Property grounds

Reviews of Island Life Retreat-Ocean Front-Beach Access


Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deirdre M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Staycation
This was the perfect location to get away from the hustle and bustle of Oahu. It’s right on the beach. The lawn is well manicured. The beach is nice and sandy with no public access so it seems secluded. There is AC in the unit which allowed us to keep the sliding door closed and keep noise out. The unit is well stocked with bedding, towels, beach gear, kitchenware, charcoal bbq supplies, even seasonings. My only qualm is that the bedroom window is next to a frequented hallway. So if you’re a light sleeper, this might be an issue. Ear plugs did the trick.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Niki S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely and well equipped stay
As others have said the building is under renovation. Our first morning there was a Friday and the crew showed up but it was raining too hard. Then the weekend so we did not have work going on while we there. We did have scaffolding in front but it didn't spoil the view or our time on the lanai. The unit is lovingly decorated and very well furnished in both the kitchen and beach equipment. The king size bed was quite comfortable, the murphy bed not as much. But the separation of space was ideal for my sister and me. Lots of extra bedding available. Small bathroom but the shower was lovely. It is an older building so don't expect perfection but it was super nice. Nice location from which to explore the North Shore and the Polynesian Cultural Center. We would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beachfront condo
Great location, great condo and a beautiful privte beach. Who can ask for more! The condo was well equipped for play and for cooking. Quite a variety of spices provided as well. Loved our time onsite and exploring the North Shore!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Faye A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sea Turtles
Great place to stay. Quiet and secure with only the sounds of the ocean.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exactly as described, perfect location
Everything in the unit is exactly as described. The construction was a minor annoyance, I understand its necessity. I would definitely stay at this property again. The protected waters of Punalu’u are some of the best! Excellent snorkeling. Every night the turtles sleep on the beach. We also saw a monk seal. The beds were sufficient, the newly remodeled shower is nice. Kitchen was very well stocked. Food trucks and a convenience store across the street. We loved our time here!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The property was directly connected to a beautiful beach which made it easy to enjoy the beach/ocean any time of day or night.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Alan D.

Liked: Cleanliness
steps from the beacj
nice and well stocked 1 st floor condo in a dated complex under renovation currently. Beautiful spot right on the NE coast
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Sharon S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location on the beach, incredible sunrises
We absolutely loved the sunrises and location right on the beach! There was construction equipment right outside the back door, and lots of construction all around the property. The bedroom was not ideal as there was noise from people walking around the window but the Murphy bed in the back of the unit was great for hearing the ocean. We would stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Location
Away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Private beaches where the turtles come right up to rest in the evenings. Nice bbq spot to cook on. The house had everything you needed! Will definately come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Jan 2024
Aloha and Thank you Samatha for the 5 star review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. The turtles will be waiting for you guys. Mahalo! Kim

8/10 Good

June M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Condo on the beach
The condo was adorable. It was very clean. When we booked we knew there was construction at the rental sight. We however, had construction right outside the patio doors. The property manager quickly discounted our room. We appreciated that.,this did not ruin our vacation…the beach , literally was 10 sec from our door. The sea turtles were swimming right by us. At night the turtles came up on the beach. It was a great vacation. I’d stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dylan K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Had an absolute blast!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Nov 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review Dylan! Please come back and visit us in Paradise soon. Mahalo! Kim

10/10 Excellent

Teresa K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent rental for the week
Beautiful property located right on the beach. We stayed a week in this unit 5 of us in total. Kitchen well stocked and beds were comfortable. Lots of towels and linens, etc. Boogie boards and beach chairs provided which was really nice! Great lanai for outdoor relaxation and lounge chairs in the green space were nice too! The pool was never really open but why do the pool when the beach was right there! Turtles came up on the beach every night we stayed and returned to the ocean in the morning. The only drawback was we did not have a working dishwasher, the host tried to get a repairman out while we were there but it never worked out, only a mild inconvenience to wash dishes during our stay. The keurig was also not working and the host gave us instructions to descale it but being on vacatiom, it was not a priority. Overall a great family vacation spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adrianne K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Why haven’t you booked yet?
Amazing property! You are literally steps away from the beach. Perfect location for our long weekend getaway! You are able to watch the sunrise & sunset right on the lanai. We most def will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jesus B.

Liked: Cleanliness
July family vacation
We had an amazing time. The condo had everything we needed beach towels, beach chairs, toys, umbrella etc. The best part the beach was just few feet away and so was the pool. We were able to go back and forth without the hassle of going up an elevator. Beach is beautiful. We did see a turtle during our stay. Condo is close to yummy food trucks. Location is family friendly and laid back. Overall highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Craig D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful trip.
The condo was wonderful with all the extra amenities that you forget you need. This is a very quiet quiet part of the island which we really enjoyed.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nothing short of AMAZING!
This precious little piece of paradise was perfect for celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Just big enough for a week long stay. The beach out front had many wonderful views, sea turtles, crabs, and many tropical fish near the coral heads. Giant wind turbines to the left and sea turtle island to the right can be seen. Beautiful sunrises and wild chickens will greet you every morning. The breeze and fans keep it cool during the day. The fans and windows keep it cool at night. The Murphy bed was incredibly comfortable. This place had everything you could possibly need. From full size toiletries to snorkel gear and beach accessories. One of the best beach condos we’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying. 10/10 Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda & Patrick L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beachfront condo
Beautiful condo facing the ocean. Very nice place to stay with all the amenities available in a great location to all the other beaches on the North Shore.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jun 2023
Thank you Linda for your 5***** review, we hope you come back and visit soon!

8/10 Good

Mona F.

Liked: Cleanliness
5nights
A few inconveniences, but overall comfortable
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Kyle M., CENTRALIA, WA USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay was good. This unit is a good value.
The unit was as advertised. Good value. Close proximity to the North Shore and all it has to offer. Lots of food trucks close by.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

HIDEKI S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Places I want to visit again
Kim's room is very clean and has everything you need. I was able to go to the beach in just 10 seconds and snorkel and see cute fish. Especially when returning to the room from the sea, it was convenient to prepare a bowl so that I could wash my feet with water, and I felt that it was very good to be able to use the room cleanly. The renovation work of the building was underway, so I would like to visit again when it is completed.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debby H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazingly property
The property was so much better than described. The perfect beach was just a short walk across an immaculate yard area. We were told construction would be going on during the day but we were gone most of the time and it was never an issue. We found this location central to everything we did. We would come back again!!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Apr 2023
Aloha and Thank you Debby, we are so happy you had a great vacation at our condo. We appreciate your 5***** review. Please come back and visit us soon. Mahalo!!! Kim

10/10 Excellent

Michele D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Special Spot
My family of 4 stayed here for a week. We loved the set up! For sleeping the beds were very comfortable. The Murphy bed worked perfect for the teenagers and I took a few afternoon naps there while listening to the waves. It was nice to have a place for them to sleep and still have a the couches for us to sit on. The kitchen was well stocked with spices and cooking items. We cooked a few meals there. We loved the lanai, my son spent a lot of time on it. Plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the space. There was snorkel gear, boogie boards, chairs, towels and coolers. Kim really thought of everything. The beach is amazing, you can walk for a long stretch, relax on the swings or snorkel. The snorkeling felt safe since the reef is so big. It’s great for spear fishing too. We also loved our nightly search for turtles. Every night we found 4 or more! For entertainment, you are close to so much. There are food options galore, entertainment and so many beaches. Pretty perfect spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
Had such an amazing time, hosts were easy to communicate with and the place is perfect. Morning coffee on the beach, afternoon snorkle, perfect place to enjoy Oahu. Local fruit and lunch spots nearby. Clean and welcoming house, they really go above and beyond. Will highly recommend and will definitely be back. Loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Mar 2023
Aloha Sarah, thank you for such a great review. You definitely know how to spend your paradise days, exactly what I do when I'm there. Coffee, beach, snorkel, turtles, repeat lol Please come back and visit soon!

10/10 Excellent

Jamie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
The condo was a fantastic, more than we anticipated. Kim, our host was super- will definitely be coming back
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Mar 2023
Thank you Jamie for your 5 star review! Whenever you need sunshine, you know where to go 😉☀️🌴🐢🌺!

10/10 Excellent

Annie B., Rochester, NY

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Beach
The property is just as described. Comfortable beds, cozy living area, updated kitchen. The beach was beautiful and sparsely populated. My kids loved finding the swings on the beach. There was one turtle that would rest on the beach every day around 4pm. At night more would arrive. One evening we saw nine! The location is far away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. We had one minor issue, the owner was very responsive and addressed it right away. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Mar 2023
Thank you Annie for your 5 star review. I'm so glad the turtles were on time for you daily, and OMG 9 turtles. I love our beach at Pats, glad you enjoyed it too. Please come back and visit again soon, the turtles will be waiting!

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Right on the beach!
This property was a perfect location for my kids and I. Central for the locations we visited. Having the ground floor beach access was amazing. Whenever we were there I was able to leave the slider open to enjoy the ocean while the kids played on the back lawn. The sea turtles were amazing! Would love to stay here again next time we visit Oahu!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Feb 2023
Aloha Elisabeth and thank you for the 5 star review. We know keeping your family near while enjoying your vacation is essential to enjoying your time on island, this is why we are grateful that you have chosen us. Mahalo for booking with us, we look forward to hosting your next island life retreat here in Oahu!!!

10/10 Excellent

Dianne H.

Liked: Cleanliness
feedback
Overall a great little cottage, nicely decorated and clean. Comunication with the host very good. Would be happy to stay again. I took the the extras which I thought I would need and didnt want to purchase from the local store (very expensive) then found all the main things were in the cupboards. A great idea - I wouldnt have taken items if had known. Salt, Pepper, Cooking Oil, Detergent, soap powder, tomato sauce, butter, teabags, coffee, good supply toilet paper and cleaning products. Even a fan in the bedroom. This was very much appreciated. Thank you for lovely stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Feb 2023
Thank you for staying with us and treated the place as your own! The house was spotless when you left! I am sorry for not letting you know about the little extras, but I do to my guests what I wish was done to me, it is always good to not have to take everything with you when you staying only a few days. Please come back any time, we will be happy to have you again!

10/10 Excellent

Mackenzie w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
Such an amazing place to stay! Condo is just what we needed! Great access to the beach!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jan 2023
Aloha and thank you for your 5 star review. We enjoyed hosting you and glad your trip was amazing! We are looking forward to hosting you again for your in-laws 50th anniversary celebration, woohoo! Mahalo! Kim

10/10 Excellent

Jeannette A., Herriman, Utah

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely Amazing
A beautiful condo with amazing views. Location is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Had great communication with Kim. Condo was very clean with all the amenities you would need for your stay. Will definitely come back and stay at this condo.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jan 2023
Thank you Jeannette for taking the time to leave us this five star review. We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us, thank you for choosing our condo. We look forward to hosting you again, the turtles will be waiting too. 🐢🌺🏝🐢

10/10 Excellent

Tamara E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Most Beautiful Part of the Oahu
Super quiet away from the crowds and very clean. Best location if you want to explore the entire island. Definitely the most beautiful area of the island. Great location to stroll on the beach and see the turtles resting. Condo had everything we could have needed! Great communication with the owner.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Dec 2022
Aloha Tamara, Thank you for visiting, and thank you for sharing all your beautiful pictures. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit, the turtles are looking forward to seeing you again :). Mahalo!!!! Island Life Retreat

10/10 Excellent

Dwight S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Residential Oahu
Kim was very helpful and easy to work with! Location was very quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Wilikinia V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for families
My husband and I stayed here with our three children. The unit was spacious and met our needs. Our two older kids loved playing out on the grassy area right outside of the unit. The pool is right outside your back door and the ocean is just a few steps away. Great stay for families.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michele S., Hillsboro

Relaxing beach front stay!
The walkout to the beach was perfection. Wake up, open the door and take in the trade winds and ocean view. The place was equipped with everyone we needed to have a fun and relaxing vacation. We will come again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Charles F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Island Life Vacation Rental Walk-Out Condo
We had a great time and enjoyed this location. The exterior of the condo's are a little run down (was undergoing construction as we were there) but the unit we stayed in was clean and comfortable. It's right on the beach where we often saw sea turtles either on the beach or in the water. There was no AC but the ceiling fan and other portable fans kept us comfortable. The unit was well stocked with basic house needs (and even had snorkel gear and boogie boards that were used often). We liked the location as it was close to many of the activities we had planned. For the price, it was well worth it. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022