Exotic birds soar from palm to palm as we wind our way down the drive to the Palm Cliff House, a luxury inn located 14 miles from Hilo. Perched on the cliff’s edge 100’ above crashing surf, the plantation-style house is nestled within verdant acres of its own tranquil estate. Every room has views of the ocean below, where humpback whales and spinner dolphins frolic in the waters of Pokakumanu Bay. Waves crash on the cliffs and birdsong fills our spacious suite as I eye the two-person sunken Jacuzzi with views to the ocean, the four-poster bed and the comfy chairs on our private porch. This is the perfect way to start a vacation.