Kimberly and Chuck were wonderfully friendly and helpful! The location was great - convenient, but quiet. I would suggest that you add a flashlight to the equipment provided as the alley can be quite dark if walking back at night. The building itself was comfortable, but is getting a bit tired - some dollars put into some maintenance might be good. The best "insider" tip was Kimberly's suggestion of the blueberry/cream cheese scones at Elvin's (sp?). Buzz's was good, as always, and their calamari steak (which we tried for the first time) was wonderful! We have family on the island, so have been over there several times. There's always something new, but much of the island is becoming quite comfortable.
Betty P., Orchard Park, NY, 2.2.11
The customer service received was wonderful! Thank you so much Lori for all your help! Aloha Ulu
Tasha C., Honolulu, HI, 2.2.11
What I liked best about the Baby Hona unit was the proximity to the Kailua Beach park where there is great swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Kailua is a great location for seeing Oahu.
Piero D., Flagstaff, AZ, 2.1.11
A fantastic place for families or large groups! Perfect walking distance to everything that matters... Kia'aina and his team are pros. I highly recommend staying at the ocean house!
Pete D., Surrey, BC, 2.1.11
The home was clean, well equiped, close to the ocean and beautiful. Anything we imagined could be found in the house. The staff was friendly, helpful and kept in touch with us during our stay. Staying so near the beach is heavenly as we could go down in the morning or afternoon and stay as long as we wanted - no parking and easy packing for lunch. We loved that we had chairs, umbrellas and boogie boards available to us. The water was perfect. Also nice that the house was safe for babies.
Amy O., Sparks, NV, 1.31.11
Great location, great unit.
Audrey B., Santa Ana, CA, 1.30.11
Liked best - great location and wonderful beach. Best restaurant - Buzz's Rental unit - was spacious and comfortable.
Fredrick D., New Brighton, MN, 1.30.11
This rental was great! A perfect location, beautiful views, clean, organized, everything you could need! The owner/managers were wonderful people that were very attentive to anything we needed! Will definitely be referring others to this rental and hopefully returning myself someday!
Sara S., Portland, OR, 1.27.11
The location was outstanding and the owner wonderful and very generous. The concerns were primarily that the 3rd bedroom did not have a door and being right off the kitchen the noise often work up the kids (even though we tried to be very quiet.) Also, the fan in the middle room was not in working order for the first 2 night and the owner fixed it immediately. The fan in the front bedroom had a clicking noise that would wake us up in the morning. Would love to return but probably not with babies as the noise from the TV and weekend workers in back apartment kept the babies awake. Mahalo, Peggy
Margaret W., Annapolis, MD, 1.27.11
the best part about renting this place was being this close to ocean. Most of the time that was spent at makani kai was on the deck overlooking the water. It was clear to us that the owner of the rental wanted us to be comfortable for the week...thanks. We found that we didn't need to be constantly sightseeing or involved in tourist activities when we had such a great place to just relax and hang out. I would recommend this location to anyone planning a vacation to oahu.
Andy F., Barons, Alberta, 1.27.11
What I liked best about what I rented was that the house was so equipped. We have rented houses all over the world and never been in a house so equipped. There was even a coffee grinder and an espresso pot. There was hand soap in all the bathrooms and kleenex in all the rooms. There were a couple kids books, and movies and toys and all the beach equipment you could possibly need with small kids. These small touches make the visit really special. We ate at a few really good restaurants, in Kailua, Tokoname (Japanese sushi), Saigh (Thai in Kailua), Alan Wong in Honolulu if you are a real food nerd like us. The service mindedness of Verena was exceptional. Really private spacious garden and really close to the beach, which felt private too! Well be back. Angela Dag from Oslo Norway
Angela T., Bekkestua, Bekkestua, 1.26.11
The best feature about this unit was the proximity to the beach! The views are awesome! The water beautiful. Just steps from our room. Snorkeling was great - there are beautiful fish and turtles to be seen. The mountain views were lush and tropical. The beach is almost private, only having to share with a few couples and families. We met some really nice people from all over. The dinner and show at the Polynesian Center was just 10 minutes away and amazing! Haleiwa Joe's resturant served great food and Lucy's in Kailua had an early bird special that was also exceptional. We've already told most of our friends. Staying at Punalu'u is a great location, easy to drive around the island, down the road from Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach where the big waves come in for surfing. We also visited Pearl Harbour and Waikiki Beach. We bought groceries at the local market, Tamara's and the outside farmer's markets. The prices was very reasonable and the local residents were always friendly and helpful. We went on a budget, but lived like kings! It was great to have all the amenities we needed. Some of the best pictures we took were right from the balcony of our room and down on the beach. Thank you this was truely a tropical paradise...we'll definately be back!
Barry B., West Sacramento, CA, 1.24.11
What we liked best was the beautiful view of the ocean.
Natalie L., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1.24.11
The unit itself was terrific. The building is very much in need of repair. We smelled the sewers all week, many outdoor areas were in disrepair. The ability to understand check-in and check out procedures was difficult. An instruction sheet should be in the condo. There were no curtains in the unit and the common area lighting made sleep very difficult. The unit should have better lanai furniture, there were only 2 old chairs and a small table. We called customer service in the middle of the stay with questions, and didn't get answers that were useful. We will probably not stay there again.
Dennis M., Glendale, AZ, 1.24.11
Great place. Well kept. Good staff and help. Loved the home. We would come back again. Thank you.
Gabriel J., Centreville, Virginia, 1.23.11
This spot was everything we expected and then some. Kimberly our property manager was a great host.
David M., Ballston Spa, NY, 1.22.11
I appreciated the wonderful view and the condo was very nice. We made many trips using this as our base and enjoyed coming home each night. It was very helpful to have a kitchen to cook most of our meals.We would stay here again if we were on this island. Bob
Robert B., Beaverton, OR, 1.22.11
The house was perfectly equipped for a family. It was so nice and secluded in a safe neighborhood, only five minutes from the beach. We walked through a beautiful grassy park to get to the beach. We liked that restaurants were within short distance. About 8 blocks away. We had our choice of American, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and just about any kind of food. I would definitely go back...
Mary W., Wetumpka, Al, 1.22.11
I really liked that this unit was secluded and quiet. It is about a 15 minute walk to the beach and a 2 minute walk to the pool.
James K A., Honolulu, HI, 1.19.11
The house was fantastic! Lots of space for the whole family (6 adults & 4 children) with excellent location. Close enough to the beach you could hear the waves at night and walk to it was very short. The fenced in back yard provided some privacy for relaxing on the back patio in the evening or for morning coffee. Aside form one day of heavy rain, the entire trip was wonderful. The beach by the house was by far the best part. It was never crowded, even on the nice sunny weekends, and the water and sand were perfect. The North Shore was fun, especially stopping by Pipeline to see the surfers take on the big waves there. The Aquarium and the Zoo were good for something to do with the kids, although we did not particularly care for Waikiki (too crowded and commercial). I would highly recommend this house to my friends, and am already thinking about next year.
Steven B., Fairbanks, AK, 1.18.11
The unit we stayed in wasgorgeous on a gorgeous beach. the comfort was wonderful. the view was fantastic. only 3 things that weren't a five star was that the unit was an hour away from everything the neighborhood was was scary and the kitchen appliances didn't work that well they worked with a littl T.L.C. other than that it was great. like i said it was a four star which is still very high. we experienced our best vacation yet!
Debra B., Inkom, ID, 1.18.11
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 enjoyed the ocean breeze suite ..it was private right on the ocean very comfy.. Ray is a wonderful person was very respectful of our privacy but and all the info you needed...we watged the sufers in the regular places but went to the beach on the south part of the island sandy beach...we enjoyed getting fresh ahi salas at the foodmart at the north shore cheap and fresh..thank for everything Ray you will see us again..Marie and Billy
William and Marie V., Anchorage, Alaska, 1.13.11
The unit was well situated for relaxation at the beach and at the house. Everything we needed to have a relaxing time was there, including beach chairs, towels and boogie boards. The best part of our trip was just having time to spend with our adult children, their families and our Oahu cousins. The best restaurant we visited was Tokkuri-Tei for sushi and Japanese food and Uncle Bo's for Pupus both in Honolulu. We drove to a lot of other parts of the island so next time I would want to spend more time around Kailua.
Gary S., Laurel, MD, 1.12.11
This is a spacious beach front condo and well maintained and artistically decorated. The location is perfect with ocean right outside of the door. You hear the waves in the living room but not in your bedroom. The condo has exactly what we needed plus very nice washer and dryer. Imagine you wake up in the morning and just dip into the ocean right away. We really enjoyed our staying. Everything is so perfect We arrived late on Christmas Day and worried that we would have trouble to find the place. However, the host was waiting for us with warm welcome. We settled in for the night and hit the beaches surfing the next days. We checked out on New Year's Day. The host was also there to say goodbye to us. I highly recommend this condo. You won't find anything comparable to it at the price!!!
Peiling W., Knoxville, TN, 1.11.11
Had a great stay - quiet and scenic - excellent waves too!!
Gary W., Huntington Beach, Ca, 1.11.11
We really enjoyed and appreciated our recent stay in unit 314. The unit was very clean and well kept. We liked the proximity to the ocean/beach and the snorkling right from the beach! The customer service was fine. On landing at the airport we made the call to advise him of our imminent arrival. Even on Christmas Eve he was on call and ensured we would have no problem finding the condo's and gaining access. We were not in Hawaii for excitement - we were looking for a relaxed holiday away from crowds. This is sure the place for that! It is removed from the 'action' - and that's what we wanted. There aren't too many places to eat in the area, however, we really enjoyed the shrimp trucks, bbq'd chicken truck and Domino's! We could have tried some of the restaurants, but chose not too. Several days we went 'beach hopping', just to check out the other beaches. We were quite happy that we had a beach right out our door! Many visitors staying in other types of accomodations around Oahu had to use the public beaches or even PAY for snorkeling! We didn't. Also, our beach was alot calmer than most of the other beaches on the north shore due to the reef quite a ways from the beach breaking the waves. We were very close to Giovanni's Shrimp truck, BYU, Polynesian Centre, shave ice, and driving was quick and easy to Windward Mall and even Waikiki when we chose to make the drive. We drove the entire perimeter of the island (as much as we could!) and the central part of the island. The best insider tip I can give is rent 314 for a nice, relaxed vacation - with good clean accomodations, wonderful wi-fi connections, a view of the ocean (and the sound!), snorkel from the beach (they have fins and masks if you forget yours). We did contribute to the 'stash' in the unit by leaving a couple beach mats, replenishing the olive oil, paper towels, tissues, dish washer soap etc. That makes it even better for the next folks coming in! We appreciated what was left behind for us, that's for sure! It would be good to note that there is a hair dryer in the unit! I brought mine, but could have left the extra weight at home! Another insider tip is, the local grocery store - Tamura's - was open on Christmas Day (closed New Years Day) - they had good prices, and were close to the apartment. Alot of locals shop there, and that's usually a good sign! We did organize our own overnight trip to the Big Island to see Hawaii. We went with Hawaiian, and got a car and hotel for a good package price. Next time, we will explore Maui with an overnight trip! Thank you for making our stay comfortable and hassle free. We truly enjoyed it. Next time we may go at another time of year - the end of Dec/beginning of Jan this year was overly wet! But you can't control the weather! John and Denise
Denise P., Cambridge, Ontario, 1.10.11
We liked the fact that it was low key, old style , and non-glitzy. Beach access and the beach was great.It could use some maintrenenance - windows and screens opening and closing.
Ralph H., , , 1.10.11
Honu Hale is like a hidden gem. The surrounding neighborhood is typical of Oahu; narrow streets, old homes with carports, and lots of vehicles and trash cans. Once you are on the Honu Hale property, it's like being in an entirely new setting at the water's edge. The owners take pride in their place and after you experience it, you won't want to any place else on the island. Waking up to beautiful sunrises behind Kaneohe Bay, enjoying the tranquility of sitting in the gazebo at the end of the dock jutting into the giant Hawaiian pond, feeding the huge fish in the Hawiian pond or the freshwater pond above, and soaking in a jacuzzi under a star-lit were my favorite experiences there. The friends and family who visited us were raving about the place and asked how I discovered it.
Christopher B., Anchorage, AK, 1.10.11
The unit was very functional and close to the beach. The unit had lots of beach chairs etc and we took a quick trip into costco and bought another chair and a couple of umbrellas and some new boogie boards and we were set. When our GPS gave us bad directions to the unit from the airport Lori spent an additional 2-3 hours waiting for us and guiding us in on our cell phones. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and the beach(2-300 yds away) was beautiful. Get up early to see the sunrise as it may come up between the 2 islands in front for a spectacular view. we enjoyed renting the car and touring the island and saw all around the island. The best was the old way around to the North Shore and the drive into Waikiki going south along the Ocean Highlight for us was going to the North shore and doing Shark encounters in the shark cage . I would suggest Haunama Bay(go earlybefore 10), Sea Life park after 12 big discount) You can rent kayaks 5 minutes away lots of things to do The only problem with the unit was we had a large group(9)and there are 3 large bedrooms however there is a smaller middle room with twin beds that is situated between the 2 bedrooms and the front room and kitchen and you had to pass through it or go outside There was no privacy in this room for whoever stayed in there. We worked around it and it wasn't that big a deal except first thing in the morning. Also the dishwasher was finicky and didn't always work. Primo Beer and Kona Longboarder lager and my boys drank lots of it. Lots of good restaurants in the immediate area within 5 minute drives. Nothing fancy but good food. Halawea Joes (only after 5)was the best in Kaneohe10 minutes away. Other wise you had to go into Waikiki . My family thouroughly enjoyed our stay and found almost all of the people friendly in the area. Highlight was my parents 65th wedding anniversary and the the night out at the Polynesian cultural centre. they went out of there way to make them feel special. we would definitly come back to stay as it the area is beautiful Kirk & Lori and family Calgary, Alberta Canada
Kirk C., Calgary, Altberta, 1.10.11
I really liked that the unit was right by the swimming pool and also if you leave the sliding door open by the golf course, there is so much wind that you never have to worry about being hot. Even when it was really sunny outside, enough to get you sun burnt, we didn't have to use the AC. The only thing I would recommend about the unit, is maybe putting in a queen size been instead of a full one. Me and my husband are not tiny people, and we had a hard time sleeping on that been, but overall I really love it. I would have loved to stay a lot longer then we did, but we missed our dog.
Gaylyn Y., Kaneohe, HI, 1.10.11
We were greeted upon arrival and could get help as needed via phone. The location is great - directly across from Kailua Beach and just around the corner from Lanikai. The duplex is island style, with lots of open air (large screened-in porch, great tradewinds through the unit). As anywhere on the island, you have to keep the counters really clean and trash out regularly to keep from being overrun with ants in the kitchen. As for Kailua, the best restaurants are Lucy's (service isn't great, but the seafood is) and Casablanca (Moroccan with great ambiance). Make sure to get poke at Foodland, as well! The best beaches within walking distance are Kalama and Lanikai. Shopping in Kailua town is expensive, but Bookends is a great local book shop to get used and new books to read at the beach and for a good local lunch get a salad from Aloha Salads (uses locally grown produce) or an acai bowl or smoothie from Lanikai Juice. On other parts of the island, I would recommend visiting the USS Missouri and getting a tour by one of their guides (most prior Navy veterans), traveling up to the North Shore to watch surf competitions in the winter, going to Chinatown for First Friday (the first Friday of every month), body surfing at Mokapu (across from Sea Life Park), climbing Diamond Head or one of the more challenging hikes on the island, skydiving on the North Shore, going to a Sunday polo game on North Shore, or scuba diving (Aaron's dive shop is in Kailua and will give rides from Kailua and Waikiki). Anyone who gets island fever is crazy - there is so much to do on the island if you venture outside of Waikiki and all the tourist trap spots.
Michelle S., Wesley Chapel, Florida, 1.8.11
Very nice to find a few condiments in the fridge, coffee, sugar etc. The location is very convenient for east and north shore beaches. The only drawback is the noise from the highway with all the doors and windows open. But we got used to it and would return again.
Andera H., Eastsound, Washington, 1.8.11
Ava's Place was great. It was clean and nicely decorated, had just the right amount of space for myself and my 2 adult sons. It is located in a quiet residential area close to one of the best, non-crowded beaches in Hawaii. Convenient and close to everything in Kailua as well as nicely situated for taking either the Pali or H3 into Honolulu. We lived in Kailua several years ago and Ava's Place was a perfect place to stay while revisiting old friends and favorite spots on Windward Oahu ! Service was efficient and hassle free. I would definitely recommend Ava's Place !
Catherine M., , , 1.6.11
The customer service provided by Mary Jane Feldman was absolutely excellent. She responded to our inquiries immediately and got us everything we asked for. What we liked about this rental was the spectacular view, the layout and view of the large and well stocked kitchen, the privacy and isolation, access to the Blackpoint pool, the decor - especially the beautiful hard wood floors and the two largest bedrooms.
Kay G., Honolulu, HI, 1.5.11
Main problem was the continuous traffic noise in the back upstairs bedroom - the property should not be described as 'peace & relaxation'! We suffered from sleep depredation. The quality & size of the downstairs bedrooms was below standard for a luxury rental. The fan in one of these rooms did not work. Also the beach was really a mudflat & unuseable - unlike the picture which depicted a nice sandy beach. I would not recommend this property to anyone. Bernard Nicholson
Bernard N., Addlestone, Surrey, 1.5.11
Excellent property - good location & facilities, especially the Rec. room. Would recommend to anyone. Bernard Nicholson
Bernard N., Addlestone, Surrey, 1.5.11
Great location, great house. The only negative for us was it is near a busy road so was a bit noisy. Everything else was great! It was nice to be able to just walk to the beach.
Gail K., Carson City, NV, 1.4.11
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
The unit was way above what we expected. Very clean and had everything we needed. The customer service was great and had no problems what so ever. The best part of my trip was the just sitting back and relaxing, the beach was a short walk and not crowded at all. I would highly recommend people to stay here. Everything you need is a short walking distance nice little store just down the road made it nice when we ran out things. The worst thing about our trip was we had to leave! Thank you very much and we will never forget our stay.
Mike H., Fairfield, MT, 1.3.11
Spacious, well-lit, and quite close to the beach. Everything is set up perfectly for you when you arrive. Plenty of windows, showers to get rid of sand, etc. Perfect beach vacation spot if you like the windward side. Having a garage door opener rocks! Great kitchen with all the dishes/pans you could need. One bedroom is in its own cottage (kinda) so very private for two couples. Only downside was uncomfortable furniture in living/dining room. Wireless internet is "g" class as of Dec. 2010. 2 TVs are nice (but smallish) HD with hdmi inputs.
Erica and Zack T., Manhattan Beach, CA, 1.2.11
This was a wonderful place to land on the North Shore in Oahu. Great location to explore the island from and happened to have a perfect view of the lunar eclipse on the solstice (when the clouds cleared)
Amy S., Forestville, California, 1.1.11
This property of Palm Paradise is very nice. The home is nicely laid out, all the amenities you would want. We walked to the beach everyday. Ted's Bakery is very close so we made our pie run a couple of times. There is a grocery store, Foodland, about 10 minutes away, so we never had to leave the north shore for anything. We don't like crowds, so this location was perfect. We hope to do this again.
Dulcie S., Culver City, California, 1.1.11
This house is well equipped, especially with kitchen and beach equipment, and it has plenty of space. It is also superbly located, literally a few yards from Kailua beach, which is a beautiful clean, sandy beach with gently sloping sea bed. Usually in our trips to Hawaii we drive around from beach to beach. Not this year - we appreciated being able to pick up a couple of boogie boards and chairs from the house supply and stroll down to the beach in two minutes. The house has a nice big back yard with a lawn that my kids enjoyed using for cartwheels and kicking a ball around. The house needs some routine maintenance. The bedroom doors don't fit very well. While we were there, we experienced heavy rain and the roof leaked in two places - not a problem for us, but for the owner! Also, despite a visit from the Terminix guy while we were there, we found a couple of cockroaches in the kitchen, and the ants were everywhere. We rapidly became well trained in picking up every tiny crumb, or there would be an "ant party" (as my younger daughter put it) when we got up in the morning. I guess the poor weather may have driven them indoors in larger numbers than usual. Suggestions for Kailua: Crepes at the Crepes No Ki Ha (I think it was called) downtown. New beach reading material from Book Ends, also downtown, which you can combine with good coffee at Morning Brew (though the food was nothing to write home about). We did our grocery shopping mainly at the Foodland downtown, which is higher end than Safeway but not as high as Whole Foods (one is currently being build in Kailua - I can only imagine how much their food will cost!!). We also enjoyed multiple trips to the Orange Tree Frozen Yoghurt store on Hekili Street. Try the taro flavored yoghurt, it goes well with coconut... A big hit with our kids.
Michelle C., Palo Alto, CA, 12.30.10
We loved being right on the beach. We boogie boarded or played in the surf every day except our departure day. We loved the yard mongoose and playing frisbee in the huge yard. The house was spacious and each couple or person had his/her own room. We missed air conditioning some days but were mostly comfortable. A heated pool would be excellent but it was hot enough to warrant a dip on a couple of days. We had a Christmas Eve dinner at Benihani that was great. We mostly ate off the grill as we have a few with restricted diets so that worked out well. We loved Hanauma Bay and Shark's Cove for snorkeling and we also watched surfing on the bigger waves at Wiamea. Mostly we just enjoyed the family togetherness and warmth of the season. The house was a perfect setting and everything that we needed was there.
Cheryl M., Bellingham, WA, 12.29.10
Our stay at Makana's place was wonderful. The home is beautiful and the patio was very private. The customer service was incredible. If we needed anything we just called and it was taken care of right away. Kailua is a very friendly and beautiful place to visit. We look forward to visiting again.
Rachael S., Milton, Wa, 12.27.10
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
It was a spacious unit, everything was in order when I arrived. Enjoyed eating at the Vegetarian restaurant on main street Haleiwa also the coffee shop near market place had great coffee. My advice to someone staying at this unit bring your computer internet service is fantastic. The roosters in Haleiwa add character but make a noise so bring ear plugs. Within walking distance to both a calm beach and a beach with waves. North shore is a great place to visit.
Sharan G., Vancouver, British Columbia, 12.22.10
What I liked best about the Sugar Mill Beach was that what you saw on the site was what you got. Very well represented. The customer service I received from Vacation Rentals was awesome and also very good from the home owner. Joey was right on top of things and very helpful. Also worth mentioning - all of the beds were extremely comfortable. The best part of my trip was: kayaking in the ocean in front of the house and heading to Chinaman's Hat. The fact that the house includes kayaks, life jackets, boogie boards etc. was excellent and beyond my expectations. My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be...there's Raid under the sink. If you are in the kitchen late at night, be prepared to use it on the occasional cockroach - it works like a charm! Also, keep an eye out for the cute little gecos that visit. They are very small and quite harmless. I liked them WAY better than the cockroaches! Also, bring a travel alarm. Only one of the 3 bedrooms has a clock radio. For those reviews that stated that Sugar Mill Beach House didn't have enough paper towels, etc. we had absolutely no issues on that front. Joey ensured that it was quite well supplied and there were loads of extras in the downstairs closet. The service we received was excellent and we really appreciated Joey's flexibility in allowing us a later checkout time. Given our flight out was in the evening, it allowed us to sleep in a bit and not have to rush. Thanks for everything - your home is truly beautiful.
Jacquie J., Chestermere, Alberta, 12.21.10
The location was perfect. We were up and on the beach as soon as we got out of bed. The beds were very comfortable and everything we needed was at the house; boogie boards, sand toys, towels, kitchen supplies, etc. The fenced yard and lania was especially great for our 6 year old grandson. He was usually the first to get up (at sunrise), and being able to play outside or sit outside in the hammock was wonderful for him and gave him something to do while patiently waiting for someone to get up and take him swimming. Everything else was more then we expected. With 6 adults and one child, there was plenty of space for each of us to have privacy and room for us to be together. We only had one concern and that was the amount and thickness of dust on the fans, tops of picture frames, and light fixtures. The rest of the house was very clean, but the build up of dust up high was bothersome. However, I would definitely go back. It was a beautiful and wonderful location and the beach was never crowded.
Ellie C., Edgewood, NM, 12.20.10
I loved the loft and the customer service I received was excellent. As I was thinking over my decision to rent the property I had missed my contract deadline. Even though I missed my contract deadline, Mark personally called to discuss my reservation before renting to someone else. Most rental agencys would move along to the next renter. The best part of my trip was staying on the north shore, the condo was in an excellent location for Hawaii. It provides a truely 'hawaiian' experience.
Hilary Y., Douglas, AK, 12.17.10
Our families three generations from Santa Barbara, San Francisco and London had a wonderful Time here. It was a perfect place for 10 months olds to 78 years old to be together. Verena was wonderful and we loved your gracious home. Most of us lived on Oahu for many years and this place brought back many sweet memories. The Hurwit Family.
Liza T., Arcadia, CA, 12.16.10
CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT THE BEST RESTAURANT WAS OLA AT TURTLE BAY A FEW THINGS MAYBE TO INCLUDE TO GUESTS, I HAD ANTICIPATED FULLY STOCKED WHICH OVERALL WAS VERY GOOD BUT LITTLE THINGS LIKE A HAIR DRYER HAD I KNOWN WOULD HAVE BROUGHT ONE BUT ENDED UP HAVING TO BUY ONE. THERE WERE PLENTY OF TOWELS FOR BATHROOM AS WELL AS BEACH WHICH WAS VERY NICE OVERALL OUR TRIP AND OUR EXPERIENCE WAS FANTASTIC AND WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE! THANK YOU
Christine M., Redding, CA, 12.11.10
Sugar Mill was a dream destination. My family recently stayed there over Thanksgiving and we were all thrilled with our stay. We had plans to go exploring the island, but we quickly decided we had no need to go anywhere else. We stayed at the house 90% of the time just soaking in the sun and beautiful ocean right outside the back door. Though it's not officially a private beach, I can only remember one time when someone walked by, so it felt very secluded. We also made good use of the kayaks that the owners provided, as well as the water shoes which are great to have as there is a lot of coral in the water. Though we didn't venture out much, Honolulu is really not that far away; only about 30-40 minutes drive. Kailua is also only about a 25 minute drive and has a lot of restaurant options. The closest grocery store is a 12 minute drive and had everything we needed to cook at home. Oh - and Kualoa Ranch is right across the street and is a beautiful backdrop (they were even filming Hawaii 5-0 there one day during our stay!). It felt like everything was the perfect distance; we weren't in a major tourist area by any means, but we were close enough to activities. If you're concerned about being away from the hub of Honolulu, I'd say the tradeoff is well worth it. The house itself is up-to-date, clean, beautiful and had everything we needed. We can't wait to plan our next vacation here!
Lauren F., Redwood City, CA, 12.4.10
We really loved having the beach right in front of the condo. The customer service we received was excellent! Mark was wonderful to work with. The area where the condo was located wasn't really close to many restaurants. A lot of the local restaurants closed at 9:00 so if we wanted to have a late dinner we had to go into Wakiki which was a 45 minute drive. The only restaurant we ate at locally was Papa Ole's and I would highly recommend it, good food and good value. The way the condo was set up with having two floors was nice....the furnishings were fair. The toaster didn't work, there wasn't a spatula and the box springs were broken on one of the full beds in the first floor bedroom. We also found roaches in the condo.
Amy A., LOUISVILLE, KY, 11.29.10
What we liked best about this unit we rented was the fantastic ocean view from our own private back yard. Being from Colorado, it surpassed our ocean-fix need!
Sheila A., Louisville, CO, 11.29.10
Great location for walking into town or across the street to watch the surf competition, but on a fairly busy and noisy road. We enjoyed eating the fresh local catch at Haleiwa Joe's a couple of nights. Lots of noisy roosters day and night - and early morning!! Enjoyed the Waialua Coffee tour (if you ask they'll take you outside and explain the coffee and chocolate bean growing and processing). Banzai Pipeline surfers were awesome! It's worth driving up to the Pu'uomahuka Heiau just north of Waimea Valley.
Tessa M., Palo Alto, CA, 11.27.10
This was a great unit, although small for more than 2 people. The bedroom is very snug!! Wonderful view of the ocean. The kitchen was well stocked with spices etc, and there was lots of beach "stuff" for people to use if they wanted. We loved the Huuala Loop trail, and also Laie Falls trail, both offered wonderful views. If you want to eat out much there's nothing within walking distance, we went to Crouching Lion one night but mostly cooked at home.
Tessa M., Palo Alto, CA, 11.27.10
What I liked best about the house was the beautiful ocean view and the pool. The house itself was fine, but needed updating and cleaning. The inside of the house looked worn (built in the 1950's) and had rust issues (side of the refrigerator, for example) and some items had some serious dust issues. Overall, the house was comfortable and spacious.
David U., Bothell, Washington, 11.27.10
We like to cook and the kitchen was very well equipped. The decor was very nice, very new, and very clean. Customer service was responsive. We thoroughly enjoyed the beach and the pool. We ate at Buzz's Restaurant and really enjoyed the meal. The house is quite large and would comfortably accommodate eight guests. There are lots of puzzles, books and games, and a good selection of videos.
Gayle L., Friday Harbor, WA, 11.23.10
The condo was really nice and Mark was great. It had everything we needed. It was further away from the airport than we thought and the traffic in north shore can be very heavy. Beaches are beautiful. Definitly try the shrimp trucks and ted's bakery. The dinner buffet at turtle bay was great to. Kona's in haliewa had best pork sandwichs. Still a wonderful time and great place to stay. Try the skydiving at pacific at dillington airfield, awesome, request rob. Also dove with captain Bruce for 2 days. Great scuba dive operation.
Debra B., Mountain Top, PA, 11.23.10
It was nice You might check video feed on dvd and leave instructions for next geust, how towork the ting aloha, Mahalo
James H., Hauula, Hawaii, 11.22.10
We had great time in Oahu while stayed at Kuilima Estates 48W. Fully equiped the property was our house during 2 weeks.Thanks a lot!
Marcelo Jose B., So Paulo, So Paulo, 11.21.10
The location was excellent. The house layout was super for my family of 6 adults and 2 children. Lots of room to be all together or little spaces for time on your own. The service we received from Kiaaina was also excellent. Every request or question we had, he got back to us within the hour. Very accommodating. The best part of my trip was having all my family together for 2 weeks and being able to do everything they could. Lucy"s was a great eating experience and they were very considerate of the children's needs. We didn't eat out a lot because we had the BBQ and it was just nice to sit around the pool and eat dinner in the evening. Besides, everyone wanted to chill after a day at the beach.
Roie H., Calgary, Ab., 11.19.10
We loved the beachfront location the best. The customer service was excellent - always immediate! Boogie boarding out front of the house. A Japanese restaurant in Waikiki (I've forgotten the name) The best picture was on Waikiki beach with a fantastic sunset behind us. Basically the house was fantastic - we loved it. I voiced our concerns regarding the air conditioning and that is the only reason I gave it four stars - if we come back, we would love to stay in the same house again. I have to say that dealing with Kia'aina Wong was a bonus because he made it more personal by always getting back immediately and we really appreciate that. Thank you
Lorainne S., Burnaby, BC, 11.18.10
We very much enjoyed our stay. The house is as it appears in the photos - spacious, clean, with a lovely backyard. It was perfect for our week with grandma and our two kids.
Dan L., Albany, CA, 11.15.10
Don't judge Honu Hale as you first pull off the Highway onto the lane. It is a little difficult to see at night, and getting out of the lane is difficult as it is a blind corner. We love the beach across the street, it is very beautiful spot. The manager's, Chuck & Kim , were very helpful in finding places and recommendations on where to go and where to eat. Honu Hale is roomy with it's two bedrooms, the third bedroom is very small. If you have claustrophobia you won't want to stay in this room. The kitchen has everything you need, the closed in porch is great to sit and eat, visit, etc. It is a good value compared to your big hotels. Aloha
Patricia C., Des Moines, IA, 11.11.10
Excellent. Loved the new improvements. Hope you found the house clean and tidy as we left it and look forward to our cleaning bond being returned.
Glenn A., COFFS HARBOUR, NSW AUSTRALIA, 11.8.10
Very close to beach, easy access to down town. Large yard was good for children to play and out side dinning. There was a gas BBQ grill, even though it was not listed.
Yuichi I., Tokyo, Tokyo, 11.7.10
The condo was is great condition and location. I would stay there again.
Gay M., NORMAN, OK, 11.7.10
Robbie and Mike are excellent hosts. The studio has all that one needs for a comfortable stay. The location is perfect.
Gloria L., San Francisco, CA, 11.3.10
The location of the unit was very nice, the proximity to the beach was great! We wished the pool was heated. Customer service was very good. Mark returned calls promptly. We loved Kailua Beach Park. Advice to someone staying in unit: North Shore is quiet, and away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. If what you are looking for is a modern updated unit, this is not it. But it was clean, comfortable and we loved the location. Kitchen could have a better selection of utensils, glasses, bowls, etc.
Ryan B., Toledo, Ohio, 11.1.10
Oceanhouse was awesome, it accomodated our family and friends comfortably. We enjoyed our views and the all the amenities. Customer service was great. We had a memorable birthday party. I would definitely stay here again.
Shana T., San Francisco, CA, 11.1.10
Best Snorkel beaches: Makaha Beach, Electric Beach (Kahe Beach), Sharks Cove. Best Bakery: Ted's Bakery, North Shore Best Picture: sunrise at Blue Hawaii condo, and rainbow over Honolulu and Ilikai Marina Thanks again, Brian
Brian T., Miamisburg, OH, 11.1.10
I would definitely recommend BeachWalk to all our friends. The location was perfect, close to the beach, close to town, just perfect! BeachWalk was beautifully decorated and all the details were addressed! It was a wonderful vacation spot and we can't wait to return!!
Sharon P., Glendale, CA, 10.31.10
Wine opener shall be equipped.
Hiroki T., Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, 10.29.10
2 families from Tokyo, Japan (the Tomitas and Ozekis) stayed here for 8 nights and had a great vacation! We watched 2 boys (ages 4 and 5) play at the beach, the front lawn and in the pool, and 2 baby girls crawl and walk around the house and garden and felt very safe and comfortable. Verena was very nice and attentive to our needs thank you! We vacation in Hawaii every year and love the Kailua area and look forward to coming back again. Mahalo, Mako, Kuni, Taiyo, Yuma, Zeki, Takako, Kosuke and Mia.
Cheryl C., Hollister, Ca, 10.29.10
We had a enjoyable stay at Pat's Punaluu. The beach was fantastic, great for snorkeling as there are many sea turtles to swim with in the bay. The windward side is relaxing and has a country atmosphere. Goivanni's shrimp truck is the best of many in the area. Stores with most of your needs are just up the street. As far as the unit goes it was very nice. On the positive side it had been completely remolded however the appliances were very complicated to operate. (No we are not 90 years old!) The T.V. no one could figure out.(not that you need T.V.) Would we stay again? YES Naturally we hope that next time these minor issues have been resolved. All in all, this is a good deal. Aloha..............G.S.G.
Gene G., Belfair, Washington, 10.26.10
We loved the location of this rental house and the best part was swimming in the pool every morning before we went out sight seeing. We couldnt believe how much there is to see and do on Oahu. The north shore and the windward side of the island are lovely. The best Mai Tai we had was at the Royal Hawaiian. We sat at the Mai Tai bar there and watched people on the beach and in the surf while we sipped our drinks and shared a BLT and sweet potato fries. The waitress went to the kitchen and got us the recipe for their green papaya salad that accompanied our lunch and we were able to find the ingredients and recreate it when we got back to our rental. Very tasty! . The best beach for those who arent super surfers is Kokololio on the windward side. It's got shade and wasnt crowded at all. We highly recommend the Breath of Life show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is stunning. The rental agency was prompt in all correspondence so we would definitely use them again.
Shirlee J., Santa Rosa, CA, 10.26.10
Loved it. Perfect!!
Taylor and Jan H., Phoenix, Arizona, 10.26.10
The Lanikai Escape was a fantastic retreat for my husband and I. We rarely get to take vacations, so we truly appreciated the "home away from home" vibe at the Lanikai escape. Robbie and Mike were so welcoming and friendly. EVERYTHING we could need was provided for us: Beach towels, cooking utensils, washer/dryer, use of kayaks, life vests, beach chairs, etc. The unit was very comfortable and clean, with all new finishes. Robbie and Mike also left some very useful tips, restaurant recommendations, and directions to local stores for us in a binder, which we took with us everywhere. Not being familiar with the area, it was so helpful to have that information at hand. The door to the main house was always open if Robbie or Mike were home. If we needed anything, they made sure we felt comfortable enough to ask! The unit is located on the Leeward side of Oahu, in a cute town called Kailua. The beaches are fantastic. Kailua Beach Park has a lifeguard on duty, as well as restrooms, picnic areas and a nice long, wide swath of soft sandy beach and crystal clear, calm water. Lanikai Beach has the softest sand ever, but does not have any facilities or parking. You can walk to Lanikai Beach from the unit and Kailua Beach is a very short drive. There is also water access directly next to the unit. Perfect for bringing out a kayak for the day! Definitely kayak out to "the Moke's" with the provided ocean kayak's. The water is calm and crystal clear. The beach, rugged island and bird sanctuary waiting to be explored there are amazing!!! That was a highlight of our trip, for sure. We also drove up to the North Shore and explored a little, but did not find the big waves we were expecting ( they are biggest from Nov-March ). If you want to watch some good waves, body boarding and surfing, try out Sandy Beach Park or Makapu'u Beach Park!! These are not really "swimming" beaches, but are good places to get some sun while watching the surfers and body boarders. Hanauma Bay Park has the BEST snorkeling and quite a nice beach, to boot. It makes for a very nice day! Arrive early, it gets crowded by late morning, and the water is clearer the earlier you go. Stop by Sandy Beach Park or Makapu'u Beach Park on the way back from Hanauma Bay. They are right on the way back to the unit from the Bay. We tried many of the local restaurants, including Cinammon's, Buzz's and Lucy's. Lucy's wound up being our favorite. The food and service were top notch, but the atmosphere was relaxed -- perfect. We made a couple return trips there. Also, breakfast at Cinammon's was great! If you drive in to Honolulu / Waikiki ( it's maybe 30 minutes ), try out Duke's. It's inside the Outrigger Hotel set directly on Waikiki. It's a fun atmosphere, and they have very good Mai-tai's :D Be prepared to wait a spell if you come for dinner around sunset. Perhaps the best recommendation we could give is that we would return to this unit WITHOUT HESITATION on a future trip. We fell in love with the area, and the Lanikai Escape felt like a home away from home!
Lori H., Austin, TX, 10.26.10
Everything was wonderful, we have often stayed on the west side of the island, so staying on the east side was new, and a welcomed change. More relaxed and quiet and had a far better tropical feel. Everyone we dealt with from the owners of the property to the agents were super helpful and knowledgable. The best part of our trip was the relaxing feel we got while at the rental, homey and warm and super neat and clean, with absolute privacy that was priceless, when vacationing from such busy and congested lives. We will strongly recommend this property and the rental agency to friends and family, and hope to use this service again. The only draw back to Sugar Mill beach house is the highway outside the property has cars that travel way to fast and it's unnerving to leave the driveway to get out in that traffic, and coming from a big city ourselves it was the last thing we wanted to see while on a tropical island getaway....not sure there's any solution to that, but it really was the only drawback. Thanks again for your services.
Mandy L., Mesa, AZ, 10.26.10
This was our 10th family vacation on Kailua Beach, and the first at Hale O Ke Kai. We really enjoyed The home and the friendly assistance from Verena. Having a pool was a great amenity. We recommend using the bikes to cruise around townlots of fun! Island Snow is great for shave ice, & Don Quijote for all else. Please feed all the birds they loved getting our left-overs on the lawn! The Estabrooks, Park City, Utah.
Myron W., Laguna beach, CA, 10.25.10
liked best-amenities, decor, cleanliness customer service-pretty good, punctual best part-many restaurant-jameson's picture-jamesons tell my friends about the beauty & to look at your condos, well done advice-keep it clean definitely recommend-taking time to stay north shore insider tip-jamesons looking forward to doing it w/o kids thanks, my stay at you condo was fabulous!
Madeline F., Honolulu, Hi, 10.20.10
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
Our experience was great all the way around. The unit was all it was advertised to be. Although we spent most of our day "out and about" it was nice to have a place to come "home to". The customer service was fantastic. The unit was ready when we arrived and there were no issues. This was our 4th trip to Hawaii, and it was to attend our sons wedding on North Shore. Of all our trips this was the most special, for obvious reasons, but the accomadations were the best we have ever had. Thanks again for the wonderful experience.
Scott T., Center Point, Tx, 10.15.10
What I liked best about the unit i rented was all display and nice view. The customer service I received was attentive and trim interior. The best part of my trip was Snorkeling in Hanauma bay. The best restaurant I found was shrimp House restaurant near the rented house street.
Kevin K., SAN JOSE, CA, 10.14.10
The unit was well equipped for myself and my three young children,just like a home away from home.Chris ,the property manager , was very informative and helpful. We enjoyed the proximity to Sharks Cove , Waimea Bay ,and surrounding north shore .The grocery store had everthing we needed and was within walking distance,which was conveinent.Small town atmosphere was a world away from honolulu's hustle bustle and bright lights.Explored the whole north shore and this is definitly the spot to be at to enjoy the surf and snorkle.We really enjoyed the waimea falls park! So much beauty and diversity of plants . Do not forget your camera .I was on a budget and found this property not knowing what to expect.Trump coined the phrase "location, etc." and this one has it.The whole process of securing this property was done online and via my iphone so i always had the information , reservations , and contract, right at my finger tips.Thanks guys,I may upgrade to the beach front next time around
David K., , , 10.5.10
We loved the Aloha Spirit for our vacation rental. The home had everything we needed with many extras that made it feel like our home. The beautiful yard, beach toys, bicycles, wonderful open patio, island decorations, great kitchen and short walk to the most amazing beach made our visit perfect. The customer service we received from Aloha Beachfront Rentals was the best. We had to plan our trip on short notice and extend our stay at the last minute. Kia'aina at Aloha Beachfront Rentals answered our calls and emails each time promptly and went out of his way to help us have a great stay.
Joyce G., Beaumont, TX, 10.5.10
My primary purpose of this trip was to be with our son and his family from Australia - It was a wonderful visit with them and the house was certainly spacious enough to accommodate all of us. It was such a lovely time that our son and his family extended their stay - (they were supposed to leave earlier than us (Sunday) but extended and we all left on Wednesday the 29th. We found the house a little uncomfortable due to the lack of a/c but we knew that going in - your weather was unusually hot and humid during our stay. Also, we had some issues with the refrigerator/freezer not working properly but the property manager was very accomodating and did her best to rectify the situation. Hawaii is so beautiful and overall our experience was wonderful - especially all the time I got to spend with our grandsons 8, 2 and 11 months. We totally enjoyed the pool and the close proximity to the beach. Thank you.
Ann P., Covington, LA, 10.4.10
Great location, very relaxing and perfect proximity to town (Haleiwa). However, the house needs to be maintained: (1) basisc maintaenance of sliding screen doors was required during the stay; (2) electrical system is questionable (i.e., fans and lights randomly turn on and off at all hours of the night and day); (3) Roof leaks in main entryway which resulted in slippery tile surface (i.e., it's just a matter of time until someone falls and hurts themselves); (4) AC unit in one room required replacement; (5) washing water drains onto the ground and seeps under the house foundation. Management staff did support repairs and maintenance (althought the roof leak eluded final repair). However, the grounds keeper/lawn maintenance staff needs to show a bit more interenst in the overall condition of the grounds (i.e., we implemented sprinkler repair and moved sprinklers in order to keep the lawns alive!) All that said, I would stay at this residence again. Dave 'A' TLI Solutions
TLI Solutions C., Golden, CO, 10.4.10
Everything worked out very smooth, from scheduling the unit to the time I left. The unit was very clean and stocked with the essentials. The grounds were beautiful and much improved from the last time I stayed. I will continue to stay at this proerty in the future!
Scott H., St. George, Utah, 9.30.10
It was a great place and I loved the swimming pool a lot! I would really love to stay again but couple things that would help improve about the property as below. - I really do think the place needs air condition. - The grill (Barbecue) which was one of the top item that I was looking forward to do was very dirty and could not use it.
Daniel H., Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 9.28.10
We had the most wonderful stay at your facility - the view, the weather, the yard, and the space in the home were perfect. We would definitely consider staying with you again. The only constructive criticism I have is that we had no air conditioning in one bedroom for nearly the entire stay, we had very, very, poor refrigeration (if any) the entire stay, and we were asked to remove our shoes at the door only to find the floors so filthy our feet looked as if we had shoes on. There is room for improvement here, and I hope you make the improvements because the home is wonderful with lots and lots of potential. Thank you for making our trip so memorable.
Steve W., Cincinnati, OH, 9.28.10
Very close to kailua beach and everything is well prepared(bodyboat, snokeling, beach goods, towels, kitchen goods etc). We spent almost two weeks and it was very confortable.
Kenro T., Shinagawa, Tokyo, 9.28.10
We loved the pool!
Mary G., Mayville, WI, 9.17.10
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
What a wonderful little getaway! Tucked away from the main road but close enough for a walk to the beach and a run through Lanikai! I loved it! Thank you :o)
Stephanie T., Rio Rancho, NM, 9.9.10
We had a wonderful time in Hawaii. The scenery is fantastic, the weather gorgeous. The rental was clean & well equipped, and suited our needs very well. We absolutely loved being walking distance to such a beautiful beach. We appreciated having boogie boards, beach chairs and towels there, so we could start enjoying the beach first thing. A nice way to get over jet lag. It's hard to pick a favorite part of our trip. Our favorite scenic drive would be going from Kailua to Hanauma Bay. We loved snorkeling in Shark's Cove, and boogie boarding there in Kailua/Kalama beach. Our favorite food was banana macademia nut pancakes at Boots & Kimo's, and the shave ice at Kokonuts in Koko Marina Shopping Center. (I know, not exactly high brow tastes, but what do you expect w/4 kids? :) I would definitely recommend this house and rental agency to my friends. My only suggestions to improve the rental would be to add drying racks/clothes lines, and measuring spoons in the kitchen. You can tell we had a great time, if these were our "biggest" issues! Thanks for a superb 20th anniversary vacation!
Cynthia C., , , 9.4.10
Our family, consisting of 8 mo & 5 yr old boys, 2 twenty somethings, 2 thirty somethings, and 2 sixty somethings enjoyed our stay immensely. The house is beautiful, yet comfortable. Plenty of room To all hang out. Verena was super attentive and so friendly! Great boogie boarding, snorkeling, soccer on the lawn and splashing in the pool. We are taking some wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing Your family home with us! Mahalo and Aloha, The Montgomery/Coil Family, Bay Area, Callie.
Phil N., Auckland, New Zealand, 9.4.10