Palms Cliff House

Palms Cliff House in Honomu, Big Island, Hawaii

28-3514 Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy. 19), in Honomu, 13 mi. N of downtown Hilo, (866) 963-6076, (808) 963-6076. Hot tub.

This secluded property is situated back from the highway on a cliff overlooking Pohakumanu Bay. The luxury suites at Palms Cliff House were added off the owner’s Victorian Hawaiian Plantation-style house in 2001; each has an ocean view and private entrance. A full breakfast featuring fresh fruit from the property’s orchard —perhaps fluffy pancakes flavored with diminutive apple bananas or fresh papaya stuffed with perfectly ripe star fruit--is served on a large, draped, open-air pavilion overlooking the bay. There, pods of spinner dolphins and both humpback and pilot whales are sometimes seen, and the rare long-tailed koae’kea bird nests in the cliffs. Alternatively a continental breakfast can be brought to the room. The pleasant and efficient staff dress in atmospheric aloha wear and often don the artistic designs of local Sig Zane, who has a lovely ocean-view shop in Hilo (the owners present staff with a wearable Zane gift each Christmas).

Rooms are all immaculate and spacious, with flick-on gas fireplaces framed by antique carved Italian-white-marble mantles and king-size beds made up with soft, high-thread-count cotton sheets made in Italy just for the inn. All rooms have a private lanai, and the area is safe enough to allow keeping the sliding deck door open to the soft air and sounds of the surf even on the lower level. Ground level rooms look out to sea over big-leafed ti plants, while those on the upper level have more unobstructed views. The upstairs Paradise Views room is considered the best because of its spectacular view. Décor varies. The downstairs Orchard Suite has a tasteful tropical feel, with just a touch of whimsy in the form of a monkey clock and a floor lamp with pineapple-based lights. Rooms on the lower level are cooled adequately by ceiling fans, while those on the upper level also have the option of air conditioning. Each bathroom is tiled in a different type of shiny-smooth Italian marble. Four suites have Jacuzzis big enough for two in a raised alcove in the room, also with a view.

Honomu town--with super-casual cafes and a few boutiques--and Akaka Falls are nearby.