Vacation Rentals by Owner

Quiet Paradise

Guest: Mags (Woodinville, WA/ USA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/12 Review Submitted: 05/18/12

What a beautiful secluded getaway. The apartment was lovely. Karen and Conrad were perfect hosts and had thought of everything we needed to enjoy our vacation. The fresh flowers everyday were a treat. Kilauea was well situated to visit all the island.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great stay at Hale O Kuawa

Guest: Sandra/Jess (Arlington, Tx)
Date of Stay: 04/18/12 Review Submitted: 05/21/12

Hale O Kuawa is great for relaxing and ideal area for exploring all of Kaua'i. It was nice to be able to cook meals on the grill at night. This was our second stay on Hale O Kuawa and if we return to Kaua'i we will make it a third stay.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Kilauea Lodging

Guest: Traveler (New York State)
Date of Stay: 03/06/12 Review Submitted: 03/22/12

Karen and Conrad offer a wonderful quite private rental unit. Everything in the rental is clean and works well. They provide all sorts of extras such as beach mats and towels, books and maps on Kauai, dining and shopping suggestions, etc... to help you during your stay. Kilauea is a good location from which to tour the northern half of Kauai. I highly recommend this place.

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What a Gem!

Guest: D & N (Victoria, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/28/12

Dear Karen & Conrad, Thank you so much for your hospitality! Your place has exceeded our expectations – the web photos didn’t justify the beauty of the place at all. We really enjoyed our stay, your company and everything that beautiful Kauai can offer. Many thanks for inviting us for joining you for dinner one night – we had such a blast in your company! To fellow-travellers: the place is extremely comfortable, clean, tastefully decorated, equipped with everything you could imagine and more. There was even a welcome basket on our arrival with Hawaiian treats and fruit! Karen – you are so kind and thoughtful! As far as location goes, it was also perfect – a short walk (about 10 minutes) and you are in Kilauea town where you can find a fish market, excellent bakery and coffee shops, health food store, restaurant and much more. It was our second visit to Kauai and we knew where exactly we wanted to be on the North Shore. Highlights of the trip: Tunnels beach, Kalihiwai beach (this one was our favourite for boogie-boarding and hanging around and it was within a short (less than 5 minutes) and an easy drive), Waimea Canyon, the Garden Café at Common Grounds (the food was so delicious, fresh and organic and again it was just a short drive), the Kilauea Fish Market as well as the Kilauea Bakery & Coffee shop. They make great pizza at the Bakery, too. And of course, buying fresh produce and fruit at the local farmers` market was such a fabulous experience. Anyway, when ever we visit Kauai in future, we would love to stay at this beautiful place as well as see Karen and Conrad again. We had fun time! Mahalo Karen and Conrad for everything!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Kilauea Stay

Guest: Mary Z. (Olympia, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/05/12 Review Submitted: 03/01/12

Clean, bright, and nicely appointed. Well equipped. Central location for visiting North Shore and Kilauea Area and even close to Kapaa. Very private. Nice Hosts.

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Phenomenal

Guest: Yan (London)
Date of Stay: 01/28/12 Review Submitted: 02/13/12

Hello, Our holidays at Karen & Conrad were unforgettable. They were able to share with us their experience from the island as well as the phenomenal fishing stories! I truly enjoyed the place and would highly recommend it to anyone. North Shore is perfect and Kauai is fabulous. Plan at least 5 days. Cheers, Yan

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautifully landscaped with gracious hosts and all the comforts of home.

Guest: Frequent Kaua'i visitor (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 08/30/11 Review Submitted: 09/15/11

The listing was accurate regarding the location. Photos accurately reflect the rental's appearance and amenities. Property immaculate and well-maintained. Gorgeously landscaped. Very peaceful and tranquil. Wonderful view. Owners very gracious and helpful. Thoughtful touches in rental accommodation. Very comfortable. Would definitely recommend property to a friend or relative.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Parfait !!!

Guest: Delphine (Paris, France)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/11/11

Our stay was delightful, Conrad and Karen are wonderful hosts, you will find everything you need (and much more!) in this very convenient apartment ! We recommand the place to anyone who would like to visit the north shore of Kauai !

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

Relaxing Retreat with Lush Landscaping, Outdoor Shower, and Fabulous Hostess

Guest: Carole (Kansas)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

We highly recommend staying here and look forward to returning. The lack of a full kitchen is no issue. Very clean and nice amenities. The outdoor shower is phenomenal! Enjoyed the sunrises and landscaping. And our hostess Karen was great.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a beautiful, tranquil setting!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

Hale O Kuawa was even more beautiful and immaculate than we expected from the description and photos. We were on Kauai for a wedding and to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of our one-bedroom "home away from home" so much, we ended up spending a lot more time there than we had planned. A special touch was the fresh fragrant Plumeria, Bird of Paradise and Tahitian Ginger flowers placed in the rooms. Our favorite thing was the big, roomy, cutely decorated, warm, outdoor shower. Karen and Conrad were great hosts and fun to talk with. We highly recommend Hale O Kuawa!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful, Charming and Perfect accomodation!!

Guest: Vartika (California)
Date of Stay: 01/26/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/11

We had a wonderful stay at Karen & Conrad's BEAUTIFUL place. It had everything we needed. Fully equipped kitchen, Beach and hiking accessories, Good library collection (specially Kauai information guides, they were very helpful to us). Great cds and dvds collection. We are very thankful for their hospitality and the information provided about the island. We would highly recommend this paradise. Mahalo Karen & Conrod for everything. Hope to see you again :)

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Great first visit to Kauai!

Guest: betsy13 (montana)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/13/11

Thanks so much to Karen and Conrad for a swell first visit to Kauai! We had never been to this gogeous island before and somehow lucked out with four sunny days! The apartment is wonderful, lots of room and comfort, but nothing beats the view off the lanai...it feels like the edge of the earth, and you are surrounded by gorgeous lush foliage! Karen was super helpful, the apartment was accurately described, the rate more than fair, and the extra amenities excellent. They provided everything you might need for a Kauai adventure and more! Be sure to step out at night and catch a huge whiff of their flowering fragrant bush and watch all the many bright stars...the combo was unbelievable! We'll be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

~ We Highly Reccomend this Very Clean, Comfy & Convenient Slice of Heaven ~

Guest: ~ Fred & Britny ~ (Wasilla, AK )
Date of Stay: 10/02/10 Review Submitted: 12/03/10

Choosing the right place to stay while we were on our first vacation together in Kauai was difficult, but it won't be next time, because we know exactly where we'll be staying and that's at Hale 'O Kuawa! The beautiful property is in a great location on our favorite part of the island, the apartment is very clean and comfy and Conrad and Karen were so friendly, offering and accommodating everything we could possibly need or want while staying there. They were very knowledgeable and helpful with tips and info. on where to go and what to do. They went above and beyond our expectations and really made our trip so much more enjoyable. Visits from Pie the Cat while sitting on the patio overlooking the gorgeous view were great! Thank you Conrad and Karen for making our visit to your home a relaxing and unforgettable one! We hope to return soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Love this amazing North Kauai Retreat!

Guest: Teri (Tucson, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 11/05/10

Our family has traveled to Kauai four times in the past 12 years. We have always stayed at the Schmidt's beautiful place. The location is amazing. The beach is minutes away. We love the feel of being in a neighborhood. You feel like you are in the jungle with the mango trees outside the apartment. The view is breathtaking. Their place has everything you need. We prepare almost all of our meals using the appliances they have furnished and the gas grill. We take all of our showers in the outside shower. We think of this place as our second home. We would come here every year if we could. We not only miss the island of Kauai but also this special place the Schmidts have shared with us.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

home away from home only better

Guest: FigArtist from CA (SF Bay area)
Date of Stay: 08/31/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

Karen and Conrad were awesome hosts. I had all the comforts of home without any of the other stuff that goes along with that :) The apartment was lovely and had EVERYTHING anyone could ever need. the library is wonderful. They made my stay MORE than convenient/comfortable (walking sticks, outdoor sink, even butcher paper to cover the tables for my artwork) and the coffee was wonderful. I *would* refer others but we don't want this secret to get out in case I can't get booked back in. :) j/k

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Absolutely Perfect!

Guest: Kiel & Bexs (Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/29/10

I want to start off by thanking Conrad and Karen again for our great stay in Kilauea. Their property is ridiculously beautiful with perfectly manicured grounds. The unit was spacious and extremely clean. It was well stocked with all the "extras" ie. Condiments in the fridge, beach towels, coolers and gear. Even sunburn spray.... All the things you would hate to buy for a short stay. I also wanted to mention the wonderful job they do as hosts. Their knowledge of the island will definitely come in handy. It was a perfect combination of privacy and on-hand local knowledge. Karen has prepared a "owners manual" for Kauai, amazing detail from places to eat, shop, swim, snorkel, etc. Kilauea is great little town, that has a convenient northern location. If I am lucky enough to be able to return.... I would definitely stay here again and recommend to all. Mahalo,

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

Stay away from the tourist fray!

Guest: Palapala (Grand Junction Colorado)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

We ABSOLUTELY LOVE staying at Hale O' Kuawa! There are so many great things to say, but here's the most important. I am a discerning traveler (okay, so my husband says "picky"!) and the bed and the noise level are the two things that will make or break a place of lodging for me. We just finished our 4th time staying here in 10 years. I wanted a place of peace and quiet where I knew the drill and knew the bed would be great. So I convinced my hubby to return to Kilauea. And, it was STILL fantastic. The apartment is wonderfully decorated with great spaces in the bedroom and living areas. The view is incredible - can't see anyone else from the bedroom or the dining room. We love the quiet neighborhood and love waking up each morning to the singing of the birds (and a rooster, here or there). Wonderful to have a washer & dryer right there and even an extra shower outside. Great collection of books to take to the beach and also there are beach chairs, hiking sticks, coolers, backpacks...everything you need to explore. Karen and Conrad are always gracious and welcoming. They maintain their sweet and happy personalities through it all. True hospitality - just like we experienced in Japan! The price is unbelievable for the quality you encounter - in fact, one could spend the same amount of money on food for two for the day if you had to eat out - but, there is a nice pullman kitchen and a barbeque grill on the lanai. We love the location of Kilauea - it has such a nice town feel and not over-run by tourists. I know - we're tourists, too, but we like to pretend we're not part of the crowd. It's close to great and peaceful beaches with snorkeling and hiking within 1/2 to 10 miles. Nice eateries right in the town of Kilauea. The Kilauea ice cream and video store serves the BEST ice cream on the planet, I'm sure of it - I had a least 6 cones during our 10 day stay. Check out the Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Nut in a waffle cone and tell Dan you read it on this site. The seared ahi wrap at The Fish Market was ono (delicious!) and the pizza at the bakery was very tasty, too. Also, the Island Soap and Candle Works near the bakery has the most fantastic Creamy Coconut lotion and pineapple candles (piña colada, anyone?). Be sure to purchase your fill while there, because the shipping is expensive and your minimum order has to be over $40 or so. Be sure to check out the Hindu Monastery and see the granite temple with gold trimmings. Aloha!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic Place

Guest: Brian_ (Denver)
Date of Stay: 03/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/26/10

My girlfriend and I stayed here our first night in Kauai. We came to hike the Kalalau Trail and this property was a good midpoint between the airport and the trailhead. We couldn't have been more pleased with the apartment or the owners. Both Karen and her husband were exceedingly nice and gracious. We traveled with luggage that we were not going to take backpacking and did not want to leave at the trailhead due to theft concerns. Karen was nice enough to allow us to keep the luggage at her place while we backpacked. It was safe and secure when we came back. Thanks! As for the apartment itself, I was really surprised. I wasn't expecting much, but this place was great. Huge book selection to read over, lots of movies to watch if for some reason you want to be in your room instead of outside in the beautiful Hawaii countryside, comfy and large beds, clean bathroom, kitchen to cook in, good view, basically everything I would have wanted. I would live there if given a choice. Price seemed pretty reasonable to me too. In short, don't hesitate to book here. You'll thoroughly enjoy it.

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

Awesome Accommodation

Guest: PP (Canmore Alberta Canada )
Date of Stay: 02/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

We loved our stay! Our only problem was that we booked late and couldn't stay longer. This very comfortable apartment has everything... fabulous hosts, great views, loads of space for 2, all amenities, incredible views, solitude, guide books and island info... We loved the outdoor shower! The apartment is in a quiet neighbourhood and is very close to all that the north coast has to offer. We're keen adventurers and will return!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Garey-Lea & Bob
Date of Stay: 09/22/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

Quiet calm retreat. This was the second visit we had made to Hale O Kuawa in Kilauea. The setting is serene and overlooks the Kilauea Stream valley. Karen's gardens are beautiful. The bedroom is comfy with plenty of closet and bureau space. The living room has a good TV and radio CD player. The kitchen has everything you need to cook breakfast with a two burner stove and a full size refrigerator. The lanai has a grill and frequent visits from Pie, the cat. The bathroom is fully stocked with towels for home and for the beach and a washer dryer. Karen and Conrad have also left coolers, beach mats and beach chairs for you. The use of the outdoor shower makes the whole tropical effect more special. We are looking forward to our next visit.

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Guest: Skip & Dorcee
Date of Stay: 09/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

We love it here! We have stayed at Hale O Kuawa every year for the past 4 years. That you should tell you have much we love it here. The apartment is perfect – comfortable, clean, quiet, it has everything you could possibly need and the view is better than in the photos! Karen & Conrad are wonderful hosts – since they live on-island, they can give you specifics on restaurants, hikes or places to fish (Conrad loves to fish). You just can’t go wrong in staying here!

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Guest: Bill & Jane
Date of Stay: 01/07/09 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

Truly a Taste of Paradise! How can I begin to adequately express how warm and friendly and beautiful our experience at Hale O Kuawa was for so many years, staying in your lovely vacation rental, which was truly our home for Jan., Feb., March and part of April from 2000 to 2009. We arrived to find fresh flowers, green plants and gorgeous orchids throughout the beautifully decorated apartment and always found delicious welcoming surprises in the refrigerator! Everything needed for a day at the beach or a trek in the mountains was there; beach chairs, umbrella, beach mat, coolers, water bottles, etc., it was all there to use. Karen and Conrad, you took us under your wings and told us about and EVEN took us to so many points of interest! And you let us know when you found information about anything interesting taking place on the island; a great help when we were new to Kauai. There were always new interesting and informative books about various aspects of Hawaiian culture and history added to the library each year and a wonderful selection of Hawaiian CD"s, as well as a large collection of video cassettes. And a special delight was using the lovely outdoor shower, even though there was a complete indoor bathroom. What a convenience it was to have a washer and dryer! There was a convenient kitchen with full refrigerator, microwave oven, large toaster convection oven and sturdy two burner stove top plus appliances for every cooking convenience. Once we found Hale O Kuawa, we looked no farther; it was the perfect place to relax in the privacy of the lovely yard overlooking the Kilauea Canyon and perhaps cook something on the grill on the lanai. It is only because of serious family illness that we are not there this year. Karen and Conrad, thank you for soooooo many lovely memories of our time spent with you in beautiful Hale O Kuawa. We love you, Bill and Jane :)

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Guest: Gernd & Irene
Date of Stay: 10/18/88 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

Four days in paradise. We will never forget this place with it’s beautiful flowers and red-colored sun rises. Thank you so much – Karen & Conrad – for providing us with a home far away from home and your hospitality as well. Mahalo & Aloha, Gernd & Irene Gelnhansen, Germany

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