The best aspect of this rental was the location, one block from the beach. Gorgeous beach, like a postcard! I was disappointed to find ants crawling out of a cabinet and into the coffee machine. No home brewed Kona coffee for us. Suprisingly, in this quiet little hamlet, there is a a McDonalds. The house has a second bathroom with shower outside which was handy for washing off sand. Plenty of windows meant the place stayed cool without any A.C. Balmy breezes and quiet broken only by birds chirping. Nice little back yard with hot tub and a covered area. The house was mostly clean but grease and hairs in the silver ware drawer were a turn off. Back bedroom smelled and rewashing sheets and blanket could not get rid of the smell. Don't know if it was just from the previous renter or a constant smell.
Marita G., Fountain valley, CA, 1.2.12
The location was ideal - the house was clean and had a fantastic set up. The kitchen was well stocked with gadgets, pots pans etc. There were plenty of towels and linens, beach accessories like chairs, boogie boards, etc. and a number of lawn activities like croquet. The directions that were left for us were very clear and the tips were really appreciated. We spent most of our trip just hanging out with a few adventures around the island. We enjoyed the Saturday Farmer's Market and exploring nearby towns. Looking forward to our next trip back!
Helen M., Seattle, WA, 11.12.11
Best holidays ever!!! Great online assistance, stunning place, thanks a lot! Assistance with planning activities was really a good idea as we've spent great time enjoying Helicopter tour, sharks, etc
Many thanks,
Christine M., RIGA, , 10.25.11
We liked the semi-secluded situation with easy access and closeness to the beach. We enjoyed the beautiful ocean views. We loved the open atmosphere that the lanai (big open porch located between the main part of the house and the bedrooms) provided along with the ability to open up the doors and let the ocean breeze flow through the house. There is close access to Hanauma Bay, which is really a good bay for snorkling, and Kailua Bay--good for boogie boarding. Waiminalo is located on the southeast shore away from the commercialized area of the southwest shore (Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, etc.) You will need a rental car. Two of the best activities we enjoyed were the Polynesian Cultural Center. The dinner and play (Ha! The Breath of Life) at the end of the day was worth the reservation. Intro to scuba diving was amazing with Captain Bruce! The Sea Life Park was very enjoyable especially since we swam with the cute dolphin Maui--amazing mammals dolphins. The guys went in the shark cage which they really enjoyed. And last but not least, we went to Pearl Harbor and visited the Arizona Memorial. This is something everyone should do. Next trip we would really like to take a helicopter tour of the islands. I think we overscheduled ourselves though. At the end of our stay, we wished we would have taken more time to relax on the beach.
Christine M., Gilbert, AZ, 5.22.11
Location to the beach was perfect and the lanai was absolutely wonderful as well.
Art M., San Dimas, CA, 3.27.11
Location, location, location! The beach at this house was perfect for swimming & boogie boarding. We had two toddlers with us who could spend hours playing in the soft sand or go swimming in the ocean. It was not filled with tourists shoulder to shoulder and we had great weather the entire trip (end of February). The house didn't have any air conditioning but each room had a fan, and with the shuttered windows, we always had a good breeze through the house. The house was long & narrow so that every bedroom had a view of the ocean. We had Kailua nearby for some grocery shopping (farmers market on Thursdays only), gift shopping & swimming / snorkeling at the beach was great there too. We had pre-planned some meals to cook but had to change some as this house doesn't have an oven - only a convection microwave oven. We ended up using the barbeque for most of our dinners! There are lots of beach towels, chairs, boogie boards & beach toys for toddlers stock piled in the garage, so don't pack anything extra other than your clothes and bathing suits. The locals here are very friendly, but be aware there is a noise by-law after 10pm and if the neighbours call the police, you may be forced to leave the house early! There is a local Mexican restaurant (Serg's) that had great food. It took us only 45 minutes to drive to Waikiki from the beach house and 30 minutes to Diamond Head. You will definitely need to rent a vehicle if you come here since there are not many taxi cabs in this area (not many tourists here to shuttle around.). Sea Life Park is only 5 minutes away but unless you plan on doing an activity, like swim with the dolphins, I would suggest you save your $30 & go somewhere else. If you like to hike, go to the nearby lighthouse hike (10 minute drive) or if you want a challenge, go to nearby Koko Head State Park. Our group went there 3 times because they enjoyed the challenging hike with very few people on the steep trail. We enjoyed our stay here & definitely recommend this location if you are looking for a relaxing, hang by the beach away from tourist, type of vacation! MAHALO !!!
Kelly J., Abbotsford, British Columbia, 2.26.11
The home is in clean and in very good condition. The outdoor patio was especially nice. There is another home on the same property, a tall fence dividing the two, but the neighbors were courteous so we were able to sleep at night even when they were not (we are on a different time zone). The beach is long, but not crowded (at least not at the end of January). The beach is very clean and the sunrise was fantastic. It was clear early on that the owners were more than happy to assist you whenever or however needed. The only downfall was no air conditioning but there were fans everywhere! (We just left 0 degree temps so it took some adjusting although sleeping at night was never a problem) It is most certainly someplace we would choose to stay again.
Louann P., Springville, Utah, 2.7.11
We wanted to comment on our stay at Wahinani Estate, Upon our arrival we appreciated being greeted by the property Manager ( Janet ) that just welcomed us to the estate and answered any & all questions we had about the property and the nice neighborhood that surrounded the beautiful home. This estate was very nicely laid-out, it was so spacious, including the outside showers, the large outside table for lunches or dinners or just hanging out playing cards or what ever. Also the property had most all the beach necessities we needed from, Beach chairs, sun umbrellas, volleyball, beach ball, buggy boards for riding the waves and more. The Beach was right their, just outside the house or gate and you are on the beach. We really loved the nice white sand beach, and we always had so much room to lie out and play in the waves. This beach was never very busy, just locals walking with their pets. ( Assume ) One last comment on the property and the houses, most everything we needed was provided from dishes, towels, beach chairs & toys, kitchen also had seasons, other needed condiments, cookware, ice maker. Just about everything you could ask for. Janet, thank you again from my wife, myself and my family for everything. This was a vacation that we will always remember; also we hope to stay again on our next visit. Oh, also thanks for stopping by to see us off, Take care and have a great 2011 John & Nancy Dunscomb & Family Puyallup, WA
Nancy L. D., Puyallup, Washington, 1.3.11
Impeccably clean and well maintained, a beautiful and serene spot for a vacation. We hope to visit again next year. The property manager was excellent!
Dolores G., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 4.7.10
We are frequent visitors to the Islands and have never stayed in a better location or more beautiful setting. The Wahinani Estate property totally exceeded our expectations; beautiful, fabulous, spacious. The accommodations completely met our needs and the views are spectacular. We would highly recommend this Estate rental and definitely plan to return. The only thing we would do differently next time is to stay longer.
Robert K., Birmingham, AL, 3.21.10
The house is very comfortable and casual with plenty of room. It's on the East shore sitting on a spectacular beach. You can walk forever in either direction. The mountains behind make it feel lush and tropical. We saw several wedding parties taking pictures close by because its so beautiful. We cooked all our meals at the house and found the local grocery just north had every thing we could want. The agent was great and made our first rental experience one to repeat. In fact we would try to get the same place for sure. It really felt like an escape, even though its less than an hour from Honolulu. The drive along the coast is incredible. Enjoy
Jim H., Kirkland, Wa, 10.31.09
This house was right on the beach front, you can access to the beach anytime just step out from your house. Customer service was excellent, it was most enjoyable stay. the best part of my trip was to watch dolphins, snorkeling off from the boat, and Polynesian culture center. Polynesian culture center ticket is valid for 3 days and you can come back if you can't finish within one day. Polynesian culture center, we spent 100$ for dinner, show and ticket. I think it worth going there. We after the Polynesian center, we stopped at Turtle bay resort for dinner with sunset view. The house is well equipped with every day necessary items. Washer dryer is useful and you don't need to carry lots of changes. I did not have time for hiking and looking forward to hike up to the water falls. This unit is rather pricy but money well spent and you will enjoy the time you will spent with your family and friends.
Yoko B., Kent, Washington, 9.20.09
The house was great. The only negatives were the jelly fish (which I know you can do nothing about), and the refrigerator did not get things very cold. Also, my sister in laws purse and backpack were stolen form her rental car parked in the garage (her fault for leaving it there). thanks, bill
Bill M., Lyle, WA, 8.10.09
This house is amazing! Every day we were in awe of the beautiful views overlooking the Waimanalo beach and oceanfront. This estate was perfect for housing the the 9 people in our party for my wedding. All doubts about sharing a house with so many people were wiped away once everyone walked through the door. There were 3 couples and 3 singles with more than enough room to spread out. The outdoor open air room was perfect for hanging out and we used the grill and big dining room for family bbqs and breakfasts. Having two houses helped with maintaining the distance between the two people in our group that do not get along. The owner of the house was quite pleasant and reachable for any questions that we had. Her and her husband keep the house stocked with books, CD players, beach chairs and other useful items left behind from previous renters including beach towels, spices in the kitchen, and toys. There was always a kitchen appliance available for our needs. We really only have one area that we would recommend improvement. There are several gates and several keys, with only one copy of each key provided. Because there were so many people and so many doors and gates to close and the lock box isn't the easiest to use, it was quite frustrating to lock the house up every time we left and it required some coordination. Regardless, we would no doubt return to this paradise!
Lori E., Edgewater, NJ, 7.20.09
What I liked best about the unit I rented was the ocean view from every room The customer service I received was excellent. Janelle was very helpful when we arrived. We had her cell phone number to call if any problems arose, but her initial instructions and book were all that was needed. The best part of my trip was seeing the uniqueness of the different parts of the island. We hiked up the hot asphalt to Makapuu Point in a dry area with mostly cactus growing. Then an hour later and only about 15 miles away, we are hiking in a very wet tropical forest in search of a lovely waterfall. Our favorite meal was eating local cuisine (plate lunch) The best picture I took was from Makapuu Point My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be to make sure you take time to enjoy your private beach. There aren't many places you can get an uncrowded beach with such beautiful surroundings. The part of my trip I would definitely recommend to others is to drive around the island and see as much as you can. I didn't have time this trip, but next trip I'm looking forward to spending time on several different beaches.
George L., Elberton, GA, 7.9.09
The ocean and mountain views were wonderful.
George C., Katy, Texas, 5.26.09
From the moment you walk in the Makai home we relaxed knowing this was going to be one ofour best vacations ever. For all of us rising early and having an early morning swim, stretch, walk, or coffee on the beach began the day in the moment. For me,Mary, I sometimes awoke before daybreak, in the master bdroom, to watch the big dipper sink below the horizon. Renting paddle boards is so much fun. Challenging your body's balance wheather on legs, knees or tummy allowed us to go out further into the sea and look back at the majestic shore and cliff line. Seeing turtles while on the boards was a bonus. Definitely use the outside shower. A 360 degree view of beauty with fresh water. We did our major shopping at Costco before coming to the unit. If you have a crowd that might work. Local markets were great too. Going to the Nat'l Cemetery at Punchbowl was great. We hit this spot on Memorial Day wkend so especially beautiful. One suggestion, is to rent a GPS system and plug in destinations for easy driving.
Leonard M., Saint Charles, MO, 5.26.09
I had good time at your site but I had two things tell you that internet conectivity was poor and remote control of garage did not work well. However, it was very nice overall. Thank you very much!
Daisuke A., Minato-ku, Tokyo, 7.29.08
The Wahinani Makai is a beautiful property that was perfect for my family vacation. It's in a quiet residential neighborhood right on the beach and I must say that waimanalo beach is probably the most beautiful on the island. My family spent our first sunrise in Hawaii on the beach in front of this house and I will never forget how amazing it was to see the mountains all around appear in the morning sun. The mountains were lush green and towered so highed they literally touched the clouds above. We just stood there on the beach awe struck. To top things off, the house was only a 30 minute drive to Waikiki and the drive alone will provide great photo opportunities. Just stop along the scenic stops and snap away.
David S., Harrisburg, NC, 3.13.08
We have already written in the guest book. Mahalo
Bronwyn L., Newport Beach, California, 8.28.07
The house and beach were so wonderful, we hated to leave even for a day trip of exploring. This was a perfect unit for 2 families because it included the main house and a cottage with an extra kitchen and laundy facilities. It was much more private and relaxed than the large hotels in Waikiki. Thanks for providing such a wonderful spot.
Holly B., Grand Lake, CO, 8.19.07
We had fun thanks for a good time.
Michael S., North Platte, NE, 8.18.07
Wahinani Estate was a fabulous place for my family from Michigan, New York, Florida, Arizona and Wash. D.C. to gather while in Hawaii for my son's wedding. The houses are FULLY furnished even including beach towels, boards, and toys. We didn't have to bring anything other than food and clothes. The location is beautiful with a wide sand beach to walk for miles. Everyone enjoyed playing in the waves - some just floated enjoying the gorgeous views from the ocean. The giant open air room was a perfect gathering place with many other quiet areas for those who wished to read or occasionally be away from all the noise and laughter. The large dining table was perfect for dinner and playing games. The mauka house was perfect for those who wanted to retire a little earlier than others as it was very private and quiet. rnThank you for providing such a beautiful spot for my family to be together. It sure beats being in hotels in Waikiki.
Jo A., Honolulu, HI, 7.26.07
Island Country was exactly that...we enjoyed the country life of waking to the singing birds and the quiet neighborhood. Our host, Kia'aina was very friendly and helpful, meeting us at the home and making us feel welcome. A very nice touch was a welcome bowl of fruit, cookies, coffee and local goodies. The home was abundantly stocked with everything you could think of and more (as good as home). The house was cooled by the tradewinds which blew all during our stay, keeping the home cool, supplemented by the numerous fans. We enjoyed our morning coffee on the lanai and the girls thought they were 'big shots' by sitting at the bar on the lanai to have their breakfast. The evenings were spent on the lanai, girls in the jacuzzi and the adults enjoying the peaceful solitude of the country or playing pool in the garage. Our only regret was not getting to the beach...we're saving that for our next visit. Thanks to all of you for making our visit a very pleasant and enjoyable one.
Gail N., Sparks, NV, 6.28.07
Condition of the premises and adjacency to the beach was excellent! Hawaiian Beach Rentals and the Property Owner were great and met my expectations. The best part of the trip was arriving at the Beach Rental to find it more than I expected in cleanliness and comfort. The best restaurant I found was S. Choy Breakfast, Lunch, and Crab in Honolulu. The best picture taken on this trip was at the Paradise Cove Luau. I've told my friends of the enjoyment of the trip and the beauty of Oahu. My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be to "stay as long as you can. The part of my trip I would definitely recommend to others is to visit Waikiki Beach and surrounding restaurants and shops. The best insider tip I received on this trip was to drive the North and West Shores. I didn't have time this trip, but next trip to Hawaii I'm looking forward to a helicopter ride to view the island/s from above.
Phillip C., McKinney, TX, 6.3.07
The place was a little out-dated but it was very convenient.
Cindy N., Los Angeles, CA, 11.26.06