Beautiful Home, Beautiful Stay in Hanalei December 2011

Guest: Shar (California)
Date of Stay: 12/05/11 Review Submitted: 02/06/12

We had a wonderful stay at this lovely home that is even prettier than the pictures. It is immaculate in every sense, comfortable and inviting. It is well stocked with everything you would need, books, games, toys, and of course a kitchen with everything including a blender to make tropical drinks, make sure you pick one of the great limes from the tree in the yard. I love how close it is to both the beach and town. We walked everywhere. Can't wait to go back to stay at Maluhia.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

golfer

Guest: golfer (Ca.)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 02/06/12

outstanding location, beautiful location and very clean. Will go back next year

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Best Stay in Hanalei

Guest: Nancy T. (Tiburon, CA/ Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 11/30/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

The week stay we had at this home in Hanalei is one of our family's top ten family vacations that we have taken. We stayed in the top half of the house, and there was plenty of room for all four of us. We often bought beautiful fish and fruit to eat in as the kitchen is fully stocked with utensils, including an excellent blender for mixing tropical drinks! The ease and proximity to the beach, which has a life guard station and shower right there was incredible and we walked and swam there everyday, as there were never too many people crowding that area though the scenery is spectacular. There are also kayaking and surfing lessons you can take just a few minutes walk down the beach. The neighborhood the house is situated in is incredibly friendly and relaxing. We highly recommend this fun and enjoyable house!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Awesome

Guest: Kauai (Nevada City CA)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

Just wanted to thank you for sharing your lovely home with my family! It was perfect in every way. Everything we needed and so much more was available. Your list of things to do and places to eat were spot on. Beaux was marvelous and most attentive. We will definitely visit again!! What a marvelous island. We went on a catamaran, snorkeled, zip lined, kayaked, hiked in Canyon State Park, hiked along the coast, visited the light house and botanical gardens, watched sunsets at Hannalei beach and at the St. Regis!! And even found time to dip into the ocean. We barbecued several times, loving the fish selection at Dolphin Fish Market and indulged in lots of poke!! Postcards was excellent as was Caffe Coco! Luau was perfect Overall my family had an awesome time. Perfect holiday treat for all of us!! Again, thanks so much for letting us experience Kauai, Hannelei, and the beauty of the island with your home as our base! It was the perfect setting for evening cocktails and dinner and of course listening to the roosters in the early hours!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

The Best of Hanalei

Guest: Rod H. (Beaufort)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

This winter will be my 9th consecutive year vacationing in Hanalei. It will be my 4th consecutive year staying at “Mahulia Hanalei” (this house). This place is perfect. It is quiet, located at the end of a cul-de-sac, but close to everything. I can walk to the beach one block away and I can easily walk to town. The house is very comfortable and beautifully decorated. The bedrooms are spacious and the dining room and kitchen are huge and well equipped. The owner has made sure that everything you need for a great time is there, snorkel gear, boogie boards, beach chairs and mats. There are games and movies for the kids on rainy days. My family and friends are always thrilled when I announce our vacation dates knowing they will be back at “Mahulia Hanalei”. There is a lime tree in the back yard with the biggest limes I’ve ever seen. Great for cooking and margaritas. The air is always filled with the sweet aroma of Hawaii, night jasmine, plumeria, and hibiscus. The yard is neatly landscaped and well maintained. There is a great lawn in the back for croquette (yes there is a croquette set). The house has a huge wrap around lanai upstairs and we have had the greatest family meals out there. This house is so special to me and the memories I have of staying there will be with my family, friends and I forever.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

bugs, Bugs, and more BUGS!!!

Guest: Ed (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

This was our first time to Kauai and we spent ten days in this house. Ants are everywhere, especially in the kitchen! Cockroaches like to crawl around where the children are sleeping! And of course the mosquitoes. We spent over $250 during our stay to try and keep the mosquitoes from eating us alive!! It didn't work. We had six children with us ages from 9 years to 7 months, we were appalled at how bad all of their skin was from the bites. It was so bad it, by the end of the trip, they looked as if they had the chicken pox!! This house IS conveniently located in Hanalei, walking distance to the bay and to shopping. But the house is set back in high&dense foliage. So not only is it a haven for insects but the house is extremely hot. Most places in Kauai don't have AC, but the so called "trade winds" are supposed to keep houses cool. This house, again, is surrounded by high trees and plants and gets no breeze. It is unbearable to be inside during the day. This house had many major appliances that need repair or were flat out broken. (Stove, microwave, dishwasher, dryer.) When the owners ask for "x" amount a week to stay in this place, there should be more than a few notes posted on these appliances saying "sorry does not work". This is also a split floor plan, there are no major appliances down stairs. The down stairs (indoor) shower has very low water pressure. There is an outdoor shower downstairs but dont use (even to rinse off) you will be eaten alive! Another important note: this property has permanent residents on either side of it. Even though you are on vacation, they are not!! If you have active children playing or try to have a conversation on the lanai after 8pm they will call the police on you. The neighbors are not friendly and seem down right pissed that people vacation in "their neighborhood". We will not consider this property again.

Owner response:This review is full of exaggerations, mis-statements and erroneous information. In addition, there is a very relevant backstory associated with this group. One night during their stay there was a horrendous, extremely loud, long, profanity-filled fight that took place, accompanied by the crying of the terrified children who were in the house when it happened. All of my neighbors were out in the street, and one of them called me while another one called the police. I got calls from three different people in the neighborhood telling me how horrible it was, and how much foul language had been used. When I phoned and spoke with the member of the group who had rented the house from me, she told me that her daughter and her partner had gotten into a fight. She also told me that they really liked the house and everything was fine. How surprised could he have been if people (including other renters staying nearby) were not friendly after this unprecedented incident? My feeling is that this gentleman got in trouble with the police,who did indeed come to the house, that he was probably seriously reprimanded, and was embarrassed. His assessment of the house was seriously impaired by this terribly negative incident which happened early in their stay and from that time on he apparently felt compelled to find fault with everything. Please contact me for further clarification on specific points in his review. I can explain and most assuredly set your mind at ease regarding all of them. I would do that here but space does not permit. I can clarify his ”broken appliances” statement (there was one cooktop that broke right before that group arrived and we did not have time to replace it, but the other main cooking facilities were available) and refute the severity of the bugs and the heat issues. Suffice to say that my home is beautiful, well maintained, meticulously cleaned, looked after, and kept in as perfect order as is possible. My housekeepers check everything between rentals and we replace whatever is not in perfect working order. I can supply any number of references who will attest to the true nature of my home. These folks will tell you that my house is beautiful, well maintained, fully equipped, and a wonderful place to stay. Please do not be deterred by the one bad review from an unhappy and disgruntled guest who got himself in trouble and then lashed out once again, which is what got him in trouble in the first place.

Recommended for:

Family Vaca in Hanalei

Guest: Jess A. (Utah)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 07/08/11

We took the whole family to Hanalei for a vacation in June and rented the Plumeria and Hibiscus suites. We had 7 adults and 3 grand babies (7 yr, 3yr, and 10 months) in all. My oldest son, his wife, and 3 kids stayed in the Plumeria suite and loved having their own space. My wife and I, another son and his wife (both 25yr) and my youngest son (22 yr) were in the upper Hibiscus suite. We had plenty of room for family meals and get-together's in the Hibiscus suite. The kitchen was completely stocked with everything needed to prepare meals. The house was a block from the sand of Hanalei Bay. The grand kids loved swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding etc. The water was safe and warm with lifeguards on duty. Downtown Hanalei was a short stroll away and had everything we needed as far as groceries, restaurants (Tiki Man Pizza and Bubba's Burgers were favs), board rentals, and shops. The property was just as described. It was clean and well stocked (towels, sand toys, chairs, umbrellas, even some fins and snorkel gear) with everything needed for a good day on the beach. It was a great experience for the whole family.

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers.

Our Hawaii "Home"

Guest: Bookbird (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 02/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

This is the third time we have rented Marney's house and we feel like it is our home away from home. It is two blocks from the Hanalei Pavilion and the beach and well situated to walk into Hanalei Town. The house is very pretty and airy with a lovely lanai and beautiful garden. The kitchen is well supplied for those who like to cook and the bathrooms are up to date and attractive. Also available is a well stocked closet with beach toys and boogie boards. And we also like the fact that you can rent the other units if your family is expanded. We have rented all 3 at one time or another and they are all nice. The house is well-maintained and Marney has a good property manager to help you.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Finding Puff the Magic Dragon in Hanalei

Guest: Susy (Davis, Ca)
Date of Stay: 11/02/10 Review Submitted: 11/02/10

Since we discovered this home in 2003, our family has rented the 3 units individually as well as enjoying the entire house for our extended family vacations. Simply put, when we turn right on Aku Road we know we are at our home away from home in Kauai. The owners have put so many thoughtful touches into each unit. It's impossible not to relax & enjoy the expansive lanai; the nature preserve, the 1 minute walk to the most beautiful beach in the world - but don't tell anyone, and the short stroll to Hanalei town. We alternate between cooking meals with farmer's market fare & fresh catch from the local markets & enjoying a dinner out either in Hanalei or a short drive to one of the neighboring communities. My granddaughter really thinks that this house is our "beach house"; I so wish she was right. Everything one needs for a family vacation is provided from washers & dryers on both levels to microwaves to beach towels, chairs, sand toys and boogie boards. You will not regret a stay here.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Deep Rest on Kauai

Guest: Deep Rest for the Wild Goddess (Santa Barbara, California 93108)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 09/26/10

My experience of this wonderful home as the site of retreats to "Allow Deep Rest to Awaken the Wild Goddess!" has been fabulous! Eight women had the privilege of this peaceful sanctuary, so private and still just steps from the beach. All our needs for alone time, shared meals, safety and comfort are met in this space. The bird calls, exquisite flowers, and the quiet accompaniment of the river just heavenly for truly resting. We did yoga on the deck and at the beach, meditated twice a day in the living room together and danced! We leave our retreat full of shared joys, tears, wisdom, and magic as the wild goddess emerged! Thanks to this well equipped, delightful vacation site for a successful adventure that will continue to bless us all for years to come!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.