

The room included local Hawaiian coffee — a great touch! One small suggestion: consider providing reusable cutlery for guests who may be staying longer or prefer dining in.

Whisper-quiet split-unit air conditioning. This was a pleasant surprise. Most hotels — including mine in LA — still use noisy combo units. The system here was peaceful and efficient — something many hotels...

Location was great for walkability and access to the fruit market and a ton of restaurants. Bed was very comfortable and furnishings were quality. Host was quick to respond to our need.||However, there was a door to the adjoining room, so we had to listen in to an argument by the occupants when they arrived. It's fine to list this as a family room, but not pleasant if it's not your family next door. As others said, the location is a plus for proximity to restaurants and shops and a minus as far as safety at night and homeless folks. Ear plugs are fine for road noise, but not for spending any time in the room if there are others next door. The kitchen sink falls short as a substitute for a proper bathroom sink. No place to set anything out on...

Great 2 night stay in Hilo at the Hilo Town Inn! We're from Kona side and drove to Hilo for a weekend trip. Our stay felt like a refreshing break from the Kona side commercial tourism. We were able to stay shortly after the Inn opened and the rooms were cozy, comfortable and clean. The small restaurant, Paul's Place, downstairs was quaint and delicious, but be sure to get there early because it fills up. It was really easy to walk to a lot of places in downtown Hilo and an easy drive to lots of the waterfalls and sights in the area! Sam, the owner, was communicative and helpful with all our questions. If you want a taste of old Hawaii, I highly recommend...