Upsides:
-Location. Just blocks from downtown Haleiwa, easy to get to by car or by bus, and walkable or bikeable (you can rent one in town) to the main drag and nearby beaches.
-Kitchen. Fully stocked with everything you might need to cook simple meals, including a number of spices and condiments. There’s even tupperwares to store your leftovers to pack for beach picnics.
-Kind hosts. They’re a small family who live right next door, and generously shared a windfall of extra fruit and veg with me, greeted me warmly when we saw each other, and graciously left me my space.
Needs work:
-Temperature/ventilation.
The space gets very warm during the day. There is a small AC unit in the loft, but it is very loud. The windows are unscreened and so there’s no way to prevent mosquitoes/critters from coming in if you choose to take advantage of the natural breeze to cool the place off.
-Sound
While the hosts had mentioned in other reviews that they’ve taken measures to dampen sound carryover between units (the main house and the loft unit share a wall) it still carries over loud and clear, presumably in both directions, diminishing any sense of privacy.
-Hot water, especially in the shower. Toggles between quite hot and icy cold at the slightest adjustment.
-Privacy.
Not too much of an issue for me, as I was traveling solo, however do know that the units share walls, there is a driveway directly beneath the studio’s living room, and there are no window coverings on the windows upstairs in the sleeping area.
*****
If you need a basic, but comfortable place to stay, this space may suit. Be aware that they are new hosts and still ironing out the details. They are interested in feedback however, so definitely chime in if something needs attention. All told, a decent place to stay if you’re looking for simple, convenient accommodations on the north shore.