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Grand Historic Hilo House

Photo gallery for Grand Historic Hilo House

Exterior
5 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Terrace/patio
Interior
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms7 bathroomsSleeps 14557 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Hilo, HI
  • Hilo Farmers Market
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Rainbow Falls
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Port of Hilo
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Hilo, HI (ITO-Hilo Intl.)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

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About the area

Hilo

With a stay at this vacation home, you'll be centrally located in Hilo, just a 5-minute walk from Hamakua Heritage Corridor and 11 minutes by foot from Naha Stone. .This beach vacation home is 0.6 mi (1 km) from St. Joseph Catholic Church and 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Lyman Museum.
View more Holiday homes in HiloOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Hilo Farmers Market - 3 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Rainbow Falls - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • University of Hawaii at Hilo - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Coconut Island Park - 6 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Port of Hilo - 8 min drive - 5.7 km

Getting around

  • Hilo Intl. Airport (ITO) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Kozmic Cones - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪The Temple Bar - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪New Chiang MAI Thai Cuisine - ‬15 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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
Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private balcony. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as an arcade/game room and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Charlotte Dewar

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 6.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Office

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the city centre
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the sea
  • Next to a golf course
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 6,000 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number GE-167-057-4080-01, TA-167-057-4080-01

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Hilo House Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
House Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
Hilo Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
Hilo House Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
House Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
Hilo Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home
House Exclusive Reeds Historic
The Hilo House An Exclusive Reeds Island Grand Historic Home

Grand Historic Hilo House Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 172 out of 181 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 181 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 181 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 181 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 181 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah K., Sacramento, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
The Thomas Guard house is a very special place! The setting is spectacular, with waterfall and jungle views from multiple lanais. There was plenty of space for our group of seven to spread out (including three kids and two grandmas) - everyone had their own bedroom and bathroom, which was ideal for our family. The house is beautifully and lovingly restored and well-maintained. There is no air conditioning, but each bedroom has a ceiling fan and a floor fan, so we all slept in relative comfort. It does get hot so be prepared if you have folks sensitive to heat, but the trade winds do help cool everything down. For guests with young kids, adult supervision is a must if they are outside. The beautiful river setting comes with a steep drop-off along the banks.We arrived the day of a tsunami warning. Charlotte was very kind and was very quick to answer our questions about safety and our ability to check in, which we very much appreciated.Lastly - if you are a light sleeper (or sensitive to noise) - bring ear plugs or white noise. There are lots of lovely jungle critters that are active at night. One in particular (a frog?) made a repetitive sound that kept only one of our party up (me!). Thank you to Charlotte for sharing her one-of-kind home with our family for a special Hilo vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Renee L.

Liked: Cleanliness
This house had a lot of details that made it pretty amazing. The view was fantastic. It was like living at a botanical garden with private waterfalls. I loved falling asleep to frogs and waking to birds that would sweep across the canyon throughout your stay. The house had lovely art and most rooms had their own bathroom which is pretty rare. The art in the house was really nice and you did feel like you were staying in your own mansion. We had most everything we needed and the outdoor spaces were great.For us though there were some things that kept us from fully feeling at home. You are in an older house in a tropical enviroment. The house was clean, but we were greeted by some significant bugs that come with the package. We had a group of cockroaches in the kitchen and one toilet that would come out at night and would freak out my kids. Also lots of ants. We visited in August and no AC made it hot and humid except at night and am. We spent a good portion of the day managing the heat by opening and closing windows and sometimes felt the need to leave the house to escape the heat. Also the house had more rules then typical ( like a 500 dollar fine for moving the furniture) that I am sure had reasons for them but did not have a super welcoming spirit. Of note, two of the bedrooms were in the basement which was a bit dark and musty and might not be ideal for some. Overall the place was fantastic for most... but more tropical than our family preferred.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic old Hawaii charm! A beautiful home with room for the whole family to spread out and relax. A great yard, a view of the river and waterfall, a sprawling lanai for meals and playing games. We love this house for our family trips to Hilo. Close to everything but in a quiet neighborhood. Mahalo piha Charlotte
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

allen h.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a spectacular historic house complete with historic furnishings. The host was very easy to work with, excellent communication. I would ask all guests to please respect this very special home and take extra care when you stay, you will not be disappointed. Mahalo!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
It is a beautiful and stunning home. Property is immaculate. View of the river is awesome. So many places to sit with family members, inside (huge dining table, living room, sun room) and outside (front porch, deck, bbq area). Bedrooms and bathrooms are huge and very comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenny H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Magical

I can't say enough about Charlotte and her magical house. Charlotte was a lovely host. She was very quick to respond to questions. We were two families of 4. Every single member of our group adults and teenagers alike fell instantly in love with this beautiful home. The house was amazing and the waterfall on the property provided the most amazing background and natural sleeping sounds that can ever be imagined. Every room, including kitchen and bathrooms were impeccably clean. Even with a party of 8, we were all able to find our personal space and do work, relax, sleep or just get in touch with ourselves. We would all stay here again...In fact, my husband has already been talking about another family trip. And extra extra bonus...we were close enough to Volcanoes National Park to make the several trips it took to witness an eruption of Kilauea!!! Thank you again Charlotte!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra J.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Grand Historic Hili House was absolutely beautiful. The waterfalls in the backyard were stunning. I would love to stat there again someday.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Holly C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Graduation Gathering

The property was simply amazing. Plenty of room and plenty of everything else we could possibly want or need.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything about this property is wonderful, but the view is beyond spectacular!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Historic Hilo House

Our group of 8 had a fantastic stay at this beautiful house. We were in Hilo for Merrie Monarch for the 3 days. Had a great time!!Charlotte’s home is unbelievably beautiful and very well maintained. I have nothing but great things to say about it.Mahalo Nui!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness

It was an honor to stay in a Hawaiian house on the National Register of Historic Places; fabulous!

When we first got there, we just had to look at all the amazing rooms and views and artwork; I felt it was the best place that I’ve ever stayed in Hilo. Better than any other rental and better than the Naniloa, even its highest rooms with the most ocean visibility because this place is so peaceful and no stress. It is completely private, plus it is beautiful with a view of the Wailuku River and the sound is heavenly. The living room is stunning, but the large outside balcony is where we hung out most of the time. It seemed every bedroom had a bathroom (perhaps not in the downstairs kid area; we did not have children with us, but my husband did watch TV down there). It is a 16 minute walk to Temple Bar, which has great food and drinks. Because it is so close to downtown Hilo, the location is very walkable and the walk is beautiful. I cannot recommend this house enough for people who love art and style. It also felt very comfortable. The kitchen is huge. There are so many fascinating things like the ancient sink and the servant stairway, which is right next to the main stairway. The original servant’s quarters is a beautiful day room with many-paned windows. There is only one room with a king bed, notably, the shadiest room in the house and therefore the coolest: upper north west. Upper southwest has a Jacuzzi tub that we did not use but looked inviting. This room had a better closet and a nice sitting area. It was just a joy to be in the house and on the grounds.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janalee W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Doug S.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Ruth K., Wausau, WI USA

Liked: Cleanliness

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

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

Christy C.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

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

stephanie k.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Marian S.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

James Q.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Jean P., Pennington, NJ, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

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

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

Timothy W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Convention

enjoyed the property very much. the location and historical value much appreciated
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna R.

Liked: Cleanliness

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