The Shipman House Bed & Breakfast in Hilo, Hawaii personifies the type of accommodations that provides beautiful surroundings, personal service and cultural sustainability.

I had the pleasure to stay at Shipman House for two nights this past week. Innkeepers Barbara and Gary Andersen are delightful and down to earth hosts who invite guests into their home and provide a memorable stay, accomplishing the above in three ways:

First, Shipman House has been in Barbara's family since 1901. On an island, and in a world, where cultural retention through generations is an increasingly rare thing, Shipman House has a rich history. Built in 1899, it is one of the state's few remaining Victorian mansions. W.H. Shipman bought the mansion as a surprise for his beloved wife, Mary "Mele" Kahiwaaiali`i Johnson Shipman, who wanted it so badly she could hardly stand it. Hawai`i's last queen, Lili`uokalani, and author Jack London both stayed at the house. Hilo's most photographed residence, the restored "castle" sits high on a ridge overlooking a deep gulch lined with magnificent stands of palms, bamboo and ferns.

Second, the bed and breakfast is situated on 5.5 acres which are planted with over 20 varieties of fruit trees, including numerous varieties of bananas, white pineapples, taro; and even a small coffee plantation. Fruits in season appear on the breakfast buffet, and exotic flowers from the garden grace the house and guest rooms. A stay at Shipman House includes this beautiful breakfast consisting almost entirely from fruit harvested from the property, as well as breads, smoothies and lilikoi butter made from on-site produce.

Third, Barbara and Gary obviously love their home and the eastern side of the Big Island, and enthusiastically share its beauty, history, special nooks and crannies with any and all newcomers. Keeping Hawaii's unique cultural heritage alive appears equally important. Every Wednesday night, hula is taught at Shipman House by Maile, a tradition that I was privileged to participate in. Until then, I did not realize the cultural significance of Hula. For many centuries, Hawaiians did not have a written language; folklore and history were told through the dance and stories of hula. Maile taught our small group not only the hand and dance movements which passed down these oral traditions, but she also related the beautiful mythology of the gods, goddesses and demi-gods of Hawaiian folklore.

This part of Hawai`i, so often overlooked by travelers and travel agents, has an "old Hawai`i" charm which most visitors really enjoy. Barbara and Gary are welcoming far beyond what is usually found, even in B&Bs. One morning Barbara strung fresh leis for us from flowers in her yard, while my mother was invited to play their grand piano where Queen Lili`uokalani once played. Shipman House provides an experience which allows travelers to not only stay in a gorgeous and luxurious inn, but also to learn and preserve a piece of Hawaiian culture at the same time.

For more info: You can contact Shipman House at (800) 627-8447, or by visiting their website at http://www.hilo-hawaii.com.