Shipman House Guest Cottage, Hilo, Hawaii Island ('the Big Island')
Shipman House Guest Cottage was built in 1910 to house guests of the W. H. Shipman family at their Reed's Island home in Hilo. Long before there were hotels in Hilo, important visitors were 'put up' in the large homes. After Mr. and Mrs. Jack London stayed for 5 weeks as guests in the main house, there must've been a conversation about needing a place to put long-term guests, and the Guest Cottage was built. Sleep under the headboard of the bed Jack London slept in, while enjoying modern amenities like Free Wi-Fi , modern plumbing and nice comfortable queen beds. This National Register treasure has been lovingly restored, with many antique furnishings original to the house and the Shipman family. Your host is a Shipman descendent who welcomes you like long-lost friends, and shares with you her favorite places to visit, photograph, shop, swim or eat. You may not want to leave.
Where Interesting People Stay
Most Authentic, Historic, Romantic Accommodations
Shipman House Guest Cottage is on Reed's Island, an historic neighborhood just across a wooden bridge from Historic Downtown Hilo...and worlds away. A rainforest of bamboo, palms and mango trees separates your cottage from town and Hilo Bay, yet just a ten-minute walk takes you to restaurants, museums and the Farmers Market downtown. Hear the birds twittering and calling nearby and across the gulch below, singing for a mate or just enjoying the day. If it rains, grab one of the umbrellas and go for a walk...it's a warm rain, and could be over in minutes. You may be surprised at how raindrops sound on our huge tropical leaves!
The Shipman House Guest Cottage has 2 complete-but-separate guest rooms, which may be rented individually or together. Both rooms share a screened porch, and both are on the second level, as the ground floor in old Hawaii was for the laundry/basement. Each has its own bathroom, entrances, microwave, small refrigerator, coffee maker and tea kettle.
Shipman House Guest Cottage is ideally located for sightseeing, and your Room Binders can help you plan your stay, sharing tips on where to visit, how to get there, and where to lunch...or pick up a picnic lunch. Maunakea, Maunaloa, Rainbow and Akaka Falls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puna, hot lava viewing, black sand beaches, Waipi'o Valley, and Parker Ranch are all less than one hour from your Cottage.
Visit Hilo and be charmed. Stay at Shipman and fall in love!
