Hawaii - House on the beach?
 

All this talk about Hawaii has got me itching to plan another trip. We've stayed at a beautiful house on Lanikai Beach on Oahu many times, but always with other extended family. The house is a bit too big and pricey for our family of four. Does anyone have any other suggestions? We are open to any of the islands, but here are the requirements:<BR><BR>A house, not a condo or highrise resort<BR>Walk out the door and be on a beautiful sandy beach that's safe for kids<BR>Less than $500 per night!<BR>Big enough for two adults and two kids<BR><BR>I have looked at vrbo.com and there are some possibilities there but I'd really like a first-hand recommendation.<BR><BR>Mahalo in advance for all your ideas and suggestions.

look at the big island or Molokai (later I am guessing ) for those kind of prices. This is a web quesion. Look at Vacationspot.com.<BR> $500 will be difficult I think but try your luck.

If you are willing to go to Kauai, try kauai vacation rentals at kauaivacationrental.com. They have wonderful homes, and if $500/nite is your top dollar, you can do VERY well indeed.

found this on a links page from loveshawaii post http://www.deephawaii.com/vacation_rental_links.htm

Thanks for the links, folks. Also I'm interested in any personal experiences with these houses. <BR><BR>Loveshawaii, that link only has one house on it. Have you stayed there? It looks like a great location right on Hanalei Bay but there is no picture of how close it is to the beach. I'd love more info if you have it.<BR><BR>Mahalo again and please keep it coming!

Have you looked at this place?<BR><BR>http://www.kahanakai.com<BR><BR>Probably about $400/night for four.<BR>

As always, my recommendation is this one:<BR>http://www.bnb-hawaii.com/<BR><BR>They have beachside rentals starting at $350/night. 3 BR, 2 baths.

what do you mean as always Melissa I don't recall this suggestion. Thanks

Melissa do you have any suggestions for Molokai or would you not reccommend Molokai altogether.

http://www.grantham-resorts.com/homes/index.html<BR><BR>http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.com/<BR><BR>a few houses to look at<BR><BR>good luck.

Spike/Susan: Kauai Vacaiton Rentals has 100's of listings. Do you mean that there is only one home remaining on the North Shore that meets your criteria? Or did you not locate the correct website?<BR><BR>Try this:kauaivacationrentals.com (sorry, I can't figure out how to paste the link in here). All of their agents are very good. If there is nothing available right now, they may be able to put you on a wait list. Good luck. The North Shore is wonderful--try to get a place right on Haena/Tunnels Beach.

Loveshawaii, what a difference an 's' makes. The previous url you listed didn't have the 's' on the end, now I see what you are talking about. I'm having a look around and I see quite a few places. Do you have any personal experience with a particular house? Does the beach on Haena Bay have calm waves safe for kids? I like the fact that it's out of the main resort areas in Poipu. <BR><BR>DB, Kahana Kai looks lovely, but I can't tell if there is a beach with sand in front of the house. Have you stayed there? Do they rent out different parts of the house to different parties?<BR><BR>Melissa, quite a few of these houses are "only steps to the beach." Any experience with them? I am very familiar with Kailua and Lanikai beaches on Oahu, excellent places for kids. <BR><BR>Thanks everyone, I'm chewing on all of this. Please keep suggestions coming.

Susan, be very careful about rentals that say they are on Tunnels Beach. You will find many, many homes listed as being on Tunnels, but here's the issue: some are actually around the bend, closer to the YMCA/Hanalei/Princeville. You do not want a rental there, because the beach is not swimable. It's rough and windy. Make certain that the home is on that curve of the beach where you can actually see the Bali Hai mountain (the real name is Makua mountain). That part of Tunnels Beach is closer to Haena State Beach, and that's where you want to be.<BR><BR>There are many homes for rent on this preferred part of the beach. If Kauai Vacation Rentals doesn't have one, try Hanalei North Shore Properties (search the web under that name for their site) or Anini Beach Rentals, specifically their listings on Haena.<BR><BR>Another source is one I don't have first hand eperience with, but check it out: www.kauai-beachrental.com. It looks beautiful.<BR><BR>The tranquility of this location is unsurpassed. It's what keeps us going back, year after year.

loveshawaii are you saying Hanalei beach is not swimmable? I think that might be true for winter but I swim there every summer it is very calm

Hanalei North Shore properities is another good link. I like staying in Hanalei close to restaurants and walking distance if you are not directly on the beach.

Hanalei Beach is indeed swimable, but not during the winter months, of course. Rentals in Hanalei are another good alternative, and both of the rentals agencies I mentioned can help you there. You want something on Weke Road, but again be careful: some of the rentals are next to the beach parking lots, and that creates a lot of noise and gas exhaust. Being in Hanalei is wonderful, close to the shops and restaurants, you can walk or bike everywhere. It's a completely different feel, though, than staying further up the road, past all those one-way bridges, and closer to paradise.<BR><BR>What I was trying to say is that tunnels beach is a long beach, and that the southern end is not as desirable a location at the northern end.

Susan I see that you are concerned about kids and swimming. I took a 10,7, 13 year old to Tunnels first stop last August. The 10 year old was completely freaked out by the rocks. He was actually crying. You have to snorkel very carefully probably about 12 inches above them in some stretches not a big deal at all after a few days of snorkeling but to a newbe it might be intimidating. This kid has not snorkeled in tropical waters.<BR><BR>Our guide book Kauai the Ultimate guide told us to do our first snorkle days at places like lydgate. I ignored it and I am not their mother I should say. The kids loved lydgate and I think that they would have done well at tunnels after a few days. <BR><BR>They liked Hanalei but it is not a good snorkel spot. They also loved hikeaways beach in P'ville, kokey (sp) beach. I don't think you need to spend all of your time at lydgate we only stayed a day or a portion of a day. Hanalei is very calm and your kids will not have to walk by busy roads to go home. If you want to walk into town for dinner or groceries that is good also.<BR><BR>something else to remember North Shore waters calm in summer, south shore waters a bit rougher in Summer but winter they are calm.

I stayed in Aloha Unit here last summer. I loved this place but I think it is going for $950 this season. I would suggest an early as possible booking for Hanalei. Really enjoyed our time here and felt that it was good value for the location and what it offered to us.<BR>http://www.hanaleihouse-kauai.com/information.html

The previous poster is correct about the rocks at Tunnels Beach. However, there are spots, very obvious before you put in, where the rocks are not so shallow. If you continue to walk closer to the end of the beach, where Haena Beach Park is located, the swimming, boogy boarding, body surfing are all unbeatable.<BR><BR>Acutally, the very best beach for snorkling on Kauai is less than a mile from Tunnels, Ke'e Beach. The water is clearer and the fish more colorful and plentiful. A good beach for smimming (no rentals here) is Lumahai Beach. The guilde book referred to above is a wonderful resource for hidden beaches. We use it all the time, keep a copy in the car.<BR><BR>The best part about staying at this end of the island is the incredible range of choices of beaches that you have. The drive to any of them from the north shore is so pleasant that you forget that you are in a car. So, while staying on a swimmable beach is a real attraction, don't eliminate visiting the other beaches.<BR><BR>while you're driving around, stop on your way home and get fish to barbeque at the hanalei dophin. there is a fish shop at the back of the restaurant.

Forgot to mention that I have two boys, and have been bringing them to Haena/Tunnels beach since they were 6 and 10 (now 10 and 14) respectively. They have always loved it there.<BR><BR>Just came back from a trip in December, staying in Poipu: so congested and crowded. I was heart sick for the north shore the entire time.

When I say this season I mean a week in the summer season

Get the Ultimate Guide to Kauai we found if very helpful in identifying the beaches for families, new snorkelers. They also tell you how to look at the tides, what to watch out for in terms of a rip tide ect... I also could not go to Kauai and not stay on the North Shore. <BR><BR>This is my last North Shore post because I want that house to be availble when I am ready to rebook. I also don't want the North Shore to turn into a Lahaina.

I'm with you, Sarah. Notice that I didn't mention which homes we have rented there? I am very protective of our actual sources because I, too, do not want this area to become too commercial. The one-way bridges will do a lot of this, though.

Sarah, your secret is safe with me ;-) Thanks to you and loveshawaii for all the good info on beaches safe for kids. I've been resisting buying that Ultimate Guide to Kauai (I don't know why) but when I saw the great aerial views of the resorts at wizardpub.com I realized there is probably a wealth of info in that book. <BR><BR>I am looking at a week in May when my kids strangely don't have school -- one of those mystery weeks off. I'm assuming the waves will be safe by then. I will be sure when I book a house to specify one on as far to the northern end as possible, not near beach parking lots. These are the kind of tips I'm looking for. My kids aren't yet into the snorkeling (though this trip could change all that), but more the floaties in the waves kind of action. Mahalo again, fellow Hawaii lovers!

Thing is Susan, that the Ultimate guide tells you everything from where to swim to where to get the best shave ice. We did that taste survey and found their selections were ours. There is a trailer in Hanalei town that we would have never stopped at even though there was always a line when we passed.... also a hole in the wall in Waimea. Yum Yum and Yum. But for more than this the book is helpful.

Susan, and Sarah too: Don't pass up the opportunity to go to the local farmer's markets that are held on different days all over the island. The one in Hanalei, and in Kilauea are both wonderful for fresh produce and fantastic bunches of island flowers for $5 for a huge bunch that will last the entire time of your visit.<BR><BR>Also, the produce truck ("Farmers Market" he calls it) permanently parked next to the shave ice hut referred to by Sarah is also good for pineapples, tomatoes, papayas and limes.<BR><BR>Since you are going in May you should have no trouble finding a place. The waves on the north shore will have calmed down by then. Be certain to ask about any major events that may be scheduled during your stay. Once we got caught up in the outrigger race event in Hanalei that drew hundreds if not thousands of visitors.<BR><BR>One last point about provisioning your condo: the Food Land in Princeville is the most expensive grocery store on all of the islands. THe Big Save in Hanalei is also high priced and not as well stocked. I recommend that after you land in Lihue, stop at the Walmart or the Kmart (if it's still in business by then) and get all your non-perishable staples. Then, as you get closer to the rental unit, go to either of these grocery stores for the perishables. If you are travelling to Haena, you should buy a styrofoam cooler to pack all the cold things. It's at least a 20 minute drive to paradise.<BR><BR>Have a great trip. Happy to help. <BR><BR>

Yeah I actually would not go to the Hanalei store except for something you need in a pinch. This store is smaller a slight jump in price and the quality seems poorer. I like the Foodland in Pville for it's variety and the prices are not that much in difference than what we see in NYC so it was not a problem for us. Can't be bothered shopping for a week directly after a long flight so I frequently skip the grocery stores in Lihue, coconut coast.It is a 30-45 minute drive back to those stores if you want to shop next day. I have to tell you though I found the best fresh ahi (tuna) at Pville. Also there were a bunch of lomi salmon packages out, I asked the butcher when they were made he said I can make you some right now if you like. WOW not something I would even want from a NYC grocery store as the fish would be on it's last day (chain stores)in most cases. ...This was great though.

Oh the cooler idea is great but styrofoam in such a bootiful place? We did that and I still feel guilty. Hawaii has some negligent environmental legislation, no recycling program if you can imagine on such a small island. <BR><BR>Ok I am way off track just meant to say yes the cooler idea is a good one.

Coming from the east coast, I can understand your exhaustion and need to sleep rather than grocery shop. We come from SF so it's not so bad. Also, we try to bring a lot of our own food from home. It's not that we can't afford it, it's that we frequently can't get things we like, or small pantry items that are a nuisance to buy there. <BR><BR>Sorry about the reference to styrofoam, I was thinking Susan might not want to buy a full blown reusable cooler. We actually bring our own Coleman each trip.<BR><BR>I certainly understand the need to keep our little corner of paradise in pristine condition, and I heartily agree with your thoughts.

wow glad you agree I was waiting to get slammed. Just curious loveshawaii what can't find? I seem to find everything but I eat out a lot in my regular life so I don't get extravagant cooking on vacation. What can't you find?

canned tuna from italy!!!!

Hi Sarah, I always recommend my faves, when people ask for B&Bs, I recommend www.bnb-hawaii.com on this board. When people ask for cheap cheap lodging or even hostels, I recommend www.centralymcahonolulu.org. I don't work for them or anything, I just think those are the best values.......