Deanna S.
January 2025
I was hoping for comfortable, and I got it. The bed is firm and comfy for my spinal injuries. The pool was wonderful, easy to get in and out of, and the surrounding grounds make for a private experience. Easy access to the shoreline. My only suggestions: 1. A shelf of sorts in the shower for shower products. 2. A toilet paper holder that is easy to reach. Both are only personal to me because I'm having spinal issues right now, so that's it. Most other guests wouldn't notice these things. Our host was super friendly, and the cats were cute. I hope to stay again some day. Mahalo!
Joyce S.
November 2024
Beautiful property with a beautiful pool and great location! Super quiet residential neighborhood and awesome owner!
When you leave your unit a super short walk along the house opens to the Pacific; stunning! There’s a longer walk when you turn right along the coast.
Loved everything about it 😁
October 2024
This place had everything we needed. It was clean, the shower worked great and the AC worked even better. It’s tucked away in the edge of Kailua, in a nice & quiet neighborhood. We found it fairly easy to get from our place to all the attractions we wanted to see in Kailua and Lanikai.
Kimberly C.
October 2024
We had a wonderful time in this beautiful property. We stayed in the ocean-side unit and our son and daughter-in-law stayed in the pool-view unit. It was perfect for our family. The lap pool was refreshing and lovely. The host was fabulous to communicate with and extremely helpful. We would absolutely stay again!
Paul G.
September 2024
we really enjoyed our time here. it was comfortably and luxurious. the bathroom is top notch. other notable things: the shore just outside is rocky (not suitable for swimming) and we didn’t see much tide pooling besides a ton of crabs scurrying away. the pool is great, but half looks into the owners’ living room so we stuck to the other half. doing laundry requires coordination with the owner. there are two decks: a sitting area next to the entrance, the other overlooks the pool and has the mountain view, but is next to the external AC unit. the house is about a mile away from any restaurant or activity.
Melissa L.
August 2024
Had been attending a conference in Waikiki/Honolulu and needed a place to escape the crowds. This was exactly what we were looking for. Everything was as described and we appreciated the cleanliness of the unit and friendliness of the owners. We would definitely book again.
carla s.
August 2024
My nephew and I enjoyed the Mountain View room immensely. Tom and Lucinda were delightful and everything went beautifully. We loved the two lanais and the view of mountains and ocean from the loft. Proximity to family we were visiting was fantastic and the neighborhood is quiet with great walking and access to shopping and ocean front as well as a convenient base for day trips. We loved the shower and everything was comfortable and worked wonderfully. Ocean breezes and the pool kept us cool as well
james r.
June 2024
Excellent experience- beautiful home and great location. The Hosts were very nice and accommodating. Highly recommend!!
Sean W.
April 2024
The unit was very clean and well stocked with amenities - plenty of clean towels, soap/shampoo, as well as spices, seasoning, and cooking oil. Had everything we needed for our stay.
The location is perfect! At the end of a no-outlet road in a very pleasant, quiet neighborhood. Quick and easy access to the base at K-Bay, as well as to Kailua Town and highways to explore other parts of the island.
It was so nice to sleep to the sound of the crashing waves.
Would highly recommend this unit and this Host. Top marks.
Jerry B.
March 2024
Clean and great location. Pool was beautiful, but with owner living on site and cameras everywhere around the pool it did not feel all that private. Place was mostly quite. The beach was great to walk down and had stunning ocean views. The town was cute with really good food and shopping. The area was easy to travel and it was our first time to Hawaii. Overall I recommend this property.
Aaron R.
March 2024
My wife and I stayed here for a quick family visit on Oahu and it was perfect! Great location, friendly hosts and wonderful amenities! We would stay here again!
Jeff J.
March 2024
Owner sent us great instructions on how to arrive at property. Upon arrival we had our own door code (no key to worry about) the room was above the owners living quarters. They were quiet and to themselves. Room was very clean, nicely arranged and very welcoming. The only thing that wasn't accurate was we were on the inside portion of the Rental. The ocean view was obstructed by the house. However about 25 steps would take you to the ocean for the beautiful sunrises.
Madeleine
January 2024
More than we expected. Modern and clean. Unbelievable sunrises on the beach. Perfect for 2. Definitely coming back.
Dotty S.
January 2024
Was a nice stay with everything needed. Not a swimming beach due to lava rock but pretty to watch waves. Close to Kailua town and everything you need. I would return here. You must be able to carry suitcase up one flight of stairs.
Jon C.
December 2023
Overall an excellent stay. Lucinda was reasonable in response time, given it was Christmas Eve. The pool was a little chilly for our liking so we didn’t get to use it. But understandable given it was December. The location was superb. Right on the water. Sunrise right out the front steps. Would definitely return.
Raymond C.
December 2023
Arrived and there was a man inside our unit working on the small deck. He said part of the wall was removed because of “air flow issues” with the AC and the regular AC unit was not working so a smaller one was put in the wall. This gentleman was onsite several days cutting wood trim & staining it outside in the driveway.
Next morning we were going to the beach and we locked the door but realized our car keys were still inside. I was not able to unlock the door using the keypad. Called owner and could only leave a message. Luckily our nephew was able to come get us. The owner did not return my call until around noon that day. He said he corrected the issue with the key pad.
CONS
-outside furniture is falling apart; paint peeling off.
-pool is nice but once you get in the middle you can see into the owners living room thru full length windows
-cameras everywhere; felt like you had no privacy for an “upscale quiet neighborhood“
-was asked to turn off AC unit when leaving, and did so. One morning we forgot to turn off AC when we left for beach but when we returned it was off meaning someone had to enter our unit to turn it off.
-was told if you want to use the washer and dryer to call the owner so they could open the garage door. That area was a mess!
PROS
-the view
-comfortable bed
I have photos of the issues I mentioned and would gladly share them if requested.
A 3 star rating is mainly for the beautiful view when you walk back to beach.
Would not recommend this prop
Allison R.
July 2023
Our stay was so lovely! The house was exactly as described, check in and check out was easy, and our hostess was wonderful. We were provided everything we could have wanted- beach and bath towels, a beach umbrella, kitchen appliances and dishes, etc. The king bed was incredibly comfortable, and my daughter said the bed she slept in up in the loft was also comfortable. We loved the pool and close ocean access, and the nearby cove ended up being my daughter's favorite place we went swimming. I read in the previous reviews that some people had problems figuring out how the air conditioning worked, but it was very self-explanatory- there are two units, and with both on it actually got so cold that I would end up turning one off after it cooled off. The Kailua area is quiet and close to beautiful beaches, a botanical garden, and lots of attractions. If we come back to O'ahu, I would definitely stay in this unit again!
Michael V.
July 2023
This was a beautiful home and owner was very nice we are actually from Kailua and have a lot of Ohana here but we just wanted to stay in a rental for once and it was an Awsome experience! Mahalo!
Ellyn P.
June 2023
I was very pleased with the studio apt, its surroundings.
the lap pool was beautiful, would have appreciated later time to use it.
I had inquired prior to booking that my only concern was
the functioning & efficiency of the Air conditioning.
When I entered the unit it was stifling, like an oven. No windows/doors were open to let out the heat. One unit was not operating & the other once adequate instructions were provided did work well. We were not allowed to leave the AC on while not in the unit, which I understand. The unit did not cool down for quite sometime, long after we had hoped to go to bed. I was ready to leave upon entering an overwhelmingly hot room. If the existing AC had not worked well enough to properly cool the room, I was prepared to leave. we did contact the owner for assistance it appeared to blame user error. I am pleased that I did not have to leave. I would think that opening windows doors to rid heat prior to check in & run the AC to cool the room so that it is pleasing for first entry, would have made the experience overall great !
Shandel S.
May 2023
We loved our time at this location. WE highly recommend it, but we fear it will book out and we won't be able to stay again because we will rebook it ASAP!!! Thank you!
Richard H.
May 2023
Despite the rain and wind our visit was great. The property is the best we have visited in Kailua. We will return!
Matt L.
March 2023
Love every second of it!
Arden O.
January 2023
This is a pleasant place to stay, but at a premium price. Because what we found was more different than any we’ve experienced with any VRBO, I wrote a page and a half to warn others, but that essay won't fit in this space, so here is the Haiku version:
“Kailua Ocean/Mtn Views” – “Ocean view” is overstated at best. The only view of the ocean is from outside the unit, peering between the houses to the ocean forty yards away. As for mountain views, you can see the outline of the mountains some miles away, mostly from another table also outside the unit.
“Absolutely Oceanfront” “As close to the ocean as you can get” “Hear the waves breaking just outside” – These statements are simply false as to this unit. You have to read to the bottom of the fine print to get that. Their ocean front unit may meet those descriptions.
“Kitchenette” v. “Kitchen” with “Stove Top” – This is decidedly on the “ette” side. There is no dishwasher and no stove or installed stove top. The “convection oven” is a model that most persons would call a toaster oven. I couldn’t find anything in the unit answering the description “wine chiller.” There are two hot plates. There is a lovely coffee machine that accommodates both Keurig and ground coffee. Don’t expect you will be cooking dinners here. Most of the appliances are not “new” as stated.
“Studio with Loft – Twin/Single & King” – The fine print advises that only two persons can stay here. The loft has a single bed in it, for whatever purpose, but the only access to that loft is a movable bamboo ladder such that, had we been inclined to brave it, even bringing even a cup of coffee up there would not be convenient.
TV – The photos show a large screen mounted near the ceiling that has “smart TV” features. Don’t assume it will have the channels you may want. We arrived the day of a major sports event on ESPN and after surfing through the hundreds of Hulu channels discovered that they don’t subscribe to it. You will have to figure out how to get access to such things through the various apps.
The bottom line is that, if you need or want to be on Oahu and these features work for you, you may find it worth the price. It is a premium price compared to other ocean-front homes we have rented elsewhere in Hawai’i, apparently because Kailua has banned short-term rentals from which they are apparently grandfathered. If you really want to go to sleep listening to the waves, go elsewhere.
Kara
December 2022
We liked how close it was to everything! Usually a 5-10 minute drive into the heart of Kailua. Amazing views and location, easy to find, accessible.
Terri S.
August 2022
We have checked out after one night stay. We did not feel safe at the property with cameras everywhere. We felt that messages were based solely on observation of cameras. I do not want a vacation spot that we feel we are being watched. In addition, several areas needed to be cleaned, such as loft area and refrigerator. Also, description was very confusing. We had 2 family members staying there, but we traveled together and as soon as we got out of the car, we received a message from host. They live there and their sliding door is right at lap pool area. Cameras were at every corner. I understand security, but this was very invasive. I asked to speak to them, but they kept just sending messages. We did not feel safe! I do not recommend this property.
Kelsey S.
August 2022
Well appointed, clean, minimalist-luxury on the inside, a spa-like pool and direct views of the ocean on the outside— what’s not to love?! Also, a bed and shower to die for! Can’t wait to come back!
Fernando C.
July 2022
Ocean view is amazing, host is easy to deal with
Heather g.
June 2022
We stayed at the property for five nights. It’s a beautiful spot, quiet neighborhood, absolutely gorgeous view of the ocean and an amazing pool. The property is well equipped in the kitchen, and our hosts even left a bottle of wine and some macadamia nuts for us! The pool is shared by another rental unit plus the owners, although we never saw anyone else! It’s an incredible lap pool with waterfall, relatively easy to access in and out of the pool and there’s even a lift for those who can’t do the stairs in and out of the pool. It’s a two minute drive from Safeway, gas station, Starbucks, and only about 5 to 7 minutes from downtown Kailua. The beach is beautiful, the house is situated directly on the ocean, although there’s not really any access for swimming given the lava and reef. But a great place to have coffee in the morning. Halfway through this day one of the air conditioners broke in our unit, or at least seemed not to be working. Our host was incredibly responsive and helpful, trying to get it serviced and fixed as quickly as possible and providing a can. My only suggestion would be that the listings for the two rental properties, Ocean view and Mountain View, are made a little clearer differentiated on the listing website. When we arrived we weren’t sure which unit we were supposed to be in, although quickly figured it out by the shoes outside one unit and of course the combination lock working on the correct one. Thank you again for such a great stay!
Steven S.
May 2022
Quiet neighborhood. Wonderful spot to relax in between adventures on the east coast of Oahu. Made sure to eat my breakfast on the private porch or balcony with a view of the ocean
Beth S.
April 2022
Very enjoyable stay. Had all that we needed, and close to great beaches. Only reason for the 4 stars was because property owners were having painting done outside, so did not feel as private.
Sarah D.
February 2022
Beautiful property and location. Was wonderful to spend some time away from all the other tourists. Property was perfect for just the two of us. Quiet, clean location close to grocery store, shops, excellent coffee, and restaurants. Would recommend staying here. Owner lives below and was very kind and accommodating! Thanks for the great stay, we had a lovely visit 🤗
Lyndsey B.
January 2022
Excellent stay, very comfortable beds, and very accommodating hosts!
Jane S.
November 2021
Location, Location, Location ! We had a lovely stay away from the hustle and bustle of downtown yet still in close proximity if we wanted to spend some time there. The beaches in the area are gorgeous. Kailua has some great little places to eat for Breakfast and Dinner. You can traverse the whole island and return to crashing sea waves off your balcony. My only suggestion to these lovely hosts would be to have sets of Actual Beach Chairs for both Units, along with Beach Umbrellas for some come to the island to just relax by the ocean. I would leave them in the rental units themselves where there is plenty of closet space vs leaving items out and it turns into the hunger games over a few camp chairs and shade. Other than that the bed was comfortable the unit was fabulous.
Juan J.
November 2021
Great location, quiet neighborhood, amazing back view to the beach, owners of the property were very servicing, only thing was the sheets of the bed and pillow cases had lots of hair, the owners brought us new linen
But over all great property
Karen S.
October 2021
Gracious hosts who do little thoughtful things to enhance your stay. Comfortable clean and located on beach to walk along path and enjoy Beautiful surf and sunrises that are spectacular;different every day. Mountain View to enjoy and appreciate less breeze in the evenings. The pool is so awesome and we used it daily. Located close to Kailua Beach to ride and park or bike to. A treasure.
Thank you Tom and Lucinda
September 2021
wonderful location. nice place.
Craig F.
August 2021
The sunrise @ this property is absolutely beautiful & the mornings are rejuvenating! The commute into downtown Kailua is a breeze as it’s within a 10 minute drive to all the delicious restaurants. The drive to Kailua Beach & Lanikai Beach is within 10 minutes. Waimanalo & Macapu’u beaches are within 35 minutes. The pool is a perfect place to wind down/relax & have a beer & listen to music.
Karrin W.
August 2021
Beautiful place, beautiful island.
Anthony S.
August 2021
Had a great experience. Love the pool and the quietness of the place
Thomas W.
June 2021
Well appointed and well kept unit. It had all the amenities you need and we were welcomed with a bottle of wine and macadamia nuts!
Bryon F.
May 2018
Excellent location, clean and the owners of the property are awesome. Thank you both so much for a wonderful place to stay.
Ethan S.
April 2018
We enjoyed our stay. The owners were very welcoming and responded quickly when we had questions. We stayed in the studio on the landward side. We still had the sound of the waves and a view from the chairs and table outside our fronr door. The location is great. It is in easy striking distance of just about anything.
Kerry H.
April 2018
It was a beautiful spot, very relaxing and the owners are very accommodating. We had a great time. Thank you!!
longfellow s.
March 2018
We love the Mountain View Studioad Kailua. . Great views from the verandas either ocean or mountain . Love the privacy it offers. Only a 2 mile car ride to our FAVORITE Kailua beach fior our 5 mile morning walks. Lucinda and Tom the owners are the best! We also love the visit from time to time from the resident cats. On a side note : the new shower head is fabulous ! See you next year!
Wendy S.
March 2018
Unfortunately the weather was a factor as it was raining a lot of the time. The property was very nice but lacked upkeep and the lighting was poor. I don't feel that it was worth the cost we paid...
sage l.
March 2018
We are newlyweds and chose to spend a couple of nights in the little beach town of Kailua at the end of our Waikiki stay. Now we wish we had allowed ourselves more time to be in Kailua which is the complete opposite of Waikiki. The beach goes on forever and from our cozy accommodations provided by Lucinda and Tom, we had up close oceanfront views of the ever changing ocean. It was spectacular and we particularly loved hearing the waves at night while we drifted off to sleep. Each morning we sat out on our lanai with our coffee to watch the sunrise--a great way to start the day!
The bed was amazingly comfortable --a solid foam mattress that was the perfect firmness and not hot like some others we have slept on. The rental was really nicely decorated and felt like it was home away from home--even a bidet in the bathroom! We are so happy we chose to stay here and will be looking forward to a return visit. Tom and Lucinda are great hosts!
Thomas C.
March 2018
We are newlyweds and chose to spend a couple of nights in the little beach town of Kailua at the end of our Waikiki stay. Now we wish we had allowed ourselves more time to be in Kailua which is the complete opposite of Waikiki. The beach goes on forever and from our cozy accommodations provided by Lucinda and Tom, we had up close oceanfront views of the ever changing ocean. It was spectacular and we particularly loved hearing the waves at night while we drifted off to sleep. Each morning we sat out on our lanai with our coffee to watch the sunrise--a great way to start the day!
The bed was amazingly comfortable --a solid foam mattress that was the perfect firmness and not hot like some others we have slept on. The rental was really nicely decorated and felt like it was home away from home--even a bidet in the bathroom! We are so happy we chose to stay here and will be looking forward to a return visit. Tom and Lucinda are great hosts!
crooksienz ..
February 2018
We had booked for 3 nights in what looked to be a perfectly located, tidy, comfortable accomodation.
On first look the unit felt nice, tidy, spacious and there was a welcome bottle of wine.
The location was lovely and direct beach access, had the weather been fine, we had not considered the wind in the winter months.
However we found the downstairs bed was so uncomfortable (and I’m not fussy with beds), that myself and daughter had back ache in the morning. The loft bed gets unbearably hot and has no skylight covering. This is accessible by an unfixed steep bamboo ladder, which incidentally blocks part of the bathroom door. I do not know how it passed inspection and I do not think this should be rented with the loft listed as a room. The sheets were thin and the pillows did not feel clean.
The aircon is very loud, this could’ve been overlooked if it had kept the loft cool and we’d been comfortably asleep.
The bed comfort,linen and unsafe hot loft were the main disappointments.
The next morning we decided to quit as we knew that if we stayed there we would have little and uncomfortable sleep on our last 3 days in Hawaii. We cut our losses drove around the island and rented a fab place in Honolulu. This was an extremely costly experience, but we were prepared to lose the 2 nights we had paid however given it was the low season a goodwill part refund would’ve been fair.
The owner offered to refund part if they found other renters and no further contact from them was received.The bond of course that was eventually refunded.
I just think that this rental for which you pay a premium is not as the pictures show and cannot believe this is my first negative review ever, if the owners had contacted or made genuine query of our dissatisfaction I wouldn’ve posted.
Kim S.
February 2018
Great location, perfect little bench from which to watch the sunrise. The studio is clean, comfortable and private. Nice balcony spots, furnished so one can work outside enjoying the air and view.
Sussette H.
November 2017
Nestled in Kailua's quiet community of Kaimalino this vacation rental is a true gem. If you are looking for an escape from the typical tourist destination, then search no further. This oceanfront property offers everything you need to relax, unwind and recharge. Whether its enjoying the amazing lap pool with waterfall features, sipping a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise or soaking up the sun on some of the islands most beautiful beaches you need not look any further...this is your spot.
We stayed the mountain-view studio, so I can't really speak to the ocean-view but I am sure it is amazing for views alone. With that said you have multiple partial views of the ocean and a view of the mountains from the pool side balcony...best of both worlds. Since the beach is only a short walk (or stumble if you must), the mountain-view suite is just fine, but we are planning on booking the ocean-view for our next stay.
The suite has everything you need in the kitchen if you like to cook (grocery store very close by), are on a budget or just want to avoid other humans. However, the town of Kailua is just a short drive and there is an ample selection of places to eat if burning water is the extent of your cooking skills. The bathroom is spacious and the toilet seat is a bidet...bonus for your bum! (BTW...why aren't bidets a thing in the US!?!). There is a nice walk-in closet so you don't clutter the suite with your belongings. The bed (king) is "good" and there are 2 twins in the loft...so if you have kids or multiple agile adults then this affords some visual (not auditory) privacy from downstairs.
The owners/property managers were great...very responsive and accommodating! I think that's enough...boook iit!
Ginger E.
June 2016
We wanted to stay away from Honolulu and Waikiki. This was a perfect place for our family of 3. We stayed in the mountain view room for a week. However, we would eat on the front lanai some mornings where we had an nice view of the ocean. The room is as described. All the appliances/utensils we needed were available and we cooked breakfast each morning on the portable induction burner. Our other requirement when booking a room was air conditioning. The a/c in this unit worked great. The owners were very easy to work with.
If you want in the heart of activity, this is not the place for you. If you want a quiet, nice place to relax, then I would highly recommend staying here. As most of our activities were either in or near Honolulu or the windward side of the island, this was a good base point for us.
Gail M.
April 2016
We recently stayed in the Mountain View unit and it was simply perfect. It was clean, beautifully decorated and had everything we needed. Lucinda was just delightful and made some wonderful dining suggestions. The views from the two decks were just beautiful. We will definitely stay here again.
Gail and Jay
nichole s.
April 2016
This property is the perfect alternative to busy, touristy Waikiki. It is exactly as pictured, great condition. Owners were courteous and responsive. Would definitely stay here again. We stayed for 5 nights while in town for a wedding.
longfellow s.
January 2016
This was our second stsy in the mountain view unit and we forgot how wonderful this studio is. While inside you have a beautiful view of the mountains and palm trees but on your veranda which is quite spacious you have a lovely view of the ocean and we spent a great deal of time out there eating meals , reading and enjoying Hawaii life. We loved how we were a stones throw from seeing beautiful sunrises in the morning.
There is no washer or dryer in the unit but they make them quite available during the day which is right down stairs so super easy.
The hosts are gracious and lovely . We certainly can see ourselves booking a third stay in the Mountain View unit .
Aloha!!!!
Eric S.
December 2015
Came back after a week, and owners were kind enough to locate the cell phone charger I had left behind.
Then I left behind two Aloha shirts! They have kindly offered to return them to me through the mail.
You will feel like a friend and a true guest!
Eric S.
December 2015
Has a great stay here. Bed is a super comfy Temperpedic type mattress, neighborhood is quiet but close to MCBH and Safeway, and a short drive from Kailua and Lanikai beaches. The pool is great for hanging out or doing laps. Rhe TV screen is huge and the wifi fast and reliable. I had tons of space and privacy. Everything went super well. Highly recommended!
Maureen A.
October 2015
Enjoyed the location.. convenient to the entire island. Best beaches. Very accommodating!
Kazumi Y.
September 2015
The only bad part about my time here was leaving.
It is was so enjoyable and relaxing to have all the comforts of home and a lot more.
The lap pool and waterfalls was ridiculously relaxing and beautiful to chill out next to.
The bed was amazing--some kind of deep foam and I never slept better in my life.
One of the decks on the unit had a really decent ocean view and provided an awesome dining experience. Highly recommend this place!
Heidi J.
September 2015
Excellent owners with special attention to accommodation detail. The mountain side view as well as the ocean side view accommodations are amazing! We are looking forward to our next stay! We enjoyed great stand up paddle boarding at the wonderful local beaches. Mahalo!
Miranda C.
August 2015
I caught a barracuda in the backyard of this property and it was the most successful day of fishing I ever had. It was so big that I had to give half of it away. I had a wonderful time and would not hesitate to book this property again!
Jeffrey L.
April 2015
We stayed at this condo in March. The unit was clearly remodeled recently and was beautiful inside. There was a combination lock on the front door, so there was no need to fumble with keys. The ocean in the back yard was beautiful, and the pool was great (and very large). We had a great time!
jackie w.
March 2015
We enjoyed our stay at the house. It was clean, well kept and had nice amenities. We cooked breakfast every morning on the griddle and enjoyed the full size fridge and freezer. The view is amazing and the house is very close to really great beaches and a short drive to the airport. I was a little bummed the pool was freezing cold but that is obviously no ones fault but mother nature. I do want to note that there is a washer and dryer on the property but if the owners aren't home you won't have access to it (understandable but just wanted to note that). There are some beach mats, a beach chair (maybe two?) and goggles/snorkels for kids in the closet.
Michael W.
December 2014
While it seems that many of the reviews are very positive, and I’m glad that this rental has made some people happy, we were not among them.
First of all, the two listings are confusing. The Mountain View listing talks about the Ocean View unit. The photographs are the same on both listings, further adding to the confusion. These listings should be separate and clearly-defined.
We rented the Mountain View unit for 4 days, and left after one night, forfeiting 3 nights' rent and finding other accommodations. Here’s why:
• The photos did not match the reality. Of course they show the units in their best light, but these are too far from what greets you.
• Nowhere could I find that the “kitchenette” does not include a stovetop. This was the biggest deal-breaker for us—we had planned to save some money and cook for ourselves, but that is impossible when there is no stove. There was a microwave convection oven, an old electric pancake griddle, and a very small gas barbecue down by the pool. No toaster oven, as was mentioned on one of the responses to these reviews. If you look up the word “kitchenette,” it means small kitchen. It doesn’t mean a kitchen without a stovetop.
• The pillows on the bed smelled bad. Like theater popcorn butter. I don’t know if it was mildew or what, but they should be replaced.
• We were not informed that the ocean view was not a beach view. We thought we’d be able to swim here, but in none of the correspondence was there any mention of the fact that the beach is covered with sharp lava rock.
Sure, we could have asked the owners to replace the pillows, but the rest they couldn’t have done anything about. I’m sure they will have some sort of response to this, but whatever they say, if you think you’re getting what they are selling, you will be disappointed.
I’m posting this review on both listings because they have made both listings appear the same.
David L.
December 2014
I am really happy that I stumbled across this listing. I normally stay on the busy part of Kailua beach but decided to take the path less traveled this time around. Best decision I ever made when visiting Kailua. I was the only one one the beach the entire time. The place was gorgeous and exceeded my expectations!
Teresa C.
June 2014
We stayed here for 9 days. We had the best time. The pool was fantastic. The location was perfect. It was quiet and so relaxing. The owner Lucinda was so nice. If we come back, just the two of us, we will stay here again.
Ashley H.
May 2014
We enjoyed a 10 day stay in the ocean view suite for our honeymoon, and we couldn't have chosen better! This beautiful house has an amazing view (you can enjoy the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean from your bedroom!) and the owners provide every amenity - including beach equipment! It is a reasonable drive to all parts of the island while being away from all the hustle and bustle of touristy Waikiki. There was another couple staying in the mountain view suite while we were there, but we never heard a thing! The owners were extremely friendly and helpful from the planning stages of our trip through our stay. We definitely hope to be back in the future!!
Steven L.
January 2014
We stayed in the mountain view apartment and it was everything as advertised and better. We met with Lucinda who was incredible to ensure we had everything we needed for our visit. The apartment is equipped with a full size fridge, excellent micro-wave / convection oven, and there were hotplates and all the kitchen supplies one would need.
We saved a ton of money by eating breakfast at the apartment and then making lunches to take with us for our daily outings. Our son had the loft bedroom all to himself which made him very happy, the King sized bed below was very comfortable and easy to fall asleep in while listening to the ocean outside.
We would definitely recommend this apartment and we hope to visit another one of Lucinda's properties on our next visit to Maui.
Thank you Tom and Lucinda for being great hosts.
Allison G.
December 2013
My husband and I stayed at this property and absolutely loved how close to the ocean it was! We enjoy simple and relaxing vacations, and this worked out perfectly! Nothing better than listening to the ocean as you fall asleep. The only improvement that would have made it better would be screens on the two doors, we did get quite a few bug bites-screens would solve that perfectly!
December 2013
A lovely unit with everything we had expected. Everything was thought through by the owner that you could typically basicly need was there to use. When the blow dryer broke I emailed them and next morning we got another delivered at the door. Over all the unit is very comfortable and in a quiet neighborhood but beware walking around naked with the curtain up where the glass door to the lanai is. The the other houses are close in proximity with large windows and lanais so privacy is limited. The pool was gorgeous and fun to swim in. It isn't heated so it can be cold to step in initially. The tv has Netflix built in so that was nice to relax and watch on couch with the lanai door open bringing in sea breeze and ocean wave sounds. The unit does not have any stove with oven to cook and is more of a kitchenette. The bed is very comfortable because it is memory foam kind. The bathroom toilet has a bottom rinsing mechanism built in which was useful and interesting to use. Beach towels, straw beach matts, and beach umbrella was available in closet to use. The loft is cute, has a couple twin mattresses for 1-2 kids to sleep and hang out with roof window light to give light during the day. We got real use to the unit and settled in nicely. I would only complain for one morning at around 10am that there was a repair guy who tried to open the sewage lid near the parking garage had pounded metal on metal sound that annoyed us because the owner didn't give us any warning for the expected disturbance. Other than that very very nice lovely unit to stay in.
Durand D.
December 2013
After weeks of reading reviews and poring over each one time and time again to find the perfect spot to stay for our wedding, we decided to book this residence for our week long special day and getaway. All I can say is wow!
I am a local boy, raised in Kailua, and returning to my hometown to get married has been a lifelong dream. As part of it, we wanted to find somewhere tranquil and serene yet fairly close to Kailua town, and this fit the bill perfectly. Curb appeal is amazing as you drive into the neighborhood, and the long driveway sets up the perfect suspense as you pull up and see Heaven on Earth before you. The side entry leads to the rental, which I likened to a villa, and the most perfect view of the ocean, to include a sweeping eyeful of the Mokulua Islands in the distance as waves crash over the rocks and push their way to the small strip of sand.
Walking into the rental is breathtaking, view aside. It was perfectly appointed and spotless. Everything is fresh and modern, and the furnishings invite you to sit back and relax while taking in the fresh air pushing through the two windows that face the beach. The sound of the waves adds to the nirvana. The bed was perfect, and we both agreed it was the best sleep we'd had in months, if not years. Simply amazing.
Locals know pests are a problem, but not here. During our entire stay, we did not see one pest -- not a single one -- and that spoke volumes to the care and maintenance put forth by the owners to keep it pest free. In addition, the unit has everything you would want to spend time at the beach, including an ice chest, towels, chairs, and a beach mat.
We had the privilege of meeting Lucinda the first night and she was so kind, warm, and embraced us with Aloha spirit as she stayed outside with us and talked story in the warm evening air. She is a near lifelong resident of O'ahu, and knows the island well. We swapped stories about growing up in our beloved Kailua, and she wished us well for our big day. Always accommodating and never intrusive, she was very approachable and wanted to ensure we had everything we needed through our visit. She even spent time looking over our photos after the wedding and told us of how she watched the weather on Sunday morning, and thought of us as the time approached. We were impressed with how amazingly friendly Lucinda was. She and Tom also left us a handwritten card, which we appreciated.
Mahalo nui loa for everything!
July 2012
This turned out to be a great place for us to stay. We took the mountain view. Our 12 year olf grandson loved the loft and we loved the comfortable king size bed. The pool was wonderful after a day of island sightseeing. Cooking is limited but breakfast, snacks and a simple dinner were plenty for us. I would definitely return to this place.
July 2012
This place is loaded with extras. Aside from the in your face ocean view there was a memory foam mattress, stainless steel kitchen, and a bidet in the bathroom. The pool is truly an art piece. The lava rock wall and waterfalls make you feel like you are in paradise
June 2012
Oceanfront, yes. Beach, no. The oceanfront is beautiful, but don't plan to swim out front. Waves crashing on sharp lava rocks makes for nice photos. We stayed in the mountain view studio. Nice granite work in the kitchen and bath. Comfortable bed. Steep bamboo ladder (not stairs!) up to loft. Covered outdoor eating area overlooking pool. You need a rental car if you stay here -- Kailua Beach is short drive with free parking. You can walk to the beach, but you'll be on a busy road and it's about a 1/2 mile. Quiet family neighborhood -- so peaceful to sleep with the sound of the waves! I would stay here again. This is not a B&B -- you will have to make your own breakfast and don't expect chit chat with the hosts. Coffee is in the refrigerator. Safeway grocery store is very close and Whole Foods in Kailua town about 1 mile away.
June 2012
Just got back from our wonderful stay in Kailua! We were lucky enough to stay in both units and both definitely did not disappoint. We stayed in the mountain view suite for 2 nights. What we enjoyed most was the king size bed with a memory foam mattress, the lanai facing the pool and the nice large bathroom. The remaining of our stay was in the ocean view suite and WOW!!! The view was stunning and we loved listening to the ocean as we fell asleep each night. We were travelling with our 7 month old daughter and it was very nice to have the one bedroom where we could put her down for naps while we sat on the beach area out front. All the amenities for cooking were provided, and the safeway was about a 2 minute drive away. We spent some of our time at Kailua Beach Park and also the Lanikai beach and both beaches are beautiful. We made our way into Kanehoe one night and had a wonderful meal at Halewai Joes, and the garden below is very pretty. Then of course there is the beautiful pool in the back, nice very clean salt water pool which our daughter just loved! We used the pool daily and what a nice spot to play in the sun. Definitely don't pay attention to the bad review of this property. We could tell the owners try very hard to maintain the property. We highly recommend this property, it would even be perfect for 2 couples travelling together to each stay in a unit. We hope to be back someday and it will be a tough decision on which unit we would chose. Thanks again Lucinda and Tom.
February 2012
We just returned from a one week stay in the ocean view unit, and we are already missing it terribly. These units are beautifully decorated, with very comfortable beds. (Several of our friends stayed in nearby Kailua rentals and complained of horrible bedding). The ocean is literally steps away, and while it is a rocky beach area, it is stunning. Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach are a few minutes drive away, though, so sandy beach access is easily accessible. There was some construction/maintenance being done during our stay but it was not disruptive. It's a great deal of work to maintain a home on the ocean, and frankly-- it's a sign that these property owners take pride in their home.
We did not get much opportunity to use the pool as most of our time was spent touring the island, but the pool is beautiful, private, and surrounded with lovely tropical plants. The entire property is clean and wonderful. If you decide to stay here, we recommend eating nearby at Buzz's Steakhouse, Haleiwa Joe's, and the Lanikai Shrimp Shack located at the Kailua Beach Park. There's a Safeway grocery store nearby, so grab some coffee and enjoy the amazing sunrises you will get to see here.
In case it isn't obvious, we highly recommend this property. You will not be disappointed.
Mahalo!!
August 2011
We stayed here for a week on our honeymoon in May and loved every minute! Beautiful, convenient location, very clean & comfortable, newly renovated bathroom, off-street parking, wifi, beach chairs provided - everything we wanted! The owners were lovely and helpful, and gave us great advice about local activities. Plenty of room for two, plus a mini kitchen to store some snacks and two lanais for outdoor breakfasts. Our stay was so relaxing; the pool was gorgeous and the windswept beach backyard was perfect when we didn't feel like contending with crowds on other nearby beaches. Kailua is a fantastic little town filled with great restaurants and beaches, and we much preferred it to the commercial bustle of Honolulu. We explored so much of Oahu and can't wait to come back some day - when we do, we'll certainly be staying here again!
SANDY m.
March 2011
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this vacation rental paradise. The memory foam bed was beyond comfortable and we've never slept so deeply or so well. The trade winds and sound of the ocean lulled us to sleep each night.
The accommodation was beautifully decorated in an upscale beach cottage way--not tacky or overdone. We found it well cared for well supplied in the kitchenette--everything you needed to cook a light snack to a gourmet meal. There was also a grill by the pool which we used often and enjoyed eating dinner on the pool deck with the garden lights and pool waterfalls--very romantic!
Lucinda and Tom were very helpful in providing us with restaurant and sightseeing information as well as a lot of knowledge about the islands in general and off the map places to visit.
January 2011
Located in a residential area, this location offered the convenience of nearby dining and shopping with the ambience of the Pacific right outside the window. We found the drive to either the North side of the island or the Honolulu / Pearl Harbor area an easy drive. We thoroughly enjoyed safe and comfortable walks each morning on the sidewalks and the kitchenette allowed us to stay-in for economical snacks when we wanted to relax. We had no problems in making arrangements for a late arrival. We would love to stay here again on our next visit.
March 2009
This condo was clean and attractive with a gorgeous view of the ocean from the kitchen table or the bedroom. It was very private and decorated with nice furniture, very cottage-like. There was a TV in the bedroom for relaxing in bed and also a great flat TV mounted on the wall. I loved the high ceilings in this unit.
There are a few things that are worth noting. The owner's # is not listed on the info in the condo, so take it with you. It's not stated, but they live below the unit. In the amenities, laundry facilites are listed. However, they are in the owner's garage and you do NOT have access to this; you have to make arrangements with them while they are home--very inconvenient even though they seem very polite. The bed sheets were pilling (little bumps all over them from low quality) and the owner had them replaced immediately.
Also, there is not a kitchen sink--you have to prep food and wash dishes in the sink that you use to wash your hands after the bathroom and use to brush your teeth. There are not stovetop burners--it is a 2 burner hotplate that doesn't cook food very well. There was a tiny charcoal grill on the floor of the lanai that looked broken. We used the small gas grill by the pool.
This condo is right on the ocean, but you can't swim in front due to the high seas and rocky beach. I believe the owners tell you this too. There was once a path to the beach that's now overgrown and the stone walk is all broken with a mound of something under a blue tarp--disappointing. The area by the pool is also a little deceiving. The patio furniture is old and the area is overgrown. We didn't use the pool.
Overall, I think this would be a pleasant stay for a couple of days to see the wonderful town of Kailua with all it's character and shopping. Kailua beach is the best and we really enjoyed eating at Buzz's Original Steakhouse (really good, casual, but a little pricey). I think the listing of "deluxe" is not accurate and if you take note of everything stated above, you'll be fine.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.