Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures

We had an excellent lodge experience at Arnott's. Eva and Annette went out of their way to help whenever they could. The location wasn't great for easy access to town but was really great for easy access to the beach park and good snorkelling (Ella got to hang with the turtles!) The free bus into Hilo was only a 30 second walk away and thet made up for the fact that town wasn't clase by. We took one of the in-house tours up to the volcano and it was excellent with Mike the guide giving us plenty of information and bubbling over with enthuisiasm for Hawaii, the environment and it's people. I would go back to Arnott's again and would recommend it to friends. It is a classic backpackers and we wish them well for the future. P>S> We have never stayed anywhere else where the lodge put on a free pizza and beer meal! Mahalo and Aloha. more

I spent six nites at Arnotts, a superior Hostel and adventure company. I rented a bedroom with a shared bath and kitchen for U.S. $35:00 Dollars a night. The room came with a fan and small refridgerator. There is a outside patio with tables and chairs under a canopy for shade. Good coffee is avaiable for .50 cents a cup or two dollars a day-all you can drink. Washers and Dryers with soap are available for two dollars a load. Breakfast items were available-oatmeal.50, bagel .50, danish .75 ect. There is also a store on site that sells chips, soda, candy,ect. and bag lunches- turkey, ham which includes chips and a soda for about $4:00. Owner Doug Arnott provided a free pizza and beer nite for all guests on saturday nite. There is also an outstanding D.V.D. theatre in an outside pavillon, with many just released movies- look up a title, punch in the corresponding code number, and the movie starts. This is free. Arnotts also provides tours to the lava fields and beaches, waterfalls. Read the description carefully, some hikes are streunous and stragglers are not welcome. Bunk rooms are small and a bit crowded. But Arnotts is a outstanding value, do not expect hotel type services. Earl, a manager was very helpful, and I can't wait till I return next year. more

We enjoyed our stay at Arnott's in Hilo. We stayed for several nights in one of the "deluxe" private rooms with private bath (ours was room 1). The private room was pretty quiet and very clean. Finding decent places to stay in Hawaii for this kind of price is not easy and I would definitely stay here again. In fact, our room here was much nicer than most of the other places we stayed which cost a lot more. The hostel area seemed pretty good as well. Compared to hostels we have used in Europe I'd say it is above average. more

This was our first time to the big island and just wanted a clean and quiet air conditioned room to lay our heads at night. We ended up with far more than we had expected. The staff were friendly and engaging......they could not have been more helpful. On Saturday evenings Doug Arnott puts on a customer appreciation for guests......with free pizza and beer (refundable deposit of $5 per person that you get back if you show up). Since it was the day before their 20th anniversary we had ice cream and cake for a mini celebration too. Having a chance to meet the other guests was a wonderful experience. We ended up hanging out with one of them the following Monday. We also got to meet Doug and hear his story of how he started the lodge . He has given way more back to Hilo than he has taken. Lodge rates are more than reasonable and tour prices are far below the going rate of the other tour companies on the big island. My husband and I took the Mauna Kea Stargazing tour and loved every minute of it. Our guide Robert was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about astronomy during the stargazing portion (laser show). Robert truly made the experience one that will be forever in our memories - Thank you Robert ! The accommodations are modest but comfortable. They are located a couple miles from downtown Hilo, but we had a rental car so that was not an issue. The area where they are located was quiet and all you could hear were the sounds of birds and frogs. The air conditioned private room worked out well for us and the shared kitchen saved us a bundle of $$$ from having to go out for meals. Thanks again everyone at Arnott's Lodge.....our stay with you all was peaceful and pleasant......you are more like friends than lodge staff! more

Well, if you've ever wanted to see the Big Island, you've probably been attracted by the volcanoes, the observatory, the turtles swimming with you at the beeches, the waterfalls and mostly the gentler village-style living in alternative to the big hotel, or the big tourist trap. We stayed for four nights in one of Arnott's private rooms. Comfortable, well equipped with towels and toiletries for the private bath we had. And there were enough utensils to cook two or three meals during our stay. Not that we really needed too , but it helped :-) They treated us to a free meal on Saturday and accommodated our every question about the island and everything else we had to ask, ordering cabs and arranging tours each day. What more could you ask from a perfect concierge? (Also, when was the last time you stayed anyway with a concierge who was even decent? Been a while for me!) You don't have to take any trips, you don't have to eat the meal, or use their cheap rental bikes, laundry facility or take their advice on where to eat or tan or swim. If you didn't, you'd still be comfortable paying twice what they ask for what you get. But, if you are on the BIg Island you probably do want to adventure a little more so you'll ask, you might take a tour or two they offer, and then you'll really appreciate the home-like comfort when you get back from the day out. And that's when this place sings! We took the Volcano tour, and it was stunningly good. Such a knowledgable guide! And Arnotts arranges special pricing for those staying at the lodge. I lack the writing skills to do this review justice. You should be swept away by what I'm describing here, because you get something quite memorable from time spent there. Far, far more than what you pay for. We'd go back without reservation. We recommend you go too! more

We've stayed in the 'deluxe' rooms at Arnotts twice, January and November 2004. First room was aircon (although we didn't need it much) in a building with five other rooms and an excellent shared kitchen/lounge area with a big pile of books. Second room no aircon but much bigger, also shared kitchen although no-one else around in our section. Both had private shower/wc rooms, all linen and towels supplied etc. yes, the furniture is either cheap or second-hand and the carpets are not in their first youth but so what? The beds are certainly very comfortable and everything works. Towels were huge and fluffy, nothing like the tiny Waikiki versions! No TVs on site except one in the communal area tuned to CNN, internet access, laundry, 'emergency' food supplies available. The lodge is a good two miles from town through the port and industrial areas so it is best if you rent a car; book ahead as Hilo Airport can and does run out of cars. Also good to bring food for your first night as last check-in is 8pm. After that Safeway and other big stores available outside town (not walking distance), look out for horrifying Big Island prices. Arnotts is a hostel so you must make your own bed, take out your own trash, carry your own luggage, check-in by 8pm, check-out by 10am and do your own washing-up. At $65 a night for these excellent rooms that is fine with me. Area is quiet but neighbours very friendly, don't leave things in your car but tell me where that doesn't apply in Hawaii? can't speak for 'dorm' areas but these deluxe rooms are great, and considerably cheaper than anywhere else I could find on Big Island. more

I really liked this place, felt like I was more isolated than where it it actually is located. The movie area is awesome, you can pick from like 300 movies or something, & the outdoor area is great. So nice to just sit out there. The guest appreciation dinner is also great.. free beer & pizza!!! Did all the tours, I had a ball, I will come back for sure. more

We stayed for 3 nights at the Arnott's lodge a deluxe room. The room was very clean and the kitchen was well maintained. For the cost, this is an excellent option of a low budget clean place to stay. The facility is basically set up for back-packers but you are separated from the main dormatory. Their is access to a general area and TV room but this is typically dominated by back-packers. What really makes this place shine is the great tours that they run for very low cost. We definately would recommend taking the Mau Kea summit tour. more

We had a wonderful stay at Arnott's. We rented a room with private bath. The room was clean and attractive, had access to a kitchen just a step or two away, and a lovely garden where we ate our breakfast most mornings. They have inexpensive access to the Internet so that we could update our friends about our adventures. We enjoyed the pocket beach too. And of course, it was very inexpensive. To our surprise, our reservations included a free pizza and beer feed. My husband, who had not been to a hostel before, loved staying up late that night drinking beer and arguing politics with backpackers from around the world. It is not true, as one other reviewer said, that "you could do the tours yourself with a rental car." We took the lava hike, and at least the day we went, there was no way someone looking for lava on their own would ever have found it. more

I was fortunate enough to stay at Arnotts Lodge for 4 nights this month and had a fantastic time! The rates are extremely fair, lovely staff that make you feel part of the ohana (Hawaiian family) and knowledgeable and enthusiastic adventure guides. I'll certainly be back- a big thanks to Doug and his staff for making us feel so welcome and providing such great value. Can't wait to come back and visit! We experienced 3 fantastic tours through Arnotts, again at excellent value. Mauna Kea sunset, waterfalls and the lava hike. Thanks again for a terrific stay!!! Maholo! more

Arnott's is everything they advertise it to be. We rented a deluxe room at $67/night. We had a large room with a queen size bed, small dining table, private fridge and bathroom with shower. We had the use of a shared kitchen which had everything you needed. All of the linen was clean and so many towels, facecloths, etc that we didn't even use them all over our three day stay. Everyone was friendly, from Doug to all of the front staff. When we arrived Doug asked us where we were from and when we mentioned Canada we talked for a couple minutes about his trip to Banff and Jasper. We asked the front office staff for various information and were always treated with courtesy and respect. We also went on the Mauna Kea and Volcano tours and both were excellent. Our guides knew exactly where to go and both did exactly what we wanted. In fact, our guide to the volcano(Arthur) wanted to head back but the group wanted to see more lava and so Arthur spent an additional 30 minutes or so running around the lava field looking for active lava and then took us there. Both days were very long but very educational and enjoyable. If your looking for a party place, don't pick Arnott's, but if your looking for somewhere to relax and sleep at a very affordable price then Arnott's the place for you!! :) more

My wife and I stayed here in 2006 for 1 week and we had a wonderful experience. For the cheap price the accomodations were quite adequate. Don`t expect hotel standards and you won`t be disappointed. We reserved a `Deluxe` private room with ensuite bathroom with shower. This had a nice little patio with a couple of chairs for afternoon relaxing. This unit also had access to a shared kitchen unit complete with fridge, stove, table and all the necessary items to fix a great home cooked meal. A short bike ride on their `free use` vintage bikes to the local outdoor market and little grocery store gave us a chance to cook Hawian-style cuisine. more

Stayed at Arnott's Deluxe private room's for $70 per night which was by far the best place we stayed at, for the money, among all five of the islands that we visited. The room was well maintained (as well as the entire property) and spacious compared to other places that cost around $100 per night. Also went on their Mauna Kea tour which was fantastic and again an excellent value especially with the discounted guest pricing. Sure beats paying over double the price to go with other operators who only provide nothing more than a cheap meal and telescopes. more

Great staff, location, washing facilities for clothes and people, just the best camping we had in all the 4 Hawaiian islands we camped at on this trip. Super staff, we were lucky and even got Avocados straight from the tree for breakfast! A professionally run, superfriendly place that should get more people both for the rooms as well as camping they offer. more

My sister and I stayed here about 5 years ago. We took two of the tours - one hiking about 8 miles over lava and the Mauna Kea sunset tour. The tours were well run and also no frills. more

Fantastic place - took a bed in the girls' dorm. Basic, but very comfortable, clean and cheap. Obviously well run, with very helpful people around. The tours run out of the lodge were all excellent. There are all the facilities you need for budget travel, including a large area for sitting and chatting with other guests - made much easier by the throwing of a pizza party when I was there. I've stayed in all sorts of places all over the World, including luxury hotels, but this was one of best experiences ever. Would have no problems recommending this to anyone more

We experienced 3 tours through Arnotts, again at excellent value. Mauna Kea sunset, waterfalls and the lava hike. more

A bit out of town but convenient for airport. Has tent sites, dormitories and deluxe rooms. Deluxe rooms are in an annexe and are large, overlooking lawn area, with bath and shower, tea/coffee making equipment. These 5 rooms share a kitchen and lounge. Although plenty of young people across the drive in the tent/dorm area, we heard no noise from them at all. Helpful staff with laundrette and internet access on site. Public transport and shops non-existent but proprietor Doug does a minivan run for those on foot, also a free Saturday Night pizza supper 'get-together' for visitors. more

Excellent for the budget traveller that is just going to sleep in the room and spend the rest of their time exploring the island. more

Arnotts lodge it was fair price and depending on the season you get flowers and birds outside. My friend and I both rented a room there and it was good we had a living room and kitchen to use. There was also a gazebo with a large screen TV that played movies. The swimming area was not even two minute walk away. I recommend arnotts lodge for those on a budget or those that don't stay in all day long. more