Time Traveling

Fine Artist of All Things Beautiful Nov 13, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

I stayed at Uncle Billy's in Hilo twelve years ago - in 1997 - and was looking forward to my return with my new husband. ... Very little has change. In 1997 it was a step back in time to the early '70's and today, in 2009, it still is. Unfortunately that includes maintenance. But, what they lack in modern amenities they make up for in service. At check-in we discovered they couldn't accommodate our specific needs. But, they tried. In doing so, we were given a standard rather than the superior room we had reserved. We chose to take it as it was closest to everything we needed and we both have problems walking any distance - my husband especially. But it was supposed to be an ADA room and there were no bars or safety features in the bath. Elderly and disabled should take note. The room was overlooking a tropical garden with pools and bridges that showed signs of better days but was still pretty. The room itself had not been upgraded in years if ever. The beds were NOT very comfortable. A small refrigerator was placed in the dressing area. The toilet and tub were separate from the sink, which was also in the dressing area. The only other appliance was an inefficient hair dryer. No coffee maker, no safe, no iron, or any of the small devices one usually expects in a first class hotel these days - which is how they refer to themselves. Lighting was low, and several light bulbs were burned out. It was difficult to read and impossible for my husband to shave. Fixtures, such as robe hooks, bathtub plug, shower head, etc. were broken or missing. The fan was terribly noisy. It rattled whenever the bathroom light was turned on and they were on the same switch. When I brought the lights to their attention the bulbs were replaced immediately. It may sound bad, but this is in Hilo, a town lost in the '70's. A family town - NOT a tourist town. A place to call home, and Uncle Billy's reflects that. I would have liked to see more attention paid to upkeep over the last 12 years but every employee we met was helpful, friendly and attentive to our needs. For every problem we encountered I also found something to delight us. I went out to the pool - a quiet, inviting place at the rear of the hotel. No one else was there, but there were tables and chairs pool side, the pool water clear and inviting, the view of the bay spectacular. Our first night we went to the hotel restaurant for dinner a little after eight, not realizing they closed at 8 pm. Not only did they serve us ( a delicious meal) but they didn't tell us they were holding the kitchen open for us until we had ordered. We had a good time. We both love Hilo. A little "Time Travel" can be nice but we're not absolutely sure we'd stay at Uncle Billy's again. We're disabled seniors. We'd like a place with Billy's charm but with more attention to needed maintenance. I don't know what that superior room we should have had is like, but I have to give the standard room we got and the hotel in general a mixed review. A little shabby around the edges but a lot of heart.

Good bang for the buck.

none Aug 3, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Pleasantly surprised by our spacious oceanfront kitchenette room which overlooked the pool. It was stocked really well and ... was very clean. Close to airport, restaurants, swimming places and everywhere we needed to be. Parking was okay even though the hotel was sold out. Continental breakfast was great. I would definitely stay here again. Only negative was the pool. It looked mossy green and uninviting even though we could smell the chlorine. Couldn't go in there. Our hotel neighbor's pool looked crystal clear out of our front door.

peacefully nice if you like coquis

Boo Jul 18, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

It was nice ...

Unbeatable location for the price

Amy Jun 9, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We stayed for one night before heading to Kalani Retreat Center. The room was cozy and the continental breakfast was good. It ... was a nice place to spend our first night in Hawaii.

Big Island Trip

Mom from the sofa bed May 19, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Wanted two beds. Got one bed and a sleeper sofa which was springs with a sheet on it. I had to beg for a different room and ... then they tried to put us in a smoking room. Finally got a room with two beds with no smoke smell. Then everything was pretty good.

Great location.

Janet Jun 17, 2008

The hotel is old and in disrepair, but comfortable enough. My visit there was not a bad experience, but I don't know that I ... would recommend it to any one else. The staff expected the guests to leave early and return late. They were a little rude when I tried napping every afternoon and they wanted three or four hours to wander in and out while they cleaned.

Serious traveler saves

David Sep 6, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

We enjoyed our night's stay at the hotel. We were interest in a clean place to sleep primarily. The location fit in ... perfectly with our desires. We liked the ambience of an old time hotel immensely.

GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR STAY

raymond Sep 4, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

we stayed there with a group of friends there where about 40 of us. the hotel was clean and the beds was comfortable enough. ... the staff took care of our concerns right a away. like extra keys. late check out etc. the location is right in town so that was great. if staying on hilo just to have a place to put your head down i'll recomand uncle billy's.

Good Value

Donald Aug 15, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

This motel was a good value. It is old but reasonable clean and well maintained. The free continental breakfast was good. The ... restaurant with a little but very good. The free entertainment was great. Parking was free but space was very limited.

A Good Value

Charles Aug 9, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

Uncle Billy's was an enjoyable stay for the most part. The room had a nice view, partial ocean, and of the greenery outside. ... The only drawback to the room was the size and firmness of the beds. A little short, and on the soft side. The Continental breakfast was very nice, it provided all I needed for busy mornings. The restaurant had excellent food for evening dining, at competitive prices. It was nice having the General Store on the premises to purchase necessities. Banyon Drive was a very scenic area. The only problem on the outside was the lack of parking. It would be nice if Uncle Billy's could share the underground lot of the Hilo Hawaiian nextdoor.

Welcome to Old Hawaii

Kim Aug 5, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

We arrived at the hotel past midnight so there was no parking at the hotel. We had to park on the street about a half block ... away. Get there early if possible. It seems to be a common problem with all the hotels in this area. The room was clean and comfortable with a small balcony. The beds were comfortable and we got a good night's rest. Breakfast was filling and complementary to hotel guests. There was lots of fresh papaya and Kona Coffee! There were baskets of flowers with signs that said Take one and We did. Be sure to take a walk around the grounds. There are lots of ponds and flowering plants to look at. At the back of the hotel is Hilo Bay where you can stand and lets the waves lap on your feet. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I will stay again when I make it back to Hilo. The hotel is a bit of what I think Old Hawaii must have been like with lots of wicker, tropical prints, and personality. It definitely is not your standard chain hotel! Thank goodness!

People in the next room were bound to win a prize ...

Robert Jul 25, 2007

I travel on business and tend to stay at less expensive hotels. This hotel is cheap and it reflects cheap. Mold and rust in ... the bathroon, stained carpet and water damaged ceiling. Walls between rooms were paper thin. Like the old Paul Simon's song, the people in the next room were bound to win a prize, they were going at it all night long i am very hard of hearing, I wear hearing aids, and if I can hear people talking in the next room without my hearing aids in, then there is not any sound insulation between the rooms. The only thing that saved the night was that the airconditioner was so noisy that it helped drown out the neighbors. I have stayed at many other hotels in Hawaii in the same price range but this was the worse. I would only stay there again if it were the last resort available.

i arraived late about 9pm ...

michael Jul 13, 2007

i arraived late about 9pm and the staff was friendly but the elevator was small and old and when I opened the room(key)there ... was nothing on the walls just a bed and a cheap 19inch tv.. The a/c was a tiny noisy wall unit and I had no view .The place felt unsafe and cheap. the breakfast was a joke and I could'nt wait to get to Kailua-Kona to our condo.

ok vacation stay

Aaron Jul 13, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

Hilo Bay Hotel Uncle Billys Hawaiian Family Resort was ok. The hotel is a little worn out and needs renovation, but the room ... was clean and the staff were very nice.

Basic

Raman Jun 26, 2007

Hilo Bay was located very close to the marine and coconut island and very close to the hilo airport.The beds and table was ... clean , but the bathrooms did not work duing our stay there and setting was pretty old. we heard a lot of noise from outside and the sleep was disturbed

Nice location

Christina Jun 10, 2007

I liked the location, the hotel it self reminded me of a very old un-kept apartment. Parking is terrible, however the staff ... was very nice. The thing is I'd stay in a tent if I had to because the island is so beautiful. I found spots there that I swear I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Excellent Location

bryan May 7, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

Great price, excellent location, not the top of the heap but just fine for a few nights when only a comfotable place to lay ... your head and a great location are desired.