Contact: +1 (888) 605-1350
Choosing between Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo and Howzit Hostels Hawaii? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which stay is the best fit for your next Hawaii getaway.
Best for travelers who want a full-service Hilo Bay hotel with resort amenities, oceanfront pool time, on-site dining, golf access, and an all-ages setting.
Better for budget-minded travelers who prefer a hostel-style Hawaii stay with a more social, pared-back lodging experience.
If you want a classic Hilo hotel base with Hilo Bay views, an oceanfront outdoor pool, on-site restaurant and bar, spa services, fitness center, and included resort-fee perks like golf and snorkel rental, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is the stronger fit.
If your priority is keeping the lodging experience simple and social rather than choosing a full-service resort, Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the more natural pick.
Bottom line: choose Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo for a more polished, amenity-rich Hilo Bay stay; choose Howzit Hostels Hawaii if you want a hostel-style trip with fewer resort extras.
| Category | Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo | Howzit Hostels Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | All-ages Hilo Bay hotel with resort-style amenities, oceanfront pool space, on-site dining, spa access, and a more traditional vacation feel. | Hostel-style Hawaii stay with a simpler, more social atmosphere and fewer full-service hotel amenities. |
| Location | On Banyan Drive in Hilo, directly on Hilo Bay and close to Hilo International Airport by car. | A Hawaii hostel option better suited to travelers choosing lodging style and budget over a full-service Hilo Bay resort setting. |
| Rooms & Suites | Guestrooms and select suites, with some offering kitchenettes and private lanais with ocean, garden, or harbor views. | Hostel-style accommodations that are more about practicality and social travel than private resort-style rooms. |
| Dining | On-site Ka Lihikai restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Hawaiian cuisine and Hilo Bay views; full breakfast is available for a fee. | Better for guests who expect to keep meals casual and independent rather than relying on a hotel restaurant and lounge. |
| Pools & Beach | Oceanfront outdoor pool with sundeck on Hilo Bay, plus nearby opportunities for paddling, snorkeling, and relaxing around the water. | Not the pick if your decision hinges on a resort pool scene or oceanfront hotel amenities. |
| Kids & Family | All-ages hotel where children can stay with parents using existing bedding, with children’s pool activities available on a changing schedule. | More appropriate for independent, budget-focused travelers than those seeking a resort-style family setup. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who will use the pool, on-site dining, fitness center, spa access, golf perks, and Hilo Bay location. | Best value for travelers who prefer a lower-frills hostel-style stay and do not need resort amenities. |
Rooms at Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo are geared toward travelers who want a conventional hotel stay with the option of upgraded views and more space in select suites.
Grand Naniloa is the better pick if you want a private hotel-room experience with resort amenities attached.
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is better framed as a practical hostel-style stay rather than a room-forward resort experience.
If Room comfort, views, and resort conveniences matter most, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo has the clear edge.
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo offers the easier dining setup, with an on-site restaurant and bar overlooking Hilo Bay.
Expect:
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better fit if you are comfortable keeping food and drinks more casual and self-directed.
If having restaurant, bar, and in-room dining convenience on property matters, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is the stronger choice.
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo’s outdoor pool and sundeck sit oceanfront on Hilo Bay, giving the hotel a much more resort-like leisure feel.
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is not the stronger option if your ideal stay centers on an oceanfront pool or resort-style waterfront amenities.
If the pool, sundeck, and Hilo Bay setting are important, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo wins this category easily.
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is an all-ages hotel with practical family-friendly policies and some kid-oriented pool activities.
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is generally a better match for independent travelers who are comfortable with a hostel-style setup than for those seeking resort-style family amenities.
If you are traveling with kids or want a more traditional all-ages hotel setup, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is the safer choice.
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo offers the most value when you will actually use its hotel amenities and Hilo Bay location.
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better value if your priority is a simpler hostel-style stay and you are not looking for resort extras.
Choose Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo if you want a full-service, all-ages Hilo Bay hotel with an oceanfront pool, on-site dining, spa access, golf perks, and a more complete resort-style stay.
Howzit Hostels Hawaii is the better pick if you are budget-focused, hostel-friendly, and more interested in a social base than a hotel with resort amenities.
For families, couples, and leisure travelers who want comfort, views, and amenities built into the stay, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo is the more versatile choice.
If you want to keep the lodging simple and spend less attention on the property itself, Howzit Hostels Hawaii makes more sense.
Questions? Contact Us!
Explore more helpful planning guides and insider articles for Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo:
