We stayed for three nights at this quaint B and B on our honeymoon. The hosts, Joanne and Sumiko were very friendly and offered lots of local knowledge. The style is eclectic and beachy, but homey and comfortable. A bit of a walk from the downtown attractions, which allows you to appreciate the city in a different way. Our room (the Makai Suite) had a private balcony which we enjoyed immensely, and a spacious room to spread out. The meals in the morning always provided more than enough food, and a charming chat with the hosts and other guests. It was a great start to our 10-day stay in Hawaii.

I stayed at Diamond Head for two night. Hosts Joanne and Sumiko were welcoming and helpful. I arrived there quite early in the morning; Joanne offered me breakfast and allowed me to check in much earlier than I had expected. Knowing I was coming in early, she had arranged the room to be cleaned the day before. Throughout my stay, both Joanne and Sumiko were extremely helpful and full of interesting and useful information about the island and things to do.

Yes, the B&B is a little worn. It's not a standard hotel. It's a private home that's been turned into a B&B. Joanne has lived here for a long time and it's reflected in the decor and furnishing. However, the room (the Princess Ruth) was huge, and the lanai large and private. The furnishing have seen better days, but personally I felt the size, privacy, and quiet made up for it. It's not a place to stay for travelers who want lots of amenities or need many special accommodations. It's about a 15 minute walk to Waikiki Beach, but there is a bus stop relatively close (I didn't try it). The birds will wake you up in the morning, which I enjoyed. Something to keep in mind is that the two rooms (not Grandpa's Apartment) are upstairs and travelers will need to carry their bags up the stairs, a consideration for travelers with heavy bags or bad backs. There isn't anyone to help you with that. A car would probably be helpful if you plan to see anything other than Waikiki beach or the downtown area.

During my stay, breakfast consisted of plenty of fresh fruit and bread, as well as something hot (one day eggs, one day stuffed peppers, one day fried plantains). It was all healthy and hearty. Joanne joins guests for breakfast and is full of suggestions of places to visit, based on travelers' preferences. Sumiko was kind and helpful to me.

Overall, this was one of the quirkier travel experiences I've had; however, once I got over my initial surprise and took the experience for what it was, I enjoyed it. I recommend it for travelers who are looking for a slightly offbeat experience and don't mind sacrificing a little privacy for a more personal view of Hawaii.

For anyone who embraces opportunities to experience a town as a resident, rather than a tourist, this bed and breakfast is a great find. Joanne and Sumiko were very welcoming and the room was huge and comfortable. I awoke to a chorus of different birds and a view of Diamond Head from my bed. Breakfast each morning gave my husband and I had opportunity to try some local specialties and produce, such as apple bananas and scones from the Diamond Head Market. My days there were a nice contrast to the previous week at a hotel in Waikiki.

We LOVED our stay at the Diamond Bed and Breakfast. Other reviewers who didn't like this place were probably reacting to the somewhat "quirky" style of the proprietress, her family, or her elderly assistant, the sassy but charming Sumiko. For us, all of those mentioned only added to the incredibly charm of this place.
On every point, this place was off the charts for us, starting with the huge comfortable room (complete with bedroom, living room, and bathroom) provided for just $130 a night. Unlike some other places we stayed in Hawaii, this place was very quiet, because of its location in an upscale neighborhood at the foot of Diamond Head. The only noise was the sound of tropical birds in the morning -- a wonderful way to awaken to a new day! (I DON'T mean the roosters who are such a pest in Maui and Kauai -- there were none around.)
This is truly a bed and breakfast in the classic sense, with breakfast included in the very reasonable price of the room. And the breakfasts, prepared by the hostess and her assistant, were superb. More food was provided than we could possibly eat -- all fresh and well prepared. We ate together with the other guests, all of whom were long time patrons of this place, back for their third or fourth visit. That alone should certainly constitute a strong recommendation to anyone seeking a bed and breakfast place in Honolulu. The guests were also very congenial -- we actually made friends with one couple and met them on Maui later in our trip!
The house itself is situated in a beautifully landscaped garden at the end of a cul de sac. There was ample free parking. Also, it was well located for access to Waikiki, the beach, and the H1 freeway.
In conclusion, my only regret about this place is that I hadn't stayed there before now.