Would like recommendations of good places to stay in or near Waimea, which we plan to visit for 4-6 nights in early February when the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place. Thinking of a B&B, or perhaps a cottage or small house. This is for a senior couple who enjoy scenic drives, going to antique shops and flea markets, and relaxing in a comfortable, pleasant environment.

My favorite in Waimea is the Jacaranda Inn.

If you've never been to Waimea and are picturing a sleepy little hill town, you might be in for a shock. While it's by no means a major city, there's only one road through the area, and it's often bumper-to-bumper with traffic -- especially in the afternoons and early evenings.

Considering your list of priorities you might be better off staying in Hilo (which has some incredible antique shops, farmers markets etc), and driving in to Waimea just for the festival.

With your interests I second the suggestion about staying in Hilo, which is a little over an hour's drive from Waimea. Also you should know the Waimea cherry blossoms usually bloom in January in spite of the scheduled festival. It depends on whether the winter has been warmer and drier or the opposite. There are often at least some blossoms still on the trees, and everyone has a great time at the festival regardless. Did you know there are only around 30 trees on a small plot of land? It is called church row and has picturesque plantation style churches surrounding it set amid green rolling hills. Waimea does have 3 antique stores, last time I counted. There are no flea markets but it has a small farmers market on Saturdays, where Hilo has a large one. If you do decide to stay in or near Waima, bring warm clothes as February temperatures can go into the upper 40's at night there. In Hilo expect warm temperatures, with rain in both places, especially Hilo.

I WAS picturing a sleepy little town in the hills! Thanks for the heads-up!

Sleepy little hill town? It depends on what you are used to. It's no where near as "slow" as it was when I grew up there but, despite the traffic, it's a whole lot sleepier than where I now live in Colorado.

Yes there's lots of traffic but there still a lot of "Aloha" and little town feel.

hpl: I agree with everything except your last comment. Waimea is a perfect example of bad city planning. Building one strip mall after another has all but ruined Waimea's small town feel.

Thanks for the good replies. Don't want to stay in Hilo, but plan to drive there for a day trip. I love Upcountry Maui, and was thinking that Waimea had the same climate and atmosphere. Maybe I'd better think about moving down the hill towards the ocean. Definitely want to find some sunshine, since we are from rainy Oregon. Stayed in Kona on our only other Big Island trip, and after exploring the entire island really liked the northern end best.

How about trying this place in Honokaa?

http://www.waianuhea.com/index.html

I've not stayed there...yet! Looks lovely.

-Bill

Honokaa would be a nice compromise-alot closer to Waimea than Hilo and a couple of decent antiques stores, plus that old Hawaii feel.

Wow, that B&B does look wonderful.. definitely one to try!

The only note for Barbara is that Honokaa gets rain -- not as much as Hilo, but *much* more than the Kohala Coast.

True about more rain in Honokaa than the Kohala coast, but the weather hasn't been like it used to be for a long time. It's been sunnier and drier in those areas. Plus there are no sleepy small towns on the Kohala Coast, except Hawi, which is a bit isolated. There is the funky/charming art town of Holualoa above Kona, but people there have been complaining lately about the bleak weather, with alot of vog (volcanic fog that drifts over from the Volcano). It's like smog with sulfur. You don't experience it on the Hamakua side, but Kona and nearby areas are frequently affected by it. Hence I still think Honokaa is the best choice, with Hawi a possibility.