Ratings based on 115 Guest Reviews
Hear it directly from our travellers
4.6 Room cleanliness
TRAVELOCITY GUEST REVIEWS
Hear it directly from our travellers
by A traveller
Great getaway
Posted Nov. 2, 2024 on HomeAwayProperty was very nice and relaxing great views of sunset. Only down side was the road to property but few days mastered that road
by A traveller
Beautiful Location
Posted Aug. 19, 2024 on HomeAwayHale Kai is a little piece of heaven with a "lot of personality", to borrow my hubby’s description. It’s rustic (meaning no air conditioning, a few critters, the seaside location magnifies some house wear/tear), but at the same time filled with home comforts, unique artwork, and lots of aloha. It’s away from crowds but it is at the end of the road where locals in the community go to fish off of the rocks. It’s on volcanic rock giving renters a unique place to explore.
The dining room table is on a wonderful lanai. The winds off of the ocean kept us cool enough to be comfortable (house temp ~mid 70’s). Falling asleep to the sound of the waves hitting the beach was our favorite thing about the house!
Since it’s on volcanic rock you won’t find white sand beaches here. The last leg of the drive to get here is a little bit of a challenging one. If you’ve driven in the Smoky Mountains, MD’s Deep Creek Lake, Vermont mountains, or Telluride, the road is similar to that...hilly, steep, and winding. The views getting down to the house are stunning. With the location being right beside the sea, you will need to plan out your days carefully to consolidate driving time.
Hale Kai is one of the best supplied VRBO's we've stayed in. Even things like TP, PT, tissues, olive oil, were available for our use. Upon arrival, Dan had Hawaiian music playing for us. We noticed some tears in screens that once fixed, could help with critters/bug visits. It was a fun and memorable visit!
by A traveller
Amazing Views
Posted Aug. 5, 2024 on HomeAwayThis location was amazing for views and enjoying the sound and view of the ocean! The house was amazing with all the amenities needed for a week stay. Would recommend having a 4x4 to get to the property. It is not an easy drive to get to neighborhood and is very intimidating the first time you drive it. The drive is worth the views from the house and the lava cliffs tbat are just amazing and serene. Definitely recommend staying here!
by A traveller
Location not the best, but beautiful view
Posted Jul. 17, 2024 on HomeAwayIf I could pick this house and view up and move it to an easier to get to location, I would give it a much higher rating. The 12 minute very windy road was very hard to handle everyday coming back from a long day out. My kids and I all had to wear sea bands every time we left and came back because of that road made us so car sick. There is nothing to do at the house. No easy accesses to water to swim. There are no decent beaches and no restaurants. We would leave the house in the early morning to make an hour or longer drive to beaches restaurants or other activities we had in mind. We would just stay out all day and then return at night. This was our only place we stayed and that was our fault. I had no idea the amount of driving on windy roads we would have to do to get to anywhere really. I picked this place because it was in the middle of the observatory and the VNP. I should have just chose one place closer to each. We wasted a lot of time in the car.
The house was comfortable and there was plenty of room for us all. It was too hot for us the first night. We are not comfortable sleeping with the doors open, especially with kids sleeping downstairs, so we bought three fans, one for each room. That helped a lot. We left those there. The locals would come down and “party” right in front of the house at night, and it would get very loud. My husband would have to go out and turn the outside lights on to show them we were there.
by A traveller
Such a stunning location, but very isolated
Posted Apr. 11, 2024 on HomeAwayThe location is stunning. The last 3 miles to the house takes almost 15 minutes to drive just that segment. There is a local grocery store about 20-25 minutes away, and aside from that there are some restaurants 45 minutes away. We felt more isolated than the listing conveyed.
Regarding the house, it was adequate & comfortable. There were a lot of little aspects that needed attention though. Broken flapping trim, a smelly dishwasher and washing machine, lots of grime and dead bugs, etc. The tap water is not potable, and there is a dispenser with a 5 gallon jug for drinking water. There was only 1 jug for our 9 day stay. We ran out of water, & despite numerous contacts since day 3 it wasn't replaced until our 7th day.
We were excited to kayak, surf and swim since equipment was referenced. There was no surf board, and the only option to kayak was along a 15 minute rugged hike. The winter swells are strong, & there is no closer option to swim then.
We were excited to use the plunge pool but it was a very cold 75 degrees. With all of these factors we ended up staying around the house for just 1 day. Driving to Hilo, Kona, etc, just be prepared to spend a LOT of time driving. Hilo is 4.5 hours roundtrip, & Kona 2.5+. We drove 30 hours total over a 9 day stay
There were a couple other issues like arriving to a dishwasher full of dirty dishes, and a dryer full of laundry. We reached out to the owner after our stay to explain all of our concerns, but never heard back from him.
Comment from Hotel Management
Apr. 18, 2024 by VrboOwner, Hotel Management
Dear Suzanne,
I am saddened by your scathing review. You are the only guests we have ever had that our house manager referred to as "toxic" due to your almost contant phone requests and harassment You have proven once again that there are some travelers that you just can't make happy if you peeled their grapes and hand fed them while fanning them and massaging their feet.
Very rarely do I have to refute a review, but in your case I do believe its warranted. Several grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants are located in the full service town of Oceanview which is 18 miles away and about a 20 minute drive (at least for me).
It is Hawaii and tropical so there are going to be bugs. To limit bugs in the house we have learned to leave the screen doors closed, to not leave food out or crumbs all over the counter and keep things sparkly clean. The tap water is very potable as it is treated by charcoal filters and ultraviolet light just like big city water. We do provide 10 gallon water delivery of pure spring water for the enjoyment of our guests as well every Thursday. If they didn't deliver thats news to me.
If there wasn't a surfboard there it is because someone took it or it was lost. The ocean kayaks can be put into the water at the subdivision park on Kai Avenue just down from the house or at the village 1.5 miles away. More athletic folks just pass it down the cliff at Makahiki Point which is where we took my mother-in-law when she was in her 80's so its really not that difficult. If a swell has come up then no, you can't kayak anywhere on the West Shore in the winter. The pool is refreshing at 75 degrees... like a pool is supposed to be. We have kids in and out of there all winter long without a complaint. It is not a hot tub.
You said that there was no closer place to swim when there is a swell up. That isn't true either. My children grew up at the house and as babies and later as toddlers we hit the ocean up every day. On really rough days we still played in tidepools bigger than an Olympic size pool or at the County Park at the village even when there were babies.
In terms of your complaints about driving times... well you are on the Big Island and its called that for a reason. Hale Kai is conveniently located halfway between Kona and Hilo and is a great base to explore the entire island from. There should not be any dishes in the dishwater or laundry in the dryer and if there was I apologize. You should never leave your own home.
by A traveller
Amazing!
Posted Mar. 30, 2024 on HomeAwayWe lived this property! The view cannot be beat! You can hear the waves crashing against the sea walls and it’s just magical! There is so much to explore just off site! Our kids had a blast exploring the lava sea cliffs and playing in the tide pools. The neighborhood is quiet, peaceful and safe. We enjoyed having our breakfasts and dinners out in the balcony and the kids loved the soak pool. I would absolutely stay here again!
by A traveller from West Harrison
Excellent property!
Posted Mar. 14, 2024 on HomeAwayWe couldn't say enough about this property and really enjoyed our stay here. The pool was cold so we didn't use it and the only other suggestion is to ensure you are prepared and have what you need. It is a drive to get to the nearest stores, but once you have what you need, staying here is just amazing. The waves, views, sunsets and all is just as advertised. Excellent walking along the rocks/coast close to the property and would advise to have some good hiking boots, or gymshoes at the least. Not for sandals. The rest is just amazing!
Comment from Hotel Management
Mar. 15, 2024 by VrboOwner, Hotel Management
Greetings Gary and Jen,
Sounds like you had a great time. Sorry the pool was too cold for you. In the summer its sometimes too warm for some so... what are you going to do, right? Thanks so much for your review and tips on how to "come prepared". We are kinda out in the "middle of nowhere" which is what I liked about it the most!
Mike
by A traveller
Very relaxing
Posted Feb. 11, 2024 on HomeAwayThe house is beautiful! Great views of water and the whales swimming by. The drive down the hill was very curvy and made the trips in and out very planned. Wish the pool had been a little warmer for swimming, but the top deck is where we did most of our hanging out.
Comment from Hotel Management
Feb. 13, 2024 by VrboOwner, Hotel Management
Glad you enjoyed yourselves... I noticed the new pool was a little on the cool side as well and am looking into a heat pump to bring the temp up a little. Thanks for your feedback and hopefully we will see you again some day!
-Mike
by A traveller
Breathtaking Ocean View
Posted Feb. 6, 2024 on HomeAwayQuiet Location except for the unending ocean sounds! Beautiful view of the ocean and surrounding area. Loved seeing whales from the deck.
The house has definitely rooms with views. Would have loved curtains that fully closed. Visitors to the open lava area next to the house made us a bit uneasy at night.
Comment from Hotel Management
Feb. 6, 2024 by VrboOwner, Hotel Management
Happy you enjoyed your stay Cari. Sorry about the fishermen out at the point. They do come occasionally and fish at night off the point. There are curtains in every room so not sure whats going on there....
Mike
by A traveller
Beautiful location
Posted Nov. 11, 2023 on HomeAwayThe property is a nice place with full accommodations and plenty of room. We were extremely comfortable. The view is amazing!!!!
The drive down to the house is long…. we did lots of driving because there really isn’t anything local.
The house is at the water so you will hear the waves crashing all the time. It was nice to wake up to but a challenge falling asleep from the upstairs master bedroom. It’s loud.
Overall, the property is lovely. A good place for a family gathering. We did not have any issues so there was no need to contact the property manager.
