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

Hilo Hawaiian vs Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree

Choosing between Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, amenities, price & more so you can decide which hotel is the best fit for your Hilo getaway.

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

Best for families, couples, and island explorers who want a classic oceanfront Hilo stay on Banyan Drive with practical amenities and an easygoing local feel.

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree resort
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree
DoubleTree Brand • Hilo Oceanfront • Contemporary Resort Feel

Better for travelers who want a DoubleTree-branded oceanfront resort in Hilo with a more contemporary style and a livelier resort feel.

Quick Verdict: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel vs Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree

If you want a straightforward, all-ages Hilo hotel with oceanfront setting, on-site dining, an outdoor pool, and good access to Banyan Drive sights, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the more classic pick.

If your priority is a branded DoubleTree experience with a more modern resort personality on the same Hilo waterfront, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree will likely feel like the better match.

Bottom line: choose Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for classic Hilo comfort and practical value; choose Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree for a more contemporary oceanfront resort feel.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel vs Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – At a Glance

Category Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree
Overall Vibe Classic all-ages oceanfront hotel on Banyan Drive with a relaxed Hilo pace, practical amenities, and a family-friendly feel. Oceanfront DoubleTree resort with a more contemporary style, suited to travelers who prefer a recognizable hotel brand and livelier resort atmosphere.
Location On Banyan Drive in Hilo, close to Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, and the Hilo waterfront. Also positioned on the Hilo oceanfront, making it convenient for the same Banyan Drive and Hilo-area sightseeing base.
Rooms & Suites Comfortable hotel rooms for couples, families, and island explorers who want a practical place to recharge between Big Island days. Better for travelers who want the DoubleTree brand experience and a more updated resort-style room atmosphere.
Dining On-site dining includes steakhouse-style options and Waiʻoli Lounge, with breakfast, shared plates, a full bar, and live music. Best for guests who want resort dining in a branded oceanfront setting and plan to mix hotel meals with Hilo restaurants.
Pools & Beach One outdoor oceanside freshwater pool with sundeck; the adjacent lava-rock shoreline is scenic but not recommended for swimming. Oceanfront setting with a resort-style pool scene, better for travelers who want a more polished waterfront hangout.
Kids & Family Children of all ages are welcome, and kids 17 and under may stay free using existing bedding within room occupancy limits. Family-friendly for all-ages Hilo trips, while also appealing to couples and adults who want a branded resort base.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want a classic Hilo oceanfront stay with parking, WiFi, fitness center use, and other resort-fee inclusions. Best value for travelers who place more weight on DoubleTree branding, updated style, and a livelier resort impression.

Rooms & Suites: Classic Hilo Comfort vs Branded Resort Style

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Room Style

Rooms at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel are best understood as practical, comfortable, and well-suited to travelers using Hilo as a base for gardens, waterfalls, volcano day trips, and local dining.

  • Good for couples, families, and all-ages island trips
  • Comfortable setup for travelers who plan to be out exploring during the day
  • High-speed internet is advertised in guest rooms, with WiFi included in the resort fee

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the better pick if you want a classic Hilo stay without needing a flashy resort-room experience.

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – Room Style

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree leans more toward a branded, contemporary resort feel, which can appeal to travelers who prefer a familiar hotel flag and a more updated atmosphere.

  • DoubleTree-branded room experience on the Hilo oceanfront
  • Better fit for travelers who like a more contemporary resort look
  • Strong choice for couples or families who prioritize brand familiarity

If the room feel and hotel brand matter more than a classic local hotel atmosphere, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree is likely the stronger match.

Dining & Drinks: Classic Hotel Dining vs Resort-Style Convenience

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is a real advantage for guests who want convenient meals without leaving the property, especially after a long day of driving or sightseeing.

Expect:

  • Steakhouse-style dining with steaks, seafood, breakfast, and dinner service
  • WaiÊ»oli Lounge for shared plates, sandwiches, burgers, desserts, cocktails, and ocean views
  • Live music on select weekdays and a keiki menu during café and lounge service periods

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – Restaurants & Bars

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree works well for travelers who want dining convenience in a more resort-branded setting, while still being close enough to sample Hilo restaurants.

  • Good for guests who like eating on property between excursions
  • Appeals to travelers who prefer a resort atmosphere for drinks and meals
  • Easy to pair with off-property dining around Hilo

If you want a clearly documented hotel dining setup with lounge, breakfast, dinner, and live music details, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has the edge.

Pools & Beach: Oceanside Pool vs Polished Oceanfront Setting

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Pool & Beach Scene

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has one outdoor, oceanside freshwater swimming pool with a sundeck, making it a simple and useful place to cool off between Hilo adventures.

  • Outdoor oceanside freshwater pool and sundeck
  • Pool area is open daily during posted daytime hours
  • Scenic oceanfront location, though the adjacent lava-rock beach is not recommended for swimming

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – Pool & Beach Scene

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree is better for travelers who want their Hilo stay to feel more like a branded oceanfront resort hangout.

  • Oceanfront resort setting on the Hilo side of the island
  • Good fit for guests who want a more contemporary pool-and-lounge atmosphere
  • Better for travelers who prioritize resort feel over classic hotel simplicity

If you want a simple oceanside pool and are realistic about Hilo’s lava-rock shoreline, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel works well; for a more polished resort scene, compare rates at Grand Naniloa.

Kids & Family: All-Ages Practicality vs Branded Family-Friendly Resort Feel

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Family Fit

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is an all-ages property where children are welcome, making it a practical choice for families who want an oceanfront Hilo base without an adults-only atmosphere.

  • Children of all ages are welcome at the hotel
  • Children 17 and under may stay free using existing bedding, subject to occupancy limits
  • Easy base for low-key family days around Banyan Drive, gardens, and nearby Hilo sights

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – Family Fit

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree is also a good fit for families who want a branded resort setting, especially if they value a more contemporary atmosphere.

  • Works for all-ages Hilo vacations
  • Better for families who prefer a familiar hotel brand
  • Good for mixed groups balancing sightseeing, pool time, and Hilo dining

If you want the more straightforward family value play, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is strong; if brand familiarity and resort style matter more, Grand Naniloa may be worth the upgrade.

Price & Value: Which Hilo Oceanfront Hotel Feels More Worth It?

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Value Snapshot

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel offers strong value when you want an oceanfront Hilo location, practical resort-fee inclusions, and enough on-site amenities to keep the stay easy.

  • Best for travelers who want classic Hilo comfort over a flashier resort scene
  • Resort fee includes WiFi, fitness center use, parking subject to availability, water refill access, and other inclusions
  • Strong value for families, couples, and explorers using Hilo as a Big Island base

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree – Value Snapshot

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree is the better value if you are willing to pay for a more contemporary DoubleTree-branded oceanfront resort experience.

  • Best for travelers who prioritize brand recognition and updated style
  • Stronger for couples or families who want a more resort-like Hilo stay
  • Worth it if the atmosphere matters as much as the location

Who Wins? Best Hilo Hotel by Travel Style

Best for Classic Hilo Value
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel resort

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Choose Hilo Hawaiian Hotel if you want a classic oceanfront Hilo stay with practical amenities, on-site dining, an outdoor pool, and an all-ages atmosphere.

Best for Brand-Focused Travelers
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree resort

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree

Grand Naniloa is the better pick for travelers who want a DoubleTree-branded resort feel and a more contemporary oceanfront atmosphere.

Best for Practical Family Stays
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel resort

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

For families and couples who care most about location, straightforward comfort, and practical value, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is the safer choice.

Best for Contemporary Resort Style
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree resort

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree

If you want the Hilo waterfront with more polish, brand familiarity, and a livelier resort impression, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo a Doubletree is the stronger fit.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close