Beautiful Beachfront Cottage

• A Delicious Time

  A Delicious Time

  • Guest dinah w.
  • Date of stay 04/09/13
  • Review Submitted 05/01/13
  My grown daughter and I spent a full week here and the cottage and the hospitality exceeded our expectations in every way. We arrived after a very long day of travel due to airport delays, woozy and exhausted, and Tom was there to welcome us and checked in with us a number of times through the day. Walking into his garden to the cottage exemplified why Hawaii is so often called Paradise. His plantings are lush and beautiful and punctuated creatively with water gardens and statuary. Within the cottage he shares an exceptional collection of Balinese art and personal woodwork. This was the most comfortable of the three places we stayed in our three week visit to the Islands. I got the bed, my daughter claimed the sofa, and we both thought we were the luckiest. The kitchen was well equipped and we enjoyed cooking most of our meals there. It was the greatest place to just relax and enjoy the sound of the surf and bird calls, and although we had a lot of things we wanted to do, as I formerly lived on the North Shore, we agreed we'd have been satisfied just to stay there and grow roots. We saw whales and turtles, right on the beach, and at Ka'ena point nearby. Tom shared fish with us, and sat and talked when we invited him in, but never intruded. He has a wealth of life experience to share. We were impressed with the sense of privacy created by the plantings in spite of neighbors on both sides, and were barely aware of them. The beach has a lot of coral and this impedes free swimming, but snorkeling was excellent, and the equipment provided was in good shape. This spot is a great location for visiting old town Haleiwa a mile or two away, and my old North Shore haunts, including Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls, and the entire North Shore - although weekend traffic around Sunset Beach is very heavy and slow - but also has easy highway access to Honolulu and all of its attractions. I would recommend this spot to anyone who wants a serene and comfortable spot, spectacular cottage and yard, and who doesn't mind driving to Town to visit the attractions there.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• Spirit of Place Making on the North Shore

  Spirit of Place Making on the North Shore

  • Guest normano
  • Date of stay 11/28/12
  • Review Submitted 03/14/13
  You could carefully read and evaluate the previous reviews and try to imagine all the attributes that are described. I would accept them as true. It is all there. Although the pictures are beguiling and beautifully accurate, they cannot express the richness and wholeness and the totality of this beautiful setting and construction. You could find much more if you made this your place on the North Shore. We did and I had a profound experience in our too short week . So I just want to add my appreciation and to honor the intelligence and craft in the making of this house and garden on magnificent Mokuleia Beach. And Tom who created and now shares all this with us on a somewhat exclusive beachfront street near the town of Waialua and not far from Haleiwa. The Italians call it ‘il bel’ occhio’, the good, the beautiful eye. And it is here in every detail, every piece on display and in the rich layering of the space inside and out. It is complex and sophisticated yet simple and appropriate. It is unique and personal. It is the expression of a lifetime experience of travel, study, collecting, crafting and adventure. It is private and often the beach feels secluded because the neighbors are often not around or they are busy. We felt at home here. And it is a surfer’s house. A very experienced and erudite international surfer and also I think a fine artist, designer and maker. An interesting library awaits to draw you into this culture if you want. If you think you might wish to know more, just ask. Some serious talking story is available - if you want it. This is a special offering and what is offered is everything you need to get a glimpse of local life, everything you need to get in the water, out front or elsewhere on the Seven Mile Miracle, a holy land to surfers around the world. Amenities, equipment, information. Everything you need to be comfortable and to have the comfort of knowing that someone has thought carefully about what would make that possible for you. We always travel with a vacation rental kit that usually fills in the gaps between reasonable equipment and our specific and picky needs. Really didn’t need it here. Want more – just ask. Generosity and respect are spoken here. I miss this place a lot, I think about it everyday still. Thank you Tom for all you did for us. I hope to see you again and I hope to see your next project when the time comes.

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• Beautiful no frills Beach Cottage

  Beautiful no frills Beach Cottage

  • Guest Dietmar L.
  • Date of stay 01/29/13
  • Review Submitted 02/20/13
  What to say-an absolute beautiful cottage with an owner who has stories to tell about surfing and traveling. A stunning beach that was crowded if you had more than 3 people 3 miles left and right. Water full of turtles and fishes, a beautiful garden full of birds and butterflys. This is for people looking for nature, quietness and relaxation. one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen.

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• A little piece of paradise!

  A little piece of paradise!

  • Guest Katy & Tim
  • Date of stay 08/08/12
  • Review Submitted 08/20/12
  We loved this cottage! We spent four nights here in between two conferences in Honolulu. We wish we could have stayed longer and endured the drive into the city each day... The owner is an engaging man. We found him on the beach in front of the unit upon our arrival and he proceeded to give us a tour of the unit and make lots of recommendations to us. We found the cottage to be perfect for us. It has lots of windows which we left open the entire time mainly for the breezes but to also hear the birds and smell the flowers. Everything about this place was great-the living space was comfy, the kitchen was spacious and the bathroom just right for the two of us. The beach is beautiful with amazing sunsets. Lots of turtles! Cannot wait to return! Thanks for a great stay!

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

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• Wonderful!

  Wonderful!

  • Guest Craig
  • Date of stay 03/21/12
  • Review Submitted 03/26/12
  We came to Oahu to get married. We wanted to get a beautiful, secluded house on the beach so we could enjoy the amazing weather, as well as have some privacy before and after our wedding. To our dismay, there was another couple @ the house we rented when we arrived! Unfortunately, the owner of the property had ACCIDENTALLY double booked us because when we made our reservations, he was out of the country. The couple who also booked the house wanted it for the SAME dates as we did, so the owner just went by the dates, not our names. I was very upset (and cried my eyes out) because I wanted everything to be perfect and as I planned for my wedding/honeymoon. The owner was appalled with himself and bent over backwards to rectify the problem. Fortunately, he owned another small apartment attached to the house we originally wanted to rent, and he offered that to us (for no additional charge, just for the small deposit we already paid). I wanted the OTHER couple to stay @ the small apartment, not us though. After all, WE were the ones getting married! Our choices were limited @ that moment, and I realized that mistakes happen- NO1 is perfect, so I accepted the situation. At first I was not happy, but the location and decor of the property is absolutely WONDERFUL, so I relaxed! Later that evening, while my husband and I were watching TV in the apartment, the other couple knocked on our door and told us they made reservations @ a different place and we could stay next door. We told them they didn't have to do that, but thank you. I guess they felt bad I was crying earlier- I was just emotional after a LONG flight from New York and anticipation of my wedding. I'm not sure why the other couple didn't want to stay @ the house because they could have, but I am grateful they found another place to stay. The house is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside!! We basically had our own private beach outside, plus it is minutes away from cool shops and restaurants in Halewia. The owner of this property is a very nice man, very helpful and kind, but not perfect- but who is? I would absolutely recommend someone else to stay here, and I would love to stay here again. I would just make sure I TRIPLE checked my reservation. The mix up was not all the owner's fault, my husband and I never emailed him to confirm our stay. After the deposit check was cashed I assumed we were all set. That was our bad. Other than that, our stay was WONDERFUL!!!

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

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• Totally Zen

  Totally Zen

  • Guest Joey
  • Date of stay 06/24/11
  • Review Submitted 08/09/11
  I was there just about a month ago and it was amazing to wake up everyday in this beautiful quiet environment it's so beautiful on the north shore that time of the year weather was perfect. Loved it so much I'm going back in December and can't wait. The accomodations were excellent great kitchen to cook had a great dinner party with friends. The detail on all the furnishings inside and out nothing was left out,very cozy It was so fantastic!!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Amazing cottage in the country

  Amazing cottage in the country

  • Guest Keith K.
  • Date of stay 07/18/11
  • Review Submitted 07/26/11
  We just returned from an amazing honeymoon-stay at Tom's beautiful beachfront cottage in Mokuleia. Truthfully, we're a little hesitant to write our five-star review because we want to keep this place all to ourselves! The decor, furniture, and attention to detail was amazing inside and outside of the house. We felt right at home instantly. The cottage is located on a quiet, private street, and beach access is limited to the houses on it. The cottage feels very private and secluded, but Tom was available whenever we needed him (mostly for tips and advice on where to go and what to do). We were happy that there were never noise issues or privacy concerns, as we were on our honeymoon and looking to relax in the serenity of the North Shore in the summer, far away from the noise and tourists in Honolulu or Waikiki. Tom has done an incredible job in making the place quiet, comfortable, and peaceful. The backyard is literally your own, private beach- and a beautiful beach at that. White sand, coral reefs, and virtually nobody on it. We snorkeled with sea turtles every day, walked on the beach, and watched the most amazing sunrises and sunsets we've ever seen all right out the back door. We absolutely loved everything about this place, and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation. We can't wait to go back. Mahalo Tom!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Keep the country country!

  Keep the country country!

  • Guest Keith K.
  • Date of stay 07/18/11
  • Review Submitted 07/26/11
  We just returned from an amazing honeymoon-stay at Tom's beautiful beachfront cottage in Mokuleia. We're a little hesitant to write our five-star review because we want to keep this place all to ourselves, but here goes! The decor and attention to detail was amazing inside and outside of the house. We felt right at home instantly. The cottage is located on a quiet, private street, and beach access is limited to the houses on it. The backyard is literally the North Shore. We snorkeled with sea turtles every day, hiked on the beach, and watched the most amazing sunrises and sunsets we've ever seen all right out the back door. The cottage feels very private and secluded, but Tom was available whenever we needed him (mostly for tips and advice on where to go and what to do). We absolutely loved everything about this place, and would recommend it to anyone without hesitation. We can't wait to go back.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Very little Privacy

  Very little Privacy

  • Guest Leti D.
  • Date of stay 07/03/11
  • Review Submitted 07/12/11
  My husband and I just got back from Oahu a couple days ago. We stayed one day in Waikiki and then 6 nights at Toms. When we arrived to the place we were greeted by Tom(owner, he also lives there too) The place is beautiful, the house is well equipped, and Tom has snorkel equipement you can use. The place doesn't have AC. It wasn't that bad since we weren't really at the cottage except for the evenings and early morning times. I do have a few complaints. Especially for the price and it being our honeymoon. The biggest problem for us is that we felt there wasn't much privacy. Yes, you get the end part of the house to yourself but Tom lives in the front part and we could hear him and his guests so I'm sure he could hear us. We could also hear the neighbors on either side as well as two houses down. Second complaint is that the bed is very uncomfortable. The bed has several cynder blocks underneath it and on top of the blocks are wooden boards. No box spring. Not the best night sleep. There are lots of windows in the house and a lot of them are only covered by a screen. There is no doors into the room or restroom so when you walk out of the shower someone could see you from the bedroom window. You can clearly see in the house at night even with the sheer blinds. People can see into the bedroom if they are coming from the beach. Personally, I couldn't get comfortable in the place. Unfortunatly, we spent a lot of time away from the cottage. I personally would not recommend this place because of the privacy issue. I would say to stay in a hotel on the beach in Waikiki. (about the same price) You won't really need car. (rent a car for a day) You can catch a bus or shuttle which will take you anywhere you want to go. North Shore area resturants close early. If some places run out of food they close earlier. Drive around North Shore and east side the Island..best scenery!! Try Papa Ole's mac nut pancakes..yummy! See Pali Lookout. The drive around the Halona Blowhole and the light house are nice. Go to the swap meet for souveniers (Aloha Stadium) Sat, Sun and Wed. $1 per person to enter and they close at 3pm, so get there early. Try shrimp trucks. Rainbow Drive-In Waikiki area. Dim Sum at Legends in Chinatown. Paradaise Cove Luau (most bang for your buck) west side of island in Ko'Olina (fun activities and luau) Monoa Falls trail- beautiful waterfall at the end. Try an ice cold coconut, pizza at Bonzai pipeline.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, age 55+.

  Owner response: Well, I am sorry Leti did not enjoy her stay here, but I suppose after five years you are bound to have someone whose expectations are not met. They did not express any dissatisfaction while they were here. In fact when they left they thanked me for a nice stay. If they had expressed the dissatisfaction she expresses in her review I could have addressed many of the issues. But I think I should address the issues she raises in her review. 1) I have never had a privacy issue here. There are two units on the property. The units are separated by what was once a carport (20' wide) but is now surfboard, bicycle, etc storage and laundry. There are three walls that separate the units, two of which are heavily insulated with sound insulation. When I am in Hawaii I live in one of the units and when I am gone I have a trusted friend, often my housekeep, stay here just to make sure everything goes smoothly and any concerns guests might have are answered. I have had many couples on their honeymoon stay here and several of them return on a yearly basis. While there are lots of windows in the house the accesses are separate and the property is screened by hedges from the neighbor properties. 2) They were here over the Fourth of July weekend. Some of the neighbors did have gatherings but there was no excessive noise. This is a very quiet neighborhood. We are on a private road and there is only one strip of houses along the beach. All of the neighbors are quiet and respectful. You have to expect some activity over the holidays. 3) The mattress is medium firm. Perhaps firmer than they are use to but I do have a memory foam pad if needed. The blocks under the bed are a safety precaution. I built the bed using beautiful old carved Chinese bed rails. I did not want to depend solely on screws. The mattress is designed to be used with or without a box springs. I have never had any complaints. I just questioned the current guests and they love it. 4) Their spending a lot of time away was their choice. Leti told me they were doing everything they could to make sure they got "their moneys worth". I think they would have been happier in Town. All their activities were there. The North Shore was not for them. Everyone has different vacation ideas. I hope they find what they are looking for. Please read my other reviews on vrbo.com 66210, and homeaway.com. for a balanced evaluation. Thank you, Thomas Mabie

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• Wonderful Stay!

  Wonderful Stay!

  • Guest Molly & Robert
  • Date of stay 06/08/11
  • Review Submitted 06/14/11
  We spent 6 great days here and it was even better than we expected. The house is so beautifully done--a great mix of casual sophistication. The beach is wonderful--right in your front yard, which is also beautiful. Tom, our host, was very welcoming--as was Carl the cat--and he was very respectful of our privacy. However we really enjoyed his company and fascinating stories and feel we left with a new friend. We will certainly return and we give this bit of Paradise a most enthusiastic recommendation. Mahalo, Tom, for a great stay.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

Jan 01-Dec 31 .. $225 per night (three night minimum)
300.00 security deposit
125 cleaning fee
tax 13.96%

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.