Truly An Aloha Experience!!

Guest: Marie (Gresham, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

Staying at the Hale Sweet Hale was an amazing experience for me and my family. This home was just perfect from the time that we arrived at the door. We were greeted by warm and loving locals who made us feel like neighbors rather than visitors. It was very refreshing to not be greeted by someone in a uniform. Lori took the time to acclimate us with the house and answer questions about Kailua town. The home had everything we needed including beach toys for the kids and a fully furnished kitchen. I mean who thinks to have spices readily available in the cabinets? Just all the little touches made a big difference in us feeling at home. This was truly a "home sweet home" and met all my expectations. I will be referring this home to my friends and family and of course I will be back someday soon.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Home Sweet Home

Guest: Kathy (Sammamish, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/29/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

Great location. One block to the most beautiful beach on Oahu. Clean house. Stocked with everything you need. Perfect for families. In a more secluded area, yet only a short drive to restaurants, activities and honolulu. Would definately return again!

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

We'll be back!!!

Guest: Deb (Balto,Md)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/07/11

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this home, it was just that a "home". We have been to Hawaii before and were looking for a more personal feel to our vacation experience this time. To feel what it's like to actually live there. This is the least that we have ever driven on our vacations there and we could not have been happier. To wake up and walk to the beach was a real treat and oh the beauty of this place! Lanikai is just a dream. This was our most RELAXING vacation yet. I doubt that I will ever rent a hotel again, this is the only way to go! To play all day then relax at night in the peaceful simplicity of this home...priceless!! We'll be back for sure!!

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

Problematic

Guest: Weary Traveler (NY, NY)
Date of Stay: 08/17/11 Review Submitted: 08/31/11

To be succinct, this place had bedbugs. Two individuals who stayed here got bitten and the mattress was infested, The blue wicker living room set was where we found one bedbug. The bedroom mattress had droppings underneath it. None of the windows locked so the property is not secure either. The dryer does not work. There was no vacuum even though the place was dirty. The bathroom is quite old. Do not recommend this for anyone with kids or anyone who wants a vacation. The damage control ruined my vacation and the owner inadequately compensated us for our time lost, replacement items, extermination and the damages.

Owner response:Beware of this individual as this may have been a well planned scam on their part to stay in a home and then ask for a full refund the day before checkout. What started as an issue with bug bites has grown to a string of complaints that were made or made up when the guest realized that they would not receive a full refund. They called me a week before check-in and wanted to cancel because they said they wanted a bigger home which was not available. They arrived and commented how they loved the home, large yard and proximity to the beach. They day before check out only one of them claimed to have gotten bites on their body. We inspected the home with them and found no infestation but then they suddenly picked up an old dried bug from the rattan couch. The home was inspected professionally and have a written report of the inspection with no evidence of bed bugs or infestation of any sort found. Very odd how they could have stayed in the home for over a week and on the last day they made claims of bites. The home has a washer/dryer combo (all-in-one) which is only 2 years old. Upon arrival we did show them how to use it, and that it is operated by 110v so it will take longer than normal for a complete wash and dry cycle. As always we try our best to please all guests, and did much to address the claims that this guest really could not substantiate. We fully expected them to post a negative review. We were more than happy to submit a response instead of having it removed. This home is well received as evident in past reviews. Visitors find it to be very relaxing and enjoyable glimpse of nostalgic hawaiian living.

Recommended for:

Guest: Janet Y, Alhambra CA (-)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

The location was great. It was less than a 5 mins walk to the most beautiful beach in Oahu (in my opinion)! It was a fantastic location for a low-key vacation and away from all the hustle of Honolulu/Waikiki area. My dad fished at the shore, my nephew swam at the beach, and my husband and I layed out everyday. It was about a 30 mins drive to Waikiki and the touristy area. The house itself was quaint. It was hard at times with 6 people and 1 bathroom. The kitchen was somewhat spacious with 2 dining room tables. There are 2 small TV's in the house - but, when you're in Hawaii, do you really want to spend time watching TV? :) There's a hike in Lanikai, the Pill Box, great hike with great views. We ate at Zippy's a couple times.. it's convenient, yummy, and cheap.

Recommended for: