Arnott's Lodge

We pitched a tent here, and the camping setup worked really well. There’s nice grass for tents and a sheltered spot to cook and eat. Everything was very clean. It’s a little outside town, which kept things quiet, and there are lots of great beaches to choose from. The room buildings looked neat and tidy from outside too. Highly recommend.

A few minutes from the Hilo airport, and the rooms are private even though they’re in a shared building. Ours was clean and cozy. There’s Wi-Fi, a little kitchen, and washing machines, the basics you need for a comfortable stay. Excellent hotel 💯 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s quiet and quaint, and the hospitality was lovely. Arnott was great to chat with and really helpful. The rooms are older and nothing fancy, and it’s a bit removed from downtown Hilo, so you’ll need to drive about 10 minutes instead of walking. For the price and peaceful setting, I’d recommend it. I’d be happy to stay longer with family.

We only took the Mauna Kea Sunset Tour, not a stay at Arnott’s Lodge, so this is just about the tour. Donna picked us up on time at our hotel and shared a lot about Hawaiian culture, history, and astronomy on the way to Rainbow Falls and up Mauna Kea. After sunset, she led a laser-guided astronomy class on the drive back. The sunset was spectacular, and we were lucky enough to see the moonrise too. The Milky Way was breathtaking. Donna photographed us, pointed out every observatory, and patiently showed us how to take our own pictures on our phones. We’d nearly rented a Jeep to drive to the summit ourselves, but didn’t want the stress of going up and back down in the dark. At the Onizuka Visitor Center, we saw a very long queue of 4x4s waiting for the rangers to check them. We also loved having extra time after sunset with Donna to learn about the night sky, so spending a bit more for the tour felt well worth it. For the price, the guide, and the whole experience, I highly recommend it. MAHALO DONNA!!!