Vacation Rentals by Owner

Simply Paradise!!!

Guest: The Sibole's (Dearborn Heights, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/04/12 Review Submitted: 05/10/12

What a dream come true!! The pictures truly don't do this vacation home justice. From the beautiful home with every amenity imaginable, to the very large backyard right on the ocean, if it weren't for the fact that I had never been to Hawaii before and wanted to see all the amazing sites, I would have been quite content staying at this home enjoying the beauty and serenity. The location was perfect for us since we don't like to vacation in crowded cities. Kualoa Ranch was a stone's throw away, the North Shore just a short drive, the beaches up and down this side of Oahu, the shrimp trucks, a great bbq place right across the street, and the beauty of having an ocean view AND mountain view at our home made this an unforgettable vacation. Each day we marveled at the beauty as if we were seeing it for the first time. My husband and son enjoyed snorkeling with the sea turtles at the home while I enjoyed the hammock. :) Snorkeling equipment, kayaks and other items were provided. Many games in the house if you have children. Karin was very accommodating and pleasant to deal with. If ever I get to Oahu again I will be looking to rent this home. I cannot say enough about it. A great experience from the time I booked to the quick refund of my security deposit. Don't hesitate on this one!

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

This is a fabulous beach home !

Guest: Annette S. (-)
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

This is by far the nicest home we have stayed at on Oahu. The property was very clean and very well maintained. We were so sad to leave..and plan on returning very soon. My mom and twin girls loved staying there. The owners were very helpful, caring and attentive. We had it all, a great home, privacy, our own beach, a very large yard, a great patio. I would highly recommend this home to anyone. All furnishings are top quality.. and the home is decorated very tastefully. A lot of care went into this home.It truly was our piece of paradise :)

Recommended for:

Wonderful Cozy Cottage

Guest: Sea Rancher (The Sea Ranch, California)
Date of Stay: 02/16/12 Review Submitted: 04/10/12

This is a delightful cozy cottage, with fantastic ocean views and sounds. The home is clean with tasteful décor and many special artistic touches—including pottery sinks designed and made by the owner-- along with thoughtful amenities such as great scented soaps/gels, abundant towels, and comfy furniture/pillows. Loved the rain shower that is partially outside but fully enclosed. We really enjoyed relaxing and staring for hours at the gorgeous ocean, as well as lunching on the patio. Uncle BoBo’s was good for a barbecue lunch. Thank you Karin for being such an attentive and responsive manager. Somewhat disappointing for us was the weather—rainy and often windy, with rough and high tides which prevented swimming at the beach in front of the house. Because of the weather, we could not enjoy dining outside in the evening, so we missed not having a full dining room table inside. Some days, the noise at the park next door was a little distracting. Other than that, it was a wonderful and relaxing week!

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

Paradise in Kaaawa!

Guest: Reet (Halfmoon Bay B.C. Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/16/12 Review Submitted: 01/31/12

Our trip to "tropical haven" was more than we expected! We were so pleased with Karin's beautiful home. We went to Oahu to attend my sister's wedding and I searched VBRO for many weeks looking for the perfect place for my family of four and my cousins family of four. This house was perfect for us all. We especially liked how the yard was fully gated so we could keep an eye on our little ones. Beach was perfect! We met many local fisherman on the beach. Park right beside was handy and 7 eleven across the street we used more than once! We cannot say enough about our first trip to Hawaii, we will definitely be back! And we would stay at the "tropical haven " again! Thank you Karin !

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

Amazing!

Guest: MaryAnne (Davenport, IA)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11 Review Submitted: 03/20/12

My family and I stayed here just after Christmas and over new years eve. This was the best vacation we have ever taken and we all agreed that we were so happy that we were able to stay on this side of the island. We were amazed at the location and ability to enjoy the mountains and ocean! The house was very clean and tasteful and we had all the amenities needed - extra blankets, towels, laundry, etc. The big yard and patio were awesome! We would definitely stay here again!

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

Kaaawa Paradise

Guest: beachbum (Citrus Heights, Ca)
Date of Stay: 09/26/11 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

We stayed for a month at this delightful place. The pictures do not do it justice for the beauty that you are living in. The house is roomy, comfortable, well decorated, very clean, and even the beds are comfortable. The owner was easily accessable and quickly answered any questions or concerns. The property is very nicely landscaped and even the neighbors were friendly. Our children and grandchildren were there for a week and we all had plenty of room. They all loved the house, grounds and beach. There is a sandy entrance through the reef, right in front of the house, that makes entering and exiting the water very easy. All loved the snorkeling and kayaking. Over all this was one of our best experiences renting a beach house.

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

Perfect place for family with young children

Guest: Annie (Phoenix, AZ)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

This is one amazing house on the beach. It has something for all ages to enjoy! From the moment we drove into the property, we immediately fell in love with the open space, beautiful landscape and ocean view. My kids just loved the outside. There is plenty of space for them to run and things to explore. The house is cozy and clean. The outdoor is the best. We enjoyed our meals outside. Nothing beats a home cooked meal on the beach!! There were a few rainy days while we were there, so we got to see the waterfall from the mountain. It was awesome! The owner is very pleasant to deal with. She was responsive to our inquiries. This truly was my family’s best vacation. We will definitely rent this house again the next time we visit Oahu!

Owner response:: )

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

Too good for words!

Guest: Joe, Rhonda and Jo-Dee (Kamloops, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 04/02/11

It’s hard to find words to describe this perfect Hawaiian beach side getaway but I’ll try. The location is perfect…. private, a lovely large yard with lush tropical greenery disguising the fence around the property. There is an area under the palms that would be perfect for nuptials. The house is welcoming and beautifully decorated. The tile floors, four sets of French doors and garden shower give it a tropical flair. The beds are so comfortable with attractive, clean bedding…the bedding even smelled good. Karin has every amenity and detail covered right down to candles in hurricane lamps on the lanai. She is an attentive homeowner and has anticipated every need…lovely scented hand soaps and shower gels and extra conveniences including a blender and coffee grinder. Beach towels are provided along with kayaks and a variety of water toys; swimming and snorkeling from the beach right in front of the house…doesn’t get much better than that. The outdoor beach shower is a bonus. We were in Oahu for a family wedding and though only three of stayed at Tropical Haven we loved that the house allowed us to entertain. There is tons of outside seating, lots of dishes, a huge fridge and generous parking. We loved every moment and look forward to returning. Sitting beach side with a cup of Kona Macadamia coffee…priceless.

Owner response: : )

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

Stunningly excellent!

Guest: Orthmanns (Alaska)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 03/19/11

From the minute we arrived, we knew we didn't want to leave. And, well...we didn't for two whole days! We just lazed around in the sun, played on our own beach, and did some snorkeling. Beach combing was great for sea glass and coral bits. When it got too hot, we meandered across the street to Uncle Bobos for ice cream. Once we worked that off by lying in the sun some more, we strolled over again, got take out barbecue, and ate it on the lanai. Bobos is highly recommended. For the rest of our supplies, we hit Safeway in Kaneohe (great selection of Hawaiian products). Next time, we will make sure to enjoy the local farm stands that are north up the highway. Among other highlights of our stay was bodyboarding at Sunset Beach (awesome) and helping National Marine Fisheries rescue a honu from OUR beach! In general, we just really enjoyed the peace and solitude at Tropical Haven and highly recommend it to ANYONE!!! Karin is most helpful and friendly and the house is well supplied with everything you need for a great, relaxing vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Paradise...simply paradise!

Guest: Very pleased! (4)
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

This property is everything we could have dreamed of and more. The pictures do not do it justice. The views are spectacular, better than described. The location is perfect. away from the crowds but just a 15-20 minute drive to Sunset beach, Polynesian cultural center, turtle bay and groceries. Only 30-45 minutes away from Honolulu, Costco. and bigger shopping if needed. Nearby hiking and waterfall, kayaks and boogie boards on the property and a very tastefully furnished CLEAN home. It was so perfect. We had such a wonderful time, it was like we had our own little paradise. The view from the master bedroom in the mornings is so peaceful and you have your own private beach! Karin was timely in returning calls and our deposit was returned within a few days from departure. The only very minor issue (not even an issue) was the kitchen was small, if you have more than one person cooking it can be a bit of challenge so we recommend grilling instead. Oh and the park next door gets a bit crowed/noisy but really not a big deal. We would HIGHLY recommend this property and we plan on going back for sure.

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

HAWAII BEACH HOUSE

Guest: Sandra (Braintree, MA, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

This Beach House is AWESOME! I can not say enough to give it proper justice....(comfy, clean,cozy- wonderful!). The property is set back off the main street in your own little piece of Paradise... Five high school classmates (Braintree, MA, USA) had a "Girl's Week" & what a special adventure it was! Our classmate and owner (how lucky are we??) - was such a gracious hostess and fabulous tour guide (we were so spoiled..) - Our visit was the best... filled with so much fun, "lots" of laughter, excitment & relaxation... We had our own back yard & patio area with breath taking views (where there was plenty of conversation, eating and drinking (responsible of course..) going on as well as our own free entertainment-HA! ) The private beach area: we swam, snorkeled and did some kayaking in the crystal clear waters- just such a treat.. A slice of Heaven with all of us taking treasured life time memories back with us. ALOHA!!!

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

Simply Amazing!!!

Guest: Elinor (Braintree, MA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/11 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

This was the most beautiful spot I have ever seen! It truly was amazing. We spent 6 fabulous days here. When I saw this house on the website I was certainly impressed but to actually be there and see it in person – well it was everything you would dream about and then some. The place was immaculate and the rooms beautiful. The front bedroom with the garden shower was my favorite. You’d wake up in the morning and see this spectacular view of the ocean with the palm trees right in front. (I now have that picture saved onto my cell phone as my wallpaper so every day I get to see this view again). It was the best vacation I’ve ever had. I have highly recommended this place to my friends and family!

Owner response:: )

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

Christmas in Hawaii

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/11

The house was as described with plenty of room or our party of 7. We spent our Christmas 2010 here and enjoyed everything. The owner was easy to deal with and the pictures are accurate. We enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki. I would recommend.

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

Great stay at Tropical Haven

Guest: Trish (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 09/07/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

Our stay at Tropical Haven was wonderful. The house is a tropical dream home. The master bedroom has the most beautiful view and the rain shower truly makes you feel you are in paradise. The patio outside the master bedroom was great for a barbeque. We spent every evening enjoying the oceanviews and listening to the swaying palms. Having coffee by the ocean while watching the sunrise was spectacular. The gated property and security system made you feel very safe. The location is close to grocery stores as well as many nice restaurants. Uncle Bobo's, across the street, had great ribs and brisket. Many evenings while driving back from the North Shore we would stop and pick up shrimp scampi from Giovannis Shrimp Truck. The food at Giovannis is great!! We hope to return to Tropical Haven again soon.

Owner response:Thanks Trish, would love to see you back here again!

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

Truely sad to leave this beach front retreat !

Guest: Kathy (perkasie Pa)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

I was a bit apprehensive about renting a vacation property on line because pictures can be deceiving. My apprehension was lifted the minute I drove through the gate to this wonderful beach front property. WOW, the reality far exceeded my expectations! I felt as if I had just stepped in to my own little Hawaian paradise. The spectacular views, and private grounds, and yes my own little beach outside my bed room doors. It could not get much better than this ... The house is charmingly decorated with simple elegance, very clean,and comfortable.The small homey cafe across the street was great, and I had easy access to my sight seeing adventures. I highly recommend Tropical Haven for a vacation of a life time..

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

Nice place for the Family

Guest: goroy (Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 10/08/10

We got married in Ka'a'awa and my parents stayed in this house. They loved everything about the house, it was a great escape! The yard is amazing and if you are going to hawaii to relax there will be no reason to leave this place!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

an escape to paradise...

Guest: the Uta's (Hawaii Kai)
Date of Stay: 06/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/20/10

talk about a "replenishing of the soul!" Our stay at your home was nothing less than Heaven. From waking in the morning and enjoying a cup of coffee on the shore to bbq's at night....a true va-ca-tion!! The water is so beautiful in the mornings for the kids to go exploring on the reef or take a nice peaceful ride on the canoes. My favorite is to just lay on the beach chairs and take in all of God's gloirous gifts that during my normal busy life usually passes me by...the ocean, cool breeze, warmth of the sun, a fresh swim in the ocean....amazing!! And to top if all of w/ a BEAUTIFUL house to stay in...so warm and inviting feels like a home away from home!! the Master bedroom belongs in a magazine it is so fabulous!!! You know your house is great when my 2 year old niece still asks "when are we going back to MY beach house!".... Thank you....THE perfect place to be w/ the ones you love....To concentrate on whats really important in life...eachother and the beautiful memories you make!!.... BEST BEST BEST beach house!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A week in paradise

Guest: Ari (Somerville, MA)
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 06/28/10

The beach house in Kaaawa was truly paradise! We couldn't have had a better time during our stay on Oahu. The house is in a great location on the eastern side of the island between Honolulu and the North Shore - away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki yet a great jumping off point to get to all of the sights on the island. We really enjoyed being able to spend time in a more traditional Hawaiian town, eat the local food (Uncle Bobo's across the street is to die for), and have our own secluded waterfront! The house itself is spectacular - the pictures give a good idea but in person it is even better. We awoke to the sound of waves crashing on the beach and palm trees swaying in the breeze every morning, then ate breakfast on the outdoor patio just steps from the ocean. The master bed/bath is unbelievable - two sets of double doors open to the patio and a view of the crystal clear turquoise Pacific. The bathroom is truly unique with a rain shower and enclosure that makes you feel as if you are showering in a garden yet has compete privacy. The kitchen is modern and well stocked with everything we needed to make several meals during our stay. It was only my boyfriend and I staying in the house but it really would be perfect for a family as there are three bedrooms and plenty of space! Everything was impeccably clean and well maintained. I had an incredibly hard time leaving at the end of the week! I can't say enough good things about this place. I've already recommended it to all of my family and friends and really hope to have the opportunity to go back someday soon!

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

Truly unwind in Kaaawa!

Guest: Lee (Boston, MA)
Date of Stay: 01/16/10 Review Submitted: 06/23/10

I spent a wonderful time in Kaaawa at this home this past winter. We found the local food delicious (Make sure you spend at least one meal at Uncle Bobo's!), and the location was perfectly located for us to spend days doing activities like visiting the Dole Plantation and watching top notch surfing on the north shore! Some of the things I'd want to absolutely say about the home itself: - They've done a great job with this house. The master bedroom has double french doors that exit right onto the patio which makes for a great evening seating area to eat dinner, or shade from the sun in the afternoon. The master bathroom has a wonderful ceiling feature that acts as a skylight allowing sunshine to filter in which I found exquisite. - The guest bedrooms were comfortable with plenty of storage space, along with an area to lock up belongings when we left the home. This is of course in addition to a front gate and an alarm system, so I felt very comfortable. - The property was immaculate, there was one windy day where a couple of palm fronds fell onto the driveway. we left in the morning and I guess the landscaping crew came through during the day because it was back to being as pristine as ever when we got home. - Working with Karin was great, she had lots of materials we perused through and some great suggestions for hikes that we could go on. - I've already recommended this property to my friends and family as a wonderful place to escape on Oahu. I hope to return soon.

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

Our Private Paradise

Guest: Susie (United States)
Date of Stay: 01/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/14/11

We hated to leave this perfect beach house in the countryside of Oahu. It was everything we hoped for and more. Morning coffee on the back veranda watching the waves crest over the reef, the palm trees swaying in the trade winds and the lovely smell of tropical flowers was a great way to start the day. The house is well appointed with very comfortable beds, large bath rooms, and an efficient kitchen. Room to socialize and also to have privacy. It was a great location to explore the island, and then come back to this peaceful retreat. We used the kayaks and snorkeled right off the beach. Just a few yards out sea turtles swam under our kayak! At night the sound of waves lulled us to sleep.The owners are a wealth of of information and eager to help make our stay wonderful. Everything was spot on clean with high quality bedding and towels, tasteful decor, and beautiful landscaping. We highly recommend this property!

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