The Happy Kailua Beach House is a great rental house. Located about 0.25 miles from the beach, it's an easy walk over. The house has all the things you'd want and are in good condition. The WiFi is strong and internet connection is fast. They replaced all the cookware new in January 2012. They are fully stocked for those things you'd need on the beach -- coolers, chairs, mats, towels. The house is located in a neighborhood and is pretty close to many other houses -- so you need to be quiet later at night. Walking into downtown Kailua is about a 20 minute walk (about 1 mile) but is a flat easy walk to do.
Rich D., , , 2.7.12
good location,nice layout,good amenities,great beds
Robert S., THE DALLES, OR, 2.2.12
Thank you for letting us staying at your place - it is spacious, comfortable, and close to the beach. Mahalo!
Yevhen Y., Walnut Creek, CA, 2.1.12
The cottage was very quaint, close the beach, and convenient for most attractions. Loved Buzz'es restaurant. Would definitely recommend Ha:Breath of Life at the Polynesian Center. All of the locals were very helpful and just plain nice! I miss Hawaii already!!!!
M A., Lakewood, CO, 1.30.12
Our stay in Hawaii was great! The entire process of setting up the rental was very smooth. Misty was great to work with. The directions were easy to follow. The payment process was smooth and simple. The location of the rental is within easy walking distance to an awesome beach. I absolutely love Kailua! It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Waikiki area. I've given the overall rating for the property "fair" for 2 reasons. First, felt it should have been cleaner. When I pay a cleaning fee for such a small rental I expect that the previous renter did the same and the place will be professionally cleaned. If you paid the cleaners to clean up after the previous tenant you need to get your money back. Second, the property offers no privacy. While in the bathroom with the windows pulled closed I could easily hear the people in the rental behind us talking over breakfast. I specifically asked before we rented the place if it offered privacy. Enough of the complaints:-) Overall the location is awesome and the price was fair (except the cleaning fee.)
Ryan J., Bellingham, WA, 1.29.12
Very clean and roomy. It says it sleeps up to 3 people, there is a king bed in the 1 bedroom and a couple of couches in the other rooms. I'm not sure which couch might open up to be a sleeper, but none of them looked like they would. I would recommend planning only 2 adults for this unit. I do think that if I brought my kids with me next time, the bedroom is definitely big enough that I would maybe put them on the floor in there (If they would allow it). Otherwise a beautiful, quiet neighborhood and a short 10 minute walk to the best beach on this side of the island. Kailua is a very fun town to stay in, plenty of shopping, places to eat, grocery stores and places to rent ocean gear (kayaks etc). All in all, we had a great stay.
Rachel M., Heber city, UT, 1.28.12
Location is excellent, and Kailua itself is a most lovely spot. The town is small but for a short stay of say, a week, there are several good spots for dinner and very good supermarkets. The house is cute, small but very well set up. To take into consideration is that bedroom upstairs has little privacy since it is a loft arrangement. Big living/family room and comfortable seating and eating arrangement. Two TVs were a plus for a couple of rainy days.
My only concern, and why we do not rate it a full 5 stars is that it could better furnished. A more thorough cleaning is also recommended. For example, lampshades in one bedroom were rusted, there were candle was drippings in the bedside tables, and pots and pans also needed replacement (we ended up buying a small skillet ourselves. I would encourage the owner to look into this since it would certainly improve the overall rental experience.
Having said that, the location is so lovely, it almost makes one forget these complaints. Thank you for whoever came to help us when the lights went out for a couple of hours (having candles and flashlight in the house is also recommended). We had a marvelous time overall, and these comments are meant as positive feedback to owner/manager.
Thanks to Lori and the management team for easy rental process experience. We also met the owner and my kids enjoyed his friendly conversation. There is a good chance we will return. Aloha!
Ana G., Great falls, VA, 1.25.12
Great pool & close access to the beach. Had everything we needed. Owner of property asked if we had any questions, and how we were doing.
Janice C., Sherwood Park, Alberta, 1.23.12
Unit was absolutely impeccable. Fantastic setup if you have a large family.
All the amenities were outstanding and the place was very comfortable.
Christopher B., Verdun, Quebec, 1.17.12
Honestly, the only thing that we liked about this house was the beach. This house is VERY old and unkept. The hot water heater isn't even big enough for a one bedroom apartment. We couldn't have one nice shower without the water getting cold! The washer and dish washer are so old it made us wonder if our dishes and clothes were even getting clean. The cupboards are all ply wood and filthy. There was no where to put our clothes, had to go buy a bunch of hangers. The beds and the bedding was terrible! I felt really lied to as far as the pictures online go... The pics made the house look amazing! Your people told me that they had personally seen the house and that it was REALLY nice!! Clearly that is not the case. I couldn't wait to leave. On a positive note, the beach was awesome. However, I would NEVER stay in that dirty, dirty house again. Way over priced!!!!!!!
Jennifer K., La Quinta, CA, 1.17.12
Aloha nui ... Our stay was really special. My mom and Uncle, both hapa grew up on the other side of the island. It was a chance for both of them to come "home" together, and see some of our family and friends.
Brett F., Santa Cruz, CA, 1.14.12
House was ideal. The layout made for cozy living yet plenty of privacy
The yard was huge yet enclosed so the play opportunities were fabulous.
The only minus was that it backed onto a road and we heard the cars going by.
The house had balls and beach needs very well covered. All in all perfect and plan to return!
Rosemary D., Dallas, TX, 1.10.12
We had a great time in Kailua. The Beach Walk was perfect. Great location and perfect size. Our daughter lives on the island so we make frequent trips and always rent a place in Kailua/Lanikai and we were very happy at the Beach Walk. One thing I must say is , Jackie the propert Manager was so sweet. Our fight arrived late and she had bought us bread, milk and an assortment of fruits. Very thoughtful! Thanks you! We would definetly stay there again.
Much Aloha,
Linda Arnott
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Linda A., Trabuco Canyon, CA, 1.10.12
Great house, great lanai, great pool, great beach, great location. What more could you ask for? This house was an excellent place for our two week, 3 generation family vacation. Quiet, gated street, right across from Kailua Beach Park, one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii, yet close enough to spend the day in Waikiki. The house was well equipped including lots of sand and floating toys for the children, plus beach chairs and towels. Loved, loved, loved it!
Patricia M., Brossard, Quebec, Canada, 1.6.12
Splendidly appointed and beautiful rental near to beach and town. We appreciated the amount of design put into the place. The window wall that opened to the lanai was a great touch. It was easy to slip into vacation mode from Day One. Looking forward to coming back.
Dennis N., SANTA CRUZ, CA, 1.6.12
The best part of serenity cottage is the beach access and cute little well stocked home.Love the grill, gas stove, oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer!
Regan greeted us with local gifts (very nice touch). I am on the board of the Sausalito Chamber of commerce and think this is a great way to orient guests to local businesses! The best part of our trip was walking on Kailua Beach early in the morning (daily) after rolling out of bed. I love all the friendly locals out with their dogs. Our favorite meal was at Baci Bistro. The Italian is as good as North Beach in San Francisco, and the risotto was straight out of Italy. our favorite brunch was in Waikiki at the Beachhouse, Moana Surfrider. $30 per person, but you can't beat the food, view, and history. (be sure to go up stairs and check out their historical room and video of Waikiki over the years). We took some great photos just steps away from our back doors that lead to the beach.my advice to anyone stating at the cottage is to Find Foodland and for specialty diets ( I'm celiac) visit Karen and Damien of The Source. The Source is the local healthfood store and Karen is an expert on Nutrition!
We will be booking our next trip at Serenity cottage. Our kids 11, and 13 had plenty to do right from our little home in Kailua! Oh, and don't forget to visit the green market on the corner, it will be your favorite place for coffee and deli!
Marina O., Sausalito, CA, 1.6.12
The property...beautiful landscaping and pool and the location to Kailua beach.
Very good....all are questions and concerns were dealt with immediately
Going out on the dolphin excursions and swimming with the dolphins and seeing the whales
Pier 38....very good
The family photo on Waimanalo beach
Rachel V., Toronto, ON, 1.5.12
We loved our week at the Happy Kailua Beach House. It has a great location -- half a block walk from Kalama Beach, close to town, and a short drive/walk from beautiful Lanikai Beach. Our family of five was very comfortable in the house, and we were grateful that it was stocked with everything we might need. We enjoyed hanging out on the beach, boogie boarding and body surfing, ocean kayaking (booked with Vacation Rental Agent), snorkeling at Lanikai and Hanauma Bay, exploring the rest of the island, visiting Pearl Harbor, and eating shave ice at Island Snow and Matsumoto's. I can't think of a better place to take a vacation!
Hilary M., Denver, CO, 1.4.12
On the positive side, the property manager was very nice, as was the cleaning crew. Hawaiian folks are extremely hospitable. That said, the rental was a flag lot duplex unit in a sketchy neighborhood. The unit was very cluttered, yard was cluttered. The closet space was taken up with huge unused speakers. No dresser in Master bedroom. The one shelf space was filled with old bathmats and pillow covers. There were no instructions for the unit or even a simple map. The cost of the unit was high for the very low value. We've paid less for a 3 bedroom condo in Turtle Bay. I will not wait until Sept. to rent again.....
Alice W., Portland, OR, 1.3.12
We would wake up and be on the beach with in 5 minutes. The onsite property manager, Kimberely, was very friendly and helpful. The kitchen was plenty big that three or four people could easily move around. Only downside is third bedroom is size of large closet with no room for suitcases. Luckily the other two bedrooms and plenty of storage. I would definitely rent the property again.
Lisa N., Fresno, CA, 12.29.11
The house was amazing! We had 10 family members stay here, there was plenty of room. The kitchen had everything you could possibly want. The kayaks were so much fun. The customer service was excellent, Lori was so friendly and was available immediately when we called her. The house was a perfect vacation home for all of us. I highly recommend this house.
Nancy V., Orlando, FL, 12.27.11
Excellent location, close to the beach, quiet and clean, good for our 2-year-old grandson, and good for everyone else, too. We would definitely recommend.
David V., Sunnyvale, CA, 12.22.11
Sitting out on the lanie was sooo relaxing. The master suite was perfect, we loved the house!
Piper T., Baldwinsville, NY, 12.18.11
I liked the cleanliness and convenient location-great rental
Piper T., Baldwinsville, NY, 12.18.11
cosy, comfortable setting; great pool; exceptional hospitality
Wolfgang P., Kailua, HI, 12.16.11
Best - the yard!
Customer service was excellent
Best part of the trip - having a house
Restaurants that we liked were Maui Tacos and Lanikai juice
My hubby and I on Waikiki Beach at the end of the trip
Advice for future vacationers - the yard is WAY BETTER in person, the photos are very poor
Tobe L., Surrey, BC, 12.16.11
Nice rental...Great location !!
John S., Lake Geneva, WI, 12.11.11
We loved this house - it's very spacious, has a huge veranda and was in great shape. The room with the queen in it only had transparent curtains so that lacked some privacy and made it very bright - while the yard was private the veranda was right outside the window so I think this should be fixed. The master is huge with a spacious closet (sliding doors with lots of cutouts but solid enough to block some light) where we fit the playpen for our toddler to sleep.There were a few spices etc in the kitchen but not as much as many condos we've stayed in - we had to buy our own sugar, syrup, soy sauce, ketchup etc (it would have been nice to at least have sugar around). It was incredibly clean with great outdoor spaces, was well-maintained and had great beach supplies (chairs, umbrella, sand toys, some snorkel equipment, boogie board). The bike mentioned in one review isn't there anymore.
I'd say our only significant issue with the place was that the road was very loud. From reviews we were prepared for some road noise but hoped since it was only a two-lane road outside that it wouldn't be that loud. As it is, it's a very busy road with motorbikes, buses and loud stereos going by literally shaking the house fairly often. It had only a wooden fence unlike a lot of properties on the road that had concrete to dampen the noise. We did get used to it to some degree but I think would still look for a different place next time just to get at least a house or two away from the road. Otherwise great location close to Lanikai, the beautiful pillbox hike (gorgeous sweeping views), VERY close to Kailua beach (2 minutes walk) and close to the town center and amenities. The town had everything we needed except a good gym that didn't require longer commitment (the YMCA for example wanted minimum of a 1 month pass). Beautiful spot all round though!
Laura L., Calgary, AB, 12.10.11
We enjoyed this rental very much. It was perfect for our trip. Customer service was excellent. I highly recommend this rental for anyone looking to "go native" in Hawaii and get away from the tourist traps. Kailua was great. We appreciated the Internet acess and the welcome gift basket. Mahalo!
George D., Pinckney, MI, 11.30.11
Excellent location, situated very close to the beach. Apartment nice and clean. Will return as soon as possible!!
Maja Z., Bern, , 11.11.11
I spent many hours trying to pick the perfect place for a long overdue family vacation. I succeeded beyond my wildest expectations!! (No, I'm not really that conceited...it is just a compliment and tribute to this wonderful place in Kailua, on Ohahu's windward shore.).
There are so many things to write about, but I will start with the people, because they are the ones who made this so perfect. Lori and Peter, the immediate property managers, were fantastic...every request was met with an immediate response (and there weren't many requests because virtually everything you could possibly want was already "in place" and waiting for us.) We were also lucky enough to meet Kia'aina who is the manager of a number of great properties. He, too, was wonderful to deal with, and the whole management team of Lori, Peter and Kia'aina are the kind of people who you consider to be really good friends, even though you just met them a few days ago.
And then there was the house...WOW! Just look at the pictures on the website. These will give you a clue, but you won't really know how wonderful it is until you get there and actually see the place! The kitchen is truly "to die for" with all top line Viking appliances, and everything you need in the way of dishes, utensils, cook ware, dish towels, dishwasher soap, an outdoor propane grill, and even basic condiments (salt, pepper, spices, vinegar, oil, you name it) are provided for you. We did most of our meals in the kitchen and on the grill...7 of us, and we loved it.
The rest of the house is equally wonderful. Master bedroom and bath are total luxury, and the bed sleeps like something out of your best ever dream! But wait...then there are the fabulous hot tub and swimming pool. All electronically controlled (you do it with a TV-style remote control) like nothing you--or I--have ever seen before!
Oh, and just a few other things...the absolutely beautiful and lush landscaping surrounding the house (which also provides total privacy), and the fact that it is truly only 100 steps from the house to one of the most beautiful and perfect beaches in Hawai'i...think of it---in less than one minute, you've gone from the indoor corner of paradise to the outdoor corner!!
We'll be going back again soon! Thanks Lori, Peter and Kia'aina.
Theron B., Spotsylvania, VA, 11.4.11
My husband and I and 4 teens stayed in Kailua Kai II in October - we had a fabulous vacation! The house itself was perfect, with lots of indoor and outdoor space for us to spread out. The house had everything we needed, including outdoor shower (with warm water!), boogie boards, towels and beach toys, a well equipped kitchen, and a bathroom for every bedroom. The beds were comfortable, the home was in good shape, the neighbours were friendly, and the location couldn't be better.
We spent hours body surfing immediately in front of our house, and enjoying the beach itself complete with friendly locals and dogs. One of my best memories will be of drinking my coffee at the beach every morning while watching the sun rise. The kids loved the big yard for playing ball.
We discovered a great new restaurant in Kailua, "Prima" which served pizza, but had a great selection of salads and appetizers too. We loved it so much, we went back twice! They don't have a wine list yet, so take your own bottle, and they'll only charge you $5 corkage. For less expensive meals, head to Maui Taco - I love the Ko'opika burrito or fish taco salad.
The management has been great to deal with; there when you need them, but not intrusive.
Lex B., Calgary, AB, 11.2.11
Lovely home. Good location. would definitely rent this home again. 2 small "irritations". There are no blinds on bedroom windows, which is fine for privacy as they are high up, but the rooms gets bright pretty early in the morning. Also, the a/c is on a timer from about 5 pm to 7 am...there were a few afternoons when it was humid and some a/c would have been welcome. Don't care much about the arrangement with a/c, but concerned that it was not reveled in the info.
Sandra S., Silver Spring, MD, 10.13.11
Every step of the process from renting the house, to checking into the house to departing the house was seamless. The photos are accurate and the house is spacious, clean and comfortable. The location was a perfect distance from the beach (a 1 block walk away, so you don't have to worry about finding parking!) a short drive to a local shopping center (for groceries, provisions and Lani Kai Juice <-- best. smoothies. ever.) and a short 30 minute drive to Waikiki. The covered porch and hammocks were so relaxing to have - and the pool was a nice way to cool off if you didn't want to deal with the short beach walk. All in all, Vacation Rental Agent handled this rental beautifully and I would highly recommend the services to others who are looking for housing rentals.
Rebecca L., Brooklyn, NY, 10.9.11
Aloha The Unit was perfect, the location was excellent, the beach just seconds away from the house, pool, hot tub. The unit was large enough for four couples, big enough and spacious that we all had our own special space. The greeting with Lori and Pete, and the service taken care of with in an hour, was excellent. Beautiful people. The four couples didn't want to leave this area, and the villa. We wished that we would have booked for longer, but, we had a money budget. We just loved our time their. And the Catholic Church just at the end of the street, walking distance. And the welcome we recieved their was perfect. The best thing about my trip was everything. Lori suggested Buzz's restaurant, it was excellent, friendly staff, no reservation they accomadated us, with in 1/2 hr. We took many pictures of the villa, and the beach. Standing on the beach and looking at the scenery, foilage mountains was breath taking. I would rent this villa again anytime. I will share this part of the Island and villa with anyone who asks me. And I will tell my friends. We were told by Lori to go to the Polynesian Culture Center, and Dole Plantation. We were not disapointed. We just were getting use to going, and discovering different little hide aways. If God willing maybe, we will be able to cross paths again. I will send this also to the other couples. I was a lovely time, so much peace. Mahalo
Beverley B., Ottawa, Ontario, 10.4.11
The location of this home is outstanding. The ability to walk out the front gate and step in Kailua Beach Park absolutely spoiled us. We stayed in the house with another family, so having two master bedrooms and two rooms for four kids (a bed for each) was absolutely brilliant. The open layout of the kitchen / family room / eating area flowed extremely well into the back yard with the pool. We loved the wiring in the house and the mp3 / iPod hook up at the desk that allowed us to listen to our music both inside and at the pool. House is stocked very well. Thanks for a great home away from home!
Robert B., Fenton, Missouri, 9.26.11
Kailua is our favorite place in Hawaii and since we had a two year-old toddler with us, we wanted to make sure that the house we get will fully satisfy us in many ways. It is the closest beach access I've ever seen. The street is private and the secret pathway to the beach leads you to the one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world in just two minutes! The best thing about it is that there are no people around you on the beach, since it's all residential houses around and no public parking around the area where the house is. We could go to the beach 2-3 times a day. And even if we forgot something at the house, it'd be a 5 minute round trip to get it :-) The house itself is very spacious, clean, with a good library and artwork, and very well taken care of. All the things you need are there. The swimming pool is large and deep and you can find all the beach toys you need. We were grlilling and watching night sky every night. We will defnitely be back! Mahalo for everything!!!!
Elena L., Anchorage, AK, 9.21.11
The size and space and the decor. Very good to difficult to choose, - Kailua beach? surf lessons? seeing our friends again?? The Beach House in Kauai, (was slightly disappointed with Buzz's this time. My daughters surfing Although Hawaii is a long way it is still very 'doable' Walk to Kalapawi market for your morning coffee and Lanikai in the early evening. Enjoy Kailua Beach as much as possible From England coming via LAX and back via San Francisco makes a great trip and alleviates some of the jet lag. The longer you can spend in Hawaii the better.
Judith M., Croydon, Surrey, 9.15.11
I loved the follow up and intro to the home by Verana. I loved that at night it was quiet and peaceful and the ability to walk out on the beach. we also loved the stadium seating and watched the sunrises from there in the morning. We love Cinnamon's and Boots and Keemo. We will back next year.
Mary G., Mayville, WI, 9.14.11
Great house - clean - spacious - comfortable. TV's in every bedroom - lots of pool/beach toys - everything you need in the kitchen. Owner available with local suggestions and very helpful. Thing I liked the best: house is located only 1 block from the most beautiful beach in the world! We will return!
Cindy O., Boulder, CO, 9.8.11
Hello, We enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home. So close to everything we wanted to do but far enough away for total relaxation. The beach was only a few minutes walk from the house. The Kailua beach is one of the best for taking long morning and evening walks. Of course, finishing our day off in the House's pool was perfect. Watching the palms swaying in the night breeze while we all enjoy sitting around the pool. Thanks, Joseph Miller
Joseph M., San Francisco, CA, 9.5.11
Great yard and very large pool. Beach was a close walk and great spot as no large crowds. Kailua and Lanikai Beach were the best beaches on the island. Kailua was very close so were able to enjoy the beach and not have to travel more than a few minutes to get groceries or something to eat in Kailua.
Patty G., Las Vegas, Nevada, 9.4.11
What I liked best about the unit I rented was that it was so beautifully furnished with things I would not have remembered to bring such like paper towels, toilet paper, beach towels, glasses, silverware, and also things such like blow dryer and even a washer and dryer!
The customer service I received was excellent, though I was a little confused as to the check out. I felt a little uncomfortable not talking to anyone or giving the key to someone before leaving.
The best part of my trip was the beautiful unit and how it was so close to the beach. My other guests were able to walk to the beach without having me to drive them which was very nice.
The best restaurant I found was Cinnamons which we all ate for breakfast. I mostly like to eat at Zippy's when I come down to Hawaii.
The best picture I took was of myself and for my bridal pictures was with some of the beautiful furnishings within the unit.
I can't wait to tell all my friends that the Makana's Place is a beautiful place to stay if they are planning to stay for an extended time in Hawaii.
My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be to double check the rules for check out. I still don't know if I did it right.
The part of my trip I would definitely recommend to others is to book this unit if they would like to enjoy a relaxing get away from Waikiki and would rather enjoy a more local atmosphere.
The best "insider tip" I received while on my trip was....n/a
I didn't have time this trip, but next trip I'm looking forward to spending more time at the beach. Me and my new husband's favorite beach is Sherwoods.
Thank you so very much for making our stay such a relaxing and stress free experience. This was my first time renting out a SFH and so did not know what to expect. I stumbled on a diamond in the rough. The Makana's Place is so very beautiful and we hope that we may one day come back and revisit, rent this unit again in reminiscing our marriage years from now. Thank you so much for everything. You all have really made our destination wedding such an memorable and enjoyable experience which we will carry with us. I'm sorry, but I hope we did what we were suppose to do as far as checking out and clean up.
Tricia Y., Wilmington, CA, 8.29.11
Beautiful House in a lovely spot
Andrew R., Pasadena, Ca, 8.28.11
The house was very comfortable, spacious, and well equipped. The children, ages 6 and 9, found the pool excellent and spent hours there, swimming and diving for rings. The landscaping made it very pleasant to sit out there and watch them. The beach was lovely with its fine sand and clear, warm water. We watched turtles swimming and some of the party even saw sea horses. One of the best aspects we should not advertise, but it was great to be away from the main tourist areas. The closest restaurant, Buzz's, was crowded and noisy, although the food was good. We found a good Italian restaurant in Kailua.
Kay I., Parnell, Auckland, 8.28.11
What I liked best about the unit I rented was its location by Kailua Beach, about 1500 feet to the waves The customer service I received was excellent, and Kimberly lives just next door, so problems (actually there wern't any) are solved quickly. My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be bring an air conditioner, unit needs more than just a couple of ceiling fans to cool it during the day, at night it's fine.
Evan S., PORTLAND, OR, 8.25.11
All i can say is "what a great place to stay"
Suzanne and Paul F., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 8.25.11
We arrived after dark. Directions were clear & easy. We were welcomed thru the gates to a warmy lit home. The pictures do not do it justice. This home has a wonderful spacious layout with all the personal touches of home. It is so much bigger & more beautiful. Lush, tropical backyard so relaxing. Pool & beach towels and toys. Gourmet kitchen had everything you could ask for. We felt like we were staying at a fabulous resort with no one else around. We plan to return and would never stay in Waikiki again. Lanikai Beach was pristine and so perfect for our Sons sunrise wedding. Kailua Beach and surrounding area was fabulous. Loved all the "localness" not touristy at all. It reminded us of old Hawaii and we loved every minute. Customer service was excellent too. 1st day our coffee maker did not work, but a quick phone call and a new one appeared on our door step that afternoon. Only drawback is the place sits on a busy road and is a bit noisy for 2 bedrooms on that side of the house.
Shawn C., Taylorsville, UT, 8.16.11
The best part of the Pikake Hale was the master bedroom on the second floor. The room was all windows with a large rooftop lanai. Every morning we woke up to the sunrise peeking in above the ocean. The constant sound of the waves and the breeze through the room was paradise. The caretaker, Eddie, was great! He helped us out with anything we needed. I would reccomend this rental to anyone and would love to come back. Perefect home away from home!
Gregory E., Falls Church, VA, 8.13.11
what I liked best about the unit i rented was : clean , really big like the picture showed on the web site , close to the beach , in a wonderful position , we recommend this house for family with kids
Paolo M., Villa guardia - como, , 8.11.11
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Hale Kimo! The house is perfect for families, with lots of room to spread out and well appointed with anything a family might need. The pool and and gardens are breathtaking! The proximity to the beach was primo! Kailua is a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. We enjoyed shave ice at Island Snow, and breakfast at Cinnamons Restaurant. Our stay at the Hale Kimo was the highlight of our Hawaiian vacation and we plan to return in the future! Mahalo!
Melissa R., Vienna, VA, 8.11.11
It's hard to go wrong when the beach begins just beyond your back yard. We truly enjoyed relaxing as a family at Hale Kai Surf. The house has plenty of room and the views were amazing. Watching the sunrise each morning over the water with a cup of coffee was a great way to begin the day. There were many things to do with our four kids (ages 1, 5, 7 and 10) within 30 minutes! The house also had almost everything we needed - boogie boards, beach chairs, umbrellas, toys, etc. This was very nice, finding out that we didn't have to go out and buy a bunch of stuff. What a great time.
Blake S., Kansas City, MO, 8.9.11
We enjoyed Baby Honu so much as a couple that we traveled back there from the east coast with our teenage kids. The location is excellent, the ocean kayak company we rented from was next door, the beach 1 block away is great plus the next beach down on the right - Lanikai beach has some of the best snorkeling on Oahu and the next beach on the left - Kalama beach - has some of the best boogie boarding. The property manager, Kimberly, is great - she proactively checks to see if you need anything and is very helpful with activity and restaurant recommendations.
Eileen and Brian C., ABINGTON, PA - Pennsylvania, 8.6.11
Kimberly was welcoming and helpful about things to do in Kailua. We enjoyed the farmers market on Thursday night, kayaked and walked to our hearts content.
Colin C., Phoenix, Arizona, 8.2.11
It was a perfect family hangout. Everything that you could have needed was provided for. The location is so convenient and with the added benefit of a pool- good enough size for kids. Kailua was beautiful, the sand on the beach so fine.
Daphne S., Hong Kong, Nil, 8.1.11
The Hale Manu is perfectly located on Kailua Beach. Our favorite part of each day was taking early morning walks along the beach to the Kalapawei Market for our morning coffee and returning to the home for a relaxing open-air breakfast. Also recommend the Kalapawei Cafe in downtown Kailua for well prepared dinners utilizing local ingredients.
Russ L., McKinney, TX, 7.31.11
My stay here was fantastic! I had never stayed at anything except a traditional hotel prior to this, but after this trip I can't imagine staying anywhere else on Oahu. The room was so nicely furnished, and the pool is fabulous. You would have a hard time finding a place to stay with better beach access than Plumeria.
Karlyn K., Gig Harbor, WA, 7.29.11
The house was so much more than we expected.....it was a delightful surprise. The nearness of the beach was truly a plus and the layout of the house worked like a charm for all 10 of us even though initially we had a tough time finding the 5th bedroom. Five out of the 10 of us had lived in Kailua for 21 years -- 1968 -1989....and two of the ten currently live in Waialua, I know we would all recommend this vacation rental in a heart beat. It truly deserves a 5***** rating.
Fay D., Lodi, CA, 7.27.11
The House was perfect for our family of four and could easily take more people comfortably. The location is amazing with a two minute lovely walk to the beach. The beach is miles of long white beautiful sand and warm clear stunning water, which we walked everyday of our stay. We used the house pool equally as much and our boys swam all day everyday. This trip we visited Pearl Harbour and our two boys aged 11 and 9 really loved it - as did we. Whilst we did most of our own cooking we loved Buzz's - the fish was delicious!. The owners were very welcoming and never once made us feel like anything was to much bother, they never seemed to mind the noise that two very active boys can make and in fact they laughed with us about how high spirited they are. This is our second stay at Hale Kea and we will always come back to here.
Peter E., Auckland, Auckland, 7.26.11
The location, the views, the furniture, the kitchen and convenience were the best parts of the unit.. I loved how it was so open. The customer service was EXCELLENT answered all calls, friendly and helpful. The best part of the trip was having a pool and being with family. We did not eat out the kitchen was excellent! The best picture was on Flat Island after we snorkeled to it. I can't wait to tell my friends how beautiful Hawaii is and how great it is to rent a house on the beach there. My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be is to rent it! The part of my trip I would definitely recommend to others is that you can relax but get up to see the beautiful sunrise on the ocean. I didn't have time this trip, but next trip I'm looking forward to kayaking to Mokulua Islands and hiking up Diamondhead. My only single suggestion for the unit would be to get a better coffee pot that includes a thermos and buy some bigger mugs but the rest of the dinnerware was beautiful. I would definitely rent there again!!!
Marie C., Clarksville, MD, 7.26.11
1. Everyone had their own bathroom!! The view!!! 2. fine 3. Swimming with the turtles 4. Agnes's Portugese bakery, love the malassada. 5. Family dinner for mom's 90th birthday 6. Renting a house on the beach is the only way to visit the islands 7. rent a kayak, snorkel, visit the north shore I have a bit of a problem with the $500 cleaning fee. I think this is a bit exorbitant. Perhaps a partial refund if the unit is left in good condition. We left it as least as clean as when we arrived, beds just needed stripping and sheets laundered. Other than that we loved our stay.
Mary L., Huntington Beach, California, 7.23.11
The house was beautiful, well-designed, well-organized and perfect for relaxing. It's well decorated and appointed - and the distance to the beach truly is just 100 steps. Neighborhood is quiet - but close enough to shops, restaurants, and stores to enjoy activity when you wanted to. The beach is not crowded, fairly private and beautiful. The management company responded very quickly to the only issue we had - and this was a mechanical issue with the pool caused by the previous renters. The management company took care of it very quickly - within 24 hours. The house is fully stocked - especially the kitchen. We enjoyed our visit immensely and would highly recommend this rental! The only improvement I could recommend is having the owners add some additional beach towels to the linen closet. We ran out of beach towels every couple of days. Otherwise, perfect. Aloha!
Cindy M., Bellaire, Texas, 7.20.11
The Beach House has an excellent location it is right at the beach. We had an amazing time. We hiked to a waterfall through a forest that looks like a movie set. We also kayaked to the Mokes and went snorkling. The best resturant we went to is called Halea Joes they have wonderful fresh caught fish and a pond that you can walk around. Kailua is a heavenly place.
Kathy V., Venice, CA, 7.14.11
I would like to say thank you for renting Makana's Place. It was very clean,i received prompt service, we enjoyed the peacefulness also. The one thing we did not like on our trip was too much traffic in Honolulu, however we did enjoy some of the things we got to do there like Jimmy Buffett's Restaurant. I would definitely recommend taking the trip to Pear Harbor, my grandchildren enjoyed it alot. The only negative comments I have about Makana's Place was not enough dishes when we got ready to eat for our family of nine and the first bedroom bed had a broken rail, however I did not report it until I got ready to leave because we were able to sleep in the bed anyway. I will definitely recommend Makana's Place to my friend who is planning a trip next year.
Sharrion A., Winchester, Kentucky, 7.13.11
The Cottage at Kailua Beach Park was the perfect Hawaiian home for our family of 8! We absolutely LOVED it! The size was perfect and the layout was great! Our favorite feature of the home was definitely the pool and hot tub. After a day at the beach (which was very easy to get to--right across the street) we all enjoyed relaxing poolside. The details of the home were amazing--from the lighting, the landscaping, the great showers (inside & out), the fabulous kitchen, and the bedrooms all added to the enjoyment we experienced. EVERYTHING we needed was provided--we didn't need to bring a thing! The entire family had a fantastic time--from the 2 year old grandson all the way up to the 59 year old Grandpa! We can't wait to tell our friends about this and will recommend it to everyone! For an informal meal, we all loved Teddy's Bigger Burgers right in Kailua. One excursion we all enjoyed was the trip to the Dole Pineapple Plantation--something for everyone! And don't miss waking up and experiencing at least one gorgeous sunrise! Again, just a short walk across to the beach for the most awesome sight of nature! Next time, we all look forward to kayaking in the ocean (again the rental for these is right down the street). The convenience of the location cannot be overemphasized--it made everything so easy to do!
Sally T., Findlay, Ohio, 6.27.11
We are former residents of Oahu's leeward side but prefer to stay in Kailua whenever we visit. Kailua Beach House and Tradewinds Cottage was perfect for us! We loved having our morning coffee on the front porch! The cottage was great for our grandsons (age 19 & 25) as it gave them privacy from us old folks. Customer service was great. Even though we had no problems, the agent made it clear that she was available if we needed her. We look forward to recommending this property to our friends!
Tiffiney N., Woodway, TX, 6.26.11
We liked that we were close to town & still on the beach. The views were wonderful. Unfortunately it was a very windy week while we were visiting causing the windows to get very dirty & too much blowing sand on the beach. We would have washed the windows if there had been a bucket, ammonia & a squeegee. The staff responded to our calls, but the AC wasn't fixed until the end of our stay. The room with the maroon bedspread had a high pitched humming sound so we quickly turned it off. The twin bedroom's AC had a condensation leak, so we didn't use it either. The maroon bedspread room also had a leak somewhere in the ceiling as the bed was wet. There were a number of issues that when I mentioned them it appeared as though the management knew about the problems prior to our arrival yet they hadn't been taken care of. The best part of our trip was being in Hawaii. We enjoyed the relaxing holiday that we had. The best restaurant we found was in Kailua, Uahi Island Grill, it was really good. Longhi's at the Ala Moana shopping center was good too. We also had a great lunch in Haleiwa at the burger place that's been in business for 30 yrs (new larger location on the main drag, don't remember the name, cash only). Our favorite picture was taken at the Paradise Cove luau (Ko 'Olina) with the birds, they put on a good show. My advice to future guests at the house would be to bring ear plugs, the construction next door was not noisy for construction, but noisy enough... Monday-Friday they start around 7am.The bedrooms were also light at dawn, we slept with the windows & doors open for ventilation, but if the AC had worked the curtains wouldn't have made the rooms dark. But the main issue that we had was the lack of privacy. The master bathroom was not totally separate from the master bedroom which is not totally separate from the room with the twin beds. The walls do not go all the way to the ceiling. I knew that the twin bed room had the partial wall, but I didn't remember that it was with the master bedroom! I definitely prefer more privacy (especially in the bathroom), at any price, but especially when we are paying top dollar. The other thing about the master is that there was only a lamp on one side of the bed, maybe a wall hung light could be installed on the other side of the bed for reading. Overall the unit was OK, looking a little run down & in need of sprucing up. There weren't even 6 matching glasses or wine glasses. The furniture in the main living room was damp feeling & not overly comfy. The dampness may have been because of the weather that we had while we were there, but it was noticeable. I think our main issue was value for dollar spent. We spent top dollar for beachfront location & the house itself wasn't top dollar. Location yes, house no. At a lower price point my expectations would have been lower too. All in all we still had a wonderful time in Hawaii & hope to return soon.
Linley B., Fresno, CA, 6.23.11
We enjoyed beautiful beach and nice accommodation so much. And privet pool is very secure for our daughters. In addition the location was very nice, it is easy to access for H3 or 61. That helped us to access anywhere in Oahu easily.
Masayuki K., Saitama, Saitama, 6.21.11
The pictures don't really do this house justice. It's spacious and clean and very Hawaiian comfortable. Even though the house is set back from the beach, you can see the water, hear the waves and feel the breeze. Actually, being that it is the windward side of the island it's probably better that the house is set back a little. The beach is amazing! High or low tide was still fun to go in the waves, and the warm water meant we stayed in for literally hours. It was very windy at times, but if it's hot out that becomes a benefit. We loved travelling around the island to hike, snorkel, shop, and see some sights, but mostly loved "living" in Kailua and feeling like residents, not tourists. We actually ended up cooking at home most nights because we stayed at the beach so long and it was easy to go to the market for different kinds of poke to eat with rice, salad, noodles, or whatever in the covered lanai. We would recommend Muumuu Heaven for amazing dresses, gifts and art (right in Kailua), Leonards and the Rainbow Diner in Honolulu, shopping in Haleiwa on the north shore, as well as swimming with the sea turtles and diving off the rocks at Waimea. We hope to stay at Hale Manu again sometime soon!
Leslie K., Irvine, CA, 6.20.11
Everything about this house was perfect for us. It was not "fancy", but comfortable, homey, and suited all our needs. The beautiful back lawn leading to the beach was our grand children's favorite place; mine, the terrace overlooking the yard and beach. Everything in the house and yard were beautifully maintained. The location was also perfect for us as Kailua is our favorite location on the Windward side.
Courtney P., Houston, TX, 6.19.11
Lovely place. Good quality. Pleasant open "great room". Many extras: Beach chairs, snorkels, boogie boards, excellent electronics. Kailua is a great place to stay, and this lovely home is one minute from the beach. Good service for getting in and out.
Lee S., Salt Lake City, Utah, 6.19.11
Kailua is a lovely place to stay. This home was clean and and, while only fairly near the beach, the price was fair. Service was good.
Lee S., Salt Lake City, Utah, 6.19.11
the quality of the home was excellent and the location was in a quiet spot just next to the beach entry, the aircon did not work downstairs and the pool was not heated ,other than that job well done
Alex M., Berwick, Victoria, 6.15.11
WOW - where to begin. The house was perfect! Beautiful, spacious, friendly, great location,.... We had our granddaughter (6 months old) for a few days with us - she could crawl around,swim in the pool, nap, all very comfortably. Beach is just across the street, heated pool and hot tub in the backyard - all perfect. Two master suites - perfect for us and our son to have privacy from each other but vacation together. House has a great layout and design. We grilled out a couple of nights and loved sitting in the gazebo enjoying the windward side of the island. We walked to Buzz's for dinner one night, drove to Fromaggio's another night. Dole Planation was very interesting and a beautiful drive to get there. Lunch at Dole was delicious - we shared a entree between the two of us. More than enough! The house has everything you will need besides your clothing & toothbrush! Towels, soap, dishes, linens - everything was there, ready for you to arrive. Cleaning staff arrived when we were leaving - very pleasant and wanted to make sure we had a fabulous trip. Of course we did - wish we were still there! From calling the caretaker when we hit the H3 to saying good bye to the cleaning staff - our trip could not have been better - just longer! Mahalo!
Kimberleigh D., Louisville, Kentucky, 6.14.11
This tradewinds cottage was very comfortable. We truely enjoyed staying here and will rent this cottage again. It was nice with the ceiling fans and AC in the bedroom and living room. We loved the decorative of hawaii in this Cottage. We also were able to walk to the public beach area which had no parking available. Amazingly enjoyable One note - would have been nice if the cottage had more bath towels available. We needed to wash the towels daily. Other than that - it was amazing
Sharon F., Spanaway, Wa, 6.12.11
The villa was amazing and we really enjoyed our stay. It was almost perfect except for the fact that there was a mistake made and we could not reach anybody when we arrived, and also that nobody came to clean the pool which became quite dirty. The owners were quickly available, however, and reacted very appropriately. We loved the beach in front of the house, one of the nicest we saw on the island. The place was very quiet and safe. Everything was exactly as described or better, no surprises! Thank you very much, we had a great time! We definitely recommend this villa.
Rimma O., Westmount, Quebec, 6.9.11
The best thing was easy access to the beautiful Kailua Beach. Also - it was great to walk to Kalapawai Market and to Buzz's. The customer service was very good, although usually when I have rented we have not been met by the agent and she does not return to say good bye - these behaviors made me feel like she was "checking us out." I prefer anonymity. But she was very nice and had some good advice re: restaurants. We always love going to Buzz's and Roy's in Hawaii Kai. Kalapawai Cafe is good and the sandwiches they make at the market are good. The most beautiful beaches were Waimanlalo Bay Park, Hanauma Bay and Waimea Bay. Also - Bellows was the best body surfing at high tide on weekends (closed during the week). This unit did not have great kitchen stuff - not enough classes and mugs and flatware. Also - would appreciate a rice cooker. Also - sesame oil but no shoyu? strange. There was barely enough laundry soap and we ran out of automatic dishwashing soap. I felt this was kind of chincy.
Dana K., Westport, CT, 6.8.11
This property is amazing!! A group of 6 of us stayed here for a week and couldn't have been happier with the location or the accomodations. Everything we needed was readily available - beach towels, boogie boards, a cooler, fully stocked kitchen.... they thought of everything! The covered lanai was the perfect gathering spot and my bed was extra comfy. Literally steps from a beautiful beach and close to Kailua town for an ono breakfast to start the day (Boots & Kimo's or Cinnamon's were our faves). Everyone agreed that we'd stay here again in a heartbeat... you really cannot beat the location!!
Amy K., Seattle, WA, 6.5.11
The house was great--very comfortable. The beach was the best we were on. I would definately rent this property again. The manager was friendly and easy to get along with.
Judy R., McAlister, NewMexico, 6.4.11
We had a great trip to a lovely beach! We had a little anxiety when we first located the address. Don't be put off by the neighboring homes. Honu Hale was lovely (and we got great deals next door renting kayaks and paddle boards)! We loved kayaking to the twin islands off of Lanikai, biking, snorkeling (we swam with sea turtles!), and hiking up to the pillbox and to the falls at a local rainforest park. (Despite some earlier comments that the owner loaned their bikes and kayaks, that's not the case. We got good rates for water equipment from Jordan and Pete next door, and for bikes from The Bike Shop near the library.) We got a rewards card at the local Safeway and purchased groceries there. Lots on sale. Actually loved cooking in the kitchen and grilling in the lovely yard. We only got to Buzz's once, although Coldstone Creamery lured us several nights! The little deli was precious, but we never got around to eating there. (We had eaten out every night the week before in the city.) Find the incredible swimwear store near the bike shop and pawn store--something for everyone, even bikinis for the puritans! The college kids appreciated Starbucks in town, the movie theatre down the road, the wireless internet. (We never turned on the TVs!) And--despite early groans that they couldn't stay in an unairconditioned apartment--they loved the apartment, feeling they were in the treetops with the birds, and almost got cold at night! (It was in May, though.) The third room is tinier than tiny, but the 21-year-old loved his privacy there--and had the best view in the house! Do drive up to North Shore and the fruit stands (try the fried banana--trust me!) and down the picturesque coastal road towards Waikiki. But come back after the jaunt. We had stayed a week in Waikiki, and being in Kailua was truly paradise compared to the big city! We went to Oahu for a business trip, thinking we'd never return.....now I don't know about that ;-) !
Robin H., Burlington, NC, 6.1.11
This is a very nice place,comfortable and lovely pool area. Owners VERY nice and close by. Has beach chairs and boggie boards,cooler. A little traffic noise but I think all houses in this area the same. Very close to the beautiful beach! Great resturants in this town.
Roslyn S., Denver, Colorado, 5.29.11
My husband and I are frequent visitors to Kailua, usually staying with friends, but needed a large rental to accommodate us and our son's family of 6 people. The children ranged from 7-15 and the house was perfect for all of us to sleep, eat and play games comfortably. The children were in the pool when we were home from the beach or sightseeing so it was very relaxing for the adults! We had wanted A/C for my husband but the breeze through the house kept us cool both day and night so A/C was not missed at all. We greatly appreciated the paper goods, soaps and laundry detergent provided. Every contact with Kia'aina and Lori was friendly and helpful, answering our questions and accommodating us. We recommend them and this wonderful beach house to anyone with a family. The children learned to boogie board with the provided equipment and used the sand toys. We made several trips to Teddy's, Starbucks and Island Snow. Our son and his 15 and 11 year old sons enjoyed a Shark adventure out of Haliewa. Great location, house and vacation!
Marni G., Friday Harbor, WA, 5.29.11
The location of the unit is good-close to beach w/o beachfront rental prices. Also close to H-3 and N. Kaleheo dr. Lori was very responsive. Our favorite restaurant is Roys. In Kailua we enjoy Tokonome's. Our favorite hike is Makapu'u. we did Kai'iwa Ridge(pillbox trail) Great view of Lanikai. Best advice is to research the island-find the hidden treasures(off the beaten path) ex. Pillbox trail--Kameheme Ridge hike. The best pictures were from Kamehame Ridge-overlooking Waimanalo. Unfortunately the units WIFI did not work too well. Had to reset each time you log out and it is slow. 5-10 minutes for a page to come up. Would be nice to have A/C in the unit. The neighborhood is quiet which is good.--I am from Florida so the plants are much the same, but my parents from Mass. enjoy the plants at the unit, as well we did get a papaya from the tree.
Vince S., Margate, Fl, 5.21.11
My favorite part of the house was the outdoor pool and spa area - lots of lounging room was great for an informal gathering. The bathrooms were spotless and the layout of the house was convenient. The reception staff were courteous, warm and helpful. Being so close to the ocean was soothing, even though it rained most of the time. All the seating areas allowed for a lot of privacy. I called to advise that the gas grill was almost out of propane and a person showed up at my door in 15 minutes - impressive! Cooking in the kitchen was a snap because it had everything we needed. The spa comfortably seated 4 people, perfect. Only downsides: 1. The master bedroom air conditioner is broken. 2. The pull-out couch in the living room area has such a worn mattress as to make it unusable. 3. The upstairs unit needs an air conditioner. Thank you so much for such a delightful stay. We will surely contact you should be require future reservations.
Debra W., Makawao, HI, 5.12.11
Access to the beach is great! Customer service is great! Best part of the trip was being away from the busy side of Oahu! Having air conditioning in the bedrooms is a real plus! And the air conditioner was very quiet!
Ardie F., Eugene, Oregon, 5.11.11
This is the perfect family house for a wonderful vacation in Kailua. The beach is so close, and just gorgeous. The kids loved the yard, as did the grown-ups. The house has virtually everything you need in the kitchen, and a nice grill for outdoor cooking. If you stay here, get up early enough for the short walk to the sunrise - it's well worth it. We will definitely stay here again.
Phil S., Anchorage, AK, 5.9.11
we enjoyed hanging out in the lanai, watching our toddler play in the yard! the street was a bit noisy, but the beach was a block away, so overall a wonderful home away from home!
Maki K., New york, Ny, 5.7.11
We loved everything about this house. My son has autism so he was able to be in the water day and night because not only did the house have direct acess to the beach but it also had a beautiful pool. We discovered the Willow Tree Restaurant and had the best Korean BarBQ and long rice among other things. We got it to go and ate outside at the house. There was a wine shop next door that had a food counter in back with the most incredible ahi pokes we had on the island. They had to have come straight out of the water. Loved this place and would recommend to anyone!
Mary G., Mililani, Hawaii, 5.5.11
It was wonderful. An amazing location. The only upgrade that would make it a 5 star would be central air conditioning. Consider it. Thanks for a great vacation.
Stephen M., Foster City, CA, 5.2.11
the unit i rented was well orginized and equiped,with up to date amentities. the house was also very clean. great customer service. the beach was better than i thought it would be. it was definatly the highlight of our vaction . we mostly cooked our own meals so we found foodland to be the best bet for dinning needs. bring lots of sun screen several of us got sun burned. vacation rental agent was very easy to deal with and profesional. just a email or phone call away with quick response. i would use there listings again. my entire group had a blast. they even had all the amentities for my 19 month old grandson thanx. all in all it was one of my alltime favorite trips to date and i have had plenty. thanks again fom our friends and family joe.
Joe K., Port alberni, B.C., 5.2.11
Hale Kimo was very comfortable and very clean. The house had enough space for all seven of us to be comfortable. We could be together in the main rooms and back yard in the pool or go and be quiet if that is what we wanted. The best part was the beach. We could walk to the beach in less than 3 minutes down a path. It was great! We ate in most of the time (the kitchen was very well equipped) because it was so pleasant in the house and then we would go back to the beach!! The customer service was excellent! If we had questions, we just called and they were answered right away. My family had a great time and it was very hard to leave. Thank you for providing such a wonderful place to stay. It was perfect for a quiet getaway. I will definitely reccomend you to all of my friends!! Thank you again! Mary Gustafson and family
Mary G., Mililani, Hawaii, 5.1.11
Our second time at Honu Hale. Our experience was peaceful and tranquil. We spent 2 1/2 wks this time. Next year hopefully a month. When things get too quiet just drive to Waikiki for the day. Visit Zia's, the farmers' market and Champa Thai for great food. The beach OMG!.......it's why we love Kailua. Kimberly was very gracious and always there if something should go wrong, but nothing ever does.
Lydia F., Palmetto Bay, Florida, 5.1.11
The Beach Walk is just PERFECT for two friends who want to share guest quarters, but each have their own room and bath. It was ideal for its layout, its size, and its location. My niece and her husband are both Naval officers, and live just up the road with their children, and we had them over a couple of times for cookouts, using the small but well-stocked kitchen and the charming, enclosed back patio and grill. Kailua beach (recently rated one of the top five beaches in the world) was literally a (long, "city") block away, and we could see it and the adjoining park from the cottage's front windows. The owner runs a rental places cleaning service, so the place was extremely well thought out for its purpose, and very well maintained and cleaned, as you can imagine. The cottage is near a major road, but with the windows shut and the a/c on at night, I slept quite well, and I'm a light sleeper in general. I'd highly recommend "the Beach Walk" as the perfect Kailua rental cottage
Beth W., Chicago, IL, 4.29.11
The house was great nice layout, lovely pool, and so close to the beach we could walk barefoot. We definitely plan to return.
Nadav S., Oakland, CA, 4.25.11
Beautiful house just two blocks away from the beach. Lots of beach towels and beach toys for kids. No complaints!
Brian C., NEW YORK, NY, 4.25.11
We really liked the open feel of the Hale Ohana home. We had plenty of room for our family of five. My daughters enjoyed the pool, but wished the hot tub had worked, ( I don't believe it has worked in a while). It was very easy to get around Oahu from this Kailua home. Most locations around the island were no more than an hour's drive. We did a ton of snorkeling, Hanauma Bay, Shark's Cove, Ko'Olina cove and rented our equipment from Snorkel Bob's (great place to rent gear!), visited Pearl Harbor, North Shore (Haleiwa Joe's is great!), Waimea Valley and Falls, Honolulu and Waikiki (Roy's in Honolulu was the best restaurant we visited on the island (superb food and killer chocolate souffles!)
Kim I., Los Gatos, CA, 4.22.11
Peter was very friendly and informative. Was not a nuisance at all as previously stated. The home is a perfect place for families with a great, safe, sandy beach. This home has good facilities and beach items. There was a lot of room for our family of 6, with 4 teenagers. Privacy could be easily maintained with the layout of the rooms. There are a lot of good restaurants in the area. We liked 'Willow' if you like local Korean food, and Island Snow which we think is the best Shave Ice on the island. Both are in Kailua and just down the street from this home. My best advice is don't bring very many clothes. Just do a wash every few days. It will save on any surprises with baggage fees. Hawaiian Airlines has a way of eeking out $$ from you this way. Watch your carry-on sizes so you don't run the risk of them not fitting in the overhead storage. We were able to do mostly carry on bags and 1 check in suitcase. Mahalo
Mary Beth C., Encinitas, CA, 4.22.11
The customer service was outstanding from Mary via phone and excellent communication with Debra , helpful and kind. I loved the unit, it was a perfect beach home. I would suggest you eat at Buzzs Steakhouse, very good food and friendly service. I loved the calm ocean at Laniki! I grew up in Kailua, and it was a very special vacation for us. I usually stay on the North Shore. I will be back and would highly recommend this lovely beach home.
Sabrina I., San Diego, Ca, 4.11.11
Everything about the vacation rental was great. I stayed in this house with 2 families with young kids and we all had a great time and realy enjoyed staying in this house. I would definitely recomend staying at this location to anyone who wants to have a relaxing time in Oahu. The only negative thing I can say is that a couple of the matresses in the rooms could do with an upgrade.
Manuel J., Lakewood, CA, 4.8.11
Our group had a very pleasant stay at the Aloha Spirit. The group was made up of 5 sailors, 2 wives and a toddler, which was a perfect number for the house as we did not have to use the sofa bed, which meant the living area was not compromised. A baby travel cot was available for our use. Communication with the agents was very good and easy, being demonstrated when the BBQ gas bottle was empty, which when reported was filled the same day. The house was as advertised, with a modern fully working kitchen, reasonable bed linen and towels, a large selection of beach towels, which was a definite plus. The garage was full of extra beach equipment which we were able to use. Access to the beach, was not described, which I would include in the house brochure as this is not automatically obvious when you arrived at the house. Between us we had 4 cars which was not a problem as there is a large grass area outside the house to accommodate any that can not fit into the garage. Proximity to the supermarket is good. I would suggest the option of having more keys available if necessary as the 2 we had meant that we had to leave one in a "special" place so everybody could come and go at will. I would recommend this house to others.
Liz D., Calabasas, California, 4.5.11