Hilo Bay Hostel

As of October 2012, great staff, young backpacking crowd, good location. top notch hostel! we even got a bottle of wine upon checkout for free!

The place was ok just a lot of bugs and the people living there are some evil dirt bags they stole my stuff and kicked my friend out one of the guys grabbed him by the neck the cops here don’t do much for. The tourist. There is a big homeless problem here lots of bugs the staff at the front desk was cool just this 1 guy to try’s to be the ruler

Nice hostel in an old, converted hotel. Nice old building. Comfortable, and the residents are pretty quiet, except for the cockatiels, love birds and dog. Not a party place Slightly run down (our room’s door knob kept falling off), but not at all shabby. No breakfast included (free coffee and tea), and kitchen is on the smaller side. Internet access, and tables to plug in a laptop. No air conditioning, but there are fans I all the rooms. One washer and dryer available.
Overall I liked this place. It felt very comfortable, and I think it would be great for families and those wanting a quieter stay. Good price, too.

I was put in a room with someone who coughed all night. Turned out she had strep throat which I also got.
There is NO hot water for either washing dishes or for showers.
Oh and the prostltute who got kicked out the first night.
Ignore the other helpers, don’t stay here.

If you want explore Downtown Hilo this is good well managed place to stay. I was sized up by Manger and he placed in room with a couple of other people that were quiet and looking for a good night rest. Bathroom and Showers worked and were as clean as can be expected with many guests local that were in town for a concert.
I giving this place five starts based what it offers for the price and the fact it is well managed. Understand it a Hostel not a Hotel.

Larry, the night security, is jammin! Braddah is hardworking and keeps the place in check! I would stay here any given night! The place is clean and comfortable considering it’s a hostel. Good for short and long term stay. This place get plenty of aloha.

The place is clean, has a big full equip kitchen and has a great location (dowtown Hilo). However, the room gets really hot at night, the matress are very uncomfortables and the rules are very strict (kitchen close at 9h45 pm and you can’t drink in the lobby after 10:00 pm) like if you were in a camp vacation.
The worst is the night staffs. We arrived at 8h45 pm to prepare our dinner and the kitchen was closed. So we asked at the guy who were working if we can go in the kitchen and he told us that we were arrived too late. After he checked the time he decided to let us go prepare our dinner but he came at each ten minutes to see if we had finish. At 9h47pm, when we cleaned the dishes, he came back and told us the get out of the kitchen immediatly and if we don’t he will call the police. He was agressive when he were talking to us. Finally when we were eating in the lobby he decided to turn off the lights at 10:00 pm.
We decided to not stay this night same if we payed for. The Hilo hostel bay doesn’t represent the Aloha spirit.

It’s a beautiful place, and a convenient location. Although, hang on to your wallet and dignity. I have stayed there numerous times, and discovered that the Owner, Scott Owens, is SHADY. And he has a reputation as such.
There are not many options for affordable hostels in Hilo, but, please, everyone, do some more research and don’t just take my word for it.
Trust me, I’ve lived on the island for years now. His reputation is well known as a real scheister Please be warned, steer clear of Hilo Bay Hostel, despite positive reviews.
Scott Owens travels around a lot, and when he is not there, it’s not a bad place. But there is a reason why this creep travels around so much. Mahalo for reading, and Aloha! Be safe!

I stayed here a few years ago with a friend from Kona when we came over for the Merrie Monarch Festival. Speaking as a middle aged woman living on the Mainland, I must say that this place was very comfortable and welcoming, and the historical building very beautiful. It’s right in the middle of old downtown Hilo so everything is in walking distance once you’ve parked. You certainly can’t go wrong with the price and to my own surprise would recommend this place to all ages if you don’t mind basic accommodation. It was delightful. 4 stars only because its a hostel and not a hotel. but we had a great stay here.

I have stayed there three times and would stay again! Great budget accommodation, clean, relaxed atmosphere, good location near all the downtown Hilo shops. Friendly staff who will show you to your room, free WIFI, nice kitchen, cheap quarter laundry. You do have to make your own bed, but that is pretty normal for most hostels.
The building is old and has great character. You should be aware that this is a no frills kind out place, but it is clean and charming. I couldn’t ask for much more for the price, except that the dryer worked a little better! Oh well, I probably put too much stuff in it.
I could definitely recommend this place to someone who is looking for a budget place in town.

This place is my home away from home. For $ 27 a night, you get a clean dorm bed in a room with 7 other people, a shared shower/​bathroom area, a shared kitchen, and a shared common area. Also access to wifi. The people who work here are so kind, and will go out of their way to help you, if need be. I was apprehensive the first time I stayed here, months ago, but after my first night, I wasn’t disappointed, and felt very comfortable. It’s safe, clean, and you don’t need to worry. The majority of occupants seem to be foreign, but English speaking, and no one bothers you. Lights out is at ten, and most people in the dorms are super respectful so you won’t have any issues getting shut eye. I have stayed here many times since my first night, and as a local born and bred girl, I can tell you that this place radiates aloha. You will have everything you need, no one will bother you, it’s clean, safe; and the staff is there if you need them and are very helpful. If you are trying to find a place to stay for a night or a month, I recommend this place.
I stayed at a neighboring hostel a few weeks ago only because Hilo bay didn’t have any beds available, and it was a terrible move on my part. The other place couldn’t hold a candle. I highly recommend Hilo bay hostel, and will return time and again should the need arise. It’s also very close to food places, the bus terminal, the beach, within walking distance. It’s fun, one night people were playing pink Floyd on guitar in the lobby, not rowdily, but just a small jam and singing sesh. Just a good place for people of all cultures to collide and for new people to meet, plus you can have your privacy as well.

Get some sleep. Take a shower. Chat up the guests from everywhere. All ages.
The staff is friendly and helpful.
Located downtown close to good food and what passes for nightlife in Hilo.

One of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed at (better than Hosteling International). The owners work hard at trying to make this seem like a «home».
Understand this is not a «youth» hostel. People of all ages stay here including families.
Public parking is available nearby.
We flew into Kona and drove over to Hilo just to stay here. It was worth it.

This was my first hostel experience, and it was a nice experience. My usual accommodations were books due to the Big Island Marathon. I was over from Kona side for the race. I stayed in Room 1 which has two full beds, and private bath. The room is spacious with 12 foot ceilings and faux vintage décor. The room also features a mini fridge. Linens and towels were provided. You make your own bed. The bedspreads were a bit used, but everything was fairly clean. Room 1 can be on the loud side at night if you leave the windows cracked, as the ambulances use this road to go to the hospital. Sirens went by multiple times that night. Also, it was St. Patrick’s weekend. So, it may have been an anomaly. Also, this room is very bright as the hallway light shines though a window into the room. Looks like there was once a curtain there, but wasn’t there during my visit. Overall, a pleasant experience, and I would certainly consider returning on my next overnight trip. I will make sure to bring my own pillow, and small curtain to cover up that hall window. :)

Hilo Bay Hostel is PRETTY DAMN AWESOME. Sorry for the language, I never really use it.
I found this place while looking for a cheap place to stay for a few days when I had an interview to attend in Hilo. I wasn’t planning on spending all my fabulous yet limited time in Hawaii in the hotel, so I knew I didn’t need a fancy $ 100 room. Honestly, if you’re shopping around for fancy hotel rooms in Hilo, there aren’t that many great choices anyway.
I made my reservation online and got a prompt email confirmation the next morning. My flight got in really late but there was still someone there at the desk waiting for me, they’re really friendly! It was kind of confusing at first because I’ve never been to a hostel (ok I’ll admit I was a little scared) but the people in the shared living area were just so chill that I felt like I was back in college moving into dorms!
Onto the rooms: I ended up trying two different rooms because they were fully booked the nights I was there. The dorm style rent-​a-​bed only option was super cheap, but I decided to go for a private room. The first night, those were all taken so I got bumped to a dorm style room with bunks (I got it to myself). There was plenty of lighting, beds with plenty of blankets (but you won’t need them bc it gets SO HOT at night), and a nice fan to keep the room cool. The second day, I got moved over to the room I actually booked, and I definitely liked the personal room better! Of course it was smaller, but it came with a mirror and mini-​fridge. They also left a cute postcard and chocolate on the bed, and the water in the fridge was complimentary.
Shared space: living area was cute, there are computers that you can pay to use but wifi is free if you bring a laptop. Kitchen has everything you need, but is closed late night. Showers/​bathrooms were clean too, and great to use as long as no crazy ladies decide to sit naked in the shower room for extended periods of time… I’m just personally uncomfortable with that. Actually I think she was clothed and just sitting there while I was waiting to undress. Hmm!
GOOD EXPERIENCE, and it’s walking distance from a ton of cool places in downtown! Definitely try it out! :D

Loved this place– clean facilities, wonderful people, diverse crowd filled with people who are all incredibly kind and warm.
Definitely would come back here.

Des auberges comme ça il n’y en n’a pas des centaines, l’auberge n’est pas grande mais très bien agencée, la salle à manger et le coeur de l’aberge. Salles de bain et toilette très propre, une grande cuisine équipée, rien de mieux, un service parfait. Néanmoins, je suis tombée en même temps qu’un groupe de québécois et le proprio coupait internet dès qu’ils arrivaient le soir… pas très cool sur ce coup là, on avait tous payer notre chambre!!!

This is not a hostel, this is home!
There are not many hostels out there, but this one has CHARM, CHARACTER and the most helpful hostel owner ever.
We saw the hostel and walked up these dark brown stairs and at the upper level you find the main area. Seriously, it is so nice decorated. I actually felt like somewhere in New Orleans. Books to read, wonderful kitchen, its own birds, computers, clean bathroom, clean rooms. The hostel is quiet and definitely a place to relax.
If you go to Hilo, then book a night at the Hilo Bay Hostel! You won’t regret it.

A nice clean and safe place to stay if you’re looking for a budget lodging. $ 28 will get you a nice big bed (twin?) and nice location in Hilo. There is free parking across the building. Many restaurants, shops, and café all within walking distance as well as the famous Hilo Farmer’s Market.
The owner was very nice, a true gentleman with aloha spirit. He has a nice collection of belogings guests left behind for sales. You really shouldn’t buy a used toothpaste for $ 3 but it’s funny to look at what’s for sale.
The place is kept very quiet and clean, which is the way I like. I realized that Hawaiian hostels aren’t like European where there’s a bar right downstairs where kids get drunk and wasted and crawl back up to the beds at 3AM.
Hawaiian hostels are kept quiet, clean, and usually alcohol-​free. My kind of living, especially when you can get it for under $ 30 where mid-​quality hotels run for $ 120.
Nothing bad to say about this place. I’d def. stay here again if I“m in Hilo again. Someday…

Stayed here in March 2011 with my husband in a private room with two beds. The room was actually right next to the shared bathrooms, and it wasn’t too noisy at all, except for the people, like my husband, who were battling nasty hacking coughs. The room was clean, there was no a/​c, but there is a nice ceiling fan and lots of windows to help with that. The guests were actually made up of an older bunch of people, so we didn’t have any issues with any craziness.
There’s free wifi if you have a computer, and this place is in the heart of Hilo. All the stores and food places are within walking distance. There’s a parking lot diagonal from the hostel so parking is not an issue. It’s a good place to stop if you want to check out Akaka Falls and the volcano park, though I thought staying in the city of Volcano was also pretty cool.

I would say staying here was almost like staying at a hotel. Except for the sharing a room part. The rooms were clean, the décor was nice, the bathrooms were very clean, and the staff are friendly. This is a relatively modern hostel, and well worth the money. What made me chuckle to myself a little was the display cases all around the lobby full of stuff people had left behind. The owner had put price tags on them and you could buy stuff ranging from earrings to sneakers to god-​knows-​what. Don’t leave your stuff behind.