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.

Our week stay at the cocohut was truly amazing! The first thing I want to say is anywhere that…read moreprovides a french press for our morning coffee is going to be first class! We could not be any more pleased with the amenities and comfort that the cocohut provided us. I don't think we ever took one indoor shower, cause the outdoor one was so very cool! We cooked half the time there with the great BBQ they had provided for us to use. Nice having a cooler for day trips to the beach. The owners were so nice and helpful if we ever needed anything. The thick plants and trees provided a very private and secluded feel to the whole place. We often felt like the only people there. I am going tell everyone about how amazing and peaceful this property is. We will definitely stay here again. Thank you so much Tim and Sarah!

We stayed at the cocohut in September 2013 and enjoyed our stay very much. The owners were very…read morefriendly and accommodating. The grounds around the cocohut are lush and the tropical fruit trees on the property were a treat to glean from. The location is conveniently close to most everything on the north shore. We plan on staying at the cocohut on our next visit to Kauai.

What a beautiful home! It was everything we could have wanted and more. Perfectly situated…read morebetween beaches, great amenities, stocked kitchen and linens, great beach toys, etc. Our family had a wonderful time. We will certainly be back. Kauai was gorgeous and the house made us feel like it was our home away from home. We couldn't have asked for anything more! The rental company was great and everything went smoothly. We will be back for sure! ALOHA!

From the owner: Nestled in flourishing tropical landscape within the highly desirable and upscale Poipu Kai Resort,…read morethis single-story spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Kauai vacation home is uniquely designed for island life. You will enjoy the best of both worlds: the privacy of this superbly appointed vacation home and the availability of the many amenities that comes with staying in a resort.

Had the most amazing stay at Fern Grotto Inn. It's a very cozy property with different sized guest…read morehouses and cottages. I stayed in CANAL A (Perfect for one person or 2 max). I was welcomed / greeted with a beautiful tropical floral arrangement. There were hibiscus flowers all over the room. The provided me a fresh lei on one of the towel arrangements, that I got to wear around my 1st day there. The place was so immaculate and clean! It was cleaner than my own house! It made me feel so good! Housekeeping prepared a welcome card and note with phone #'s for calls and txts. There was a kauai guidebook on the coffee table. They also had a binder with alot of tips, local recommendations and guides. The mattress is nice and firm, pillows are of a good quality. You will get wonderful sleep there. The plumbing worked well. The hot hot showers were amazing. It is on a removable shower head (just like I have at home) that is so convenient. You do have to take out your own trash, but they provide the trash liners under the bathroom sink. Paul and housekeeping happened to be on site when I arrived. They greeted me so warmly. I was having pain in my knees, and needed help with my luggage. Paul was so kind and helped me out. Cottage A was a charming studio. With a queen sized bed. There is absolutely everything you could need. Paul even prepared 2 beers, 2 water bottles and a box of chocolate in the fridge. It has both a fan and A/C wall unit that works very well! The kitchenette is stocked with everything you could need in terms of appliances, cookware, utensils, houswares, and even tupperware and ziploc bags. The cottage was well stocked with towels, bug spray, sunblock, extra blankets, etc. It was so thoughtful. Oh and the property has free laundry for the guests. They even provide laundry soap. It was outstanding. Such a huge blessing. They even have equipment: kayaking, SUP, ice boxes, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, water shoes, snorkeling equipment, etc. The freezer even has an ice tray and blue ice things to use for your daily picnics on the beach! I property has gorgeous flowers that bloom every day. You will be greeted daily with new orchids, ginger plants, ti leaves, etc. There is even a star fruit tree. Paul showed me how to pick when it's ripe (yellow color). I didn't have to buy fruit, I had so much organic star fruit, it was great! I had an amazing 7 night, 8 day stay. It was so quiet and serene. It's right on the river. Other guests were very nice to me. Every one is pretty quiet and keeps to themselves. It is well located 12 min from the airport. It is on the east side of the island, so you are pretty central to the north and south portions of the island. Nearby is a nice beach within 2 minutes - Lydgate Park. There are chickens everywhere on Kauai. But Paul thought of it all, the room comes with ear plugs. I enjoyed the roosters - it was a pleasant change from city life. I would like to return and stay at the larger cottage - the Ohana house next time! I would recommend this place to anybody looking for a safe, quiet, serene place to enjoy Kauai.

Best place to stay if you want to be centrally located. They provide a home away from home for you…read morewith everything you need. You can even kayak or paddle board right from your backyard on the Wailua River. They have a special personalized touch with all the fine details specific to your stay. Very clean, efficient, and warm home feeling.

Hale O Ani provided the backdrop for our honeymoon in Kaua'i. It is a private residence that…read moredefies simple description and the term "vacation rental" does not begin to do it justice. Hale O Ani was designed and built by its owners and neighbors, Faye and Bob, who also operate the business. Their hospitality is unmatched and Hale O Ani is a pure gem. We wanted something different than anonymous 5-start resorts or generic vacation condos, either of which you can find in abundance all across the Hawaiian Islands. We lucked out when we found Hale O Ani. Hale O Ani is a beautiful home with tasteful Asia Pacific design, evoking the sense of a Japanese temple. It's a place of spaciousness, spirit and peace. It is situated in a residential neighborhood of Kalaheo, on a lush hillside surrounded by fruit trees and friendly neighbors who "share the bounty" of their gardens by placing extra fruit into a communal crate to share. Away from the traffic and strip malls, and yet close enough to get anywhere in minutes. For us, visiting Hawaii, and specifically Kauai, has also been about experiencing the lush tropical flavors of this place, and Hale O Ani became an integral element of that. The guavas from the tree right outside the house, the juicy oranges from the neighbors, the richly flavorful papayas from the Farmer's market don't taste the same anywhere else. Our experience of Kaua'i would have been incomplete without the fruit for breakfast every morning. Faye and Bob put so much heart into Hale O Ani, be it her quest to find the perfect Chinese screens as airflow vents above the doors, her attention to sustainably farmed hardwood for the floors, the poster beds, the buddha statue in the yard, the subtle and tasteful lighting, the idea of turning antique Chinese furniture into vanity cabinets for the bathroom sinks, the list goes on and on. Faye has also collected a folder full of resources and tips for visitors to the Islands, and her orientation of things to do and see was first rate. We look forward to our next visit already.

Architectural Digest living... with comforting hosts... in a tropical paradise!…read more Sophisticated tropical ambience in a secluded setting set the tone for a unique vacation get away. The name Hale O Ani should be amended to "Serene House of Gentle Breezes". Tastefully decorated and comfortably relaxing with all the amenities of a private home. The arrangement of freshly cut orchids revived our spirits after a long day of travel. The hot tub/spa soothed our weary bodies. Our hosts brought us freshly picked avocados, peppers and limes from their garden making us feel more like neighbors than paying guests. In a Kukui nut shell... Hale O Ani is the perfect location from which to explore exotic Kauai. Thanks so much, Faye & Bob! Richelle and I value your acquaintance, personal attention, and warmth. Mahalo, friends. We hope our paths again cross...

I never leave reviews, but once in a blue moon I do business with a company that's so exceptional,…read moreand whose staff is so above and beyond that I find myself looking for outlets to let others know of my experience. This is the case with the people at Garden Island Properties. A week prior to our departure, we sadly had to cancel our travel to Kauai Island because our daughter was hospitalized. I had already paid in full for our three week rental (60 days prior to our departure date) and I did not purchase insurance. This could have been the end of the story because everyone had already been paid. But, the people at Garden Island Properties worked tirelessly to find another renter so we could recover some of our money. The humanity they showed, and the effort they made on our behalf has made me a loyal customer, and I plan to use them to help me with future rental properties going forth. I will also purchase travel insurance!

1 Star -- WARNING: This property management company will take your money and put your family at…read morerisk. We booked a week at Mele Kai (March 11-18) for two families, including kids, one of whom was celebrating a birthday on the island. Nearly $8,000. On March 10, with a massive Kona storm bearing down on Kauai, we reached out to Garden Island Properties to discuss our options. Our VRBO messages went unanswered. Our phone call went unanswered. When we finally got a text response, they told us the rain is what gives Kauai its nickname "The Garden Island" and suggested we bring "a flexible plan and rain gear." We weren't being difficult. We wrote back and told them we weren't opposed to being rained on -- our concern was flooding, loss of power, or being stuck on the island. I asked them directly: "Will my family be safe during this massive storm in your place?" Their response? They told us, "I don't mean to downplay the news coverage, but this is fairly typical winter weather for Kauai." They assured us the rental was "not located in a flood zone." Fairly typical winter weather. Not in a flood zone. Here's what actually happened: The Governor declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY. Roads in Poipu -- the exact neighborhood of this house -- were closed due to flooding. Ho'one Road and Ku'ai Road, right by this property, were shut down. The islands were hit with up to 44 inches of rain and 135-mph winds. Schools and government offices closed. Over 120,000 customers lost power across the state. Beaches were closed under brown water advisories warning of sewage overflow and hazardous bacteria. The Red Cross and Salvation Army mobilized relief efforts. Residents were evacuated into emergency shelters. So much for "fairly typical winter weather." So much for "not in a flood zone." And here's what makes it worse: the forecast they themselves included in their own message showed 90-100% chance of rain with thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 50 mph for EVERY SINGLE DAY of our trip. Their own evidence showed this was not typical. They sent it to us and still told us to come. We never made it to Kauai. We couldn't. It would have been dangerous and irresponsible to bring our families -- our kids -- into that situation. Garden Island Properties refused any refund. VRBO has been contacted twice by phone, was promised a resolution email both times, and as of this writing we've received nothing. $8,000. Gone. For a house we never stepped foot in, on an island we never reached, during a declared state of emergency that the property manager called "fairly typical." This is not a review about the weather. Nobody controls the weather. This is a review about a property management company that had every piece of information -- including their own forecast -- telling them this was a dangerous, historic storm, and they still chose to encourage a family with children to fly into it rather than do the right thing. I asked them point blank if my family would be safe. They couldn't even answer the question. They chose profit over safety. Period. If you are considering booking with Garden Island Properties, understand this: when things go wrong -- and in Hawaii, weather can go very wrong -- this company will not have your back. They will take your money, send you a canned aloha, and wish you luck.

My girlfriend and I had a great stay in Kauai Garden Cottages (KGC) from 9-15 January 2014. We…read morestayed in the Torch Ginger suite, and it was beautiful. We also were fortunate that the second cottage was unoccupied, so the back porch, which is shared by both cottages, we had completely to ourselves. We wanted a place where we could hide away from the more "touristy" spots, and KGC was perfect. Kalaheo is a nice little village that's somewhat "off the beaten path," especially compared to Poipu right down the road. Also, the cottage is less than 10 minutes from the Kalaheo Cafe' and Coffee Company, a great little place where we ate breakfast daily. KGC was reasonably priced, clean and very comfortable. There is a laundry room, an ample supply of towels, both for showers and for the beach. They provide two complimentary beach mats which were very handy. The room has a small refrigerator and a microwave and a coffee pot. (They provide the first day's coffee.) Also, don't forget to look in the nightstand drawers. They have a copy of "The Kauai Underground Guide" which we found very useful. Some things to note. KGC was perfect for us because we didn't want to be in the more heavily populated tourist areas on South Kauai. However, from the front door to Poipu Beach is about a 20-25 minute drive, so if you have a late evening craving for Lappert's Ice Cream (which we did almost nightly), you're looking at about a 40 minute round trip. The wireless internet works great (we were able to stream Netflix with no issues), but the cell coverage is spotty. Also, if you've been to Kauai before, then you know about the chickens and the roosters. You'll hear the roosters crowing bright and early...but I think you'll hear that anywhere on Kauai. Overall, KGC was a great place to spend our vacation. If you're someone that wants to enjoy the beach and outdoor adventures by day, then retire to peace and quiet by night, then Kauai Garden Cottages will be perfect for you. One final thought...I met Thayne on the day before we left. Otherwise, we never saw or heard from the owners. I saw another review where the writer felt there were privacy issues, and I can tell you this is definitely NOT the case. Our room was very private and very quiet. Also, I accidentally left my Kindle behind in the room, and Thayne was kind enough to mail it back to me, even providing a tracking number. We couldn't be happier with our experience with Kauai Garden Cottages.

Our family stayed in the Torch and Orchid suites for three nights and they were wonderful. The…read morelocation was secluded enough to make us feel like we were far away from tourists, yet a short drive to all of the highlights on the south side of the island. We were greeted by the friendly owners who offered great tips about where to eat and what to see close by. Unlike Ashley B's nasty review, the owners were not intrusive whatsoever. It actually felt comforting to know someone was nearby to make sure nobody broke into the place while we were away. The patio was a great feature. Very serene and beautiful, BUT - the freakin' rooster should be on KFC's next dinner menu. Damn thing started crowing at 4:30 am. Kauai is inundated with the birds, almost to the point of being a plague. Bring a slingshot. The downsides: -No TV (kids were a little disappointed, but we were out most of the day anyway.) -WiFi was a little touch and go and we had no internet on one of the days. -No hair dryers (wife and daughter weren't too happy about that.) -Lighting was not adequate at night, even with all the lamps and overheads turned on. Despite the minor downsides, we had a great time and would recommend Kauai Garden Cottages to our friends and family. Mahalo & Aloha.