Wonderful Owner - Super Clean - Gorgeous View!

Sandra G. ()
Review submitted: January 23, 2013   Date of arrival: January 17, 2013

This was my 10th trip to Hawaii, but the first time to stay outside of the Waikiki area. The unit is as described (and actually so much more). Very high end - and top quality. The location provides spectacular views from your own private lanai. It is absolutely spotless and I have never seen a bathroom floor shine like this one. Every detail is considered - from private parking to beach equipment to an activity and restaurant book followed by detailed maps. All the "special extras" that await your arrival such as the fresh fruit, gorgeous fresh flowers, and additional treats just add to the overall memory and experience. We visited Hanauma Bay - only a few minutes away. We spent time at the amazing beaches very close to the unit - and caught both the sunrises and sunsets. We rented a Harley, and spent time in Waikiki and hiking in the parks. Roy's and Teddy's Burgers (both close and with good food) and the local Safeway store was great. Best of all are the owners - Tyra and her family are absolutely amazing - warm, welcoming, helpful, caring. Thank you for the special care you put into this property - it shows in every detail and makes for a worry free, high end vacation. I would not hesitate to recommend this property. Thank you, Tyra!

Recommended for: adventure seekers

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Helpful votes: 12 / 12

A Touch of Paradise

Dana (Denver)
Review submitted: April 1, 2013   Date of arrival: March 23, 2013

I feel seriously torn between keeping this wonderful vacation rental secret to myself or letting others know about a bit of paradise hiding atop Mariner's Ridge in Hawaii Kai. My husband and I just got back from spending a wonderful week in this rental. The rental is a wonderful balance between luxury and practicality. The kitchen area has everything you need to make a sandwich lunch or to pop popcorn for watching a movie while you lounge in the king-sized bed. But you won't want to waste much time on TV, even though there are 2 big screens, because there's so much to do: the beach chairs, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear beg to be taken to the beach. Before heading out the door, take a moment to look carefully at the greenery in the front yard you'll find the flowers that fill your rental growing there! Having grown up in Hawaii, I loved the flowers and the fruit that can only be found in the islands. Leave the chaos of Waikiki and retreat to this hidden gem just outside of Honolulu. It's the best treat you can give yourself!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Amazing Hawaii Kai Rental

Leah Z. (Calgary, Alberta)
Review submitted: March 30, 2013   Date of arrival: January 23, 2013

I would give this rental 6 stars if I could! The location was excellent with good access to everything we wanted to see and do. The neighbourhood the rental was located in was very lush and beautiful. Tyra and her family made us feel very welcome and at home, and were available to help us with any questions we had. The views from the suite are incredible, and the unit was spotlessly clean. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again for our next trip to Oahu.

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Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Wonderful Townhouse

pitotross (Montana)
Review submitted: December 5, 2012   Date of arrival: November 14, 2012

We absolutely loved our stay! Beautiful view, clean, great parking. And most of all owned and managed by a wonderful family.

Recommended for: families with young children

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Helpful votes: 9 / 9

Delightful

Julie K. ()
Review submitted: November 14, 2012   Date of arrival: September 18, 2012

Our stay in this rental was delightful. The accomodations were all we expected and more-not to mention the spectacular views. Our hostess/owner was extremely helpful and welcoming. We would not hesitate to recommend this property to friends and family.

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Helpful votes: 9 / 9

Best Holiday Ever

Vicki H. ()
Review submitted: November 13, 2012   Date of arrival: October 19, 2012

We had the best holiday we have ever had so far in your wonderful place in Hawaii. Thanks Tyra. The place is spotless and has everything we needed, It was very close to Haunauma Bay and you even provided the snorkelling equipment and towels.

We followed your recommendations of where to go on the Island and had a ball. We felt like locals living in the peace and quiet of Hawaii Kai and yet within easy reach of anywhere we wanted to go.

We have referred your place to everyone we know.

We wish you all the best for the future for you and your lovely family.

Much love

Vicki and David

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Helpful votes: 13 / 13

Experience the best Oahu has to offer

Timothy W. (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Review submitted: September 28, 2012   Date of arrival: June 28, 2012

I rented this fantastic apartment for parents to visit us here in Oahu. We live nearby in Hawaii Kai and have found this to be the perfect place them. Hawaii Kai is a great alternative to noisy and crowded Waikiki and convenient to the many places that make Oahu a great place to visit.

This was the perfect place for my parents who are both over 85. The parking is right by the door to the unit with only one step in between. Tyra and her family were great hosts and treated my Mom and Dad like family. It really made their visit a great experience.

The neighborhood is great, the view is spectacular, and the apartment is first class. The little touches provided by the owner are a bonus with tropical flowers, fruit and wine to greet you and make you feel special and appreciated.

I highly recommend!

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Helpful votes: 4 / 4

Another Great Experience Here!!

Timothy W. (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Review submitted: September 28, 2012   Date of arrival: September 11, 2012

This was the second time I have rented this fantastic vacation rental for family visiting from the mainland. We live nearby in Hawaii Kai and have found this to be the perfect place for our visitors. The neighborhood is great, view is spectacular, and the apartment is first class. The little touches provided by the owner are a bonus with tropical flowers, fruit and wine to greet you and make you feel special and appreciated. Hawaii Kai is a great alternative to noisy and crowded Waikiki and convenient to the many places that make Oahu a great place to visit. I highly recommend.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, sight seeing, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Incredible spacious luxuriant best kept secret in Oahu!

Red Jaw 1 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Review submitted: September 1, 2012   Date of arrival: August 13, 2012

This vacation suite is the best kept secret my family and I have ever come across. It's bigger than a hotel suite with all the quality and accommodations. Our hosts even provided complimentary chocolates and wine. It was immaculately clean, cozy and relaxed with a private parking spot and a balcony with a mountain-top breath taking view. This view contained the best of a tropical garden, a lush valley, and a beautiful beach. My family of four was quite comfortable there without the crowding we have endured in your typical 4 star hotel room. The best part by far, however, was the escape from the commercial side of vacationing. It is located in a residential area away from the tourist traps and exploitations found around most major hotels. Our hosts provided snorkeling gear, surf/boogie boards, and even fishing equipment when we wanted to check out local areas for crabbing. They even recommended wonderful restaurants in the area that didn't leave us feeling scalped. We strongly recommend this vacation rental to anyone who loves to vacation without having to put up with the tourist commercialization of it.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet-friendly, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 15 / 15

Perfect Little Hideaway

Taneil U. ()
Review submitted: August 6, 2012   Date of arrival: July 24, 2012

If you want to enjoy all the convenience of Honolulu without the noise, sirens and tourist traps, this Hawaii Kai ridge top nook is perfect. In a tiny space it has everything you could possibly think of to make a stay comfortable, including beach chairs, snorkels and more. The owners make you welcome with flowers, chocolates and wine when you arrive and fruit from the garden (apple bananas!). The view from the lanai spectacular, there is always a cool breeze, everything is clean, and it is a lovely quiet residential neighborhood. I loved looking down from a steep cliff at trees full of birds during the day and looking at the lights of the Marina at night. Hanauma Bay is so close (3.5 miles) that you can be there early enough even on weekends to beat the crowds, and we found wonderful local, non pretentious restaurants and bakeries in Hawaii Kai with great breakfast and sushi. Does not hurt to have Costco right there as well! It is a Hawaii Costco and a great place to pick up your Kona coffee, poke, macadamia nut products and a tankini.

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Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Married couple in 30's with an 11yr old child

Meredith P. (Spokane, WA)
Review submitted: June 29, 2012   Date of arrival: June 17, 2012

Pictures on the website are accurate. Place is clean, bed is comfy and owners are very friendly. The view from the deck is wonderful as it overlooks the city and the ocean in the distance. The owners provided snorkel gear, boogie boards and other beach accessories. The room was lovely and the fresh flowers, bottle of wine and chocolates were wonderful. The location is great too in that Safeway and Costco are just a quick 5-7min drive from the house. We had a wonderful 10 day stay and would suggest this place to all our friends. We would also stay there again.

Many thanks to the owners!

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, people with disabilities, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 2 / 2

Amazing, Gorgeous, and Heavenly

Eric V. (null)
Review submitted: June 28, 2012   Date of arrival: June 10, 2012

What a beautiful condo!!! The pictures do not do this rental justice. The room is beautiful and the bed is so comfortable. There is a view from the lanai of koko marina, kokohead, and the ocean. The lanai is above a gorgous yards filled with banana, orange, and guava trees. Tyra was kind enough to share some of her fresh fruits with us. The living room is well equipped with a comfortable pull-out sofa, a kitchenette with hot plate, dishes, utensils, coffee maker, some foods and condiments, and a refrigerator with drinks. Both the loving room and bedroom have large flat screen televisions and large dressers to make the stay comfortable. There is also a large closet--plenty of space for clothes and luggage. The lanai is furnished and also has a camp oven with stovetop and a bbq. The bathroom is large and well stocked with toiletries. The entire unit is really spacious, clean, and exquisite. The unit is very private, so I was never disturbed by noises (and I didn't have to worry that I was being to loud either). Tyra and her family were very welcoming, respected our privacy, and were available to answer questions. They even let us borrow their paddle boards, boogie boards, fins, snorkel equipment, and beach chairs. It is also worth noting that there is a washer/dryer and linens, towels, and beach towels are supplied. They've really gone above and beyond to make this a wonderful rental, right down to the decorative soaps, fresh fruits and flowers, and a wonderful pikake plant at the entrance. There is also a parking spot in the driveway.
I grew up on Oahu, so I am very familiar with the island and different types of vacation rentals and hotels available. This is a very safe and upscale neighborhood. I will stay here whenever I visit!!!

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Helpful votes: 20 / 20

Quiet and Peaceful

Sean G. (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Review submitted: May 28, 2012   Date of arrival: May 19, 2012

Tyra and her ohana (family) are absolute gems! From the warm welcome with fresh flowers and fruits, to the necessities needed for your stay, all bases are covered. The view from the lanai is breathtaking. The neighborhood you will be staying in (Hawaii Kai) is out of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and provides a nice quiet night when resting. This place is perectly sized for a small family of 4. You will definitely need a rental car, but getting around the island is quite easy with any modern GPS system. Take a trip up 72 on the east side of the island from Hanauma Bay to the North Shore, and your eyes will be pleased... have your camera's ready! We would also recommend a daily wakeup right at sunrise while eating breakfast on the lanai... your mind will be put at ease and you will forget about the stresses of life for that short period of time. Kudos to Tyra for this setup, we will definitely stay here again if we return to Oahu.

The Goins family

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Helpful votes: 8 / 8

Look no further!

DJ (Reseda, California)
Review submitted: January 28, 2012   Date of arrival: November 1, 2011

This place is truly a hidden gem. It is conveniently located, beautifully decorated, and well-maintained. We absolutely loved our stay here. All the little touches really added up...from the fresh fruit and flowers in the front room to the box of chocolate macadamia nuts on the dresser in the bedroom. We especially enjoyed spending time out on the lanai, enjoying the view. But beyond all, it’s the owners that make this a standout rental. Tyra and her family are salt-of-the earth kind of people. We will not forget their hospitality and kindness. Come experience this rental for yourself. The warmth and spirit of the place are difficult to describe in words or capture in a photo.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 20 / 20

Loved our stay

Michael M. ()
Review submitted: January 21, 2012   Date of arrival: October 11, 2011

We really enjoyed our stay here. The photos don't do the view justice; it's really beautiful. The lanai faces east, so you can watch the sun rise over the ocean and Koko Head mountain.

The listing description for this property is accurate, and the property was clean and well-maintained, with a luxury feel. The owners were friendly and helpful. When we asked, they provided great suggestions about things to enjoy in the area (such as snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, which we highly recommend).

The arrangement of fresh tropical flowers from the backyard was a nice touch. When we were there, the "apple bananas" ripened, and we were offered fresh fruit; it was delicious. We don't know how often that happens, but hope that something will be ripening the next time we visit. We definitely recommend this place to our friends and relatives.

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Helpful votes: 5 / 5

Made Us Feel Welcome

Colleen C. ()
Review submitted: December 16, 2011   Date of arrival: December 14, 2011

Lovely rental with beautiful views of East Oahu. Everything you will need for your stay is thoughtfully provided. Very friendly and helpful property manager and her family really made us feel welcome. We are very happy we stayed here.

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Helpful votes: 3 / 3

Great getaway location

TC (Laguna Hills, CA)
Review submitted: November 16, 2011   Date of arrival: October 27, 2011

This place is quite and clean. Has everything you need for a great stay. The unit is 1/2 of a single family home with a private entrance.

There is plenty of privacy along with onsite parking. We ate breakfast on the balcony each morning and took in the great view.

The house is in a residential setting so there are the usual sounds like the random barking dog or morning trash truck, but the noise in minimal. The bedroom is in the back of the unit so you can sleep as late as you want.

The balcony is a great place to relax in the evening after the neighborhood settles down. You'll feel like you are in a tropical paradise listening to all of the birds in the valley below.

Sure beats Waikiki and the constant noise and parking issues.

The hosts are wonderful people who will treat you right.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, sight seeing, romantic getaway

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Helpful votes: 7 / 8