The Shipman House is beautiful. The hosts, Gary and Barbara, are very nice people who take good care of their guests. The house is centrally located in a pretty part of Hilo. The breakfast is delicious and full of variety (from baked goods to many kinds of tropical fruit that were was grown on the property). The hospitality at The Shipman House is superb. If you're comin for a peaceful stay in Hilo, this is your place.

We stayed at the Shipman house for just one night about two years ago (october 2010), so I am not good on the details. I just remember that Barbara took great care of us, asking for our plans for the day, and making great recommendations: we wanted to see the lava flow in the evening, and not only did she recommend a great place to have "the best" chocolate milkshake, but she also provided us with things we had not though of, such as a blanket to seat on, binoculars, and I think she even mentioned a tripod for the camera. She also recommended a great place for dinner on our way back.
For our needs, breakfast was more than sufficient, with plenty of fruit, which I am really fond of. But I usually don't eat a lot for breakfast.
We were not annoyed by the frogs. In fact, I don't really remember hearing them.

What a wonderful stay; the B&B is a hidden gem in Hilo and our only regret is not staying longer. Barbara and Gary are such wonderful hosts and from the moment you enter the House you sense peace and tranquility. Barbara's & Gary's local knowlege and advice has meant that we will leave our brief stay with you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Clearly the owners are proud of the service they offer thier guests and this shows through in the quality of the rooms, and the in-house breakfast- Wow! Healthy, tasty and home-grown.

When (not if) we return to the Big Island - we will be back to the Shipman Inn.

The rules are overwhelming! If you need to have so many "rules" for others to stay at your "home", maybe you should just have family come and stay.
Barbara is very gruff, Gary is very personable! Gary should take over more of the face to face with guest and leave the computer interface to Barbara.
Great picture of the bath tub in the brochure, but don't think you can use it after a hard day at Volcano National Park. It has a huge sign on the tap putting it off limits to guest.
If you are not learning impaired, you will feel like it on your second or third or fourth mandatory breakfast tour of the 'fruits of the Shipman property'. Nice touch on the oatmeal, but there is not enough prepared for all guest to help themselves. If you think you need more than fruit to carry you up till lunch, you need to visit Ken's on your way to your activity. The breakfast here does not carry the average person through to lunch, even with minimal activities planned. (If your response is that the county does not allow HI B&B's to serve hot breakfast, then you need to check what the competition is serving and the county ordinances, since I asked the county district supervisor!)
A/C would cut down on the amount of moisture that seeps into your luggage while it sits in your room. It would also dampen the volume of the frogs... not blaming the frogs on Shipman, but the ear plugs do not help. Several stiff drinks does help, but the drinks make it difficult to make it to breakfast on time... bracketed for the owners convenience.
The boards on the great wrap around porch (really, loved the porch) but many boards are puttied and caulked, and not fixed properly.