We booked this rental for a 4-week stay as my wife and I were working remotely from Hawaii for a few months. Due to COVID, we were encouraged by the fact that Star was listed as a Super Host and had committed to Airbnb’s 5-step enhanced cleaning process.
When we arrived, we realized the place was not clean. We had to do our own cleaning before unpacking (cleaning counters and dusting furniture surfaces - it was incredibly dusty). Additionally, we had to store many of the items in the kitchen in the closet as there are simply too many objects - such as a dozen cups and glasses - for such a small space.
A few things we quickly realized:
Privacy - there isn’t much. The walls are very thin so you can hear voices and the washer/dryer whenever it is on. The studio is in the corner of the property abutted against the corner fence and a storage shed. Since you are surrounded by neighbors, it feels like you're also living with them if they are at home. So, there is really no peace and quiet until the evening.
Cleanliness - in addition to general uncleanliness, we found pests in the unit. Several times, roaches fell on our faces in the middle of the night and mice left us unwanted gifts on the kitchen counter. We contacted Star about this and she promptly provided us with traps to put out and called an exterminator. Then she told us that we were mistaken about the mouse and that it was a gecko. I’m pretty sure geckos don’t chew through plastic, as this creature did. I understand roaches are quite common in Hawaii, but most residents are able to keep them out of the house. Even after they came through with pest control, the problem did not go away. We couldn’t sleep well at night for fear of roaches falling on our faces.
Clutter - the host has set up a chicken enclosure that you’ll have to walk through to enter the unit and feeds them scrap food in the front yard. I imagine this brings in all the critters and bugs you don’t want inside your home.
Ultimately, we only stayed in the studio for 2 of the 4 weeks we paid for.
Yes, the area is great and the beach is amazing - especially the quick access to it. And Star’s grandson is very nice and welcoming. Also, yes, like the other reviews the place is TINY, but we expected that going in. However, we did not think the amount of money we spent reflected the value of this Airbnb. If you are not so concerned about cleanliness, then stay here. It’s great to be close to a beautiful beach.