The Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast is located in Hilo, Hawaii, just a few miles off the coast of northeastern Hawaii (island). The bed and breakfast has three guest rooms and access to a variety of amenities, including refrigerator access, tea/coffee, umbrellas, beach towels, and free parking. The property is most known for its breakfasts, which involve homemade bread, locally grown fruit, and smoothies. Lory Hunter, the owner of the property, converted the home into a bed and breakfast in the year 2000 and has been updating and taking care of it ever since.
As its name suggests, the Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast is situated on the largest of Hawaii's islands: Hawai'i. The home is a two-story building made up of mostly white materials. It provides a stark contrast to the green trees (many of which are palms) and bushes which surround the property. A unique feature of the grounds at Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast are the dozens of fruit types that grow there. There are three rooms in the bed and breakfast: the Hawaiian Room, the Sunrise Room, and the Bamboo Room. Each of the three guest rooms is located on the first floor of the property, tucked into the back end of the building. There are private entrances and private bathrooms for each of the three units. The general white colors of the home are accented in the rooms by soft pastel colors and light wooden frames/flooring. The Hawaiian Room is somewhat larger than its two neighboring rooms, allowing for four guests to stay in the unit before it is overcrowded. Additionally, the Hawaiian Room is the only guest room with a full bathroom (including a soaking tub and separate shower). Generally, however, there are a few amenities that are included in each room. Some examples of these are alarm clocks, free WiFi, and hair dryers.
There are other property-wide features available for guests, including free parking, tea/coffee, refrigerator/microwave access, umbrellas, beach towels, and dishes upon request. Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast borders the Wailuku River to the north, which has a small waterfall within walking distance of the property. The inn is particularly known for its breakfasts, which is described as a "served continental breakfast." The food at breakfast involves two kinds of homemade bread, various types of locally-grown fruit, and fruit smoothies. There is an assortment of seating areas, common rooms, and other locations for guests to explore on the property. Nearby attractions include seeing the Volcano National Park and other nearby lava flows, in addition to more traditional beach activities.
The atmosphere which is strived for at Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast includes quiet and relaxing memories, as well as the traditional Hawaiian culture for which the bed and breakfast is named. The decorations and style of the property are designed to inspire feelings of relaxation and cleanliness. Lory Hunter, who owns Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast, explains that one of her biggest goals is for guests to feel at peace when they are at her property.
The bed and breakfast specifically caters to adults, prohibiting pets and small children that might disrupt the experience for other guests. Most of the people who visit the property are in the area to go on hikes or see different elements of nature. Lory explains that "people don't normally hang out here," referring to the bed and breakfast itself. The city of Hilo typically draws in tourists who are trying to experience the more adventurous side of Hawaii instead of merely relaxing on the beach. In an average year, the Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast has normal occupancy rates of around 70-75%. There isn't a season that has significantly higher occupancy than another, though Lory has noticed that guests book out rooms in advance much more in January, February, and March than they do during the rest of the year. The property is open year-round. Guests have spoken favorably of the property in praising the breakfast and general cleanliness. They have also said things such as "it looks just like the pictures," which has become something for which Lory is proud. One guest said, "We really enjoyed our stay. The location is amazing with its lush backyard, palm trees, and river. Host very welcoming, Very good communication, well organized, and spotlessly clean. Good breakfast with fresh fruits from the garden and muffins, banana bread, etc., were delicious."
The Old Hawaiian Bed and Breakfast was first constructed in the 1930s and eventually became a boarding house in the 1970s. It wasn't until 2000 that the building was converted into a bed and breakfast by a woman named Lory Hunter. She got into the business because, as she explains, her family background was a collection of "Martha Stewart wannabes." She always said to herself, "I can do that." Additionally, she thinks that it is easier to create a job in Hawaii than to find one. The lodging industry in Hawaii makes it so that advertising costs for the property are relatively low.
1492 Wailuku Drive
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Lory Hunter
