Uncle Billy's Hotel?

[KeithLee]

Yikes...did this thread got around the island fast....hehehe.
When I set up activities and tours in Kona we described the hotels in Hilo as "time honored and quaint" LOL In other words they could use a remodel badly. But you do get what you pay for.
I've heard people complain about just about every resort on the island. Bottom line on this island is if you arent paying at least $400 a night at a resort you are not staying in anyplace that isn't rather basic. I mean this from a hotel resort perspective. Not vacation rental or b&b perspective and that is just my opinion.


“They are so perpetually alarmed with the apprehensions of these and the like impending dangers, that they can neither sleep quietly in their beds, nor have any relish for the common pleasures or amusements of life.” Gulliver’s Travels

[Andrew]

PS. You're planning to stay at the King Kam in Kona because Uncle Billy's is too shabby. Now I am really Laughing Out Loud.

The proverb "Pot calling the kettle black" comes to mind.

Really now - The King Kam is just as shabby. LOL

Edited by - Andrew on 07/07/2006 22:03:14

[David M]

Lenny
Given the purpose of your trip, I have to wonder as to your hotel justification process. When my wife and I did our research trips, we spent very little time in the hotels. We'd be gone early in the AM, gone all day, back in time for a shower and a few hours sleep. We surely didn't live there- it was strictly a place to perform some basic functions - the 3 S's. Just to be funny, I tell my wife what it was costing us per hour.
I'd also agree, staying in Kona and researching the eastside is not really feasible. A 2 1/2 hour (or 100 mile) drive on BI is far more fatiguing than same trip on the east coast mainland.
JMHO

David

Ninole Resident

[Punamom]

Hi Lenny,
Hey Pioneer Girl be strong Hawaii can sometimes be two steps forward and one step back or is it one step forward and two steps back anyway we have a saying that if you can make it here 2 years your home free.
I'd love to go to Kona alot more than we do but my small ones just whine the whole way and get car sick so its just not worth the aggravation, and forget Saddle Rd. I can't even get to it because all the curvy roads make them throw up.It takes about a tank of gas round trip (@40.00 to 60.00) and the next day I'm exhausted .I know we call our roads highways but they are NOT. I've never been to Uncle Billys but the King Kam could'nt be much better and the last time we stayed there when our car broke down the beds had bed bugs in them, so gross.But if you've ever been to any of the mom and pop joints in Seaside Heights then you'll be fine at our cheaper hotels they are way better.I know you can get a very nice room in the nyc/ewr area for 100 bucks but not here sorry to say.It makes me sick anytime I've had to plunk down 100 for a crappy room so we usually stay at this fabulous campground right on the beach (Spencers) for 5 bucks a night pp.Its just hard to get the kids to leave to go shopping.
Anyway I grew up in Maryland,lived in the Caribbean for a while then moved to Pennsylvania right off rt 80(Mt.Bethel aka the sticks and boonies)and worked in Washington,NJ of course now we're in Hawaii.So I'm totally a country girl.
I have lots of neighbors from Jersey I think my street is some kind of East Coast Mecca.The only thing I miss about the East Coast is the FOOD I've even thought about flying back just to get some pizza or chinese food or indian food the seafood is even different here.There is not even one place on the whole island that sells calzones or cannoli's!!

Andrew;At my friends house in Leilani at night they told me to come listen to the ocean I said, that doesn't sound like the ocean.they said its not its the geothermal plant they just tell themselves its the sounds of the ocean lol maybe the coquis are drowning it out and your last post made me really LOL

Loretta:I love your post its so true and I had forgotten all about DEVELOPEMENTS lol
You have a gate??? I've been there tons and I've never passed a gate!!!I guess it depends what street you go down lol

[Andrew]

Punamom:

You must go to Cafe Pesto in either Hilo or Kawaihae. Try the calzones and let me know how they stack up to the East coast ones you are refering to. I think they're great but have only had them here.

Also, today on the radio I just heard of a new Indian/Pakistani restaurant that just opened up in Hilo but didn't catch the address. Anyone been there and know where it is. Be still my beating heart - I love Indian food and have been longing for one to open on the BI for years.

Edited by - Andrew on 07/07/2006 23:58:31

[Punamom]

Andrew,
So clad you asked!!! I did order the so called calzone at cafe pestos and I would compare it to a hot pocket from the freezer section at your local grocery.It was the first thing in my entire life I ever sent back to the kitchen and I've never eaten there again.The calzones on the East Coast have about 2 cups (maybe more)of steamy hot creamy ricotta cheese,mozzarella and ham baked in a sweet yeasty pizza dough thats crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside and then you dip it in pizza sauce. ARE YOU JUST TRYING TO TORTURE ME!! LOL
The stuff they call pizza dough around here is like a refrigerated biscuit yucko.
Anyway the calzone incident was so disappointing I'm afraid to try the Indian place and I heard it was not that good.I tried the Indian food a lady was selling at Makuu market but it had no taste like she did not know it was susposed to have spices in it.Anyway I've gotten quite adept at making my own ethnic favorites but its just not the same when you make it yourself.When I go out I just stick with the thai food (Nings) but even that is hit or miss lately like they have a new cook or something.

[HADave]

In 03 when we decided to make The Big Island our choice for places to grow old We chose the west side to stay because of the sand , surf and the sun which was all we could relate to at the time. We stayed in Keauhou at the K beach Resort right next door to Kahalui beach. It is funny because we checked so many places out on the east side both hotels and private rentals and just loved the rentals of Kapoho most with private hot ponds. Then came the getting down to bussiness and parting with the money. Well after the price which in most cases was 2-3 hundred more per week and double because of the security deposit. Now the security deposit, I know it is a fair assessment but should something, anything happen, in or out of your control you are at the barrel opening end of responsibility. Gave me the willies just thinking about it. Anyway staying on the west side was a matter of economics at the time little did we know just how long it would take to drive around. It really is a time thing not a mileage thing. We only went through two tanks of fuel in 13 days (Chrysler Sebring) If you have never been to The Big Island you are in for the adventure of a lifetime. For us it was an, Oh my God kind of experience, it seemed like from every new vantage point was another sureal view of something that it made driving difficult and we just had to always stop It took us 2 complete days to drive around The Island and after it was over if it wasn't for cameras and video footage we would of only remembered half of it. The sadest part was we never really saw Puna The morning of the second day and we stayed at a campground in Volcano Nat Park, we reached Keaau @ 9 am we started down 130 toward Pahoa and turned around because we were afraid of how long the northern route would take and it was raining. The bittersweet part of it all was we never spent time REALLY looking over the Puna area but we were sold the moment we touched down from the plane ride. This area that area really didn't matter as long as we both had air in our lungs and each other we could make a home anyplace there. We chose Puna first because of the abundance of rain, makes for easy growing and we are fairly self-reliant folk. Everyone makes good points but I think they all have forgotten how overwhelming the whole experience can be at first sight. As others have said you won't spend much time to speak of at your hotel choice so pick the cheapest and deal with the small stuff ..... And try to focus on the plan... Anyway good luck

HADave

[lluberesm]

ROTFL,OK, So at this point you all probably think someone as unstable and indecisive on a hotel has no business attempting a move to Hawaii! LOL You are all excellent at scarring the pants off of someone and making them realize what a disaster of a decision they have made. LOL LOL, ok, so I managed to change back to Uncle Billy's and with no penalties, I am actually getting a refund of $112.00 (GOOD OMEN?) I hope. LOL, I am really not on the verge of schizophrenia no need to be scared. LOL, Thank you (as scary as you guys are) for all the wonderful help and the pull back down to reality! hehehehe, Uncle Billy's here we come! LOL


Lenny

[lluberesm]

Hi Rebecca, Ok SEASIDE HEIGHTS (“DOWN THE SHORE” AS WE SAY IN JERSEY) How could I forget Seaside Heights! I stopped going there a couple of years ago. The crowd has changed so much its almost like spring break every summer all summer. But, yes I have stayed at “holes in the wall” at Seaside and will never ever do it again! lol, Uncle Billy's CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE WORSE THAN A HOTE/MOTEL IN SEASIDE HEIGTS!

So you have lots of neighbors from Jersey, that’s interesting. Where in the Caribbean did you live in? I visited Maryland with my husband the beginning of this spring for a weekend. Great seafood, the crab legs could not come fast enough for my hubby. We were visiting his cousin and it was a really nice and quick getaway. The streets were so clean and no Jersey smells. LOL


Lenny

[lluberesm]

Aloha Loretta,

Everyone’s opinions had some influence on my decision, but... when I realized I had caused you to post on account of the terrible mistake I had made...well...I guess you could say the people at Hawaii.com did not pick the phone up fast enough after 2 rings! Thank you so very much for your perspective on things. It was like a bucket of cold water in my face, WAKE UP! lol, I greatly appreciate it and I am sure I just saved myself a constant migraine during my research.

(Is it weird to feel sort of, kind of honored that my terrible decision made a none poster POST! , LOL,) Thank you again!

Aloha!

Lenny