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Grand Historic Hilo House

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Grand Victorian/Colonial House
Grand Living room overlooking the river and uninhabited forest areas across.
This rare eight foot window opens to a spectacular view with an amazing river!
Wailuku river / falls running behind the Hilo House.  Just below Rainbow falls!
Large dining area opens to front lanai provides for a grand dining experience

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms6+ bathroomsSleeps 14557.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Hot tub
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Hilo, HI
  • Rainbow Falls
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪12 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Garden suite

1 Queen Bed

Orchird suite

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

Reeds Island suite

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

River King suite

1 King Bed

River Queen suite

1 Queen Bed

6 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Activity and TV rooms

Toilet · Shower only

Half Bath -- Main Level

Toilet

Room 1: King Suite

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Room 2: Queen Suite

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Room 3: Orchid Room

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Room 4: Ocean Room

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Room 5: ensuit studio

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Grand Historic Hilo House

This grand Victorian is located on prestigious Reeds Island -- a hidden jewel of Hawaii's Big Island! Situated on the Wailuku River, Reed's Island was once home to royal Hawaiian families and is only minutes from Hilo's historic downtown, Bay Front and the popular Famers Market.

Built in 1916 by the British banker Thomas Guard, the property is grand and elegant, and on the National Registry of Historic Places. The gracious living room has large sliding picture windows framing the magnificent canopy of nature across the river. A spacious dining room and family room are perfect for family gatherings. The enclosed veranda has large French windows and doors with a desk area and dining table, perfect for creative work and relaxing. The house has 4 spacious bedrooms, one office with day bed, one activity room with large screen TV, game table and day bed, and one children's room with two day beds. We have an open balcony on the second floor overlooking Hilo Bay. The kitchen is large and updated. Two washers and two dryers are in the roomy basement level.

The refined landscape garden ground has been meticulously cared for by our gardeners. Every direction offers lush green and tropical colors.

With the Wailuku River flowing in the backyard and the tropical rain forest setting covering the grounds, the Hilo House is a beautiful place for relaxation and tranquility! Enjoy the view from our newly added cabana and deck area right over the roaring river and water falls.

We are 3 minutes to historic downtown with fine dining and famous Hilo Farmers’ Market; 8 minutes to the Coconut Island and Japanese Zen Garden with ancient Hawaiian fish ponds; 12 minutes to Carlsmith and Richardson Beach with tons of fish and giant turtles for swimming and snorkeling ; 15 minutes to Hilo Airport; 20 minutes to the Akaka Falls; 4 minutes to the Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots; 40 minutes to National Volcano Park; walking distance to Waianuenue Avenue where local museums, churches, shops and a library reside.

3 surveillance cameras are installed around the exterior of the house. One camera is located over the front entrance, one over the sun-room door and the 3rd one over the driveway.

For additional guests over 2 people there is a $40 additional charge per person per night. Undeclared additional guest fee is $100 per guest per night. Merrie Monarch rates are higher.

Cleaning fee is $400
Tax totaling 17.962%
Event booking $500
Security deposit $2000

Property manager

Charlotte Dewar
Premier Host

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number GE-167-057-4080-01, TA-167-057-4080-01

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Hilo

Located in Hilo, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. Naha Stone and Lyman Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Port of Hilo and Naniloa Country Club. Mokupapapa Discovery Center and Pacific Tsunami Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Hilo, HI

What's nearby

  • Hilo Farmers Market - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 4 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Hilo Shopping Center - 5 min drive - 3.4 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 5 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Port of Hilo - 11 min drive - 6.4 km

Getting around

  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Kozmic Cones - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪L & L Drive Inn - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Puka Puka Kitchen - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Antics Pizza - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Historic Hilo House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Grand Historic Hilo House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Grand Historic Hilo House?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Grand Historic Hilo House located?

Located in Hilo, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre and within a 15-minute walk of Hamakua Heritage Corridor, Kalakaua Park and Naha Stone. St. Joseph Catholic Church and Lyman Museum are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 163 out of 171 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 171 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 171 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 171 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 171 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Doug S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hilo Family Trip
The historic home and setting is absolutely beautiful. We especially appreciated the well equipped kitchen as well as the 4 large bedrooms upstairs each with their own private bathroom and shower. The home is immaculate and the grounds well maintained. An added bonus is the view into the Wailuku Gorge and upstream to one of several waterfalls.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break
The Thomas Guard house is a gem in Hilo. The location is perfect - not in the middle of the city but close enough to walk to local restaurants. The beautiful grounds, the waterfall, the river running through the backyard, they all added to the charm. The house is beautifully decorated and immaculately clean. Charlotte has thought of all the details to make this a wonderful place to stay. It was a perfect way to unwind from an otherwise busy life.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruth K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely wonderful
This Historic home is very spacious, well kept and well supplied with everything you may neeI highly recommend staying d. Plenty of dishes, utensils and even 2 washers and dryers.The view of the waterfall in back was amazing.I highly recommend staying at the Historic Hilo House.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Valerie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious Beautiful Heritage House
Beautiful house on gorgeous grounds. Lots of space for our family holiday and super well equipped. We loved it!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

stephanie k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spacious house
Stayed with extended family for multiple days/nights. Plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms, and gathering places. Beautiful setting. Kitchen was stocked well with all the pots, pans, and cooking utensils that we needed. Thanks for providing such a lovely location to stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing House
I cannot overstate how beautiful this property is. The house is a historical home chock full of nooks and crannies to explore and it is set on the most beautiful piece of land. Sitting in the great room with a cup of coffee looking out into the trees was like a dream. Our host, Charlotte was so kind, easy to communicate with, and very gracious. We appreciated her hospitality. Thanks Charlotte!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hilo
This historic house is set in a lush tropical paradise. The grounds are meticulously maintained and next to a beautiful river. The location is a short walk into Hilo. The house is spacious and we enjoyed sitting on the front porch and near the river. The house was clean and beautifully decorated. Charolette was a welcoming host who communicated before and during our stay. The Hilo location allowed us to see the sites on this side of the island (including two trips to see the volcano erupting at the national park) without spending all day in the car. We are lucky to have found this gem for our three night stay in Hilo!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

James Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A relaxing family vacation.
Beautiful, roomy, well appointed, historical home. What a great dining room table to eat and talk with family.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Timothy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Convention
enjoyed the property very much. the location and historical value much appreciated
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gracious large and spacious house
The Thomas Guard house made it a memorable stay in Hilo, where we came for a special family celebration. There are four large upstairs bedrooms, plus one off the dining room and two on the lower floor where the children in our group slept. The large, open living room with its picture window was a magnet for everyone to be together. The entire house is welcoming and gracious, the kitchen is well outfitted, and the dining room is large and comfortable. Everyone was happy to be together in this very special place.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely home
A wonderful place for a large family gathering. You will find everything you need plus a very helpful host! We would return if in Hilo again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and beautiful family getaway
This home is a beautiful and elegant place to spend time with family! Lots of space and many areas to congregate. The location by the river is truly special. Charlotte was a very communicative host and I would highly reccommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spectacular Histric Home
One cannot say enough about the beauty of this home and its setting. There was plenty of room for our family of 7 adults and 6 children. The enormous, well appointed kitchen had everything we needed to make meals, and the dining room was large enough to accommodate us all.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Esther L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful and Charming
This house is beautiful and Charlotte is a great host. The only thing we were confused by was the Jacuzzi amenity listed. Unless we missed something, it’s a Jacuzzi tub in one of the bedrooms. Each bedroom is beautifully set up and has its own bathroom. The outdoor deck is dreamy and the sound of the water is heavenly. I would highly recommend staying in this peaceful historic home in Hilo.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic classic Hilo home
We enjoyed every minute in this lovely, historic Hilo home in a quiet neighborhood close to town. The house is a step back in time. The rooms are spacious. The home is very well-outfitted with everything you might need from dishes to boogie boards. There is enough space for a three generation family to spread out and relax. Mahalo to Charlotte for the opportunity to stay in this treasure of a home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronnie T L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Hilo Getaway
We had a great time celebrating my mother’s 60th at this gorgeous property. It is within walking distance of downtown Hilo itself and an easy drive to the islands best sites. We would definitely stay again if we ever find ourself in Hilo!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Hilo Getaway
Beautiful historic house in Hilo--out of the way of the bustle and next to a river, this home was really relaxing. Be aware that you experience the whole of Hilo weather as the house is not air conditioned. The owner provided lots of fans and the ceiling fans and windows provided lovely breezes.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Week long family stay
15 adults and teens stayed in the house. We had a great time.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful historic home
We loved our stay here. The home is very well stocked with extra towels and beach gear as well as plenty of dishes for cooking and a great gas grill under an outdoor gazebo. It is well located to all of downtown Hilo. It was a great homebase for trips to volcanoes national Park, Mayna kea, and several of the nearby waterfalls. It was built in 1916 and has no air conditioning, so be prepared for lots of open windows and outdoor noise plus early sunrise! We loved the change of pace!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patrizia F.

We had a wonderful visit in this beautiful historic home!
This was the perfect location for our family of 8 to spend Christmas! Beautiful home in a beautiful setting. We really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Edwin F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thomas Guard House in Hilo
We enjoyed the historic 1916 National Register Thomas Guard House, which has a breathtaking views of the Wailuku River and large tree canopy. The neighborhood is beautful and calm and a short, pleasant walk into the town center of Hilo.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Billie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Vacation
This property is amazing, the most beautiful home we have ever stayed in. We loved the antique and historical decor of the home. Everyone in my group of 9 couldn't stop commenting on how beautiful and serene this home is. It is convenient to many attractions and the sheer beauty is so peaceful and relaxing. We spent every morning just sitting outside and enjoying the scenery. The host is also very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. We will definitely come back again! We all had our own room and bath, wonderful stay on the island.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

James W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house and location. Easy to deal with property manager. Would stay here again.
Could not have been better.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jane W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home, location and lovely host
We had a wonderful family vacation here. The property is beautiful inside and out. So many homey and artistic touches at this historic location. The host is very helpful and communicative.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

karen p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hilo stay
Perfect location. Home was beautiful grounds were beautiful. We had everything that we needed. Enjoyed all the information that was provided.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Charlotte Dewar

Host profile image
Graduated from Peking University with a degree in English Literature, I became an English teacher at the university. I have been living in California and Hawaii for 35 years. This exquisite property surrounded by natural wonders is our sanctuary. Tranquility, beauty and pure air calm the body and mind and uplift the soul...

Why they chose this property

This is one of the most beautiful homes on the Big Island. If you love beauty, elegance and tranquility, this is the place!

Please note we do refund 40% of the deposit if you have to cancel the booking 60 prior to arrival.

What makes this property unique

Reeds Island where the house locates is an exclusive community between two volcano rivers. Beautiful homes line the small road with kind and loving neighbors. Tropical rain forests and wildlife lie in every direction. A walk on the island is a step into natural beauty. We are ten minutes walk to historic Hilo downtown where boutique shops, galleries, restaurants and Farmers Market line the streets. Beeches, parks and Japanese garden are minutes away.

Languages:

English, Chinese (Mandarin)

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests