Family getaway for the Oganesov-Deans, Hacienda Heights

Guest: Barbara (Hacienda Heights, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/27/10

What does it tell you that the very evening we returned home from Kauai, we forfeited sleep to get on the computer to check the calendar for this condo in hopes that we might come back next year. Though we entered the front door for the first time as vacation renters, it took only seconds for us to feel like invited guests in someone's lovely and comfortable home. The condo is immaculate and cozy with wonderful art on the walls and great attention to detail in the decorating. Whoever put things together has a wonderful eye, and it humbled us that we should be entrusted with this amazing place during our visit. Further, whoever chose the furnishings has a great eye for beauty and great feel for quality and comfort. The web site photos, as nice as they are, just don't do justice to the reality. Look at the photo of the lanai and the spray from the waves crashing on the rocks just a few feet away. That is a true photo, and we never tired of sitting out there to watch and listen. And, yes, to enjoy amazing sunsets. A special provision to enhance the enjoyment is the bar height table and chairs which makes it easy to look above and over the lanai railing. Once again, great attention to detail. Others on the site have referred to the great location so I will not repeat all that. And Bud, along with other guests, has left a book full of suggestions on places to eat and visit. Do NOT pass this rental up.....that is, unless you happen to want to come at the same time we do next year.....and the next.....and down the line. On a practical note, the kitchen is very well stocked with plates, cookware, and utensels. There is a good sized washer/dryer, and we found plenty of detergent available. Beach mats and beach towels were also available. The set-up was perfect for us--a group of six. My daughter and son-in-law took the master bedroom which has its adjoining bath. My friend and I shared the twin bedroom (and when there's a couple, those twins can be converted into a king). And my little grandsons shared the pull out sofa bed. There is a nice pool/jacuzzi very near the condo, just a few steps away, and the boys, especially enjoyed that. In our opinion, this unit at the Makahuena is one of the prime ones there. There is absolutely nothing between this condo and the ocean, so views are unimpaired. In all ways, this is a jewel of a find., and the owner is very accommodating and easy to work with.

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

Nice & Unique Place

Guest: Marie77777 (Sterling, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 05/03/10 Review Submitted: 05/08/10

We enjoyed staying here, the beds were very comfortable, the grounds are beautiful, and watching the crashing waves from the lanai was mesmorizing any hour of the day. The hike to the Hyatt and shipwreck beach was nice too!

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

Guest: The Currans (-)
Date of Stay: 01/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

Guest: The Currans Date of Stay: January 1, 2010 Review Submitted: March 29, 2010 Guest Review - Feb 11, 2010 "Our annual visit to Shangrala." Why we've spent the last five January's at Bud and Kathys home away from home is easy to put into words.It's always immaculate and the decor is fabulous. I spend my days on the patio listening to the surf pounding on the cliffs and watching for huge water spouts as the whales pass by on their annual migration route.You can often catch sight of dolphin's chasing a school of fish or watch a huge turtle swimming against the surf just before it crashes against the rocks below.A ten minute walk takes us to the village of Poipu where there is formal type dining to be had, or if you prefer a more casual approach there's the local pub's. If your feeling adventurous there are the trips on the catamaran to whale watch close up, or if you prefer a lesson on deep sea diving,it's all within a ten minute drive from the condo.If you walk in either direction you can visit the Hyatt or the Sheraton hotels where time can be spent browsing the various gift shops or just enjoy a coffee on the veranda with its spectacular views.Because it's due South you have both early morning sunrise and spectacular sunset's just outside your window, alway accompanied by the sound of the ocean pounding on the rocks below.Arriving each year is a favorite experience, and if you ask me what i like least, well that's easy it's leaving the Makahuena.Thank you Bud and Kathy for letting us share your beautiful home each year, we cant wait till next January.

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Guest: God Created This Awesome Place (-)
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

Thanksgiving 07” What a wonderful place to be thankful at- God created this awesome place – Thank you for sharing your retreat with us.

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Guest: Family of Six (-)
Date of Stay: 05/09/08 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

Bud & Kathy, Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. The six of us were very comfortable. You allowed us as a family to enjoy this beautiful island. Even though the weather was quite rainiy at times we were still able to walk along the beaches, zipline in the mountains. I can’t imagine a more perfect place to stay. The sunsets were amazing; the whales, dolphins, turtles were a joy to watch. You do indeed have a piece of paradise. We hope to come again. A Family Affair May 9, 2008

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Guest: Honeymoon Couple (-)
Date of Stay: 05/08/08 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

To Bud & Kathy, We just wanted to say Thank You for allowing us to stay @ your beautiful condo. The view is fabulous and it’s so peaceful to hear the waves crashing the shore as we sleep. We are here on our honeymoon. Could not have been in a more beautiful place.

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Guest: Family Time (-)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

We have enjoyed our stay in Kauai. What a great way to spend time together as a family. We too have enjoyed this condo-the location is second to none! Listening to the waves breaking; watching the sun setting; catching a glimpse of a spouting whale….all in the setting of this tastefully decorated condo., Thanks for sharing. We enjoyed a Napali Tour with the Napali Exploration Co, Dinner @ Pizzetta; and the Diner in Lihue was great too. A trip to Kipo Falls was challenging, yet exciting! Really enjoyed it all; even with the “power “ weather. Would love to to come back if it is possible.

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Guest: The Rheinhardts (-)
Date of Stay: 02/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

Thursday, February 1, 2007 Bud and Kathy I think we found “heaven on earth” enjoying your beautiful home. Thank you for sharing the sunrises, sunsets, trutle and whales all from the lanai. Our favorite beach to snorkeling was Lawa’i. We were lucky enough to be at Poipu Beach when the area celebrity showed up (The Monk Seal) for his regularly scheduled show! From the food to the weather we couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you and see you next year!

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Guest: Angie and Mike Smith (-)
Date of Stay: 03/01/06 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

"Honeymoon March 2006" My husband and I rented this condo in March of 2006 for a week after we got married. It was the first time in Hawaii for us. We had all these plans to due anything and everything on our honeymoon, but the weather had other plans for us. We had flash flooding the whole entire week. We ended up spending almost everyday in the condo. We enjoyed ourselves just as much as if we had done all the things we had planned. The condo is beautiful, cozy, and warm. I would highly recommend it. It has the most spectacular views. The sun sets right outside the balcony. It makes for the most gorgeous pictures. It is also a place to sit back and relax have a glass of wine and enjoy the sound of the ocean, watch the whales, dolphins and sea turtles. We loved it so much we considered moving there one day. I can not wait to go back. The Smiths

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Guest: The Emerys (-)
Date of Stay: 08/05/08 Review Submitted: 03/29/10

i received the gift of hawaii for my 40th bday and my family and i have never been the same since...it was our first visit to the islands and all the pix and descriptions can only ignite your imagination... the smells, the sounds, the feel of the air,the love that happens there is unequalled. the vacation home was as well equipped as my own...the kitchen, the linens, the pool, the services provided...so well done. the location was ideal...so private yet walking distance to the beach...we felt like we were on the bow of a ship in the middle of our own ocean. very family friendly, yet wildly romantic. we dream of the day we can go back and dream our days away...

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