This house is a little slice of heaven. Although it is located in a pretty touristy area, it is far enough removed from the shops & tourist bustle, if that scene isn't for you. The location is right on the beach, which is incredible. I certainly enjoyed my morning cup of coffee on the beach, watching the sunrise, and the gorgeous sunsets too! The small bay outside of the house had sea turtles, oodles of tropical fish, and a sandy entrance that was sheltered & calm enough that even our 2 year old daughter could enjoy the water. We climbed the tide pools and lava rocks every day and there was always something new & interesting to see. The outdoor area has extremely comfortable fabric loungers, a hammock, reclining lawn chairs, and is SO set up for relaxation & entertaining. The grounds are gorgeous & inviting. The house itself was sparkling clean & had a retro charm & thoughtful minimalist decor that I really appreciated. It was compact but surprisingly private & quiet, even for 5 adults and a toddler. The shoji screens upstairs were an effective buffer to noise when closed, but really cooled the space when open during the day. Both Cecelia, the property manager, and Lopaka, the groundskeeper, were extremely friendly, welcoming, and readily available to answer any questions- and they both brought us fresh mangoes from the trees on the property which was a memorable touch. I should mention that if you're looking for a completely private rental, they are constantly on the property- although they are very careful to keep a low profile & be respectful of the guests. I can't say much about the surrounding town- the house & beach were such a relaxing oasis that we really didn't leave (guess that's good, right?), but there were certainly plenty of sights to visit a short drive away. Although I never met Valerie she was great with communication, answered questions promptly, and provided some excellent recommendations for restaurants & activities. All and all this was a wonderful place to stay and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Mahalo, Valerie, Cecelia, & Lopaka!