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Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn

At a Glance

    Pros

  • 10-minute walk to downtown Hilo
  • historic home
  • friendly and knowledgeable local hosts

    Cons

  • not a great spot for kids

Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn Review

This bed-and-breakfast is on 5½ verdant acres on Reed's Island; the house is furnished with antique koa and period pieces, some dating from the days when Queen Liliuokalani came to tea. You'll have a choice between three rooms in the mansion—the turreted main house dating from 1899—or two rooms in a separate cottage. On Tuesday night, a hula class practices Hawaii's dances out on the lanai. Guests are invited to participate or just hang out and watch. Barbara (part of the Shipman family) and her husband Gary are friendly hosts with a vast knowledge of the area and the rest of the island. Don't miss the tropical breakfast buffet with macadamia-nut granola, special breads and muffins, and a variety of tropical fruits that are grown right on property. Barbara will even teach you how to string a lei with sweet-smelling flowers from the garden. Two-night minimum.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 131 Kaiulani St., Hilo, HI, 96720 | Map It
  • Phone: 808/934--8002; 800/627--8447
  • Website: www.hilo-hawaii.com
  • Location: Hilo

    Hotel Amenities

  • 3 rooms, 2 cottage rooms.
  • Rooms have: no a/c, no TV, Wi-Fi.
  • Rate includes breakfast.
  • Credit cards accepted.

Member Reviews

  • booklady55, from Washington, DC
    8/24/09

    The Shipman House in Hilo, Hawaii richly deserves a top rating! Innkeepers Barbara and Gary elevate hospitality to a fine art as they welcome you into their historic home. This home has welcomed author Jack London, Hawaii's last monarch Queen Lili`uokalani, as well as other dignitaries. It is no wonder: Shipman House is gracious and welcoming.
    Guest rooms are comfortable and designed for relaxation. I especially appreciated the simple décor and very clean room that we stayed in. We had a wonderful view of sunrise over the bay each morning. The bathrooms, too, are clean and private with fresh towels daily.
    Each morning we could look forward to a delightful breakfast featuring home baked bread, pastry, and fruit from the back yard garden. And what fruit! the wonderful spread included papaya, pineapple, apple bananas, figs, and mangos, among others. It is an amazing array of flavors authentic to the island. Conversation never flagged around the breakfast table: our innkeepers kept the talk flowing and all guests participated over cups of delicious hot coffee.
    Barbara and Gary happily share their knowledge of the island. They provide detailed advice about driving routes, hiking trails, and local restaurants. For guests visiting sites at night they provide flashlights, jackets, and beach mats. Hawaii could not ask for better ambassadors!
    We have stayed in Bed & Breakfasts around the US, but this was our finest experience. We enjoyed an extended vacation at Shipman House and heartily recommend it!

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
  • jodi_copeland, from Pittsburgh, PA
    8/9/09

    The Shipman House B&B is an enchanting and historic inn. Barbara and Gary have preserved the charm while adding modern conveniences, such as the beautiful en suite bathroom. Their recommendations for restaurants and sightseeing made our vacation one of our best ever. Breakfast is a feast of tropical fruits and home baked goodies. We will definitely return to the Shipman House the next time we visit The Big Island.

    Ratings details: Room: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
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