Doubletree lite an oasis of sorts in Hilo

1   Not Recommended
June 7, 2017 by

 Map | 1 Review | 0% Recommended
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Hilo Naniloa Hotel
 Map | 1 Review | 0% Recommended

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Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
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Check In

The experience works ok for checkin.  There is a counter with 4-5 podiums to check in with, but typically 2-3 are staffed at one time.  Agents are getting better with the Hilton systems and cookies are offered.  However there is a serious issue with parking.  My first stay at this property they ran out of passes, so people parked wherever.  And Hilton recognition has been inconsistant.

Room

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Several different setups available.  The biggest complaint I had was the lack of air conditioning. Several calls didn't see a resolution.  Decent Doubletree products, one can tell its a refurbed hotel.  But it's a lot better.1_IMG_20170106_152835411[1].jpg

Bathroom

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And yes, that's a bathtub in the centrer of the room [King Room]

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Service

Reasonable service, but not always reactive to needs.  On two different stays I've had issues with the air conditioning, or lack thereof.  The temperature just didn't go down, although the air was blowing.

Dining

Free breakfast coupons were given to us as Hhonors Gold.  This is a bit of a joke, but has improved since the property has gone under the DoubleTree umbrella.  This is downstairs below the checkin desk, and does seem like a temporary setup.  Service is slow, and entrees tend to run out.  If they have the bread pudding, do try it.  This was in my opinion, the highlight of the meal.  But its rather carb heavy.  They do have miso soup and rice as well catering to some of the local tastes (and visitors).  But I'd say the Hilo Farmers Market is a better option for breakfast.

Location

Directly on the coast- its beachfront without the beach.  It looks like one can snorkel/swim right out in front of the property but the Font Desk didn't reccomend it as it's a bit polluted there.  Under high surf conditions, the ocean will spray right into the pool. (which would be closed).  This happened one visit where a hurricane passed over the island (was a tropical storm by that point but still very wet).

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One highlight for flyertalkers is watching aircraft on approach into ITO.  They make a turn right after flying by downtown Hilo, so it's exciting to watch the HA717's coming in nearly every hour, or occasional widebody by HA or JL.  Even the military has an assortment some days.

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Overall

This is an older property with potential.  I stayed here mid renovation and it was an ok stay.  Proper Doubletree bedding and towels help.  The overall feel of the property is tropical, and staff seems responsive at first.  But follow through is not consistant.  One stay I tried to get engineering to come up several hours to look at the air conditioning.  But despite several calls to the Front Desk, they never showed up.  We eventually were offered to move to another room, but it was past 10 PM and all ready to sleep.

Parking is also a serious cluster.  There are not enough spots by the hotel.  And overflow is not communicated; its across Banyan Drive (part of the golf course), filled with potholes in the paved sections, otherwise its parking on gravel and grass.  No real lighting, it didn't seem safe to leave a car there.  The Front Desk did agree this is an issue.IMG_20170106_153245279[1].jpgIMG_20170107_080809552[1].jpg

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