On the beach

Reviews of #02 Kawela Kai 495:North Shore LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY 5/7-5/19


Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 99 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 141 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 141 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Airlea T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation
I loved everything about the stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Waterfront Paradise
This little house is clean, well-appointed, and the location is absolutely stunning. We loved walking in the flat rocks of the Long Beach. It’s not ideal for swimming, but it’s wild and wonderful. We even saw humpbacks breaching in the distance. Each room has an adequate air conditioning unit. We did have a little trouble with accessing Netflix and prime. The Rooster seems to crow on its own schedule, but he and the hen watch over the property, along with the little family of cats. We loved it!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kirby J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Stay and Views
This was an amazing stay. The communication with the real estate company was great as was the experience of living on this beachfront property. The place was clean and comfortable and we will definitely be recommending it to everyone.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

June M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven
This beach house was such a treat. Being oceanfront with the sand, only a few steps away, whale watching every morning while drinking coffee, and the grass area for playing ball and sunny lounge chairs made it an extra wonderful. Be sure to bring your headlamps for night time tide pool exploring, we saw an eel! Thank you for the wonderful retreat. WE WILL BE BACK!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracey K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location!
LOCATION: Amazing! You can't beat the location. True beachfront. It's on a quieter stretch of the main highway, but close to the busy Sunset Beach/Waimea area. Other reviewers mentioned traffic noise, but we weren't bothered. Stunning views, especially at sunrise and sunset. At night we enjoyed listening to the crashing waves. There is a nice stretch of sand for relaxing and beachcombing. As other reviewers noted, the area immediately in front of the stairs is not ideal for swimming due to rocks, but there are several nearby swimming areas. MANAGEMENT: By coincidence, the owners were vacationing on the property for the majority of our stay. They were welcoming and kind. The management company was friendly and quick to respond to any questions. Guest manual was full of helpful information. HOME: Perfect set-up for our family of 4. Clean and organized. Comfortable beds and well-equipped kitchen. HUGE covered deck. Extra towels & linens. Beach chairs, beach towels, and gear provided. Outdoor shower was nice. It was a bonus having a washer & dryer and extra fridge. TIP: As mentioned above, there are three other larger rental homes on the property - great if you're vacationing with multiple families or hosting an event. However, if you are a solo renter and craving a quieter experience, you may want to check if the other houses are booked by one group. On our final night, a large party rented out the other houses and kind of took over the whole property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
The location was great, view priceless, service was amazing. Only thing is the furniture could be updated to more comfortable seating. I will stay again. Memories made
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Courtney A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful property
The house is definitely older—probably from the 1940s, and in need of some TLC. Would be nice to have had some basic toiletries, laundry soap, scissors. Did have plenty of towels for the beach and even 2 chairs which is nice. Outside area is beautiful and right on the beach. I would definitely recommend it for a stay. Can also rent the houses next door if you have a big group and the yards connect. Close to Foodland, Ken’s Fish, food trucks. Also close to Turtle bay which my kids enjoyed because the beach is calmer there.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

sharon o.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Beach Home
We loved our stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Alan I., Sacramento, CA, USA

Poor value / Good Marketing
found the nearby highway loud all hours of day and night; especially, when the in-room A/C unit is off. It is best to leave on for white noise. Living area: We found the wicker furniture uncomfortable and stained. We used the wi-fi without issues and with speeds to allow our Apple TV to stream movies and sports. The standing lamp in the corner to light the room has an electrical short. Bathroom: We were disappointed that there was no shampoo or soap for use in the bathroom. We found the shower curtain stained pink with mold. We found and used many new body and beach towels, but no step cloth when exiting the stained shower. Outdoors: We enjoyed the covered deck. We experienced crowing rosters, barking dogs, and crying feral cats. The annoying feral cats overran the outside patio's deck begging for food to the point we discontinued eating outside because the cats insisted on being on our laps and tabletop. We were disappointed to learn the washer and dryer is shared with others on property and found our laundry placed in the outside sink and wet from rain. We were surprised our lawn furniture was used when we were away.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Erica R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Loved the location and beach front property. AC units were so nice to have. Communication with owners was wonderful and helpful! It was a perfect little vacation home. Would stay there again!
Stayed 10 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, peaceful, comfortable
Cannot wait to return. This was the ultimate north shore, serene escape for us. Some highlights that made this a comfortable rental for 5+ days - RIGHT on the beach. It is rocky but perfect for small children to explore tide pools. 5 min walk on beach to a swimming/sandy area. We planned to explore north shore a lot more but the property was so great with beach access we barely left the place! Nice spacious kitchen, well stocked. Wine fridge! Great indoor and outdoor showers. Effective air conditioners in each bedroom. Comfortable beds. Lots of storage areas. Washer/dryer. easy parking in front of the home. You will be right beside 3 other rentals - safety/comfort in numbers but there are dense bushes lining each home for privacy if you're not feeling social. The resident rooster will wake you up at 4, 5 and 6 am but thats fine because you can head to Ted's bakery (5 min drive) to get the freshest pastries/breakfast each morning.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Oasis for the family
We came here for our kid's spring break and of all the places we've ever stayed (hotel and house rental), this is our favorite one by far. The dream landscape of having an oceanfront home in the beautiful North Shore, basically your own private beach and only being minutes from anywhere you'd want to go in the North Shore has it meeting every checkbox we could imagine. The privacy from the neighbors was also great. Thank you so much for sharing your home. We will absolutely be back and have recommended it to anyone who asks :)
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne O., Vista usa

Liked: Cleanliness
Location Location Location
Awesome stay at our Kawela Kai unit. The home was the perfect size for our family of 3. The view was spectacular. Location was steps away from the beach, with a nice large deck to enjoy our meals at and loungers on the grassy area. There was one bedroom with a double sized bed and a second bedroom with 2 twin beds. My husband and I are both tall and larger so our daughter got the double bed and we took the room with the twin beds. The bathroom was a decent size with a convenient vanity and stool opposite the sink. Kitchen was the perfect size and had a full sized refrigerator and stove. The couch was a little uncomfortable and a second cushioned chair would have been nice, but that was a minor issue. The home had plenty of towels and beach towels and some beach chairs and foam floaties. The unit also had AC units in each bedroom and the dining/living room area that were all highly efficient and cooled the rooms super fast. However, the weather was so nice and the bedroom ceiling fans were effective in keeping the temperature in the rooms very comfortable. We originally considered one of the larger units for the second bathroom, but we didn’t need it. There was an outdoor shower that was great to wash off all the sand. In our 15 or so trips to the islands, this was hands down the best location and our favorite accommodations we watched whales from the deck, beautiful sunsets and even rainbows. Simply spectacular.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pam C.

Liked: Cleanliness
A whale of a good time.
We loved our little bungalow on the ocean and were sad to leave. Perfect for a family of four and had everything we needed for a pleasurable stay. We especially enjoyed whale watching from the lanai where we saw tons of activity and even a few whales breaching off in the distance. This place is a gem. Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Midge M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location
Great location
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute Family Bungalow
We loved this house, area and overall experience. The beach below has little swimming spots if you walk about 500 feet. We felt at home and would come back! We were sad to leave.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dennis F., Ivins

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location, very clean
We had a wonderful week at the beachside cottage. Very clean and welcoming. Well stocked with kitchen utensils. Comfortable beds. Didn’t need the AC due to cool night breezes. Previous renters left salt, pepper and olive oil which we gratefully used. Worked perfectly for 4 adults. Not a swimming beach but we loved easy access by stairs to beach level and wading in 2 foot deep pool at high tide. Friendly housekeepers at vacated cottage next door were a delight and offered many helpful tips of places to see, eat and enjoy. Loved those ladies! We would definitely come here again! Mahalo!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

April L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect North Shore Stay
We loved the location. Quietness. Closeness to Haleiwa, shopping, surfing, & the best food trucks. View from the porch for Sunset was amazing!! Had all the amenities we needed.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Honor T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent safe house and beautiful view !
I would do it again!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary Jo B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, lovely house , very comfortable with all the amenities you need for a beach vacation
Wonderful!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelly G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Hawaii home for family of 4
Beds were comfortable, home was clean and just as pictured. Location is absolutely perfect! Our only complaint is shortage of amenities supplied. Very little toilet paper (2 rolls), less than a roll of paper towels, and only 3 wash clothes were supplied for 4 people for a 7 night stay. Even a bar of soap would have been easy to supply. I strongly feel these simple ammenities being supplied would make the experience perfect. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brent B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
This is a great updated older home on the North Shore. The location is ideal for spending time at lots of local beaches. If you prefer a more laid back setting vs the hustle and bustle of the big city then this is an ideal property. It's only an hour or so to Honolulu so it's not a big deal to get there. As long as you don't require a modern home and can deal with one bathroom it's a perfect North Shore rental.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Josie M., Torrance CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Location and the house are beautiful .
We are 3 older women so this place is really beautiful felt like we were home .
Stayed 8 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kurt S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beach is your backyard
Quaint two bedroom, one bath beach cottage. It was very clean and updated. In a beautiful location in North Shore. We stayed for five nights and wanted to stay much longer. Hearing the waves crashing at night was so relaxing and rejuvenating.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location was beautiful. The property was well managed. I would upgrade the bathroom lighting and tub.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christopher W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Location
We really enjoyed staying here. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christa K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Beach Cottage
Great little beach cottage. Incredible sunsets. Perfect little vacation home, stocked with pretty much everything you could need. Laundry on site was a huge bonus. Sunsets and meals on the lanai were next level! Felt very safe with the alarm system in place, though safe location in general. Beach is so nice, though you do have to walk just a short way to find swimmable water, as there are rocks directly in front of the home. Great shells to be found! Can't wait to be back- ultimate relaxed vacation spot!
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place
My husband and I absolutely love the place and it’s location!! The communication with property management was 10/10. We will be back!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard B., Orange County , CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely respite from a busy world
This property is a great example of a beach house. View? Literally sitting on top of the beach. Steps away from the ocean. Small maintained yard with sheltered outdoor eating area. One of my favorite things to do is enjoy my breakfast and relax to the sound of waves lapping on the shore. The house itself is clean and practical. It has been recently painted and the kitchen and bathrooms are up to date and functional. The bedrooms have comfortable beds and along with the living room air conditioned. Fortunately we did not need to use the AC too often but when we did it worked well. Location was convenient as well. I hope to return someday soon.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Sept 2021
Mahalo, Richard! So glad you enjoyed your stay. Come back soon and bring your friends.

10/10 Excellent

Keith S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesomeness
Private piece of paradise. Enjoyed the chickens. Charming with modern conveniences.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Fernanda C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute North Shore Cabin-style
We absolutely loved staying at this property! There was enough space for our party of 4. The house is very small yet cozy. The kitchen is very well equipped and we were able to cook for ourselves. The view is breathtaking! The bathroom did not feel as updated as the rest of the house but we had no problems (except for the giant cockroach we found in the bathtub one day... the joys of nature in Hawaii, yikes). The house feels secluded yet you have other homes on both sides, so it feels very safe. We loved this property and would definitely stay again.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect ocean side bungalow
We’ve rented this bungalow before and it is our all time favorite location. The coral beach is steps away and you can hear the waves while in bed. The kitchen has been remodeled and updated and it’s beautiful. It could use a few more tools (no fry pan) but it’s totally workable with what’s there. The beds are clean and comfortable and the AC is a perk! It would be great if the outdoor shower had a privacy screen but as is it works great for rinsing off. I know we’ll be back!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tiffiniy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really beautiful and sweet place
The house is perfect for a party of two. It's such a charming house with everything you need, and nice amenities and dishes, etc.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

Tobishan K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little Get away home.
Overall, wonderful little house in the perfect remote location of the North shore. The private beach access was a great addition to our stay and the house was thoroughly cleaned. Cooking utensils were basic and the bbq was a charcoal style, so you needed to buy the supplies in order to use it. The only complication we had was getting the instructions to get the keys to the house. Because the company office is closed on weekends it took some time to find someone who could help us. Our situation seemed to be a one off as the team working in the office had a consistent and diligent routine for set up otherwise.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ella M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great for kids!
Perfect for our stay with two 3 year olds. The beach was great with the reef breaking the waves and providing pools of water for the kids to safely play in and explore the fish, hermit crabs and pieces of coral. The tide does come up at night but during the day the beach is perfect for kids. Great support and communication from the rental company and the owner.
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael M., Houston, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Ocean View
It’s a quaint and comfortable cottage right next to the beach with a stunning view of the waves crashing on the reef offshore.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

B L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect get away
We loved our stay here and can't wait to return. It is a quiet, lovely place to relax and the sunsets are spectacular!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Simon S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome location with spirit of pacific surf
This is the perfect location if you love the pacific and like to sit on your veranda and watch the waves break on the reefs. The house is relatively simple but provides all you need during a vacation. The only thing I personally missed is a dish-washer. The beach on front of the house provides a small tide pool which is perfect for small kids to play in safety. Some meters to the east is a small sandy cove in the rocks which is the perfect spot for adults to take a quick bath. If you want a sand beach, you need to walk half a mile to the west to the next public beach or jump into your car and drive to one of the many beaches on the north shore. We definitely recommend this place.

8/10 Good

Mark L., -

Liked: Cleanliness
Great view and location
The property had a great view nice size yard and lanai the owner lucky introduced himself very nice person There were a couple of items worth noting # 1 the beach area is very rocky so to access getting in the ocean you have to either navigate over the rocks or walk a long distance I would guess a 1/4 to 1/2 mile # 2 There are 20-30 roosters that roam the property scavenging for food # 3 in the front of the cottage we had many large carpenter bees buzzing constantly these could be Bothersome to some folks especially if they are highly allergic In summation the property is a older beach cottage with a great view great location and a nice owner and perfect for those visitors looking for a nice location reasonably priced If you are wanting easy ocean access or bothered by the roosters or bees it may not be the optimum choice

8/10 Good

Sara T.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Nice
Actual address was very confusing and hard to fine. The facility was surface clean but not deep cleaned. The bathroom and kitchen sink were very grimy with lots of years of build up and soap scum. The carpet in the house was bad. I ended up having to scrub the bathtub with CLR to get soap scum off. In spite of that we had a great trip. The view was beautiful, the weather was great, and very relaxing.

8/10 Good

Marcelo J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Kahuku rental
Great location, practical unit, enjoyed every minute in Kohuku. We traveled with young children, they had a blast at the beach and chasing the wild chickens. Patio furniture, kitchen tool, and living room carpet have seen better times though and could use an update.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ashleigh L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy beach cottage
Nice small house, charcoal grilling out at night was lovely, plenty of towels (beach and bath), even some beach toys for the kids. We loved watching the ocean from the back deck, what amazing sunsets! Big kitchen, some sheet pans would be nice but it had everything else we needed. Foodland grocery down the street, excellent snorkeling at Sharks Cove. The beach was great for kids, shallow with tide pools for exploring, even some fun snorkeling in the shallows right there. The house got hot (no a/c) bath ceiling fans and box fans helped, roosters woke us up each morning way too early, but not much you can do about that! Overall, recommended for families looking for a quiet getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Frank O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing North Shore
Perfect
Stayed 28 nights in Jul 2023