Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn

Huge comfortable guestrooms with free Internet. Outstanding breakfast buffet with fresh tropical fruits. Five blocks to Historic Hilo's museums, restaurants and shops. Best local advice. Short drive to world famous volcanoes and waterfalls.... more

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Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn

Here is what guests had to say...

"Great find!" 10/18/2009
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Stayed On: 10/2009

Thoughtful and knowledgeable innkeepers made for a great experience in Hilo. Breakfast was outstanding - highlighted local produce and family recipes. read more
"The Top Spot in Hilo" 9/19/2009
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Stayed On: 7/2009

My wife and I stayed at the Shipman house and it is a beautiful location. Barbara and her husband are welcoming hosts and share the history of Hawaii and their B and B. The home has been in Barbara's family for many years and Barbara and her... read more
"Shipman House" 9/13/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

I do not think that my stay in Hawaii would have been as enjoyable if I had stayed anywhere other than Shipman House. From the excellent breakfast to the comfortable room, the elements of an ideal hotel are already taken care of to the smallest... read more
"Shipman House, Hilo, Hawai'i" 8/24/2009
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Stayed On: 8/2009

Shipman House is extraordinary. Within this gorgeous home, Barbara and Gary Andersen host guests with graceful hospitality that is restorative and refreshing. Upon entry, guests are immediately greeted with the warm character of this beautifully... read more
"Hilo Heaven" 8/22/2009
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Stayed On: 7/2009

beautiful house, warm hosts, delicious breakfast. my daughters and i had a wonderful experience at this gorgeous, comfortable, hawaii victorian. the amazing antiques and the attention to detail alone made the house a living work of art. breakfast... read more
"A Beautiful Experience" 7/1/2009
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Stayed On: 6/2009

We had a wonderful time at Shipman House. Our room was exquisite and it had a beautiful, and very well equipped bathroom. Our hosts, Barbara and Gary, are extremely knowledgeable about the area and very willing to be helpful about activities in... read more
"What a discovery!" 4/25/2009
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Stayed On: 3/2009

Take an easy walk from the beachfront scenery, shops, restaurants of Hilo town. Cross a wooden bridge over rushing water, and you'll see the Shipman House Bed and Breakfast. An immaculate, perfectly restored, Victorian mansion rising above the... read more
"Superb" 4/11/2009
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Stayed On: 3/2009

It is a beautifull house, very well kept, clean. Barbara is the perfect host and makes it very pleasant to stay. She thinks about all the little things you might need, therefore nothing is missing in this B & B. Overall great !

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"What a wonderful B&B!" 4/10/2009
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Stayed On: 2/2009

We really enjoyed our one night stay at Shipman House and we appreciated all of Barbara's suggestions for dinner. My favorite experience was sitting on the porch in the rocking chair and looking out over the beautiful grounds - by far, they were... read more
"A part of local history" 10/27/2008
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Stayed On: 10/2008

We enjoyed the beautifully-restored Shipman House. Barbara and Gary were very hospitable, and their local information, recommendations, and volcano updates were very helpful.

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"Enchanting Experience" 10/27/2008
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Stayed On: 10/2008

Our lovely vintage cottage room had a huge bathroom with tiled shower built for two. We were lulled to sleep in a comfortable bed with jungle sounds in the background. Breakfast in the Big House was the best it could possibly be with dozens of... read more
"Hidden Treasure" 10/23/2008
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Stayed On: 10/2008

Shipman House is a beautiful mansion surrounded by tropical jungle. While you are close to downtown, you wouldn't know it. The atmosphere is completely relaxed. The owners are a delight. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer! read more
"Hilo Gem" 10/3/2008
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Stayed On: 9/2008

A last minute decision to spend one night in Hilo prompted us to search the internet. Having read a review, we decided to try the Shipman House. It is as it was described. A beautiful Hawaiian landmark, owned and operated by a delightful and... read more
"Beautiful B & B" 9/28/2008
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Stayed On: 9/2008

We stayed in Aunt Carrie's room which was very large and nicely decorated. Extra little touches such as embroidered bed sheets and special soaps made it so much more special. Enjoyed a fabulous breakfast of home made breads, muffins and granola.... read more
"Beautiful" 9/26/2008
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Stayed On: 9/2008

The Shipman House is a beautiful bed and breakfast with wonderful hosts! We've stayed at a fair number of bed and breakfasts but none compare! The home was impeccable and beautifully kept. We took the self guided tour and found it very... read more
"Great place to stay" 9/25/2008
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Stayed On: 11/2007

our room was great read more
"Outstanding!!!" 6/3/2008
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Stayed On: 5/2008

Staying at the Shipman House was the highlight of my entire trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. It is by far the most elegant and exquisit bed and breakfast on the island. The innkeepers, Gary and Barbara Anderson, were extremely gracious to their... read more
"AMAZING with a capital "A"" 5/21/2008
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Stayed On: 5/2008

I have read the other reviews and I absolutely agree how wonderful the hosts Barbara & Gary were. They were so imformative on things to see and do! We have an open agenda to just explore and they pointed out the best places to go in our time. It... read more
"Wonderful referral..." 5/11/2008
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Stayed On: 5/2008

Hi- We stayed at Shipman House in May, 2008, and were referred by LOCALS- that is, friends who have a house in Hawi, Hawaii. They said it was THE place to stay in Hilo, to make a completely Hawaiian vacation. It was indeed. We love history, and... read more
"A Romantic Birthday Weekend" 5/5/2008
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Stayed On: 4/2008

What a wonderful surprise when I arrived at the Shipman House. I had no idea where my husband was taking me for my birthday weekend, as we departed Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines. I was thrilled to be in such a historic and gracious home. The... read more
"Best breakfast but beware..." 3/31/2008
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Stayed On: 2/2008

The Shipman house has a lot of good and bad things. Good - Historic old house on a nice property. Owners have had it in the family for years and really care about it. Breakfasts are sumptuous and consist of home grown fruits and fresh baked... read more
Innkeeper Response
Thank you for the review. We appreciate your pointing out the "bad things", but want to assure you guests should not be surprised by any of them on arrival. About 10 years ago someone else mentioned the no-shoes-in-the-house and the no-rolling-luggage-indoors policies, so I made sure both are posted clearly on the website, in the initial email availability response, and in all confirmation letters. We want all guests to be completely aware before they commit to a reservation here. Our National Register home's original floors are all soft Douglas fir, easily marred by hard shoes, grit and rolling luggage. In Hawaii, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a home, and locals wear slip-ons. We are also very careful to inform potential guests that all rooms involve stairs, and they may have to carry their own luggage. The part about not rolling luggage indoors is underlined. Because it is so pleasant on the island's Hilo side, air conditioning is generally unnecessary, but all rooms do have ceiling or table fans, just in case. In 11 years, we have had just six guests request a television. Our website states we have no televisions, but I would be happy to add it to the email correspondence, too. Coqui frogs arrived at our end of the street about 5 years ago, bringing their nocturnal 'bird' chirping. We do provide earplugs in each guest room for those who find the frogs unpleasant, but most visitors like their song, as you did. We want to thank you for this opportunity to clarify some of our B&B's little quirks.
- Barbara Andersen (innkeeper)
"Experience Historic Hawaii at it's Best" 11/12/2007
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Stayed On: 10/2007

Shipman house is a rare jewel in B&B's. The rooms, house and grounds are impeccable. The furnishings are mostly original to the house and filled with the history of the house. Gary and Barbara are extremely warm and inviting and obviously love... read more

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Contact Information

Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn Bed and Breakfast
Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn, Hilo, HI - Inn
Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn
131 Ka`iulani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
USA
Phone: +1-808-934-8002
Fax: +1-808-934-8002
Toll-free: +1-800-627-8447
Innkeeper(s)
Gary and Barbara Andersen
Rates:
$219 - $249
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Reviews

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Read all 22 reviews
Explanation of our ratings
Review Shipman House Bed & Breakfast Inn, Hilo, HI

Photo Album

As Hilo Bay sparkles beyond the bamboo and palms, a tropical still-life of homegrown fruits welcomes you to breakfast on the lanai. Tart, juicy limes and passion fruit complement sweet, succulent papayas, rounded out by apple bananas, starfruit, and assorted local favorites. What will it be this morning? Smoothies? Muffins? Try them all, and don't miss the macadamia granola!Ocean view of Hilo Bay from Shipman House Bed and Breakfast in Hilo, Hawaii. Rainforest of palms, mangos, bamboo and ferns just below the house, historic Hilo town and Hilo Bay just beyond.
After a full day of rocking on the verandah or hiking at the volcano, fall asleep to the pitter-patter of rain or the evening sounds of our rainforest. Decorated in island woods and fabrics, your large guest room reflects the airy simplicity of Old Hawaii.Auntie Clara's Shell Room views the sunrise and moonrise, looking across a rainforest to Hilo Bay from Shipman House Bed & Breakfast in Hilo Hawaii. In the bedroom, a queen bed and a day bed, plus a clawfoot tub in the bathroom.
Hilo Hawaii bed and breakfast, the Shipman House Bed and Breakfast on historic Reed's Island, in Hilo, on Hawaii Island--the big island of Hawaii. Near Rainbow Falls and the volcano.Lili`uokalani Garden, a beautiful place to walk, is 5 minutes from Shipman House Bed and Breakfast in Hilo, Hawaii Island, the big island of Hawaii.
If these walls could talk, they would tell of visits by Queen Liliuokalani, author Jack London, even Cecil B. DeMille, who filmed "Four Frightened People" on the property. The Shipman House is like a museum, but you may touch, sit, sleep on, and play the keys of history.Discover an Ikebana arrangement of anthuriums, a 1912 Steinway Parlor Grand "B" piano, hand-rolled curved glass windows, and more on your self-guided tour of the Shipman House Bed and Breakfast in Hilo Hawaii. Guests who play are invited to tickle the same ivories played by Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Lili`uokalani, and by many of the Islands' other well-known musicians.
Rocking chairs on the Shipman House porch face Hilo Bay and the Pacific Ocean across a Hawaiian rainforest, inviting you to read a book or enjoy a cool drink.