Tony O.
May 2024
Enjoyed the easy check in with digital locks - no stopping for keys. The condo was very clean and well stocked. We enjoyed morning coffee on the tropical setting lanai. But I recall the deciding factor for our choice here was the beach access. And it indeed is a beautiful setting. We had dinner one night at the restaurant at the beach and we all agreed it was the best dinner of our trip. The location was a good anchor spot for visiting all points of the island but we wished we had been a little closer to Kailua-Kona. Overall, a great experience
Susan W.
January 2024
The condo was clean with a well stocked usable kitchen. The beach club pass was the reason we booked and because it was close to a meeting we attended. There are pods for the washer and dishwasher and the owners have spices and such to facilitate cooking. Plan to buy your own shower soap as only one tube of shower gel enough for one shower is provided. The owners have a Ring doorbell installed, therefore they can see and hear every time you come and go from the condo. I personally found this intrusive. They also have the thermostat set at 76 degrees. If you desire a temperature below that, they require you to pay them a surcharge. There are only two beach type chairs provided for your use, they are in only fair condition. Additional chairs are the style that fold up in carry bags. Overall, this was a fine condo in which to stay. The owners provided detailed instructions and I found our stay to be pleasant and trouble free. The issues above were minor, however the Ring doorbell was a first for me at a Vrbo, and I personally didn't like that it was there. As an owner, however, I can see how it would provide value and peace of mind when not residing there full time.
January 2024
I don't want some disappointing experiences with the owner to overwhelm this review, so will start with the positive.
Condo location: 5/5 - on sunny side of island, close to best beaches
Condo amenities 5/5 - thoughtful inclusions such as beach gear and kitchen equipment
Communications 2/5 - We've rented many vacation properties over the years and never been so hounded by owners. They demanded to speak to us live -- not via email, which I explained was our preference -- during our vacation, to inquire into exactly how many people were staying with us (the exact number agreed in our contract), where we were storing bicycles that we rented, etc. We were given approximately a dozen pages of rules which we followed. We are a quiet family with two adult sons, but neighbors were asked to report on our behavior. This excessive monitoring put a damper on our holiday. Not once but twice did the owners impose additional and unexpected fees over which we had no say. One was an unexplained increase in rental cost, and the other was for higher than expected energy costs because on the last day we left a couple of windows open to release shower condensation. We spent HOURS cleaning the condo upon departure as we knew the owner was quite fastidious and we are responsible tenants, but this was never acknowledged. I'm sorry because the owner seems like a nice guy who was unreasonably anxious. I'm afraid an otherwise enjoyable holiday will be forever marred in our memories for this reason.
Binh N.
January 2024
We stayed for 6 nights and the place is very well kept. The house has everything that you'd need, so don't over packed. The pantry is filled with almost everything that you'd want to create a meal like home. There is a Viking gas grill that will perfectly cook your tomahawks. Also, rather than wastefully throwing out stuffs, I liked the fact that I can leave behind items that next group can use. The beach gears are wonderful to have, as the beaches in big island don't have rentals. I don't have any bad comments, other than the 76F in the house. I'm used to having the temperature around my home at 72F, so it took some times getting used to. However, in fairness, the property owner did clearly mentioned that in the contract. I'd definitely come back.
Tira N.
December 2023
The home was exactly as presented. Had everything we needed. Bedrooms were comfortable. Upstairs suite is grand. Ample communal space to spend together for meals and visiting. Well stocked with beach supplies. The location was perfect, Fairmont Orchid conference center is an easy 10 minute walk. Grounds and pool were very nice. The owners communicated with clear instructions and messaged to be sure we got settled and had what we needed. Great stay!
Angela L.
March 2023
Hello again,
Mike and Lise, thank you again for allowing us to make your home ours for just shy of two weeks. This townhouse is so well looked after and has everything you need (pots/pans/spices/condiments/beach bags/cooler/pool noodles/boogie board). Mike made sure everything was good when we arrived, much appreciated. The location of the townhouse is also the best place on the island, in my opinion.
The lanai off the dining area is where we ate our meals that we didn’t eat out. It is very private, looks onto well manicured green grass & palm trees. The lanai off the master bedroom is also great for just sitting out in the morning sun or evening to wind down.
The pool in the complex is absolutely beautiful, only a short walk (max two minutes at a snails pace) and the people you meet there are truly amazing. Many people stay there for many months so it becomes a welcoming community.
The weather was absolutely beautiful (coming from snowy/cold prairies in Canada) and coming into the house after a day out, the temperature inside was perfect. No issues sleeping with the great firm king bed.
To wrap it up, perfect townhouse, perfect location. We will be back :)
susanne c.
January 2023
Nice townhome, but temp was locked at 76. Owner agreed to lower to 75, which was still too warm to sleep comfortably…probably wouldn’t stay there again for that reason.
January 2023
This was a beautiful spot and such a well equipped unit, providing everything we needed for a great holiday. The owners were very helpful too. Thanks!
Don M.
January 2023
Our13 day rental was simply wonderful. The unit was nicely equipped with everything a family could want from toaster-to-comfortable beds. The location, on-site amenities, and convenient access to shopping was a wonderful befit.
Art C.
December 2022
On trips to Hawaii, we have usually stayed at hotels near the beach. Due to COVID, we decided to stay in our own Condo. This turned out to be a fantastic decision! Mike and Lise's condo is immaculate and contained every possible resource we would ever want.
The Condo was only a 10 minute walk from the Fairmont Orchid, so we got almost all the same benefits as staying in the hotel. From the Fairmont, you can then take a beautiful 30 minute walk down the coast to the Mauna Lani Beach Club, which we did 3 times (Best to get there early to get one their Cabanas).
While we ate many meals in the condo, taking advantage of the outdoor BBQ, we did eat out a couple of times and would recommend both places - The Coffee Shack in Captain Hook for brunch (more for it's scenery, than food) and the Kona Brewing Company for dinner (get there early).
Lastly, we want to thank Mike and Lise for their wonderful hospitality. They got back to us immediately on the few questions we had. We would not hesitate to stay here again on our next trip to the Big Island. Mahalo Mike and Lise!
Christina B.
August 2022
We had the best 10 days on the Big Island and this property was every bit as wonderful. The location is perfect, the resort pool is big, quiet and beautiful. The access to the beach club is wonderful. We day tripped to other beaches and none were too far away. We walked to the shops for delicious Mauna Lani coffee. Everything was perfect. The home is definitely loved and you can feel it’s warmth. It was spotless, organized and had everything we needed to feel at home. Mike called us when we arrived to make sure we had all we needed. And we did! We are so grateful for this amazing vacation and life long memories made. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
Gerald M.
August 2022
A 6-night stay for our family was excellent. Very clean. Well stocked with bathroom/kitchen/bedroom supplies as well as beach equipment. Quiet area in Mauna Lani. Would recommend to friends!
Shawn D.
July 2022
10 days on the big island and we were lucky enough to have a place to call home every day. The house is clean, nicely laid out, very comfortable and well stocked for our needs- very comfortable bed, laundry facilities and a top notch kitchen and outdoor grill! We loved being able to spend the day at the private beach or exploring the island and to be able to really enjoy the place we were staying. Looking forward to a return trip!
Meri B.
July 2022
Beautiful quiet neighborhood in great location with all the beach necessities included. The beds were so comfortable and there were even cold drinks in the fridge waiting for us when we arrived. When I had a question about the property the owner immediately answered my email. We loved our stay.
Rog & Steph R.
June 2022
We reserved here due to proximity to the Fairmont Orchid for IronMan 70.3, and it looked really nice. We were so pleased from start to finish with Mike and Lise's rental! Easy booking process, great communication, clear instructions, perfect location, and the most well-stocked short term rental we've ever seen.
The home is lovely, clean, and has everything you'd need for vacation and then some. And perfect location for participating in and spectating the race! Wife turned up with a broken ankle a week before the trip so couldn't race, but she was able to cheer from the balcony as the bikes went by after the swim, and a super short walk (or knee scooter in her case!) just down the road to see the runners. Short drive to restaurants and shopping. And was perfect for those racing, as it was a very short walk to transition in the morning.
We hope to be back next year !!
kostantinos(Dino) G.
April 2022
Excellent
Chris C.
April 2022
Mike and Lise were awesome to work with. They really cared for their property and it showed. I needed a quiet place to work for the week while we still wanted to feel like we were in a resort. This place completely met our needs! Very centrally located with amazing access to the beach club. Highly recommend their home to anyone. Thanks again!!
Angela L.
April 2022
We had a trip booked with a group for February 2022. The group decided to cancel as some weren’t comfortable with traveling/testing requirements to and from Hawaii. My husband and I decided to go ourselves. Luckily for us we found this gem available for the dates we were looking at (with the group, we were staying further south). Lise made this booking effortless. Very prompt with responding, gave us info we would need (for travel to the island, due to Covid), etc. She made herself available for any questions I had.
We appreciated the ‘welcome package’ Mike & Lise sent prior to our trip. Such detailed information – we arrived after midnight, so it was nice knowing from the maps where the townhouse was situated, as the complexes are numbered, but no one has their individual outdoor lights on to see the suite number.
I echo other reviews with this home is very clean, well looked after and is someone’s home (not only a rental). I felt like I was coming home (my home with a much different/preferred climate). Mike called us a day or two later to make sure we were settled, see if we had any questions, again this was appreciated (there were no issues during our stay).
Location: Perfect. The complex is so quiet. Close to the nice beaches. We had been to the Big Island in 2020 with a group, however stayed quite south. The weather here was absolutely gorgeous. We loved the pool area. This too, very well looked after, very clean.
This home is equipped with everything from cooking items to beach paraphernalia. Having the air conditioning set for 76 was no issue at all. In fact, we had been out for the day and came home with the home warming up to 78 and even that was chilly coming in from the outside. The master bedroom had just been switched to a king bed – the firmness of the bed was great (for my old back).
I could go on and on about our trip, this property, Mike & Lise, but to sum it up…..we came to relax - Mission Accomplished. We hope to be back.
DAVID H.
February 2022
Very nice unit in the Fairways. Owner is very nice and attentive, kitchen & cooking supplies are about as good as we’ve seen in our many visits to the BI.
Ann F.
February 2022
This is a really lovely comfortable luxurious place to stay. About a 10 minute walk to the Fairmont or a rocky point where you can watch the sunset. The pool is really lovely, and we enjoyed the spaciousness of the master suite.
Martha M.
January 2022
Lovely condo and grounds. Couldn’t have been any nicer.
Sarah C.
January 2022
Well appointed, immaculately organized, quiet home away from home. Welcome escape from PNW winter. Would stay here again but hope to be local home owner soon!
Jim B.
January 2022
All good. Had a few questions and Michael was available not help.
Todd C.
December 2021
This property is everything that is promised. It is beautifully decorated, comfortable, clean and relaxing. The kitchen is well appointed both with equipment and condiments. The grill works beautifully and it is only a short walk to the beach and grocery store. A short drive away area fabulous beaches and high end restaurants. This is a resort setting with all the amenities. This was a magnificent stay and property.
Merrie W.
December 2021
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the hosts were very communicative and accommodating!
Leona B.
September 2021
Great location and safe neighborhood.
Carolina S.
August 2021
We LOVE this property! Best location and easy access to everything! The home is beautiful, super clean and very homey. It felt like our home away from home!
Lise and Mike are wonderful hosts! They provided detailed instructions and were available to clarify any further questions right away. This was our first vacation after Covid so they even provided recommendations on the guidelines traveling to the BI. Thanks to this, our arrival was super smooth.
Thank you Lise and Mike! We would love to come back soon! Mahalo!
Josh B.
August 2021
What a wonderful place to stay! It has everything you need to enjoy your stay. The beach gear is definitely an added bonus too! We loved it! Communication with the host was a breeze. They were very extremely friendly and accommodating!
Jo M.
July 2021
This place was amazing. Fully stocked kitchen...somewhat better than my own house. Clean and very well decorated. Felt like home. Ease of access was great, communication was top notch. Mike & Lise even called us during our stay to ensure everything was at our disposal. They even followed up with us for access to the gym which was still under COVID protocols. Thank you for opening your Hawaii home to us, we had a great 50th birthday trip!
Gayle G.
June 2021
Centrally located for all our excursions. Loved the pool and beach club. Unit was exceptionally well-maintained and clean. Owners were very responsive. Would definitely stay again!
Shelley P.
June 2021
Very much enjoyed the location very beautiful and comfortable.
DAVID S.
June 2021
My wife and I travel to Hawaii several times a year to visit friends and family in Kona. I've stayed just about everywhere, from the 4 seasons to the Sheraton, and all the various condo and home rentals the Kohala coast has. First off, this location (the Mauna Lani resort area) is honestly the perfect location for those looking to get away from it all. Makaiwa Bay is literally my favorite beach in all of Hawaii, and one of the perks of staying here is you get access to the parking lot with the access card. The owners, Michale and Lise are absolutely wonderful perople, and their condo is perfect! Everything you possibly want or need is provided for you. We arrived late at night, and they even offered to pick up some basic supplies for us. The shops at Mauna Lani are just a 1/4 mile away, where you'll find a Foodland too. If you're looking for the perfect big island vacation, Michale and Lise's hale is perfect. Mahalo and Aloha a hui hou!
Rob R.
October 2017
High quality property. Perfect for two couples even though it was just two of us - this time. Well appointed 2-BR unit. Close to pool and beach. Private beach area a big plus. Good access to other Big Island activities including golf, helicopter tours, volcano hiking, etc.
Lise and Mike were great hosts & most approachable/responsive. Highly recommend booking here.
Darrell G.
August 2017
We stayed at the townhouse for 8 days, it was more than we could've asked for. It was very clean, well furnished, everything we needed was provided by Mike and Lise. Any questions were had were very quickly answered. High recommend and we will certainly stay on our next trip to the Big Island!
Allan M.
August 2017
As this was our first time ever using VRBO we were a bit nervous as to how it would play out. We must have hit the jackpot as the property, the location, the amenities and the cooperation of Mike and Lise was incredible! The beach resort was worth the price of the rental by itself! The patio lanai is by far the most beautiful and private one in the whole resort. We had an amazing holiday and only wish we would have booked longer. Thank you so much Mike and Lise for letting us rent your amazing property! We highly recommend #1301 at the Fairways! The Macdonald's
Mary Elizabeth L.
May 2017
Thank you for such a wonderful stay! Everything was just lovely! The bed was so comfy we tended to sleep in every morning, just the vacation we loved. The condo is so beautifully appointed and you have thought of everything we might have needed. Love, love, love the recliners. The whole Mauna Lani Resort had everything we needed and of course the Beach Club was just as gorgeous as the pictures! A real gem! Looking forward to being back next year, already booked our dates!
william m.
May 2017
The condo was immaculate and exactly as advertised. Very clean and everything worked great.
Owners were responsive and great to work with. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Thanks again!
Lewis C.
February 2017
Clean, neat, tidy. Had everything that you would need.
Valerie f.
January 2017
My husband and I stayed here with our 10-year old daughter and my mother and we found it utterly delightful. We've stayed in the Fairways before and found this condo to be meticulously well-maintained and very thoughtfully equipped with just what you need in the kitchen and for the beach. The furniture and linens are very comfortable and the entertainment unit had a nice selection of movies and books (including on local flowers, fish, etc.). Anything we needed, we found in the condo, and our stay was blissful. It's wonderful to have the Beach Club pass for easy parking and the Mauna Lani shops with the Foodland grocery being close by is a huge plus. Our stay overlapped with a transfer of ownership and we found both sets of owners to be extremely helpful, responsive and friendly. I can't recommend it highly enough. We would be very happy to stay here again as soon as we can get back to Hawaii!
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