Uncle Billys Hilo Bay

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 29 May 2008 rated 10 out of 10.

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.

Positives: My room was clean, spacious w/ "funky" 1960's decor - BEAUTIFUL view - everything I needed and expected.

Negatives: Bathroom was clean - but needed minor repairs to tile and counter top.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 18 Apr 2008 rated 6 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Good location.

Negatives: Parking.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 20 Nov 2007 rated 8 out of 10.

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

Positives: Nice location looks.

Negatives: Lack of parking, bar patrons noisy.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 27 Jul 2007 rated 6 out of 10.

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

Positives: Staff and food.

Negatives: Old rooms that are in need of repair and paint.

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 04 Jan 2007 rated 1 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Sea side location.

Negatives: Badly maintained dump with passion-less staff.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 27 Dec 2006 rated 9 out of 10.

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.

Positives: This was an excellent choice and price. We had an ocean view room and cold a/c.

Negatives: Interior hallways and room walls could use an upgrade but it was still clean.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 08 Nov 2006 rated 5 out of 10.

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.

Positives: the atmosphere was very Hawaiian.

Negatives: It was old, with outdated accessories.

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 19 Oct 2006 rated 5 out of 10.

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

Positives: The superior Ocean View room was excellent.

Negatives: The "volcano Surprise" in the restaurant was super expensive and the "surprise" was the size- 2-3 bites!

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 21 Sep 2006 rated 9 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Friendly staff made our stay a pleasure.

Negatives: Not a very secure room because of the box air conditioner that could be removed and some one could enter though the hole.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 14 Aug 2006 rated 1 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Nothing except price.

Negatives: Dirty, old, unfriendly.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 04 Aug 2006 rated 2 out of 10.

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!

Positives: The location was convenient for airport travel.

Negatives: Attitude of staff, limited parking, long wait at restaurant, terrible rooms.

Reviewer: Not provided on Mon 31 Jul 2006 rated 9 out of 10.

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!!!!????

Positives: Quaint, old Hawaiian charm.

Negatives: N/A.

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 20 Jul 2006 rated 2 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Happy to check-out.

Negatives: Inadequate parking.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 05 Jul 2006 rated 8 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Excellent rates, nightly entertainment.

Negatives: Very little parking available.

Reviewer: Not provided on Wed 28 Jun 2006 rated 2 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Location.

Negatives: This hotel feels like a place you rent out on an hourly basis.

Reviewer: Not provided on Thu 08 Jun 2006 rated 6 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Friendly staff, great location and price is good!

Negatives: Air conditioning unit needed to be fixed. The room got stuffy at times.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 30 May 2006 rated 1 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Easy to locate and accessible to the city center and beach area.

Negatives: No parking.

Reviewer: Not provided on Tue 30 May 2006 rated 7 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Beautiful views, close to airport.

Negatives: NO PLACE TO PARK.

Reviewer: Not provided on Sun 28 May 2006 rated 2 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Had on site restaurant.

Negatives: Poorly maintained in desperate need of repairs & updates.

Reviewer: Not provided on Fri 26 May 2006 rated 7 out of 10.

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.

Positives: Quick access to second floor; bath ADA compliant, nice staff.

Negatives: Old, needs renovating.