Hilo Seaside Hotel - Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii - Unpretentious Hotel near Hilo Bay

The 135-room Hilo Seaside Hotel was the first property built by the Seaside Hotels Group, founded in 1956 by Hawaiian native Richard Kimi. It was followed by the construction of the Kona Seaside Hotel and the Maui Seaside Hotel as budget-class accommodations for value-minded tourists. Strong emphasis has been placed on hospitality by Seaside Hotels, which endeavors to provide a true "aloha'' experience to every guest.

The Hilo Seaside Hotel's guest rooms come in three basic configurations: Standard, Superior and Deluxe. The Standard Rooms each have two double beds or one king bed. Among fundamental room amenities are a refrigerator, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and a private bathroom. Most rooms have a balcony or lanai with outdoor seating, too.

Superior Rooms and Deluxe Rooms also feature two double beds or one king, for occupancy by up to three persons. Up to two children under the age of twelve are permitted to stay for free when using existing bedding and accompanied by a paying guest. All rooms come with a remote-control color TV, an alarm clock, a radio and a direct dial telephone. Microwave ovens, hair dryers and coffee makers are available upon request at the front desk.

Handicap accessible rooms are available and can be booked in advance. A limited number of smoking rooms are available as well. And for a fee, high-speed wireless Internet access is provided throughout the property.

Among guest facilities on the premises are tropically landscaped grounds with walking paths that pass by lush gardens, a carp-filled pond and the hotel's small outdoor pool. Coin-operated laundry facilities have been set up on site for guest use, too.

The Hilo Seaside Hotel's on-site restaurant is the Coconut Grill. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, specializing in "home cooking that sticks to your ribs.'' The morning brunch is especially popular with locals and guest alike. Among the many praiseworthy dishes are coconut sweetbread French toast, the meaty Paniolo Omelette with fried rice, grilled Kalua pig with waffle wedges, King Crab and a prime rib Surf & Turf combo. The restaurant is noted for its large, Hawaiian-size portions. An all-you-can-eat open salad bar is open with lunch and dinner for a slight additional charge.

Although there are no noteworthy beaches in the immediate area, attractions within easy reach from the Hilo Seaside Hotel include Akaka Falls, Orchid Farm, Big Island Candies, Rainbow Falls, the University of Hawaii-Hilo, and Edith Kanakaole Stadium. The front desk staff will be happy to arrange recreational outings, from golf reservations and volcano viewing excursions to star-gazing at the Onizuka Astronomy Complex. For reference, Richardson's Beach is five miles from the hotel.

The Hilo Seaside Hotel is two miles from Hilo International Airport, the main entry point for East Hawaii. To get to the hotel from the airport by taxi one-way costs approximately $8. Those who arrive by car will find the hotel at 126 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. Limited complimentary parking is available to staying guests.