Lanikai Escape was everything we had hoped for and then some! It looked just like the photos, but the photos can't convey how large it actually is - we were afraid it might feel small, but it's a great big, bright & airy space, windows everywhere, high ceilings, and everything is done top notch. Fabulous views off the lanai. Robbie & Michael were gracious hosts, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrrived. We've stayed at several rentals in the Kailua/Lanikai area, and if you are looking for a great location for a getaway for two, you won't do any better than this.
Wendy L., Phoenix, AZ, 3.16.09
This is a NICE unit. It is decorated very tastefully. You CAN NOT beat the location on the beach. PERFECT! Slept with the sliding doors open listening to the ocean waves crash. Ray was very helpful.
Stephanie P., Cumming, Georgia, 3.16.09
The location is great; very close to the beach. The unit is at the end of a street, so you feel like you're in your own tropical paradise. For the most part it was very quite. Thankfully the people upstairs kept their children from running around, as you do hear people walking around. There are a couple of creaks in the floor upstairs that are very noisy when stepped on, but I'm not sure what can be done about that. I think we lucked out and had quiet people upstairs, so it really didn't bother us. The cleaning people were loud though. They came twice while we stayed there and they didn't seem concerned for the noise they made. While they were only there for 2-3 hours each time, it would have been nice if they had taken notice that we were home below and been more contientious of the volume of their footsteps. The owner was very nice and allowed us to feel at home. We used the boogie boards and snorkel gear offered in the carport. We had plenty of dishes/pots/pans to cook meals on the hot plate. While the place was clean, the lanai was only screened from the outside so the winds did bring in minimal amounts of dust onto the lanai floor. That combined with the nightly visits from the little geckos and the little presents left behind, it would have been nice to have some swiffer pads left under the sink to clean the lanai floor. It wasn't a big deal, but by the end of our stay, my feet and socks were getting a little dirty. I think if you're staying for longer than 10 days, there should be an option to clean the lanai floors, but less than that, it's not a problem. And some windex to clean the glass table on the lanai would be good too. Speaking of the geckos, I don't think people should worry about them. They mostly stay outside the house on the lanai, but they are very people shy. They don't bother you at all and they are found all over the island, so it's not like a place down the street isn't gonna have them either. Another issue I remember another guest having was the wind in the house from not being able to close up the house. The whole island (Baby Honu included) is very much into the shutter/slat style windows. Some do not close all the way, but they are pretty close and the wind was more like a light breeze and it really did feel nice. In fact, most nights we left all the window slats open. All in all, we loved our stay there an will be back again. This is a wonderful and romantic place next to the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. What I liked best about the unit I rented was the lanai overlooking the beautiful garden. The customer service I received was we were greeted the day we arrived and given restaurant tips. The best part of my trip was snorkeling in Sharks Cove and walking on the beach every morning. The best restaurant I found was Formaggios (nice fancy meals), Teddy's (burgers), Agnes' (malasadas), Boot's & Kimos (only the pancakes...everything else was just okay) My advice to someone else staying at this unit would be relax The part of my trip I would definitely recommend to others is hiking the Aiea loop The best "insider tip" I received while on my trip was go to the swap meet for souveniers and bargain with them. Most don't put price tags on stuff so they can size you up to see how much you'll pay. If you don't like the price, walk away and I can almost guarantee they will go down. I didn't have time this trip, but next trip I'm looking forward to kayaking
Melissa L., Rohnert Park, CA, 3.11.09
Thanks for a wonderful stay. Such a safe and peaceful escape from the ordinary vacation experience!
Anna W., Macon, Ga, 3.10.09
The beach house was very cute and accomodating. I wasnt too happy about the ants in the kitchen and bathrooms, and the roaches that come out once the lights go out at night. Maui Tacos was great but be careful in the parking lot in the shopping center it is a high crime area and we had our rental vehicle broken into at 1045 in the morning and they stole our video camers which was well hidden, the police told us it was the 3rd break in that day. The beach house was just right across the street from the beach which was great, but we only got there once since it rained the whole time. This was our 5th trip to hawaii for our family so I think now were all island out. Best wishes to the next people and thanks to the rental people for booking this place for us, you guys did a great job. Aloha the Woehrle Family
Jennifer W., Stockton, CA, 3.8.09
What I liked the best about the unit I rented was THE VIEW!! Wow - the ocean was right there. It was great. The place was comfortable. Just wish there was counter space at the bathroom sink. Otherwise, the place was small but nice. We were happy to find lawn chairs, beach toys for the kids, etc. in the storage closet. First impressions (curb appeal of the place) was a little disappointing.
Todd W., Vermilion, AB, 3.6.09
I enjoyed the service of the home and the location. I actually started to find my way around and I would recommend this location to anyone or to my friends. The weather was okay this time of the year. The fruit bacsket in the home when we arrived was a nice touch! Thank you. Having access to the internet, albeit not used to much because of the sight seeing etc, it was a pleasureable place to relax. I would definitely come back to this location in the future. I like the home and being as close to the beach as it was was exceptionally great! Thank you again Wayne - Toronto Canada NB I would also like to know about the damage deposit, how is it returned?
Wayne L., Toronto, Ontario, 3.1.09
No bugs in the unit, everyone there in the complex was very friendly, everything was clean, furnished well.
Starr M., Anchorage, AK, 2.28.09
The unit was very neet, and clean. Nicer than I expected...Raymond was patient and helpful on phone when we arrived. I would love to return, we wish we had booked more of our days there. The only disapointment was that by unit discription I thought unit was on Ocean, by statement "Facing Ocean" , it does but there is a 2 story house in front of it: however, the shutters on door could be opened to veiw ocean from bed, but you can not see ocean from any other windows. There are a bunch of chickens next property over, very noisey for 2 hours before and at sunrise.
CIndy M., Brightwood, OR, 2.25.09
The rental unit was clean, well supplied and we had enough space for everybody! The customer service was very good as questions were answered as soon as possible. The best part of the trip was the wedding, the sun, the beach and of course HAWAII!! Over all it was great and would LOVE to come back again and this time at MAUI maybe.
Gemma C., Calgary, Alberta, 2.23.09
Dear Hawaiian Beach Rentals, Our party enjoyed our stay at the Waialua Retreat very much. The beach was wonderful and the remoteness from Waikiki was a relief. We would recommend this to anyone interested in getting away and not having to deal with the big city of Honolulu. Thank you and Mahalo, Ralph Hamilton
Ralph H., Stevensville, MD, 2.21.09
The Ocean Breeze Suite was an excellent way to round off our 10-Hawaii visit. We started out on the Big Island for 5 days followed by Oahu for 5 days. Ocean Breeze accounted for the last 3 and they were great! A semi-secluded beach and ocean bay was litterally steps away from the back door with access to snorkeling and kayaking (gear available from property manager). The location of the home is just a short drive to Sunset Beach and Shark's Cove: both are awesome places to visit. The accomodations are great with spacious living area, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and vanity indoors. The home also has a beach hammock and a hot/cold shower outside to rinse off after a beach walk or swim. I would recomend this rental to anyone who is looking to stay in the North Shore region...perfect both for relaxing and exploring.
Amanda L., Kirkwood, MO, 2.4.09
This unit is very clean and and cozy on the inside all the kitchen convience of home on a smaller scale. The childeren upstairs were not a problem very quite. We will try to use this unit again on another visit.
Carl H., Placerville, CA, 2.4.09
The Garden Lanai was perfect and served all our needs quite well! We used to live in Kailua years ago so it was nice to get back to the islands for some surf and sand. The private patio area with BBQ was fantastic for bringing home some fresh fish and serving it up. For those visiting, make sure to do a kayak trip out to the Mokulua islands! Also, sandwiches down at the Kalapawai Market (green market on the beach) are fan-tastic. Check out Baci Bistro as well - best Italian food in Kailua. Overall, loved the unit and look forward to booking it again in the future!! - aloha
Katie P., Denver, CO, 2.2.09
excellent place to stay, with a great beach right down the street.
Mike T., Rose Hill, Ks., 2.2.09
We stayed at the Makaha house in January 2009. We found the house to be very well appointed and very clean. It was modern and spacious with large well-maintained grounds. In terms of the accommodation itself, we were very satisfied. The only caveat was that the house was advertised as having 1 king, 3 queen and 1 futon. We were unable to find a futon and the 3 beds did not appear to be queen size (as we understand it in Australia or Canada). The house was a short walk to two beaches. To the North, Makaha beach is sandy and has surfing. There is a smaller, more sheltered beach at the South end of the street. There, we saw turtles on a daily basis. A short 5 minute drive took us to a nice sheltered beach (with lifeguard) that is very suitable for small children (turn off just North of the Post Office in Waianae). In terms of the surrounding area, the house is indeed situated in a comparatively economically depressed area. En route you will pass areas where homeless are tenting on the beach. But this was still 10-15 minutes by car from the house. In truth, we found the locals to be friendly and did not feel unwelcome at all. Kids were playing on the streets. The neighbouring houses were largely residential, although there were also a number of holiday rentals.There is limited choice for dining and shopping is only of the grocery variety. The house is fairly far away from Waikiki or other parts of the island. To get to the North shore, for example, it is necessary to head first to Honolulu and then up the middle (the more direct roads on the maps are military only). To get to Honolulu, one should expect at least 1 hour with moderate traffic. Renting a car is a must. This said, the house's location did not prevent us from seeing all parts of the island during our stay (we did not mind a bit of driving). Charter fishing and dive/snorkel operations also operate out of Waianae Regional Park wharf. (5 minute drive) The weather on the Leeward side receives less precipitation than the Windward side during this time of year. We generally had sunny weather, whereas Kailua etc. were having rain. In theory, we were supposed to have bigger surf at this time of year than on the South/East sides of the island. We would recommend checking weather and surf trends for the time of year you wish to visit. For example, there is reportedly good snorkeling on the North and West shores. However, in the winter months this is not really accessible from the shore due to larger waves. We would recommend the Makaha house for those people not looking for the hustle and bustle of Waikiki (been there done that). It was a great location for us to meet for a relaxing tropical stay with other members of our family.
Laurie B., Pemulwuy, New South Wales, Australia, 2.1.09
This house was a great location and I agree with most people Lanikai is the most beautiful beach in Oahu. I loved the layout of the house and it was great to have a pool to entertain the kids and me! We really enjoyed Buzz's restaurant. The steak and crab were very tasty. This house was just a great central and quiet spot for our small family reunion.
Stacey R., Edmonton, Alberta, 1.27.09
Our stay at Baby Hono went without a hitch. The location is good and the facility with it's separate bedroom was just what we were looking for. Unfortunately, there is another unit over Baby Hono and while the occupants were verbally quiet there was no way to mask the walking sounds, the ceiling creaking, as well as, the sounds of the neighborhood dogs up on the porch. Not all the windows could be closed to block the wind and sitting on that darn futon is really uncomfortable. So, thanks but we won't be back.
Jan K., Hubbard, Oh, 1.26.09
Great location on the North Shore at Haleiwa. The house is right on the harbor with a view of boats coming and going all day long. The nearness of the harbor, beach park, and Old Town Haleiwa were the highlights and what we loved best. However, if you want to make multiple trips to Honolulu or Windward, this location is not convenient at all due to the distances. My advice to anyone staying in this unit is to do all your food shopping on the way their at a Foodland or Safeway PRIOR to heading to the North Shore. Prices at the small grocery in Haleiwa are considerably steeper. Winter is probably not a good time to take small children to the North Shore as the waves and winds are considerably higher than at other times. This is Hawaiian country living at its most authentic, as there are resident lizards, neighborhood chickens (roosters too), and the washer/dryer are outside. Perfect. The only downside facility-wise were: 1) Several power outlets had no power going to them. Most problematic was the power outlet in the main bathroom. 2) Kitchen water faucet has only two settings, off and full blast in an odd stream. It needs to be replaced.
Terence E., Seattle, WA, 1.19.09
Fantastic location, fantastic host, fantastic condo. Nothing negative to say at all. Absolutely wonderful! David Suggitt
David S., St Albert, AB, 1.14.09
Kai Nani was a very sweet and accomodating cottage in which to stay for our vacation. Everthing we needed was there and the proximity to the beach is acceptable. My only complaint is the noise of the traffic on Kalaheo Rd and the size of the TV sceen was too small to watch movies at night.
Paula C., Bellingham, WA, 1.11.09
The house was great, large enough for 10 people to have there own space. The BBQ had no propane which was disapointing because, we had no clue where to even fill the tank. The location was great, but only if the sun would have shined a little more, it was pretty cloudy. The pool and house are well maintained, and the air conditioners where a big help at times. I would recommend this house to a large group. Ki ianna the property manager was great, and very helpful at any time of the day.
Shelley Z., WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, 1.5.09
A great place in a great location. Well-stocked for your kitchen and beach needs. Great beach/beach park right across the street.
Gregory R., Brookline, MA, 1.5.09
Blue Water Estate is a spacious and gracious vacation home with a magnificent view of surf rolling in to the nearby bay. Our 3-generation, 6-member family was completely comfortable living there for our week of vacation. Essentially everything was in good working order, and the agent was readily available to answer any questions we had. We mostly did our own cooking, but we did eat out at Lei Lei at the golf course at Turtle Bay. We also checked out Ted's Bakery. Both were very good, and wer good "insider tips". We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the North Shore. We found a couple of nice beaches for the kids to ride their boogie boards without huge crowds. This is the place to be for an easy-going family vacation while still being able to go into busy Honolulu for shopping, fancy restaurants, or Pearl Harbor. We weren't able to visit Waimea Valley, as the road was closed by two mudslides. Another trip.... Also, for laid back golfers, the public course at Kahuku was perfect. There was even a bristle-thighed curlew walking around near the 2nd tee! We thought the Polynesian Cultural Center was overrated and overpriced, although we did enjoy it. We were also disappointed by the snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Maybe it was just a bad day, but the water was quite cloudy, making it hard to enjoy the reef fish. I still don't know where there is good snorkeling on O'ahu. Overall, we had a wonderful time.
Sarah W., Mercer Island, WA, 1.4.09
Serenity Cottage is located perfectly. Seeing the bay and listening to the waves from the house was terrific. Walking out the beautifully maintained lawn to the palms and sand and ocean was better than we'd even hoped! The cottage is lovely... impeccably maintained and wonderfully supplied. I cannot think of a thing we wanted that we didn't find there - even a flashlight for the island-wide blackout! Beach towels, cooler bag, washer/dryer, outdoor shower, nice boogie boards, beach chairs, umbrella, books, plenty of towels, lawn furniture, everything we needed in the kitchen, starter supply on household stuff...it was all nice quality too. It's not big, but it was bigger than I expected from the photos. The layout was nice and it was an amazing combination of very private yet still very open. Our family (with 2 teen boys) was very happy there. We loved walking to Kalapawai Market for sandwiches/coffee, to Island Snow for awsome shave ice, and to Bob's Pizza for the biggest slices we've ever seen (good too!). We could walk to and wheel rentals at Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks to the house. Stand up paddle surfing was a hit with the family on this trip. Blue Planet (Honolulu) was recommended for surfboard rentals - and we were very impressed with the price and quality of the longboards there. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was fun - got there at 8:30 AM before the crowds. We love shopping at Haleiwa - Surf N Sea is our favorite. Our favorite restaurant was Kua 'Aina sandwich at Haleiwa and Waikiki (awesome fish sandwiches), but the boys' favorite was Teddy's Bigger Burgers in Kailua. We liked Big City Diner and plate lunches at Keneke's (perfect after Hanauma). When we ventured into Waikiki it was fun but noisy and crowded and we were happy to return "home" to Kailua. If you are there during the holidays you should not miss the trolley tour to see Honolulu City Lights! The Lights were awesome, but even better was the fun of the trolley - singing, music, and a funny driver. (Better to buy tix in advance - - but on the standby list we only had a 40 min wait.) Koko Head climb was fun on Christmas Day. Great Christmas buffet dinner at Turtle Bay Resort. The New Years eve celebrations (tons of fireworks in the streets) was like nothing we've ever experienced before. We weren't sure how we'd like renting a beach house in Hawaii as we've always stayed at resorts before, but this was our best trip ever. The people at Kailua were incredibly friendly, the cottage was comfortable and well-supplied, walkable distance to Kailua places and central for driving anywhere on the island. Hawaiian Beach Rentals/Two Wahines was helpful and very responsive. Though we knew we could call on them, we needed nothing from them while we were staying there - everything was already thought of and prepared before we even got there - a great compliment to HBR and to Serenity Cottage!
Sheri Y., Ashburn, VA, 1.3.09
the hosts were phenomenally kind
Ronald L., San diego, Ca, 1.2.09
Excellent location close to the beach and a lovely mountain backdrop from the rear of the property.
Scott W., Vienna, VA, 1.1.09
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Diana V., Burnaby, BC, 1.1.09
The unit was the perfect size and decorated better than I would have believed possible. I particularly enjoyed the lighted statues and Polynisian daggers with the shark's teeth. Location was excellent with easy and convenient access to Pauli Highway and H3 which made getting around O'ahu. I didn't realize there was a good sucba diving shop in Kailua until too late to make a dive but they had both shore and boat dives available around the island. Surprising both my wife and I was the Moroccan restaurant in Kalua. This was an exceptional restaurant that I would recommend to anyone staying in the Kailua area. Also, at the end of the Pali Highway is the 'People's Cafe' which has very good 'Hawaiin' cuisine.
Sarah T., Kure beach, NC, 12.30.08
The rental unit was very relaxing. We enjoyed being away from the crowds. Thank you for a great vacation.
Teresa G., Hawley, MN, 12.29.08
Robbie & Michael are wonderful hosts! They made us feel welcome and are a great example of what 'Aloha' is all about. The unit is a wonderful and relaxing place to be, with all that you could possibly need at your disposal. The sound of the waves crashing is my favorite lullaby. Definitely take advantage of the kayaks and the easy access to the Mokes. They are a great paddle out and you will have a wonderful cruise back. Relax have a Mai Tai & grill up some Huli Huli Chicken on the grill. Don't forget to walk on Kailua beach too! It is a fabulous walk and you get to see some great kite surfing along the way. Thanks again for the great memories, we will definitely be back again soon!
Jennifer C., Napa, CA, 12.28.08
The unit was perfect for us. It was great to have a washer & dryer. We really only spent the evenings there, so it was nice to be able to cook dinner and relax. Thanks !!!!!!!
Diane N., San Diego, CA, 12.26.08
The view was excellent, and the house and pool were in good shape. I would definitely recommend the Kokokahi to any of my friends planning to visit Oahu. The only problem we had was with the gate, and that was a minor issue.
Peter L., Reno, NV, 12.24.08
This is a wondeful place. Off the beaten path yet very close to several great beaches, restaurants, and shopping. The unit is newly constructed with top end comforts, located in a private, beautiful neighborhood. We hope to return soon.
John L., Anchorage, Alaska, 12.20.08
The unit was very nice and clean, however I was surprised that only one roll of toilet paper was supplied for each bathroom. It would have been nice to know this and we would have taken some from home. Also we had no idea how to turn on the light upstairs in the loft. It needs a remote control which we didn't figure out until later in the trip. Also because it was very rainy the power went out only for a moment but still there were no candles or a flashlight it would be nice to have these in the condo. Also the screen door and the patio glass door in the down stairs bedroom didn't lock. The location was excellent and we did enjoy our trip very much.... Jennifer
Jennifer O., Calgary, Alberta, 12.19.08
This was the perfect spot for my honeymoon!! The Owners are very nice and helpful. beautiful ocean front view, able to wake up to the sunrise practically every morning (except we were unfortunate to be there when it started flooding in Hawaii!) we did have several sunfilled gorgeous days prior to the storm. very quiet, peaceful place, away from the bustle of the city. had all basic amenities you need in the bungalow to do some decent cooking if you felt the urge. We usually had breakfast there, and then left to explore the island. best restaurants: jameson's and joe's in the northshore -very delish. Was not very impressed with buffet at Turtle bay resort. All the shrimp shacks in the northshore have excellent food! we also bought live shrimp and did a boil at the bungalow - very good! not very impresed with the Crouching lion restaurant though. If you go to honolulu, try Genkie's sushi - my fiance and I went back twice cause we liked it so much, they have the conveyor-belt sushi style, very fresh, and lots of choices. We were scheduled for a luau on Friday, but it was raining pretty hard and was cancelled. :( will have to do this next time. If you stay here though, expect to drive 35-45 mins minimum to town, etc since it is in a remotish area. We loved it though, and especially enjoyed to drive into town since the scenery was soooo beautiful. So sad that we had to leave though, it felt like paradise.
Dawn V., Albany, Ny, 12.15.08
Mislabeled as North Shore when really this is windward side.
Joshua B., Holladay, UT, 12.5.08
We loved the location of this rental, which made it easy to drive to different parts of the island. Nearby beaches were beautiful and not crowded like Waikiki.
Marie L., Wilmette, IL, 12.4.08
the first thing I did when we arrived was have a shower, unfortunately the shower mat in the tub was not secured and I fell hard in the tub. The wireless internet did not work, neither did the blinds. I would not stay here again.
Laura C., Victoria, BC, 11.22.08
The stunning Oceanfront Suite was fantastic. My wife and I did not know what to expect and were a little nervous before arriving since we had never stayed in a vacation rental before but shortly after arriving we were sure we made the right choice. The owners made sure we had everything needed during our stay and were very friendly. The view from the back is gorgeous and nothing beats waking up to the sound of the ocean. I would recommend this rental to anyone who does not want to stay in The Big City and is interested in experiencing Oahu outside of Waikiki. Conveniently located between the North Shore and Waikiki makes day trips for different activities convenient no matter where they are located. We would definitely stay at this location if we were to visit Oahu again and would recommend to family and friends. Thanks for a great vacation!
Nick L., Grayslake, IL, 11.19.08
What we liked best of the unit as how cozy it was :) Loved that it was just up the street from Lanikai and Buzz's. Everything was clean and and it was really nice to have cable TV on the days that it rained! I would definitely recmmend this spot to anyone I knew :)
Fatima S., Irvine, CA, 10.31.08
location is super the beach fantastic the owner is a rare find as was sandy for their kindness and help. It is the place summer vacation is all about. thanks Laurel the wonderful lady that sent me here. Bill
Bill C., Olympia, Washington, 10.28.08
Insider tips we received andd enjoyed: -eating breakfast a t Cinnamon's was quite good -we hiked the Makapu lookout trail - absolutely beautiful -we also enjoyed Kuualoa Ranch - great activities -definitely do not miss sunrise - we have spome amazing pictures from the sunrise!
Sarah R., Rochester, MN, 10.17.08
The unit was very clean and the customer service A-plus! The Owners were very very accommodating. The ocean view was spectacular. It was nice to be out of the busy traffic in Waikiki Beach etc. Very relaxing. The weather was great and the ocean was warm... Great Holiday....
Sandra M., Henderson, Nevada, 10.5.08
We loved the view. The location was great espeically since we had small kids. It was just a very relaxing place to stay. Had a great time!!
Maz M., Fairfax Station, Virginia, 10.5.08
- privacy, and quiet neighbourhood - good - when we found a Hanauma Bay - we didn't eat in restaurants - on Waikiki beach - its very nice place to enjoy the life - follow the rules - the Hanauma Bay Thank You for help us to have a nice wacation. Elzbieta & Jerzy Jagiello
Jerzy J., Castro valley, CA, 10.1.08
The unit was very clean and roomy. It was light and airy and private. The managers of the unit were very friendly and accomodating. They gave us tips on places to go snorkeling...Three Tables and Sharks Cove were the best. We also enjoyed the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you are debating whether to go or not, I would say GO! It was great! Don't wait to start doing things. We thought Teds bakery was good for lunch. Turtle Bay buffet for breakfast, and Turtle Bay on Saturday night for prime rib and crab. Nice beaches, no crowds, great sunsets everywhere. We loved watching the surfers. The glider airplane ride was exciting with very nice people. All of us recommend staying at the North Shore end of the island. It was good for all ages. I would specificly recommend Kuilima Estates 56 East. Reasonable price for great quality.
Charlotte A., Trinity Center, California, 9.28.08
We loved the view from the pool area!
Terri C., Newcastle, Wa, 9.22.08
Wonderfull private and quiet place away from the bussy waikiki area. we enjoyed staying there very much and hope to come back some day.
Jens K., Copenhagen, Denmark, 9.21.08
We had a wonderful stay in Kailua - everything was exactly as we had hoped it would be. Hideaway Mountain Side Unit was excellent basic beachside accommodation in a beautiful quiet residential area - it was well equipped with everything we needed, right down to lovell soft beach towels - and we grarefully enjoyed the air-conditioning. The unit is right on the shore, so that we could sit out of an evening and catch our breath. Swimming with the turtles at the local Turtle Cove was really special - particularly after the hurly burly of our one trip to Waikiki - and the availability of boogie boards and extra snorkells was great - allowed us to really make the most of our trips to the wonderful beaches of Oahu. A day-trip to Big Island and its volcano was a day not to be forgotten, as was the trip to The Arizona at Pearl Harbour; and Hanauma Bay was fun, although there are some other equally lovely beaches around the Island and several areas of good snorkelling. Many thanks to Bryn and Ellen for the book of ideas, routes, etc - we still managed to get lost, but had fun doing so - and the people of Oahu are very friendly and helpful. Its a long trip from UK, but worth it!
Betsan D., Cardiff, UK, 9.19.08
Stunning view of the Mokuluas! I have marked this only 4* as I was disappointed with ocean front/beach front discrepancy not being fully apparent until reading the contract. Also it is an exaggeration to say it is perfect for swimming. Access from the steps is difficult. We are all very fit and mobile, two of the party kayaked to the Mokulas and the same afternoon one of us then swam to flat island and back! Also, two of our group were badly stung by jelly fish (Portuguese Man of War). Additionally, up to 14 fishermen would apprear every day at any one time, even making use of our sea wall. The vey much appreciated tht the kitchen was very well appointed and stocked with the basics that we would not want to buy for just a week's stay. However there was no dishwasher as claimed in the particulars The bathrooms were sparkling and well stocked with towels, including those for the beach. We also apprecited the quality and scope of the yard, the furniture and the sports equipment I found Verena extremely helpful and overall we liked the property and very much enjoyed our stay in Honu Hale. Alison Rose
Alison R., Berkshire, UK, 9.18.08
Location of the house was excellent and Lanikai beach and area was sublime. The house was very good and only lacked air con but with the traditional slated window style this would have been impossible. Otherwise the house had ALL the amenities we required with plenty of towels, hot water , massive fridge and comfortable beds. Thankyou if we come to Oahu again we will be in touch. Bill Tidman
BILL T., STRATFORD ON AVON, WARWICKSHIRE UK, 9.8.08
The facility was great it is connected to Audreys house but you have all the privacy you need. The accomodations fit us well. Kailua beach is by far the nicest on the island. The water is clean and the sand is beautiful. Very easy to access the beach. The best restaurant for breakfast is Kimos and Boots in Kailua get the macedamion nut pancakes and the best Italian restaurant is Assiagos in Kailua. We went on a helicopeter ride which was well worth the 175.00 a piece. Audreys is great to work with
Heather L., Warren, Ohio, 9.6.08
The Olomana Executive was everything it was advertised to be and more. The decor is beautiful and at the same time comfortable. The help and advice given to us upon our arrival was much appreciated. For a family or multiple families that want to be away from the crowded hussle and bussle of Waikiki, this is a beautiful place to get together, and still be within a half hour of wherever you want to go. Thanks for the memories, and the gorgeous photos!
Sharon S., Sergeant Bluff, IA, 9.4.08
our favorites: shrimp shack fumi's shave ice general store in haleiwa beach waimea or kailua hike dragon's nostrils drive laie to kailua
Angie B., Auburn, WA, 9.3.08
"A fantastic "first" beach house experience what a way to celebrate Isabel's first birthday! The house is perfect with open spaces, breeze, sun, pool, views, comfort all around. Could get really accustomed to this life style & hope that our group can do this again soon! Tims/Grzebik August 22, 2010"
Debbie and Bill H., Salem, Ohio, 9.3.08
We really loved the layout of the house and that it was right on the beach. The house suited our 8 people wonderfully. Makaha is an "economically depressed area" but we had no problems with any locals. There were a lot of homeless camping on the beaches before we got to town, but supposedly that will be taken care of soon. Watch out for the rocks when swimming in front of the house. The next big beach past the house was a lot better. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in your car if you are going out to do things. The house is really far from things. Overall, the house was great!
Cynthia S., Shingle Springs, CA, 9.1.08
We really enjoyed our stay in the Plumeria studio. The house has a wonderful and big backyard with nice palm trees and a warm swimming pool. It is a calm and peaceful place - very near the beach.. The room is quiet small and you need to turn on the fan during the day (otherwhise it will be very hot!!) - but normally you make lots of trips around the island or you're at the beach the whole day so you really don't need more space. The house owner lives in the same house which is also very practical.
Nina P., Zurich, Switzerland, 9.1.08
Loved the house, and especially the view.
Grae N., Littleton, CO, 8.26.08
The location is great, the house was spacious. It was lacking a dining area that has an ocean view. We went to Buzz's several times and the service was terrible. The staff was very confused. The best restaurant by far was Roy's either in Hawaii Kai or Waikiki. I will return to Kialua next year.
Ken K., Orange, Ca, 8.25.08
Safe. Quiet. Clean. Great location (close to beach park, multiple activities, stores and medical facilities). Well "furnished" (plenty of beach towels, kitchen is well equipped, boogie boards, beach chairs and beach toys are a nice touch and the washer / dryer are a great help). Property Manager had great advice and recommendations. Not "5 Star Luxury" but a GREAT value for a family vacation. We will recommend highly to friends.
Doug H., Annapolis, Maryland, 8.19.08
We were very happy to find all the extra equipment e.g. boogie boards, snorkeling sets and beach toys. The information booklet that was in the house with all the information made it very easy for us to settle in and enjoy life in paradise. We would definitely recommend this house to others. We were 3 generations travelling together and we all enjoyed having our own rooms and bathrooms; it was a perfect layout for our group. The welcome basket was a nice surprise and we were grateful that we had coffee for the first morning. The deeded beach access was very convenient and we really took advantage of Kailua beach. My favourite memory must be watching the sun rise on Kailua Beach; it shouldn't be missed.
Mona B., Victoria, BC, 8.18.08
The Owners were fantastic! They had everything that we needed for our vacation in Hawaii. Every morning we would get up and watch the sunrise and at night sit on the deck and relax with the sound of the waves coming up on the shore. This was the most relaxing vacation ever. We will be back again for another family vacation. Thank you for a wonderful time at your beautiful house.
Laura J., Gig harbor, WASHINGTON, 8.17.08
It was a wonderful rental. Thank you
Kerilyn M., Barre, Ma, 8.17.08
Misty was phenomenal. The space was well organized and clean. What a great start to our family vacation. Mahalo! We will be back.!
Larendee R., Bountiful, UT, 8.16.08
GREAT house. The view was awesome, the house was in good shape and tastefully furnished, and also very BIG. The only issue was that the house is situated in a very "local" area so if you are not familiar with genuine Island culture, this could be a draw-back. All in all, a really great experience.
Jennifer Y., Buffalo, OH, 8.15.08
very nice accommodations at a reasonable price. convient to many beaches and restaurants. great sunrises!!!!!!!!
Mick C., Springdale, AR, 8.14.08
Great house and super location. All the beach toys anyone could want. One of our best family vacations. We cannot wait until we can go back.
Kathy T., Woodland Hills, California, 8.11.08
The customer service I received was excellent. The agent was always available to answer questions and provide information. What I liked best about the unit I rented was it's location in Kailua - easy to get to ant spot on Oahu withing 30-60 minutes and far away from the touristy areas.
Kevin W., Cary, NC, 8.11.08
The house was in an excellent location and was very private surrounded by beautiful plants. The information on the website and contract were out of date as there are only three regular beds, but the response to open the adjoining apartment was prompt and helpful. The bedrooms were attractive and comfortable but the lack of air conditioning or good air flow through the other rooms left them warm and humid. The back yard was our favorite place with a grill, dining table and comfortable hot tub. Unfortunately, though requested no maintainance was done on the hot tub during our nine night stay so the water turned bad and we took to scooping out the water and replacing it from a hose.
Douglas S., Winston-Salem, NC, 8.9.08
We really loved the studio - it is beautiful, very clean and the hospitality is great!
Elke S., Wettingen, Switzerland, 8.5.08
What I liked about the unit I rented was the beautiful ocean view from the lanai. It was also nice to have a pool too. The snorkeling was also very good and the beach was kid friendly.
Anne C., Salt Lake City, Utah, 8.4.08
We were in Oahu for the 2008 Pac Cup and chose this house becuase it was on the beach and just a few minutes from Kanehoe Bay Yacht Club, The location of this house was absolutely wonderful. The beach and water were beautiful and everyone in the party kept asking me how I found it. We were in absolute heaven. Everytime we walked out back someone would comment again on how beautiful it was and how lucky we were. The two sitting areas (each with a TV) were great with the kids. We could send them off to whichever one the adults weren't using to watch TV. I would give it 4 and a half stars if I could. The only thing holding me back from a five were some little minor things like the one room by the garage was really dark and that bed was hard. The master bedroom was great and had a softer bed. Gosh even with that I should give it five stars but I can't figure out how to change it now. We would definitely stay in this unit again. One tip on the unit, look in the cupboard at the far left that faces the small table before you go to the grocery store. We did not realize there was food in there and we left things in it when we left, too. Enjoy!
Jennifer N., Mountain View, CA, 8.4.08
We had a very nice family reunion vacation. The rental house was rated "good", not higher because of some of the small things that were not functioning when we checked in (mostly lighting issues). The contact people were very nice, but by the end of the week, most of the non functional lights were still not functional! Think it just must be "relaxed island living attitude". Having no AC in a house with unvented skylights is also not optimal. These skylights were in the main living area and the whole house really heated up every afternoon...just like a solar cooker! Suggest the owner install AC or vent the skylights! (That is from one who doesn't have AC at home and lives in hot, humid SE Ohio!)
Rebecca A., Athens, OH, 8.4.08
I do not recall if I paid a security deposit. The Plumeria Studio was a very relaxing and quiet place to stay. Audry, the owner is was very gracious and I would recommend this place to others.
Carol W., Alameda, CA, 8.3.08
The unit was clean, well appointed, and the location is very good, a residential neighbourhood, quiet, little trafic, safe and the best part is the close proximity to the beach. Our baby grandaughter loved playing in the yard and the small tidal pools. We had a great time. Thank you.
Lina N., Mill Valley, Ca, 8.3.08
I had good time at your site but I had two things tell you that internet conectivity was poor and remote control of garage did not work well. However, it was very nice overall. Thank you very much!
Daisuke A., Minato-ku, Tokyo, 7.29.08
The location and house were perfect for us. We were a few blocks from my daughter's house and just a few steps to the ocean.
Pat F., Hinesville, Georgia, 7.27.08
I liked best about the unit was the distance to the water. The best restaurant was at the Turtle Bay Resort. The best picture I took was at Turtle Bay Resort. I can't wait to tell my friends about the gorgeous foliage of Hawaii.
Daphne H., Suwanee, GA, 7.25.08
The unit was decorated nicely and was cozy. We liked the proximity to the beach. The only issues we had were there wasn't enough counter space in the bathroom. The bathroom needed a door. A door serves quite a few purposes, especially when the kitchen and table are set up directly outside the door. I was also disappointed in the kitchenware. Several times I needed a large bowl and there wasn't one. We were asked to turn off the A/C when we left which resulted in extremely warm room when we got back. There weren't any back windows so it was hard to get a good cross breeze to vent the place. I was glad to find an iron and blow dryer, unfortunately when I called to see if they were there I was told they weren't so I ended up packing them and hadn't needed to. As I told Laurel, we weren't given many towels and only two washcloths and although I could have asked for more I was not comfortable doing so. Perhaps I expect too much as I am also a condo owner and am expected to furnish every little thing to our renters. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but probably would not stay there again.
Melanie C., Waterloo, IL, 7.23.08
This unit was centrally located close to shopping, restaurants, and churches. Cute house that supplied all the things one might need for a day on the beach. The outside of the house is beautifully landscaped (nicest on the block). The air conditioners in the bedrooms were great . A good night's sleep is a must! The beaches were close and great. Close to the water and the walks on the beach were just beautiful. We had a super time. Just to note we did have a $500.00 security deposit, please send. Mahalo! Dorene and William Randall
Dorene R., Troy, Michigan, 7.22.08
stayed for a week in july. first time in hawaii. i stayed with 2 other good friends (we're all 21years old). As long as you can afford a car rental this place is definitely for you. the converted space is BEAUTIFUL in the best neighborhood on the whole island on the best beach on the whole island. they had everything you might need to cook, bathe and clean etc. if your unfamilair with the island i would recommend spending your first night in waikiki to get the beach and nightlife out of your system because Lanikai will spoil you and nothing on the island will compare after that! only things to look out for with this property... -they do have young children so you can't be too loud and you may hear them cry in the morning (never was an issue with us) -it's not beach front, you'll have to walk about 1/2 mile to get to water and another 1/2 mile to get to where there's a beach (both accessed through alleyways between millionare homes) why it's worth it... -you'll be living in a postcard! -Lanikai and Kailua are amazing/safe neighborhoods and everyone's very happy/nice so you won't mind the walk to the beach (infact we jogged whenever we could because the area was too nice to ignore) i had the time of my life here
George C., Glendale, California, 7.21.08
Aloha! Oh my goodness..............too much to say about Baby Honu. I loved the fact this home is on a lane right across from the Kailua Beach Park. The Home is at the end of the lane, with a Golf Course right behind the home. Sooooo........you get quiet on the golf course side, and all natural sounds surrounding you. Tons of birds to wake you in the morning, sounds of peoples laughter from the beach, Hawaiian music if there is an event at the park, sounds of paddlers in sync..........its a great location to stay. The person who is the caretaker, she is soooo wonderful and accommodating. You could not have asked for a better person to accompany this local. We love Fat Boys to eat at, but for ambiance...........Buzz's has it beat. The Shorebird in Waikiki is great fun and good food too, super reasonable! The best part of my trip was the people, as always. The local Hawaiians if you respect their land and privacy are what make Hawaii. We went on an excursion one day to find a 30ft whale at the North Shore Macapino Road that had washed up. It was a shark frenzy.......... They had to get the whale out fast as the oils were bringing in thousands of sharks from all around. The road was too rocky to drive on and about a mile and a half hike (not bad) but on a private road. So after talking to the road workers.....we thought it best to give up the hunt. But we had a great adventure anyway, and met MORE locals with great Hawaiian humor! I hope the best for Baby Honu...........but I DONT want Kailua spoiled by toooo many tourist. I encountered an idiot tourist at Kailua beach one day and just had to laugh. I had on Maui Jim sunglasses the only way to view Hawaii waters, and I was telling her about the difference in the color of the water with them on...........and she said.........."I am not interested in buying sunglasses from you!"..........and man was she a piece of work.......freakin idiot! I just gave her stink eye and said Mahalo! The booking agent Renee was outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I messed up on the overlap of two places we stayed at, and she was soooooo great to help us out to book another 2 nites. Mahalo and boy do we MISS Kailua already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa T., Alameda, CA, 7.21.08
The cottage is clean, secluded and had everything we needed, even hi-speed internet access. The best was the less than 5 minute walk to one of the best beaches I've seen. Hardly anyone on the beach ever. Probably 2-3 miles of white sand. Complete opposite from Waikiki which we visited and saw shoulder to shoulder crowds. Loved the cottages outdoor shower, patio and bbq. Close to shopping and beach activities. We will be back.
Jackie R., San Jose, CA, 7.18.08
Our family had a wonderful time! There was enough space for everyone (6 people total). Loved having 3 bathrooms especially with 4 ladies in our party! Will definitely recommend and return again.
Marvette L., Bloomfield, CT, 7.17.08
Clean, convenient and close to the beach with a view. Julie was great about providing directions, checking in to maje sure I got everything, arranging for fixes as necessary and helping with ideas of things to do and locations! It would have been nice to have had some cleaning supplies in the bathroom to be able to clean out the tub a bit. Thanks,
Marlys B., Santa Barbara, CA, 7.15.08
This beach house is magnificent! It more than met our expectations. The lush vegetation and flowers are beautiful. We appreciated being able to borrow beach items and use the washer and dryer in the garage. The beach is very close. Buzz is a great restauant just around the corner.
Kelly M., Tucumcari, NM, 7.15.08
Great stay! We loved meeting you and your beautiful family... And "adopting" Kona for a couple of weeks! Looking forward to another 30-day stay with you next year. Take good care. Mahalo! Paul and Barbara
Barbara J., Smyrna, GA, 7.12.08
Being right on the ocean was wonderful! We loved the sound of the surf (24/7). We loved playing in the sand, walking on the beach and snorkling right outside the condo. The owners were very helpful and took care off everything we needed. The best part of our trip was taking surfing lessons from Sunset Suzy. The best restauraunt was at Lei Lei's at Turtle Bay. The best picture was of the sunrises from the lanai of the condo - every morning! I can't wait to tell me friends that the beach was only 10 feet from our door each morning. My advice to future guests would be locate the A/C early. We slept one very hot night without it. We found it the next day. The quarters are tight, but the room you have on (practically) your own private beach is worth it. We took a great little hike into the mountains on advice of the owner. It was about a 2 hour hike (stopped for lots of pics) and close to the condo (10 minutes). We saw beautiful plants and views of valleys and oceans. Staying at the Ocean Breeze was the best start to our Hawaiian Island-hopping vacation.
Amy M., Germantown, TN, 7.9.08
We loved the location of the Baby Honu. It was down a little lane across from the Kailua Beach Park so it was easy access to the beach, running paths and roads around Lanikai and a short distance to get shave ice. The customer service was great. Krista was so nice and we loved talking to her and meeting her dogs.
Robin B., Bellevue, WA, 7.8.08
We absolutely loved the Serenity Cottage and look forward to staying there again on a future visit to Hawaii! Julie was very helpful and wonderful to work. The best part was being right on the beach in Kailua with boogie boarding and swimming just outside your door! We will be back someday!
Kathy M., Portland, OR, 7.7.08
Our family couldn't have asked for a better experience at Laulea. The location was perfect for getting to the beach and the provided beach toys and towels was fantastic for our suitcase space. I would recommend this house to everyone and look forward to returning in the VERY near future.
Melanie G., New York, NY, 7.7.08
- Right next to the ocean - Right next to the Polynesian center - Maria and Ray were very nice and helpfull - Nice appartment - beautiful place
Morten H., Kolding, Denmark, 7.4.08
Layout of the house accommodated our group very well. Pool and beach access was great. Lanikai access to Kailua area was very convenient. The upstairs bedroom and dining area got very hot and the front porch light did not work so it was always dark when we came home. Overall, everything else was great.
Alan S., Albany, OR, 7.4.08
we loved the area. Turtle Bay is beautiful! Thanks for allowing our family to stay in the beautiful condo. wish we had one more day, 3 not quite enough.
Brandi B., Meridian, ID, 7.2.08
Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely beach house. It was ideal for the eight of us with my husband and I in the downstairs' studio separate from the rest of the family who were in three bedrooms upstairs that had a huge kitchen and living room area that led to a huge lanai (balcony in Hawaiian) where we all barbequed frequently. Under the house next to the stairs, it was nice having warm water also (some places only have cold water) where you can rinse off the salt and sand after being on the beach. We had a picnic table and lounge chairs to use at our convenience. I especially liked the location as it was next to Shark's Cove - a scuba diving, snorkling, tide-pooling, and swimming mecca. The sunsets (of which we took many pictures) were magnificent (hence called - Sunset Beach). The children liked watching the sea turtles swim by. At night from the balcony, it was exciting to see the scuba divers with their blue flashlights in the water either exploring or fishing. Foodland Supermarket is right up the street with the famous Ted's Bakery about a mile the other way. My daughters jogged to Waimea Bay (about 1 mile away) and jumped off the famous rock. Haleiwa is about three miles away with many local shops and restaurants. Customer Service was very warm and accommodating -excellent Aloha spirit. When we arrived late (9:00 PM), we called Peg who helped us promptly with the mishap. Kudos to her! Thank you Greg and Chris for all your help also. It was the ultimate living-on-the-beach dream with the surfers even if it was just for ten days. It was very relaxing and stress-free. Standing from the beach, this house "stands up" to the rest of the homes beside it. You've got to see and vacation in it for yourselves! Yes, I would definitely recommend this home to anyone visiting Oahu.
Joyce B., Bakersfield, CA, 7.2.08
The Ocean House is the perfect beach house! We had a fabulous time with our "chosen family"! The breeze that blows through the house was all we needed to be comfortable. We could have easily never left the neighborhood to have a vacation well beyond our expectations. Lanikai beach is amazing!! The best part of the trip was relaxing on the beach and floating in the waves. No to mention the turtles!! You will love this rental and I highly recommend it to anyone!
Kris W., Everett, WA, 6.30.08
Loved it! Absolutely enchanting garden surrounding the bungalow, with patio furniture where I enjoyed breakfast and dinner most days, and a relaxing hammock for afternoon naps under the leaves of the banana tree. Owner was very kind and not invasive at all. Only complaint was the next door neighbor (at rear of property) was a very loud talker and could be heard quite easily when she was on the phone. Other than this, it was just awesome.
Burl H., Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 6.29.08
Our family enjoyed most of all the quiet ambience of the rental and the magnificent view of the ocean. The unit was clean, and we also enjoyed the small computer room and the computer access. The rental arrangements and the directions were excellent. Our older daughter was on crutches with a recently repaired broken leg, and the downstairs fold-out sofa was perfect. The upstairs bedroom door locks tended to stick at times in the open position, making it difficult at times to get back into the room since the doorknob would not turn, but this was a minor inconvenience - we just kept the door propped open when we were not in the bedrooms. The wonderful ocean breezes and the great view were marvelous. We want to return for a longer time in the future.
Roger O., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 6.28.08
The unit was just okay, kinda old but nice being a few feet from the ocean. The customer service was excellent. Ellen was very helpful in fixing some problems we had upon check-in.
Rose V., North Hollywood, California, 6.27.08