seattlesue

We are planning a trip to Hawaii in September. Plan to stay in Waikiki for a couple of days then head north for a relaxing week. In my search for a condo (we are bringing our teenage son and need extra space and cooking facilities) have found a few choices. The most expensive condos I've found are at Turtle Bay. They do not have ocean views, but they look nice. The second choice is the Haleiwa Surf Condo complex with ocean views (though the condos are smaller). Is this a good area? We like the idea of being able to walk to a few things. My last option was a condo at the Hawaiian Princess, but I've heard this is not a good area for tourists. Too bad cause the price is great for such a beautifull ocean view! Please let me know what you think, especially those of you that live in the area or vacation outside of the big city. Thanks!

islandmom

The gap between turtle bay and the others is huge so if you can afford turtle bay that would be my only choice.

seattlesue

Thanks islandmom for the reply. A golf course view is not as nice as the ocean, but it is better than looking at another sky scraper in Waikiki. Turtle Bay does look like a nice area.

Budman

We met a couple on Kauai last month who have a condo at Turtle Bay Retreat. I got their card. You can check out their website and/or give them a call: www.vrbo.com/vrbo/23577.htm Tel: 808-638-0763 or 808-554-2209 (Sue & Bob Lucas)

They were a nice couple -- husband American and wife a Brit.

I can't vouch for the place since I've never seen it or stayed there, but it might be worth taking a look or giving them a call. Just tell them you heard about it from the couple they met at the Hanalai B&B, if they ask.

makai1

ssue,

Try my fav, keikibeach.com

It's a great north shore getaway bungalow.

seattlesue

Thanks Budman for the tip. As it turns out one of the condos I'm considering is owned by the Lucas'. They may be renting it to someone else for the month, but I'm on the list.
Makai1 thanks for the tip on Keiki. I took a look at their website and it seems a little rustic? Is the beach good for swimming?

makai1

Aloha ssue,

I wouldn't call Ke Iki BB rustic, but rather simple and relaxed... also very clean.. In Sept. the surf will be picking up... I wouldn't swim there other than summer months. Great shelling and walking beach... it goes on forever. Waimea Beach would be fine for swimming. Check tripadvisor.com for more info on Ke Iki.

Happy planning!

seattlesue

Makai 1 did you have an ocean or garden view unit at Ke Iki? I am wondering if it's worth the extra $ for the ocean view? The units appear to be the same size.
I have been corresponding with the lady with the Hawaiian Princess condo and she assures me that the west coast "Makaha" area is safe. Anyone care to comment on this area?

Waldo

Hate to tell you this, but did you expect an owner wanting a condo in Makaha to tell you it's a bad area?

Waldo

Made a mistake. I meant an owner WANTING to rent a condo.

makai1

Go for the oceanFRONT! Actually, it's BEACHFRONT... a million dollar view. You will not be sorry... I wouldn't go any other way.

I'm curious why you're considering the west coast?

seattlesue

makai 1 we are considering it because it's a great looking condo. I found it on VRBO. We want a nice quiet place to relax for the week, and an ocean view with west facing exposure for sunsets sounds like heaven. Not to mention that the price is right (just under a thousand for the week).

seattlesue

Waldo have you spent any time in this area? I realize that a condo owner is going to do what it takes to rent the place. That's why I am posting here for advice on the west coast. People seem to enjoy staying at the JW Mariott which isn't too far away. I suppose that most of those people stay in the resort and don't venture out much?

makai1

ssue, the condo on the west coast that you are contemplating is far removed from most all attractions on O'ahu. While it may be nice & quiet & relaxing, when you're in the mood for exploration you will be putting on some incredible miles.

Ke Iki is quiet and removed, but not far from Haleiwa, for many dining options, beaches galore, Kaena Point, the windward coast, and a pretty quick treck through the interior to Waikiki.

Considering that you're looking for a quiet place to unwind the north shore seems to be the most logical location to give you the best of everything.

I'd be pretty concerned after reading the old thread you pulled up re. the Princess.

There are other options in Mokuleia on the north shore and Kailua on the windward coast. BTW, we caught the most amazing sunsets from our lanai at Ke Iki...

Happy planning whatever you choose...

chepar

I am in the Waianae/Makaha area and the north shore area regularly, as I go diving in various spots all over the island.

Makaha is pretty far out from anything else to see on Oahu. It is not really that close to the Ihilani - maybe another 15-20 minutes with little traffic.

I don't really consider Makaha to be a prime tourist area - I just don't think there's much to do there, unless all you want to do is sit on the beach.

Never heard of the Haleiwa Surf Condo complex, but Haleiwa is a nice beachy town. Turtle Bay is a 20 minute or so drive further north. The north shore is a bit more tourist-friendly than the west side, in my opinion.

As far as the safety of the west side of the island, there was a thread a while back about it. Try a search with the term "Waianae". Not saying that it's necessarily dangerous, but it may not be what you imagine it to be.

Both are beautiful areas and the beaches are nice - I just think the north shore is a better choice because it has a greater variety of things to do in the immediate area.

Waldo

Never spent any time (such as overnight) there, but that's because I felt that I didn't want to spend any time there.

Sesamee

Please think about passing on the Turtle Bay condos. They are nothing special and there are better places to stay. The Keiki bungalows would be a much better choice. I stayed at the Turtle Bay place once and did not like it at all.

You should check some of the places like vrbo.com for ideas.

You don't have to do Keiki or even get a condo. Look at some of the houses online. More choices with the homes, because unlike Maui, there are not many condominiums on Oahu.

Sesamee

seattlesue

Having decided that the north shore is the right place for us I have looked at vrbo once again for ideas. There seem to be many affordable rental homes along sunset beach. I have requested info on a few of them and hope that they are as nice as their pictures show. Any ideas on this area?