The unit had a beautiful cliff-top view of the surf in a tiny inlet, and many sightings of whales in the ocean. The setting and the grounds in the facility and the golf course were all very nice and well maintained. I wish that the window outside the eating space had been cleaned, but they didn't get to it until after we had left - but I didn't ask, either. We enjoyed all of our time around the island, and had several good meals in Hanalei. Actually, I can't think of any reason why I couldn't give this unit 5 stars, the unit and the facility were all very nice.
Tom C., Augusta, MI, 2.6.12
This property is first class. Everything is top shelf in the units and the location is wonderful. The beach is not really swimmable but that is the case with most properties on Kauai.
William W., Palatine, IL, 2.2.12
The part of my trip I would definately recommend is the Inter Island "doors off" helicopter ride. It was amazing. We also enjoyed the Kauai Photo Tour. Watching whales from the living room of this house was incredible
Lynn L., Midland, TX, 1.27.12
The view was fabulous.. the condo is well-equipped but bit outdated in terms of furnishings. This complex is listed as having air-conditioning-- that is not the case. Angela in the Princeville office was outstanding.. mahalo! Looking forward to coming back soon!
Joy G., Dayton, OH, 1.27.12
Waipouli Luxury Condos was wonderful for our vacation. We rented unit C-301 and it was wonderful. The only down fall for this unit is the road noise heard when leaving the screen doors open overnight. Road noise starts about 6:00AM. However that did not distract from a perfect vacation and we loved the rental unit. It was clean, definite quality and affordable. We found the Wahoo to be our favorite. We tried eating at the Oasis Restaurant right at the complex but the food was terrible. In fact it was worse than terrible. We tried twice to be sure we just didn't have a bad night. We will definitely tell friends about this accommodation and we will be back again ourselves. Thank you so very much for making our reservations and introducing us to a wonderful place.
Bob B., Dundee, OR, 1.25.12
The location is excellent for access to the best of poipu. The trail just outside the apartment leads to beautiful rocky cliffs where whale watching, turtle watching and sunset viewing are spectacular. The apartment itself is comfortable. Negatives are early morning noise from hikers on the trail and the parking lot just adjacent to the apartment (it is on the end of the building - but this means more windows which provides a great cross breeze). The pool and spa are not incredible but are nice. There is also a tennis court and the apartment has rackets, boogie boards and some snorkle supplies as well as cooler. Brenneke's is great for afternoon and later evening happy hour and is a short walk. The Hyatt and Sheraton are also short walks along the beaches for dinner or lunch. We ate at the apartment most of the time and enjoyed sitting on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Waimiea canyon and the northshore - kayaking, hiking, botanical gardens and Na Pali coast were favorites. Tubing was ok - fun but not worth the money. Smith's luau was nice, food mediocre and entertainment amateur but it was also huge and if you want a more intimate experience, recommend one of the smaller companies. Smith's did have lovely gardens but there was little time to really enjoy them.
Lea D., Newberg, OR, 1.19.12
The home was well-equipped, clean and comfortable. The area was quiet and set apart. Loved being on the beach -- calm waters, good snorkeling, great views of breaching whales. If one is looking for a remote location, this is it. No cell service and the land line at the house was unreliable. But the WIFI worked for searching online. If you'd rather stay closer to the "thick of things", like more of an urban or community setting, note that this was is well-off the beaten path; e.g., a trip for groceries was a 10-15 min drive. Nice amenities and great response from owner about what was available to us.
Rodney D., San Mateo, HI, 1.18.12
Well appointed house in a great location. We loved watching the turtles and whales from our porch each day. Good restaurants, beaches and snorkeling areas were just a short walk away. The house was larger than expected and roomy enough for 6 people to comfortably stay. Rental agents were courteous and helpful with questions. We will definitely try to stay here again when we are back on the island.
Valarie and Lonnie C., Fredericksburg, Texas, 1.16.12
The pictures of the home online do not do it justice! What a beautiful home in the perfect location. We had a party of 10 and there were things for everyone. Beach items for the young and old, including coolers (thinking those would be purchased upon arrival) enjoying the sunrise on the lanai while watching the folders was a pleasant start to the day! Safe neighborhood made us feel at ease having small children. The house was stocked with everything we needed to cook as well. Absolutely nothing bad to say about our stay...will certainly recommend to friends and family! Thanks for the great time and memories!!
Shaney B., Rapid City, SD, 1.14.12
We stayed at this home with two other families and it was great. There was plenty of room to have your own space, while at the same time enjoy each others company in the living/dining room area. The beds were comfy and the location in poipu is great. There was also upstairs and downstairs laundry so no one was ever fighting over washing clothes. Overall a great house to hang out in and enjoy each others company.
Chris M., San jose, Ca, 1.10.12
The spectacular view and proximity to the ocean was amazing. The pool and its amenities were great as well. The accommodations of our condo were good too. The only complaint we might have is that the oceanview bar employees were not the friendliest and at times a bit rude to my daughters, who were of legal drinking age and were not treated with respect. The staff of the resort were helpful, friendly and accommodating. Thank you for offering this condo to us for our Christmas vacation.
Elizabeth T., Sparks, NV, 1.4.12
My family and I loved staying at this condo. It was spacious, well furnished, had fun art and well stocked kitchen. We loved all of the books on Kauai and restaurant recommendations. It was great to have the use of the 2 beach chairs, boogie boards and snorkle masks. We rented fins for a small fee in the nearby town. We had an amazing meal at The Tavern at the Princeville Golf Course and highly recommend it to everyone that visits. The calamari appetizer was the best I've ever had and their Tavern Pie was incredible.
We really enjoyed the pool and hot tub at the condo. It was nice that it isn't a large complex so we had the pool and hot tub to ourselves a couple of times. We visited the week after Christmas and had beautiful weather. We loved being just a short drive from Hanalei with its charming shops, restaurants, and huge beach. We rented kayaks and stand-up paddle boards from Kayak Kauai in Hanalei and their staff were very helpful. My husband and 2 kids loved paddling up the gentle river.
Kate N., Sherwood, OR, 1.3.12
The unit was clean, spacious, and the entry instructions easy to follow. We had a terrific view of the north shore deep water that enabled us to do whale watching over coffee in the morning. While we enjoyed the north shore immensely, getting to the western part of the island is time consuming--but that's what you get with Kauai. All the more reason to go back and stay in another section of the island to explore some more! Restaurants not to miss: Kiluea Fish Market, The Eastside in Kapaa, Lighthouse Bistro in Kiluea. Piece of advice I wish I had had before the trip: the red dirt stains EVERYTHING, so if you're going hiking, bring dark colored clothing that you don't mind soiling.
My only complaint had to do with the internet service--not easy. There were two similarly named accesses and the other one kept coming up on all of our devices. It took a couple of calls to resolve--and then only our computers would link, not our iPhones. Being that we arrived on a holiday Friday afternoon, we didn't get this resolved until Tuesday. A nuisance that could be avoided with either a better router or better instructions.
Susan G., Wynnewood, PA, 1.3.12
The location of the Ocean Cliffs home was wonderful - close to a secluded beach, and one of the best hotels in the area. It was close to great activities - and to the Hanalei beach action as well. The ocean waves crash close to the home and provide a wonderful soundtrack to the vacation. We had a group of young people and kids - so the decor, although sparse - was good for that kind of group. There was little worry that young kids could do any damage. We had plenty of space for our group - and while we had plenty of time together - also enjoyed our privacy.
There should have been better instructions provided at the house, so that phone calls to the caretakers were not necessary. More than one house key would also have been helpful. The basics, like salt/pepper/etc. should also be provided. Wireless access should also be made available.
Charles R., Laguna Hills, Ca, 1.2.12
This fantastic rental home was perfect for our family of five adults. The house itself is beautiful example of casual yet sophisticated Hawaiian charm. It has great Feng Sh way. The quiet location was great for vacation sleeping and the walk to the beach was just right for our exercise oriented family. We give it an A+. Thanks!
Maureen D., Milton, MA, 1.2.12
Staying at Plantations 121 was wonderful. Previous reviews noted that this unit overlooks the road. While this is true, we realized that we preferred an 'outward' facing unit that had beautiful views rather than a unit that looks over other condos or the pool. Living on the road meant shutting the windows at night to cut the noise, but awaking to great views of the sunrise over the mountains. The home is well equipped and we used the beach towels, cooler, and chairs every day. We would gladly choose this unit again.
Kurt T., Santa Rosa, CA, 1.2.12
This property provided a very comfortable home for our family's two week vacation over the Christmas and New Years 2011 holiday season. It's only been two weeks and I still miss waking up and falling asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing. This home is right on the water and in such a fantastic location. We have visited Poipu many times but have never ventured to this end of the community. The property is within short walking distance to the Spouting Horn (which you can see spouting in full view from the home's lanai. the botanical gardens and a great shopping center with many restaurant choices. It's a short drive to the Hyatt and the great hikes around that area. It's in proximity to many terrific spots. Enough about the location. The house itself offers plenty of room and a fully equipped kitchen, magnificent bathrooms (the master bathroom's shower is as big as my walk-in closet at home!), a cabinet full of every game you can think of, an underground rec-room which contains a ping-pong table, croquet set, boogie boards and lots of snorkle gear. There are three bicycles in the garage that we didn't use (unfortunately, they were all mens' bikes). All in all, we loved the house and the lanais offered many hours of sunbathing, whale-watching, sunsets and star-gazing (we did see whales spouting out there and the stars were amazing). There are also great spots behind the house for tide pool exploration and nearby snorkeling. The BBQ grill worked great and we had fun grilling fresh fish a couple of nights. There is a great wine store in Koloa and I suggest purchasing fresh fish from the Living Foods market. Unfortunately, the produce in Poipu isn't that great, but the Living Foods, and Kukui Ula markets and the Farmer's Markets are probably your best bet. We loved the Casablanca restaurant, but we tried most of the local restaurants during our two-week visit and there are some other great ones nearby. Now for the negatives, and there are just a few that I think are worth mentioning - only because I'm hoping the owners will take note and remedy. Although the jacuzzi was great, the pool was unfortunately much too cold to use. It would be nice to have a heated pool. We noticed that there was a heater for the pool, but no directions and we couldn't figure out how to make it work. Also, one of the better located prime view bedrooms upstairs is outfitted with twin beds. That room definitely warrants at least a queen bed (we had 4 couples in our group and no one could use that room). The TV in the master bedroom did not work and, for the amount we paid to stay there, we would have appreciated access to movie and on-demand TV channels, at least on the main TV. The ping-pong table would be much more pleasant in a brighter, airier location - either outside, on one of the lanais, or in one of the upstairs rooms perhaps - or if it were more portable. Two last issues that can't really be fixed: the narrow driveway to the house and the noisy public park next door. The park isn't too bad, but it can be pretty noisy on weekend or holiday weekend nights and the clientelle of that park can be a bit riff-raffy. The photos on all the property management websites make it look like there is a lot of land around the home, but there really isn't. The home is very close to the house next door and has a very small backyard and front yard. Regardless, the positives definitely outweigh any of the negatives and we do recommend the house if you have a party of 6-8 people.
Penelope L., La Jolla, CA, 1.2.12
The condo and facility was great. The kitchen was fully equipped so easy to cook. The view was spectacular. The restaurant at the resort needs some work but there are several choices nearby. We were all happy with the condo and would say it was a wonderful experience.
Deb D., Bainbridge Island, WA, 1.1.12
We spent 11 days in this rental with two teenage sons. The condo was spacious enough and comfortable. The location is great and we even spotted whales off the lanai. The rental had everything we needed supplied including beach chairs, towels and boogieboards. We cooked in most nights and the kitchen is well supplied. The only suggestions I would make is that the rental needs a little TLC. We had problems with the master toilet and the refrigerator. The rental company was quick to remedy both problems though. And it would be nice if the condo complex had a shared BBQ area. It was hard to walk down the path to the common BBQ in the rain. We would definitely stay again!
Nancy F., Ventura, CA, 1.1.12
The unit is perfect for families with children and two couples travelling together. There are two master bedrooms each with a bathroom. The unit is clean, well appointed, and has a lovely garden and small patio for dining or relaxing. The unit is not beachside, which we understood in advance and is represented by the rate. However, the unit is located within walking distance to the beach, shopping and restaurants.
We would stay here again.
Mary D. H., Walnut Creek, CA, 12.27.11
Our stay at the Nihilani was truly relaxing and met every expectation we had for a stay in Princeville. Close to Hanalei and the Na Pali Coast hike as well as kayaking, ziplining and surfing. After each day's adventures we looked forward to the peace and quiet provided our unit.
Richard L., Columbia, MD, 12.20.11
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Nihilani 9C. The space was very well appointed and was the perfect size for four adults and two young children. Unfortunately, the complex is very restrictive towards any noise, as demonstrated by the numerous signs around property that restrict children from being children. While the rules say "no screaming or yelling" at the pool, the property "police" seemed to interpret the rules to mean "no children". Our kids were very well behaved and we were the only people using the pool one morning when an elderly couple came down to the pool and treated our family like we were in the wrong place. The woman stood at the edge of the pool and scowled at us for 5 minutes without saying anything. She then spouted off to her husband about our group at a volume we could hear, but would not address us directly. Fortunately, she then stormed out of the pool area. All six of the people in our party, including the toddlers are very well traveled. As a group, we could not come up with another experience in our travels where we were treated so poorly. I would recommend this property to someone without children, but there are plenty of other places to go on Kauai that welcome children with open arms.
Michael S., Dallas, TX, 12.3.11
Everything was perfect but here are some suggestions for improvements: 1.More lights outside in the garden 2.The outside was not very clean when we got the house (a lot of spiders etc...). When we pay fees for the cleaning we expect the house to be perfect 3. Someone should come every 2 days for the trash....when we are 8 in a house it's normal Or indicate more clearly where to put them if a person can not come Otherwise the house was very nice Thank you
Julie A., Chicago, IL, 11.28.11
1. Loved the view. 2. Customer service was good. 3. Taking a jacuzzi and taking in the great views of the ocean. 4. The Beach House in Poipu The only suggestions that I have on the house is the following: New towels and washclothes. The ones provided were old and had bleach stains all over. That is unacceptable Some of the sliding glass door locks don't close easily. We had to work with several of them for quite a while before locking. That is a serious safety issue. TV didn't work because of the service, so we had no TV service for 4 days. Dishwasher was not working on Thanksgiving week. Not a good thing.....we had to wash all the dishes by hand and there were lots of them. We had 2 days of broken dishwasher. House near by had a lot of workers and a lot of noise coming from the machines used. Hard to relax outside when you hear all the machinery noise. We were not aware of this (construction )situation until the last few days prior to our arrival. Other than that, we had a nice time.
Kathleen & Garry W., Latrobe, CA, 11.28.11
The house was wonderful for a large group. Spacious rooms, well natural breeze ventilation with the overhead fans. Exceptional well furnished and cooking serving amenities were abundant. The location to the beach, the 180 degree view, the deck, hot tub, beach chairs, was great! It was the best vacation rental I have had. My only advise would be to use bug spray. Several of us had numerous small itchy bites that we really did not see any bugs, but must have been around and it was too late to use the spray. Other than this it was an exceptional stay and extremely well furnished. Lyle
Lyle J., Post Falls, Idaho, 11.27.11
413 was excellent. The furniture is new and the appliances are state of the art. The view is incredible.
We spent most of our time in Hannalei. Great little town with good beaches. The Tropical Taco is good. They don't sale alcohol but you can walk next door to a store and buy it and bring it to the restaurant with you.
Kayak Wailua is a great kayak/hike company and we love Captain Andys Dinner cruise.
Jennifer Y., Mansfield, TX, 11.26.11
We loved the condo, the view, the quietness, and the location near a grocery store. We would recommend this unit to everyone we know.
Terry T., Dunwoody, GA, 11.22.11
There was a little snafu at the beginning. The instructions omitted both the name and address of the resort, and the key-code was missing. All this caused annoying delay to a group of guests just looking to unload their bags and relax. However, once in, the fustration ended and we were happy. The amenities were spacious and comfortble, not to mention luxurious. This last part was surprising. These rooms are nearly twice as comprobably suits at the Hilton, far better appointed, and at a much more reasonable price.
Last, there was no view from this particular unit, but we were on business and weren't looking for that.
Tim T., Walnut Creek, CA, 11.21.11
We love to be here and we try to clean this home before we left. We will tell my friends about #237. Thank you very much we had a great trip at Kauai.
Lily K., , , 11.18.11
It would have been nice for my meditation group to have been warned that there was an active construction site located directly next door !!! Up to a dozen trucks and vans arriving often as early as 6:30am was really not conducive to the peaceful atmosphere that we had expected and required.
Nohlan M., Carmel, CA, 11.10.11
This was a wonderfull house. It could have been better with just a few things done right.
1. Whirpool tub in master did not work and Cola did not know it.
2. Nice pool table only one pool cue had a tip on it.
3. No hot pads in the kitchen
4. No cookie sheet in the kitchen
5. Ice maker could not keep up with 10 people.
6. Poor instructions on oporating ovens.
7. No hair driers in baths
8. Maid service not metioned before we arrived
9. No stocking service offered
Randy B., Pantego, Texas, 11.4.11
My family stayed at Mia Huna for 2 weeks in October 2011 and it was fantastic. The accomodations were perfect for us as there were 10 of us, 5 adults and 5 children. We loved the pool, the close proximity to good surfing, all the beach toys, chairs, towels, snorkling gear, etc. Someone was at the house almost the entire time everyday as the pool and sunbathing was so ideal. Linda Saunders, the owner was unbelievably helpful and Shoko, the housekeeper, and Jon, the maintenance person were exceptional and helped us any way they could. When it rained we hung out under the covered lanai's and enjoyed the scenery and each other. The cooking facilities, laundry, games, books( I read 3), children books (two full bookcases of them), 3 HD TV's, WiFi, unlimited free long distance phone to anywhere in the US, BBQ's, pool toys, spa, outdoor shower, beautiful flowers and scenery, comfortable beds, on and on and on......... made our vacation the best we could ever expect. We highly recommend Mia Huna for any ages (we were 2 1/2 - 67), any physical condition as I am 67 and have difficulty with stairs because of a serious back injury but found the privacy and intimacy allowed me adequate time to move around the grounds and enjoy all the amenities at my own pace without feeling like I was slowing others down. We were on Kauai to celebrate the recent wedding of my nephew, Steve and Monica. They had many of their immediate family (13-14) in town as well since Monica grew up on Kauai and Steve has been a builder there for about 7 years. Nearly every one of them stopped by at some time during the 2 weeks and all thought Mia Huna was one of the most ideal vacation rentals they had ever seen. One of the most ideal features is the size and the ability to have privacy and quiet time if you desire or be right in the middle of activities at the pool, spa or lanai's. All the family wanted to stay forever and couldn't understand why "grampa would not just buy the place for them and they could stay forever". I cannot imagine Mia Huna being unsuitable for any family or group of friends wanting to enjoy paradise together. Staying at a hotel just does not compare and by the time we had rented 3 rooms for my family the cost would have been similar to what we paid at Mia Huna and without all the privacy and intimacy. There was so much to do that 2 weeks was not enough time and this was my 5th trip to Kauai. There is great Pizza (green sign facing Hanalei Bay road) a short distance to the right of the Big Save Grocery store (the one by the post office in Hanalei Bay). The kids had to have Pizza one night and it was terrific, about $100 for 3 giant ones. Took some time but was worth the wait. If you like to run, my daughter and her husband ran from the house everyday and raved about it, they ran down and across the beach at the end of Kalihiwai road and then back to Secret Beach and then back to the house. Most everyone loved Bubba Burgers and the Ono Charburgers, and Grampa liked to BBQ fish, steak, etc. The house is even better than the pictures on-line show so you won't be disappointed. Plan to enjoy everyday and you won't be able to stay long enough to exhaust your possibilities. We can't wait to return to paradise. The Z's
Jerry Z., Anchorage, AK, 11.2.11
What I liked best about the unit I rented was the incredible view - just magnificent!!!
Laurie C., Issaquah, WA, 11.2.11
I loved the studio at Pali Ke Kua. I was like an extremely comfortable hotel room. The shower was particularly awesome. When I arrived some very thoughtful person had placed hibiscus flowers around the room. It was a lovely gesture, but I had to fight off little fruit fly like bugs for a few days afterward. I would suggest some other type of guest present instead -- coffee, nuts, hawaiian jam? I also found the key lock hard to operate. I loved the morning visit from the local Nenes and the views and path to the beach were awesome. Thank you for the wonderful time. It is a great unit in a great complex.
Nancy C., Mill Creek, WA, 11.1.11
What was a magical place to stay in a magical place. The secluded, yet convienent location. The views, Hanalei, nuff said. But to have the space for our 7 adults to share and yet have their own space and privacy was everything we could have asked for. I feel guilty that we didn't stimulate the economy much in Hanalei's restaurants, as we just bought our own provisions at Costco and had great meals in house, easily prepared in your spacious kitchen. But we did so enjoy the Luau at the Med. Gourmet. The ohana that performs are so talented, and the food was better than the usual luau fare. Yes I could nitpick the facts that there was no ping pong table as advertised, and the badmitton consisted of 2 worn out rackets. But to be honest, we didn't even use the huge pool. We were usually too exhausted from the days activities that we wound up relaxing together in the comfortable living room, watching "Charlie Chan" movies that I had brought. To my surprise everyone loved them too. To the owners, Mahalo Nui Loa, for sharing such a special property Jay, Mary, and the Rodgers clan ps; maybe update some of the info out there
Jay R., Las Vegas, NV, 10.24.11
The view was incredible. That, and the location - including the beach, pool and barbeque facilities - were the best features of this unit. The proximity to shops and restaurants was great. The condo was nicely laid out and furnished, and the photos on online did not do it justice. Unfortunately, the very uncomfortable beds and the road noise in the bedrooms would keep us from renting this particular condo again. We enjoyed the place very much, until in came time to go to bed. We will definitely look into other units in the project for future visits.
Cynthia H., Summerland, CA, 10.11.11
We really enjoyed another stay here. This is our 3rd time renting this house. We keep coming back because we love the location and the amenities. We won't stay anywhere else! Thanks for another great trip.
Liz H., Spokane, WA, 10.7.11
We loved this condo very much we stayed September 2011, the view and the private walkway down to the beach is fantastic! The unit was the perfect size for the 2 of us and all our luggage. The beach next door (Hideaways) is fantastic for swimming and snorkeling plus very quiet and in walking distance. Our favorite activity was hiking in Waimea Canyon, the views are spectacular.
Jean A., Madison, WI, 10.2.11
Stayed here in Fall 2011. The unit was well located with amazing views of sunrise every morning. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is a bunch of gear, including fins, boogie boards, tennis racquets and such (bring or rent your own snorkel and mask). The only issue I had which could have been handled better was that the internet (no WiFi - Ethernet cable only) didnt work, and the local Time Warner support was inept in fixing it, insisting that everything was ok. Remax wanted me to call national time warner on my own. I would have expected the owner of the property to have taken care of fixing it, not relying on a person who was there for just a couple of days. A Wi-Fi router would have been good to have too - pretty much all condos I have rented have had one.
Prasanna V., FREMONT, CA, 10.1.11
The privacy, landscaping, and outdoor patio were all enjoyable and beautiful. The property managers were extremely professional and helpful. We would have liked a curtain over the ocean facing glass doors to help with the late morning sleep-ins!
Bill C., Oak Grove, MO, 9.27.11
Alohilani was amazing. It had every amenity one could think of for a perfect Kauai vacation. The rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable. Vicki was very nice and even left us a huge bouquet of tropical flowers which was an amazing way to start our trip. My advice to someone else staying at Alohilani would be that even though there isn't air conditioning in every room, you don't need it because of the gorgeous cross breeze that flows through the house! Everything was pretty much perfect! Also, the walk to Poipu Beach is easy and close, which was amazing. All in all a wonderful trip, I look forward to returning!
Jaime H., Los Angeles, CA, 9.27.11
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this beautiful condo. The location was great, and the condo was beautiful. Great view of the sunrise from the bedroom and living room!
Jodi S., Frisco, TX, 9.24.11
This rental was fantastic for our group of 5! My parents (in their 60s) really enjoyed relaxing on the beautiful lanai and walking the beach in front of the house. Also, the snorkeling in front of the house was superb when the wind was down. On windier days we would take a short walk around the point where the outer reef keeps the water quite calm. Their were dozens of turtles to swim with every afternoon, definitely a highlight of the trip. My boyfriend and brother and I (in our 20s) really enjoyed the hiking that the Haena area has to offer. If you go DEFINITELY do the 2 mile Kalalua Trail to Hanakapai Beach. It is a little strenuous but worth every bit of effort. If your not a huge hiker even the first 1/2 mile of the hike offers OUTSTANDING views of the Na Pali coast.. definitely not to be missed!!! We planned to hike the 4 miles to Hanakapai Falls (I hear its great) but ran out of energy and time! We definitely will be back to conquer that! Other activities we enjoyed were a helicopter ride as well as a catamaran sail along the Na Pali Cost... both BEAUTIFUL ways to see the breathtaking north shore of Kauai. As far as restaurants and groceries we enjoyed going to the Dolphin Fish Market in Hanalei and cooking fresh caught fish on the grill at the house. Other places we really enjoyed were Bubba's Burgers and TikiMan Pizza in Hanalei. Tahiti Nui (next to TIkiMan) was a great bar to relax, listen to local hawaiian bands in the evening and enjoy their 50 year old mai tai recipe!!! Everyone in Hanalei was really friendly. We found a number of our groceries at the Big Save in Hanalei but recommend Foodland in Princeville for more variety (and only 5 minute additional drive). Oh and dont miss grabbing a smoothie at the Aloha Juice Bar stand (located next to the Big Save in Hanalei)!!! The Hanalei passion was our favorite of all the smoothies (yes we had one each day, it became an addiction!) I would recommend this house to anyone, regardless of age or ability due to the high number of activities offered. Some days we just enjoyed nothing more than napping on the lanai and beach. The sunsets every afternoon were outstanding. You could walk out to the point on the right and see all of Bali Hai and the accompanying mountains. Such a beautiful way to end each day! The house and neighborhood were so quiet that we all slept great each night. The option of having AC helped as well as we did have a few hot nights and many rentals in this area do not offer AC. We were a bit worried about the Y Camp located next door but this was not an issue. It was occupied part of our stay but we could not hear any of the noise next door. There is also a beach access between the Y Camp and the house but that did not bother us either. Since the house is up on stilts it drowns out a lot of the noise and with very few beach access parking there was never more than a few cars parking and using the beach access. The entire booking process of the house was great!!! Vacational Rental Agent answered all of our questions when trying to find our perfect house. Once we arrived on the island we were greeted by Ginny, the house caretaker. She was really helpful in giving us restaurant ideas, grocery shopping, etc! I cannot recommend this rental enough, we will definitely be back! We stayed for 10 days and it flew by. If you can definitely try to stay at least 10 days to really soak in the area. Kauai offers SO many activities that its fun to do a few things and have days to do nothing. This was my third trip to Kauai and definitely the most enjoyable! I know this is a long review but I know when deciding to invest in a trip like this, more information is better than less. Thank you Vacation Rental Agent, Ginny and the owners of the Makua Kai homes for such a fun trip that we will remember for years to come! Natalie Dallas, TX
Natalie P., Garland, TX, 9.21.11
The view was incredible, nice bathroom. Bed comfortable, Good location ,Very quiet Dislikes, No barbecue Several dirty kitchen items like cutting knives,silverware,plates When I say dirty I mean little specks of dried Food. When humans get lazy and don't scrub in sink Before putting in dishwasher. For a 150.00 cleaning fee the place should be immaculate. It also could have used a tv in livingroom. The whole time I'm thinking how great it would be to barbecue on patio While enjoying that beautiful view. Not having a barbecue was a huge let down.(they make electric ones) They make good electric ones/not having huge let down.
Carl & Lisa S., Santa clara, California, 9.19.11
The hale nalu is so much better in person than they make it seem online. The pictures dont do it justice! If you stay there then take care of it because we are coming back!
Lily A., Pacifica, CA, 9.12.11
A beautiful home for a beautiful island! We had a great time. It was wonderful to be with our 3 daughters and their husbands. Next year we plan to stay for at least 2 weeks as 1 week is just too short. The bad thing about Paradisio Ho'o Kumu is that you are not as motivated to explore the island. You just want to stay and enjoy the home!
Melodee N., Loma Linda, CA, 9.12.11
the unit was clean and spacious and easy access to shops, restaurants and beaches. the pools were smaller than we expected and I couldn't ever get the internet to work the whole time I was there (on your computer or mine). probably wouldn't stay there again only because we'd prefer to be ocean front...I thought this place was closer to the beach. my mistake.
Naomi C., Portland, OR, 9.11.11
The house was gorgeous, comftorable, and very well kept...thank you so much for this wonderful vacation I was able to take my family on.
Susan S., Coquille, Oregon, 9.9.11
The house was a great option for two families, we were able to spend time together as well as have our own private spaces. The lanai areas are beautiful!
Audrey R., West Sacramento, CA, 9.9.11
BEAUTIFUL SETTING. The house was a perfect size for our family of four. Everything was clean. Plenty of towels made life that much easier. The kitchen was stocked with every gadget you could think of. We had a lovely lovely time. I would recommend this house to all my friends and family.
Safa H., Laguna beach, CA, 9.6.11
We absolutely loved the location of the bungalow. It's maybe 20 steps away from the beach and you can see the water from your kitchen and living room window. We had lovely breakfasts on the patio looking over the Pacific Ocean and dinners sitting outside. The rooms are nicely furnished, the kitchen is well equipped, we had plenty of towels, beach towels, etc. We even found sand toys, boogie boards by the backdoor. The place is quiet, the street is not busy at all, the nice beach is perfect for families with kids or couples who are looking for privacy. A nice shopping center is 4 minutes away by car where you can find restaurants, a Whole Foods-like grocery store (lots of organic food), and a sweet, little Farmers Market on Wednesday (from 4-6pm). I love Kauai and we always stayed in the Hyatt but renting the Baby Beach Bungalow made our 6th trip to the island even more special. By renting this lovely place we felt like locals. :) We were welcomed by the cleaning crew and they were very polite and did a great job cleaning out the house. They leave a vacuum cleaner in the closet that we used several times a week. (Some unwanted sand found its way in the house even after hosing off). The wireless internet and wash machine were a godsend! Kauai is the most amazing island and highly recommend it to everybody! We surely will return! Aloha, From San Francisco
Ildiko P., Kentfield, CA, 9.4.11
I loved that fact that the house was more beautiful than the pictures. The views from all sides of the home were breathtaking. The lay out was absolutely perfect for 8 people. I really loved it. The fact that the house was already stocked with toilet paper, paper towels, napkins to get us started was a huge help. Having coolers, snorkling gear, and beach toys in the garage for our use took a huge burden off of us to rent. We cooked most nights, but did find a little treasure sushi bar (Genki) behind Starbucks in the mall at Lihue. 8 of us ate for $61, and it was GOOD. This restaurant was a recommendation from a local, and it was a good one. With 6 kids, we didn't get to visit museum, and the history of Hawaii, so that is on the list for next time. I have to give kudos to our contact Cyrla, she was always there when needed, and extremely helpful. Forgot to mention the gem of a find,............Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei. Try the cocunut with extra condensed milk.......................................TO DIE FOR!!!!
Donna H., Malvern, Pa, 9.4.11
Location was excellent with a breathtaking view, but with a few minor things it could have been much better. It was a good place which could have been excellent with a little TLC to the unit. It looks like some upkeep has been done (painting, etc.) but more is needed. Small improvements could really make it a great place such as putting in new curtains (they are old and do not completely cover windows--it really felt like you couldn't go into the living room/kitchen area without being seen from the outside, especially at night), better supplies in Kitchen (some of the pans and bakeware were really worn), caulk or fix screens so bugs and small lizards don't get through where the screen meets the wall--there is a gap in the kitchen screen, clean out some of kitchen cabinets which were filled with paint and other stuff. It was well supplied with towels, paper products, etc. It was neat and very clean, but just needed updating on some things--with such a beautiful piece of property a few simple things would make it even better. When we arrived the high speed internet wasn't working and with a phone call we were told it was DSL. We found that it had been unplugged from the phone and we were able to plug it back in and get it working. It was also wired without a wireless router (however to be fair the ad never said the high speed was wireless, so we weren't expecting wireless internet, just high speed). Our contact for the property offered to bring a wireless router which we thought was a great gesture, but never did and we didn't hear from her again--but we were able to resolve the situation ourselves so we did not try to contact her again. We visited Pali Ke Kua in August and it was warm, with the sun beating in with little curtain protection the unit warmed up while we were away. There are ceiling fans which help alot, but I would recommend getting a fan-- the unit was warm and damp. Over all the problems were not major and we had a great time. It is in a great location, very safe community, and wasn't crowded. It is in driving distance to many wonderful sites and great things to do. I gave it three stars because of the improvements that need to be done and some of the issues we had to deal with such as internet and bugs and small lizards in the condo.
Dirk E., Hooksett, NH, 8.30.11
We spent our honeymoon at this rental and it was PERFECT!!! We never wanted to leave and hope someday we can make it back to pardise....
Andrea G., Spokane, Washington, 8.30.11
The house is well designed and built high enough to see the surf and coastline even when sitting down. Swimming and snorkeling possible right in front of house---and excellent, a beach-walk away. We loved the spacious living area and the beach-level shower. It's a great beach house "just around the corner" from one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Jean E., Encino, CA, 8.30.11
The location was great, just steps from the ocean! Travelled with 3 family units, so the house set up was just perfect. The house is older and shows some wear, but based on the other reviews it was as we expected it to be. Oceanfront houses tend to show a lot of wear from the weather. Well stocked kitchen, nice size rooms. The lanai, and view and beach were just fabulous. we had 4 kids ranging in age from 2 to 7, and the water was calm and just perfect for them to play and swim in. We had no worries about tthem in the calm waters. We were also happily surprised by the snorkeling right outside the house. Not super colorful, but we all saw lots of variety of sealife including a variety of eels, different types of triggerfish and lots of fish we could not identify (we are not snorkeling experts, so it was just great for us!). All in all wonderful vacation in Kauai, and we would return.
Amy H., Long Valley, NJ, 8.28.11
The unit was even more beautiful than the pictures posted, wonderfully maintained, with every convenience. The only trick was that we didn't get the pool code, so make sure to follow-up with the agent to get that when you get the room code too. We have small kids, and really appreciated the convenience of the location with a Safeway across the street, and the beautiful wading pool. We moved to the Grand Hyatt after our stay at Waipouli, and my husband commented that when we come back, and we certainly will, we will just stay at Waipouli the entire trip next time!
Noreen W., Los Angeles, CA, 8.26.11
5 Stars for this wonderful home! This place is built and decorated as if the owners really use it. Rare is it that a home looks much better than the photos but this one does. Ultra clean, very elegant attention to the smallest details and we noticed and appreciated it all. We had a group of 14 and it was spacious enough for our nightly family gatherings. We cooked, played games and danced the nights away. If you do only one thing, be sure you hike the Na Pali Coast Trail, at least to the beach. You have never seen anything like this on earth! If you're in good shape, continue on to the waterfalls but it is definately harder than the first part. Back at the house you will actually find wonderful snorkling right outside the house and there is a sea turtle who lives near the rock in front of the house. He was adorable and we saw him every day. Also walked to tunnels almost every day for the best snorkling I have seen since Cozumel...but better I think.
Kristine E., Woodland Hills, CA, 8.24.11
The best thing about this beach house is its location. The ocean front view is spectacular. Its an easy drive to explore the north shore or down into Kapa'a. The beach is fairly quiet and serene. From sunrise to sunset and even by moonlight, nothing relaxed us more than sitting on the lawn chairs watching the waves. Our boys loved having a yard to run around and chase the chickens. The kitchen at the beach house is well equipped and there's a nice assortment of beach supplies in the closet of the garage (boogie boards, straw mats, masks/snorkels, buckets and shovels for the kids) as well as a closet full of beach towels in one of the bedrooms. Our favorite things to do after spending a day on the beach was to get shave ice at Ono Ono shave ice in Kapa'a, pick up ahi poke and lau laus at Pono Market (next door to shave ice) and take it back to the beach house to watch the sun set and the moon rise. No better way to spend a week vacation in Kauai.
Jennifer M., Pasadena, CA, 8.19.11
The place was excellent. We enjoyed our stay. There were some issues with the gate not opening. We had to enter the security code several time before it worked. Also, the landscaping people came early morning. Since there are no curtains on the back windows, my family was "exposed" to the landscaping people. Some type of notification should be made to inform the renters. The best part was the trip was sail boat trip along the Na Pali coast. We also enjoyed out visit to the Waimea Canyon and Wailua Falls.
Kevin M., Mitchellville, Maryland, 8.19.11
Wow - the view can't be beat. The cave that can be accessed right there had a big sleeping turtle in it. Amazing!!!!
Sara L., Los gatos, CA, 8.17.11
For a family of 10 traveling together, it was perfect!! All of the accesories in the closet were wonderful. To have all the chairs, boogie boards, and snorkle equipment was an added bonus. I would definiely recommend this unit for friends and family.... ZipLine in Princeville and ATV's at Kipu Ranch are a must.
Sheryl U., Huntington beach, Ca, 8.16.11
The house was beautiful as was the location. I recommend it highly. The combination of being right on the water, the pool, and the green grass yard made being outdoors perfect. It was thrilling to watch the turtles play in the waves right in front of you. The layout of the house is perfect, lots of room to mingle and plenty of places to find a little privacy. The kitchen was fully equipped and very functional. aLL IN ALL A GREAT VACATION SPOT.
Rob A., San Diego, CA, 8.14.11
I wish i could give this house a better review! After the first day we had a great time. Unfortunately, the house had not been cleaned the day we arrived. We had to empty food from the refrigerator before we could put our food in. Then we emptied the trash and cleaned the rest of the kitchen. Since we had no clean sheets or towels and it was late, we wrapped up in a blanket we found in a closet and slept on the futon in the living room. I tried to call all our contact numbers, but no one answered. Also, the previous tenant had lost the keys to the house so we could not get in the laundry room. At 6 o'clock the next morning the owner called and assured us that she would get someone over the clean the house. The cleaning people arrived at 9 AM with flowers, fruit, hugs and sincere apologies. We were given clean beach towels and told we could have the house by 2 or 3 PM. When we returned the house looked great! The previous tenants had left quite a mess! Our daughter and her family arrived that day and we had a great vacation. I was never able to contact the property manager. I asked for a full refund of the cleaning fee and the cleaning deposit, plus one day of the rental fee. The property manager agreed to the cleaning refunds, but would not refund the one day rental fee. That one day was miserable and we did not have access to the house. The house when clean is good for families but not fancy. There is no beach or mountain view, but the garden view is very nice. We loved the outdoor shower and found the house very convenient for two families. There are many attractions in the area including beaches, hikes and a lovely restaurant right across the street.
Donita G., San jose, CA, 8.14.11
The unit was clean and it was apparent that visitor's comfort was important. I especially liked the bathroom amenities, very high end, and the bed super comfortable. I have stayed at five star hotels and find this unit comparable. Downside would have liked to have a broom or small vacuum to help keep floors clean and have the BBQ more accessible. Dave was very helpful and special thanks to him. I'd definitely return again.
Jan S., Livermore, , 8.13.11
Excellent vacation! The facilityand the condo were first class, and the pool and the beach were awesome. I have some great pictures of the sunrises from the back porch. The location was perfect for us. We did had some miscommunications with the check-in and check-out procedures, but it worked out okay. The only negative was the sleeping arrangements; it is supposed to sleep six, but realistically it sleeps 3-4, max. The hideaway/couch should be tossed. But we would definitely come back again. Thanks!
Steve M., Sugar Land, TX, 8.12.11
The PERFECT location in soooo many ways: the house, lay-out, rooms, decorations, the pool, ocean views, activity below at Queen's Bath, tons of sunsets, garden, proximity to lots of sites & beaches, etc. I know for sure, the pool has never been used so much as during our stay at Hale Makana..!! The only drawback is that this pool is unheated and only went up in temperature to 86F (30C).... gosh darn...;) (kidding).... and no chickens on the lot!...haha... We did however, hear the bird chicks do their thing on the cliff below.... you know what I mean after visiting. A special word of appreciation and recognitions to all the attention paid to detail in/around the house to make us feel comfortable and taken care of, and make it all work! And to Mary, thanks for the welcome and intro at the beginning - all worked out perfect. We will tell our friends about Hale Makana and think about planning to return. The Verloop families of Kirkland, WA, and Oldenzaal, Netherlands. Mahalo
Arie V., Kirkland, WA, 8.11.11
This home is beautiful, in a gorgeous setting. The mountain view is stunning, and the bay is also visible. The home was spotless, comfortable and roomy, perfect for our group of 7 adults. Huge kitchen, 4 bedrooms, including a wonderful master suite.
It is a short 15 minute walk from the trail-head to queen's bath, or to the Princeville hotel.
There was plenty of room for our 2 rental cars in the garage.
Beach towels and 4 beach chairs were available, but that was about it as far as beach toys - snorkel rental at Hanalei Bay was easy and inexpensive so that was not an issue for us.
We hope to return!
Brian G., Farmington, UT, 8.11.11
A207 is in our opinion the best choice of the lot because of location within the complex. the unit was clean and fresh and very comfortable. Instructions and suggestions provided were complete and helpful. We would definitely opt to rent this unit on a future trip to Kauai. We were quite pleased with how well the unit was supplied with essentials. We would like to have our complements passed on to Walt and Diane Sledzieski. They have a fine property which has been well taken care of by previous tenants. You can be sure that we treated the property during our stay as if it were our own home. One small point of which you may want to be aware.... when we arrived, ants were tracking into the cupboard. The cause appeared to be that a pitcher was rinsed but not washed after use by a previous tenant and placed back into the cupboard with some residue remaining on it. By the time we left the ants no longer appeared to be as noticable. Also a couple of knives had been returned to the 'block' unwashed. However it is important to point out that this comment is simply an FYI and is in no way to be considered as a complaint or concern to us. Our stay in A207 was delightful!
William M., Irving, Texas, 8.11.11
The view is by far the most incredible lovely part of the place. The open and spacious house was wonderful too. And having 3-1/2 baths for 6 ppl was great!! Everything we could have thought of to have needed was already there at the place (beach towels, laundry, beach toys, kitchen supplies--just great!). It was our family vacation and just all being able to be in one home was fantastic & memorable! Thanks for a great week! The Conleys
Janet C., Huntington Beach, CA, 8.9.11
1) The modern design, cleanliness and warmth of the house. As well as the items available for use such as bicycles, surf boards, beach mats, etc. 2) Satisfactory 3) The entire trip was great! 4) No restaurant really stood out for me. 5) Beautiful Scenery of Kauai 6) Kauai is a great place to visit and without a doubt that it will be a memorable trip. Also to stay at least a week. 7) To take full advantage of the amenities offered 8) Take advantage of what Kauai has to offer, especially the hiking, kayaking, and many other outdoor activities 9) The best spots to enjoy the Kauai beaches 10) Using the bicycles and surf boards offered at this unit as well as signing up for skydiving.
Shielah L., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 8.9.11
Fantastic Location, brennecke beach has the best boogie boarding for beginners. Poipu beach Park was great for beginning snorkelers, we saw a giant turtle there. Both beaches within a short less than 5 min feet walk. The house is extremely spacious, great for big families, beautifully furnished.
Sampath G., Cupertino, CA, 8.7.11
The location was excellent an the house is beautiful.
Gale K., Evergreen, CO, 8.7.11
The rental was well situated for the 8 people, with ample room for sleeping, lounging, cooking, eating and bathing. The kitchen utensils were well equipped but it needed more baking dishes and serving dishes and it should have been stocked with some basics like cooking oil and salt and pepper. Some items are worn and needing replacement and or repair, we called for one repair and the repairman was right on it. It was a good experience and location for the property but given the dated appliances, beds, and disrepair of kitchen items the rental price was probably a little too much. One other thing is that there wasn't enough beach things like mats or chairs or umbrellas. I wasn't concerned with toys just the things that you cant carry everywhere with you when you are on holiday that should go with the house. Cathy was our service agent and she was great to work with and very helpful. We left a list of things for repair.
Larry D., Park city, Utah, 8.4.11
1 - the house worked brilliantly for 2 families. Lived up to expectation (ie looked like photos) and was comfortable and well furnished. The view, pool, access to beach were all fantastic. 2 - customer service was all very good. 3 - the best part of our trip was probably hanging around the house and relaxing, but we also took the opportunity to do a number of activities and explore the whole island eg surfing, horseriding, tubing down sugar cane canals, snorkeling on Napali Coast, exploring the Canyon...We did a lot! 4 - We ate at a number of restaurants, mostly in Poipu - the biggest disappointment was the much celebrated Beach House. We really enjoyed Merrimans, Josselins Tapas Restaurant, Casa di Amici, JJs Broiller, Brennecke's Broiler, Hanapepe Cafe, and Hanalei Gourmet. We also really enjoyed shopping at The Living Market in Poipu and going to the wednesday afternoon gourmet market - we did it all! 5 - I went tubing and the beauty of the Coast and what a great temperature it was and how well the kids surfed... 6 - That 2 weeks in a house in a great spot like this, is the only true way to relax. 7 - Use the Kuaui Surf School at Poipu (there are lots) and go on the Liko boat for the coastal trip. Eat pie and carrot cake at the Hanapepe Cafe - divine! 8 - Some exploring of the canyon and other beaches by foot. We pretty much stayed around Poipu unless we were doing an activity.
Nick and Leah L., Singapore, Singapore, 8.2.11
We loved the location of our unit... a short walk to the beach and to Hanalei! It was perfect - with a beautiful ocean view. The customer service was excellent! We had an issue with one of the bathrooms. The issue was resolved within 24 hours and the owner gave us a gift card to Hanalei Dolphin for our inconvenience. We really appreciate that kind of service. Also, the unit was spacious and had everything we needed - beach chairs, towels, toys, etc.... We would stay here again in a heartbeat!!! The unit was clean, too! As for things to do...we hiked Na Pali coast to the first waterfall (8 miles RT). This is an incredibly beautiful hike and I recommend for everyone. Wear hiking shoes and be prepared to get wet and dirty. It's a muddy trail and you cross the river - you will get wet! Our other favorite places are Hideaway Beach and Queen's Bath. Great short hikes and places to hang out. Our favorite beach is Hanalei Bay - perfect for lounging in the sun, boogie boarding, morning jog, etc. Night life - Tahiti Nui, of course. Interesting crowd.....we love getting to know the locals. We dined at Bar Acuda, a tapas eatery. Delicious, interesting, fun experience!!! Bubba's and Tropical Taco top our list of favorites as well! We love, love, love Kauai. This was our 3rd time visting and the best yet. Maholo!!!
Todd B., Redondo beach, Ca, 8.2.11
There were 14 of us in both units, and there was more than enough room. The house was well furnished, and was a very pleasant place. There were a couple of ways, however, in which the house could have easily and rather inexpensively be improved. There is no closet in the master bedroom, or even in the upstairs at all. Some piece of furniture which could be used to hang clothes would have made the stay easier. Further, there is only one towel rack in the upstairs bath (I do not know about the downstairs bath), and one other rack would have helped. The upstairs bathtub is not easily used because the faucet above the tub is not long enough to reach the tub, and, thus much of the water runs onto the edge of the tub. Even with these negatives, the overall rating is very good, and it was a great place to stay.
Charles R., Sanibel, FL, 8.1.11
We had everything we needed to make a great vacation for our three generation trip. The boys had the toys and just a short walk to the beach. when someone was gone with the car, it was a quick walk to town to eat or shop. Our favorite restuarant was definitely The Dolphin. Their marinated Ahi was great. We made the mistake of going to the south coast too many days. Next time will schedule enough days to sit and enjoy just Hanelai and surronding area.
Barbara D., Lantana, FL, 7.31.11
Where do I begin-from the construction, to the location, to the attention to detail-this place has it all! The grounds are spacious, private and very well maintained, the koi pond is a delight, and being able to walk to the beach(no parking issues for us!) was wonderful. The interior has high quality furnishings and finishes, with all the little extras that make vacationing so much easier. I would recommend the Lily Pad to anyone needing a small, romantic place to stay on the north shore of Kauai-we will be back!
Chris C., Portland, OR, 7.30.11
The house is beautiful and exactly as pictured. The best features of the house were the large space and the gorgeous ocean view. It is so close to the ocean, we could see turtles swimming from the backyard. Our only complaint is that the house does not have air conditioning and was very hot even with all of the windows and doors open. Our favorite places to eat were Roy's, Keoke's and Joe's on the Green. If you are wanting to see Barking Sands Beach you have to use an unpaved dirt road to get there. Be advised, it says 4-wheel drive only. For families, the plantation train is not to be missed. It is so much fun and you get to feed goats and boars as well.
Christine C., Altadena, CA, 7.27.11
The apartment was comfortable though could use some TLC. The dining area curtain was too narrow and soiled. Some touch up paint is definately in order. The office at the complex lacked a little "aloha" attitude. Would be nice if guests could get "E tickets" without going to the library or using a credit card in the office. If we return to this side of the island we would probably rent it again. The view is great and the kitchen was supplied nicely. Our parting rainbow was the best...............
Herbert M., San Diego, Ca, 7.25.11
This is the third time we have vacationed in this home....love it and love Kauai :)
Beth V., Medford, Oregon, 7.20.11
Beautiful home, beautiful location! Prime Rib at the Bull Shed next door was outrageous! Horesback riding at CJM Stables was the best day ever!
Judy P., Annandale, VA, 7.20.11
It I would highly recommend this rental to anyone. It was very modern, clean and located near Poi Pu Beach.
Kimberly E., Colorado springs, CO, 7.19.11
I loved waking up and looking out to see the ocean. Having the beach right there was such a luxury, cozy and never crowded. Snorkeling was a five minute car ride away. The pictures don't do this place justice, much better in person! Can't wait to return!! AMAZING!!!!!
Julie B., Cornelius, Oregon, 6.27.11
We were very happy with the entire process. Booking online was easy. Entry to our unit was seamless. Condo was extremely clean and was very nice. Cannot beat the price! The Pali Ke Kua beach was very nice! Good snorkeling and very quiet!
James D., Lafayette, Indiana, 6.27.11
The rental agency didn't accurately describe this condo. It's a 3 bedroom and loft with 3 bathrooms. The walk to the beach does take quite a while especially with kids. This condo is also located next to a busy road so traffic was kind of noisy. The gardens and grounds were beautiful and well kept up. The ocean near the condo is good for surfing and boogie boarding but snorkeling was ok. Love Kauai but probably would not stay at this condo again especially with kids.
Claricy H., Greeley, CO, 6.26.11
Liked the cottage view and beach. Customer service was great. Na Pali coast was the best part of the trip. Best restaurant was Lighthouse Bistro. Best picture I took was on the Napali coast. Can't wait to tell my friends that is was so affordable. Advice...expect to eat out a lot. Kitchen is small. Would recommend the napalm coast and hide-away beach. Plan to kayak next time.
Rich W., Houston, TX, 6.24.11
Best feature: lanai facing the beautiful mountains, short walk to the beach Customer service: excellent Best part of trip: proximity to Hanalei town Best restaurant: Baraccuda Best picture: on Captain Sundown Na Pali coast boat tour This home was perfectly located to the Hanalei Bay, the town and restaurants (sort walks) and adventures (Kalalau trail, zip lining, mountain tubing, horse back riding, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, etc). We stayed 10 days and didnt even use a half tank of gas!
Gretchen S., Murrysville, PA, 6.22.11
The property was perfect. We noticed all the updates and how clean the proprety was. Also, the property is very well stocked. We were not in need of anything. It was a perfect location and a wonderfully relaxing vacation.
Kris J., Lees Summit, MO, 6.22.11
Location was awesome....definitely would rent again.
Charlene E., Los Altos Hills, CA, 6.20.11
Fabulous in every way.
Robert K., , , 6.19.11
Hana Hou Hale is a truly amazing home with a heavenly location. It is a perfect spot for 'family time' and we plan another reunion there as soon as possible. The kitchen is a dream and is very well equipped - we enjoyed cooking together and gathering around that gorgeous table that we never went out to eat as a family (excepting the evening trips for gelato at Papalani's and a Puka Dog every day or two). Our two big 'days out' were phenomenal (too many superlatives? can't help it...). We loved the Nui Loa Zip Line tour with Outfitters in Poipu; it is a wonderful way for the entire family (ages 12 - 62) to have a great time. We also loved our snorkel sail trip of the Na'Poli Coast with Captain Sundown. His catamaran was great, and the family loved riding the trampolines in the front. The snorkeling at Nu'alolo Kai was simply unparalleled. It is a restricted snorkeling location and we saw reef sharks, turtles, trumpet fish, and countless others. Dolphins raced the boat and twice we say flying fish. Captain Bob was very helpful, setting up the perfect spot to scatter a small amount of our mother's ashes we had brought along for that purpose. Only suggestion - we would have liked more information in the house itself regarding simple things like 1) do we provide our own toilet paper, 2) where is a broom, 3) where are garbage bags and dishwasher detergent (hated to buy them just because we only needed a few more, not an entire box...) and 4) the gas smell when you turn on the hot tub is normal for propane - don't fear blowing up the house. Louie was fantastic about answering our calls and questions, and we truly appreciated the extra time on check-out. THANK YOU!
Sharlyn W., Turlock, CA, 6.19.11
This was an absolutely fantastic location -- stunning view, private beach with great snorkeling right here, terrific access to Hanalei attractions. Quiet, clean, user-friendly. It was great that the condo also had books on local birds, as well as sights, such as the Limahuli Botanical Gardens, coolers and beach mats as well as beach chairs. All we needed was our swimsuits! Snorkeling is best in the morning, so don't put off going to the beach early. Guests should definitely consider visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse on a cloudy day, and take the Na Pali Coast tour boat out of Hanalei. Unbelievable sights, and well worth the money. Heading west also got us out of the overcast and back into bright sunshine for the afternoon. The only slight negative for the unit is that the bathroom appears to have some dryrot going on behind the toilet -- in this wet climate, the owner will want to get that fixed or s/he will have a bigger problem to contend with soon.
Mimi H., Tacoma, WA, 6.19.11
Great location beiing halfway between the Hyatt and Poipu Beach. Walkable either way. The grounds are gorgeous around the hotel and the beaches around Brenneckes have something for everyone. Going out a little farther, Koloa is great for a little shopping and lunch at Tomkats. Something new discovered- Polihale Beach at the far end to the west but don't try it in a small car- 4.8 miles of potholes but absolutely worth it with views of "other"side of Waimea Canyon and the forbidden isle of Ni'i'hau. Kauai is definitely the place to do ziplining. Kauai Outfitters did a good job of keeping us safe. Secret pool to jump into after that was a huge bonus. Advice for those using this beautiful unit is...bring important spices or condiments if you are cooking. Only salt and pepper were there. And bring earplugs as the air conditioning is kind of noisy. And there is no designated parking place for 620 that we could find but we always managed to find a space. Leave the kids and try Hyatt's Tidepools for a romantic evening with Stephenson Library Bar for drinks and classy pool after. Take the kids to Puka Dog or Brenneckes for a very good(but expensive) hamburger. For a peaceful retreat, the McBride Gardens next to Allerton where you can stroll among magnificent Hawaiian trees and landscape with a lovely creek flowing through it all and you don't need a guide to enjoy. Be flexible and check weather conditions before trekking over to North Coast and TRY to do that on a sunny day. Fantastic snorkeling at Tunnels and Ke'e. Be nice to locals and you might find a good place to park. ALOOOOHA
Jefra P., Santa Rosa, California, 6.13.11
The view, the way it was decorated and how convienent it was to everything on the island. Excellent Duke's, Postcards, Tomkats Grill At Polihale State Park at the end of the road by Barking Sands Missle Range That this cond was a great place to stay Get more toilet paper as soon as you arrive The trip to Polihale State Park and to Waimea
Steve Y., Houston, TX, 6.11.11
The house was very new, very well equipped, I should have nothing to complain about. We really had a good time. If anybody is seeking for the trip to Kauai, I would strongly reccommend Nihilani 9C!
Hisayuki W., Gifu, Gifu, 6.9.11
Location was great, central to all. The North Shore was favorite but expensive to stay so East is best value. Grounds were lovely, good pool and beach for kids. The unit had nearly everything you could want, except a workable bottle opener for the much desired cold brew at end of an eventful day. The unit's cold tap in main bath was also rusted shut so cleaning teeth with hot water is not so enjoyable. There was a great set up in kitchen and toys for kids otherwise and I would definitely recommend Lae Nani 431. Thanks so much.
KJ S., Mt Eliza, Victoria, 6.9.11
The house is beautiful and clean. The location is great, making it easy to walk into Hanalei town and to the beach. However, a big downside of this house is that it is very close to a bar that played loud music every night until midnight. If you have small children or like to go to bed before midnight, this might be a concern. Otherwise, the place is a good choice.
Lisa H., Kailua, HI, 6.5.11
What l liked best about the unit I rented was the cleanliness. The entire unit was impeccably well maintained, orderly, and very comfortable. Customer service was prompt, polite and responsive- Thank you Scott/Customer Service. We enjoyed our stay so much, it felt like home. Throughout our stay I ofter found myself saying, "Let's go back home"-meaning the condo.
Jennifer M., San Lorenzo, Ca, 6.2.11