Where to stay on the Big Island
Where to stay in Hilo
Hilo is a working town on the wet side. It is usually cheaper than Kona, close to waterfalls, and about forty-five minutes from the national park. It rains, often in the afternoon. Pack for that and it is a good base.
Stay here if
You care about the volcano, Rainbow Falls and the Hāmākua coast, and you do not need a swimming beach every morning.
Skip it if
You came to lie on sand. You will spend the trip driving west.
Banyan Drive
The bayfront hotel strip, a short walk to Liliʻuokalani Park. Older buildings, the right location.
Downtown
Near the farmers market and the restaurants. The pick if you like walking.
South of town
Quieter, and more of a drive. Only worth it when the place itself is the reason.
Hotels and rentals
Live availability around this base. Prices update on the booking site.
The map and the Booking.com link are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a commission, at the same price you would pay anyway. It does not change which base I recommend.
Other bases
- Where to stay in KonaThe default base. Sun, restaurants, snorkelling and the manta boats.
- Where to stay on the Kohala CoastThe best beaches on the island. Quiet evenings, higher prices.
- Where to stay in VolcanoSleep at the park. Cold nights, one or two of them is enough.
- Where to stay in North KohalaSmall towns at the end of the road. Only if the north is the point.