Would have given 4 stars, but there were issues with transparency on actual costs, problem with rudeness from local property manager, inconvenience/disinterest in getting the fire detector battery replaced, and lack of clear communication about a promised 10% refund for troubles that turned out to only be a 6% refund.
BEWARE THAT TOTAL COST IS ACTUALLY ~15% MORE THAN APPEARS IN THE FINAL COST WINDOW. On one of the links/pop-up windows it does disclose (at the very bottom of many paragraphs) that Air BnB will be collecting an additional fee (turns out to be ~15%). But when paying for rental it just says total cost without mention that there will be an additional 15% fee due. For me, I could afford to pay the 15% more - I just wanted to know this ahead of time instead of feeling duped. Also, honestly, I would have chosen another property that was equivalent but a little less expensive if the additional 15% fee had been evident.
PARKING: fantastic to have free parking in a secure building (didn’t have to worry about whether rental car would be stolen or catalytic converter stolen or drained of fuel which was being highlighted as the crime-of-the-day on local news). But heads up that it’s a giant parking garage and my other half found it annoying to have to hunt for parking along 5 levels each time.
Local property manager is rude and selfish. On the 2nd day, the fire alarm in the unit had a beeping dead battery. No extra batteries in the unit. I checked with front desk for extra battery and they dismissed me, saying it wasn’t their problem because it was a private unit — they didn’t care that one of the units in the building didn’t have a functioning fire detector and threatened to call security when I asked to speak to a manger for clarification about whether it was legal/allowed to go without a functioning fire detector. Then I checked with security, and they told me to check with front desk. I next contacted Love Rentals and they told me to contact the local property manager. I contacted the local manager and he initially seemed to offer to bring a battery, then said it was too far away and too late in the day (8pm) and told me he’d bring one the next day or to go buy one myself and he hung up on me. Ultimately, turned out there is a small store in the building, and I bought the batter for $7.45 and Love Rental did reimburse me for it. But what a hassle! And couldn’t there just be a replacement battery in the unit already? Or shouldn’t the local property manager know his property well enough to say, “please can I impose upon you to take the elevator down to the lobby and purchase a battery at the on site store and we’ll get you reimbursed?”.
UNIT 34th floor, was clean and functioned well generally. The door code often didn’t work (one time spent 10 minutes waiting for door code to work — was about to message property manager, then it finally opened and worked. Happened 2 more times during stay). Directly outside elevator, but never heard any excess noise from elevators. Nice/small lanai with fantastic view of Diamond Head and can see some ocean as well; overlooks pool/hot tub and tennis court but didn’t hear any noise from it. Kitchen adequately stocked. No welcome gift or coffee or anything special. Black out curtains not optimally mounted — can’t actually close all the curtains around the room (would be simple to correct). AC works well enough if you also use the fan to circulate the air. Big space. Bed comfy. Decor is dated/80s. There are some boogie boards and life vests in the unit — wish there had been beach towels. Although it’s a big condo property with pool and hot tub and tennis courts, no beach towels to use or check out. Tennis courts did not have nets. There is a great little kiosk/office on 4th floor to borrow random items (seems like a stock pile of things people have donated for use in the past, boogie boards, books, water toys, etc). There is also a small onsite store with some basics, including 9-volt batteries for the fire detector.
Never intended to stay here, but had to book last minute because my other Air BnB rental had an unexpected plumbing issue. This location could be a good choice for someone/family wanting to stay on Waikiki, but I would not stay here again due to experienced onsite rudeness, not a great value for the money, facilities aren’t anything special, and most importantly because overall management not transparent about costs/refunds.