Short Summary: If you want to enjoy your Hawaii vacation (especially if you are a first timer in Hawaii, never book this place or any Vacasa properties. Vacasa is a property management company.
What are the things that went wrong?
* First was check in - check in was confusing and they did not have any system. The person at the reception asked me to email them the confirmation email coming from Vacasa (which contained the SECURITY CODE to the room and the ROOM NUMBER). Now I do not know how many number of people has access to this email but definitely having it in their system is not safe. So I called Vacasa (mainland unfortunately) and they referred me to the local property manager named Michael. I told him about my concern and asked if they can change the security code because I have a lot of valuables and important documents with me (this was not a vacation for me that's why I have all those stuff with me.). His main reply, "I will not change the passcode to your room just because you want me to change it." I was shocked!! My concern was for my security and my things in their property (room). Definitely, he did not have Aloha in him. He even mentioned, " Why don't you just give it a try? No one will go to your room or open it." Aaaahh... robber and burglars only need one chance. That's all they need.
So feeling unsafe for my valuables, I packed all of it in one suitcase and brought it with me wherever I went that first day. The next day I asked a friend of mine if he can keep it with him while I stay in this Vacasa property.
Btw, the security lock that they have only takes less than 5 minutes to reconfigure. This is one of your "newer" deadbolt lock that has passcode instead of a physical key.
*Second, I message Gigi (Vacasa employee as well) about my concern... and never got a reply back.
*Third, for the price they are renting out this property (it is one of the expensive ones), you can get a better deal staying in a hotel even if you have to pay a little bit more. This studio looks old and dingy. Mattress and pillow are yellow from all stains. You get super old fixtures and interiors. You name it, it's old.
*Fourth, so manager Michael scheduled several maintenance without advising me. First one, a guy came in the next day to fix the windows. I was fine with it. It took him less than 20 minutes to install the broken panel. Next was on a Monday, internet company knocked and told me they have to update the router and system. It's a Monday. I was working from home. So I said no because I did not know it. Later I saw a voicemail from manager Michael saying that someone will come in to fix the wifi. He called me 30 minutes before the internet provider knocked on my door. You do not make an emergency call and service for internet. It has been scheduled a long time in advance (for sure). So a couple of days after, manager Michael told me a day in advance that the internet provider will come in and fix the router. He said, "they will come in around 11am-12noon." I waited. And waited. They finally arrived around 1pm and finished their update around 3:30pm. First, I was not able to work properly. Second, I just wasted my whole day for a maintenance they should have done when nobody was occupying the unit.
*Fifth, the elevator in this property is such a mess. This is a huge building! You have people who live there, people who are renting long term, and people who are on sheet term rental. With Covid restrictions, only 2 people are allowed in the elevator. Now, with hundreds of people trying to go up and down, go figure what fights/arguments ensues because of impatience and people jumping in before others who have been waiting longer.
Oh... you might be wondering why I keep repeating "manager Michael"? Because he was arrogant enough to tell me that he manages all the properties in the island for Vacasa. As if Vacasa is the only place to stay here in Waikiki.
So folks, I have gone to Oahu a lot! Like a lot lot!!! Do not! And I repeat, do not rent with Vacasa Properties if you want to enjoy paradise. I bet you can go cheaper and encounter less headaches than I did. I've experienced AirBnB rentals all over the US, South America, Canada, and Asia. This is the worst experience I have ever had. Nothing comes close it. All of my other experiences were spectacular with maybe a few minor glitches. So take your money somewhere else and enjoy the vacation you've dreamed of.