All we wanted and more

Guest: Oberon46 (Anchorage, Alaska)
Date of Stay: 11/16/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

My son was headed to Afghanistan, so I wanted this chance to visit with him and his family without the noise and bustle of the touristy side of the island. I was blown away by the beautiful appointments and awesome kitchen. The house itself is older, but it is obvious that a lot of top notch upgrades have been performed; glass tile, Viking appliances, granite counters, and so much space inside and out. The chaise lounges (five of them) were the gathering spot for us all to watch the sun set, or lay out for a tan. The property is entirely fenced in with a security gate so it was like having your own private chunk of the island; you would think no one else was around for miles. The pictures do not even come close to showing the beauty of the inside of the home. To be fair, the neighborhoods are a bit daunting as you drive closer, and there was a bit of road noise, but I just let it mix with the sound of the ocean and it wasn't a bother. Once you see the actual property, much less enter the home, you will be blown away. Definitely would recommend to those wanting a quiet quality visit. You will want for nothing.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

We didn't want to leave

Guest: jadejoann4 (US)
Date of Stay: 06/15/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

This place is truly Hawaii. I am tempted to leave a mediocre review so no one else discovers this small Eden but the host was so gracious and kind, I couldn't do that. This fabulous home was perfect for us. We are a family of grandparents, parents and two kids (8 and10). We never felt crowded, the beds were comfortable, the air conditioners kept the home cold, the kitchen had all you would need and the view???? My goodness! Ocean view as far as you can see, mountains to the right, surfers or paddle-boarders in the morning while you sip your Kona coffee, the kids would just walk down the little stairs and onto the water. The water right at the back there isn't ideal for swimming but just walk a little farther down and it gets much better. Every night my husband and I would shut off the air, open our screened balcony doors and have the waves lull us to sleep. In the morning, we would anxiously wait for the sun to peak over the mountains on the right and the sky would turn purple, maroon, and eventually the most celestial blue ever. Truly, it brought me to a place of eternal thankfulness to our Lord for such a glorious creation. There are a couple of great markets near by and our FAVE place was Mikes Bake Shop about 5 minutes towards the south. We walked around the local marina just north and every person we met was so nice and just incredible. NOT A single bad experience. We had our concerns about the area since I read some online reports about the neighborhood but I felt MUCH safer there than I do in Miami, where I was born and raised. It's about 45 minutes from honolulu. The bad side is that you will hit traffic going to and from the touristy areas on the east side. That said, I won't stay anywhere else and we covered that entire island. Gosh I miss that place. I think I'll cry myself to sleep now. One more thing, we call dibs for it in June!!

Owner response:Hi Annabelle, First of all, thanks a million for the outstanding review. We recently listed our home on FLIPKEY as well as VRBO and wanted to know if you would be ok if I added your review. Thanks so much and I hope all is well. Warmly, Patty Ochi

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing, families with young children.

Heavenly Waters Indeed

Guest: Captivated Canuck (Calgary)
Date of Stay: 02/09/11 Review Submitted: 03/09/11

We recently stayed for two weeks at Hane I Lani Wai. The property and home exceeded our expectations. We realize now it's hard to capture the beauty of a home in a few photographs on a site but rest assured, it is fantastic. Our party consisted of 11 people staying in both the main house and the guest house over the garage. Our young children (8 and 5) loved having the run of the yard with many places to explore. There was ample space for all of us. The home is beautifully appointed too and very much captured the Aloha spirit. A lot of beach gear was available too including umbrellas, beach chairs, boogie boards etc. We were warmly welcomed by the property manager who takes very good care of the home. Fresh fruit on trees, the endless soothing sounds of lapping waves, the delightful birds and geckos all made this a memorable experience. The beach in front of the home is suitable for snorkeling (great for snorkeling) and swimming though water shoes are necessary due to the reef. Just a few steps away is a more sandy lagoon if you like wading into the water in bare feet. We really enjoyed watching surfers and spear fishing from the patio. Costco is conveniently just 15 minutes away as well as the lovely sandy beaches of Ko Ohlina. We really enjoyed living in a less touristy area as it often felt like we had the entire stretch of the beach in front of the house to ourselves. We cannot wait to return..but sadly we must. We are certain you will enjoy your stay here as well.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.