Just don’t! Unit so visibly dirty I had to clean upon arrival (10 hr+). Shower/sink won’t drain. I bought Drano- then removed huge clumps of other people’s hair from drains! 🤮Still not draining well -backs up ankle high. Also: large chunks of other people’s food stuck to inside of microwave, dirt/debris/hair/hairclip/a receipt from JULY/dead bugs/black dirt, etc. in the corners of the rooms; a four YEAR old newspaper & trash under the couch.
First three days stuff started breaking. Lamps, fan; I finally emailed owner after the microwave broke. He called & was deceitful/condescending, rather than helpful/apologetic. I was tasked with buying a new microwave (for under $100) & bringing it there & then he was supposed to reimburse me. He said he was going on vacation & NEVER checked in with me again. All this on MY vacation. Upon checkout, three weeks after providing receipts, I still had to ask where my reimbursement is (twice). I am STILL WAITING, as he said he was just now going to write a paper check & mail it to my home in CA. I asked for Zelle or cash, as I am still in HI. I also sent receipt for @$9 for the DRANO I had to buy & asked for repayment. And he REFUSED! This guy is a piece of work. I had sent pics, too. This is the dirtiest unit and the worst “host” I have ever dealt with. He denied the dirt/rust/mold/broken blind/torn curtains/dirty spotted area rugs/red 🤮spotted towels/blackened bathtub/menstrual stained mattress cover/screens & windows so dirty they blocked the view/food splattered cabinets & appliances/burnt up lamp/broken shade, etc. Even had a used coffee pod in the Keurig.
It had a nice view if you were sitting out on the lanai. Even after I cleaned the backsplashes and mirrors (sticky splotches everywhere) and blackened switches, the lanai was still the only part that was ok.
In summary, I would have to say that it was nasty even after I cleaned it & I had a bad feeling because of the way this host spoke to me. Telling me that nobody else has ever complained about this filth, when I already knew that everyone who’s ever rented it has complained to long-term tenants & that it’s a joke around there. I knew that before I spoke to the host, so I knew he was gaslighting & lying. His tone was straight out of the smart aleck handbook. Very disrespectful. He even asked me to keep the broken fan & microwave so he could make sure I wasn’t lying (I guess?). VRBO, what good is using you if you can’t fix this kind of stuff?
This was our first trip to Oahu. We wanted to stay for at least 30 days. We found this place that is literally on the beach! It a bit older of a building, but location, location, location! Makaha Beach is good for boogie boarding, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and just chilling on the beach. We had the option of the swimming pool when we didn’t feel like going to the beach. Ko Olina lagoons are down the road if you want calmer waters for young children. Tamara Supermarket is only 10mins away. Longs Drugs every few miles. The condo has lots of beach equipment to use. Snorkeling, inflatables, boogie boards, umbrellas, water shoes…etc
Rental car is a must! You have an assigned parking spot in the parking garage.
Coming from the SF Bay Area, I was used to driving short distance and taking hours. We drove quite a bit to the North Shore and it was only an hour. Mostly everything is within an hour drive depending on traffic conditions.
The worst thing about the condo was when we had to leave! We appreciate Bob and Marion letting us rent their condo. I know Oahu pretty well now.
Bob and Marion have everything you would need in the suite. The bed was very comfortable and the view was amazing. Watching whales, dolphins, seals and turtles on the beach. The month flew by. We look forward to returning soon. Thanks so much Tammy and Rob
This is the best unit in the complex 5 minute drive west to Markua beach dolphins were there 27 days out of 30
Beautiful setting on sunny, quiet side of Oahu! This fifth floor corner unit has exquisite views of Makaha Beach Park and a breathtaking daily glimpse of experienced surfers and magnificent sea life (turtles, monk seals, whales). The downside: the building is almost sixty years old (built in 1967) and prone to breaks and malfunctions. We were without hot water for half of our six-week stay. For one week we felt we were living in a construction zone, since first the breaker box then the hot water heater had to be replaced. But meticulous groundskeeper Luke maintained a gorgeous garden and pristine pool and building manager Natasha was extra friendly and always helpful!
My wife and I spent a month here and we have a wonderful stay. The view is great, the place is quiet, and we have met a couple of wonderful neighbours. We are also lucky to have come across The Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic, and we actually sit on the lanai and watch the exciting contest!
We enjoyed the surfing and water sport activities along with whale watching from our 5th floor lanai. Would recommend a vehicle to travel to any attractions and dining ..The condo building was older but well maintained and steps to a beautiful beach with light local and tourist activity
When we visit the islands we specifically look for a condo;
- close to the water and hear the crashing of the ocean waves
- high enough elevation to watch whales and marine life. (Added safety factor in case of tsunami.)
- able to watch the sunset right at the lanai as a nightly ritual
- quiet and relaxed and a taste of local atmosphere.
This particular condo offered more in these criterias.
- Condo faces both ocean and Makaha beach (angled design), able to watch both sunrise and sunset.
- Location is such that sunbathing monk seals and green turtles are common sight. Every day scan the beach for a dark object usually a turtle or a seal sunbathing. Turning your head toward the open waters, whales or pods of spinner dolphins might be passing by. A sea turtle attached with a transmitter on its back shows up among the surfers now and again. One time a filming crew stopped their take for a closer look at the turtle with a yellow box on its back.
- Makaha beach seem to be a favourite surfer's play ground. All day entertainment for both surfers and watchers. Weekend surfing competition was a spectacular event to see in skill and agility, specially when perched front and centre stage which happens to be lanai of your condo. What a treat!
The condo probably built in the late 60s or 70s, solid cement construction, noise is not an issue. Age of condo is starting to show it's age. Someone had the great idea to build in this ideal location.
My wife and I stayed for 2 weeks in March, 2019. The place was great, with the lanai being the best, as other reviewers have stated. Lots of surfers and boogie boarders every day to watch. There was construction in the parking lot while we were there, so some problems with parking, but that wasn't the owner's fault. With any older building there are always a few small points that need maintenance, but having notified the owner, I'm sure they will be taken care of (toilet, etc). For the price, this is a great deal.
My husband and I just spent a wonderful and relaxing holiday at Makaha Shores. The view grabbed our attention as soon as we walked in .... simply breathtaking ... right on the ocean. Every day we enjoyed watching the amazing surfers as well as whales in the distance.
The condo is perfect for two people and had everything we needed and wanted, including a fully equipped kitchen, very comfortable bed and lots of beach gear. My husband, being a golf enthusiast would have appreciated the golf channel on the T.V.
We spent so much time though on the large lanai and enjoying the incredible view. The Makaha Beach Park is right beside this property and again, a beautiful beach where we spent many sunny days.
The local area of Makaha along the Wainaie coast is very Hawaiian, very different from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and we thoroughly enjoyed this relaxing holiday!!
Bill & Eleanor
