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Displaying Reviews:
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Strangely sinister atmosphere, November 2, 2007
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Reviewer: bentoland from japan
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Pros:
Location, price
Cons:
Staff attitude, atmosphere
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bentoland
saw things this way
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Just back from an amazing backpack of Pacific. This was worst hostel experienced. As with all, they have rules but pay close attention as rules are many, varied, and strictly enforced. You are under constant surveillance here. General feeling was an "us against them" mentality. Very strange. Price was was ok, and the location was really good. Swim beaches were close enough to walk. Bikes on offer, although it rained so I didn't try. Everything will be a charge here, which not true at most others I tried. Booked the lava hike, even though it was very clearly explained that there is no lava seen but still seemed like good price and experience. But driver/guide was only 16 y/o! I can't believe it legal for guide of tours to be a minor as it didn't feel safe. Tried to cancel on these grounds, but told of cancel policy. Still didn't go and was told by mgmt that they provided the tour, and I was required to pay. It was not their fault that I wasn't literate to know cancel policy. I still cannot believe guide can be 16.
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3 of
3 people found this review helpful
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warning, January 16, 2007
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Reviewer: hulanut from US
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Pros:
none
Cons:
had an accident on their lava tour
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hulanut
saw things this way
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I had an accident on their lava tour at Volcano National Park ran by Arnott's Lodge. Halfway into crossing the seven layers of cracks, employees from Arnott Lodge had fought with federal park rangers. Apparantly this tour was not safe. When my leg broke on the mountain, there was no radio help. Our cell phones did not work. Arnott Lodge did not have any safety precautions. I had to be helicoptered out of the mountain.
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10 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Keep expectations low and keep clear of Doug Arnott, October 15, 2006
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Reviewer: scootercali from Cali, Columbia
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Pros:
Free bikes, Mauna Kea tour, ocean-side location
Cons:
Staff attitude, noise, Lava Viewing tour, Doug Arnott
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scootercali
saw things this way
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Maintenance
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I will NEVER recommend a stay at Arnott's. It's too bad, really, as it looks like it may have been a cool, concept some time ago. I was instructed to call at arrival for a free shuttle, which never came. After waiting over an hour, I took a cab with another couple also waiting for the shuttle. At check in there was no explanation about the shuttle or apology. My deluxe accomodations were fine, pretty much as advertised, clean but plain. The "luxury" bath was a joke, really run down cheap apartment style that probably was totally adequate 15 years ago. But I was happy to have my own private bath, and expected nothing more, the "luxury" hyperbole notwithstanding. I borrowed a bike and headed into Hilo. I thought Hilo was really cool, tons of history, great museums (Tsunami and Lyman are two) and VERY friendly people. I definitely recommend Hilo. I joined the Mauna Kea tour through Arnott's the next day. The guide was excellent. It was pretty bare-bones, with nothing provided and travel in a really old Ford van, and I wouldn't do it if I was traveling in a group as you can rent a 4x4 from Harper's across the street and go to the summit for less money per person. But traveling alone, the cost was about the same, and the guide was great. You just go to the summit, not into an observtory or anything. The next day I joined the Lava Viewing Adventure. The guide was terrible. Almost zero commentary on the 1 hour drive to the volcano and very little during the drive through the Park to the lava. When we got to the trailhead, there were a couple of groups going together. I was expecting a 3 mile hike to the lava (as Arnott's had advised), but I came across someone who had fallen and was bleeding pretty badly from the knee. Our guides were nowhere in sight, so I used my handkerchief as a bandage and told him to wait while I looked for a guide. The guide I found said to tell the guy to head back to the van, that he was too busy and could do nothing. Plus he didn't have any first aid with him. I got back to the guy and helped him to the van, found first aid and dressed his wound. The guide thanked me when the group returned as they were trying really hard to keep track of everyone in their groups since they've LOST some people on the lava recently! I was totally shocked, but the guide just kind of chuckled and said people were always wandering off and couldn't be found. They even lost someone from a cruise ship who had to be put up at the lodge and then flown to meet up with the ship! I told the guide that I was really disappointed that I had to care for this guy and not see the lava. The guide told me that there weren't any surface breaks anyway, so I didn't miss anything but a really long hot walk. The drive back to Hilo had no commentary, but the guide did put on the radio so we at least had some Hawaiian music. We returned to the lodge where I was directed to Doug Arnott for a refund on the tour. Doug told me that it was my decision not to finish the hike and stay to help the guy, that I did go on the tour and I was not getting a refund as the van used gas to drive me to the volcano, he paid my entrance fee to the park, and I probably drank a water. I pressed him, but he just told me that if I didn't like it and continued to "whine" about it, I could leave immediately and find other accomodations. So, I did. Hilo Bay Hostel had space, and it was a totally different environment. It was right in the heart of the historic part of downtown Hilo, very clean with double beds. At the start, I found Arnott's to be totally reasonable as I felt that I knew what to expect. but it seems like if something does go wrong, and you need a solution or resolution, then you're labeled some kind of "troublemaker" and totally dismissed. And that obviously comes right from the very top, Doug Arnott. Doug and the tour experience ruined what was a really pleasant stay at Arnott's. Especially as I found that prices at Hilo Bay are cheaper than Arnott's!
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25 of
26 people found this review helpful
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