Grand Naniloa Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton
Overview
If you're exploring the Big Island's lush windward side — home to waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and the extraordinary Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — the Grand Naniloa is your base camp. The only full-service hotel on the Hilo side of the island, this 379-room DoubleTree by Hilton occupies a storied waterfront position on Banyan Drive, overlooking Hilo Bay with panoramic views of Mauna Kea.
Originally opened in 1939 as the longest continuously operating hotel on Hawaii Island, the property was reborn through a $30-35 million renovation and reopened as a DoubleTree in November 2016. The transformation added $4 million in art — curated by hula photographer Kim Taylor Reece — with rotating museum-style exhibits celebrating Hawaiian culture, hula history, and island heritage.
The hotel's deeply Hawaiian identity runs through everything from the nightly live music and hula performances to its three towers named after the Big Island's volcanoes (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea). With a 9-hole oceanfront golf course, heated bayfront pool, and rates that are a fraction of the Kohala Coast resorts, the Grand Naniloa delivers genuine Big Island character at real-world prices.
Accommodation Options
The 379 rooms span three towers, with approximately 90% offering views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea. Standard rooms feature either a king bed or two queen beds, with mini-fridge, microwave, 48-inch TV, complimentary WiFi, and local Hawaiian coffee.
Oceanfront Rooms with Lanai add private balconies directly overlooking the bay — these are the most requested category and worth the upgrade for the morning views alone. Premium Oceanfront Corner Rooms (king only) offer wrap-around balconies with panoramic bay views, while Ocean View Suites provide separate living areas.
The renovation brought all rooms up to the DoubleTree standard with clean, modern design. And yes — you get the signature warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie at check-in.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
The resort's heated outdoor pool sits on the Hilo Bay waterfront, offering ocean views from the sundeck. Pool hours run 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. While there's just one pool, the bayfront setting with Mauna Kea as a backdrop makes it a pleasant place to unwind after a day of exploring.
There's no sandy beach on-site — the hotel sits on Hilo Bay's rocky shoreline on the Waiakea Peninsula. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel gear are available for rent from the on-site KapohoKine retail store, and the waterfront is suitable for launching water craft. Coconut Island Park is connected by a footbridge less than a mile away and offers calm swimming areas. For a proper beach day, Carlsmith Beach Park (about 4 miles away) features calm waters, excellent snorkeling, and frequent sea turtle visits.
Dining
The newly opened Ka Lihikai Restaurant (2025) serves locally inspired Hawaiian cuisine with a farm-to-fork philosophy under Chef Kahau Manzo. The restaurant covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring fresh daily catch and island-sourced produce.
The Hula Lounge in the lobby serves craft cocktails with ocean views and features live Hawaiian music nightly — it's become a favorite gathering spot for both guests and locals. A lobby beverage station runs from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The resort fee includes two complimentary drink coupons per night (cocktails, beer, wine, or soft drinks), making evening drinks at the Hula Lounge an especially good deal. Beyond the hotel, downtown Hilo's dining scene is just minutes away, with the Hilo Farmers Market (one of Hawaii's best) offering incredible fresh tropical fruits, prepared foods, and local specialties.
Golf
The Grand Naniloa Golf Course is a 9-hole, par-35 layout right on the hotel grounds — the only golf course in Hilo. Designed by Alexander Kahapea and built in 1970, the 2,875-yard course features water hazards, nearly a dozen sand traps, and three tee options (Championship, Middle, and Forward).
Hotel guests receive two rounds of 9 holes daily as part of the resort fee, with green fees of just $10 per round for adults and $8 for seniors. Cart rental is $10. A putting green and driving range are also available. It's not a championship caliber course, but it's a fun complement to your stay and hard to beat at the price.
Nearby Attractions
The Grand Naniloa's greatest asset may be its proximity to the Big Island's most dramatic natural attractions. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — home to Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes — is just 28-30 miles away (about a 40-minute drive). You can explore lava tubes, hike the crater rim, and witness volcanic landscapes unlike anything else on Earth.
Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots are just 5 minutes from the hotel — easy morning excursions before breakfast. Akaka Falls State Park, featuring a stunning 442-foot waterfall, is 20 minutes north. The Hilo Farmers Market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings) is practically at the hotel's doorstep.
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens — the largest authentic Japanese garden outside Japan — is within walking distance, and Coconut Island (connected by a footbridge) is less than a mile away. For stargazers, Mauna Kea Observatories are accessible via a scenic drive up the mountain.
Tips & Good to Know
The Grand Naniloa is significantly cheaper than Kohala Coast resorts (averaging around $220-250/night versus $400-800+ on the Kona side), making it an excellent value base for Big Island exploration. However, the mandatory $39/night resort fee and $25/night valet parking (no self-parking option) add up — factor these into your budget.
Hilo is on the rainy windward side of the island, so expect afternoon showers most days. The upside is that this rain feeds the waterfalls, rainforests, and lush tropical greenery that make the Hilo side so spectacular. Mornings are typically clear.
Live hula performances run Wednesday through Sunday evenings — the Wednesday and Sunday shows are particularly popular. Arrive at the Hula Lounge early for a front-row seat. The two complimentary drink coupons per night included in the resort fee help make up for the mandatory charge.
For Volcanoes National Park, plan a full day — the 40-minute drive is scenic, and you'll want at least 4-5 hours in the park to hike the crater rim trail, explore the Thurston Lava Tube, and visit the Jaggar Museum overlook.
Location
93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720
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