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Reviews of SURFERS DREAM STUDIO

SURFERS DREAM STUDIO
Waianae, HI

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 120 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 146 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 146 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen L., Beavercreek, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
LOVE!!
Perfect for our stay. Super comfortable and clean. West Oahu is an interesting area, but Danny‘s home is in a beautiful neighborhood. We absolutely loved that it was not commercial or crowded. Very peaceful. Danny was a spectacular host. Answered all of our questions, provided fantastic recommendations, plus, interesting and fun to talk with and hang out with. It felt like we were staying with old friends. Danny owns a surf school and invited us to take lessons one day. That was not on our agenda, but ended up being a huge highlight of our trip. 10 out of 10 recommend. We would definitely stay here again. Mahalo For your kindness and graciousness.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

LeeAnn P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Aloha Spirit
A great location far from the tourist hordes, and a fabulous host made this feel like home. We loved the local feel and the family friendly beach (walking distance) which was mostly uncrowded in early April. Danny goes out of his way to be accommodating and helpful and we'll definitely stay here again when we make it back to Oahu.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Des

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Safe, quiet, relaxing, and surf lessons of you want. Highly recommend. ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

GotinPich247, Vancouver, BC Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
10 happy days at Makaha
If you are not fussy there is everything you need indeed. Birds were singing in the distance before dark like at no other place . Large back yard was pleasure to look at and exclusively for us. The host Daniel was very helpful. His dog was the best behaved dog I 've seen. His black cat was coming to stay near us and like the dog was friendly. West Oahu has the best beaches. I did some swimming and free diving at the Makaha caverns nearby and was pleased to see more turtles and fish that I remember from 10- 15 years ago. Even small sharks were cruising at 35-40 feet deep. My wife and I can't surf but watching the locals and specially the young kids do it was amazing. We enjoyed walks before sunset . Sometimes the sunset would be so beautiful. There is a lot to see if you are into unspoiled nature.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Apr 2024
It was a pleasure meeting you both and hosting you. I’m glad you had a great time . Aloha A hui ho till next time.

10/10 Excellent

Evelina P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great studio, location and host!
We are a couple who stayed at Danny's place for 6 nights and we would stay there again! We much appreciated the tranquility, safety, and beautiful uncrowded beaches of the neighborhood. The air-conditioned studio gives access to an outdoor terrace where we enjoyed sunny breakfasts and stargazing with Reef and Midnight, the owner's very friendly pets. We also really appreciated the closed garage space for our car rental. Most of all, Danny was very welcoming and responsive: he gave us access to beach gear (chairs, towels) and provided many local tips for restaurants (Coquito's, The Beach House by 604) and island activities. On top of all this, he is an awesome surf instructor and in no time we were up on the boards enjoying the waves in Pokai Bay! The souvenir video, filmed by a drone, was an amazing highlight of our trip. Thank you Danny for being such a great host!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Mar 2024
Your so welcome and plz come back

10/10 Excellent

Inese C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Silence by the ocean
We were here for the second time. Was nice and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Elizabeth M.

3 day stay
Danny is super nice and very friendly! Every recommendation he gave us (The Beach House for lunch, Ka’ena Park for a hike, Country Cafe for breakfast) was fantastic! We were able to take a surf lesson with him on our last day of our stay, which was AMAZING. An honest description of the property; it is a room built into/onto his garage so we had 3 cockroaches and 2 lizards (that we saw) crawling around the room… Everything else was clean. The room had a stocked little kitchenette, which was perfect. Danny’s neighborhood was quiet and safe, but getting to it was a little questionable (it’s not Danny’s fault, I just wished someone had given us a heads up about parts of the west side of the island).
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great
Daniel very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura Miriam M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place on Oahu
We loved staying at the Surfers Dream Studio! Danny is a great host and provided us with plenty of useful tips and information. We got to watch a surf competition within a few minutes walking distance from the place, while still enjoying the quiet neighborhood of the house. It is not a huge apartment, but it has everything you need and Danny is always willing to help and make your stay perfect. We also did a surf lesson with him and also rented his boards on the following day! It's indeed a surfers dream studio!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing
Great, relaxing, peaceful place to stay! Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Feb 2024
Aloha Sandra I’m glad you enjoyed your stay . Hope to see you again sometime.

10/10 Excellent

Kristin G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing days at Danny‘s home
We stayed five nights at Danny’s apartment and really enjoyed our time here. The apartment is good equipped, everything we need was there (fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, towels etc). If anything is may missing for you, I’m sure you can just ask Danny - he always strive to make our stay as comfortable as possible. The patio and Danny’s garden is really nice, with two sun chairs and an umbrella. There are a lot of birds singing. There is also an outdoor shower. The bed is really comfortable. You can open all windows and doors so there is a nice breeze. Also you can hear the waves when laying in the bed. Danny is a really cool and helpful guy and have a surf school. He was always there when we had questions and gave us recommendations and even show us around. His dog Reef and his cats are really cute and handsome, we absolutely enjoyed the cuddling and playing time with them. We could park our car in Danny’s garage which is really great. Also Danny gave us sun chairs for the beach - awesome! The area of the apartment is in a good neighbourhood, we always felt safe. There are some foodtrucks, supermarkets, gas stations etc. not far away and also a bus station in the street. Don’t miss the live music events at the beach house by 608. Also you can walk to the next beach. You can see wales, dolphins and seals here at the east coast - were were really lucky. In general, we would recommend a rental car for Oahu. Thank you again Danny, all the best for you!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jan 2024
You both were by far 1 of my best guests hands down . Take care

10/10 Excellent

Vicki L., Homer, Alaska

Liked: Cleanliness
Mahalo, Makaha!
Danny’s place is clean, comfortable and chill. He is a good host who is communicative and really wants you to enjoy your visit. This attached unit has what you need for basic meal prep, sleeping and washing up. We loved the outdoor shower and evenings on the private deck after our days of exploring. Nice beach is a short walk and the neighborhood is safe. We wish we had extra time to experience more of the local culture. Happy New Year, Everyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan 2024
Aloha you guys . So happy you were happy . Happy New Year

10/10 Excellent

Lizzy C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Danny's spot is awesome!
Danny's spot is comfortable and a 3 minute walk to a great beach park. Danny is so nice - he gave us some great recommendations, offered us a surf lesson (which we'll accept next time!), and was a genuine friend to us while we were on the island. Highly recommend this spot, esp. for surfers/explorers just looking for a spot to crash :)
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

M T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute stay for a weekend outside of Honolulu
We really enjoyed our time at Danny's accommodation. It was perfect for a weekend. The beach is only 5 minutes away and you can see the best sunsets there! The communication with Danny was super easy and we loved his cute dog "Reef"! The surfing lesson was also very successful. Thank you for everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing West side studio
Comfortable low key environment in a nice neighborhood. Danny’s a fantastic host and Reef’s a pleasure to have around. Had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Steps away from beautiful beach
Beautiful back patio with lovely garden to enjoy. The host was personable and communicative. Highlights were seeing the goats on the back hillside on a walk from the beach, the sunset on the West side, and Reef (the friendly, retriever who co-hosts). We got to experience one night of rain storm and the birds in the morning really sound like a meditation track afterwards. 10/10 would book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Oct 2023
Aloha it was a pleasure meeting you both . Come back visit soon

10/10 Excellent

Savannah A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good location for adventurers
Good location within walking distance of a beach for a very reasonable price. Ka'ena Point and the Pink Pillbox are nearby for hikers, and we took a surf lesson with Danny's crew, which was a fantastic experience for two beginners. The owner was helpful and easy to contact. We would stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathon W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great time!
Had a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Danny is a great host from the area that can recommend fun things to do and will also take you surfing! Highly recommend surf classes, it’s a fun and easy day on the water.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

This one is hard to rate
The price was very fair, especially for Hawaii. The host was helpful and the location was good for us. But the room was a bit tired and could use some paint and deep cleaning. If you are a surfer guy the place is a bargain. But for a couple it may not be the best choice.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Luana L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely stay
The little Makaha studio was perfect for us. It contained everything we needed and was right near our ohana on the west side of the island.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jun 2023
I’m glad you were happy . See you next year

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Danny is fantastic!
My husband and I loved our stay with Danny! The studio is a perfect base for day trips, the bed was nice and firm (exactly how we like it, we slept like babies), and we really enjoyed getting to know Danny, Malacai, and Reef a bit during our time there. Be sure to sign up for some surf lessons with Westside Surfing, too - my hubs and I were both absolute newbies but Danny and Malacai had us surfing in no time. What a treat!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica B., Love to Travel

Liked: Cleanliness
Graduation Gift to my son
We had such an Amazing time! Danny was so accommodating. Always available to give great recommendations. He made our stay very relaxed and easy. He even gave my son and his friend surfing lessons one day. We loved his friendly dog, Reef. This area was just what I needed away from the hustle and bustle of the city! I will definitely stay here anytime I visit Hawaii again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lucas B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic!
Danny is awesome and chill! Even tho we arrived a bit later than expected at about 8 or 8:30 pm, he was outside to greet and welcome us and give us a quick rundown! It is a little cozy, but that was expected and it was nice for my wife and I on our honeymoon. This spot on the island is good for some hikes, long days at the beach without a ton of people. Danny also helped us surf! We had never even tried anything like it, but even so we were both able to stand up on a board!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May 2023
Aloha you guys

8/10 Good

Katherine L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friendly host, guest room and bathroom separate to hosts house. Everything you need.
Daniel was a really kind host with a lovely home, not far from some fantastic beaches and lovely walks. He and his gorgeous dog, Reef, made us really welcome and we also had a great surfing lesson with him. Makaha feels more Hawaiian and a lot less touristy we’re so glad we went to the West and spent a couple of days here. We were a British mum and teenage daughter travelling together and having read mixed reviews on the area weren’t sure what to expect but Daniel was great and we felt really comfortable staying in his home. Thank you Daniel and Reef for a fantastic Hawaiian experience.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

John S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Felt Right at Home
We've used VRBO numerous times and this one ranks at the top. Wonderful experience with a great host. Danny treated us like family and his easy going laid back attitude even gave us the confidence to try surfing for the first time. Never thought we'd attempt it at our age but so happy and excited we gave it a shot. Great host and surf instructor. Would definitely stay with him again. Additional thanks to his friend Jay for the drone footage of our surfing attempt. Mahalo Danny for your aloha spirit
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Christine H., San tan valley, az

Cheap stay with AC and bathroom
On residential property of owner, off of his garage area. Nice neighborhood, but general mahaka area has a lot of homeless people and it’s pretty run down. Owner is very social, and I’m not used to having social contact with Vrbo owners, or traveling alone, so that was kind of anxiety provoking. Otherwise I spent a vast amount of time with family on the island and came in late to the room/with good communication with the owner.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 May 2023
Every where in the world has homeless . Makaha has the best sunsets and beaches hands down . And speaking of homeless how do you think we Hawaiians feel ? When outsiders come and buy all of our land and so much military here . So we as locals cannot afford to buy it’s so expensive.

8/10 Good

Ruth K.

Gute Unterkunft in einem ruhigen Wohnquartier
Dany war sehr hilfsbereit. Es war eine gute Unterkunft mit schönen Stränden in der Nähe.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

See-yin S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic!
Danny is not only a great surfing instructor but also an excellent and communicative host. He gave wonderful hiking and restaurant recommendations. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Mar 2023
Aloha it was a pleasure meeting you both 🤙

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing and fun
Danny and Reef were great hosts. We loved our two night stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Reily B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect room in the beautiful west side!
Danny is the host with the most! Enjoyed every second of our stay. We love Danny! Room had everything we needed, plus a private beautiful patio. Just a quick walk to the beach!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Harlee M.

Liked: Cleanliness
a great place for us to stay!
We had a wonderful time. Danny's place is way out of the city, which was exactly what we wanted. He was helpful, kind, and made sure we had everything we needed. I would definitely stay with him again. Big bonus were Reef and the 2 cats that hung out with us, it made me able to miss my cats (a little) less.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber D.

Liked: Cleanliness
8 days in paradise
We stayed here for 8 days ! My husband has back issues and he was worried about the bed . But it was great ! It has AC , a Keurig, a ceiling fan and a nice patio for your use . You park in the garage which is a nice perk . Danny was great ! Every restaurant he suggested was excellent ! We had a surf lesson with Danny and we were up on the board in no time. It is right down the road from a whale watching spot , surfing & snorkeling area . It really felt like paradise ! We came home to 10” of snow and we miss it already ! Thank you Danny !
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Veronica

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place to stay for a relaxing experience
My wife and I absolutely adored our week long stay here. The nearby beaches and parks are absolutely stunning, quiet, and great for surfing and playing in the waves. There's lot's of hikes, beaches, and great local cafe's and restaurants all within a 15 minute drive. The studio had everything we could ever have needed for a place to spend evenings after sunset. Danny was a great host, was quick to answer any and all of our questions, and had great recommendations for activities to do nearby. An added bonus was getting to pet and hangout with his beautiful dog whenever he was playing in the yard. Would definitely stay here again! Mahalo
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joe S., Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
Danny and his dog reef, were awesome! Danny is a local boy and knows all the great hidden spots around town. Don't forget to take his surfing lessons, you will be up and surfing in no time. His buddy Geno was my instructor and was amazing. I recommend an individual lesson to get the best opportunity for surfing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property for an overnight stay
Danny was a great host, quick responses. We loved the dog and neighborhood. Very close to Mahaka beach park. Nice backyard with grill & fire pit.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

6/10 Okay

Fe M.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location
I visited Oahu for two weeks, and spent 6 nights at this studio. This was my second visit to Makaha. The location of the studio is great. Sunrise or sunset walks to beautiful beaches within minutes. The place is as described, has a comfortable bed, plenty of storage space and access to a fridge. The small deck provides a place to have meals and watch the stars at night. The kitchenette could use a dedicated light. I used my headlight to prepare food. Having the Keurig and microwave was great. It would have been wonderful to have a toaster and a blender to make smoothies. The studio has limited ventilation. It was often cooler outside than in the studio and I left the patio door open a few times to cool the place and cockroaches came inside. I wonder if the deck can be screened to prevent bugs from coming in. A deep clean is needed. The time between checkout and the next guest is only a few hours. I cleaned up a spill and picked up tons of dirt from the floor. The sink has a ring of mold. I cleaned all mugs and utensils before I used them since some were dirty. While I enjoyed my stay at the studio with a friendly host, I missed a full kitchen and will most likely stay somewhere else next time I visit Makaha.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jan 2023
The light is very bright in the studio so you can cook. I have never had a complaint before. Also I do have a toaster and a blender just ask next time . You say the room is hot leave the ceiling fan on when you’re gone thru out the day . Also for the bugs if you leave the back door open of course they are gonna come in. It’s Hawaii also it’s nature .

10/10 Excellent

Elisa F.

Overall good stay
It was exactly as advertised. Nice and quiet neighborhood. It’s a great place if you’re out and about all day and just want to rest at night.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jan 2023
Thank you soooo much your both sooooo neat. Have fun on Kauai

2/10 Terrible

CATHY

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah P.

Liked: Cleanliness
3 nights
This vrbo was perfect for the first half of our trip on Oahu. Thanks to our host Danny for all the great recommendations, we had a great hike, beach and restaurant to go to. The space was just what we needed. The bed was comfy! And happy it had AC. Location of the property was perfect, away from the main road and busyness of the town. But a short drive to an incredible beach. Danny and his dog reef were incredible hosts, so friendly and knowledgeable. 100% recommend this VRBO.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brendon A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay with Danny
We had a great experience with Danny, he was an excellent host, and we really enjoyed getting surfing lessons from him as well!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brandon B., Austin

Liked: Cleanliness
Great host
Host was incredibly friendly, and the place was great for what I needed. Private garage apartment with fan, A/C and not far from town.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brittany R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Place Worth Staying
Check-In was very easy. Danny had messaged us before we arrived letting us know where things were and how to get in and was easily available to us. He was very welcoming when we are arrive, and also quite helpful in regards to what to do on the island, where to go to eat, places to try, etc. He was available when needed and also left us to do our thing. We had no issues while we stayed. The room was what we needed - a bed and bathroom and a place to relax at the end of the day and at the start of our mornings. There was coffee and a Keurig machine, which was nice for us to enjoy our mornings and relax before starting the day. There is an indoor and outdoor shower. There's a closet to hang your items, a laundry basket, drawers for your clothes, a microwave and some kitchen items if you are cooking while you stay. There's also a fridge we had available to store leftovers, water, etc. The beach is within walking distance. Sitting outside on the deck was a nice treat. The place is out of the way from most things, so if you want seclusion, it's the right spot. If you need a place to sleep and leave your items, it's the right place to stay. If you are not an early riser or a light sleeper, the roosters may bother you, but otherwise there was the breeze at night to cool off or there was an A/C machine. Danny's dog Reef is very friendly and would pop over to say hi to us. The room was clean and simple, which was just what we needed. Danny was very kind, funny, and helpful. He allowed us to use his beach chairs and had towels for us to use, as well as boogie boards for the beach, which was nice to have so we didn't have to either bring them ourselves or go out and buy them. We wanted a place to sleep at night, to relax in the morning, and to know that our things were safe while we were gone. It was exactly what we needed for our stay in Oahu. 5 Stars - Definitely would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Bryn M.

Liked: Cleanliness
West O’ahu
Property is within quick walking distance of a gorgeous beach with surfing. Host was attentive and has a great dog.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect little getaway
The room was perfect for what we were looking for in regards to accommodation and price. Comfortable bed, nice bathroom (although the shower/shower curtain needs a deep clean), quiet neighborhood, nice patio, no bugs in the room, and an AC unit that can turn the room into an icebox. There was parking in the garage and we had use of a large refrigerator, also in the garage, which was very handy for storing some food and drinks. Danny was super friendly (as was his dog Reef) and a great host. He gave us tips on where to hike and eat as well as gave us surfing lessons. We loved waking up, opening the patio doors and listening to the orchestra of birds. There is a beach that is only about a 3 minute walk away and was perfect for an evening or early morning stroll. Overall, we had a great stay here and will definitely book again in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Nov 2022
Aww thank you sooo much. I will get a new shower curtain . lol hope to see you soon .

10/10 Excellent

Inese C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Frendly host. We got all what we need. Comfortable bed. Fresh air from the ocean.
Sun, ocean, fresh air.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anna K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy and close to beaches
Danny is a great host. He also gave us great recommendations for exploring the beautiful island and for local restaurants. His dog Reef is really sweet. We really enjoyed our stay. Mahalo.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surf studio
Way chill spot, Danny was great with area help for food beaches hikes Nice bed bathroom backyard birds and patio Studio style place
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

6/10 Okay

Ana Z.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Very nice host + dogs but deep clean needed
Danny is great, giving awesome tips and his dogs are absolutely amazing, making for a welcoming atmosphere. Danny was always available whenever we had questions or needed anything. We appreciated being able to park our car in the garage for free, thus not worrying about the car or anything in it. The neighbourhood is really quite and the house is only 1-2 minutes away from a beautiful beach. However, the place itself needs a deep, deep clean. Especially the bathroom, as the space beneath the counters was really dusty. I understand that we stayed at Danny's apparently during the cockroach mating season, as we encountered two roaches in our space and several more outside both dead and alive (once we saw them, we only opened up the door/window early in the morning to get some fresh air).
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022