Convenient location, easy access to downtown -local markets and Tsunami Museum. Light (very light) continental breakfast. Loved the lobby - open, airy, and tastefully decorated. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Hotel was old and needed to be updated - but you get what you pay for.

Despite rusticness WiFi was fast and working fine! Also the room was big and we had our own refrigerator to keep food cool. Next to the hotel is a general store, which is convenient. Also, in walking distance you can find basic restaurants. Short distance to the airport.

During my visit I learned to understand what "rustic" means. Room rate is cheap but so is the room too. Continental breakfast is a joke: toast, bagel, jam, fruite, juice and coffee. Would expect more when it is "continental". An OK choice if you spend few nights in town and mainly use the room for sleeping only.

Its location on the ocean.

Rooms were not clean and the whole hotel needs to be updated. Continental breakfast should offer some cereal for families traveling with children.

My friends and I stayed at Uncle Billy's over the weekend of Oct 27/28 2012 when the "tsunami" hit. Although the the waves didn't cause any damage, the hotel still had to be evacuated. The staff at Uncle Billy's directed us to the closest evacuation center where we slept in our rental car and waited for the danger to pass. When the "all clear" message was finally given, we hurried back to the hotel (Chevy Malibu is not the ideal car to sleep three adults) where the staff quickly got everyone back into their rooms. Although it was frustrating to be forced out of the hotel from 9:30pm-1:30am (by the mayor, not the hotel staff) the staff were quick to get us squared away upon our return (we were in bed by 2am) and they didn't charge us for that night!

Our room had a very strong odor of mildew, possibly emanating from the large mysterious wet spot on the carpet in the corner. The bathroom also had mildew stains on the walls/ceiling/tiles. The towels were thin/cheap and the sheets were so thin you could see through them but both were totally acceptable and the room was huge (two double beds, a full sized table with two chairs, full sized couch, vanity, table with mini-fridge, and a full-sized armoire)!

ease of use and front counter staff

parking and parking lot

Basic and relatively cheap with little in the way of extras that would otherwise make it much more expensive

Hotel is looking fairly tired and is in need of major refurbishment - costs would need to rise to meet modern standards

Friendly staff and beautiful island atmosphere.

The noisy frogs.

We only stayed here one night on our honeymoon trip around Hawaii. It was cheap and cheerful with very friendly and welcoming staff and was great for a stopover.

The decor needs some updating...and the Coqui frogs could drive you nuts at night so bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper!

The place is quite cosy for a budget hotel. I like that the windows open wide with fly-screens, there's balconies overlooking a lush tropical garden and ponds that attract large numbers of frogs that sing through the night (a big positive for me, but might bother some).

It's hard to find a parking spot on the property and my room was a little on the dark side.

Price and location. It is probably your best choice if you want to stay in Hilo for a modest price.

Breakfast, old rooms... but fair after all.

The room was big.

The furniture is outdated. There is not much to do around the area, specially at night, everything is closed by 9.00pm!!! Our room faced the garden where the frogs are very very loud, it makes difficult sleeping. The one in Kona is cheaper and much nicer!

The rate is good and it is closer to the University of Hawaii-Hilo where the business I had to attend was held.

The constant noise or sound of the tiny frogs that are everywhere and make continuous sounds at night

Walking distance to many Hilo amenities. Has its own convenience store. Listening to lizards and frogs of a night in the ponds outside is amazing

Its old but if you want resort facilities then go to one. Matresses are old and need renewing

Location was good

Room was awful, dirty with ants

Price.. You get what you pay for. The room was actualy quite big, with a big balcony.

The birds in the trees between the rooms were so loud. The shower head kept turning off, the water would fluctuate between cold and scalding hot for no reason, the towels were made for children.