We just got back (1/14/07) from a trip to Hilo and would not recommend staying here. Being a Hawaii resident, I could tell from the parking lot that it appears that the majority of the parking stalls were occupied by residents and not visitors (very few rental cars). Although I did not ask or was told, I suspect that this property resembles a condotel (vacation rentals and residential units).
Being an experienced traveler I read the TripAdvisor reviews and the reviews identified some concerns. So, I decided to call the property directly and after speaking to a reservations employee, she assurred me that the units had all been renovated within the last year (not so); the property was a safe place and security patrolled the area at night (to me, this is a scary place at night); parking was generally not a problem - there was a bar/nightclub downstairs and that it may affect parking in the evening (loud music and people arguing in the parking lot could be clearly heard and there was no onsite parking available).
Although Banyan Drive is a prime location, there are no newly renovated accomodations (Hilo Hawaiian is okay, but I suspect the last renovation was sometime in the 80's). Today, I read in the Hilo newspaper that in the Spring of this year, the former Naniloa Hotel (now the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort) will open and have a limited number of rooms available initially and then more will become available as the renovation is completed...I can't wait. I know they will be pricey, but perhaps worth it.
I wanted to share this info so that travelers would not be disappointed with their Hilo lodging. As another reviewer indicated, contact the Hilo Police about the incidents at this property. Lastly, don't believe what the employees tell you.

Good place to stay.Nice view from hour room. Clean.I would go back NOV 30 -DEC2

Yes, this is a budget hotel. Yes, the elevators are slow. Yes, the hallways are a little intimidating.

My honey and I needed a place to stay for one night. I'm a local, but I didn't know much about Hilo Hotels. So I went on Trip Advisor and selected the hotel with the most decent rating, the negative comments being older than all the postive new ones, at a price we were willing to afford.

Upon entering the hotel, I was shocked. It was pretty small and drab. After we got our room key we waited a good minute for the ancient elevator (there aren't more than 8 floors, where was it?). The walk down the long corridoor was kinda scarry.

Key in the door, I grimaced before I even looked....but SURPRISE!!! What a quaint little room! The decoration was a little tacky, but not in the huge-hibuscus flowers, just like a little too-decorated. But it was very nice! I felt like I wasn't at a hotel. The room didn't have the feeling that tons of people had come and gone. It just felt like I was crashing in a friend's guest room. Cozy and Quaint! Quite ideal for a snugglily evening.

We got an ocean-view room, facing the sea, over-looking the pool. The sunrise was beautiful from our room on the 4th floor.

I reccommed this hotel. It is cheap and very decent. All though the lobby and hallways are a bit intimidating, your personal room should be very nice.

my family and i wanted to move to hawaii, we looked through the tribune in hilo via the internet and saw an add for hilos most elegant pent house. it looked to good to be true, we called any way. after finding out where it was we checked traveladvisor and seen three reveiws all of which refered to this horible place where noise from a bar down stairs and the fights, people stealing cars out of the parking lot just really scarry reveiws. i called the hotel and was assured by the staff this was false, i then called the hilo police dept. and asked about the address in ?, and was told that the police are called every night. our desire to move to the island was so powerful that we threw caution to the wind and went anyway, with our 6 and 1 year old in tow. we arrived at 10:05 pm and made our way to the country club hotel which was 4min from airport. there was a guy walking around which i thought from reveiws, he was caseing cars to steal, it turns out the guy was the security guard whom patrols the lot and keeps u safe!! the nite we arrived i was so intimedated by the reveiws i had read i was scared. in the morning, we feel in love with where we stayed. the room was everything it had said in the paper, it had just been refurbished, all marble, new everything, the room was on the 6th floor in the rear, and the veiw from the balcony was absolutly incredible, all the pics i posted were taken from the balcony. the staff were incredible. if u are a millionaire and looking for 5 star go to kona, if u are a realistic person whom knows the effects of salt air on a building, and is looking for a laid back real hawaii feel then go to hilo it is unspoiled and has everything one needs to be in paradise. if u are lucky enough to get a place at the hilo country club hotel, they do have long term rentals also, u will love life. if u are in need of a long term rental, look in the hilo tribune, in the classifieds under rentals and u will find the add for hilos most ellegent penthouse and call the #. i can not say enough about this place, we never heard any noise i took walks down stairs at night and never saw rowdy drunks, i got warm feelings from everyone i met. if u like to party the bar is great. the reveiws written about how bad it is are completely false and in my opinion are probebly someone who did not get there way with some rediculouse request, u know the type. enjoy our pics all from the balcony.