Grand Historic Hilo House

Hilo, Hawaii
$742 avg/night
Minimum Stay 2 Nights
Bed 7

Bed

Bath 6

Bath

Home Private Vacation Home

Property Type

Sleep 14

Max Sleeps

Night 2 nights

Min Stay

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

Read More Expand
  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • BEACH

    Beach Towels On The Beach
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

    Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit No Carbon Monoxide Detector (host Has Indicated There Is No Carbon monoxide detector On The Property But There Are Gas Appliances; Consider Bringing A Portable Detector With You On The Trip) Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    7 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided Sofa Bed
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 6000 Sq Ft (557 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee/tea Maker Dishwasher Electric Kettle Microwave Oven Paper Towels Refrigerator Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Laundry Facilities Near Laundromat Washing Machine And Dryer
  • PARKING

    Car Recommended Onsite Parking Onsite Parking Options Include A Garage
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi, With Speed Of 250+ Mbps (good For 3–5 People Or Up To 10 Devices)
  • OUTDOORS

    Balcony Barbecue Grill Garden Outdoor Furniture
  • BATHROOMS

    6.5 Bathrooms Hair Dryer Shampoo Shower Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • WORKSPACES

    Desk Desk Chair Office
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    Chinese (Mandarin) English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Basketball Nearby Birdwatching Nearby Cycling Nearby Fishing Nearby Fitness Center Golf Privileges Kayaking Nearby Mountain Biking Nearby Sailing Nearby Swimming Nearby Whale Watching Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Arcade/game Room Books DVD Player Games Stereo Smart TV With Cable/satellite Service
  • LIVING SPACES

    Dining Room
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY

    Children's Books
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In The City Center In The Mountains Near A Health Or Beauty Spa Near A Hospital Near The Sea Next To A Golf Course On The River On The Waterfront
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Housekeeping (on Request) Iron/ironing Board Phone
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    If You Have Requests For Specific Accessibility Needs, Please Contact The Property Using The Information On The Reservation Confirmation Received After Booking. No Elevators Smoke-free Property Upper Floors Accessible By Stairs Only

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 14

Map Map

School District Availability

Review Review

  • Christina

    Submitted May 12, 2025

    Stayed May 8, 2025

    Everything about this property is wonderful, but the view is beyond spectacular!!

  • Grant

    Submitted Mar 10, 2022

    Stayed Mar 3, 2022

    Beautiful home and everything we needed for our trip, our group was well taken care of and we highly recommend this property.

  • Juan

    Submitted Jul 7, 2022

    Stayed Jun 21, 2022

    I absolutely love this property!!! We had a large party and it fit us all very comfortably. There is an amazing porch that we spent most of our time using. There also is an amazing window that Frames the Hawaiian landscape so beautifully. Can’t wait to come back again!

  • Jenny M.

    Submitted Apr 3, 2026

    Stayed Apr 1, 2026

    We had a lovely but too short stay at your beautiful historic home. The location was perfect and the views and seating areas overlooking the ravine and waterfall are unparalleled. There were a few uninvited creepy crawlers in the lower level that spooked some of our group and caused us to use only the upper level bedrooms but nothing unexpected in a historic home in this climate. Mahalo!

  • James H.

    Submitted Mar 8, 2026

    Stayed Mar 1, 2026

    We would have given all 5s except that when we arrived we were not met by a host. We were able to let ourselves in using the lock box key. We discovered the beds not made, trash in the rooms and on the floors, linen in piles and in the washing machine. After checking to make sure we had the correct day and time, we called Charlotte and got an immediate response. She apologized for a missed communication, and arranged for 3 housekeepers to make the beds and provide clean towels. The next day the housekeeper returned to finish cleaning. In spite of our initial dismay and confusion, it was clearly evident to us that even in its dishelved state, this property was/is unique, loved (well maintained), and worth waiting for. So we did, and we are glad that we did!

  • Bettina W.

    Submitted Feb 27, 2026

    Stayed Feb 18, 2026

    Our stay in Hilo was amazing! Charlotte was a gracious host. The home is a beautiful gem. We had our adult children with us, and we were able to spread out and spend time together without being on top of each other.

  • Terri D.

    Submitted Jan 18, 2026

    Stayed Jan 8, 2026

    Beautiful place and the host was helpful and accessible.

  • Tim G.

    Submitted Dec 16, 2025

    Stayed Nov 26, 2025

    Nice big house for my family of 10. Lots of comfort both inside and outside. Close to downtown Hilo.

  • Karen L.

    Submitted Nov 8, 2025

    Stayed Nov 1, 2025

    This house was the dream home for our family of 8 vacation! Beautifully maintained, everything we needed for family dinners, and gorgeous spots to just relax and talk. It was a joy sleeping to the sound of the river and chirping frogs. We loved gathering on the wide veranda for coffee every morning before heading out to explore Hilo!

  • Andrea D.

    Submitted Oct 9, 2025

    Stayed Oct 4, 2025

    Beautiful home and well maintained. Lovely environs and quick trip into downtown Hilo

  • Rebekah K.

    Submitted Aug 18, 2025

    Stayed Jul 29, 2025

    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.

  • Renee L.

    Submitted Aug 14, 2025

    Stayed Aug 6, 2025

    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.

  • Donna R.

    Submitted Aug 2, 2025

    Stayed Jul 27, 2025

    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

  • allen h.

    Submitted Jul 28, 2025

    Stayed Jul 20, 2025

    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!

  • Karen S.

    Submitted Jul 17, 2025

    Stayed Jul 8, 2025

    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.

  • Jenny H.

    Submitted Jul 8, 2025

    Stayed Jun 25, 2025

    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!!!

  • Sandra J.

    Submitted Jun 17, 2025

    Stayed Jun 13, 2025

    The Grand Historic Hili House was absolutely beautiful. The waterfalls in the backyard were stunning. I would love to stat there again someday.

  • Holly C.

    Submitted May 22, 2025

    Stayed May 14, 2025

    The property was simply amazing. Plenty of room and plenty of everything else we could possibly want or need.

  • Cynthia S.

    Submitted Apr 30, 2025

    Stayed Apr 23, 2025

    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!!

  • Jennifer B.

    Submitted Apr 15, 2025

    Stayed Apr 13, 2025

    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.

  • Jennifer C.

    Submitted Mar 13, 2025

    Stayed Mar 6, 2025

    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.

  • Doug S.

    Submitted Mar 9, 2025

    Stayed Feb 21, 2025

    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.

  • Ruth K.

    Submitted Jan 31, 2025

    Stayed Jan 24, 2025

    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.

  • Valerie S.

    Submitted Jan 18, 2025

    Stayed Jan 9, 2025

    Beautiful house on gorgeous grounds. Lots of space for our family holiday and super well equipped. We loved it!

  • Christy C.

    Submitted Jan 5, 2025

    Stayed Jan 1, 2025

    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!

  • Mary Y.

    Submitted Jan 3, 2025

    Stayed Dec 27, 2024

    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!

  • stephanie k.

    Submitted Dec 27, 2024

    Stayed Dec 22, 2024

    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!

  • Marian S.

    Submitted Oct 28, 2024

    Stayed Oct 24, 2024

    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.

  • James Q.

    Submitted Sep 9, 2024

    Stayed Aug 29, 2024

    Beautiful, roomy, well appointed, historical home. What a great dining room table to eat and talk with family.

  • Jean P.

    Submitted Aug 25, 2024

    Stayed Aug 17, 2024

    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.

  • Esther L.

    Submitted Aug 12, 2024

    Stayed Aug 9, 2024

    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.

  • Timothy W.

    Submitted Aug 6, 2024

    Stayed Aug 1, 2024

    enjoyed the property very much. the location and historical value much appreciated

  • Donna R.

    Submitted Jul 30, 2024

    Stayed Jul 26, 2024

    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.

Your dates are Available!

Total

Includes taxes and fees
$957+
View details