Most pleasant surprise of my Hawai'i trip. This is my first ever airbnb stay. I have booked it so long ago, as I drove to the Northshore, I did not remember everything about the place that I read when I booked it. I was amazed when I entered the neighborhood. I did not realize I was in the sought after Northshore right next to the Turtle Bay. The house looks like it is made for airbnb. The room is right next to the front door and the bathroom is right next it. Provides absolute privacy from the rest of the house.
The room looks exactly like the picture. Cozy, comfortable and you are surrounded by breathtaking paintings. Everything is neatly in order. Room has a key in case you are worried about security of your possessions. And yet I have never felt more secure in my own home or neighborhood like I did this week at Malia and Bernie's home.
There is a personal touch like the basket with healthy snacks, the mini refrigerator with the juices and all the lotions and shampoos you may want in the bathroom. I did not expect any of this at all when I was looking to spend 7 nights in someone's house for a bargain price. After having stayed in sterile impersonal hotels that provided no frills for the expense, this was a breath of fresh air.
The bathroom is like the room too. Clean, looks good as new bathtub, a cheerful shower curtain and the most eye pleasing paintings on the wall.
The access to kitchen and knowing there is a beach 5 minutes away from the house was a nice extra for me.
But the surprise of all are the hosts. Malia and Bernie made me feel at home, were generous and more than kind. Malia directed my attention to all the things only a local would know to do on the island and I was grateful for her planning most of my week and making the stay so enjoyable. When I did not get to see any surfers, on the last day of my stay she even went with me to show me the right beach to watch surfers. I would not have known to go there.
Everyday there is a good morning and at the end of the day she was happy to listen to anything you want to tell her about the day. Again, not knowing anything about airbnb really, I did not expect this personal attention and help with my sightseeing adventures!
This is one week I will never forget. I was looking to stay somewhere less expensive and ended up feeling like I went to a favorite cousin's home and all the adventure was a bonus.