Milowai Paradise

Guest: amjuka (Victoria, B.C. Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/07/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

Aloha Frank, Well, our two weeks here will soon be coming to a close and I must tell you how absolutely perfect your beautiful condo was for us. I had wanted a quiet place to stay with a view and after looking at what seemed like a thousand condos for rent I was fortunate enough to find yours. The amazing view, the sound of the surf to lull us to sleep every night......I simply cannot say enough!! Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo! The condo was very well-equipped and clean and the immaculate grounds were an absolute delight. Being centrally located , we were easily able to enjoy the whole island on day trips. My helicopter tour of the island was awe-inspiring as were Haleakala and Hana. I hope to return next year and have already recommended your condo to friends. Cheers and aloha, Victoria B.C. Canada

Owner response:Mahalo, Judy, we appreciate you taking the time to comment on our condo. People always tell us that our central location makes seeing the island very easy. Our condo is close to everything and yet is a very peaceful place to relax and enjoy the view. We recently replaced the vanity in the bathroom, and added a bar table with bar chairs so that people have an elevated view from the kitchen counter and the new table. We also added wireless internet and a new LCD TV for bedroom. Aloha, Frank

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

August 2010 Maui Vacation

Guest: Garry and Maureen (Prince George, BC Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/10/10 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

We stayed at this property for 11 nights in August of 2010. The photos and descriptions are 100% accurate and the condo is clean, clean, clean!! We appreciated the thorough instructions left by the owners as we came to realize that they had thought of EVERY detail that you would need or want to know to make your stay pleasant and uncomplicated. It was centrally located and everything was just a short car ride away. Beach Bums in the Marina was excellent and one of our favorite places to relax after a long day of advertures and fun in the sun! We went to the restaurant located at the condo one night and although it was a little pricey, it was SO worth it and we wished that we had gone sooner. Frank was very accomodating with our late departure as we had a evening flight back home. We would like to thank Frank and Brian for sharing their wonderful home with us and we hope to one day come back again. We have stayed at other VRBO's and this is by far the BEST! (I really hate to write that because the calendar may be full the next time we want to come because this place is so great...by the way...sorry it took so long to put our review in! ) Wonderful place to stay...thanks!! :)

Owner response:Thanks Gary and Maureen. We've been doing this since 1993, so it's nice to hear that all the changes and additions to the condo as well as the instructions have made a difference. Actually, since you've been there is 2010, we've replaced the furniture in the living room and bedroom and added a headboard for the bed. This year the drapes are getting replaced as well as the tub and shower. We keep trying to improve the place, but the view and the location and layout of the condo need no improvement. Mahalo, Frank

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

Cheryl & Curt Spokane Wa.

Guest: Cheryl & Curt (Spokane, Wa)
Date of Stay: 07/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

Just wanted to say what a wonderful time we had in your condo. We were there for our daughter's wedding during July 2011. Everything was exactly as you mentioned in your vrbo listing. It is centrally located so it was a short communte in all directions. We loved walking to the harbor and having dinner and drinks at "Beach Bums" restaurant. Loved watching the boats come and go from the harbor. We can't wait to come back on our next vacation to Maui!!

Owner response:Thanks Cheryl and Curt. Often, I get rave reviews from guests by email, and then I try to get them to put in their comments in VRBO and it never happens. It's quite a treat to have my guests on their own take the time and effort to complete a review. We really appreciate your effort. We've done a great deal in the past 3 year to upgrade our condo: new furniture, new flooring, excellent cleaning service, excellent window cleaning service and as many new appliances as possible. Of course, the location was always excellent, and now Maalaea Village has really come into its own with lots of restaurants, snorkeling, whale watching, excursion trips, whale-watching and a world-class aquarium. So the condo is very convenient, yet very close to everything on the island. But the one thing we love most about our condo has nothing to do with amenities or location, it's that wonderful view and the sound of the ocean. When we see it, we are immediately transported miles from everything....there's something about that view of the huge volcano Haleakala, the Molikini half-crater, and the island of Kahoolawe, with the ocean in front that makes ithe condo seem so romantic and dreamy. I haven't tired of it yet. And the harbor is close enough to add a few boats and fun activities, etc., but far enough away not to interfere with the wonderful view, the sound of the ocean, and the feeling like you are miles from everything. Many thanks and please come back. Sincerely, Frank

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

Maalaea condo--stunning view!

Guest: Nani (Bend, OR)
Date of Stay: 05/09/11 Review Submitted: 06/13/11

Our jaws dropped as we opened the door for the first time--the view of crashing waves was awesome. Very nicely appointed condo. We had everything we needed including kitchen amenities, washer/dryer, comfortable bed. The condo and surrounding property had pride of ownership--very impressive. The location was absolutely perfect as far as convenience to other parts of the island including Kahului (airport), Kihei, Wailua, and Lahaina. Maalaea is very quiet and does not have that "huge resort" feeling at all. I would definitely recommend this property to my friends and family. Our only reservation is that when the tradewinds blew, they really were strong on this part of the island.

Owner response:Thanks for the great review. We really enjoy this place as well. It's all about the view and the location and the closeness to the ocean. We have significantly upgraded the condo and replaced amost everything in it, but still it's the view and where you're at that makes this a great place to spend a vacation. The winds can kick up strongly in the late afternoons of the summer months (July to Sept.). But for the most part they don't affect your enjoyment of the condo. For instance, I go for walks on the beach during the summer in the mornings and early afternoons, avoiding the late afternoons if the winds are strong. I go running with the wind in the late afternoon and really enjoy it. Furthermore, the winds add great relief to the heat of the summer. Kihei, Lahaina, Wailea and their surrounding resort areas are often 5-7 degrees warmer than Maalaea from June to September, and that difference in temperature, such as 89 as opposed to 82, is dramatic if you are on vacation and want to be comfortable without having to run the A/C. Most of our guests rarely use the air conditioner. If you close the front door and the small window next to the front door, you get a very nice cross breeze from the bedroom to the livingroom without much wind even on the lanai. Overall, the wind is an asset to enjoying your vacation unless you're trying to have picnic on the beach with paper plates after 3 PM. LOL. The wind has rarely been an issue for most of our guests, and over 50% of our reservations each year are repeat business. Again, aloha and mahalo for the great review. Frank

Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.

Location, location, location

Guest: TK (Oak Harbor, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

We committed to four weeks in your condo and were unsure as we had never been there before. We were quite happy though, once we arrived. The location is the best in the complex - you almost feel like you are on a cruise liner with the view you get from the deck - being so close to the water. The Condo was spacious and comfortable, and had everything we needed. The location of the Condo on Maui was perfect as we wanted to do a lot of exploring. We probably drove every mile of Maui and the central location of the condo was perfect. A half hour to Lahaina, a half hour to Wailea, a half hour to Paia, or 40 minutes to the upcountry - just perfectly in the middle of it all. We also spent a few days just hanging out at the condo, and as you mention at the end of the condos is the beginning of a beach that goes all the way to Kihei. Also saw plenty of wildlife from the condo; such as birds, Geckos, sea turtles, and whales. Yes - it wasn't until our last day - but we saw a whale - then I saw something I had never seen before - a whale breaching the water - magnificent. Mahalo - or as us mainlanders say - Thanks!

Owner response:Thanks Ellen. I appreciate you taking the time to complete the review. You really summed up well what is terrific about our condo, 107 Milowai: its location in the building, its proximity to the ocean, its view, and its wonderful location on the island. It also has a great floor plan which enables guests to see the view easily from any where in the condo. I have tried every year to add an improvement or upgrade to the condo itself. It is a nice place to hang out and has a lot of amenities. Still, the best part of being at 107 Milowai is the view, the sound of the ocean only 40 feet away, and the great location for visiting the rest of the island. Mahalo again for your kind words, Frank

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

A Perfect Vacation

Guest: moleBgone33 (Federal Way, WA)
Date of Stay: 12/24/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/10

Aloha, My husband and I were visiting Dec. 24th thru Jan. 1st. 2010. We have enjoyed Maui to the maximum extent! When you arrive you definately want to take Frank's advice and stock up at the grocery store. They are in short supply on the island. We stopped at Wal Mart which sits kind of off the main drag so you really have to be looking for it. Our brother inlaw and his family were staying across the bay at another resort and they were very impressed with our condo. It was clean, comfortable, and had every amenity you could think of. We loved the location and the view was unbeatable. The Beach Bum is a great place to eat with nightly entertainment. We took the Molokini snorkel tour and didn't see a whole lot of fish but we did see some whales jump. What an incredable sight that was! There is also some great snorkeling beyond big beach. Both Tommy Bahama and Buba Gumps were fun and recommended! Lahaina is a must, great shops, galleries and history. We enjoyed a couple of days of golf at Elleair. A good user friendly golf course. This is our first time to Maui and it has been absolutely surreal! Every day we have enjoyed sun and mid 80's, a wonderful condo, interesting beach combing, beautiful hikeing at twin falls, great golf, fantastic snorkiling and top that all off with a full moon to boot! We consider our selves to be very fortunate to have the oppertunity to enjoy all of the wonderful joys of Maui! Many Mahalos to you Frank for shareing your very nice condo! We will be back. Ben and Karen Seattle, WA

Owner response:Thanks Ben and Karen for your thoughtful remarks. I appreciate your phone call telling me how great your stay was, and I also appreciate you making another reservation for this year. Our condo is now booked for all of 2010 except for 11 weeks, and all the people making reservations are returning guests! I'm so glad that our little slice of paradise in Maalaea is enjoyed by so many again and again. Mahalo, Frank

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

Guest: Karen M. (-)
Date of Stay: 10/28/09 Review Submitted: 10/28/09

[Here's another unedited email from guests who stayed at our condo in October.]Hi there Frank, Just wanted to extend my thanks again for sharing your condo with myself and family. We had a fantastic time; enjoyed every minute we spent there. Did a lot of local snorkling and beaching (as much as you can do with a 5 mth old) as well as morning yoga on the grass. You have invested in a beautiful property on a heavenly island and we look forward to visiting again in the future. Just a little note that perhaps could be of some benefit to your future guests which we found could have helped us in our pre-visit grocery shopping. There are alot of the same condiments in the fridge and cupboards that were obviously purchased by previous guests unknowingly (ie: 3 containers of mayo, 2 containers of mustard, 2 sets of salt and pepper etc.). Aside from eliminating waste, hopefully this will help out guests in the future. I've attached a few pictures from our time in Maalea (my husband C. and daughter N. watching the surfers and myself and N. on the lanai) Once again Mahalo! Karen M. and Family

Recommended for:

Guest: Suzanne & Joe (-)
Date of Stay: 10/14/09 Review Submitted: 10/14/09

[Here is an unedited email from our guests who stayed at 107 Milowai for 11 nights in September & October of 2009.] Aloha Frank and Brian: Joe and I left the condo this morning with sadness, our vacation is drawing to an end. The condo is marvelous, central to all access roads to the whole island,which cuts down on the travel time. We did and saw everything that Maui offers. Hana, Kula, Haleakala down to Kihei, Makena and up all the way up West Maui. We loved all the great beaches that are so close to Milowai[our condo building] as we love to snorkle and boogie board, that's why we picked your condo, so many beaches. The condo was very clean and a lovely set up. We met Kent and the second guy who took over for Kent as he went for a holiday on another island. We were wondering where Maui residents would spend their vacation considering they live in paradise. Both are very nice and friendly men. We were quite happy that you have stocked the kitchen with all the tools for cooking, I especially appreciate the blender, works great! The books that are available are great too, we added three more books to the collection; flowers, birds and fish of Hawaii. We also bought the "Maui Revealed" book which is a good "getting around" book, quite accurate, we made notes in it so we have taken it home with us. They didn't like Maalaea Bay because of the wind but I love the wind! It keeps things cooler and we left the condo every day to see Maui so we missed all the burning of the cane, etcetera. [To clairfy, the cane burning only happens every 6 or 7 months near our condo, and only lasts a few days in the early morning.] At night we would walk the marina and stop in at "Beach Bums" and listen to the local muscians. The owners are nice and the crab cakes are not bad, very similar to Buzz's. All in all, fantastic condo and we would like thank you again for the best place to stay. Mahalo, Suzanne B. and Joe G.

Recommended for:

Guest: Lynn & Ken (-)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

[Lynn & Ken are returning for the second time to stay for the month of November and some of December. Here's what Lynn write to me when we were discussing her upcoming rental in November of 2009.] Thanks Frank and yes lucky us…since our stay in your condo last year all our priorities have changed. Our main goal( besides our families) is to get to maui again!and again! We thought this would be a one time thing last year but we had such a wonderful time that we knew before we even left that we would do whatever it takes to come back again. And we did it…thanks for helping us make it happen! Lynn

Recommended for:

maui vacation

Guest: manta ray (riverside,ca)
Date of Stay: 06/03/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

great vacation-everything as described-brand new side by side refrigerator with water purifier-full size washer and dryer-wireless dsl internet,layout of condo was perfect-highly recommended--mahalo frank and brian

Owner response:Thanks Greg......I would add that the view and closeness to the ocean trumps the fridge and the condo layout.....but I'm glad you enjoyed the amenities as well. Frank

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