Vacation Rentals by Owner

Excellent place, excellent location

Guest: Maria (New York)
Date of Stay: 04/11/12 Review Submitted: 04/22/12

My husband and I visited this wonderful cottage last week. The cottage is cozy and peaceful. The pictures do not do it justice! We loved the use of the pots, pans, utensils, coffee, (and many etc, etc) and also the use of the beach chairs and cooler. Diana stopped by and was very kind. (And very easy to "deal with" leading up to the trip!) The location was perfect for us as we did many things on all the parts of the island: north- about 30 minutes away (hiked the 8 miles roundtrip to the waterfalls, went on a catamaran), east- a few minutes away (Kapa'a for food, Hawaiian ice, and airport), south- about 45 minutes away (beaches), west- 1 hour away (Kauai Coffee Plantation, driving the canyons). We also enjoyed the lime tree outside the door and the Anahola Farmers Market down the street. If we were ever visit Kauai again, there would be no place we'd rather stay then this cottage. Thank you, Don and Diana!

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

The Perfect Getaway!

Guest: Cliff & Kay (San Diego, California)
Date of Stay: 03/13/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

We have just completed our third three-week stay in the simple one bedroom small cottage at Mahinani’s Farm in Anahola on the beautiful Garden Island of Kaua`i. Don and Diana have once again shared with us their little corner of paradise. As before, we loaded up with groceries at Costco the first day so we were able to cook most of our means at home. Occasionally, we made runs to our old neighborhood favorites Anahola Farmers Market (for outstanding barbecued Kaua`i wild boar), Duane’s Ono Charburger (try Duane’s Special), or to the new Shrimp Station that just opened up last October in Kapa`a for Thai Shrimp (we used to have to drive an hour to Waimea). Our old friend Sissy the dog seemed to remember us and showed up every night and morning to “protect” us from the chickens coincidentally around meal time. We hooked up our wireless router from home to the DSL modem so that our iPhones and iPads worked even in the hammock out front. As we now head to the Lihue airport, we are already plotting our return trip next year.

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

Missing it already

Guest: Patty (Gualala, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/14/11 Review Submitted: 12/27/11

Had such a great time at this adorable little cottage. A true Hawaiian experience. My husband and I are not "condo" people and found this gem perfect for what we were wanting in a vacation. The grounds are so well manicured, location was perfect for getting around the island, kitchen was well stocked, no cable TV and loved it! Photos show exactly how the house looks...I miss it already! The famous Kauai roosters never let us miss a sunrise! We hope to be able to come back to this special spot some day. Thank you for sharing your cozy cottage!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Perfect Honeymoon Spot

Guest: Becca (Alaska)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/10/11

Living in the north I longed for warm sunny waters of Hawaii. I knew which island but not where to stay and being my husbands first trip to Kauai, I wanted this place to be worth every penny. Searching for a safe, comfortable and clean place to spend our honeymoon I came upon this listing and was intrigued. When we got to the cabin we decided that we had made it to our second home. Our stay was far from resort area and we loved it. You can hear the ocean, see the stars, smell the plumeria, taste the limes, and feel the stress melt away. The place feels like a private sanctuary in the middle of nowhere. The one bedroom cottage is big enough to spread out. The kitchen is fully stocked with all the dishes you need and we were SOOOO happy to have the use of a cooler to keep us out at the beach all day long. There was even coconuts in the yard and Diana told us how to open them! So much fun. I don't think much could improve that place for us except maybe more time! My husband and I are already making plans to return...soon!

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Fantastic, private secluded retreat!

Guest: H (Western Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/29/10 Review Submitted: 08/20/10

My husband and I stayed in the 1 bedroom cottage here for our honeymoon and we couldn't have asked for a better place! It was very private, serene and peaceful and the owners were excellent and very hospitable. The cottage is quaint rather than corporate, so if you are looking to escape Hawaii "condoville" and want a truly authentic experience, this is the place. Also, a great, central location to explore the rest of the island from. We'll definitely be back!

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

A blissful three weeks!

Guest: Cliff & Kay (San Diego, California)
Date of Stay: 06/24/10 Review Submitted: 09/01/10

Thank you for another blissful three weeks. It felt so nice to return to our familiar cottage on the farm. Island paralysis quickly took over. We look forward to our return. For those that follow, don't miss the pie in Old Hanapepe Town and the Shrimp Station in Waimea. Don & Diana - Mahalo Nui.

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

Guest: Kay and Marlin (-)
Date of Stay: 07/02/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

When my husband and I had an opportunity to take some time out, we wondered what would refresh us? Coming from a noisy, populated, busy city environment, we knew more of the same in a different location wouldn't be the memorable break we needed. Mahinani's was quiet, beautiful, simple and fragrant. The short walk to the beach was enjoyable, in fact, we were grateful to not have to look for our vehicle in a sea of rentals on a "paved parking lot." It was a great location. To make the most of the trip, we did venture out some, but we felt content to spend our time acclimating to true Hawaiian style and as a result, we have vivid, memories of a wonderful time. Thank you Don and Diana!

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Guest: Joe38 (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/09

Mahinani's Farm is simply the best! I have had the great fortune to be able to stay in the 1-bedroom twice, and the 2-bedroom once. I loved it so much I have had to return again and again. It is the only place on Kauai that I will stay. The grounds are very serene, and the location is very good. We (and I) have been very, very happy there, and very, very happy with the way it is set up--to have a lot of privacy or to have wonderful service, both are great. Both cottages are well appointed and super comfortable. This is the only place to stay on Kauai. Thank you very much Mahinani's! Mahalo, Joe

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Guest: Anne 3 (-)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/30/09

I stayed in this cottage for 12 days in early 2008. The location and amenities are as represented. It is a very comfortable cottage and Don and Diana Mahi are wonderful hosts. I could not have asked for a more delightful introduction to Hawaii. I enjoyed my stay so much, I decided to move to Kauai. Amazing what a cute, little one bedroom cottage can do!

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Guest: Cassandra Cupples (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/30/09 Review Submitted: 05/30/09

A paradise in paradise! The experience of staying here is relaxing and rejuvenating. I've had the pleasure of staying in both the 1- and 2-bedroom cottages and both are so amazingly warm and inviting that you just want to live there forever. The kitchen in the 2-bedroom is fun and easily accommodates a group of family and friends. The Mahi family embodies the aloha spirit and are always so accommodating and hospitable. The location is convenient to island activities yet situated in a private, peaceful place -- just perfect! I love the island of Kauai and staying at the Mahi's cottage makes the experience heaven!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/27/09 Review Submitted: 05/27/09

Aloha, I live on the island of Oahu and for some years my husband and I have escaped to the island of Kauai to get away from the hustle and bustle here at home. Every time we go back to Kauai we like staying in the 1bd. cottage here at the Mahinani`s Retreat. It`s surroundings are just beautiful and relaxing. We also enjoyed our privacy being there. It can`t get any better. When I am there in the cottage I feel I`ve gone back in time. It gives me a feeling of what Hawaii used to be like some 30- 40yrs ago. It`s been a beautiful experience staying at the cottage and getting to know the Mahi`s. They are wonderful people and I hope others will be able to come to this retreat and experience the joy too. When we travel with a bigger group we do stay in the 2bd.cottage. The cottage is designed to handle alot more individual having meals with friends and family. It is the perfect island get-away and is an awesome experience.

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Guest: Dimana Macdonald (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/27/09 Review Submitted: 05/27/09

My husband and I stayed at the 2 bedroom cottage for a week of our honeymoon, and that was, by far, our favorite place to stay! The house is situated amongst the most peaceful and serene setting you can imagine. Every morning we would pick fresh ruby red grapefruits, bananas, avocados, lemons and limes from the trees surrounding the house. The owners are wonderful people, who made us feel right at home and look forward to coming back to our romantic cottage at night, after a day full of island adventures. Our favorite part of the house was the kitchen!!! We both have a soft spot for food and kitchens, so we might be bias, but once you enter this kitchen with the sun up in the morning, you will never want to leave! The whole front wall opens to a great deck and inside and outside just blend together. We will be back soon and will absolutely recommend it to anyone who is headed that way!

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Guest: Frank & Sandy Brogan (Peabody MA)
Date of Stay: 05/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/09

In the past six years, we have rented the one bedroom cottage over 200 days, and plan to add to that total in 2010. The Mahi family is most wellcoming to us, and make us feel like family. If you are looking for a quiet vacation, we strongly recomend this "Shrangrila".

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