71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, United States
resort comparison guide

Hilo Hawaiian vs Howzit Hostels Hawaii

Choosing between Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Howzit Hostels Hawaii? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which stay is the best fit for your next Hawaii getaway.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel resort
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Oceanfront Hilo • Banyan Drive • All-Ages Hotel

Best for couples, families, and Big Island travelers who want a full-service oceanfront hotel in Hilo with resort-style amenities.

Howzit Hostels Hawaii resort
Howzit Hostels Hawaii
Social Stay • Budget-Minded • Hostel Style

Better for budget-minded, social travelers who want a hostel-style stay in Hawaii with a more casual, community-focused vibe.

Quick Verdict: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel vs Howzit Hostels Hawaii

If you want a more traditional hotel experience in Hilo, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the stronger pick: it has an oceanfront setting on Banyan Drive, an outdoor oceanside pool, on-site dining, a fitness center, and rooms suited to travelers who prefer privacy and hotel services.

If your priority is a lower-frills, more social base where the atmosphere matters more than resort amenities, Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better fit. It makes more sense for backpackers, solo travelers, and guests who are comfortable with a hostel-style setup.

Bottom line: choose Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for comfort, privacy, oceanfront Hilo convenience, and full-service amenities; choose Howzit Hostels Hawaii for a more budget-conscious, social Hawaii stay.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel vs Howzit Hostels Hawaii – At a Glance

Category Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Howzit Hostels Hawaii
Overall Vibe Oceanfront, full-service Hilo hotel with a relaxed resort feel, all-ages appeal, dining, pool, and practical amenities. Casual, social hostel-style stay geared toward travelers who value community, simplicity, and a more budget-oriented base.
Location On historic Banyan Drive in Hilo, with an oceanfront setting near Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island. A Hawaii hostel option better suited to travelers who want a simple, social home base rather than a full-service resort setting.
Rooms & Suites Private hotel rooms with standard hotel comforts, good for couples, families, and travelers who want their own space. Hostel-style accommodations are the draw, making it better for guests comfortable with a more shared, social lodging model.
Dining On-site dining includes steakhouse-style meals, breakfast service, Waiʻoli Lounge, shared plates, a full bar, and live music. More about self-directed, budget-friendly travel than destination dining; best for guests who plan to explore local food options.
Pool & Oceanfront One outdoor oceanside freshwater pool with sundeck; the hotel is oceanfront, though the adjacent rocky beach is not recommended for swimming. Not a resort pool-and-beach experience; the appeal is the hostel atmosphere and simpler stay rather than on-property recreation.
Kids & Family Children of all ages are welcome, and kids 17 and under can stay free using existing bedding within room occupancy limits. Better for independent travelers and social guests than for families seeking full-service hotel amenities and private-room comfort.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want Hilo oceanfront location, private rooms, pool access, on-site dining, parking subject to availability, and hotel services. Best value for travelers who prioritize a social, low-frills Hawaii stay over private hotel space and resort-style amenities.

Rooms & Stay Style: Private Hotel Comfort vs Social Hostel Simplicity

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Room Style

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the more comfortable choice if you want a standard private-room hotel stay in Hilo, with the structure and services of a full-service property rather than a shared-travel environment.

  • Private hotel rooms suited to couples, families, and independent travelers
  • Children of all ages are welcome, with family-friendly occupancy policies
  • High-speed internet is advertised in rooms, with WiFi also included in the resort fee

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the better pick if privacy, hotel-style comfort, and all-ages flexibility matter more than a social hostel scene.

Howzit Hostels Hawaii – Stay Style

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is a better match for travelers who are choosing Hawaii on a tighter budget and want the built-in social feel that comes with a hostel-style stay.

  • Hostel-style lodging geared toward budget-conscious travelers
  • More casual and communal than a traditional hotel stay
  • Best for solo travelers, backpackers, and guests who value social energy

If you want a simple, social base and do not need a full-service hotel setup, Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the more natural fit.

Dining & Drinks: On-Site Hotel Venues vs Self-Directed Eats

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Restaurants & Bars

Dining is a real advantage at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, especially for travelers who like having breakfast, dinner, lounge service, drinks, and live music available without leaving the property.

Expect:

  • Steakhouse-style dining with steaks, seafood, breakfast, and dinner service
  • WaiÊ»oli Lounge for shared plates, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, full bar service, and ocean views
  • A keiki menu at WaiÊ»oli during both morning café service and lounge service

Howzit Hostels Hawaii – Food & Drink Style

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is less about on-property dining and more about keeping the stay flexible, social, and budget-minded while you explore food options around your Hawaii base.

  • Better for travelers who do not need full-service hotel restaurants
  • Good fit if you prefer casual, self-directed meals
  • Ideal if dining variety comes from exploring the destination rather than staying on property

If having restaurants, a lounge, a bar, and breakfast service on site matters, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the clear winner.

Pool & Oceanfront: Hilo Hotel Amenities vs Hostel-Style Base

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Pool & Oceanfront Scene

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has a more resort-like recreation setup, with an outdoor oceanside freshwater swimming pool and sundeck in an oceanfront Banyan Drive setting.

  • One outdoor oceanside freshwater pool with sundeck
  • Pool and sun deck are listed as open daily from morning to evening
  • Oceanfront location, though the adjacent lava-rock beach is not recommended for swimming

Howzit Hostels Hawaii – Recreation Style

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better option if you see your lodging mainly as a social, practical base and do not need a hotel pool, oceanfront grounds, or resort-style recreation.

  • More focused on the hostel experience than on-property leisure amenities
  • Better for travelers who plan to spend most of the day out exploring
  • Not the right choice if a pool-and-hotel-sundeck setup is a priority

If you want an oceanfront Hilo hotel with a pool and sun deck, choose Hilo Hawaiian Hotel; if you only need a simple social base, choose Howzit Hostels Hawaii.

Kids & Travel Style: All-Ages Hotel Comfort vs Independent Hostel Energy

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – All-Ages Appeal

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is an all-ages property where children are welcome, making it the more straightforward choice for families, couples, and mixed travel groups who want private rooms and hotel amenities.

  • Children of all ages are welcome at the hotel
  • Children 17 and under can stay free using existing bedding, within occupancy limits
  • Better for travelers who want a full-service hotel environment rather than a hostel setup

Howzit Hostels Hawaii – Social Travel Appeal

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is stronger for independent travelers who want a casual, community-driven stay and are comfortable with the tradeoffs that come with hostel-style lodging.

  • Best suited to solo travelers, backpackers, and budget-focused guests
  • More social and informal than a traditional hotel
  • Better for guests who value meeting other travelers over private hotel amenities

If you are traveling as a family or want a more private, predictable stay, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the safer choice; if you want social energy, Howzit Hostels Hawaii fits better.

Price & Value: Which Hawaii Stay Feels More Worth It?

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Value Snapshot

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel offers the most value when you want a real hotel stay in Hilo with oceanfront setting, private accommodations, on-site dining, pool access, and practical inclusions bundled through the resort fee.

  • Best for travelers who want private rooms and full-service hotel amenities
  • Good value if you will use the pool, fitness center, WiFi, parking when available, and on-site dining
  • Strong pick for couples, families, and visitors using Hilo as a Big Island base

Howzit Hostels Hawaii – Value Snapshot

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better value if your top priorities are keeping the stay simple, social, and budget-conscious rather than paying for hotel-style services.

  • Best for travelers who want a lower-frills Hawaii stay
  • Stronger for solo travelers and backpackers who enjoy a communal atmosphere
  • Worth it if you would rather spend less on lodging and more time out exploring

Who Wins? Best Hawaii Stay by Travel Style

Best for Private Hotel Comfort
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel resort

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Choose Hilo Hawaiian Hotel if you want an oceanfront Hilo setting, private hotel rooms, a pool, fitness center access, on-site dining, and an all-ages atmosphere that works for couples, families, and mixed groups.

Best for Social Budget Travel
Howzit Hostels Hawaii resort

Howzit Hostels Hawaii

Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better pick for budget-minded travelers who want a casual, social stay and are comfortable choosing hostel-style simplicity over full-service hotel amenities.

Best for Pool & On-Site Dining
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel resort

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

For travelers who want more comfort, more privacy, and the convenience of dining and recreation on property, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the stronger all-around choice.

Best for Solo Travelers & Backpackers
Howzit Hostels Hawaii resort

Howzit Hostels Hawaii

If you care most about social atmosphere, simple lodging, and stretching your travel budget, Howzit Hostels Hawaii is likely the better match.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close