Keith A.
May 2023
We’ve been looking at renting this house for awhile. We typically have a favorite home on Maui we go to but this year it wasn’t available for the time we needed and decided to book Whales Play for the first week in May.
No regrets. This home is EVERYTHING you could want and more. And yet, with the planned remodel it’s still going to be more!
The pictures are spot on. The views. The privacy. The cleanliness. All as expected & no disappointments. We literally never left the property except for morning walks & a run to the grocery store.
Every day was filled with relaxation, soaking up the sun, a dip in the pool, playing games with family & eating. And while it wasn’t whale season, spinner dolphins visited almost every morning & evening.
The kitchen—we’ve been doing this VRBO thing a while now—and we have never seen a kitchen so well supplied. It has every conceivable gadget, doo dad and gizmo you might need.
While not drawbacks, things to know if you stay here:
1) It’s remote. Safeway & Costco are not just 5 mins away. There is a wonderful little Foodland market at Mauna Lani. About 6 miles away. Or you can go up to Waimea which is 11 miles away. But a run to “town”is over 25 miles out.
2) The pool is small. If you are a lap swimmer, it will probably disappoint. Roughly 10 strokes from one end to the other plus there is a curve so it’s only conducive for one person to really swim at a time. But for lounging & cooling off with a million dollar view? It’s the best!
There is a reason this place is a top rated property. From the owner (Sue) to the house manager (Leilani) to the home itself…100% outstanding!
We are already looking forward to our next visit in 2024.
Bill C.
January 2023
The prior reviews are all accurate on this home. This was our 4th trip to the Big Island, and our family was looking for place to escape for 10+ days. This home was perfect for our group of 6. We spent more than 50% of our time at the house, using the pool, walking around the neighborhood and trails, and jogging on the road outside the neighborhood. That said, when we went to the beach, stores, fishing, it was not far. We would definitely return.
Tod E.
December 2022
Beautiful relaxing location
Christopher H.
December 2022
We had an absolutely amazing stay over Thanksgiving this year. Everything was perfection. The house was beautifully appointed and clean. Our kids loved the lanai, pool and hot tub. This home is indoor/outdoor living at its best. Nothing can beat the view. The most perfect sunset’s I’ve seen on Hawai’i! We saw spinner dolphins in the morning too. Leilani (the property manager) was the best. We loved her. She was immediately responsive when we had questions and left the most delicious fruit (the pineapple!!!!) for us on arrival. It’s no wonder this home is VRBO of the year. We will definitely be back. Hopefully soon!
Mark H.
November 2022
Three couples celebrating our 10 year anniversaries took a week away from our 9 children to explore Hawaii. We could not have asked for a better home base. The view is breath taking. So much so that we found ourselves rushing back to the house each day to make sure we were there to watch the sunset. We did much more cooking than we expected because the kitchen was so well equipped and the table on the deck made eating at home a treat. We loved the Gecko dinner time entertainment. It was an amazing vacation and this home set the tone. We loved the location, it felt set apart from the crowds but we were still able to easily tour about the island and saw all the major sites. Thank you for an amazing trip!!
Patrick M.
October 2022
This house has everything you need to relax and decompress. Gorgeous views from every room and spectacular sunset’s. Everything has been thoughtfully provided in all rooms especially the kitchen. I even found a spring form pan to make my husband his birthday cheesecake! Amazing place!
John W.
October 2022
We’ve stayed in many homes on the Big Island, Kauai and Oahu over the past 25 years. Whales Play tops them all. I can’t imagine ever wanting to stay anywhere else. Our host Sue defines what a Premier Host should be and her property manager Leilani was equally responsive and caring. Our Whales Play experience exemplifies the Aloha spirit!
John W.
Hüseyin D.
September 2022
Thank you so much, what a great service, what a great place and house. We loved everything, quiet and peaceful.
Paul R.
August 2022
Sue has outdone herself! The home is great. Period. Best parts: The view. The well-appointed nature of the home. Sue has thought of EVERYTHING you may need. It was more like staying at your best friend's house versus a rental home. Sue, WELL DONE! We hope to be back!
Barbara W.
August 2022
Beautifully appointed property with attention to quality and detail. My husband and children, all young adults in their upper twenties, celebrated our 60th birthdays here. What a beautiful experience! Sue is a delightful host and the home is absolutely stunning, from the gorgeous pool and view to the Asian inspired decor, well-equipped kitchen, and all the amenities you could think of. We spent our mornings exploring different snorkeling beaches and afternoons lazing by the pool or walking the trail behind the house with the stunning ocean views. The pictures are spot on. Not a home for young children. This is a private and secluded experience that caters to rest and relaxation away from the tourists. Oh, and we saw dolphins from the deck! The outdoor shower is a paradise in itself!
Yi B.
August 2022
We enjoyed our stay. The house was spacious, views were amazing, quiet and relaxing. We would stay there again.
Jacqueline J.
July 2022
We (myself, husband, and 22, 16, & 14 year old children) stayed at Whale’s Play for 6 nights and then went to Maui for 6 nights. None of us wanted to leave. We still wish we would have stayed there our entire trip. The view is perfect and so many options of where to sit to soak it in! We loved meals at the outdoor table, coffee in the loungers, reading a book by the pool, standing at the edge of the infinity pool, laying in the poolside loungers…all spectacular!
Mai H.
June 2022
Even in the off season for whale watching, you’ll still be able to enjoy the peacefulness of Kohala Coast while seeing dolphins from time to time. The amenities are top-notched. The only hiccup was the grill ran out of gas and there was no back-up.
Ginger S.
June 2022
Let us start by saying upon entering the house, you immediately feel relaxed. The entrance has a zen like quality with Hawaiian touches and a beautiful waterfall feature. The outdoor space is perfect for those who want shade or to soak up the rays with a nice Hawaiian breeze. There were several days we saw dolphins swim past and using the telescope was an added bonus, especially with the sound of the waves crashing into shore. If you’re a birder, this home offers plenty to see, from barn owls, to parakeets, cardinals, and anything else you can imagine. There is a fantastic walking path nearby where you can view ancient Hawaiian structures, tide pools, tropical fish, and a natural blow hole. Each room in the home boasts a gorgeous view of the ocean, even from the kitchen, and sunsets are a must see! The spa and infinity pool are only an added bonus to this gorgeous home and all of the amenities it offers.
Laura C.
May 2022
My husband and I stayed here for a week with another couple to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The house was gorgeous, clean, and very comfortable with every amenity we needed. The view off the porch was amazing. The host and property manager were friendly and responsive. I highly recommend.
Mai H.
January 2022
If you're looking for a secluded, oceanfront vacation home for close friends and family, I highly recommend Whales Play. The oceanfront property provides you with daily viewing of whales, dolphins, and impressive sunsets, while leaving out the hustling/bustling found at resorts.
Like other reviewers mentioned, the kitchen is exceptionally well-equipped and well-cared for - a level above what is often found at other high-end vacation homes.
The weather was pleasant while we were there, even in the middle of December. The winds can be a bit intense on some days, but helped keep the bugs away.
Sue and her property management team were very responsive. I can see a sense of their pride in Whales Play. On the day we were supposed to leave, our flight was delayed by almost 6 hours. Sue and Lei were very generous and accommodating, allowing us to check out late.
This was a memorable stay and I hope to return in the future.
Mark B.
January 2022
You could list a lot of complaints about this house - not every whale you saw breached, the meals didn't make themselves, we actually saw clouds, etc. But seriously, this was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken. Perfect house, communication, and stay. Thank you!!!
Daniela S.
January 2022
We had a great stay at Sue’s house over Christmas. Home is well appointed with anything one might need. Quiet neighborhood. We all enjoyed the pool and hot tub/ spa. Sue and Leilani went above an beyond and made sure we had items for breakfast since we were suppose to arrive late. It was a blessing since our flight ended up being delayed for 3h. Thank you Sue for sharing your beautiful home!
Meredith K.
November 2021
My husband and I had the most amazing 5 night stay at Whales Play. The location is truly perfect - close enough to a few towns but very peaceful and beautiful. Nothing can beat the sunset views. The house is lovely, immaculate and fully stocked with anything you could need to cook, for the beach, etc. We had high expectations based on the pictures and stellar reviews, and still this home managed to exceed them in every way. We very much hope to return one day!
Megan S.
October 2021
Very beautiful location with very usable space, well apportioned kitchen with more than the usual cooking paraphernalia for those that like to cook, and comfortable beds. Staff very helpful for the issues that came up. Loved the lanai and the views. Sorry to have to go home!
Stephen A.
September 2021
Beautiful, well cared for home with a stunning view. Manager very responsive. We hope to return someday.
Katherine H.
September 2021
Aside from the mesmerizing views from the wrap around deck and the sound of the rhythmic crashes of waves onto the black lava formations, the two weeks spent staying on Lauhau Drive left us nothing short of yearning for more! We will definitely return to this island and of course this home if available!
Nick D.
September 2021
This place is amazing and even better than advertised. Sue is a wonderful, responsive host. Would love to stay here again
Asako S.
August 2021
We've visited the Big Island many times so we knew we wanted a relaxing and quiet getaway away from all the resorts. Everything is a 15 - 20 minute drive away (restaurants, shopping). The house was very private and we never saw any neighbors except from a distance. The house is stocked with every appliance you can think of and was very spacious and clean. The pool and hot tub are also well maintained. House is decorated with interesting artwork and thoughtfully selected. The oceanview is amazing and incredibly peaceful. The property manager and owner were very responsive. I can't think of a single thing to complain about except for all the light switches! Hard to track which switch turns on/off which lights. We would love to go back!
Robert A.
August 2021
Easy process, unbelievable place, everything is there except and drink. Anything you can think of, it was there! We will be back. Thanks Sue & RJ….
Wayne C.
August 2021
I spend a ton of time picking out family vacation rentals. I look for something special. I need a pool, hot tub, house with an updated layout, decorations, and finished. Most importantly...I NEED A VIEW!! OMG does this house have THE VIEW! And it has all the other things I look for. The owner built something VERY special there. This is a mini-resort...your own private resort. And it is all setup and stocked for you like as if you had a rich relative who lives there and would be gone for a week and is letting you stay there while they are away. The pool and hottub are heated comfortably. The kitchen very well equipped. They have a Keurig coffee maker, drip coffee maker, and french press. I always need to know the coffee situation prior to arriving--its critical. The house is so peaceful. The view to the ocean, mountain/volcano, the sky, the stars, the daily numerous dolphins pods swimming past....what more could you ask for. The house manage Lei did a great job with my questions. Easy to get and and pack up. Wifi was solid. We never used the TV's. The sun does get VERY HOT and is VERY STRONG. I got my first 'peeling' sunburn here since I was a teenager. I suggest planning your lounging around the pool/patio time up through lunch, then moving to the lanai loungers fter lunch. Between 5-7pm the sun pushes rays into the house, but then at 7pm you get that beautiful highly sunset...oh man...our whole family stopped whatever
we were doing at 7pm to see the sun go over the horizon. Spectacular. We all laid out on the patio one night with all the lights off and watched the stars...special family moments. I could go on. You'll love this place. It's a rare gem. Book it if you can get it. 👍
Christopher W.
August 2021
I cannot say enough nice things about the house and the management,. Owner and property manger were very responsive and helped with all our questions. The house was very well equipped and extremely comfortable....and the VIEW...does not get any better. We have been to the Big Island many times and the Kohala northern coast location is the best. Thank you for making our family trip so special
Patricia C.
July 2021
The house is impeccably decorated and furnished with everything you need to prepare meals. The owner is fabulous, as is her maintenance and management teams. I highly recommend this home and owner.
Rick S.
June 2021
Me and my wife never had a honeymoon because of family health issues after our wedding. We were amazed by the uninterrupted views from the entire house! We were pleased with the fixtures and up fittings of the home. This was a once in a lifetime trip and I was very nervous about the cost because of our overall budget, but the home and view was worth every penny. If you want to be away from it all, but also close enough to everything this is the place to stay. Ohhh once last thing, could not of asked for a better host. We could not be happier with the communications, the assistance with planning such a major trip and the quick responses to any issues we ran into.
Highly Recommend This Home!
Clint C.
June 2021
We were blown away by the view and the property. This is the best property we have ever stayed at while visiting the islands. The kitchen has every amenity you would find in your own kitchen. The property has plenty of beach gear and everything you need to make your stay fabulous.
Use the "Visit Owner's Website" link to read more reviews from the reservation site, including the latest reviews submitted by recent guests.