First, massive thanks to Marlene for offering a clean and welcoming environment. The apartment is located just a short drive from many of the major attractions in Hilo. The apartment is perfect for travelers on a budget that will spend most of their time exploring Hilo and the surrounding natural wonders.
The apartment was clean with all the accommodations that one would need and presented as described. The furnishings are adequate but modest. I’d recommend using the pullout bed as it was more comfortable than the bed in the bedroom.
Hilo is a jungle and as such is hot and muggy, without AC, staying cool in an apartment can be a challenge. The first night it was a bit difficult to sleep because of the heat. By the second night we determined a better strategy to keep cool, by sleeping in the main living area with the lanai door closed and the fans set up to direct airflow out the side of the building.
There was minor renovation work in the complex which caused some uncomfortable noise during the morning hours but I would not expect this to be an issue for most times or travelers. Marlene was very accommodating given our above issues.
Another reviewer noted some issues with the front door lock, I can confirm that this has been updated with a very convenient keypad lock that is safe and automatically locks.
Overall, my wife and I enjoyed staying here for a few nights to experience Hilo.