We loved Hale 'O Bali

Guest: Celebrators (Celebration, Florida USA)
Date of Stay: 06/16/09 Review Submitted: 06/27/09

We just spent a week at Hale 'O Bali, and had a fabulous time. This home sits on the windward side, in an area that, in our opinion, is the most breathtakingly beautiful area of Oahu. We love renting a cottage instead of staying in a hotel, as it feels more like we are 'living' in the place, rather than visiting it. For us, Hale 'O Bali was the perfect choice. With it's unique Indonesian/island architectural character, rural setting with stunning views of both the ocean and the mountains, and awakening to roosters and birds chirping, just being in the house made us feel very connected to nature, and a real part of Hawaii. The house was spotlessly clean, and very comfortable. The bedroom is large, and there's a ton of drawer and closet space. I wished the shower was a smidge bigger, but that's no big deal. Over all, the bathroom was very nice. Lots of towels and plenty of towel bars to let things dry in the tropical climate, and a washer and dryer. During our visit, it rained often, which is very normal for that part of Hawaii, and why it is so gloriously beautiful. Our benchmark for a great place to stay is "is it a good rainy day house" - can you be happy there if weather or other factors keep you couped up for a while. Hale 'O Bali is perfect, because even when you're at home, you are looking out through an entire wall of windows, on to beautiful mountains, lush foliage, and the ocean. Outdoor living is great with a very large deck, nicely furnished. It is ocean front, though it is not a swimming beach. We consider this a plus, as there were no beach-goers out our window. Just lovely foliage, a huge lawn leading to the water, and a half dozen swaying palms framing the view of the ocean. For your beach fix, just hop in the jeep and go up the road in either direction, and you've got beaches galore. Although the home gives you a lovely away-from-it-all feeling, it is a short (and stunningly beautiful) drive south to Kailua and Lanikai beaches, an easy, and gorgeous, jaunt to Honolulu, and right on the way to the wonderful North Shore. All in all, we would highly recommend this house. It is a unique experience. The owner provided us with excellent service, the home and grounds are beautifully maintained, and we had everything we needed for a wonderful stay. We would stay there again, in a minute, and heartily recommend it to others traveling to Oahu. M and J June 2009

Owner response:To M& J, It gives us such delight to be able to share the beauty,unique experience, and comfort that Hale 'O Bali provides. Thank you to you and all the other guests for sharing your thoughts about Hale 'O Bali! We hope to see you again! Mahalo, Leilani & Charlie

Recommended for:

Nesin dormida

Guest: Bella (Santa cruz)
Date of Stay: 12/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/31/11

Means, no one sleeps. We were shocked at the noise. Forget sleeping if the neighbor is watching tv. Forget sleeping if there is traffic, which is constant. Our neighbors left after two day days though they had paid for seven. These quaint little huts are single wall construction a method of throwing boards side by side as one would build a Childs playhouse. You can see daylight through the walls. Therefore we really had room mates of the people in the next unit. When someone took a shower I was afraid a truck was about to crash through the wall.

Owner response:We are sorry our guest did not appreciate the single wall construction of this authentic Indonesian home which was built from Chempaca wood in Sulawesi Indonesia in the Minahasa style. She was deconstructed and shipped to Hawaii in 1995. The carpenter is tending to the small separations between a few wall boards in the den. We appreciate these comments about noise from the adjacent house and will take these to heart. Although the adjacent home was recently remodelled we will be limiting use of one or both houses to the same party to eliminate the issue of "room mates in the next unit". We have erected an 8 foot hight lava rock wall to help deflect noise and are in the process of installing solid wood rolling gates to help further deflect road noise. We do warn guests that the house is located off a busy highway on our web description. The road noise is most noticeable at rush hour and again at around 9:30pm when a line of buses passes by heading back to town from the awesome show at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. Most of our guests are delighted with the accommodations and find their experience at Hale 'O Bali to be peaceful, restful, rejuvenating, joyful, and healing. We do ask our guests to be candid and open with their experiences and hope this open dialog will only help to make your experience at Hale 'O Bali richer. Sincerely, Leilani Sim-Godbehere and Hale 'O Bali family

Recommended for:

Incredible!

Guest: Kasie G.
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

I live in Kaneohe, and my sister came for a week to visit from the mainland. We looked around for awhile for a good house to rent or B&B to stay in for a few days to keep away from the hotels and get away from my place. The area where this is located is notoriously beautiful, one of my favorite places to go for runs, and is close to Kualoa Ranch and on the way to the North Shore, so the location is perfect. The area is residential and ranch, so the scenery is pretty, and there are no commercial areas within a few miles. This place exceeded our expectations in every way!! The house is GORGEOUS; it's quaint, islandy, plenty big enough for the two of us (though if you have more than two, or two and a child or two, I'd suggest waiting until the bigger house connected by the lanai is finished and renting that one). There is a fridge, oven, microwave, coffeemaker and most utensil's you'll need. The view from the back lanai is a breathtaking panorama of Kaneohe bay and Mokulii. There is a long yard that is a nice minute or two walk down to the water. The landscaping is beautiful, with tropical plants and a small pond with a waterfall. The property is separated from the main road by a beautiful lava rock wall, and from the neighbors by wall, plants, and space, so it feels very private. The driveway is big enough to park inside the gate, so you don't have to park on the street. They were working on the driveway and landscaping while we were there, so I can't wait to see what it must look like now! Also, Leilani and her family are amazing people. Since they were renovating the larger house next door, we were blessed to be able to speak with them just about every day (though I'm sure they wanted us to go do vacationy things and stop harassing them! :) ). They were beyond helpful and accommodating, super sweet and trustworthy, and we could tell how much they loved the property and wanted everyone who stays there to have the best time possible. It really is difficult on the windward side to find a nice place to stay for a reasonable cost without feeling like you're either in a hotel or in someone's vacation home that hasn't been renovated since the 70s. This place is really worth it, and the fact that the owners are great people is a plus. You get so much more here for the cost of a hotel room in Waikiki. We will definitely be back, and are planning to bring the whole family and rent both units they next time they come visit.

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

Seriously...don't stay anywhere else

Guest: Kasie G.
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

I live in Kaneohe, and my sister came for a week to visit from the mainland. We looked around for awhile for a good house to rent or B&B to stay in for a few days to keep away from the hotels and get away from my place. The area where this is located is notoriously beautiful, one of my favorite places to go for runs, and is close to Kualoa Ranch and on the way to the North Shore, so the location is perfect. The area is residential and ranch, so the scenery is pretty, and there are no commercial areas within a few miles. This place exceeded our expectations in every way!! The house is GORGEOUS; it's quaint, islandy, plenty big enough for the two of us (though if you have more than two, or two and a child or two, I'd suggest waiting until the bigger house connected by the lanai is finished and renting that one). There is a fridge, oven, microwave, coffeemaker and most utensil's you'll need. The view from the back lanai is a breathtaking panorama of Kaneohe bay and Mokulii. There is a long yard that is a nice minute or two walk down to the water. The landscaping is beautiful, with tropical plants and a small pond with a waterfall. The property is separated from the main road by a beautiful lava rock wall, and from the neighbors by wall, plants, and space, so it feels very private. The driveway is big enough to park inside the gate, so you don't have to park on the street. They were working on the driveway and landscaping while we were there, so I can't wait to see what it must look like now! Also, Leilani and her family are amazing people. Since they were renovating the larger house next door, we were blessed to be able to speak with them just about every day (though I'm sure they wanted us to go do vacationy things and stop harassing them! :) ). They were beyond helpful and accommodating, super sweet and trustworthy, and we could tell how much they loved the property and wanted everyone who stays there to have the best time possible. It really is difficult on the windward side to find a nice place to stay for a reasonable cost without feeling like you're either in a hotel or in someone's vacation home that hasn't been renovated since the 70s. This place is really worth it, and the fact that the owners are great people is a plus. You get so much more here for the cost of a hotel room in Waikiki. We will definitely be back, and are planning to bring the whole family and rent both units they next time they come visit.

Owner response:Wow! Two amazing, lovely, professional women have come and enjoyed the beauty and charming accommodations that Hale 'O Bali has provided. These guests were gracious and delightful and any homeowners dream guests to accommodate. We have been so humbled and honored to have hosted them. Truthfully, I would love to adopt both of them. Our family looks forward to hosting their entire clan next time they're all in town. Many mahalos.... words are not enough. Best wishes and blessings to both sisters and their families to keep them safe and happy until we meet again. Leilani & family

Recommended for:

Needs some cleaning and upgrading

Guest: Jeff R.
Date of Stay: 08/26/11 Review Submitted: 09/10/11

I want to try to write this review of Hale o Bali without being to harsh. This is because I think that for the price this property has some worthwhile qualities. Subtracting that for the equation there were several things about this place that will prevent me from returning. This first thing you need to know is that this is basically a detached duplex. The photos online at this time do not show the other similar structure that is part of the same property. The lanai wraps around both buildings connecting them. The photos are shot at an angle that does not allow you to see the true property and this is not mentioned in the description. Secondly this place is not clean. The refrigerator has rust stains all over the exterior ( the inside is fine), the blinds were very dusty, the walls were dirty, and DO NOT plan on using the loft. I climbed up just to take a look and the loft at this time looks like an attack used for storage. There are two beds up the but there is no way in heck I would ever sleep in them or up there. It's a mess. We had a roach problem as well. I tried to factor in the fact that this is a tropical climate but I have stayed on the islands many times and never had this issue in any of the other places I have stayed. In addition there are two 4" geckos living behind a picture frame near the kitchen. I sort of like geckos so I was ok with it but it's pretty dramatic when they both come out at around 10:00 at night to hunt bugs. They found plenty to eat! The overall appearance was mediocre. The place needs some upgrades to put it into rental condition even at this affordable price. The view was nice, the lanai was also nice especially in the AM and PM. I could have live without the shed near the parking area or the storage of someone's things under the lanai. All pretty unsightly. If you are looking for an inexpensive place away for Honolulu that gives you a little solitude be forwarned before you go that this place needs some work. As of this writing I noticed that all of the reviews on line for Hale o Bali are a few years old. Hopefully this one will stay online and give some current info to help you in making your choice of accommodations.

Owner response:We are sorry our guests had some issues with Hale 'O Bali during their stay. We do appreciate constructive criticism but prefer the opportunity to speak directly with our guests about their concerns. All of the positive points made were appreciated . The views are indeed SPECTACULAR and the price is AFFORDABLE. Hale 'O Bali is a separate freestanding house and not a detached duplex. There are two Indonesian houses on the property. This IS clearly stated on the web description Photos posted highlight Hale 'O Bali. The house is cleaned by a professional housecleaner. We will share this guests concerns. The refrigerator has some rust on the exterior. Hale 'O Bali is a beach house. We do not utilize the loft UNLESS there is a larger group who book the house and request this space. The beds are both covered to protect them while they're not in use. A professional pest control company, Terminix, is contracted to protect the premises on a quarterly basis. Geckos in island homes are a normal occurrence. Fortunately, they are harmless. The shed is 8'x 12' and has tropical plants around it. It is quite unobtrusive, does not prevent one from parking, and does not make any noise at all. The covered lanai is not part of Hale 'O Bali but belongs to the main house . It is not visible from Hale 'O Bali unless one is walking on the lanai stairs. The area below the lanai is being PAINTED. The painter is storing his supplies. The main house is being cleaned and painted so please excuse the TEMPORARY bit of stored items which will soon be transformed into another lovely sitting/living parlor for our guests to enjoy the serenity of paradise. We do hope that those who visit us at Hale 'O Bali will come to enjoy its splendor. If there is anything a guest needs or suggests we will try our best to accommodate them. Your comfort and happiness are paramount to our success as a small family owned and operated unique island vacation home. We take great pride in caring for Hale 'O Bali. We take great lengths to make Hale 'O Bali comfortable, cozy, and clean for our guests. Sincerely, Hale 'O Bali Family Leilani Sim-Godbehere Hale 'O Bali Manager

Recommended for:

Guest: Rick Brackeen (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 02/23/10 Review Submitted: 02/23/10

My wife and I visited Oahu the last week of January, 2010 and had a fabulous stay at Hale 'O Bali. It was extremely peaceful and the waterfall was a bonus. Never again will we stay in a hotel on the island. We are planning another trip this summer and plan on staying at Hale 'O Bali again.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/28/09

Our stay at Hale 'O Bali was one of those rare experiences where reality meets or exceeds expectations. The home is spacious, light, airy, well-appointed and perfectly situated, with a clear view of the ocean and shoreline at the edge of the property. There's no beach but excellent beaches are just a few minutes away, as are stores, restaurants, and a range of tourist attractions - best of which is the Polynesian Cultural Center in L?'ie. Hale 'O Bali is a restful, welcoming place, away from the touristic concentrations on the other side of the Ko'olau mountains. Highly recommended!!

Recommended for:

Oahu Alternative

Guest: Robin79 (Wheat Ridge, CO)
Date of Stay: 11/10/08 Review Submitted: 11/18/08

If you are looking for a quiet place on Oahu, away from the traffic and crowds of Honolulu, this is a great choice. The setting and the house are both gorgeous! I would recommend Hale O'Bali to people who want a comfortable and serene place to return to after a long day of hiking, swimming, and exploring.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Hale 'O Bali, the peaceful choice

Guest: Ventura Couple (Ventura CA)
Date of Stay: 11/06/08 Review Submitted: 11/13/08

We had the most amazing honeymoon stay at Hale O Bali. Nov 6 - 10, 2008. The hale and surroundings are exquisite and peaceful. Leilani and Charlie have truly created the perfect retreat on the East side of Oahu.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

5 day stay at Hale O' Bali

Guest: recent traveller 08 (Toronto, Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/30/08 Review Submitted: 06/10/08

I have recently returned from a 9 day stay in Hawaii with 5 of those days at Hale O' Bali. The property was very nice with excellent views of the sun rising. Minimal amount of time spent at the house as we were always out exploring the island. As nice as Waikiki is, our preference was returning to the house each night. Nice to have the laundry and fridge. Perfect little house right off the highway. Negative: Although right on the water swimming was not really an option and the bed was just okay (king size though)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.