User Reviews for Uncle Billys Hilo Bay Hotel

Research User Reviews for Uncle Billys Hilo Bay Hotel (1-20 of 38)

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May 29, 2008 by Judith from Keizer, OR
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• My room was clean, spacious w/ "funky" 1960's decor - BEAUTIFUL view - everything I needed and expected.
• Bathroom was clean - but needed minor repairs to tile and counter top.

“The room was excellent: quiet, with comfortable bed and outstanding service. It's not the Ritz - but if you are looking for the relaxed, easy-going Big Island hotel on Hilo bay. The family atmosphere is wonderful - the staff made me feel really welcome and, as a woman traveling alone, very safe. It was an easy place to kick back and enjoy Hawaii.”

Apr 18, 2008 by Fritz from Grass Valley, CA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Good location.
• Parking.

“We planned on staying several more days, but didn't as parking was very difficult, the breakfast consisted of no cereals, ran out of fruit and the main dining area closed for breakfast. Coffee in room, but no sugar or creamer.”

Nov 20, 2007 by Shirley from Honolulu, HI
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Nice location looks.
• Lack of parking, bar patrons noisy.

“First time we came to see room with friends it was smelly 2nd floor room. Our room was better hotel could use newer furniture.”

Jul 27, 2007 by Karen from Nevada City, CA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• Staff and food.
• Old rooms that are in need of repair and paint.

“It's what I expected. They need to clean up their rooms but staff is friendly and helpful. No improvement needed there.”

Jan 4, 2007 by Jessica from Sunnyvale, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[5]

• Sea side location.
• Badly maintained dump with passion-less staff.

“Though the room was pre-paid, the front desk would not check us in unless we pay a much higher walk-in rate. (it's not his responsibility to verify reservations he said) he claimed that later their so-called confirmation department will then confirm my pre-paid reservation and refund the extra charges, not in next hour, not by next morning but sometime next week. Same story was experienced by another party checking in at the same time, and their reservation was booked through another big, well-known agency; we both had to call our agencies and had them made the front desk to check us in, and still we spent more then half hour standing there arguing with the rude staff. It's a fishy hotel, unfriendly signs every where calling unregistered guests trespassers and stating that they will charge for extra towels. Visible dirt and black grout in bathroom. Dirtiest ever kopi pond in the center, a mosquito heaven. Do not ruin your vacation by staying in this depressing old dump.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Dec 27, 2006 by Frank A. from Honolulu, HI
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• This was an excellent choice and price. We had an ocean view room and cold a/c.
• Interior hallways and room walls could use an upgrade but it was still clean.

“I think this hotel was perfect in it ambiance because so many places are making multi-million dollar renovations, additions or even rebuilding and that takes away from the history and old-school atmosphere that the islands are. If you want that go to side and lose the charm and history and drive farther to the National park. But, the island is huge and you would be wise to stay here in Hilo, relax, go to the farmers market and take the short drive to the National park, beaches, and saddle road to start up to the observatories. ”

Nov 8, 2006 by Jeff
Overall Rating: 5

• the atmosphere was very Hawaiian.
• It was old, with outdated accessories.

“The hotel served its purpose and was less expensive than other hotels. If you expect total luxury and comfort this would not be the place to go.”

Oct 19, 2006 by Suzie from Boulder, CO
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[5] • Location:[6]

• The superior Ocean View room was excellent.
• The "volcano Surprise" in the restaurant was super expensive and the "surprise" was the size- 2-3 bites!

“Bugs in lower rooms. Nice garden/ oceanfront. Expensive restaurant. Weak drinks. Good entertainment.”

Sep 21, 2006 by Lisa from Honolulu, HI
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[8]

• Friendly staff made our stay a pleasure.
• Not a very secure room because of the box air conditioner that could be removed and some one could enter though the hole.

“For the money it is a good deal. The windows and A/C unit are not very secure. Do not bring valuables that you want to not lose. Other than that there are no problems there.”

Aug 14, 2006 by Alain from Naperville, IL
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[10]

• Nothing except price.
• Dirty, old, unfriendly.

“The hotel is old, dirty. The a/c is a window unit. When was the last time you had a window unit a/c in a real hotel. There is only about 20 parking spacing on site for more than 100 rooms and you have to find parking on the street. It costs 5 dollars to get extra towels. They ask for ID for every guest in the room, it's more strict than airport. The staffs are unfriendly and would not answer even some of the most basic questions. The bathroom sinks are so old that the finish was worn off years and years ago. The carpet is so dirty I wouldn't step on with my bare feet. The hallway smells mildew and they tried to cover it with some kind of chemical. The pool was so small that even kids don't want to use. The only nice thing about this 'hotel' is location and I can't deny the surrounding is excellent. But please remove this hotel from your offering.”

Aug 4, 2006 by Marsha from Santa Rosa, CA
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[2] • Location:[3]

• The location was convenient for airport travel.
• Attitude of staff, limited parking, long wait at restaurant, terrible rooms.

“Staff rude, had attitude when we arrived as party of grandma, mother, daughter, said didn't know about the child; rude when asked for n/s room and told we would have to take what was provided. Still cleaning rooms at 6:00 pm. No hot water, blow dryer broken; Restaurant holds you hostage 30 minutes between salad and entree (saw this happen w/another party also); limited parking, may end up on nearby streets; overall, we are very easy going, but this hotel made us feel uncomfortable from the moment we arrived. How it manages two stars is beyond me!”

Jul 31, 2006 by Arleen from Grass Valley, CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Quaint, old Hawaiian charm.
• N/A.

“We were there 4 nights. Great location; friendly, accommodating staff. We were on the 3rd floor and could overlook the bay from our lanai. Grounds are very tropical and beautiful. The interior needs a little refurbishing -- but it is comfortable and clean. When Hurricane Denial was approaching and we were told we needed to change our itinerary, it couldn't be done. What good is saving a couple of dollars (the rate is available thru other venues anyway), when you have no cancellation options --- even in a potential disaster situation!!!!????”

Jul 20, 2006 by Greg from Kailua Kona, HI
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[5]

• Happy to check-out.
• Inadequate parking.

“Rate this hotel a D- for dump. Needs major renovation and improvements to amenities Staff was surly (Len) The manager reversed the charges the following day, however, overall experience was quite unpleasant.”

Jul 5, 2006 by Arwinder from Suwanee, GA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Excellent rates, nightly entertainment.
• Very little parking available.

“This hotel meets the needs of people who are looking for a place to sleep the night and spend the day in volcanoes and parks. Excellent location and staff.”

Jun 28, 2006 by Dan from Weston, FL
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• This hotel feels like a place you rent out on an hourly basis.

“The shower head did not work, there were pubic hairs in the bathroom, bed was real springy, very little parking available to guests, but the view was nice.”

Jun 8, 2006 by Maka from Kailua Kona, HI
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• Friendly staff, great location and price is good!
• Air conditioning unit needed to be fixed. The room got stuffy at times.

“We stayed overnight. The staff was excellent from checking in to check out. The room we stayed in was spacious. My children had a blast, they enjoyed the hotel. The only problem we had was the air conditioner didn't work to well. It needed to be replaced. Other than that we enjoyed our stay and will stay there again.”

May 30, 2006 by Cheryl from Everett, WA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[1] • Location:[4]

• Easy to locate and accessible to the city center and beach area.
• No parking.

“Never stayed as business office of hotel did not enter our reservation at the hotel (dated 5/24/2006 ) into there reservation system until 5/25/2006! Told us that they did not have A reservation for us when we were to check in. Now we are having issues with them to have our monies refunded, so far this is on day six with no resolve will now call bank to begin credit card dispute with master card.”

May 30, 2006 by Ww from Miller, MO
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[7]

• Beautiful views, close to airport.
• NO PLACE TO PARK.

“Great place for the price. Not a fancy hotel. If you are just looking for a place to sleep while visiting the island, at a good price then this is for you. Downside was very little parking available.”

May 28, 2006 by Malinda from Ramsey, MN
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[5] • Location:[7]

• Had on site restaurant.
• Poorly maintained in desperate need of repairs & updates.

“This was suppose to be a 2 star hotel. Although it had a restaurant on site, this does not mean hotel management should neglect the actual hotel building and rooms! The bathroom was disgusting; the floor tiles were coming apart and mold and mildew was everything. The carpet several stains. The bed mattress coils were worn out; you lie down to sleep and you sink about 6inches into the bed! I kept my shoes on the whole time I was in the room. We were there May 2006.”

May 26, 2006 by Pat from Benicia, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Quick access to second floor; bath ADA compliant, nice staff.
• Old, needs renovating.

“The daily charge was $9 over my base price of $85 so didn't save a whole lot. The peek-a-boo view of the ocean was substantial.”

May 22, 2006 by Manuel from Berkeley, CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Friendly staff.
• Lack of parking.

“I will visit again. However, it is not for the pool.”

May 11, 2006 by Jim from San Diego, CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[10]

• Affordable for an overnight stay in Hilo.
• Hard mattress.

“We were flying out of Hilo at the end of our vacation and needed an inexpensive place to spend the night. Uncle Billy's is less then five minutes from Hilo airport. We able to spend a comfortable night prior to our departure. The hotel is right on Hilo bay and provided us with a nice view. Be aware that there are loud tree frogs that sing at night. I found it comforting, but my partner did not. For a short stay, I would recommend. For a longer stay, the mattress would have been too hard for me.”

May 4, 2006 by Lisa from Santa Cruz, CA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• Affordable and convenient to the airport.
• Ants in the sink, old decor. Needs update.

“I think we got what we paid for. In terms of quality, I would not rate this hotel very high, but if you are looking for a place to crash while moving on to other parts of the island, and do not care about the "perks" of other hotels, then do it.”

Apr 2, 2006 by William from Santa Cruz, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[5]

• Good water pressure in shower.
• Old, worn out and outdated.

“This hotel needs a total renovation inside and out. Carpets are dirty, windows need replacing, linens need replacing including worn out towels. The ponds outside need to be cleaned out and maintained better. The swimming pool was not even an issue for use.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mar 1, 2006 by Denise from Park City, UT
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[6] • Location:[5]

• The restaurant had good, reasonably priced family meals available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Old, run down facility. Beds very uncomfortable, TV looked 20 years old, carpeting terrible, laid over concrete and no padding and lumps in floor.

“Rooms were large, it was nice to have an empty refrigerator, check-in staff was friendly (Debbie). However, facility was very old and run down. Garbage bags lined the hall as we walked down to check-in. Beds were very uncomfortable and one of them sagged noticeable on one side. Sheets were cheap and scratchy feeling. Towels were small and very thin, no courtesy shampoo samples. A note on the bathroom mirror stated additional towels would be a $5 fee per set and we got some but were not charged. I did not expect a Hilton or Marriott for two stars but did expect Holiday Inn or HJ quality. This was more in line with a Motel 6. Parking was horrendous, not enough space for all cars. If you did not luck into a lot space you were left looking for very inconvenient street parking. I would not have felt safe staying here without my husband. ”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Feb 8, 2006 by Roy from Riddle, OR
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• It is more like the real Hawaii. Friendly Hawaiian staff and atmosphere. We wish we could be back there now!
• Hard to find parking.

“Nice old Hawaiian Hotel with friendly Hawaiian staff. Beautiful view of Hilo Bay and close to beautiful parks. Parking is not the best. If you want the Ritz don't stay here. But if you are looking for the real Hawaii, you just found it.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jan 19, 2006 by Chuck
Overall Rating: 9

• Free Hawaiian show with dinner.

“On the waterfront and convenient to downtown. Agreeable staff. Clean and neat, but building and rooms reflect age of property.”

Dec 8, 2005 by Ronald K. from Staunton, VA
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[3] • Location:[2]

• N/A.
• Dump.

“This is nowhere near a 2 star 1 or 1 1/2 max. Old, worn out, nasty.”

Aug 28, 2005 by Manny from Glen Allen, VA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• Nothing
• Rooms were not well maintained

“This hotel's two start rating should be re-evaluated. Rooms are very old and the carpet comforters and blankets all are long past due for a replacement. This was a big disappointment.”

Aug 27, 2005 by Alfred from Redford, MI
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[4] • Location:[7]

• location was ok
• smelled bad, everything was outdated, poor air conditioning

“I did not like this hotel. for the price I expected more. They upgraded me to a king size bed when I told them it was my honey moon. The hotel had a musty smell the lobby bathrooms were dirty. Everything was run down and outdated. definatly not a hotel for a honeymoon.”

Aug 7, 2005 by Amy from Germantown, MD
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[7]

• Convenient location for our travels.
• Hotel was ugly, the linens and towels were cheap.

“All in all this was not a good hotel and below the rating I asked for. The beds were uncomfortable, the linens and towels were cheap. The AC was loud, the entire party had to fill out registration cards due to post 911 security - only hotel I've ever experienced this in. Overall a pretty miserable 2 nights stay.”

Jul 29, 2005 by KeKoA from MaUi
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[5] • Location:[10]

• very beautiful location , views
• first checked into a room that was not cleaned , hair in shower, mildew . telephone receiver was stink , old. lanai and carpet was dirty .

“the swimming pool could use alot of cleaning ; could'nt see the bottom of the pool . overall this place needs to be upgraded..not enough parking”

May 24, 2005 by Richard from Moreno Valley, CA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• The view was magnificent, staff excellent, friendly, efficient and very helpful.
• Unfortunately the hotel is 20 years past its prime in terms of condition,appearance and amenities.

“Hotel itself is adequate considering you only sleep there since there is so much else to do in Hawaii. The staff, however, is excellent. Everyone was very friendly, helpful and certainly knew how to assist and serve our every need. The attitude and professionalism of the staff helped overcome the overall "rundown" condition of the facility itself. But for the price we did not expect the "Ritz". Once again, praises for all staff we came in contact with, including the restaurant which served very good food with original and creative sauces and dressings which made an adequate meal an exceptional dining experience.”

Apr 27, 2005 by Elke from Pasadena, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[2] • Location:[5]

• the air conditioner worked
• a bad experience - unclean bathroom, odors, limited parking, generally unfriendly staff

“I would not recommend this hotel to anyone except college students used to hostels...but it would be too expensive even for them for what they would get.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mar 8, 2005 by David from New Richmond, WI
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location on ocean and ear park and college, value
• aging facilities

“Not a bad place to stay. Good value. I would stay there again for the same price. Has restaurant and bar on premises.”

Feb 25, 2005 by Kelly K. from San Francisco, CA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[3] • Location:[7]

• good location
• dirty rooms, old, needs renovation

“I would not recommend this hotel. Room was not ready until well after 4:30 p.m. on check in date. Rooms are dirty, old, mildew in the bathrooms.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Feb 21, 2005 by Dan from Cave Junction, OR
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Very Helpful Staff!
• Needs More Handicap Parking?

“Hotel well located on the Bay, Older but, but was Clean and Very Helpful and Friendly Staff, Prices were high on food items, but it's Hawaii and they had a Very Good Hula Show and Music. It was a good Experance over all!”

Sep 9, 2004 by Naveen S. from Simi Valley
Overall Rating: 1

“Uncle Billy's Hotel sucks. This Hotel, doesn't have parking space. Charge you for extra towels, shampoo conditioner etc. Hot water is not working properly.”

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.