SCP Hilo Hotel

Character and identity

Set on Reeds Bay within walking distance of downtown Hilo and about 45 minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this 128-room property is the trendiest place to stay in town and the most committed to sustainability. A 2021 reinvention of the historic Hilo Seaside Hotel, it now runs as an EarthCheck-benchmarked operation with solar arrays, no single-use plastics, and a 24-hour Provisions Market in place of a restaurant. The open-air lobby sets the tone: reclaimed-wood furniture, lending-library shelves, live evening music, and Hawaiian-language phrases on the walls. Rooms are uncluttered, with local art, garden, koi pond, pool, or bay views. Service is warm and unpretentious.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What defines a stay here is the sustainability ethos and the location: a genuinely values-driven base camp for the Big Island's east side, not a self-contained resort. Book it if you want character, walkable Hilo, and a clear conscience over poolside cocktails and room service. Choose a premium room with a balcony and bay view, and budget for the $25 nightly amenity fee.