Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great location!

Guest: honeymooners (Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/11/12

My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon. The price was great and the location was fantastic, a 10 minute walk to a great beach and a 15 minute walk to one of the best places to snorkel on the Big Island. We chose this place because we got sticker shock when we were checking out the hotels in the area. We decided we did not need to be overlooking the water if we could be in a place that was cheaper. We would plan to use it mostly just to store our stuff and a place to crash. We did not expect to spend much time here. Having said that, it suited our purpose fine. Do not expect to be able to cook here. There is a hot plate and a few pots and pans, and a mini fridge, but there is only one sink for the whole suite and little counter space. Cooking with the hotplate makes the room very hot and it is quite slow. Water does not boil on this hotplate, it just gets close to a boil. Having said that, the cheap price means maybe you will be able to eat out more and there are lots of great restaurants in the area. We did have breakfast here every morning, sitting out on the lanai. That was nice. Everything is a little worn, but it all works okay. Keeping the counter really clean keeps the ants away. We did see a few bugs but not because the place was unclean, just that bugs live in that part of the world. One thing that was really nice was waking up to the birds every morning. The manager was responsive to our questions and concerns. We did not have any regrets about staying there.

Owner response:Aloha Laura, I really wish you would have told us about the hot plate not working property. We could have exchanged it for another one. I hope you enjoyed your stay. Warmest Aloha,

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Thank you for your wonderful review

Guest: Rich
Date of Stay: 11/06/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

I really appreciate you leaving a review. We do value your opinion. You were great guests and welcome back anytime. Warmest Aloha,

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Nice, quiet & roomy!!!

Guest: Rich (Ocean View, HI)
Date of Stay: 11/06/11 Review Submitted: 11/10/11

Thanks Bill for allowing us to stay at your place for our little mini-vacation away from home. The place was great!! We had everything that we needed to be comfortable and we enjoyed staying in Kona. I would recommend this place to my friends and family anytime! Thanks again, Bill!!

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

Our Mini-vacation

Guest: Matsy (Kailua-Kona, Hi)
Date of Stay: 10/30/11 Review Submitted: 11/02/11

We were very fortunate to have found this rental. It satisfied practically all of our needs including the most important....peace and quiet ! The hosts were nice and I did the walk to Kahaluu Beach Park very easily. We are Big Island residents and were having our house tent fumigated. I have already recommended this unit to friends needing a place to stay "in town," as well as family. Thank you much Bill and staff !

Owner response:Thank you so much for your wonderful review and I am glad we were able to help you with the trying time having your house tented. I realize that is an awful process to go thru. You are welcome back any time. Warmest Aloha,

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

1 week stay

Guest: Shawn (Champaign, IL)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

I just completed a week long stay at this location and was extremely empressed with my experience. The location of this rental to the white sands beach is incredible, I woke up every morning and walked to the beach...less than a 3 minute walk! The other guests were very friendly, some offered to make me dinner while they were BBQ'ing. Bill, the owner, kept in contact with me before and during the trip. My flight leaving the island was delayed, I contacted Bill and he allowed me to stay pass check out time to ease my frustration. I challenge anyone to see if a hotel would allow that accommodation. Thanks for a wonderful place during my time on the island.

Owner response:Aloha Shawn, Thank you for the wonderful review. You were a wonderful guest and everyone really enjoyed meeting you. You are welcome back anytime. Warmest Aloha,

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

Did not live up to description

Guest: Katie (Auburn, Washington)
Date of Stay: 03/06/11 Review Submitted: 03/13/11

This place was disappointing, given that it had some good reviews in the past. Overall it was a lot of little things that were old, dirty, or not as advertised that added up. For one thing, the unit we stayed in was not the one pictured and did not seem newly renovated (based on paint, fixtures, etc). The unit we stayed in had termites - when we checked in they told us about that, but it was still a little gross to see lots of dead bugs on the counter and we felt they should have informed us before we arrived. There were also a few roaches. A major disappointment was the lack of privacy. The window shades were so thin that you could see right through them, and since the unit was right by the driveway and street we felt that was the main aspect that was not as advertised. We also could not find the grill - I walked around the outside of building and did not see it. The good thing was the location - convenient to beaches and a short drive to downtown Kona.

Owner response:Aloha Katie, Thank you for your review. I do apologize for your bad experience. A couple of things I would like to bring to your attention. 1. It was the exact same unit as shown on the web site except the comforter on the bed has been changed to a wonderful flower print. 2. You complained about the blinds but what you neglected to do was look under them. We had installed black out blinds and all you had to do was pull them down. The wicker shades are to allow air flow but the black out shades are for privacy. 3. The bbq had been taken and placed in another rental by the guests without my permission. After reading your review I found the BBQ and put it back. I guess most of all I would like to apologize for the termite problem. We have had several pest control specialist out and then we needed to get a finish carpenter out to re-frame the window. That has since been completed. I am so sorry! I wish you would have called me and let me know your frustrations so we could have fixed the situation instead of posting a terrible review. My guests are important. One thing you failed to mention is that I refunded 50% of your stay when I found out you were so unhappy! So next time just give me a call. I want all my guests to enjoy there stay in Hawaii! Warmest Aloha,

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Dirty,Noisey,broken down....

Guest: Kat (CA)
Date of Stay: 11/26/10 Review Submitted: 12/11/10

This was by far the worst place I have stayed in Hawaii. I did not let it ruin my trip though. Noisey upstair neighbors, driveway view of cars coming and going most of the night. Everything was broken, warn and dirty.

Owner response:I am so sorry Kat did not enjoy her stay. I do truly apologize! I just wish she would have taken a minute to let me know of the difficulties so we could have corrected them. It was Thanksgiving weekend and everyone had family and friends around so I can understand the noise but please give us a chance to correct a situation. I am glad it did not ruin her visit to our wonderful Island. Aloha,

Recommended for:Pet owners

Guest: Marybeth4 (-)
Date of Stay: 07/19/09 Review Submitted: 07/19/09

We just moved to Hawaii and stayed here until we could find something long term. The accomodations were just like the pictures and very comfortable and we were greatful to be able to have our cat there too. Bill was extremely kind to us and made for a wonderful host. We really felt lucky to have picked this place and couldn't have asked for more. We would highly recommend staying here for either a vacation or a great home base if you are moving here! Thank you Bill!

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Guest: Carl Fagerberg (Chandler, AZ. USA)
Date of Stay: 09/16/07 Review Submitted: 09/15/07

Mahalo to Bill for a great place to stay in Hawaii. I stayed 5 nights and will definitely recommend it. Very clean unit and you can't beat the price. I would also consider the main house if it's available next time I visit. The location is very handy to good snorkeling and access to Kona for night life/shopping. Aloha

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/12/07 Review Submitted: 09/12/07

We just finished a 3 night stay at this property, and we enjoyed it tremendously. The room is an absolute bargain considering how clean, well furnished, and comfortable it is. Besides the kitchenette, we were pleased to see packets of coffee, a boogie board, ice coolers, and several other surprise amenities. Last, but not least, having stayed at several other condos in Hawaii, we can say that Bill is without question the most accommodating host we have come across. It was a real pleasure staying here.

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Guest: Michele Bisgrove (McKinleyville, California)
Date of Stay: 03/01/07 Review Submitted: 03/01/07

I lived in Kona for 10 years and was returning to share the island with a friend of mine. Hale Princess Keelikolani is centrally located and the decore was beautiful! We could not have found a better place to stay. Bill was very accommodating and made us feel right at home. Mahalo for an amazing stay!

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Guest: Aaron Dewell (Park City, UT)
Date of Stay: 12/12/06 Review Submitted: 12/12/06

The apartment Hale O'Pua Lani II was quite nice, and a pleasant place to pass the time. The beach is close by to walk to, and the neighborhood is very quiet.

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Guest: Katherine Nanobashvilli (califrnia)
Date of Stay: 07/19/06 Review Submitted: 07/19/06

Stayed in Hale Princess Keelikolani for 7 nights. You couldn’t ask for a nicer place to stay. It was like staying in a 5 star hotel only I had a kitchenette that made it even better. It was great to walk to the beach and enjoy the surf or go in the opposite direction and snorkel. I highly recommend staying here and I will be back.Thanks again Bill, it was great.Katherine

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