Perfect North Shore Base!

Guest: Joel & Randi (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 11/18/11

My wife and I stayed at the Zen Retreat in June and I've been meaning to write this review for a long time. The accommodations were extremely comfortable and private. We thoroughly enjoyed returning to our studio each evening after spending the day exploring the island. We weren't around enough to socialize with the owners, but aside from the wonder decor, they provide a few extras that make your stay simply enjoyable. Access to chairs, towels, snorkeling gear, coolers, and a laundry room really added to our experience. I loved being outside of the typical tourist scene, yet having quick access to some amazing sites and beaches. I can't say enough about this place. It's simply the most comfortable I've been in an accommodation, hotel or rental, outside of my own home.

Owner response:Thanks so much you guys. Have a nice winter and hope to see you next summer. Aloha, Kelly

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

Best vacation rental I have ever stayed in! ROMANTIC!

Guest: Jess (Burlington, Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/27/11

I can barely find words to express how thrilled we were with Zen Retreat! Never have I been in such a beautifully decorated place! So private and quiet, too! The location was great for us as well. We were there for our 10 year wedding anniversary and the Zen Retreat really made it feel romantic! I would stay there again in a heartbeat! Hosts are incredibly generous and helpful.

Owner response:Thanks so much Jessica! Hope to see you again soon. Aloha, Kelly

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Absolutely amazing!

Guest: Rachel (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 07/19/11 Review Submitted: 07/24/11

My husband and I stayed here for 4 nights in July and we had a fabulous time. The pictures here don't quite do this place enough justice. The 'fung shui' and layout of the place is indescribable. This place has inspired me to redecorate my own home. It is a large, spacious studio that has all of the finest quality amenities: bamboo floors, granite countertops, very comfortable bed with high quality bamboo sheets, a nice area to eat, a comfortable futon for relaxing, and the most amazing bathroom and shower! I loved the open-air feel of the place. We were very comfortable sleeping with the windows open and loved the sound of the rain in the evening. This was a perfect place to relax and read a book, or to unwind after a busy day of hiking or sight-seeing. I loved the extra added touch of the fruit basket upon arrival - papaya, avocado, and mango all from trees just outside! We did get bit by a few mosquitoes around late afternoon/evening inside, but there was bug spray under the sink in the bathroom that we used and then weren't bothered. The mosquitoes didn't seem to be a problem at night after we turned out the lights. All in all the zen retreat was a place that I would come back to in a heartbeat. This place was better than any 5 star hotel but with much better value and so much more character!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

Beautiful, comfortable and well-designed; centrally located

Guest: JEFF (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/31/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

We spent 4 great nights here. Centrally located in Kilauea the cottage is about 10 minutes south of Princeville, 20 minutes to Hanalei, and 30 minutes to Ke'e. It' also about 15 minutes north of Kapaa, 30 minutes to Lihue/airport, and maybe an hour to Poipu. The cottage is beautifully designed with amazing attention to detail, especially for a rental property! The shower is incredible. The kitchen is great and well stocked with supplies. The 4 ceiling fans make it really comfortable, plus there's an A/C if you need it. The bed is very comfortable. The apartment has a TV with DirectTV and a DVD player and stereo... If I had to nit-pick downsides, they would be: 1. Throughout the north of Kauai it rains a lot, but for some reason this particular location (I think because it's a bit inland) rains A LOT, and it is therefore quite buggy also. A 5 minute drive usually solves the problem, but it did bum us out a little bit 2. I thought that the outdoor stuff (pool, hammock, etc.) were right outside, but in fact they're part of the owner's house, which is next door. They were totally cool with us using everything, but keep in mind that you will be in their yard (not yours) when using Otherwise, would strongly recommend this place!

Owner response:Mahalo Jeff for your review! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the retreat. Sorry about the weather for your stay. We are actually in whats known by locals as a" banana belt "that runs thru Moloa'a and we normally enjoy much less rain then most other North Shore locations. It was just poor luck. Aloha, Kelly

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Pics just don't do it justice at all!

Guest: j and g (New York, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/20/10 Review Submitted: 01/06/11

Our jaws dropped when we walked in the first night for our long-awaited Honeymoon - we expected cozy and pretty, but we were not prepared for how beautiful this cottage really is. The wood, the decor, everything is just well designed and elegant. It's comfortable and quite spacious. We came here after several days at the posh Koa Kea and frankly it was just as comfortable. The "welcome bowl" of fruit picked on their property (!!!!!) was absolutely wonderful, too! The kitchen is well-equipped and made us actually want to stay in and cook - everything to take advantage of the amazing fresh produce and fish Kauai's farmers markets offer (and Kilauea reputedly has one of the best around). There's a ton of stylish dishware and more than enough cups and mugs AND OMG A DISHWASHER. We certainly made use of the coffee grinder (go to Kauai Coffee! Worth the drive!) and set the coffee maker to wake us up every morning. This place really integrates all the comforts of home with all the wonders of paradise. And, honestly, the bathroom is just not adequately depicted in the photos - the shower is beyond awesome. It's a rain shower with an additional sprayer head, it's HUGE and it has a seat inside. The closet, too, is just massive. The photos don't show how well laid out everything is! We also really enjoyed the fun selection of books - there was a beyond-cute "Let's Learn Some Hawaiian!" paperback that inspired us to pick up a copy of our own at the ABC Store in Kapaa. The best part was probably looking out the window over the bed every morning and seeing all that gorgeous sky! The owner's yard is gorgeous. The area is absolutely stunning, and so quiet! Well, except for the errant chirping gecko or mooing cow (we actually never heard roosters) - and if those innocuous sounds bother you, um, don't vacation on Kauai, period. The only minor complaint we had, and it's tiny, is that the laundry situation was a bit awkward. The owner's laundry was in both machines most times, and we felt like we were invading their space. Laundry access was definitely a factor in our choosing this rental - we only packed 6 days of clothes for 18 days of vacation to save suitcase space. We're chalking it up to the holidays - we were here during Christmas/New Year's, so we're assuming things were hectic for the owners. Nearby stuff that we enjoyed included Princeville Ranch Adventures for ziplining, Kauai Mini Golf, and Anini Beach for snorkeling. Lots to see within a 15 min drive.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.

A true retreat!

Guest: krle (Jersey City, NJ)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Cleverly designed place with highest attention to detail, feels like home.. perfect location half way between Lihue and end of Kuhio Hwy, quiet, secluded, a true retreat.. worth every penny!!

Owner response:Mahalo you guys, It was nice having you stay here and we hope to see you soon! Aloha, Kelly and Yen

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

Greatest Energy

Guest: Lupe & Steve (Rancho Murieta, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/27/10

This was our retreat following the wedding of our son. The photos don't even touch on the atmosphere, warmth, and comfort of this perfect apartment. Our son and new daughter-in-law were JEALOUS in comparison to their honeymoon rental. The meticulous work on planning and design is everywhere! The entire design is the work of a true artist and someone in touch with Zen energetic qualities that are meant to work their magic. It was wonderful to come home every night after a busy day. Thank you Yen for your friendly welcome. Thank you Kelly for stopping by to say good-bye on our last night. I want our future home in Kauai to be as comforting and welcoming as your Zen Retreat.

Owner response:Aloha Lupe and Steve, Wow, it's so nice to have guests that really appreciate plus write such wonderful reviews! Thank you! We look forward to your next visit. Kelly

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

Beautiful!!!

Guest: BT (Palm Springs, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/06/10 Review Submitted: 10/12/10

The pic's don't really do this place justice... This was the best place I've stayed in years. The owners are really cool, the kitchen was top of the line, & the bed was very comfy... This was perfect for me & my wife. Don't pass up this one its worth every penny. Thank you Zen Retreat.

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed your stay! Mahalo for the positive feedback!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers.

Wonderful place for couple with toddler

Guest: Steve (Sonoma CA)
Date of Stay: 07/20/10 Review Submitted: 10/08/10

We thoroughly enjoyed our 10 days here! The grounds were loads of fun for our toddler, with a large grass area, fruit to pick, and a sand trap next to the putting green. Having the above-ground pool to cool off was lots of fun. The studio itself is beautifully done, with a generous and lovely bathroom and full kitchen. The location on a side road meant it was wonderfully quiet, but only 3 miles from Kilauea, 5 min drive to Moloa Bay, Pila and Larsens Beach, and only 10-15 min to Anini or Princeville. Overall it was a good deal and the owners were quite friendly and helpful, we hope to stay here again!

Owner response:Thanks you guys! It's always nice to hear kind words! Hope to see you again soon. Aloha!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway.

relaxing retreat

Guest: Chris & Kathleen (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

Exactly as described. We found what we were looking for in this beautiful guest house. The hosts are very kind. We loved the feeling of the place, very calming and quiet. The shower is amazing (we want to redo ours at home now), the kitchen is very well equipped, and the golf course was a fun added bonus. We'd stay here again in a heartbeat. Thank you for having us!

Owner response:Thank you for staying with us! Hope to see you next year! Aloha!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.