We had a terrific stay in Lanikai. The bungalow was charming and the location is the best. The customer service was fantastic and I would stay there again the next time i am lucky enough to visit Oahu.
Mary L., New York, NY, 5.15.12
Best place to be. Nice beautiful house. Awesome caretaker who accommodates all your needs. So worth it, and we loved everything about it.
Kehau M., Kailua, HI, 4.26.12
we rentet the Lanikai Beach Bungalow for 11 days. the house was very old, but newly paintet. the whole house was very "used" and the kitchen was too old and we had to call for extra forks, knives and glasses.There were not enough for 8 people!!! . The room with 2 beds was not good. The bathroom was awful, the door could not close. All the windows in all the house alowed the wind to come in!! and it was very, very windy!! We were promised a beach in front of the house. That did not exsist! We had to walk to the big beach, and the reason for why we choose this house was the beach in front, as we had invited our grandsons along, as well as our daughters and son-in-law. The costumer service, we recieved was good but we had to call several times for toiletpaper and we were asked, if we could tidy the house, so people could come see it, as it is for sale!! We refused, of course!! We think if was expensive enough, and it was our vacation, and we did not want to tidy up for that reason. The house is for 8 persons, but there is only 2 beach-chairs, and one was broken! the beach-gear was very old and very used. There was no kajak, so we could go to the islands in front of the house. Last year we rentet an apartment, also in Mokulua Drive, and there was everything, we could use, also bicycles!! The best about the house was the placement, just at oceanfront, and the turtels. The garden was good for the children, and it was closed. Especially our family was not pleased with the house. We had expected something nicer. We think it was very expensive for such an old house, worn out!! No, we will not come back, even if the surroundings are beautiful, and we all love Hawaii so much. We will come back to Hawaii, even if it is a very long trip all the way from Denmark, but we will expect something better for that high price. We could easily have staryed in a 5-star hotel inWaikiki for the same price!! Best regards from us inDenmark, Hanne Andersen
Hanne A., Copenhagen, , 2.27.12
Comment by Owner/Manager:
We are very surprised by this review as this home is always well received. Being told in the past that "the pictures don't do it justice" and having just painted it, the home is actually nicer than the photos would suggest. We met this family during their stay and quickly satisfied any requests or concerns. We immediately brought over new forks, knives and glasses, having no idea what happened to the current set as these things are counted after every check-out and later discovered broken new wine glasses in the trash that these guest left behind? This guest is not very clear using vague terms to describe the home which makes it hard for us to take seriously or even begin to address their claims. This property is advertised as "oceanfront" and as having a seawall. There are no kayaks advertised in the amenities but there is info at the home concerning Kayak Rentals and numbers to call. Upon greeting this guest at check-in we did explain that there is a 2 minute stroll to the beach and how to get there. I wonder how well this client researched this home before booking with us as he/she seems to have missed a lot of what was in our photos and have expected things that were never listed for the house. This home was recently put up for sale. We did ask if a realtor could come in to view the home letting them know that it was definately their prerogative to say no. There are 4 new Tommy Bahama Beach Chairs by the front door and an umbrella. We do try our best to keep an open mind, address any issues valid or not, and most of all form friendships by excellent service and sharing our island paradise.
This is a comfortable home offering incredible oceanfront views in a quiet but charming neighborhood. The location and conveniences of a private residence cannot be compared to any other accommodation. We were very pleased and hope to return again in the future. The host was super congenial and helpful. A very nice and unexpected perk was the Pillbox hike to breathtaking views just up the road, rivaling Diamondhead. Also, Kailua Beach Park is a short walk or run and the towncenter a short drive for all the conveniences of coffee, quaint boutiques, ice cream, and fantastic pancakes at Cinnamon's. Waking up to watch the sun rise over the ocean while drinking hot coffee is something all vacationers to Hawaii should have the pleasure of experiencing. We used a rented kayak and paddleboard and also snorkeled right down the steps leading to the beach from our backyard.
Sarah T., Hardin, MT, 1.25.12
My family of 7 had a wonderful time in our beach house. The location was fabulous, and it was so homey that you felt it truly was your home. We had wonderful meals in town (Kailua) . . . Best was Baci Bistro -- wonderful Italian!! And best breakfast was at Cinnamons. The only "minuses" were the constant wind, which I guess you need to expect on the "windward side", and also we never seemed to have enough hot water. But they were inconveniences we worked around and overall have only great things to say about the location, the house, and the people. Thanks Lori for checking in on us --- MAHALO!!!!
Peggy C., Pacific Palisades, CA, 12.28.11
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Main breaker on hot water heater had to be reset. Works fine now.
We loved the Lanikai Beach Bungalow! We really enjoyed the property, and were impressed with everything there it had everything that the family needed for a great holiday. The environment was fantastic (particularly the honu), seeing the moonlight on the water at night was stunning, and the design of the property is perfect for the environment. It's a shame that it all had to come to an end, and am now home!
Joy L., Richmond, Victoria, 9.16.11
1. We loved the 3 bedrooms and 3 baths attached. My husband loved having the AC for those humid nights. I loved the kitchen, the two common living spaces, and the large dining room table and chairs. The view!!!!!! 2. The customer service was excellent!!! Thank you. 3. The best part of our trip was the beachfront location and the view and sound of the surf right outside the door. 4. The two best restaurants that we found were Cinnamon's and Hy's. 5. The best picture that we took was playing on the beach with our grandchildren and the sea turtles. 6. This was my most relaxing vacation ever. 7. There is a sea wall and steps leading down to the surf. At high tide you cannot go into the ocean outside of the house. You have to walk down a couple of blocks to Lanikai for beach activities. 8. The Lanikai location is spectacular.
Cyndee R., Northridge, CA, 8.30.11
Aloha! We had a fabulous trip back home to Kailua and the Lanikai Beach Bungalow was exactly what we all hoped for! It was clean, comfortable and provided the perfect "beachy" atmosphere. Our agents who helped us were simply awesome from beginning to end! We just love them! Mahalo to both of them, from the eight of us who truely left our hearts in Lanikai! We will all be back very soon!
Jamie S., Bellingham, WA, 7.25.11
great stay. the dishes were not very clean when we got there, however.
Ernie C., San Mateo, CA, 9.15.09
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Kitchen cabinets were repainted in and out and the painter's left some items inside and smudges on dishes. We should have checked when items put back.
We loved the view. The location was great espeically since we had small kids. It was just a very relaxing place to stay. Had a great time!!
Maz M., Fairfax Station, Virginia, 10.5.08
What a beautiful place - our family had a wonderful stay there - watching sea turtles swim just in front of the house. We got up for the sunrises every morning, swam, snorkeled, kayaked and hiked. It was a perfect vacation! We look forward to our return visit.
Margaret S., Berkeley, CA, 4.5.08
beautiful home... beatiful views of the ocean.... very good customer service.... no problems being in Lanikai Buzz's family picture taken with Mokulua Islands in background Lanikai is the best place to stay in all Hawaii
Richard N., Merced, CA, 3.31.08
It took me back to the days when I was growing up in Lanikai. It hasn't changed that much, which is the best part. There still is a paradise in Hawaii. We had a wonderful e.xcperioence, and plan to return again.
Bob M., Guerneville, California, 10.12.07
As you can see from the photos, the house is right up against beautiful Lanikai beach. We saw sea turtles swimming along the beach almost everyday - right from the back yard of the house! A little night fishing from the back yard rewarded us with a nice size snapper which ended up on the barbeque grill the next evening. The house is very well equipped. All you need to bring is your clothes and groceries. Kia'aina, the owner of the property, lives just across the street and was very helpful. When we called him to make a few small repairs (change light bulb, etc.) he was right on it. The Welcome Basket filled with local treats like Macademia Nut Chocolate and Kona Coffee was also a nice addition. A few reminders about the natural environment. The house faces the eastern side of the island - the windward side. Wind from the ocean is fairly strong and very consistent (it never stopped, day or night, while we were there - excellent for windsurfers.) Noise from the wind, waves (only a few yards away from the master bedroom), and the sun light from the rising sun makes for very early mornings everyday. If you're planning on sleeping in during your vacation, choose a bedroom away from the ocean. The beach is beautiful (voted best beach in the Nation!). However, always remember you are dealing with nature. Our son got stung by a Protuguese Man-of-War (a type of jelly-fish). This is VERY painfull! (I've been stung before.) The pain will go away after an hour or two, but the scare all along his arm will take a little longer to go away. (Something to show-off to his friends when he goes back to school!)
Hiroki M., Pleasanton, California, 8.22.07
My family enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime vacation thanks in large part to the Lanikai Beach Bungalow. Hawaiian Beach Rentals and the property manager for this rental were professional, attentive and very easy to work with. I am an experienced traveler and have dealt with many hassles in the past. There were no surprises or hurdles in this trip. We came to Kailua/Lanikai for a local friend's wedding and enjoyed being in a genuine Hawaiian town that offered many opportunities for activities, relaxing and experiencing a slower-pace to life. Lanikai is a fabulous beach and the Lanikai Beach Bungalow was a perfect pick. We loved being right on the water, seeing sea turtles, enjoying gorgeous sun rises and opening up the sliding glass walls to let in the ocean breeze. The house has a wonderful classic Hawaiian charm but is also very comfortable for 6 people. The location is unbeatable - I was concerned about the tide coming in and not having any beach directly in front of the house but it was actually an advantage. We could walk on the beach to get to the wider areas of the beach most of the time and not being on the main part of the beach meant we enjoyed privacy. Don't hassle with packing straw beach mats as there are several at the unit. If you come to Kailua/Lanikai, definitely check out the Lanikai Juice company, Cinnamon's restaurant for the carrot pancakes and body surfing on Kailua beach. The 2.5 mil loop around Lanikai makes for a great jogging route. If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely stay for 2 weeks instead of just 1!! Book your trip to the Lanikai Beach Bungalow without hesitating.
Sarah L., Broomfield, CO, 8.20.07
I would highly recommend the Beach Bungalow. The location was awesome. The pictures don't do it justice. The ocean is steps away. The house was very clean and comfortable. The house is on the windward side of the island, so you will get wind and rain. We were there the end of June and it was a little cool to sit outside on the back deck in the evening. The house has separate AC units in the bedrooms, but they are not in the best location (noisy). I would recommend that the house be stocked with portable fans. There are ceiling fans in the rooms, but unless you had the sliding doors open the family room was a bit stuffy. I loved that the house was in a neighborhood, it really made us feel like we were living like the locals. This is not a touristy area. The locals were very friendly and helpful. I would get recommendations for restaurants, beaches and points of interest from the locals. There are not many good restaurants in Kailua, locals talk about Buzz's, but we were not impressed. Best recommendation is to stop at Costco when you leave airport and stock up on food, Safeway grocery store has a full bakery and deli. Prices seem to be 20% more than mainland. We BBQ'ed alot and enjoyed the outdoors. We absolutely enjoyed our stay. There were six of us. Our three daughters (11-17), one boy (18) and my husband and I. Plenty of room in the house and three bathrroms were helpful. The house comes with beach towels, two boogie boards, two beach chairs and umbrellas. We purchased snorkeling gear at Don Quiotis. Loved that the house had a washer and dryer. I would highly recommend the house and the area (very nice and clean). Lanikai beach is a beautiful beach. We watched turtles right off the house. If you want to swim with the turtles, we found a beach just north of Waimea Bay, not well marked, but about 4 turnouts up the road. Best diving/snorkeling was at Sharks Cove. Hanauma Bay is beautiful, but there are so many people. Very touristy. Best little town with authentic Hawaiian atmosphere is on the north shore Haleiwa. (Shaved ice, unique little shops and restaurants). Don't miss the Shrimp trucks on the way to north shore. The trucks don't seem very appealing to eat off of, but the food was good and it was fun to do it. Best bet is to get a book called Ohau Revealed (can be found at Barnes & Noble, etc.) this guy's perspective is not only amusing but pretty accurate. We called it the "Bible" and took it everywhere with us. It has maps and every point of interest imaginable. I would recommend having a daily itenary. Hit all the points of interest in each area, then you can always go back to your favorites if you have time. Hope your trip will be as enjoyable as ours.
Robin A., El Cajon, CA, 7.5.07
We truly enjoyed our stay at the Lanikai Beach Bungalow. The view is just perfect. Having lived in Lanikai before, it is the ideal place to vacation. Kua Aina sandwich shop on the North Shore is a must, they DO have the best burgers on the island. This trip we took the Explorers Tour of the Mighty MO and that was extremely educational and was great for the kids to take in a history lesson. We hiked to the top of Diamond Head, as well as to the "Pill Boxes" in Lanikia. Both offer awesome views of the island. We had breakfast at the house every morning, slicing up fresh pinapple and other fruits...then we would plan our day. We tried to do the "busy" or "tourist" thngs at the beginning of our stay and tended to relax around the house the last couple days, that worked out great and made the trip end on a relaxing note. Ovarall, we loved the beach bungalow and would definitely stay here on our next trip.
Bret U., Raleigh, NC, 6.18.07
What I liked best about the unit I rented was: the location The customer service I received was: excellent My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be: bring suntan lotion
Donna W., Peoria, AZ, 5.18.07
We truly enjoyed our stay at your bungalow. We loved waking up to watch all the kitesurfers and kayakers, not to mention the hona. We couldn't have asked for a better location! The house was so comfortable, we didn't want to leave. Thanks for everything.
Abigail K., New York, NY, 4.17.07
Lanaikai Beach Bungalow was a perfect ocean getaway for my young adult family. We loved the floorplan of the house and the proximity to the ocean.
Diane S., San Antonio, TX, 11.27.06
For our family reunion, the house was perfect! We loved the indoor-outdoor living and the "old Hawaii" feel with big windows on the ocean and big yard on the leeward side of the house. We spent a lot of time on the leeward lanai. One recommendation is that you wash out the trash containers that go out to the street -- stinky now. We will be back, and have already sent your phone number for this house out to several friends. Mahalo and A hui hou!
Natalie M., Kailua, HI, 9.27.06
Being from FL I am used to A/C through out the house, this was the only draw back, even with all the screen doors open, it was abit muggy even with the breeze. The house is in a beautiful location, very quiet... not for those who would like Waikiki! We will be back!
Cathy M., Tampa, FL, 8.16.06
very nice clean an relaxing place. i can definitely recommend it.
Christoph H., New York, NY, 6.27.06
It was a wonderful place to spend a week in paradise, We would love to come back every year.
Kim H., Sacramento, CA, 2.21.06
Well equiped and comfortable home. Unbeatable view. Very comfortable bedding. Enclosed yard is excellent for kids. Two refridgerators! Direct ocean access is only possible during low-tide and then it is still a bit rocky. We did not mind the short walk to a sandy portion of beach when the tide was high. Gas grill was very nice. Enclosed garage was also a plus. Upon arrival, we read the property literature and discovered some great options/ammenities that could have been arranged ahead of time. We wish these options were made know to us during the booking. (Private Chef, Cable Modem, etc.)Over-all a very pleasant stay.
Scott W., Honolulu, HI, 4.15.05
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