Perfect!
Submitted: May 4, 2013
Stayed: April 2013
We have stayed in several VRBO/HomeAway rentals over the past several years, and I have to stay that Hale Hina is the standard for all of our future stays. The first thing to mention is that not only do the pictures of the home not lie - they don't even do it justice! The view from the house is absolutely gorgeous, and watching the sunset every day was one of our highlights. That said, it was all the little things that made Hale Hina truly top-notch.
Everything inside the house is upscale, from the flooring to the bedding, the towels, and the floor mats. The kitchen is stocked with just about any utensil the typical cook might need, and then some. The orientation book provided is stuffed with information, making it easy to find what you need. I especially liked the instruction manual for the entertainment center – easy to follow (although I wished my husband would have read it before blaming the TV for not working right!). It is obvious that a lot of care has been put into the home to make it welcoming, and precautions have been taken to try and keep it that way.
We had no negatives on this trip; it truly was our favorite experience. However if there are certain things you need, it may be helpful to know the following: 1) The house is located in an upscale, gated neighborhood. It requires going through a security gate to enter, which is staffed at all times. It is a residential community and is extremely quiet. However, it is not completely private. You do have neighbors, although we rarely saw them. Lawn and other maintenance companies may be around during the mornings. This is not in any ways intrusive, but it might be important to know. 2) The most touristy area of Kona is approximately 15 minutes away by car. It's a beautiful drive near the water, but it is a little further out from the beach.
One last thing: after we checked out of Hale Hina, one of our party was staying one more night and rented an oceanfront room at the Marriott in Kona. We spent the afternoon there before our flight, and we were thankful that we'd rented a house for our trip. The extra space to relax was invaluable. Additionally, the beaches in Hawaii are often rocky, so the sand beaches are coveted, crowded and noisy. I much preferred the quiet calm of looking out from our covered lanai, past the edge of the infinity pool and down to the ocean to watch the sunset. Our next trip to Hawaii will definitely be Hale Hina!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Pet-friendly,
Adventure Seekers,
Girls Getaway,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
People with Disabilities,
Romantic Getaway
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