Hilo Hotel
Eco-minimalist adventure base. Laid-back, community-rooted, sustainability-first. Think Patagonia store meets small Hawaiian inn — local art, live music in the lobby, sound machines in the rooms, and kombucha at check-in.
Book directly on the hotel website for the best rate guarantee — OTA bookings like Costco Travel have drawn complaints about inferior room assignments
Why It Matters
First Hawaii property to earn EarthCheck Silver certification. Ranked #10 Best Hotel in Hawaii in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. Operates a unique Fair Trade Pricing model. Built on the bones of the historic Hilo Seaside Hotel, originally founded in 1956 by Hawaiian native Richard Kimi and operated by his family for 65 years before SCP acquired it in 2021.
SCP Hilo is a 128-room eco-conscious boutique hotel on the eastern shore of the Big Island, sitting across the street from Hilo Bay along Banyan Drive. The brand — Soul Community Planet — runs on a 'holistic hospitality' philosophy: minimalist rooms built from sustainable and regionally sourced materials, complimentary paddleboards and bikes, 24/7 locally sourced provisions, and a Fair Trade Pricing model that lets guests name their price at checkout. It's the first Hawaii property to earn EarthCheck Silver certification, and every stay triggers a beach cleanup through the Hawaii Wildlife Fund. Not a beach resort. No sandy shores out front, no spa tower, no swim-up bar. But if you want a genuinely values-driven base for volcano hikes, koi-pond mornings, and paddling Hilo Bay before breakfast, this place delivers.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
King and Double Rooms
Located in the Garden or Hukilau Wings across floors 1–3, these are the standard entry-level rooms. Garden-facing, which means less noise from the street but also no water view. Comfortable and clean with SCP's minimalist aesthetic. Good choice if you plan to spend most of your time out exploring.
King or 2 Doubles (or Triple: 2 Doubles + 1 Twin)
Peaceful Room
SCP's signature wellness room, intentionally tech-free. No TV, no clock — just a sound machine, Himalayan rock salt lamp, essential oil diffuser, meditation pillow, yoga mat, and air purifier. Located in the quiet Fern Wing. Slightly smaller than other categories at 220 sq ft, but if you actually want to unplug on vacation, this room is designed for exactly that. Walk-in shower instead of a tub.
King or 2 Doubles
Poolside Room
First-floor rooms that open directly out to the pool area. Best pick if you want easy outdoor access and the pool vibe. Same footprint as the standard rooms but the location is the upgrade — step outside and you're poolside.
King or 2 Doubles
Premium Room with Koi Pond View & Balcony
The top-tier category here, located in the Pond Wing on floors 1–3. Private balcony with unobstructed views of the hotel's Koi Pond and out to Reeds Bay. This is where you get the water view without paying resort-level prices. The balcony is the real draw — morning coffee out there with the bay in front of you is hard to beat.
King or 2 DoublesThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
On-property coconut tasting experience as part of SCP's locally-focused programming.
On-property cultural workshop in lei making. Part of SCP's rotating local activities calendar — check the hotel's activities calendar for current schedule.
Complimentary ukulele lessons periodically available in the lobby, referenced in guest reviews.
Hybrid bikes available free to guests for exploring Banyan Drive and the surrounding Hilo area. First-come, first-served.
The hotel lobby regularly hosts live Hawaiian music — one of those ambient touches that guests consistently mention in reviews.
Discounted access to local ocean tours through Hilo Ocean Adventures, bookable as part of the Adventure Package. Not operated by the hotel directly.
Outdoor pool surrounded by tropical landscaping. Quiet hours 6–9am reserved for lap swimming. Otherwise open for general use throughout the day.
Complimentary stand-up paddleboards available to guests on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel sits steps from Hilo Bay, making this a genuinely convenient perk rather than a logistical exercise.
Organized farm tours through local partners including OK Farm Tours. Bookable through the Adventure Package offer or arranged via the hotel.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
400 sq ft of meeting space. Has been used for corporate training events per guest reviews.
Boutique fitness studio with Peloton bikes, TRX gear, yoga mats, weights, and a dedicated yoga/meditation room. Closed-toe shoes and shirts required.
Locally sourced snacks and drinks available around the clock. Complimentary coffee from Hawaii Coffee Company all day.
On-property Koi Pond with a variety of fish, visible from Premium Room balconies and shared grounds.
Private on-site parking lot available to guests at no charge. Limited spaces.
All room categories listed as pet-friendly on the official site.
Tropical landscaped outdoor pool. Quiet lap-swim hours 6–9am daily.
Beach towels included with resort/amenity fee.
First Hawaii property to earn EarthCheck Silver Benchmarked certification — the leading scientific benchmarking body for travel and tourism sustainability.
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