My family rents homes once or twice per year, typically on the water in places such as Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Chesapeake Bay, the Carolinas, and the Puerto Vallarta area of Mexico. We also own condos in Maui and Puerto Vallarta. So, it takes a lot to impress us.
Kaimalino Kai is beautiful inside and out, and has a to-die-for location on a rocky beach in Kailua -- a much more laid back part of Oahu, very near where President Obama and his family sometimes vacation.
Our vacation habits typically revolve around reading, entertaining, long walks, and sampling new restaurants. If you like the sound of the ocean waves, and demand a comfortable, impeccabily furnished and maintained home, this is for you. It is suitable for up to 6 adults in our opinion, with three bedrooms and three baths. The bedroooms are all on the first floor, along with a living room, as well as extensive outdoor decks facing the ocean. One of the bedrooms opens onto the living room area, but it can be closed off for total privacy (there is a separate entry door into it from the main hallway). One of the baths is upstairs.
But it is the upstairs great room that will bring us back. The pictures do not begin to do it justice. This, combined with an additional outdoor lanai area overlooking the very private front (yes, front) yard pool and BBQ area, are to die for. The pool area is wonderful in its own right.
We entertained three other couples one afternoon/evening, and they all were very impressed. One of the men brought his kayak, which he was able to alunch on a sandy beach area nearby -- the entry to which is about 200 yards from the home. We BBQd in the front yard while the ladies waded in the warm pool, then retired to the great room for a wonderful meal surrounded by the sounds of the waves on the beach and with a view of a beautiful sunset.
Due to the high quality of this home and its furnishings we do not think it is suitable for young children.
All rentals we have visited are lovely, but there is often a drawback or two, such as a cramped master bath or furniture that is showing its age. Nothing of that sort will greet you here.
We will be back.