We've stay on the south side of Oahu before (Bellows, Waikiki, and Ewa Beach) and so appreciated an opportunity to be on the north shore near Turtle Bay. It felt like a quiet retreat and my favorite part was spending time at the pool each evening (right out front!!) after dinner with the kids, then chatting together as a family as we walked through the beautiful and quiet grounds. As for the unit itself, the amenities were great and the unit was comfortable. Loved having the full kitchen and the laundry. While A/C was available, there was zero need for it - breezes were perfect. The pools were comfortable and never busy, and neither were the courts. The beach is walkable unless you have a ton of gear. In the quiet of the morning, we could easily hear the roar of the ocean as we woke up - loved that! As for the overall location, plan to enjoy the local beaches and the pool/courts - while the rest of the island is certainly accessible, the hour or so drives do get tedious if you plan to spend most of your time in the south. While we definitely recommend this unit, I do need to mention one suggestion for them - fix the screen door locks. The ocean breezes were wonderful at night, but the lack of locks made us nervous about leaving the kids in the other room. For food, plan to make some meals, pick up take out in Wahiawa, get shrimp from the trucks nearby in Kahuku or eat at one of the many great restaurants in Hale'iwa. Husband's fav activity: pick up Starbucks next to Foodland (15 min away) and then walk across the street to read a book and watch the tremendous morning waves there. If you go to the Polynesian Cultural Center (and you should!), take advantage of how close it is and go twice (free within 3) to really see everything. Best beaches on the island: for body boarding and absolutely amazing sand - Bellows and/or Kailua on the southeast side. For swimming with young kids and w/o big waves to deal with - Ko'olina resort area down on the southwest side. Just tell the guards you are going to the public beach. They have 3 beautiful manmade lagoons perfect for swimming safely.
Sara K., Hamden, CT, 3.11.10
Fantastic property with very helpful owners / property managers. Perfect location on the best beach in Oahu, close enough to Kailua town center to walk. Property manager shared great information on local restaurants, attractions and provided a great deal of beach equipment on-site. Loved the property and will stay there again when we return to Hawaii!
Jon S., New York, NY, 3.10.10
The unit was clean and only a couple of bugs...normal in the tropics. Quiet, clean, nice pool and good beaches in walking distance. Saw many turtles and humpbacks. Nice to have this unit to cook in to save money on meals. We will make this trip again!
Deborah M., KIRKLAND, WA, 3.10.10
This was a great house for our group (6 adults and 4 small children)! The proximity to the beach and the pool at the house were fabulous. The house had all the amenities we needed. We would definitely recommended this to anyone wanting a place to stay that is close to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
Ali S., Issaquah, WA, 3.9.10
We had a wonderful stay. Our unit was beautiful. We had everything we needed. From Beach chairs, coolers and all new appliances. The view was stunning. We saw whales right from our balcony. The beach was beautiful. I swam with a sea turtle and saw lots of fish while snorkeling. The water was calm and warm. I could walk for ever on the beach. I can't wait to come back. Sunrises were amazing. We hiked the Loop which was a nice hike and a good workout. The best part of my stay was the quiet, peacful area and beach. We love Hawelia Joes restaurant. Food and service was great. If you like relaxing, peace and quite then this is the place to stay! Pack lightly as the unit had a washer and dryer and all you really needed was swim suits, shorts, sweater and 1 dressy outfit. Thank you for everything. Margaret
Margaret F., Scotland, Ontario, 2.28.10
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
Great accommodations, close to beaches and the best is the quiet county of North Shore Oahu!!! Loved the shrimp farms and local fruit stands.
Raylene B., San Carlos, CA, 2.27.10
We rented the whole house.. upstairs and downstairs. The space was large enough for 10 people comfortably. It was close to the beach and close to town. The only problem was that the downstairs kitchen only had a 2 burners for a stove and very little area to prep food... since we had the whole house we used the upstairs kitchen more.
Alyscia D., Burnaby, BC, 2.27.10
The unit has a beautiful view of the ocean and a very nice protected beach. We loved the quiet and low key nature of the windward side of Oahu. The mountain views were stunning. Surfing watching, whale watching, sailing and shopping were very nice on the North Shore. The crab cakes at the Crouching Lion restaurant were great.
Howard B., Shaker Heights, OH, 2.25.10
The home was an exceptional property, both in terms of location and convenience. The view was wonderful and we really enjoyed watching the sun rise from the bedroom balcony while having our first cup of coffee in the morning. The beach is just steps away. Everyone liked walking in the sand or watching the people strollling down the beach, many with their dogs. The guest book was especially helpful - full of advice, helpful hints and menus collected by guests on local places to eat. We were there almost six weeks and all our needs were met very quickly, Dave even installed a handrail for my mother to make getting into and out of the shower easier for her. Would love to fall asleep listening to the waves every night.
Kathryn G., , , 2.21.10
Beautiful views and peaceful area.
Bob T., Kaneohe, HI, 2.19.10
This is an amazing home, without a doubt the best one I have ever rented. Simply but elegantly decorated, and full of all the amenities you could ask for. It is obvious that the home is well-cared for by all the details. The back of the house area is absolutely spectacular, fit for entertaining or even better, just some lovely quiet time. The location across from the beach is perfect, barely a two minute walk. I would highly recommend Hale Maluhia, and look forward to returning someday.
Kim M., Chicago, IL, 2.19.10
Very good house, in perfect conditions, clean and everything worked very well. Very good location in a quiet place, especially if you like golf. Although if you are more interested in beaches, like I was, you need a at least 10 minutes driving to get a good one. I recommend the place.
Alberto V., Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, 2.18.10
Lanikai Escape was amazing! Robbie was so friendly and accommodating. Everything was perfect -- the location, layout, decor, everything! We used the kitchen quite a bit and it was convenient to have a washer/dryer to use as well. Everything you need is already in the condo as far as pots, pans, utensils, and even shampoo, books and beach towels. Lanikai is the best beach in Oahu, and it is still a quick drive to the North Shore and Waikiki. We loved eating at Buzz's Steakhouse nearby. I would definitely recommend this to others. We didn't have time this trip, but next trip Iwe're looking forward to snorkeling in Hanauma Bay park which is not far. We love to eat so we'd recommend going to Leonard's Bakery in Honolulu for malasadas, Romy's Shrimp Shack on the way to the North Shore, Ted's Bakery for Haupia Pie (on the North Shore), and Aoki's and/or Matsumoto's for Shave Ice in Haleiwa. There is so much more to Oahu than just Waikiki, and this is absolutely the best place to stay to prove it...
Darlene C., Miami, FL, 2.17.10
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
This home is in a great location. The home is clean and for the most part as advertisied. We were very disappointed that there wasn't a hot tub as adversitied. The beach was great but windy. We would probably look for a place with a hot tub and heated pool next time.
John K., El Dorado Hills, California, 2.14.10
Very clean very nice.
Dylan C., Los Angeles, Ca, 2.13.10
The location was great, it was central to many good surf spots. The rental agents made it very easy for us. I would stay here again if i came back
Grady F., Melbourne, Victoria, 2.10.10
This place was the definitely the nicest rental condo I have stayed in! It was clean, quiet and had a very warm feel! My family was very comfortable and we had a wonderful time. The view is amazing and the beach was perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are not too many restaurants available in the immediate area, but it is not too far from Haleiwa to drive to have a nice dinner. There are two grocery stores in the area as well that have everything you need to eat in at the condo. I would recommend this to anyone who does not want to stay in Honolulu and would like to have a nice quiet vacation.
Catherine M., Eagle River, Ak, 2.10.10
This unit accommodated the five of us nicely. I love staying on the North Shore. The grounds are beautiful and we enjoy the walking paths. We love the beaches and the small towns nearby. We love stopping at the local fruit stands and being able to have our meals in the condo. Had a wonderful time on Ocean Joy Cruises and at Germain's Luau. We had outstanding service at both.
Melba B., Boise, ID, 2.10.10
Location! Right across from the Polynesian Cultural Center, but also on a private beach (you can almost hear the waves from the bungalow). The owner lives next door and is incredibly friendly and helpful. He personally installed the 2-person shower which is the highlight of the room. The room is slightly awkwardly designed furniture-wise- a pullout bed is pretty useless for a couple and there is a big empty space in the middle of the floor. The biggest down side for the place is the rooster next door that wakes you up at 5:30am.
Shefa G., Washington, DC, 2.9.10
We found this property to be a great place to stay. We would wake up early and walk the 1/2 block to the edge of the point and watch the sun come up. We even spotted whales!! We loved being in Laie with the more relaxed atmosphere. It was a short walk to the grocery store and close to the beach and the Polynesian Cultural Center. I would recommend that a mirror be put into each bedroom so that the bathrooms could be freed up quickly. Other than that...it was perfect for us. The manager was so accomodating and friendly. We arrived very late at night and everything was easy and ready for our arrival.
Jolene P., Raymond, Alberta, 2.8.10
The Ocean Breeze Suit really lives up to its name. The property is in a beautiful location and is a great place just to relax and soak everything in. The Suite itself is very nicely decorated and we really enjoyed the outside shower. Drinking our morning coffee on the patio while watching people surfing and humpback whales off in the distance was just breathtaking. The sunrising right in front of the suite was gorgeous and watching a full moon rise was just spectacular. Being animal folk, we really enjoyed Jake's company whenever he would come over just to lay on the floor and watch us or join us for a walk on the beach. Ray was a more than gracious host, and was always egar to answer any of our questions about the area. Shopping at the local Foodland is great and make sure to get one of their store cards for good discounts. A great place for breakfast is the Hulilau Cafe just up the road from the Foodland. We had such a great time, I don't know if it is possible to improve on anything we did or saw. Staying at the Ocean Breeze Suite was the best idea ever, and I can't imagine our vacation being so perfect if we had not found it. I would definitely stay there again, without question.
Dawn E., Fort Collins, Co, 2.6.10
We loved the beautiful beach in Kailua and the comfortable and spacious home. It was wonderful to go for daily walks/runs on the soft smooth sand. We splurged on Alan Wong's restaurant in Honolulu as a treat for the adults, and the kids loved boogie boarding, the Atlantis submarine ride, and Sea Life Park.
Kate L., ANchorage, AK, 2.1.10
I liked the convenience of the location in Kailua; the size of the rental was perfect for our family; and the backyard deck was great for reading, relaxing etc. The only downside to Ava's place was the noise -- lot's of street and neighbor activity. Misty was very responsive to my questions and comments...Would stay there again.
Jeff C., Victoria, British Columbia, 2.1.10
what i liked best about the unit i rented was the location. what i did not like about Pats at Punaluu was the sewage smell coming from in front of the building( pretty gross when you know what you're smelling). Unit 413's dryer vent was vented into the unit so when you used the dryer the whole unit was like a home for lint.Womens nylons over end of dryer vent hose do not make good lint filters. Bedroom window on hiway side of building would not close completly so traffic sounds like you're sleeping on the road!( traffic starts about 4:30). Bedroom window blind was screwed on to the window. Like it was bust at some point and instead of getting a new one they just screwed the blind part of it to the window. I think Unit# 413 needs some work before it gets to far gone . The outside common areas where very clean and well maintain. staff where very nice and helpfull. The #1 thing I would Strongly recommend people to do would plan to see the Polynesian Cultural Center.See the stage show. 10 out of10. See it on your last day. You'll leave Hawaii with a smile on your face thinking highlite of the trip and we spent 2 weeks in Hawaii.(just a 10 minute drive north of the Pats).
John J., Comox, B.C., 1.28.10
My stay was amazing! The pictures matched the posting perfectly, and the customer service was top notch. I have stayed in other condos in Kuilima before and so far this is my favorite one, (and the nicest.) I would recommend this unit to anyone.
Shannon D., Montecito, CA, 1.27.10
This property was an average home in Hawaii. The property is situated on a lot with another home. The other home backs to the ocean while this home is closest to the street. The view from the home is still great and you can certainly see the ocean from the home but it does not back directly to the ocean. The house is a bit run down. In fact the toilet seat was broken when we arrived. After notifying the property manager they did get this taken care of but it did take a few days. The best part of this property was the cost to house many people. There was plenty of space (although we did not use the separate living area). The separate living area is accessed through a separate entrance and is located right next to the street at the back of the carport area (from the pictures it looks like it is on the same level as the house with the same deck - this separate area is below the house, under the deck area). When we checked it out the unit was musty. We even saw a lizard on the wall which immediately ran up the wall to the roof and outside as soon as we turned on the lights. As you can imagine, the kids were not thrilled to stay in this area. There were boogie boards and other ocean toys there for use. We enjoyed using these during our stay. If you are looking for beach access, this house is not exactly "close" to a beach. You can walk about 1/2 mile or so to a sand beach. Luckily we had other relatives who had rented another house which was situated on the beach so we were able to use that area. If we did not have the other house on the beach we would have had to go to the Hukilau Beach park which is probably about .5 - 1 mile away. Overall the house was ok. It met our needs of a place to stay in Hawaii, although it would not be a consideration for the next time we go. We would want something on the beach and not as run down.
Scott W., Brighton, CO, 1.27.10
Loved the location, loved the beach access, Dave and Lori were wonderful, we'd come back again. Thanks.
Sheri H., Ripon, CA, 1.26.10
The owner was very nice and made you feel like you were a freinf visiting. the location was good, I would stay here again!!! Lanikai is always a great place to stay!!!!
Dan C., Pittsburg, CA, 1.25.10
The house is spacious and well equipped. When we arrived, Sandy Earle met us and told us about the setup. She was extremely helpful, even to the point of helping us with some heavy luggage. The other service which was amazing: the owner came over on the first evening to repair the wi-fi so that we could use our computers. The only bad thing was the overgrown greenery blocking the view from the deck. The owner did send someone to cut back this overgrowth, but it was not successful. The deck, in fact, does NOT provide an ocdan view. But it is an easy walk to Lanikai beach, and a short drive to Kailua beach....both lovely.
Dorothy D., St. Louis, MO, 1.23.10
The Garden Lanai was great! The instructions that we received ahead of time made finding the place and getting in no problem. The place was very clean and well appointed and comfortable. The access to the beach was closer than we had anticipated- and the beach itself was stunning. I would certainly recommend the Garden Lanai without hesitation. We look forward to returning.
Emily M., Tivoli, NY, 1.22.10
1) Excellent service from the owner - always available 2) House in good condition - nice amenities (sound system, kayaks etc...) 3) Good location, quiet area 4) I would rent again from same owner I will prefer the North Shore thought (personal preference, nothing to do with the rental) 5) House great for kids, great for snorkeling, great for kayaking Very pleased with everything otherwise, thanks! laurent
Laurent P., North Vancouver, BC, 1.16.10
Beautiful place. Top-notch reception by Mary Jane, including flowers and food basket. Really enjoyed feeling at home in this beautiful but really comfortable house (actually--half of a duplex). Enjoyed Hawaiian music CD's and books that were there for us. The front bedroom/bathroom is exquisite beyond expectations. The other 3 bedrooms are much smaller, have no view, and can be noisy from the numerous neighbors. This is not a place to enjoy a beach and swimming (like Kailua). The beach is tide-dependent. The coral is shallow and painful to get around. It was VERY cool to see humuhumunukunukuaua'a (trigger fish) swimming between the coral from the yard. There was a lack of communication given that our booking agent said it was not a duplex, and we were given the name and number of a person to call to let us in. But, after several hours, it turned out he did not work there any more. We had forwarded our flight information, but that was not received and the house was not ready anyways.
Colleen F., New York, NY, 1.15.10
It's quiet here. You'll hear a lot of songbirds. I did in early January. Near the entrance to the lane, Buzz's Restaurant has great food and service. Accepts cash only. Sunday nights are the most crowded. You'll be lucky to find a table outside. Ciappino (fish stew) is great. So is Cajun-style mahi mahi. Salad bar is good, if often crowded. The Buzz mai tai is good. Nice choices for dessert. (Rocky road ice-cream cake is awesome.) Down the road (Kalaheo Drive) a couple of miles, Pinky's restaurant and sports bar is pretty good but the service may leave something to be desired. While I ate there, a mom and her teenage daughter sat down at a table, waited five or ten minutes and then walked out because none of the waitresses came by. This was at lunchtime on a Monday, and the place was not busy. Go slow in the neighborhood. Take extra care exiting the lane -- traffic moves in both directions, even early in the morning -- because the Kailua Beach parking lot is directly across the street and it's a popular place all week. Parking by the unit can be a little tight, so if you rent a car in Honolulu and have a choice between compact and larger car, go with the compact. You won't regret it unless you have a ton of gear. Even then a compact might be a better choice. Remember to check out Lanikai beach nearby. Gorgeous sunrises! Finding a parking spot along the neighborhood street might be tough after ten or eleven in the morning. The entrance to the mountain climb in that neighborhood is hard to find. I drove by it once or twice and ended up asking one of the locals where it is. The climb itself is tough if you're over 40 or out of shape or carrying a heavy backpack. There is no paved path -- you'll be on rock, stones, and dirt the whole way up. Great views though. President Obama played golf at the private Pacific Club at the foot of the mountain when he was president-elect. This is a good location if you play golf. Ko'olau, Olomana, Luana Hills, and Pali are all within a 15- or 20-minute drive of Baby Honu. The front nine of Luana Hills is diabolical, and some of the ravines at Ko'0lau are deadly. Talk about a challenge. Bring a big driver. Practice with your three wood a lot . . . In January, the golf courses on the western side of Oahu look dry by comparison. Took a look at Turtle Bay; to me, the golf courses look overrated (rather flat, and not visually appealing other than the fact that it has a lot of palm trees), from what I could see on the entrance road and from the clubhouse. Busy place, however. The onsite manager of the Baby Honu is very friendly and knows a lot about the island. If you bring a netbook or laptop, you can use the Wi-Fi for Web access -- no login or password required for the Wi-Fi. Overall I enjoyed staying here a lot.
Ken S., Downers Grove, IL, 1.13.10
My husband and I had a great time at the Blue Hawaii, I lived in HI 23 years ago and didn't care to return to Waikiki so we decided on staying at Pat's at Punalu'u, it was a great decision as the Blue Hawaii was so clean and well equipped, it even came with snorkel equipment and a surfboard..surfing it's much harder than those guys make it look. The sunrises were amazing and we had the beach pretty much to ourselves every afternoon. I would suggest to anyone staying on this side of the island to rent a car, we drove all over the island from Halaiwa to Kailua and everywhere in between. Dining out options on this side of the island are limited so we shopped in Laie at Foodland and cooked in breakfast and dinner and usually ate out for lunch when we were on one of our many road trips. Our condo had all the necessary items to cook a meal, which saved a lot of money and who wants to eat out every meal. My husband and I loved kayaking in Kaliua, swimming with the turtles at Hanauma Bay, doing the hike up Diamond Head and visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center. Always travel with a back up camera or at least replacement batteries, you don't want to miss a thing. I would like to comment on the customer service but we never had any issues so we didn't need to call Mark..I guess that means the service was great. Thanks for a great stay!
Kellan B., Poulsbo, Washington, 1.12.10
The Honu Hale was definately roomy enough for five adults. The beds are comfy and the two bathrooms handy. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you'd need. We used the barbecue grill several nights. The house is surrounded by trees so be ready to awake with the birds in the morning. They are loud and beautiful singers, they made me laugh. The location to the beach was just a couple of minutes walk down a lane and across the park. Take a stroll left down the beach to get away from the crowd, it's beautiful. Walk over the hill to Lanakai beach for the snorkelling. I wish we'd have found this out earlier in our trip since Kailua beach is all sand and no coral. Lanakai has both. Walk up the pillbox trail in the morning, it starts by the golf course in Lanakai. Great 360 degree views and so close by. BUZZs Steak House is worth a visit for the salad bar alone. We'd go back in a minute.
Cindy G., Norwood, NY, 1.12.10
We loved our stay at Pikake Hale! The house was perfect for an extended family of 10 people, ages ranging from 2 to 91. Our favorite thing was the proximity to Kailua beach--just a short walk down a beach path and we were there. We also enjoyed preparing and sharing meals together. The kitchen is well equipped and big enough to accommodate a number of people.
Marnie F., Port Townsend, WA, 1.11.10
This was a great property. I'm big on peace and quiet, and this property provided exactly that. A nearby dog barked a few times during the day on a few separate days, but never at night. And a neighbor and his friends in the gigantic property to the left woke me up cursing loudly in their yard at 7am one morning, which was weird. Other than that, it was very peaceful. The neighbor that lives behind the rental property is named Wayne (I think). He was a very nice guy. As another reviewer noted, the actual beach is a short walk away. It's about a 10 - 15 minute walk down the street to a public beach access walkway around property 1104, which brings you onto a secluded beach which was very nice. Plenty of coral for snorkeling in front of about 1/2 of the beach there, with mostly open water near the beach on the other half for swimming. Outstanding. Better than the other beaches in my opinion (unless you want to surf in waves near the beach). Also, I love to swim and you have a great place to do it right in front of the property. I loved walking down the stone steps there at the oceanfront stone wall at the end of the yard down to the ocean, where the area is great for wading and swimming. Careful, though, when going down those steps. The stone steps are a bit steep and rough on your feet, and the last couple can be a bit slippery from the high tide. Plus, the house comes equipped with some body boards, water toys, coolers and some snorkel gear. A nice touch! Also, if you have a kayak or the like, you can boat out to the two nearby small islands, one of which has a small beach on it as well. I saw people from nearby houses heading out there a lot, and wished I could have joined them. My stay was during the first week in January, and it was in the 70s and sunny almost the entire week. The full moon also luckily happened right when I got there, so I never encountered jelly fish (which show up around 9 days after a full moon) at this or any of the other beaches I visited. That was a huge plus! The water this time of year was a bit chilly, but still great once you were in it for a few minutes and got used to it. A bummer for me was how Shark's Cove up near the North Shore was supposed to be a snorkeler's paradise, but in January it's a treacherous area full of torrential waves that are not safe for anyone. Oh well, maybe next time during the summer! By the way, the fruit basket waiting for me was awesome. Thank you for that! I'm hoping they might install a dishwasher, as that was one of the only luxuries I missed not having. I knew it didn't have one when I rented, still I'm mentioning it with the hopes they might upgrade to one eventually. That aside, the kitchen is well stocked with silverware, plates, pans and dish ware. The bathrooms also have plenty of wash clothes and towels. The only big downside was the wireless router had gone bad and I couldn't salvage it, so I had to buy a new router in order to have wireless internet. So the Linksys N router is courtesy of me. I wrote up instructions for accessing the wireless network and put them in the white folder there on the table. Also, the white folder which I'm assuming is courtesy of the owner, is chock full of great info and resources for the visit. Not sure when I can make it back to Oahu, but this rental property will be high on my list for a place to stay!
James S., Richmond, KY, 1.11.10
Excellent location! Beach was perfect. House had everything we needed. Very nice and relaxed stay.
Victor R., Mountain View, CA, 1.10.10
We liked the location of the bungalow the most, we shared the beach only with a monk seal!!! We could go swimming at our beach every morning even if the North Shore Waves had been huge a couple miles further north. The bungalow is equipped with a full kitchen, but for lunch we would recommend the shrimps up the street. They are so yummie!!
Manuela J., Heidelberg, Germany, 1.10.10
This is a great house in a great location if you want a vacation that is tourist free. It is with in walking distance of Turtle Bay which has great restaurants. The sea food buffet on Saturday is well worth the walk and the cost. There are lots of beaches close by. I would suggest getting a car if you plan to shop in Honolulu or if you want to go to the other parts of the island.
Tanya M., El Sobrante, CA, 1.7.10
The house was well maintained and quite modern. The furniture, appliances and BBQ were all nearly new and clean. We had hoped to be a bit closer to the beach but this is Oahu after all and it was only a short walk. When booking the unit we didn't realize how far it was from Honolulu but that was both a good and bad factor. New Year's Eve sounded like a bad night in Kandahar including a savage fistfight nearby at 0430 hrs - kept waking up our 20 month old. Grocery stores, restaurants and great beaches were all close by. We would rent at this location again but not over a major holiday.
Ren D., Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, 1.6.10
Everything was great. Eve was very responsive. The home was a little dated but well appointed and perfect for our family reunion. Nice pool. Everything we needed. Great location. It should not take 60 days to return a security deposit.
Judy P., Carson City, Nevada, 1.5.10
When we arrived at the property there was no parking. We were told we could park on the right side of the driveway but it was occupied as was the entrance to the driveway with a van parked there. The "shared" patio table was in the garage with about a dozen people around it. The house was open and no key was there as it was supposed to be in the lock box. The occupants downstairs brought the key up to us later. Our phone message to you was never returned to us. I would have appreciated "toilet paper" since we were driving from the airport and wanted to check out the place before going shopping! Anyplace we have ever rented has that! We like the area and would consider renting again but through the owners next time. Tammi Hedtke, San Diego
Paul H., San Diego, CA, 1.5.10
We got personal service when we had trouble hooking up to the internet on our first day. The gentleman came out in person to help. We also loved the kitchen - so well equipped and so much fun to cook in. We loved being so close to the beach - we could hear the waves at night. And, we loved our dinners outside on the wonderful terrace each night. It was truly a magical stay.
Diane S., Boston, MA, 1.5.10
Great location, nice layout, very clean and comfortable.
David C., Washington, DC, 1.5.10
the scenery and view was nice the pool was good for the kids; needs an auomatic pump the beds were old and not comfortable - for all bedrooms! the neighbors were friendly the laundry machine was good
Alex K., Singapore, Singapore, 1.4.10
The property is located in a very nice area and we, especially our kids, very much enjoyed the pool as well as the sea kayak to the beautiful Kailua beach so many times. We will definitely come back!
Maki K., Tokyo, Japan, 1.4.10
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
Our entire family enjoyed the time at Hale Makai due to the location to a quiet beach. With the sites within 30 minutes from all sides this location made the stay extremely pleasant and there was never a rush to go to the sites during our stay knowing full well we coule get there in plenty of time. The hospitality of the surrounding neighbors and friendly people in the area made the time very enjoyable. We are looking forward to a return visit. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to stay here.
Don S., Sunnyvale, CA, 1.4.10
Hale O Ke Kai was so great for our varied family. We were ages 75 to 9 so we needed a lot of variety and from the large lawn, to the pool, to the beach, we always had something to do. We particularly loved walking down to the local market and hanging out. President Obama and family were staying just down Kailua Beach so that added a little spice. Ron, the property manager, was awesome, and needs to get a lot of praise. He was so accommodating to our needs. One suggestion for this house would be a better TV situated in an different area of the living room. We could not gather around this TV spot very easily and watch a movie very easily. We loved hearing the waves crashing on the beach at night, and one night, our boys went swimming at 11pm under a full moon magical. We will be back! The Tell Family Saskatchewan, Canada
Karen D., Regina, Saskatchewan, 1.3.10
Holidays at Kailua Ocean Front Hideaway rating = 1.5 stars out of 5 (choices were full stars only, no partial stars). Owners were pleasant and accommodating, but did not fulfill their promise to have the handyman come to install a light bulb. The TV remote control did not provide all functions such as on/off and volume control. The unit was very dusty and we did not find it cleaned upon arrival to our satisfaction. The kitchen cabinets did not close properly and the pans were very old, scratched and in poor condition. We had to request a spatula and kitchen scissors. Dishes were limited in number and did not match. General ambiance had much to be desired. There is a very steep and narrow climb to the front door of the Mountain Side Unit (about 15-20 stairs) that were never mentioned in the online details of the rental. It was like climbing a small mountain everytime we came home. It would be a physical strain for an elderly or ashmatic person to make that hike after a day out and about. Although beach equipment was provided and stored in the garage; they were not clean nor kept in any organized fashion. The bicycle tires were flat, but a foot pump was provided. The key for the lock was missing and we were told by the owner that there is a key, but if it's not in the lock we were out of luck. That meant we couldn't take the bikes to the beach and play. We would expect an attentive rental agent/B&B Mgr to be on top of the amenities provided with the rental to ensure they are clean and in appropriate condition for use by guests. Photos on the web posting for the rental were misleading and we were very disappointed with our choice. For $300/night, it was a ripoff. This unit was worn out and needed serious updating. We would not recommend this unit to any friend. Readers of Trip Advisor and other such sites need to be warned about this place.
Valerie Y., Oakland, CA, 1.3.10
Very spacious, well equipped clean rental with an incredible view of Haneoke Bay. There is a large back yard with pool and lounge chairs directly on waterfront. Owners are on site, take great care of their property and are readily available but unobtrusive.
Linda G., Walla Walla, WA, 1.1.10
We have always considered Oahu paradise. The Apartment by Kailua Beach (Peter's Place) made our stay "Home Away from Home". The ameneties and the hospitality was wonderful! We hope to stay there again on our future trips!
Kimberly C., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 12.29.09
A really memorable vacation begins with LOCATION...LOCATION...LOCATION! What a SPOT! The web page of this condo does not do it justice. What a beautiful relaxing place. Everything you need was provided. I loved the morning strolls to the beach. Which was neccessary after my many trips to Ted's. There was plenty of room for my family of 6 and activities for all. The only complaint came from my husband who was was disappointed that he was unable to use the Resort work out facilities. I'm a new fan of vacation rentals. Aloha from Joshua, Texas
Rosita K., Joshua, Texas, 12.29.09
Beautiful location, nicely decorated.
Patricia N., San Diego, CA, 12.26.09
Quiet location at the far end of Lanikai was perfect for a getaway with my girlfriend. Unit was very clean, owners were friendly and non obtrusive....would love to return
Mike B., Anna, TX, 12.23.09
What I liked best about the unit I rented was that it was clean, modern and quiet. I didn't like much the chairs in the living area as you could slip off easily. Needing such a long password for Internet access was inconvenient. Otherwise, a very lovely stay in Kailua. Mahalo!
Francis J., Seattle, WA, 12.19.09
We loved the location of the house on the beach at Kailua and its ammenities which were wonderful. The owners family is terrific and helpful. We would likely stay there again when we return to Hawaii. We are former residents of Hawaii and think this is one of the best places you can stay.
Philip R., Wilmington, Delaware, 12.10.09
The rental unit was perfect, out of the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. Tish and Lance were excellent hosts, made us feel at home. Would recommend to anyone and will return.
James S., Oro Valley, AZ, 12.7.09
The location of this rental is great for exploring the island and for swimming at this time of the year. It was too stormy in most evenings for us to enjoy sitting out there at night. On some of the days the water was nice and we were able to swim, snorkel, and kayak. We could not have done that at this time of the year on the North Shore so that was great. Compared to staying in the city, i thought it was a shorter drive to the North Shore, the beautiful East coast, and still not too far from the city. The customer service I received from Vacation Rental was most excellent. I was floored with the level of service my agent provided. In terms of the home itself, it was missing a few necessities or they were broken. We didn't have a kettle, the toaster broke. There was not enough paper towel, toilet paper, hand soap. We came from another rental in Maui that had anything and everything we could possibly need. It was a bit of a shock coming to this home.
Linna T., Vancouver, BC, 12.4.09
Paradise shores is a very clean, beautiful place to vacation! The view is spectacular and the quiet beach is so much more enjoyable than the chaos of Waikiki. We very much enjoyed watching the turtles in the waves from our windows and also got some great pictures when they came up on the beach. Most of the time we had the beach to ourselves which was a real plus. There is so much to do on Oahu and we felt like we needed a little more information as far as restaurants, shopping and beaches but overall it was a fantastic trip. Thank you!
Debbie S., YAKIMA, WA, 12.4.09
We just love this place! This was our second trip to Kailua Beach House and we hope to be there again soon. The only issues we had was that the twin beds were not very comfortable, the DVD player wasn't working great, and the fridge had some water leaking from it (from ice that was melting at the bottom of the freezer) when we first got there and on Thanksgiving day when the fridge was opened often. We are really hoping the new owners don't up the rent and get it out of our price range... Awesome, awesome place! My 4 year old daughter said to me after being there for 2 nights, "Mom, I just love our new place." I had to break it to her that it wasn't ours and we were just staying there for the week. She said, "that's ok, I still love it!" Thanks a million! - The Beckwiths
Jennifer B., San Marcos, CA, 12.2.09
Hale O Ke Kai was a perfect size for our family of 7. The layout of the house is set up so you can have people in different rooms and not on top of each other the whole time. Very airy and bright. The front lawn is awesome and the beach access was more than we had hoped for. We enjoyed making use of the boogie boards provided to surf on the waves. The pool was pretty chilly as it is not heated and there is not a hot tub as advertised on the web site. The caregiver was very nice and prompt about responding to our questions and needs. We only ate at one restaurant in Kailua, Buzz's. It was very good food and service. We cooked most of our meals at the house. We would definitely recommend this house to anyone and we would rent it again if we ever go to that part of Oahu. It was close enough to Honolulu and the North Shore that we had day trip every day and didn't feel like we were driving forever to get there.
Margie M., Lebanon, OR, 12.1.09
The house was the perfect size for our family! We had a great time and the grounds and home was beautiful. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and holiday! We would suggest anyone stay there and am more than happy to tell others about it and your service. Gayle Giovanetti-Fisher
Gayle G., San Jose, Ca, 11.29.09
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
We found the Hale Ohana home to be a wonderful place to spend our vacation. I debated if I should rent a home with a pool or not. I am so glad I rented a home with a pool. We spent every night in the pool and hot tub. The home was also a quick walk to a private beach. The home added the privacy and comfort which made our vaction very special.
Allison A., West Valley City, UT, 11.28.09
It was so close to the ocean! What a beautiful view! The beach front was sandy and excellent for snorkeling. The house was very clean and tidy and very comfortable, as well as, having everything necessary for living. I loved having the washer and dryer. It was everything and more than we expected! I would recommend this house to anyone looking for a stunning oceanfront view!
Ray G., Chattaroy, WA, 11.26.09
The property Manager and the Owner were both great to work with and extremely flexible and responsive. We have two small children and this responsiveness was very much appreciated. The best part of our stay was the proximity to the beach - a phenomenal beach only 150 yards away! If you don't know Kailua well (like us), there is a nice downtown area very close with a small mall and great shops and restaurants (and Starbucks too). We discovered this 2 days before the end of our trip, after struggling to find good spots to eat (besides Buzz's, which was a great place). The house has some nice attributes but is really outdated. From the description on the HomeAway website you would think that you were staying in a multi-million dollar property in a gated community, but in reality the property is quite old and a little grungy in some areas. The neighborhood is quite nice though. If I owned the place I would do a couple of days of landscape work (mainly trimming dead branches and removing dead plants) and put quite a bit of work into the interior remodel. At the very least some deep cleaning and painting.
Cory F., Portland, OR, 11.22.09
What we liked best about the unit was the excellant view of the ocean from the patio. The customer service from Mark,was outstanding. The very best part of our trip was my wife and renewing our marrige vows,we where married At Pearl Harbor 50 Years ago. We drove to all points of the Island,some several times.The very best was the area around from diamond head and also the north shore. We have countless pictures and video. My advice to share with others staying in this unit is to really appreciate all the beautiful photos hanging throuout the unit. Also keep in mind this building is not one of the newer condos on the Island,with the exception of a few minor repairs needed the unit was very nice. Again I will say that Mark, was my contact person and I would recommend him any day. Thank You ! William Olson.
William O., Vancouver, WA, 11.22.09
Nice. Queit. Everything in working order. Happy with the internet connection!
Dave R., Lenexa, Kansas, 11.20.09
Garden Aloha 50 East was PERFECT! What a beautiful condo! Our family has been vacationing in Hawaii for 30 years, and we usually stay at the Turtle Bay Resort. This time, we decided to rent a condo; what a GREAT idea. I wish we would have done this a long time ago. When we walked in, our jaws dropped. It was decorated so wonderfully and was extremely clean... spotless!!! The couches were amazing, so comfortable and cozy. The beds in each bedroom were heavenly. There was a huge 60" tv in the living room with full cable and a dvd player. We watched a movie every night. We also really enjoyed the plasma tv's in each bedroom and even the loft! The customer service was exceptional from the agents at vacation rentals to Mark. They responded very quickly and were always reachable and helpful. We ate a Lei Lei's twice... have been eating there since it opened...great food! Of course we went to Ted's Bakery....yummmy! Grass Skirt Grill in Haleiwa is a MUST. Such great food... burgers, sandwiches, shrimp, etc. We went to the beach at Turtle Bay... about a 10 minute walk. We also went on a walk every morning all around the resort and the beaches. It is so cool to be staying at a condo, but also have the hotel so close to eat dinner, lunch, and cocktails at sunset! We cooked a few times... the kitchen was fully stocked with pots and pans, glasses, plates, oven, microwave. I wish they would have had a toaster though!! There were beach towels and bath towels provided.... could use a few more bath towels because we had to wash them almost everyday because there were 5 of us staying there! oh, there was a washer and dryer in the unit which we LOVED. There was only one tennis racket, so we couldn't play tennis. We recommend they get one more racket or even a few. If you are staying in the bedroom downstairs.... DON'T OPEN THE WINDOWS AT NIGHT! We made the mistake of not closing the window before it got dark, and we had tons of bugs and mosquitos come in through the screen! yuck! There were a lots of mosquitos throughout the entire condo. There was a mosquito net in the upstairs bedroom, recomend to put one downstairs too. Also, we found a couple of gigantic roaches at night..... but it is Hawaii and no matter what, roaches are all over the island! We stayed there in November and the weather was mild....not sure if we would want to stay there in the summer months though. There is an air conditioner in both bedrooms which we used every night and they were great. The loft and living room were soooo hot and we highly recomend an air conditioner be put up in the loft and living room! At night, we had to close the sliding glass door because mosquitos would get in. When you are drying your clothes in the dryer, the heat goes right up to the loft... way too hot to sleep up there. Besides the very very few flaws.... this condo was perfect and we had one of the best trips we have ever had in 30 years. Mark is awesome too!!! We will DEFINITELY stay here again in the future.
Sophia P., Glendora, Ca, 11.17.09
We enjoyed our stay at this location. It was not the most lavish but it was good for our family of six. The owner of the property had a book that listed good restaurants and locations to visit with directions. This was very helpful. we enjoyed waking up to the waves right out our door and enjoyed them as we drank our morning coffee. We didn't have to worry about bring stuff for beach play as the property had a lot of beach stuff. We loved the area of the location. It was quiet and clean. Thank you for help making our family vacation so enjoyable!
Casey S., Calgary, Alberta, 11.16.09
WE LOVED THIS RENTAL! We had such a good time. Honestly, the pictures don't do it justice. The house is so beautiful and comfortable. It's near by local restaurants, shopping and right across the street from the beach. It's in a really quiet gated community, very relaxing. I would definitely go back to this house and defiinitely back to Kailua. Everyone was so friendly there and there is tons of stuff to do. Buzz's was definitely the best for drinks and the bartenders were awesome. You definitely have to head down the beach for some boogie boarding, or go to Waikiki and hang out. We had a great time and having a nice house to relax in, made it that much better!
Nicole H., The Dalles, Oregon, 11.16.09
We loved the house and its proximity to the beach. The covered porch area was our favorite part of the house, especially the cushy red chairs. Verena was very accomodating and we loved the fruit basket that was left for us. Our favorite beach nearby is Lanikai beach. It is a hidden treasure with good snorkeling and calm surf. The house had a few issues that we discovered during our stay, and were repaired, but the inconvenience can't be overlooked. Those include, the cable was out on the tv, the dishwasher didn't work, the ice maker in the fridge didn't dispense, the drain in the guest bathtub was clogged and the roof leaked when it rained hard. All of the maintenance people who came were very friendly and apologetic about the inconvenience. With these issues rectified, we loved the house and would stay again if the opportunity arose.
Tom E., Suquamish, WA, 11.8.09
Peter was very helpful and the location with great.
Tracy S., Napa, CA, 11.7.09
My wife and I enjoyed the property very much...we weren't there very often as I was on the island for business. However, if we get back into the territory we will certainly attempt to get back to this little cottage. Thank you!
Kelly M., Las Vegas, Nevada, 11.5.09
My advice to people staying at this property is to not be fooled by the location of the ocean relative to the house. The ocean is about 15 feet away from the back lania. The ocean is against a ridge on the property that is about 10-15 feet high and is constructed of extremely sharp and jagged edges of volcanic rock. It is absolutely beatiful, but not useable in any way whatsoever. It would also be a good idea if you are not a fan of air conditioning. There are several fans throughout the house to make the heat bearable. The price is right for the size of the property.
Jason W., CALGARY, ALBERTA, 11.5.09
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 is a beautiful house with all the necessary amenities in the kitchen, large lenai, and wonderful views.
Susan O., Encinitas, CA, 10.31.09
Our family enjoyed our stay at Hale Ohana, especially the privacy of the pool and the well kept home. The home was equipped with much of the baby equipment we required, so it was great that we didn't have to bring too much. The Rental agents were very helpful, although it would have been more helpful if they knew what the home included (ie.baby supplies) so we didn't have to bring extra. I thought it was a bit expensive, but when looking at properties in the area, I can see why the homes are so costly. We loved the beach access right down the street and all the beach toys were supplied for us. It was great having our own BBQ so we didn't have to dine out every night with 2 small children. The kids loved the pool and we made use of it daily. We really enjoyed Lucy's restaurant, really great food and not too too expensive. Buzz's was good too, but a little more expensive and the food wasn't as good as Lucy's. Groceries were really expensive, but it helped having the savings card, we saved alot of money with that. Pinky's was good for drinks, but the food was a little greasy. We drove the entire island during our stay and visited the Dole Plantation, Diamond Head Mountain (quite a hike, wear runners), Waikiki Beach and Sea Life Park. The kids loved Sea Life Park although we didn't participate in any of the activities. Next time we will definitely try Maui, but probably just my husband and myself. Vacationing with the entire family should only be done every few years!
Lindsay E., Orangeville, ON, 10.30.09
After reading the description and viewing the photos of this condo, I was really looking forward to actually staying there. Having completed the trip now, I cannot express how exceptional my stay was. The condo has all of the upscale amenities listed (HD home theater system, stainless steel appliances, etc) but it also has conveniences that add to the luxury. A remote control operated AC system and ceiling fans and lights with adjustable level switches help keep the temperature comfortable. A fully stocked kitchen (blender, toaster, serving dishes, BBQ grill utensils, etc) make it easy to save money on dining out. The bathroom vanity and shower each have a glass shelf to make room for multiple guest's toiletries. The main bedroom has a memory foam mattress topper and was free of any sinking spots -- I have a Select Comfort Sleep Number bed at home, and I didn't even notice the difference between the two. There were several books to choose from as well as about 20 DVDs with popular movie titles and each television has a DVD player. I did not utilize the DVD collection as the view from the lanai and the beach front access were breath taking. The continental shelf breaks about 300 yards from the beach so the change in the color of the water is gorgeous. It also breaks the waves, so the beach is safe for children and is relaxing and easy when floating on a raft. The front door has a privacy deadbolt that locks automatically so that provides added security -- something I appreciated as a single 23 year old female vacationing alone (but be aware that if you leave the condo without your keys to take a look at the weather or grab something from the car...the deadbolt will lock itself automatically after about 30-60 seconds). The parking spot is right across from the elevator so it makes trips with luggage much easier. The elevator is accessed with a FOB, so that provides added security. The high speed internet access was very convenient, but mildly sketchy (video conferencing on Skype was only successful for about 30 seconds before it timed out -- regular internet browsing was more than capable though). The washer and dryer in the unit are excellent, high-efficiency machines (the dryer takes a while though, 2+ hours for a load of towels, so time it accordingly). I considered the location to be very convenient -- 45 minutes from Honolulu and about 45 minutes to Haleiwa on the North Shore. I went to the west shore just to see what it was about, it took an hour and it was a wasted trip -- the beach is full of tent and tarp communities and the beach is lined with large rocks, making the breaks and surf mildly dangerous for kids or inexperienced swimmers. Its also about 12 minutes from the Polynesian Cultural Center - something you definitely want to check out (I was there right before Halloween and they had a haunted lagoon exhibit, so I would imagine they rotate it out to include new exhibits regularly). I would also recommend driving past Haleiwa to the Kaena Point State Park -- I had rented a Jeep and there's a little route to offroad into the park. It takes you right along the beach and has little tangents that lead to packed sand hills that make great parking spots with great views and great sun. Since the condo is located on the windward side of the island, shortly after 12 noon the clouds come over the mountain and block the sun. The state park has a huge beach as well as the offroad sand hills that are always sunny and windy to keep sunbathers cool. The condo was an excellent place to come back to every day and it made it that more enjoyable. Book your stay in this condo now, because I will definitely be coming back and I might steal your dates! Enjoy!
Kelsey Z., Lakeville, Minnesota, 10.20.09
we loved it there and everyone was so accommodating and super nice your on site manager was the greatest. thank you all
Theodore W., Everson, WA, 10.19.09
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 good time. It was great being able to cook our own meals. When it wasn't windy we enjoyed lounging out by the pool.
Kimberly R., Enumclaw, Washington, 10.10.09
The unit was well kept clean, and some gears for the beaches was really nice. Also there was a lot of beautiful pictures on the wall, and I was interested in how to shoot them.
Takashi M., Machida, Tokyo, 10.6.09
It was awesome! No bugs! Great Ocean breeze right in your door. Beautiful sun rises and the beach just outside the door was wonderful. Our unit was warm and cozy, perfect for two people. We had everything including an out door shower just outside our bedroom door. Perfect for when you get out of the ocean. Maria and Raymond were gracious host. We hope to come back sometime with the whole family! Back home in KC!
Eileen T., Kansas City, Missouri, 10.5.09
We enjoyed staying at the Garden Aloha #50....it was clean, in a good location, close to the beach (which was beautiful), close to shopping for groceries, we were right next to the golf course. Ted's bakery was close (Yummy). The best part was that it was that it was such a beautiful location. Now we know why they call it Paradise, and it is only about 45 minutes from Honolulu. We would recommend the restaurant there was the Lei Lei, it was very casual but the food was excellent. The only thing that we ran across that was negative was a couple of the mugs were cracked and leaked. We would highly recommend staying there.
Yvonne R., Sacramento, CA, 10.1.09
Good unit close to beach with friendly neighbors. Good surf nearby but what out for the occasional unreasonable, unpleasant, and irrational local in the water, who knows you are a haole, and wants you to know it too, no matter how respectful you try to be. Great to be in a well equipped and maintained house far from resort style places
Matthew Z., Newcastle, NSW, 9.29.09
The customer service left something to be desired. We arrived late in the evening on Sunday. The parking pass was not inside our unit as it was supposed to be. We called our rep and he said "don't worry about it tonight and tomorrow you can get it from the property manager". It was NOT easy getting a hold of the property manager. We wandered around the complex 4 times throughout the day looking for this man. We would find a random employee who would tell us to come back in a few hours when he might be around. There was no office or simple way to get a hold of him. Also our gas stove didn't work and he was kind enough to fix it even though he told us it wasn't his job to fix it. The rep from HomeAway said the property manager was supposed to do it.
Hope B., Denver, CO, 9.22.09
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
WE LIKED THE OPENNESS AND THE POSITION ON THE POINT THE VIEW IS STUNNING SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT SOME WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE BATHROOM OVERLOOKING THE SEA & YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BE SHY ABOUT TAKING A SHOWER THERE!! EASY WALK TO 2 GREAT BEACHES AND SUPPLIES. THE HOUSE WAS VERY COMFORTABLE AND APPLIANCES GREAT. NICE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO SIT & EAT
Lorene R., Red Hill South, Victoria, Australia, 9.18.09
THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. THE COTTAGE HAD NO WHERE FOR 4 ADULTS TO SIT AND NO TABLE TO EAT AT NO CHAIRS ON LANAI AND COCONUTS KEPT FALLING ON THE LANAI NO SEPARATE BEDROOMS MOUSE POO IN THE DRAWERS COTTAGE IS LOCATED IN A CONVENIENT SPOT
Lorene R., Red Hill South, Victoria, Australia, 9.18.09
great stay. the dishes were not very clean when we got there, however.
Ernie C., San Mateo, CA, 9.15.09
We traveled to Hawaii with a disabled child. The Rental Agency was great with getting us information on local medical services, etc. It really increased my level of comfort and feeling prepared. Hospital is not far if needed. The house and property were beautiful and the nice thing about having a seawall rather than beach was that it maintained our privacy and with a beautiful view. Buzz's food was great as well as Roundtable pizza and both very close. We were able to rent Kayaks and bikes during our stay to use as needed. The trail up "Bunker Hill" to watch the sunrise was alot of fun, not overly challenging but a good morning work out. I had purchased a self guided CD tour of Oahu and we split our drive around the island into a couple days so it wasn't tiring. Dole plantation, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Blowhole, Hanaumu Bay, Chinaman's Hat, a Luau @ Paradise Cove and the North Shore Shave Ice. We saw them all but at our own pace and not on a travel bus. We could cut the day short and go back and relax. Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach were alot of fun and amazingly not very crowded.We did need to watch out for jellyfish but they were dark blue so easy enough to spot. One issue with the house was a loud wailing sound during the night at either one of the 2 back bedrooms. We had a couple sleepless nights but when my son-in-law came over on the weekend he found it was some kind of seabirds that would walk under the window and make all kinds of noise. Never saw them during the day but if you hear a very loud howling it is just a bird under the window. Pool and Lawn people were very friendly and the Pool maintenance man shared alot of information about the area. Would like to get to the Polynesian Cultural Center next time and maybe take some paddling lessons.
Christine B., Spring Hill, FL, 9.14.09
The unit living room/kitchen area was nicely furnished, very clean, and comfortable. The beach was literally steps away and the water easily accessible.
Jan S., Seattle, WA, 9.14.09
This suite is absolutely beautiful inside and out. You are literally steps away from the ocean. The property also offers a beautiful little garden to sit in. Little touches around the property and in the suite are superb. Would definately visit/stay here again, in fact we plan on returning next year. Location is great, nice and quiet.
Kelly W., Surrey, BC, 9.13.09
Hale Manu is the best rental on the island! Brilliant! The home has a perfect layout with lots of ocean breezes and privacy for everyone. Location is absolutely the best on beach. I wish we could have stayed longer.
Terry M., Corte Madera, California, 9.10.09