Vacation Rentals by Owner

Minnesotan

Guest: Minnesotan (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 03/30/12 Review Submitted: 05/01/12

The KoOlina Resort Property is beautiful - it was just what we were looking for. Our unit was just as advertised - wonderful, clean, and a great location. We would recommend this unit to our friends and family.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Had the best time here

Guest: Hawaii Nokaoi (Kirkland, WA)
Date of Stay: 01/05/12 Review Submitted: 01/22/12

Stayed here from 1/5/2012 - 1/14/2012. Only regret was we couldn't stay longer. We loved it so much we are thinking about booking the same unit for a month. Diane was super responsive and immediately replied if we had any questions. Thank you!

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

Karen

Guest: Karen (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 11/27/11

Just came back from a wonderful stay. The condo was just as the photos and description indicate. My kudos to Diane for stocking the place like it was her own home. We had everything we wanted at our disposal (and so much more). The condo was immaculate as was the rest of the facility. We also enjoyed the proximity of the beach and pools.

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

Amazing!

Guest: Lila D.
Date of Stay: 08/10/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

This unit very well cared for. Luxury appliances and designer decor was a real plus. Owner Diane was in contact frequently to answer any questions. Check-in with Ron was pleasant and efficient. Parking was a bit tricky for a large car but plenty of space in guest parking was available. Convenient location to elevators made staying there easy for my aging mother. Resort had fabulous ammenities and a easy walk out to the lagoon. I would definately recommend this unit to all.

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

Perfect Place in Paradise

Guest: Kristy C.
Date of Stay: 07/19/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

Our family of six recently spent stayed at Diane and Jim's place. (mom, dad, grandma and three teens.) We found the home even nicer than we expected. The attention to detail was fantastic. The condo was very clean, modern, comfortable and full of high-end touches. Diane was great at communicating before and during our stay. She even helped us plan some great daily itineraries around the island. The beach cove, beyond the beautiful pools, was quiet, calm and free of the chaos you find on some other beaches. Definitely a great place to relax and drink in the beauty of the water. We also loved the open lanai for relaxing at breakfast and afternoon drinks. We would happily stay here again and would highly recommend this property.

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

Week In paradise

Guest: missing paradise (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

Diane's condo is a little piece of paradise. Our family wanted to enjoy some quiet beach time but still be able to visit Oahu's many attractions. Ko Olina was perfect. The lagoons were absolutely beautiful and calm enough for the kids to snorkel in while we relaxed. There were very few people on the lagoon during our visit. At times it felt like we were on our own private beach. It was an easy drive to anywhere on the island though. Diane was wonderful to work with and provided prompt personalized service that you would never get from a hotel. The condo was amazing. I am very particular about where I stay and Diane's condo exceeded even my expectations. It was like staying in a friend's home. She has thought of everything that someone on vacation might need- umbrellas, beach bag, sunscreen, sunburn care, baby blankets, laundry hamper etc. etc. The condo had plenty of beach towels, snorkels, boogie boards, pool and sand toys. The condo complex was quiet and everything was well maintained. While the surrounding hotels and time share property were nice, this complex was definitely quieter and more relaxing.

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

A true home away from home vacation and more

Guest: Mehta (Northwest)
Date of Stay: 04/15/11 Review Submitted: 05/02/11

I agree with all the reviews above. Diane is who we stayed in touch with- truly amazing. If you decided to come to Honolulu, Hawaii stay at Diane's fully equipped condo - I may sound like a salesman for them but believe me I am not. It is only 15-20 minutes from the airport - rent a car and explore North Shore, Pearl Harbor, different beaches & restaurants. I am a world traveler and we came to Waikiki 6 years ago and I vowed I would never come back. Never say never: We had to come back for business and decided to make a vacation out of it - after all, internet research has come along way from 6 years ago. We decided to try vacation rentals - a new trend emerging - and emailed Diane - well what can I say - lovely hospitality, answered all my questions - Oahu revealed is an essential guide - and had extras that we would not think of - you truly have to bring just a few clothes - there is a washer & dryer, all kitchen appliances - Diane has a fully stocked kitchen - spices, s&p, coffee and even some goodies - macadamia shortbread, extra bedding sheets, extra blankets, extra quilts, extra pillows, plenty of towels and beach towels, suntan lotion, after sun lotion, beach bag, beach toys, snorkeling gear, boogie boards adult and kids, disposable razors, rubbing alcohol, first aid kit, shampoo, lotions, soaps conditioners, toilet tissue, you name it - it was all there - seriously really impressive. We had internet access too and the parking spot was right near the entrance and there are elevators - no worries about carrying shopping bags or suitcases. This condo is for all age groups and the layout of the 2 bedrooms is on opposite sides - so very private with doors. The property - Ko Olina Beach villas - is beautiful - man-made lagoons, swimming pools - for baby - adult, barbecue, nice walkways. Very easy access to Campbell Industrial (8 minutes) - a fairly new shopping complex with Target, Subway Costco, petrol stations and other shops - and Target has souvenirs and memorabilia you can purchase as gifts if you wish. I hope you have a fantastic time - whether solo, with family, friends or partners.

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

Guest: Jon Lee
Date of Stay: 03/09/11 Review Submitted: 03/20/11

The condo is amazing and location is more than we could have hoped for.

Recommended for:

amazing!!!

Guest: sherry678 (Tiburon, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/29/11

We stayed here in January of 2011. The property was amazing, and the condo was gorgeous and fully stocked with everything you could think possible from snorkeling gear to a teapot to DVD's. We traveled with three kids, and the set-up was great for a family. Lots of choices for dining nearby or cooking in the amazing kitchen. Diane went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect for us. Very highly recommened - the best vacation we have had in years!

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

WONDERFUL!

Guest: KTST (Roseville, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/03/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

This is an AWESOME unit in a great location!! My adult family came here two years ago and rented a few units-we loved this one so much that my husband and I had to come back and bring our three boys (ages 8-13). The unit has everything and more. Diane has thought of everything-coolers, boogie boards, snorkel gear, etc. The decor is very nice and you have a good ocean view off the lanai. The beds are comfortable-even the pull-out couch bed was great! The grounds are immaculate and very relaxing. It is beautiful here. Our boys loved the pools, hot tubs and lagoon. Our lagoon was less crowded than the other three. We snorkeled in the lagoon and saw fish and turtles. Our little one was able to feed the koi in the morning. You can enjoy your day at the resort or take off on great day trips. You will need a car to do so. We went to Waimea, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Sandy Beach, Kailua Beach, and Waikiki. These drives do not take long from the resort. Waimea was our favorite-great waves and a big rock to jump from! We walked to Roy's for dinner. Yum! One of our favorite's and a must in Hawaii. It's a short walk from the resort-on the Ko Olina Golf Course. There is also a newer convienent store/market across the street. There is a Costco, Target, and many stores and restuarants just a few minutes up the highway. Very easy to access. It was so easy to communicate with Diane. She was prompt in getting back to us with any question we had. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect for our family and she surely did just that! We had such a great family vacation. Lots of wonderful memories! We hope to come back again!

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

Awesome!

Guest: NB64 (Orlando, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/25/09 Review Submitted: 09/06/09

My stay at Jim and Diane's beach villa was awesome! Pictures do not do this resort justice. The listing description is definitely accurate. The property is pristine. The staff on the property is wonderful and very accommodating. There are days you will want to stay at the resort and not go anywhere. If you do want to go somewhere, you definitely will need access to a car. You also need a good detailed map to get around the island of Oahu. We ate at Roy's, which is across the street from the beach villas. Excellent service and food. We walked to the outside restaurant next door at the Marriott Vacation Club resort. I can't remember the name. It was Kahohe's or something like that. They had the best fish tacos. We ate there three times. The luau at Ko Olina is called Paradise Cove. The food was just okay but the entertainment was very good. We went to the store in nearby Kapolei and stocked up. We ate breakfast every day outside on our lanai. When you want to leave the resort to go sight seeing, you will want to go to Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Waikiki, and Diamondhead. Hit the swap meet at the stadium for souvenir shopping. You will find the best deals there. Kayaking at Kailua was fun too. We ate at a place at the Outrigger in Waikiki called Shorebird's. It was a vacation to remember. Diane was very detailed in giving directions and suggestons on places to visit and places to eat. I hope I get to come back someday! Thank you Jim and Diane. Your condo is incredible. I will recommend it to my friends and family. I didn't want to leave!

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

Exceptional!

Guest: BCDM (Long Beach,CA)
Date of Stay: 06/16/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

I have read all the reviews prior to our vacation and they were all dead on! We had a marvelous time. Diane was excellent in communicating everything to the last detail. She took the worries away from us. The description posted for the Beach Villa was very accurate. The property inside and out was gorgeous. It was so clean and well maintained. Her responses via e-mail were always prompt. She made our stay exclusive. All the extra touches (shampoo, lotion, etc.) were a pleasant surprise. All other simple extras were a bonus. Diane even got us a brand new high chair as a special request because it wasn't listed in the condo amenities! The front desk staff were so friendly and informative that we felt like we were the only ones there. The property ground was gorgeous. It was not crowded at all considering it's summer vacation for a lot of people. The swimming pools were perfect for our two, five and nine year old. The place was so self-contained that we had to make an effort to visit other places to swim! The Tiki bar was great for the adults and it made us feel like we truly were in a resort. We were sorry to have missed using the grills. There just wasn't enough time to fit this in. They had about four big ones around the pool area. We also had an opportunity to have a pleasant stroll and dinner at the JW Marriott next door. It was impressive, but too crowded and loud for us. It was wonderful to walk back to our exclusive and quieter Beach Villa! Overall, we would highly recommend Diane and the Beach Villa for their next vacation. It's a win-win situation. She truly delivers! Thanks from all of us.

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

Ko Olina Golf-a-rama

Guest: EEC (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 04/14/09 Review Submitted: 04/24/09

5 star condo in a 5 star resort. We hated leaving this well equipped, comfortable and beautifully furnished unit in KoOlina at the Beach Villas. All appliances and furnishing are top of the line and impeccable. Not one stone was left unturned by the owners Jim and Diane, including those wonderful L’Occitane bath products, snorkel gear, comfy beds and lush bath towels. Did I mention the Apple flat panel computer and 2 large flat panel TV’s? They also helped us with ideas for sightseeing on the island. In the morning we enjoyed sitting on the balcony and watching those beautiful Hawaiian sunrises, drinking freshly ground coffee. The staff of the resort was friendly and attentive. Well situated on beautiful and tranquil lagoons, with wonderful snorkeling. Don’t like the beach? 2 great pools and Jacuzzis are available. Loved the beach bar and Moon who mixed extraordinary drinks and serenaded us with island music on his ukulele. An easy 25 min ride to the Honolulu airport and Waikiki Beach. KoOlina has a beautiful golf course on property or several others nearby will challenge your skills. We can’t wait to return. Thanks for a memorable and relaxing vacation.

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

Great Place

Guest: JT2009 (Portland)
Date of Stay: 01/13/09 Review Submitted: 03/16/09

I stayed at Jim and Diane's vacation rental in January 2009. I was very impressed with the both the Beach Villas and with this condo. The overall experience was quite positive First of all, communication with the owners was prompt and thorough. Diane answered all of my questions, and was thoughtful enough to ask about special requests before my stay (crib for baby, bed arrangements, etc). The staff at the Beach Villas was pleasant and helpful. Checking in and checking out were seamless, and refund of the deposit was timely. I even inadvertantly left some small items behind, and Diane mailed them back to me promptly. The condo itself was well-furnished and luxurious in detail. Linens, including plenty of towels, were high quality. My wife liked the fancy shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. Internet access and computer were helpful. Entertainment included Blu-ray DVD player and an assortment of DVD's. The provided beach/pool gear was a plus. The resort is family friendly. It wasn't too crowded, and the pools and lagoon were great for toddlers and children. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this rental to others. As for reference, I have stayed at the Marriott Beach Club next door in the past. Although we liked the Marriott, it doesn't really compare to the Beach Villas.

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

Paradise Found!

Guest: CharlesNYC (NYC)
Date of Stay: 12/19/08 Review Submitted: 01/06/09

I can't say enough about the Ko Olina Beach Villas. We had an amazing time during our 10-day Holiday vacation. It was exactly as described - and then some! Very clean, well-maintained, quiet, classy interior design, and welcoming are just a few words to describe the location. The owners, Diane and Jim, are also a pleasure to deal with and are committed to making your stay a memorable one. The (heated) lap pool and large fitness center also added value to our stay. And of course, the free-form pool and close proximity to the beach (with great snorkeling - equipment included) also make it a perfect location for kids of all ages. Lastly, if you are a home-body, the amenities are right up your alley- from flat-screen TVs (with blu-ray), "ipod" alarm clocks, large soaking tubs, to a true gourmet kitchen - you will feel right at home. Safeway, KMart, and other stores are just a 5-minute drive away in Kapolei for your daily necessities. I highly recommend this property and would definitely stay here again.

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

Spectacular!

Guest: Lophat (Haleiwa, Oahu Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 10/23/08 Review Submitted: 02/01/09

I was looking for a special place to take my wife for our 15th wedding anniversary. Since we live on the north shore of Oahu, we usually stay in Waikiki. Some friends I work with suggested Diane and Jim's place at the Beach Villas at Ko Olina. Wow!! This place was beyond our expectations. Everything is new and very upscale. Diane made sure everything was perfect. We had the best time and look forward to returning again.

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

Amazing

Guest: K.R.K. (Belmont, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 08/16/08 Review Submitted: 09/20/08

Our stay here was amazing! Accommodations like this would cost you several thousand dollars a night at a high-end resort. When you choose a property online, there's always a fear factor that when you arrive, you'll be surprised by some unpleasing aspect that wasn't depicted in the photos and description. When the moment of truth arrived and we walked in, we were THRILLED. This place is equivalent to any top-tier resort in building materials, cleanliness, décor, and amenities and at close to 1400 sq ft, there's room for everyone to have their own space. The kitchen is equipped with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, microwave drawer/warmer, Poise Kohler Sink, and wolf oven range. Stocked with all the small appliances, dishes, utensils, pans, and baking equipment you need to create gourmet meals. The bathrooms are amply sized and well-appointed. The Serta beds were very plush and comfortable. All the amenities you get in a high-end resort are here plus more. Boogie boards, snorkel gear, beach chairs and towels, cooler bag, spa robes, washer and dryer, L'Occitane bath and body gels, candles, two flat screen televisions, DVD player, movies, extra towels and crisp sheets, state-of-the-art lighting...it's all here. The owners have thought of everything including maps and a fantastic guidebook that led us to many unique sites around the island. The Beach Villas are located right on a beach. The lagoons are perfect for children and snorkeling. We enjoyed seeing giant sea turtles and a variety of colorful, tropical fish. As if all this wasn't enough, the grounds feature Wolf grills and outdoor eating areas and a variety of gorgeous pools from a sand-filled keiki area to an elegant lap pool, to lushly landscaped lounging pools. There's also a mail center, on-site concierge, and well-equipped gym with sauna. The parking is included in the rates which is refreshing considering that at the resorts you are charged "resort fees" and parking fees in addition to the exorbitant room fee. The owners, Diane and Jim, couldn't be more welcoming and accommodating. I was was amazed and impressed with their hospitality. Trust us, this is hugely valuable as we've found that private owners can sometimes be less than professional. My 7-year old woke us up at 2 in the morning and said, "Mom, we should move here. We could have a good life. Karen and Geoff

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

My Ko Olina condo vacation stay

Guest: Lowell (United States)
Date of Stay: 11/17/07 Review Submitted: 12/12/10

My wife and I, my daughter and son-in-law stayed two weeks at Diane's condo at Ko Olina and were completely satisfied with our vacation stay there. The condo was very well-maintained and upscale, made even more so by Diane's efforts to make sure that we were comfortable and happy. Ko Olina is a wonderful resort, with swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing just minutes away, and it has all the state of the art amenities that you could ask for. We highly recommend Diane's condo and hope to return soon.

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