Wonderful place

Guest: Pallav M.
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/26/11

Immaculately appointed, spacious condo with stunning views! We traveled with our 3 children, ages 9, 7 and 2 and they loved it more than we did. Specifics: * The owner was very informative, and thoughtfully addressed all my questions. Immediately answered emails and phone calls. Property manager also helpful though I didn't get a call back from her for an update regarding a minor issue with the washing machine (was fine) * The grounds has a small, but new, rec center with a small gym and infinity pool. Fine for a quick workout, and pool fine for small children. * Property has a garage with GD opener, though it's tight for an SUV * 2nd floor without elevator so will have to go up and down stairs (my 2 yr old had to be carried often) * The minute we opened the door, we knew we had picked the right place, as you immediately see the ocean behind the lanai. We loved our dinners on the lanai as I grilled fish on the Wolf grill. * Kitchen is brand new and very well stocked (I think there were more utensils/appliances and other useful stuff - most of it Williams Sonoma and All-clad - than in my own kitchen - my kids loved the citrus juicer) Coffee machine was fine, but may need an update given we're dealing with the best coffee in the world! * The bedrooms are VERY spacious, with comfortable, soft mattresses and nice linens. We weren't even sure which was the master as 2 bedrooms have large en suite bathrooms, with jacuzzi's. WE picked the one with the best view, though no bad views. * Speakers throughout house, including lanai, though wasn't sure how to use them so didn't try. * LOVED being able to charge to room both at Hapuna and Mauna Kea hotels. We also get full access to both hotel's facilites and beaches included in cost - not the case with Hualalai. Mauna Kea is great beach with very nice snorkeling. * You can't really walk to beach as you have to cross main highway, but it's about a 2 minute drive and you get club access parking * Mauna Kea just seems like a livelier hotel. Hapuna Prince, while gorgeously situated, seems eerily empty. Restaurants great at both places. Staff very friendly at both, including at beach. Wish they would offer beach service for drinks, but I think bc it's public, no can do * Boogie Boards and Snorkel gear in the condo/garage The place made a wonderful vacation extraordinary. Definitely returning - even though it's about 11 hrs for us!)

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Highly recommend

Guest: Mike (Mountain Vew, CA USA)
Date of Stay: 08/13/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

When you see places like this on VRBO you kind of wonder if it is as nice as it looks. When we arrived and opened the door, we were awestruck! It's fabulous!! We couldn't believe we had chosen such a great place. The pictures on the VRBO site give just a taste of this lovely Condo. The unit and grounds are very clean, well maintained, and the unit is stocked with all manner of very nice kitchen/dining utensils. The sunsets are fabulous from the Lanai, the nightly ocean breezes were "made to order." The shared salt-water swimming pool was very nice and just a short walk away. The staff at the Mauna Kea were helpful, friendly, and accomodating. The beaches are nearby and, while I guess you could walk there, I think you'd end up driving - but it's just a couple of minutes of mostly driving through the resort grounds past golfers and people on bikes. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat and have already recommended it to several of my friends.

Owner response:Mahalo nui loa -- we are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay. Kipa hou mai (come visit us again).

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway, age 55+.

A Great Place to Stay

Guest: Kohala Traveler (Berkeley, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/04/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

We all had a terrific time -- 5 adults -- at this wonderful, clean and well-furnished unit. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen had everything we needed (and more). The deck was a terrific place to relax and watch the sunset (which we did each night). The convenience of having a washer dryer was an added plus. The owners thought of everything, including great toiletries in the showers, shower cap, hair dryer -- really, everything you need for a stress-free vacation. We will certainly be back. Mahalo

Owner response:We truly appreciate your taking the time to submit this review. Our Mauna Kea team strives to make every guest's experience a positive one. We thank you for your comments and look forward to your return. Mahalo.

Recommended for:

Paradise!

Guest: Susan, International flight attendant (Bend Oregon USA)
Date of Stay: 03/18/09 Review Submitted: 04/19/10

Wow, simply fabulous from the moment we arrived!! Luxury at it's finest. We were 5 adults with 3 children. Wonderful taste in decorating. It felt very private and completely safe. Gorgeous retractable wall to watch the sunsets at night. Workout room just a short walk up the road. As the cook, the kitchen had everything and more, I loved the dishwashers!! Two masters was a bonus. I will recommend this to passengers whenever I can. Both hotel properties were lovely, our toughest decision every day was which one to go to first?! Thanks for the memories.

Owner response:Susan, mahalo for your review - we're looking forward to your return!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/16/10 Review Submitted: 03/16/10

We had a wonderful time at this large and beautifully furnished condo. There were 6 adults and one baby in our party, and plenty of room for all. The condo has a great ocean view from the living room, lanai, and two of the three bedrooms. We were able to see humpback whales spouting and breaching from the lanai. We ate most of our meals on the lanai--kitchen was modern and well-equipped. We particularly enjoyed access to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Hotel that comes with the condo. It was easy to drive there, park, and use the beach facilities, chairs, pools... Our family particularly liked the Hapuna Beach Prince for its enormous pool, grassy area with beach chairs and umbrellas, and lovely beach. This made the condo the best of both worlds: privacy, space, views, ease of cooking, plus full hotel access. Plus being very cost effective compared to the cost of 3 hotel rooms at these moderately expensive hotels.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/10/10 Review Submitted: 03/10/10

WOW! This condo was perfect. It is beautiful, luxurious, well-appointed, quiet and comfortable. We had a tiny problem with the outdoor BBQ which was quickly handled by the on-site maintenance staff, but otherwise it was a magical vacation. The view is sublime, the rec center/gym/pool was as nice as possible and the location is primo. We loved having access to the Mauna Kea Hotel (Hapuna Prince is not great, though) and we enthusiastically recommend ALL the restaurants at the Mauna Kea. We'd definitely stay at this unit again--hopefully very soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: Ann Emmerson (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 02/28/10 Review Submitted: 02/28/10

Could not have asked for any other comfort than what we enjoyed here. Spectacular ocean and coastline view in a quiet, well-maintained setting, with a responsive and attentive management staff. Five stars!

Owner response:Mahalo!! We are looking forward to your return next year.

Recommended for:

Guest: Seth Hurwitz (Bethesda, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/01/10

Beautiful, wonderful, with tons of details and accessories that were as if we had lived there and added them over several years one thing though...no wireless internet, so we had to plug in to wall ethernet jack...very minor considering, but it did promise wireless other than that, if every condo was this well appointed and managed, I don't know if I'd ever choose a hotel again

Owner response:Mahalo for taking the time to comment - we are pleased that you had such a wonderful stay. We will work on the wireless -- it is there, but perhaps needs to be reset. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future. A hui hou.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/17/09 Review Submitted: 08/17/09

Our family recently returned from a wonderful vacation on the Big Island. It was enhanced by our accommodations at Wai ‘ula ‘ula. This condo was spacious, immaculate, and absolutely gorgeous. The photos on the website don’t begin to do it justice. The kitchen was thoughtfully and completely equipped with high quality appointments. We even baked a birthday cake for one of our family members. As former frequent guests at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, we were concerned that going to the beach would be a hassle—not so! It is a short 3 minute drive. Since we had access to both Hapuna Beach Prince and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel we took the opportunity to check out the rooms at each place. The verdict was unanimous—Bryan's condo was the best choice by far and represents an excellent value. We will definitely return and not even consider staying at either hotel, opting for this condo instead.

Owner response:It is thrilling to us to know that our guests enjoy this home as much as we do. Mahalo for being such gracious guests.

Recommended for:

Guest: John Mangold (San Frfancisco, Ca)
Date of Stay: 05/19/09 Review Submitted: 05/19/09

This condo allowed the four of us to have the most relaxed vacation ever. The unit is exquisitely furnished, and the views from the lanai are outstanding. Access to the amenity center and the Mauna Kea beach itself only added to the ambience of the stay at the Kohala coast region of the big island. Bryan was most accommodating in addressing our questions and needs. In short, this is a place we would like to revisit soon, and recommend heartily. Cheers!!!!!

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