This cottage is a perfect vacation rental if you like to feel the unique qualities of the community…read moreyou're visiting. HMBC's openness lets you enjoy the warmth, the wetness, and the beauty of Hanalei Bay in a low-key way that lets you feel like you really live there. Maybe I am reacting to our trip to the Princeville St. Regis hotel for sunset cocktails. That beautiful resort felt like placeless luxury. The views were Hawaiian, but the grand style of the rooms, plentiful central air conditioning, upper-class airs, and property layout were suitable for anywhere from the Caribbean to Mexico to wherever... My preference is to stay where the local touch is celebrated. So..., HMBC is not endlessly elegant, it's a beach cottage. But, it is definitely my type of place! HMBC's front lawn leads directly to a very swimmable, less crowded area of Hanalei Bay. We walked 4 miles roundtrip on the Bay every morning, crossing the two local rivers coming into the sea at different places each day as the sands shifted. We took our first swim of the day on our pre-brekfast treks, and decided that the placement of the cottage was enough to ensure a wonderful vacation. The building is smartly designed with a large picture window in the living room. You can sit on the couch or one of the two reclining chairs, and watch the water, surfers, and swimmers go by. Moreover, the furniture and decorations feel well-designed, thought-out, sturdy and in excellent shape. Nothing is beachy, sticky, or falling apart. Suzanne, the owner, knows how to add touches to the property let us feel even more comfortable and able to relax. The building is well maintained and clean, which is not unique but noteworthy because those basic qualities are not universal in Hanalei! There are also nice, if somewhat common extras like a reasonable selection of pots and pans, microwave, toaster-oven, a charcoal BBQ, wide-screen TVs, full-size new refrigerator, comfortable chairs, washing soap, beach towels, extra towels of all types, and other reassuring amenities. We also liked the lock-box on the porch. That arrangement was new to us, but it let us lock up, swim, and not worry about losing the key on the beach. The books, games, and beach-gazing telescope in the living room were truly above-and-beyond treats. So was assortment of beach toys and mats and chairs that were in excellent shape and felt clean. We even appreciated the unique photographs on the walls and the other artwork that was unique and felt just right. We traveled with friends who rented a cottage across the grass from us. Their place is owned by a different member of the extended family that owns 5 adjacent waterfront units (and more elsewhere in the country). We felt lucky to have chosen HMBC because our owners seemed to understand what boosts a vacation. Our cottage had a gas stove, which I much prefer over the electric one our friends had. Adding gas must be costly, but it let us enjoy cooking more. Plus, there is a washing machine and gas clothes drier at the cottage which was both handy and free ... our friends had to pay several dollars to dry their clothes at an underpowered electric drier. (Come on owners of the other cottages... you're charging $400+ a night and then you make your guests put in quarters to wash and dry their clothes?? I am sure glad HMBC's washing and drying were not nickel and dime annoying extras. I mean, do you want to carry a bag full of quarters from the mainland in case you need to do laundry? Geeze!) Another special at HMBC is its lovely, hot-water plumbed, outdoor shower. We also appreciated that our kitchen was stocked with matches (our friends had none) and lighter fluid (again, they had none). Our friends even had to ask the housekeepers cleaning other cottages for more toilet paper. You're given the owner's telephone number is case of any problems. We had an incident: the clothes drier started smoking with an electrical smell as soon as we turned it on one morning. Suzanne had someone check the problem that afternoon and, when it turned out the motor had burned out, had a new drier installed the next morning. She was very, very responsive, came out herself to make sure we were okay, and ensured that the minor problem was solved. That visit, by the way, is when we discovered how delightful and friendly Suzanne is! Overall, in our opinion HMBC is excellently laid out, well taken care of, and, well..., as good as it gets.

Fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing out in Hanalei Bay? Walk to town for coffee and…read morebreakfast (or drinks and dinner at night; no need for a designated driver here!)? Views of Bali Hai from your front lawn? If you want the quintessential Hawaii experience, then stay here! The Moon Beach cottage is on the rustic side (think gecko visitors)--but that's part of its charm. Do yourself a favor and use the outside shower as your primary one (it's amazing to look up at Bali Hai as you lather up). The bed is a lot more comfortable than it looks, which is a big plus in my book. One night it got a bit noisy as some kids were partying on the beach--but everyone else we ran into was nice and respectful (and quiet). Sitting in the living room on the rattan furniture with the windows open and watching the surfers and the waves is pure heaven! It's one of the lesser-expensive places in Hanalei, but at $1,950 for the week it might be above some people's price range. But you are right on Weke road (multi-million-dollar real estate)--in walking distance to town and with direct ocean views. Also, the house sits on a big lot. There's even a neighborhood cat and dog who come by from time to time to say hello--just welcoming you to the neighborhood with that ol' Aloha spirit. Skip Poipu. Stay here. (You can thank me later...)

The beach was great. A little hard to get directions on line but once found . Thanks to a post on…read moreyelp

My family and I stayed at the Dali Hale Estate for 7 days to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary…read more It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The property was amazing with 8 bedrooms (4 upstairs and 4 downstairs), a huge kitchen, a family room, sitting room and media room there was plenty of room for everyone. It was beautifully kept and was stocked with towels, toys, and sports equipment. The house manager was readily available to answer any questions. The walk down to Secret Beach has 360 steep stairs so it was a workout getting back up but the beach is breaking and very quiet although you may see a little bit of nude bathing. The house offers the most amazing views of the ocean, sand and lighthouse. I would highly recommend!

This was our second time to Kauai in 3 years, both times staying in Hanalei. We were thrilled to…read morefind Hanalei Surfboard House for many reasons. 1: The location across the street from the beach, plus a short stroll into town, is the absolute best. We truly didn't need a car this trip, as we spent all of our time in our little heaven of Hanalei. 2: The property was ideal for a relaxing and comfortable stay. We prefer Airbnb situations when we can find them, and this fit the bill perfectly. The entire property was expertly maintained, from the gorgeous exotic grounds, to the care of the interiors, and the structures were without a doubt built with high quality and integrity. 3. Although there is a few suites on site, there is excellent privacy both inside and outside. No noise issues at all. We loved the covered lanais, both front and back. 4. This really could move up to 1, but the bed and the shower were both top notch! Bed and pillows so comfortable, and that's always our biggest issue. The shower had amazing water pressure and got as hot as you wanted it. 5. Simon - he's a gem! We got to meet and chat with him and it's clear, he loves this place and the people who visit.

The best place we've ever stayed in Kauai & one of our most…read morefavorites ! This was almost 10 years ago . This place is absolutely pristine & clean ! Simon the owner of this Amazing Airbnb is simply a gracious host & everything you need for your stay is available. The grounds are kept & very well maintained. We loved all the retro & eclectic decor surround the outdoors & the inside of our Cowgirl suite was eco& retro as well ! We genuinely loved our stay here & were well taken care of by Simon . We did arrive there when there was a tsunami on the way but it was all good & we didn't get hit by the tropical storm fortunately. Simon also offered his upstairs home in case we had to move to higher ground . Simon was Mr. Hospitality ! I know sometime in the near future we will be back again more than likely on our anniversary. Simon also recommended some great places to eat & venture out too . This place is phenomenal so check it out you won't regret! It's own little paradise.

I spent my birthday at this little slice of Paradise. Having our coffee in the morning and our…read morefresh juice with Koloa dark rum in the evenings was as exquisite as it was economical. The lawn is plush enough for a picnic and we spread out a blanket and had one. The skies opened up and poured rain down upon us and we just laughed. Such a magical place tucked away from all of the others! I love the privacy you have when you stay here. Auntie has all Sorts of wonderful books if you like to read. Extra bonus, Tunnels beach is a moments drive away from the cottage. Highly recommend.

My husband and I loved our experience here!…read more We are frequent visitors to this part of the island due to relatives who live just down the road. Due to a family reunion, we needed an extra place to stay when visiting most recently during July 2013. We loved the authentic worker-style cottage and property, very similar to our relatives' home just up the road, where we usually stay. What we liked: - Location: Remote and on the lush North (north!) Shore, directly across from the beach - Auntie, the owner, was patient and friendly through the reservation process and during the visit. She was very understanding when my lasy payment check didn't go through the first time, oops! - The simple interior and exterior of this cottage, which really lets you feel the "island lifestyle," - The kitchen had everything you need to cook real meals - Brand new washer and dryer. I am totally in love with this area of Kauai, it never gets old even after 20+ visits. If you are low maintenance, and like simple, affordable, authentic lodging and service, this is the place for you. Auntie even accommodated our young daughter stay for a very minimal additional charge, by providing extra bedding, and towels. I would definitely stay here again, and again, and again.

Full Disclosure: I own a house that Napali Properties manages. I have found that they have been…read morevery professional in helping maintain my property. I'm writing this because I had been renting my house with another company for over a decade and have found that Napali Properties has been extremely helpful and conscientious in taking care of my house that i don't get to visit enough but feel confident that 'it is in good hands'. Over the years, i've noticed that what Mark Twain said (paraphrase) is true: 'Most people are just about as happy as they want to be'. There must be a little truth in some of the negative responses i have read - there are always 3 sides to any story, but i can say that from my experience with Napali Properties, i have only experienced what Carol K. wrote: "Jane and her staff at Na Pali Properties are professional, knowledgeable, honest and efficient. they are sharp, they know what they are doing and they obviously enjoy helping people find great places to rent or buy." As a Yelp stock holder (another disclosure), i hope that they publish my comments so that the public is served by hearing more than one side of a story... Garrett S.

Renting a Princeville condo managed by Na Pali. Arrived to a clean, well equipped 2 bedroom unit…read more Furnished nicely. All appliances are in good condition. Only critique is that 2 overhead light bulbs were burned out. I found new bulbs in the supply closet and replaced them. Condo is located on the Makai golf course. Pretty view looks out towards the ocean. Quiet and peaceful complex. The pool is clean. The hot tub is out of service with no repair date predicted. Despite these shortcomings I plan to return next year.

The experience with the Bali Hai staff was exceptional! From initial booking with Drew to final…read morearrival details with Janelle, their communication was flawless and thorough. Even though we were booking our stay last-minute, their accommodating attitude made the process relaxing and completely stress-free. The unit we stayed in is dreamy, it felt like one of the best views available. This added to the sense of specialness. We hope to come back! And will definitely work with this wonderful team again. Thanks Bali Hai!

My great grandfather immigrated to Hawaii and the islands have supported five different generations…read moreof my family. Recently haole Sequoia Ferry at Bali Hai Realty cheated me and my family out of more than $10,000. We are having to pursue legal action against her. She has proven herself untrustworthy. In Hawaii we have rented vacation property multiple times and worked with several different realtors. I would not do any business again with Sequoia Ferry.

Not overjoyed with our stay here. 1. The lack of a/c…read morecombined with 90% humidity meant that everything felt wet all the time. Our damp laundry or shoes wouldn't dry. The carpet felt damp. The bathrooms smelled moldy. So damp. 2. Master shower would not heat up at all. Sink would get hot. Guest bathroom would get hot. Not the master shower no matter how it was adjusted or how long it ran. 3. Wasn't dirty but also wasn't the most clean. 4. Super dated. And not in a darling, historic way. The ceiling fan blades were yellow and droopy. No pull chains to adjust. Carpet in the master. Showers felt really dated. It felt safe and we appreciated the ability to do laundry, dishes, etc. Didn't use the pool but it was cute. Probably wouldn't stay here again.

The beds suck so bad it's insane. Hard as a rock, barely any blankets, and no AC. If you don't…read morelike ceiling fans blowing on you constantly you are out of luck. Because we were right by the pool we couldn't leave our windows open unless you want a very early morning. It's very outdated. Carpets. Old smell. BUT the beds! Such a bummer when you don't have a comfy bed to sink into on vacation.

My husband and I had a great vacation at Paradise At The Plantation. Alanna our host made our stay…read morevery easy from the second I talked to her I knew this would be the perfect spot for us. There are so many wonderful things I loved about this property 1. The Master Bathroom has a soaker tub. His and her vanities and a shower. It also has an extra large walk-in closet. 2. Garage to park in. 3. Large lanai loved eating our meals out there. Great quality barbecue. 4. Pool and gym. We were able to work out each morning. 5. The area had great hiking. 6. Alanna is an amazing host. Her condo is immaculately clean. Aloha. I shall be back.

Staying here was a top-notch experience! My family came to Kauai to celebrate my dad's full…read morerecovery after a nasty fall from a ladder + major surgery (on his 65th birthday!). Paradise at the Plantation was exactly the right choice for our trip. Alanna (the owner) was helpful, communicative, and extremely detail-oriented. My parents say the bed in the master bedroom is one of the most comfortable they've ever slept in. Loved having morning coffee on the lanai overlooking the pool, and jogging around the resort grounds, including some jogs to Wylie and Sea Lodge beaches (it's a steep climb but worth it!). Paradise at the Plantation was ideally located for exploring the North Shore, Hanalei, and beyond. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again if I'm ever lucky enough to get to go back to Kauai!

Aloha! This review is way overdue and is about our lovely experience staying at the Hale Makai in…read morethe Ginger cottage #4 back in May 2019. If you are looking for the perfect getaway, in need of peace, quiet, a place to detach from the hustle and bustle of city life and connect with nature, the Hale Makai cottages can provide all aspects of relaxation. Nestled in the depths of a tropical paradise you can find this exquisite beach front property with panoramic views of the ocean and as you walk out onto the sand you can witness a magnificent sunrise (am) and sunset (pm). We originally booked our stay in May 2018 however, due to the unforeseen flooding the Hanalei/Haena Area experienced in April 2018 which caused a lot of damage resulting in the closure of many businesses, the Kauai government imposed a strict ban for tourist to not be allowed to rent in areas that were hit hard, this was due to the safety of the tourist. So, Hale Makai cottages offered to re-book our stay the following year once the Kauai government felt it was safe again for tourist to rent and dwell in the Haena area. Susan play such an integral part in rebooking our stay in May 2019. She exhibited superb customer service and was always on point in answering all our questions promptly. We loved our cottage and it was equipped with everything we needed, comfy bed, linens, dishes, oven, stove, utensils, refrigerator, sink, living room, outdoor patio (we used to eat out every morning and night), soak tub, and beautifully smelling soaps and lotions locally made by Aunty Ina. The breeze felt so nice coming through into the cottage and it smelled like plumeria. It's about a 5-minute drive into the hip town of Hanalei and your surrounded by so many beautiful beaches that are not heavily impacted with tourists. When we were there it felt like we had our own private beach. We really enjoyed our stay here, the cottages are immaculate and the grounds are impeccably well maintained, just absolute paradise! Mahalo!

We have been staying at Hale Makai Cottages since 2006. We absolutely LOVE this place.Stayed here…read morein July 2023 & the new ownership does not disappoint! Matt & Chris were so helpful with our stay. The grounds are amazing & cottages located on the best beach. We will be back and look forward to our next trip.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. My wife, 6-month old and I stayed in the Plumeria Suite on the ground floor of…read morethis property at the end of May. In the end, we had to cut short our week-long stay. At the end of an exhaustive list of serious problems, the cockroach infestation got the better of us. On entering, you realize the place is totally misrepresented. Far from being a quaint Hawaiian throwback, the 'suite' hasn't had any love since the 70s. First, it's filthy: the fluorescent striplight housing throughout is full of dead flies and roaches, the skirting boards are black with dirt, the shower curtains are flecked with black mould, the grout is disgusting, the brown bathroom tiles are stained, the couches in the living room area are revolting (creases in the old grey leather are dark with years of dirt - we had to throw bedsheets over them just to be able to sit on them), the mattress on the master bed has broken springs that stick out, the curtains are non-existent, the beach paraphernalia is rusty and broken, the kitchen has the bare minimum of crockery and utensils (good luck opening wine with the pathetic corkscrew), the kettle was broken, the fridge had been painted white (assumedly because it was disgusting beforehand)... I really could go on. But the climax of this disaster was the cockroach infestation. We first saw a couple of roaches on our first night but the owner told us it was a tropical island and there was no avoiding them. We tried so very hard to swallow this until we visited other friends staying nearby in other houses that had been updated in the past half-century. Obviously, they did not have any problems with roaches. On the fourth night, we returned to a kitchen alive with cockroaches. We had passed the tipping point of a stray roach passing through - we never cooked in the kitchen and no food had been left anywhere. It's clear that the house needs fumigating. We left the following day and flew home. The owner was lovely at the beginning of the booking but, as the problems presented themselves, she wouldn't even entertain the idea of a refund. We emailed her immediately on arrival to explain that we wanted to leave and even offered to pay for a few nights (so she could retain some of the income from our stay). The answer was a resounding "no". She wouldn't acknowledge that the house is in a state of disrepair. She offered us a new kettle and a re-clean (which never happened) but, frankly, the place needs a total overhaul. If we had paid a third of the considerable price (over $2000 for the week), we might have had to accept that you get what you pay for. But, for over $2000, you expect a minimal level of quality. Here, the owners are cashing in on a near-beach location - they have absolutely no interest in putting any of their money into fixing this disaster zone. In the end, we have complained to VRBO and will be seeking a refund through Amex. Interestingly, the Hanalei Villa website no longer works and the VRBO listing has disappeared. Very odd; I just hope the health inspectors have closed the property and that the owners will be obligated to sort the place out. It's an absolute disgrace. For the record, we've travelled pretty extensively over the course of our lives, stayed in our fair share of shitholes, but this place is well over the line in terms of what is acceptable. Please, please go elsewhere.

Felt like a rock star on my honeymoon! This was a gorgeous modern house that was in the perfect…read moreplace. Steps from the Ocean (you can see from the house), right in town, yet this beach town still feels like your in the real tropical and private setting of Kuaui. Maile is awesome and couldn't find a more relaxing perfect setting with my wife.