If you want private, clean, better than super views, well-stocked, good decor and in general a very memorable stay hosted by a truly 'super host', this is it! I was very fortunate to get the home for 2 nights after a last minute cancellation. For those of you travelers who like reviews with 'Good and Not So good':
The Great part (not just 'Good') of the home:
- 'super host' (Mahalo once again Meiko!) in all ways
- great views, not of a beach but a view from an elevation of the ocean, hills, trees, birds and neighboring homes spread around.
- well appointed, good decor, very comfortable beds, lots of extra towels, linens and most household necessities you will need
- good WiFi, board games and TV to kick back and relax after sunset
- clean and very well kept, the housekeepers do a fantastic job
- great ventilation and fans in all rooms to stay cool
- new/newer appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave)
- very close to a beach that is almost private
The Not As Good part (potentially for some):
- distance from 'main town' and airport. On average expect about 15 min extra. Airport is close to an hour away so plan well if you have an early morning flight. Not an issue for me and my family but might be for some
- no city provided garbage disposal (pack your own garbage and drop off at a transfer station). Not an issue for me, but some might consider this a hassle. Plan well for early am (esp Sunday) flights, look at transfer station operating days/times so you don't end up at one that is closed for the day on your way to an early Sunday morning flight.
- steep slope on which the home is built. Driving up and down and backing into a sloped driveway from a steep slope can be a challenge for some. For anyone used to driving and parking on slopes in cities like San Francisco, this is not an issue at all. Should not be a hassle for most, but might be anxiety inducing for any newbie / not-so-confident driver. Backing into the driveway is the safest, easiest way to go in my opinion.
- tropical bugs outside the home which will be attracted to the light inside the home, but are kept out by well maintained insect screens. My kids actually found this part most fascinating and having grown up in a tropical climate, this is a business-as-usual type of scenario for me and my wife, but we have some friends who I know will likely be bothered by the moths, geckos and other small crawlies that you will likely see outside the home at night, e.g. on the lanai and insect screen (hey, its a tropical island, so try to see that as part of nature!). Maybe think of the geckos as the defenders of the home, hunting the insects outside to keep them from coming inside! No kidding! my kids spent an hour or more both nights trying to find the geckos and waiting to see how they hunted their prey outside the insect screens and on the lanai, very fascinating to them.
- mosquitoes. This is another fact of life in place like this, so carry insect repellant. This is the one thing that bothered us a bit, but hey, we traveled the road to Hana on Maui and got bit many times there as well. Just carry insect repellant.
Overall, I would give Meiko and her beautiful home 6 stars if I could! Will definitely come back given a chance.