Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel is, well, clean I guess, well, sort of clean, actually it isn't really very nice, but you can't beat the rate. ($63 a night) Even though most people may consider this place "a dive", it does have a certain Hawaiian charm. (Especially after you have a few Hilo Mehana Brews in the bar.)

This is a view of the center courtyard. If you get a room facing the center, you'll get to hear the squawking birds in the morning.

Carroll is smiling because she is about to have dinner and see a "free Hula show". Actually the dinner here was pretty good. Very reasonable and the Ono was excellent.

This was our "ocean view". Where else can you get such a spectacular view for only $63 a night? (What the picture doesn't show is the roof of the hotel next door which wasn't all that appealing.)

Another view of Hilo Bay.

This was our luxuriously appointed room. (We never did find the terry bath robes)