Vacation Rentals by Owner

Very deceiving

Guest: Sylvia P.
Date of Stay: 04/02/12 Review Submitted: 05/07/12

We had so looked forward to spending our vacation at this property. When we arrived the outside was exactly as pictured the inside was something else..upon entering we immediately could smell the mustiness on the pool level. The TV on this level was missing, only the wires were evident that there actually had been a tv there at one time. Everything about this homeaway was a disappointment. The furnishings are very outdated, broken and worn. The pillows if that is what they call them were so old and gave no support for the head. The kitchen was very ill equipped in regard to pots and cooking utensils, drinking glasses were plentiful but one can't eat or cook with a drinking glass. The stove needs replacement, twice the gas flame shot out and had my daughter been any closer she would have been burned, we did not use the stove for the last two days we were there. (Yes we did report this and told him we wouldn't be using it and he could check it out after we left) there also was a minor problem with the garburetor. There were plentiful ants when food was on the counter.The beach toys should be replaced as well, they all had holes in them. As we were five women ranging in ages they should really let people know this home is way off the beaten track on a roller coaster road not close to even a variety store to pick up milk or bread. I would not recommend this vacation home to any one, this was our first visit to the Big Island and we were greatly disappointed because of our experience with this rental.

Owner response: 1) Guests expected second TV. We never advertise that we have two TV. The connector was there when the cable company came for installation and he put second line down-stair just in case we need it. 2) None of the furnishings were broken. It may be worn over time especially in the warm climate like Hawaii. The futon down-stair was brand new, less than a year old. 3) There are plenty of pillows in the closets of each bedroom. Guests can pick and choose the one they like. Some are soft and some are firm. It depends on individual preference. 4) I was at the house for three weeks last March of 2012. I bought a new set of pots and pans. Perhaps, this guests did not see the pot and pans in the kitchen cabinet. 5) My handyman checked out the gas stove and he said they were working fine. There were no complaint from the guests following this guests. 6) Garbage disposal was working fine according to the handyman. 7) Guests should not leave food on the counter because Hawaii has tropical climate not like in the mainland. Food should be kept in the refrigerator at all time to prevent ants and other insects. 8) Beach toys may be damage due to outside storage. We will remove the bad ones. 9) In our driving direction to the house, we inform guests that the house is about 20 miles from Hilo Airport. We suggest that they should buy groceries and supplies that they would need as soon as they leave the airport. The nearest stores to the house is about 10 miles away in Pahoa. We encourage that guests pay more attention to our instruction. Stores are not plentiful as in USA and Canada. We, as the owner, try very hard to satisfy all guests. But some guests may have more expectation than the others. We have good review following this guests.

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Basketball team had a blast!!!

Guest: Pat (Mililani Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 11/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/16/11

This was the second time I had taken my high school basketball team to stay here in the past 3 years, and again, it exceeded all expectations!!! The team enjoyed everything about the house, from the bbq area, to the pool and jacuuzi (that was their favorite part) to the beautiful walks they were able to take along the beach. The house has a "homely" feeling that really made everybody feel comfortable. I would highly recommend this vacation getaway to anyone in need of some serious R&R!!!

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

Wonderful Stay in Hilo

Guest: Kristi (South Korea)
Date of Stay: 03/07/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

We stayed at this property in March of 2011. There were 9 in our group including 3 children. There was plenty of room for everyone. The beds were especially comfortable. We loved getting in the hot tub at the end of the day. And the children enjoyed the pool, although it was a little too chilly for most of the adults. There was plenty to do in the area and we enjoyed the recommendations left for us at the house. We went to the black sand beaches around Hilo and swam with sea turtles. We loved watching the waves crash on the rocks across the street from the house. We were even lucky enough to see a whale while having coffee on the lanai! The house had all of the supplies we needed, including flashlights, bicycles, pool supplies and a fully stocked kitchen. The owner was very quick to address any question or problem that we had. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone wanting a relaxing stay in an area full of friendly, helpful people, away from the more crowded areas of Hawaii.

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

Heavenly Uli Kai

Guest: Kalani Huna (Vancouver, WA)
Date of Stay: 02/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

Incredible Large Spacious Home offered more than enough for our party of four. We made use of the covered lanai for several of our meals. The pool area with it's attractive lava garden was a treat. Situated a few yards from the shore and in Paradise Park, as it was, the roar of the surf and the sounds of chirping frogs, toads, crickets. birds and geckos was delightful and made for one of our most memorable trips to Hawaii. Highly Reccommend this rental.

Owner response:Great review! My home will accommodate from 2 guests up to 15 guests. Private pool and jacuzzi.

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

Great vacation home near Hilo and Volcano

Guest: Josh (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/26/11 Review Submitted: 02/05/12

Thank you for sharing your beautiful Uli Kai house with us. We enjoyed everything about it. The sea view from the lanai was amazing. We even heard the crashing waves. The house was large clean and comfortable. We loved the pool and hot tub set in a beautiful back yard, Also, the local property manager was very helpful with all requests. We highly recommend this property.

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

six adults, 2 small granddaughters, Dec 22 to 31, 2010. A perfect vacation

Guest: Hal (Lafayette, CO near Boulder and Denver)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/11

Everything about the house was as-described. Clean, well maintained and only a few car drove by per day. The owner answered every question we had. Excellent kitchen and large enough for several people to be working at the same time. (Our cycle was breakfast at the house, lunch out exploring the island and dinner at the house. Our four year old granddaughter started calling it 'home' by the second day. "Are we gong to eat at home tonight?"

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

Wonderful, spacious home

Guest: Lisa F. (Portland)
Date of Stay: 12/08/10 Review Submitted: 12/21/10

What a nice place to stay in Hilo! We were so impressed with the cleanliness, spaciousness, the pool and hot tub, the gorgeous views and natural sounds (waves, birds, crickets, lizards), and just everything. There were lots of low traffic streets to go walking on, and it was wonderful to come back to the privacy of the home after going exploring every day. One night we watched the Geminid meteor shower from the lounge chairs in the back yard. It's somethign we'll remember our whole lives! Volcanoes National Park is close by, and swimming beaches are not far either. We all remarked that this was the most restful vacation we'd ever had. Thanks so much for renting us your little bit of paradise!

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

Great place to visit on the Big Island

Guest: Joe (Maui, HI)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 09/21/10

My wife, son, and I visited this house on the Big Island in Hilo for three nights during September 2010. We live on Maui and needed an off island trip away from work and our stay was great. The pool was a nice cool off during the day and good fun for our boy while the two of us enjoyed relaxing in the jacuzzi in the evening. The property itself sits in a good central location. Within a short drive we visited Hilo Bay, the zoo, waterfalls, a naturally heated pool, and black sand beach. I also brought over my fishing poles, caught a few across the street, and BBQ's them for dinner one night. Overall a great trip and I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

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

Mahalo

Guest: Calveena Gomes
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/16/10

Mahalo so much for sharing your home with us, it was magnificent and felt like home. It was clean and comfortable and to have such an excellent internet service it provided our guest a way they could connect with their ohana back home thank you so much. We felt like little girl hanging out in the pool and jacuzzi which definitely added to us enjoying ourselves and laughing until we cried. LOL All in all we are looking forward to renting it next year.

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Guest: Calveena
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/16/10

Mahalo so much for sharing your home with us, it was magnificent and felt like home. It was clean and comfortable and to have such an excellent internet service it provided our guest a way they could connect with their ohana back home thank you so much. We felt like little girl hanging out in the pool and jacuzzi whic definitely added to us enjoying ourselves and laughing until we cried. LOL All in all we are looking forward to renting it next year.

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Mahalo

Guest: Calveena Gomes
Date of Stay: 04/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/16/10

Mahalo so much for sharing your home with us, it was magnificent and felt like home. It was clean and comfortable and to have such an excellent internet service it provided our guest a way they could connect with their ohana back home thank you so much. We felt like little girl hanging out in the pool and jacuzzi which s definately added to us enjoying ourselves and laughing until we cried. LOL All in all we are looking forward to renting it next year.

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Beautiful House

Guest: Patrick Basilio
Date of Stay: 12/03/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

Thanks again for allowing us to stay at your beautiful house. It's definitely something the team will remember!! I really would rate everything as excellent. It really is a top notch vacation rental and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else. Mahalo. --Coach Patrick, Mililani, HI

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Beautiful House

Guest: Coach Patrick, Mililani, HI
Date of Stay: 12/03/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

Thanks again for allowing us to stay at your beautiful house. It's definitely something the team will remember!! I really would rate everything as excellent. It really is a top notch vacation rental and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else. Mahalo.

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Guest: Coach Patrick
Date of Stay: 12/03/09 Review Submitted: 12/02/09

Thanks again for allowing us to stay at your beautiful house. It's definitely something the team will remember!! I really would rate everything as excellent. It really is a top notch vacation rental and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else. Mahalo.

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Fantastic Time

Guest: Margaret Carter
Date of Stay: 03/24/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

While staying in the house last year, with a large group, we had a fantastic time. The house was such a nice change from the impersonal motel route! We will coming back to the Hilo PowWow in May (not soon enough) and staying in the same house. We can hardly wait! MAHALO from the Wapato Indian Dance Club. --Margaret, Wapato,WA

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Guest: Margaret Carter (Wapato,WA 98951)
Date of Stay: 03/24/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

While staying in the house last year, with a large group, we had a fantastic time. The house was such a nice change from the impersonal motel route! We will coming back to the Hilo PowWow in May (not soon enough) and staying in the same house. We can hardly wait! MAHOLA from the Wapato Indian Dance Club.

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Wonderful Vacation

Guest: Becky Kearn
Date of Stay: 02/15/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

We just wanted say thank you for the most wonderful, stress-free vacation we've ever experienced. This was because of your beautiful home the "Picture Perfect". We've never enjoyed a rental home as much as we did yours. We plan on returning again next year, and hope to get the same house..everything was so relaxing & perfect there! Thank you again. --Becky, Wasilla, AK

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Guest: Snocat (Wasilla, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 02/15/09 Review Submitted: 02/15/09

We just wanted say thank you for the most wonderful,stress free vacation we've ever experienced. This was because of your beautiful home the "Picture Perfect". We've never enjoyed a rental home as much as we did yours. We plan on returning again next year,and hope to get the same house..every thing was so relaxing & perfect there! Thank you again.

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Stress Free Vacation

Guest: Snocat (Wasilla, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 01/28/09 Review Submitted: 02/15/09

We just wanted say thank you for the most wonderful,stress free vacation we've ever experienced. This was because of your beautiful home the "Picture Perfect". We've never enjoyed a rental home as much as we did yours. We plan on returning again next year,and hope to get the same house..every thing was so relaxing & perfect there! Thank you again.

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

Wonderful and Hassle-Free

Guest: Daimelynn D-Jaquias
Date of Stay: 01/11/09 Review Submitted: 12/20/09

Uli Kai was wonderful! Thank you so much Pam for making our arrangements so hassle free! My daughter had the best time of her life for her birthday party! The pool & hot tub were fantastic! Your home was very spacious yet had that cozy homely touch! Definite tropical home away from home to enjoy even as a kamaaina! I would definitely stay here again! Much mahalo for a truly memorable experience! --Daimelynn & ohana, Kurtistown, HI

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Guest: Daimelynn & ohana (Kurtistown, HI)
Date of Stay: 01/11/09 Review Submitted: 01/10/09

Uli Kai was wonderful! Thank you so much Pam for making our arrangements so hassle free! My daughter had the best time of her life for her birthday party! The pool & hot tub were fantastic! Your home was very spacious yet had that cozy homely touch! Definite tropical home away from home to enjoy even as a kamaaina! I would definitely stay here again! Much mahalo for a truly memorable experience!

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Wonderful!

Guest: Daimelynn & ohana (Kurtistown, HI)
Date of Stay: 12/26/08 Review Submitted: 01/14/09

Uli Kai was wonderful! Thank you so much Pam for making our arrangements so hassle free! My daughter had the best time of her life for her birthday party! The pool & hot tub were fantastic! Your home was very spacious yet had that cozy homely touch! Definite tropical home away from home to enjoy even as a kamaaina! I would definitely stay here again! Much mahalo for a truly memorable experience!

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

Great place for families

Guest: Janie S. (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/20/08 Review Submitted: 08/26/08

The house is very clean and well stocked for a comfortable family vacation. The four bedrooms had ceiling fans which helped during our August visit. Great kitchen with stove, microwave, large frig, etc. Bring groceries before you drive to house, as no store in neighborhood...just homes. A wonderful pool and jacuzzi are in a private backyard, as cannot swim in the ocean here. Washer and dryer are included...along with soap. Enclosed lanai is pretty. Satellite television and DVD player. Wireless Internet can be accessed for a fee...walk around house to find best spot for a signal...dining room table worked for us. Property across the street is all private property, so cannot access ocean views unless walk down to the end of the street (about 4 city blocks)...that view is beautiful...people fish on the rocks at this spot. Cleaning fee is charged per hour and is partially refundable if you do some of the work before you leave...(e.g. wash sheets and towels, take out garbage)...to minimize cleaning crew time.

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

Better than description and pictures

Guest: Diane K. (Bothell, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/08 Review Submitted: 08/12/08

We were overwhelmed by the value of this house. We stayed for one week. The pool area, and hot tub were perfectVery private, and perfect temp. Outside dining area near pool. We did not want to leave. Screened in lanai upstairs with ocean view, was a very large area. I do not believe the house is only 2000 sq ft. It's closer to 3000. We entertained one night for 25 people and it was perfect. Two large living areas. Plenty of room. Will definelty return. Walk across street to bluff/ocean. Actually could sleep 15. Master has a king. 2nd upstairs bedroom has a queen. One downstairs bedroom has a queen and a twin, plus two fold up twin beds in closet, for kids. 2nd bedroom downstairs has a queen. Could have two familes easy. Very private. Nice yard area in back.

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