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
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
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
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
The house was clean, open, and easy to enjoy. We loved being close to the water and and especially loved spending time in Haleiwa, Waimea Beach, Shark's cove, etc. The Polynesian Culture Center was a great place for the kids. Expensive, but well worth the money. The best place to grab food is at Mackey's. Great shrimp! Jamie was very helpful. Great service. We loved it and can't wait to come back.
Todd C., Omaha, NE, 7.29.11
This was a pretty nice house, but it could be cleaned a bit better. Also, the washer and dryer are not inside the home. You have to walk outside and down the stairs, to do the laundry which was a pain. There is not good swimming in front of the house. It is brown water and VERY rocky. The beach is littered with sticks and wood. The beach is not good at all, the plus side is that you have it all to yourself! We were literally the only ones on the beach, but only because it was a very crappy beach.
Jesse and Kara C., Shakopee, MN, 7.18.11
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
Great house in a great location. I'm very pleased. The house was very clean and stocked with everything to make a trip fun and comfortable. This was my fourth time to Hawaii, and the most enjoyable, thanks in large part to the choice of where to stay. I know that lots of Hawaii houses and condos promote their proximity and views of the beach, but this one truly delivers. It literally is a bordering a long sandy beach, albeit rather narrow at high tide. There are plenty of more developed white sandy beaches up and down the north shore, should you crave more excitement. Here are my hot "insider" tips: * The Thai food from the van by the Waialua library is fantastic. The best Thai I've ever had. Order it to go and enjoy it on the deck. * Snorkeling in Shark's Cove, just past Foodland in Haleiwa.
Michael S., Las Vegas, NV, 4.25.11
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
Hi We loved the house, it was lovely. Full of room for our family of 6 and great proximity to the beach. Great having the fans and the aircon for when it was really hot. Enjoyed using the bbq on the deck and looking at the vista. My highlight was the number of the turtles right at our doorstep. We used the double kayak and paddled round and the boogie boards. For the rest of the family it would have been the surfing lessons at Haleiwa at the local surf shop. They all managed to catch quite a few waves and now think they are surfing champions. Best restaurant for us was Jamesons which was quite near the surf shop and we popping in there after the surfing lessons for a couple of Mai Tais and dinner. Loved the gift shop in there too. When we come back to Hawaii we still have lots to do, didn't make it to Pearl Harbour or the local falls. Spent most of the time R&R and enjoying the spa pool too. Quite liked popping into Waikiki too which isn't that far as the Ali Moana Beach Park is beautiful and the beach there is very safe and close to beautiful Hanauma Bay with its great snorkelling even after a bit of a tropical storm the water was still clear. Loved the blowhole too just past Hanauma with the fantastic rock formations. Loved staying away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and enjoying the quiet tranquility of Waialua and enjoyed browsing the souvenier shops and art. Also loved the red box at the supermarket where you could rent DVD's for just $1... Couple of things about the house. The spa pool wasn't working all the time but the property manager was great and it took a couple of days to fix but someone came in straight away when they were notified. Also it would have been great to have a CD player as we couldn't have any music going at all, not even a radio. Also we couldn't get the TV going in the lounge but the bedroom TV was going. We missed the rubbish day etc as didn't see the welcome book when we arrived which was next to the phone (we don't really use the phone when we are on holiday) in a far corner of the house. So didn't see the welcome book for the first few days. Maybe that could be left on the kitchen counter for when you first arrive. Thanks very much for the great stay!
Conal D., Auckland 2571, NZ, 1.16.11
We loved this place! First...Location..location..location.. ON THE WATER (snorkeling off the beach not so good though - some stormy seas etc.) but sea turtles were around. AWESOME North Shore spot. Close to Haleiwa town - great restaurants and shops, plus busy beach. Very local feel though which was what we wanted. Then short hop to great hiking, golfing, etc. - why stay anywhere else?? Had never been to North Shore, but we will be back. You can golf in the morning, hike in the afternoon and get a massage in the evening (we did!). OH, and there's a great bike path on Wailua Beach Road that runs for about 2 miles..great for morning wlaks, running or biking..great views of the mountains and you get to see lots of local architecture. We missed the Waimea Canyon but we will get there next year! Second...HOUSE WAS GREAT - huge bedrooms, kitchen and living space. 100% view of ocean all day from inside (grat windows) and from the lanai - just what we wanted. It rained a few days but the lanai kept us dry so we could eat outside. Quiet residential cul de sac was private and restful. AND THE TOYS! Snorkel equipment, paddles and kayak, chairs and beach booties - felt like my house. Even an extra tank of propane! KITCHEN was well stocked and ready to go - would have liked a baking pan for brownies though! PS Best insider tip: shrimp trucks beyond Turtle Bay - Rommy's is the best. PPS 2nd best insider tip: watch the moon rise from the house's lanai. Awesome. This was the best house we have ever rented anywhere in the world. OK, it's on the North Shore beach so it has an advantage there...but it really did feel like home. Thanks to the owners and the Management Service. We honestly had EVERYTHING we needed! We talked about booking now for next year!
Robert C., Cupertino, California, 12.27.10
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
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
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
The home is absolutely wonderful with all the necessities we needed. We had plenty of room and enjoyed the spectacular view of the ocean and sea turtles.
Archie V., Phoenix, Arizona, 6.28.10
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
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 enjoyed our stay in this rental. We had lived in Oahu 20 years ago and it sure changed. The rental was great, everything you need to enjoy your stay. The kids were able to snorkel out and see the turtles just a few feet off of the shore. They really enjoyed it. This part of the island is the way things used to be in Hawaii, if you are trying to decide on this rental, you won't be disappointed. We will definitely return to this rental should it be available in the future. Mahalo from St. Louis
Tom W., Troy, Missouri, 1.4.10
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
Everything was excellent...just no champagne glasses!!! we will be coming back for sure...I need to change expiry date on my visa card to process refund..pls contact when you can!!! cheers Maggie
Maggie D., Uki, New South Wales, Aust, 11.29.09
L loved being right on the North Shore Beach. Wonderfully, the late morning of our departure day, the turtles swam up to us and stayed for many hours. They were a delight to see and as long as we did not try to touch them, they stayed nearby. Being on the North Shore took us away from all the hustle of a busy city life in Honolulu, but it was not far away if one desires that life. We did go to Diamond Head and ventured to the top. Wonder view of that area and watched some local outriggers competing. Actually the best shrimp to eat was gotten at the small shrimp Bus/RV's on the roadsides. Very tasty and good amount. The best picture we took was of the sunset and the full moon over our beach! Best tip is to just relax and enjoy the scenery and people!
Karen S., Havre de Grace, Maryland, 10.11.09
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
Dear Hawaiian Beach Rentals, Our party enjoyed our stay at the Waialua Retreat very much. The beach was wonderful and the remoteness from Waikiki was a relief. We would recommend this to anyone interested in getting away and not having to deal with the big city of Honolulu. Thank you and Mahalo, Ralph Hamilton
Ralph H., Stevensville, MD, 2.21.09
Great house and super location. All the beach toys anyone could want. One of our best family vacations. We cannot wait until we can go back.
Kathy T., Woodland Hills, California, 8.11.08
Great house, location, and neighborhood. The beach access is very cool and we had the beach virtually to ourselves the entire stay. We will return and highly recommend it to all. Oh and if you like swimming with sea-turtles this house comes with a whole host of them within 10 feet of the beach.
Rick G., Spokane Valley, Wa, 6.24.08
We have stayed in many houses on Oahu and Kauai and this is by far the best equipped. What a lovely place! We enjoyed the many turtles coming every day to eat right outside - and we were amazed at how close to shore they were. The beach is long and empty! Foodland was the best bet for groceries and Waialua Bakery has cookies to die for. Across the main street from there is a fabulous ice cream store. A lovely, upscale dining experience can be had at 21 degrees at the Turtle Bay Resort. This is a peaceful and quiet place to unwind and to enjoy the 'regular' life of the island.
Marty T., Mission Viejo, CA, 8.22.07
The home has a great location and all the "beach toys" anyone would need. It was wonderful to wake up to the surf every morning. We enjoyed the food at Cholos in Halewia and enjoyed exploring the town. We used Oahu Revealed for our tour guide. It is a great book.
Karen L., Castle Rock, Colorado, 7.20.07
This was all we dreamed it would be. This was a wonderful vacation setting the home is gorgeous and it is set up with everything you'll need in a home away from home in paradise. The location was wonderful it was easy to get around with lots to do from this location. The town of Haleiwa was awesome the residents were gracious and friendly, the food was wonderful (Jameson's By the Sea and Haleiwa Joe's, the shaved ice and pizza), eating in was just as wonderful, breakfast and coffee on the Lanai, BBQ & drinks on the Lanai. And the beach, OH the beach! There was everything we needed (even beach towels) to enjoy the beach and we did and we did and Ok enough. You won't be disappointed if you choose Waialua Retreat for your Hawaii vacation.
Linda R., Green River, WY, 6.13.07
An awesome place. VERY roomy, open plan design. Beach is very private. Close to all the shops and stores in Haliewa town. Great deck!! A/C's, fans etc. Everything you need is included. My wife got a kick out of the little big things...like the automatic garbage can. Can't think of a bad thing to say about the place except that it will make you not want to leave.. Jim
James R., Crescent Valley, BC (Canada), 3.28.07
Our stay at Waialua Retreat was the best. The house had everything for your vacation enjoyment. If we would return to Hawaii, our group would stay at Waialua Retreat. A rental home is the way to go. No hotel for us ! ! Thank you all....Sept 17 thru Sept 27, 2006
Marilyn C., Warrington, PA, 9.28.06
Our second visit to this wonderful retreat and it was just as fabulous as the first time, if not better! All the comforts of home, everything you need for the beach--just perfect! Great food, fun, weather, we'll definitely be back. Mahalo!
Donna N., La Verne, CA, 8.3.06
WONDERFUL!!!! This home was perfect for a family vacation - - we had everything we needed. The master bedroom had the best views of all - - -one side was mountains and the other was ocean. What more could you ask for. Thank you so much.
Dian D., Corrales, New Mexico, 7.24.06
the house was perfect, the setting outstanding and the town was very quaint. a great relaxing vacation for the whole family
LISA E., Reno, Nevada, 6.19.06
Location was beautiful..doesn't get any better. Situated in a residential area and definitely felt like a local!
Melanie D., Vallejo, Ca, 4.26.06
If you are looking for a quiet and private retreat this is the place to go. The home has gorgeous views, is spacious, well kept and immaculate. The beautiful beach is only a few steps away from the house. The owners have thought of everything you could ever need to make your stay pleasant - a fully outfitted kitchen, all types of items for beach activities, an outdoor hot tub, and even a desk top computer for those who need to stay connected. We can't wait to return!
Adele N., Santa Clara, CA, 1.26.06
The view could not be more magnificent. The rooms had everything we could want or need. We loved the beach access, the balcony, and all the windows. The beds were very comfortable too. There is not a negative thing to say about the property - the neighborhood dogs, maybe, but not the house! Thanks, K Barber
K B., OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 1.11.06
This is the only home you will ever want to rent! It comes with all the accommodations you could possibly dream of. Great beach access, beautiful ocean views, clean! 10+++
Sarah C., Litchfield Park, AZ, 12.22.05
This place made our work in Hawaii a vacation.
Micheal W., Portland, Oregon, 11.19.05
Pictures cannot possibly describe what greeted us upon our arrival to Waialua Retreat. The house was beautifully accommodating, the location to the beach (just steps!) made everyone happy, especially the kids. The serene, relaxing atmosphere was just what everyone needed. We will definitely be back next year and plan on a longer stay! Mahalo!!
Donna N., La Verne, CA, 8.3.05
Comments have already been recorded in the house guest book...the tranquility of the house and beach front was very soothing and comforting. It removed the anxiety generated by the honolulu traffic. Looking forward to our next outing...
Robert/terry L., Anchorage, Ala, 6.28.05
The pictures did not do justice on the beauty of this location. Very quiet and serene location. All of the amenities more than surpassed our demand. The jacuzzi was ready upon our arrival and having a Costco nearby made it very economical to feed our group of seven. The only downside is the portable air conditioner in one room. The condensation holder is small and with the humidity, it fills up quickly. Hawaiian Beach Rentals was "top notch" handling the reservation, arrival info, and having someone available by phone when we had a question. Don't bring boogie boards, snorkel stuff or other swim goodies, it's all there for your use. Anyone booking this location will not be disappointed. A beautiful sunset, a nice glass of wine, and a beautiful lanai to watch the sea turtles swim by is as good as it gets. Mahalo
Bill S., Upland, California, 6.17.05
Great place and great location for where we wanted to be. The barking dogs of the neighbors was a little bothersome but not too much. We thought the view, layout and the overall home was superb. We had a great time. Ed Andrews
Edward A., Petaluma, CA, 5.30.05