"Papaya Hale III"

Guest Rating:

1) the location
2) excellent
3) the Kualoa Ranch ATV rid
4) at the Turle Bay golf resort restaurant
5) the Turtle Bay golfing was excellent
6) to expect bugs (although the landlord is trying to get rid of them) and to expect poor TV reception on many channels
7) the ATV ride at Kualoa Ranch
8) the Wednesday swap meet at Aloha Stadium
9) more snorkling
10) watch out for people stealing your gasoline from your rental vehicle. Mine didn't have a locking gas cap, and I almost didn't make it in time to the airport for my flight home after I discovered that my gas had been stolen.

Keith K., Yorba Linda, California, 6.1.08

Guest Rating:

This was an ideal place for our family. The location was wonderful. It is just a very short walk (through a small backyard) to a great beach. The owner was very helpful but not intrusive ( he lives in the house behind the unit- actually on the beach).

It was very comfortable, although I wouldn't classify it as luxurious due to some minor quibbles (no dishwasher or garbage disposal) and only one bathroom. It is also next to a road that is fairly busy but if it bothers you you can always turn on the AC and shut the windows. We chose not to as we love the Hawaiian air.

The beach was very nice (and huge). Many of the beaches on Oahu are crowded, but not this one. I suspect it is because public access is a bit difficult, which makes this location all the better. It has a huge reef that makes swimming and goofing in the water quite safe.

The PCC was also across the street, which is a great place. The nearby college campus and the Mormon temple are both beautiful and it is well worth spending some time at the visitors center at the temple. I am not a huge fan of Oahu in general (as opposed to the other Hawaiian islands), but I love the North Shore.

As far as other tips staying there- if you are trying to save some bucks you can always cook at this unit. There is a Foodland just down the street (make sure and get a Makai card- it will save you big bucks). McDonalds is across the street. For breakfast you have to go to the Hukilau cafe (the short stack of blueberry or banana pancakes is plenty to fill you up). The PCC has a good luau and the Ambassador restaurant is very good. The college also has a decent place for food called the Seasider- try the stir fry. There are also some places fairly close where you can get the veritable "plate lunch".

Mark G., Preston, ID, 3.12.08

Guest Rating:

Although the unit did not have a beach view, the premisis was right on the beach. There was a hammock between some trees and just listening to the surf and watching the clouds was relaxing. The beach is narrow but one can walk to the north end of the beach which is about 1/4 mile. Raymond, the owner, was very friendly and lent us goggles and fins.
The bathroom has a shower with a huge shower head that gives wonderful, coursing water. The three bedrooms are comfortable. The front room and dining room combine and make a good gathering place to eat, snack, play games, and hang out.
The house is directly across from the Polynesian Cultural Center parking lot. We visited the center for a few hours, walked across the street to eat and rest up, and then returned for the evening show. We got home about 10 minutes after the show ended. Those from Waikiki must have had over an hour's drive ahead of them. This is one excellent opportunity for learning more about the polynesian culture.
The location of the house made it easy to watch surfers at the Bonzai Pipeline, only about 10-15 minutes away. The surf was about 8-10 feet and the surfing was unbelievable with some shooting the curl. We visited the white shrimp van and had an excellent meal of 12 butter shrimp and 2 scoops of rice for 12 bucks.
I had already stayed for a week at the West Coast at Makaha so it was a nice balance for the vacation.
I recommend this accomodation to anyone who is going to Oahu and wants a comfortable, well situated house to stay in.

Jeff G., Bellingham, WA, 2.9.08