Our family really enjoyed the Paradise Shores unit, and was especially entranced by the beautiful sight and sounds of the ocean outside our windows. The view was spectacular, and we loved going to sleep with the sound of the ocean waves nearby.
The location is good, easy to get to a variety of attractions. My husband and I always like a local, more personal feel for the area. You're somewhat limited if you like going to nice restaurants every night, but there are a couple of good one within 15 minutes, and more over slightly farther as you go toward the Turtle Bay area.
It's a real plus having the ocean right in front of you, with the ability to hop down to the beach at a moment's notice!! We enjoyed the sea turtles there, the sun, and the whole Hawaii ambiance. We highly recommend the unit and the area for an interesting, restful vacation.
January, 2012
Jean H., Huntington Beach, CA, 1.22.12
We enjoyed our stay at Paradise Shores but we thought that it really needed AC, especially if one if not used to the heat/humidity in Hawaii. The best part was the view which was amazing, and of course the turtles. :) We were bummed that the coffee maker was broken the first morning we tried to make coffee. :( A new one was brought over which we appreciated but we found out that it needed to be cleaned first with white vinegar, but since we didn't have any on hand we never used it. (Husband went out to get coffee each day) All in all it was a lovely time, thank you!
Tana R., Aptos, CA, 11.10.11
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Comments by owner and the property manager are as follows. The manager brought a brand new coffee maker to the guest as soon as they let him know the one in the unit stopped working. A working coffee pot is a must. Owners comments; I've stayed there about every month of the year now. If guests close the front door instead of just using the security screen door....they will roast, because the air won't flow through the unit. Between the slider screen and security screen and 6 tower fans and 2 ceiling fans, being 25 feet from the beach is a pleasure....any time of the year..
The unit was fine. Only problem was with a couple of the appliances -- the living room TV was difficult to figure out and get working. Also, couldn't get the microwave to work. Other than that, no problems. Beautiful view and location. My advice to someone staying at the unit is to make sure all appliances are working properly at the beginning of the rental, and report any problems immediately.
Dick W., Waialua, HI, 10.15.11
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Wasn't aware of those appliance issues and will make certain they are corrected immediately. Follow-up - TV works fine....GFI button needed to be reset for micro.
The condo had everything we needed. It was great having the snorkel and beach gear available. The beach at the site was great, we couldn't believe all the turtles that were in the water and sleeping on the shore. Our only concern with the unit was the lack of air conditioning. It was pretty hot a couple of nights we were there and difficult to get the master bedroom cool enough for us to sleep comfortably. We enjoyed the area. we didn't want to be in the crowded Honolulu area and found the north shore was kicked back and exactly what we were anticipating.
Cathy B., Savannah, Ga, 10.12.11
Comment by Owner/Manager:
It can get warm in Hawaii any time of the year. Few places on North Shore have air conditioning for good reason. With everything opened up and over 6 tower fans in our unit, 2 ceiling fans with one over the master bed, guests can hear the surf all night in comfort. We have written instructions on how to keep everything open and cool. It is a security building and the unit has a security screen door that needs to be used at night along with the balcony slider (with screen closed), movable shoji left partially open and master bedroom door open (using the portable shoji for privacy). Following those instructions, guests will have a much more comfortable stay in the tropical climate.
I can't really comment at length because I ws not the occupant. We had Chinese friends, a mother and son, who stayed there. The mother said she enjoyed her stay and liked the unit very much. The boy was in the pool a great deal and really loved it. Their favorite restaurants were the Ginger House in Mililani and dim sum restaurants in Chinatown. Of course the view and closeness to the ocean were much appreciated and enjoyed.
Dick W., Waialua, HI, 8.22.11
Really nice place and great location on the north shore. Went to Haleiwa and Waimea daily. Also we used the pool since my one year old was a bit wary of the waves and the grill came in handy. There is a stretch of sandy beach about thirty feet west of the building if we felt too lazy to drive anywhere and we used the snorkel gear and toys provided in the unit. Also be sure to check out sharks cove with the snorkel gear-it was my favorite place. All in all we had a great time and the accommodations were wonderful. Highly recommend and we will def stay there again! Pros: -location -amenities such as grill, pool, washer/dryer -owner provided items; plenty of towels, umbrella, chairs, toys, snorkeling gear, book of suggested activities -spacious unit, we had two families with small children and didn't feel crowded -view! -lots of street parking since our rental car was a little big to easily maneuver in the provided space Cons -didn't bother me since I've lived in hot humid climes before, but we saw just a few tiny bugs -um, can't think of any more!
Yachi L., Seattle, WA, 6.27.11
If I could rate this a 10 out of 5, I Would!!!!! The best thing about the unit itself was the feeling of being at home. The owners had created a tips, hints and guide for a wonderful vacation. There wasn't anything they hadn't thought of. Where to eat, the types of shrimp that were best at the shrimp shack, where to get the best Hawaiian shaved Ice... Everything from beach chairs, three types of coolers (with explanations of the best use for each), sand toys, snorkel gear, boogey boards and every other beach item you could want, was stored neatly in a closet next to the murphy bed in the front room. Every need was thought of and supplied. The kitchen was so well stocked with all of your cooking needs that you didn't mind preparing your own meals. A gas grill just outside the pool area made preparing our fresh caught Mahi Mahi and Ono (Wahoo to mainlanders) a delightful and tasty experience. The wine cooler was wonderful and... I could go on and on!! The best part of the location was that there were more sweet, gentle Sea Turtles than people. Also, watching whales breach in front of our condo, sunsets to melt the hardest of hearts, and snorkeling among the pyramid rocks and coral was amazing. The paddle board surfers gliding across the water gave you a feeling of serenity and when they were out catching the bigger waves, it was exciting and fun to watch. The extraordinary night sky that you could stare out at, from your bed next to the retracting sliding glass doors, made me not want to close my eyes at night. After spending just a very few short hours down in Waikiki, I was so very grateful to have found this beautiful, secluded slice of heaven on the North Shore The best restaurant was Halewia Joe's. It was located just outside the wonderful little shopping area with a grocery store and lots of little art galleries, souvenir shops, jewelry stores and bars and restaurants. Also, the best Hawaiian ices were found at Motsumotos, right smack in the middle of Halewia. Customer service was outstanding. The best part of our trip was coming home nights from some grand adventure, rounding the corner into the living room and feeling like you and the ocean were one.
Louise Z., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 4.29.11
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Thanks for your comments. We always like to hear that guests enjoy the condo and North Shore as much as we do.
What I liked best about the unit I rented was that it was exactly as described. It was clean and pretty well stocked. No bugs observed in the unit. The condo is in a quiet building in a small neighbourhood that is a 5 min. drive from Haliewa. Minutes after we dropped off our bags in the unit we saw 3 turtles on the beach. The beach is right at the doorstep, but the water is a bit rocky - you need to hunt for a sandy swimming spot. There are lots of beaches to visit if you're willing to drive a short distance. Caution if you rent a large car: parking in the parkade is very tight. The owners left a book with some hints and suggested places to visit and where to shop that was very helpful. We got lots of lovely fruits and veggies at the farmers market. There's lots of great spots to eat nearby: we really enjoyed Kua 'Aina Sandwich Shop and Giovanni's for shrimp. We loved learning to surf with Sunset Suzy - she's great!
Karen M., Calgary, Alberta, 2.21.11
The unit was very nice and had everything we needed during our stay. The owners have done a nice job making you feel at home there. The view was beautiful and we too also enjoyed watching the turtles swim in the ocean each day. The only downfall to our stay was that it seemed to get pretty warm in the evening and nightime at the condo. There is no air conditioning. The owners have tried to place many fans around the unit for your comfort though. All in all, we we will seek out this unit again should we decide to return to Oahu on vacation. Thank you.
Natalie G., Draper, Utah, 10.18.10
Comment by Owner/Manager:
During a few times of the year, it can get warm at night with little or no breeze. To maximize comfort, we recommend leaving the solid front foor open and lock the security screen door. Also, use the 2 ceiling fans and position the 6 large timer controlled occillating fans (and 2 smaller ones) around the unit for circulation. The rest of the time, the cool trade winds off the ocean make it heavenly.
Wow, were we pleasantly surprised. It was like a dream staying here - so very peaceful and beautiful. The condo was definitely a 'truthful advertising.' It was as nice, perhaps even better than the pictures. The view is unbelievable, and the place felt very spacious. Our favorite thing about the vacation would be so hard to choose, but I think it was the sea turtles. We went snorkeling right out front of where our condo was, and I literally got to 'swim' with one of these beautiful creatures. It was going at a slow and easy pace and I swam next to it for at least 5 minutes. Some misc. observations - the condo is fully stocked with beach chairs, masks, mats, towels, etc which was very nice. We were pleasantly surprised by the barbeque area for the complex, too. I hadn't anticipated it being so nice - very private feeling next to the pool, right on the beach with spectacular views of the sunset sky. My suggestions - forget Hanauma Bay! There is equally spectacular snorkeling to be seen just 15-20 minutes away at Kuilima Cove next to the Turtle Bay Resort - open to the public and nowhere near the circus and expense of Hanauma Bay. The snorkeling out front of the condo is good, but is a little more advanced in that it requires getting over the coral reef. Kuilima Cove is sandy bottom entrance and just beautiful. We thought turtle beach was a little overrated in that it was crowded and there weren't many turtles in all the times we stopped by, but we wound up seeing quite a few turtles up on the beach near the condo. Best shave ice we found in Haleiwa was at the tiny place next to the Volcom skate/surf shop. Two other favorites - the Waialua farmers market at the old sugar mill just a few minutes away from the condo - every Saturday morning. All kinds of neat stuff, including some extremely good local coconut peanut butter. Also the fried bananas served at a little produce stand right near Kuilima Cove - very nice when you're fresh out of the water from swimming and snorkeling! Our entire two weeks there on the north shore felt like a dream. If I had to strain for a negative, it would be only that the price for the condo was "fair." It is definitely a spectacular place to stay, but the price definitely reflects this. Transition in and out of the condo was very smooth and there was no lack of wonderful hospitality. Thank you for making our vacation wonderful! The Miller Family from Santa Cruz, CA
Heather M., Aptos, Ca, 9.14.10
Comment by Owner/Manager:
The turtles really are a treat. We have never been there when the turtles were'nt at least within several feet of the shore every afternoon....and sometimes even resting on the sand early in the morning.
The condo was very spacious! We loved the location-so good to be out of the Honolulu traffic:-) Our girls loved swimming with the sea turtles...the condo had everything you needed... right down to the beach towels. We will definitely return to Paradise shores 401!
Mary C., Grove Oak, AL, 7.17.10
Bring hair blower, none at unit. View was wonderful. Also if you use dishwasher need to make sure electrical outlet is on.
Julie M., Green bay, Wi, 2.28.10
Comment by Owner/Manager:
Thanks for the suggestions. Hair Dryer is now in unit. Dishwasher switch in kitchen is labeled. View unchanged....incredible!
Although we got lost driving to the condo at night, the directions were a little misleading, we found better ones on Google. We loved the Condo and the location, the only drawback was no Lanai which would have been preferred. Enjoyed the beach, ocean, swimming, snorkeling, seeing the turtles and whales right from the unit and on the beach. We did not eat out very often as it was easier to cook in the condo or outside to barbecue, but the best restaurant we ate dinner at was the Seafood Bar & Grill on the harbor in Halaweia, not sure how it is spelled. That is where we bought groceries, shopped and ate at a couple other local restaurants where the food was okay. Went up to Turtle Bay Resort for a very nice dinner one night and watched the sunset, which we never got to see from the condo, and we are use to seeing the beautiful Hawaiian sunsets from other trips, so that was lacking also. Our advice to other people is beware when you go to any of the beaches, do not leave anything in your vehicle-we were robbed even though we locked things up in the trunk-obviously we were being watched by the thieves. Local advice is; take everything with you, leave the car un-locked and roll all the windows down! Wish we would have known that ahead of time. All in all we did have a nice relaxing, peaceful time and still love the islands!
Gary M., Palmer, Alaska, 2.16.10
We all had a great time at Paradise Shores. This unit has a great ocean view. I would have liked to have had a balcony to sit out on but we were still able to enjoy our view. Having a washer/dryer in the unit was awesome too. We went down to the beach the first day there and me and my girls saw a sea turtle. It swam only a few feet from us. Definetly one of the highlights of our trip. Being so close to Haleiwa was also nice. Lots of good places to eat. We hit Matsumoto's several times for their shaved ice with ice cream at the bottom....very yummy! The drive down to the south shore to hang out at Waikiki was not bad either. My 13yr old and 9yr old got to surf for the first time. The waves are very good for beginners. The condo was a good size for me, my husband and our three girls. We had a very memorable stay.
Christine W., Camarillo, CA, 1.4.10
Paradise shores is a very clean, beautiful place to vacation! The view is spectacular and the quiet beach is so much more enjoyable than the chaos of Waikiki. We very much enjoyed watching the turtles in the waves from our windows and also got some great pictures when they came up on the beach. Most of the time we had the beach to ourselves which was a real plus. There is so much to do on Oahu and we felt like we needed a little more information as far as restaurants, shopping and beaches but overall it was a fantastic trip. Thank you!
Debbie S., YAKIMA, WA, 12.4.09
We had a wonderful trip and would highly recommend renting Paradise Shores 401!! It was comfortable and very quiet, which was absolutely wonderful. Being directly on the ocean was a dream for us. The unit was also an end unit, which added greatly to our privacy. We didn't want the crowds and confusion of Waikiki and Honolulu, so this was an excellent option for us. The only negatives I can find with the unit are that the beach front was rocky and not really "swimable," but on the plus, plus, plus side, green sea turtles fed inches from us on a daily basis, which was spectacular!! The rock and coral formations made for great snorkeling, just not great swimming. The unit also did not have air conditioning, which I have to admit we missed, but with the many fans provided, plus the constant trade winds, our home away from home was quite comfortable. I would highly recommend renting this unit if you're looking for comfort, peace and tranquility away from Waikiki. It was the best decision we made for our Hawaiian vacation and would rent again in a New York minute!!
John and Patty Z., Castleton, New York, 9.8.09
