Vacation Rentals by Owner

A truly serene place to retreat

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/19/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

I don't even know where to begin to describe the experience I had in Hawaii staying at this "cottage." First, this isn't a cottage. It's the size of my house, and yet somehow it retains a very homey feel. I was always hesitant to leave for the day but excited to know that I could return at night. We were most excited about the kitchen (I love to cook!) and used the bbq extensively. As a head's up, while the kitchen is amazing, if you're an avid cook don't expect to find all your usual favorite kitchen gadgets. Ellen has provided the basics, though! The master bedroom was darling. I personally loved the tub the most. My husband I took turns holding the sprayer for the other person to have a "waterfall" shower in the tub. It was so relaxing and the sounds of the birds and frogs outside made it heavenly. The master bed was super comfortable. I slept better in Hawaii than I do at home. :) The property is stunning. Ellen and Jim do an amazing job maintaining it. I have photos from the property that I may blow up and frame. It's got a gorgeous pond with dripping waterfalls, birds, frogs, and, of course, mosquitos. Bathe in that mosquito repellant. Ellen has a washer and dryer and all the linens you'll need. She also has boogie boards, snorkel goggles, beach chairs, a beach umbrella, beach mats, and more. Ask her about specifics. :) Ellen and Jim are super respectful of privacy and yet at the same time will come out to chat if you're interested in knowing more about the grounds, Hawaii, themselves, etc. Oh, and I forgot to mention that one of my favorite parts of this place was the huge screened in lanai/porch that connects the two properties. We ate breakfast there every day. Our biggest concern when we were choosing a place to stay was whether this place would be too far from the beaches. Here are our thoughts. It's 20 min to Hanalei, which is the best beach we visited. So beautiful, great for swimming, good for kids and adults. While 20 min sounds like a long time, it didn't feel that way at all, especially when it meant returning at the end of the day to this gorgeous home. It's 5 minutes to the trail head leading to Secret Beach, which is gorgeous but no good for swimming. It's about 5-10 minutes from Anini beach, which is great for kids. You're 20 min from Kapa'a (which we didn't visit), 45 min from Lihue (and costco!), and 90-120 min from Wimea Canyon. Thanks so much to Ellen and Jim who shared their space and kittens with us. :) We loved it!

Owner response:Aloha Paula and Brent, Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. We love having guests come and experience the home, property and Kauai. We are truly grateful for the guests we host and the life we live on our beautiful Kauai. Mahalo, Ellen and JIm

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I'd give it 6 stars if I could!

Guest: Debbie (Oklahoma)
Date of Stay: 01/01/12 Review Submitted: 01/16/12

I really cannot say enough about this fantastic place to stay on Kauai. My college-age son and I have been to Kauai three times during the past 3 ½ years, and we have stayed in a total of 5 different places. This is, by FAR, the best place we have stayed, and it is an excellent value. The home is impeccable and so calm and relaxing. There was not a speck of dirt anywhere! The grounds are unbelievably gorgeous. Everything we needed was provided—a vast array of cooking utensils in the heavenly kitchen, a generous supply of linens, beach equipment, laundry detergent, bug spray, sunscreen—everything! Having the bedrooms on opposite sides of the house and having a bathroom for each of us gave my son and me our privacy and ability to spread out without getting in each other’s way. Jim and Ellen were very cheerful and helpful and encouraged us to call on them for anything. It is obvious that Jim and Ellen love this home and love Kauai. We hope to be able to stay here again on our next visit to Kauai; I would book right now if I just knew when we were coming back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Another wonderful stay -- 2nd time

Guest: Texas Mom (Houston, Texas and Bellingham, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/05/11 Review Submitted: 12/13/11

This is my 2nd time at this wonderful B&B. Once again, I have found it such a warm and welcoming experience being here with my daughter and little dog. Ellen & Jim have established an organic garden and continued to share in their bounties of fruit and veggies. Even though we had lots of rain one week, this is just such a relaxing place conducive to reading and quiet naps. I highly recommend this B&B. Having WiFi was a must for me, and that was no problem. The large kitchen allowed us to cook and enjoy the local fare. Farmers markets are closely situated as is Anini Beach. I'll deifinitely be back

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

New Mexico couple and elderly Mom

Guest: MarDom (Gallup, New Mexico)
Date of Stay: 11/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/19/12

Our stay at the Kauai Paradise Inn was all that we had hoped for and more. The description of the home and the surrounding property was right on. The home was very clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. It seems that just about anything we could have needed in a kitchen was provided for. My 85 year old mom, who was unable to accompany us on some of our frequent jaunts around Kauai felt very safe and comfortable in the home during the times when we were gone. It was a great feeling to have this comfortable place as a home base for all the various activities we participated in on Kauai. The grounds themselves were beautifully maintained, and always imparted a feeling of serenity...even on the rainy days. The close proximity of the North shore was a plus, but, we developed a fondness for Kalihiwai Bay,and the beach there also. Ellen and Jim proved themselves to be very friendly, gracious, generous, knowledgeable and helpful hosts. We were also very appreciative of the bounty that they shared with us, including fresh eggs, fruit from the property, and also produce from the garden. Bikes were available for us to use to check out the area. We so enjoyed our stay at the Inn, and would definitely recommend it to just about any kind of family situation with all age groups.

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

Gorgeous, peaceful oasis

Guest: Katarina (Oakland, California)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

Ellen and Jim's property and gardens are amazing, and I could actually feel my spirit being refilled as I walked around the grounds in the mornings and evenings. My favorite part was leaving the windows wide open at night and waking up to the sound of birds, crickets, frogs, and (very distant) roosters. Quite different from the staged Hawaii you get at resorts. 5-minute drive to Kalihiwai beach, which has a swimmable freshwater lagoon where the river meets the ocean. 5-minute drive to Anini beach, which is beautiful and shallow. Less than 10-min. drive to the Kilauea Lighthouse wildlife refuge, where we saw spinner dolphins, endangered birds, and an unforgettable view of the coast. Half-hour drive to Ke'e Beach, Tunnels Beach, Limahuli Garden, and the end of the road, where the trail starts for back-country hikes along the Na Pali coast. Ke'e Beach was our favorite, thanks to a reef that creates a protected bay with very gentle water during the summer. You will definitely need a car here, unless your plan is to hang out in the gardens and enjoy the grounds, or go horseback riding. (Silver Falls Ranch is about a mile from the house -- we almost signed up for a trail ride, but in the end opted for another day at the beach.) Be prepared for a few mosquitoes. Probably unavoidable. Ellen and Jim were great -- friendly and helpful. We could have spent another month exploring the area and resting in this beautiful house. I would love to return to this place someday.

Owner response:Aloha Katarina and Family, What a beautiful review. Thank you so much. Jim and I are so happy to have this piece of heaven on earth and share the experience with others. We are uplifted by all the positive comments and were very happy to have you in the home and in the gardens! Best, Ellen and Jim

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peace and Inspiration in Paradise

Guest: Debby (Lake Forest, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/19/11

My husband and I just spent five nights at Kauai Paradise Inn and I have to say that there is no way for the photos to show how spectacular this property really is. The grounds are stunningly beautiful. We are writers and needed to get away to write without interruption. We found the privacy we sought and we also renewed our romance of 35 years. What a romantic place. Our hosts, Ellen and Jim, were truly hospitable, personal, and available to help with any need we had and to offer a guided tour of the botanical garden. Orchids bloom from trees, many types of fruit are grown on site, and a stream with a waterfall meanders through the grounds. Ellen was very helpful in answering any questions I had before we arrived. Kauai Paradise Inn is located in a very posh neighborhood, tons of room between properties, and owners take pride in keeping up the entire area to look not only welcoming, but gorgeous. We woke up every morning to the sounds of birds singing, and watched the rising sun illuminate the clouds, and the mountains. What a view! I couldn't get enough of it. Every bit of the property was immaculately clean. Linens saluted in the linen closet, beach and picnic equipment were clean and ready to go, a selection of books, games, and DVDs were available. They have a flat screen TV and a sound system, but we never turned it on. We were too relaxed as we enjoyed the quiet and privacy of the place. Kilauea Town has a great fish market with delicious fish plates for lunch, there are upscale boutiques, and a very good health food store and bakery. This side of the island is lush and green. We visited in July, and rain showers came through pretty quickly, which, along with tradewinds, kept the home and entire area cool and comfortable. Ellen invited us to help ourselves from her organic garden and we enjoyed fresh salad, vegetables, and eggs from her chickens. We even had a few light blue colored eggs - delicious! We cooked almost all of our food ourselves in the very well equipped gourmet kitchen. All of the activities of the North Shore of Kauai, including beaches, snorkeling, hiking, and Hanalei are within ten to fifteen minutes away. A few more minutes bring you to the end of the road and the Kalalau trail. We cannot recommend Kauai Paradise Inn highly enough. As it is all on one level it is mostly accessible for people with limited mobility. This would be a beautiful wedding site. Kids will love discovering the frogs at the stream. Thanks, Ellen and Jim.

Owner response:Aloha, Thank you for your positive feed back. When we hear such glowing reviews, we feel happy that we are so blessed to have this serenity and beauty to share. We look forward to seeing you again! A hui hou, Ellen and Jimmy

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A piece of paradise

Guest: Rich, Marilyn and Sonja (Seattle, WA, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 07/28/11

This was truly paradise for us. It was everything we came to Kauai for; quiet, surrounded by lovely flowers, birds, a lovely house in an open, garden-like setting. Fresh fruit and flowers greeted us as we walked in the door. We just set our luggage down to take pictures before we messed it up. Impeccable, functional, relaxed with lovely art and decor. Fresh greens from the garden complimented all our meals. Just walking around the grounds was beautiful; color everywhere, orchids in the trees, egrets, pond and stream, all washed away the tensions of everyday life back home. Jim and Ellen couldn't have been nicer. They are invisible, making it truly feel like your house. We sought them out for island info. Short drives to all the northern island beaches, hikes and attractions. Coming back from a day of boogie boarding and cooking some fresh fish on the grill was devine. We are already talking about how we can return as soon as possible. We've recommended it to any and everyone we've talked to. We've visited all the islands, with a variety of accommodations, and this is our favorite by far.

Owner response:Thank you, Richard and Family! We are so happy to hear these positive responses to the property and home. Our passion for creating a sanctuary are obviously showing! We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful folks visit and share this perfect, special place. Thank you for comimg to Kauai and choosing us for your accommodations! Best, Ellen And Jim

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

Best Family Vacation Spot, ever!

Guest: Isabelle (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 04/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/16/11

We had a perfect family vacation at Ellen and Jim's gorgeous Inn. With three young boys and overly busy lives, the idea of pure relaxation usually feels like a distant fantasy. And if the parents are relaxing the kids are bored. Not here-- Kauai Paradise Inn surpassed our expectations and even the VRBO description. The lovely property was a perfect exploration site for our kids, and the house a luxurious nest for all of us. The photos don't do this home justice because what makes this place so special is that you can immerse in the beauty of the island-- from the fragrant tropical blooms outside your window, to being lulled to restful sleep by the chorus of sweet frogs in the river below-- before you even take the quick trip to one of the many wonderful beaches on earth. The fully equipped home had everything we could imagine needing for a wonderful vacation. For the more adventurous, there is kayaking, ziplining, snorkling, hiking, golfing and boating nearby. Wonderful restaurants line the coast. But the best part was feeling at home immediately-- and of course, never wanting to leave. We can't wait until we can return.

Owner response:Aloha Isabelle And Family, I was just thinking about you all these last few days! Thank you for choosing Kauai Paradise Inn! I was so happy to have met you and your inspirational boys. I have harvested beautiful potatoes and yams. We found a giant horned caterpillar that took 3 weeks to emerge for his chrysalis! We indentified him as a spotted hawk moth. They love sweet potatoes! I tried one of our newest fruiting coconuts yesterday. Yum. Your positive reviewis very appreciated. Thank you. A hui hou, Ellen and Jim

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfection !!

Guest: Walton and Anne (Eagle River, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 02/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/17/11

To escape the Alaska winters we travel every year for approximately a month somewhere warm. It has often been Hawaii or somewhere overseas; so we have experienced all kinds of places. We came across the Kauai Paradise Inn by luck and had our fingers crossed that it would be available. We were ecstatic when we found that it was available and booked it right away. Upon our arrival we were awe struck !! The pictures do not do it justice; it is even nicer! I must say, it was the perfect getaway; from the impeccable elegance of the home, to the dependable cooling Trade Winds of the afternoon, to the scenery, to the fresh flowers placed throughout the house, to the peaceful evenings (and mornings -no roosters); we can honestly say it was perfect !!. If you have concerns about the length of drive to the beaches etc……we went surfing every day and were at the beach in less than 15 minutes, max!! After enjoying the beaches all day, we actually looked forward to going back to the house to cook a great meal in the gourmet kitchen or outside on the grill! The serenity you enjoy while sitting outside, grilling fresh fish, among the lush landscape, watching the sunset, with nobody else around …Oh yes…it far outweighs any location you can hope to find anywhere else on Kauai (or any other island for that matter). Often after dinner we strolled thru the grounds and enjoyed the end of another great day. It is, THAT spectacular, and would highly recommend it!! There are fresh fruit stands just down the road, a great local market for fresh fish, wine, and amenities. It truly felt like home and was hard to say good bye. We will be back. Next time we will be bringing our friends or family to share this place with them! If this place is available – BOOK IT, YOU WILL NOT regret it !!! Walton and Anne – Eagle River, Alaska

Owner response:Thank you Anne and Walt. It was nice meet you and have you enjoy warmth and Kauai's beauty!

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

Paradise Found

Guest: karen from Texas (Houston TX)
Date of Stay: 12/04/10 Review Submitted: 12/10/10

My daughter and I have had a wonderful time here at Paradise Inn. The description was accurate as were the photos. Ellen, the owner, couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant. Her chickens provided us with fresh eggs daily and we feasted on the bananas growing on property. I would highly recommend this property to anyone planning a trip to Kauai. Since we were away from lots of activity, the quiet allowed us to hear the stream flowing on the property at night. Our beds were so comfy giving us restful nights ready for all the activities planned during the day. My only regret is not being able to bring my little dog who is quiet and well behaved. Otherwise, What a great find! !

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Deb and Courtney
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

Wow! Eight days went too fast! Even though we never had a chance to get to know you, your stories and how thismost amazing home came to be.... at least from you, personally, we got a feel of who you are from the stories in the guest book, from the detail, the care and the precision Jim has put into this home. The love and thoughtfulness from you, Ellen in each room, each cupboard. We fell in love with this home, reconnected with "real life" and became strong again. Thank you for letting us be here. Kauai is magical and we will definately be back. God Bless, Deb

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Guest: Roger and Carolyn
Date of Stay: 04/27/10 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

We are a new couple! Thanks to both of you from us for your gracious hospitality and beautiful home.. for our wedding! Your advice regarding Fern Jones was right on the mark and she exceeded our expectations for the traditional Hawaiian wedding. Cindy Marvin was a treasure of chef and as a new friend. Obviously, as others before us say, we absolutely despise the idea of leaving. But we are called home. We will be back. Aloha and Love to both of you. Roger and Carolyn

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Guest: Cathy and Margot
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

Dear Ellen and Jim, Thank you for a wonderful stay and your wonderful hospitality. We loved it all... your beautiful home, the lovely fruit, a magnificent yard, all the birds, the peaceful surroundings... and that was just here at your place. Kauai is magical. Kindest Regards, Cathy and Margot

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Guest: Frazier and Elyssa
Date of Stay: 09/13/09 Review Submitted: 11/20/10

Ellen and Jim, We were so happy to have met the people behind such a beautiful home! Your kindness and flexibility that facilitated our stay will always be remembered with great fondness. We will be your greatest promoters back in California as the "best place on Kauai" for any kind of vacation trip to what is surely our favorite place in the world. Good luck with all your future plans and we intend to see you again as soon as possible. Frazier and Elyssa

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