Honolulu & Oahu Vacation Home Rentals and Tips

Since my first visit to Oahu in 1989, I have stayed in only one hotel on the island—the Kahala Hotel and Resort on the night of my honeymoon. While we have ‘ohana (family) on the island, getting a hotel room is generally not the route we take. We’ve found that Oahu vacation home rentals make us feel more like residents than tourists and provide a great alternative, especially for families with kids, like us.

Let’s face it: People come to Oahu for different reasons and to experience different things. Similarly, accommodations come in all styles, from luxury resorts to cottages. Staying in a house with a kitchen and all the related amenities offers a much more rewarding experience than booking a block of hotel rooms with no shared spaces. Even our new president chose this route, spending his 2008 winter holiday on Oahu in a private home in Kailua.

Before You Rent

If the idea of staying at a beachfront home on an island is your dream, you can make this a reality. And expect to be impressed. But, with this expectation also comes a few caveats that you should investigate before your trip.

Find out what you’re getting, prior to securing a vacation rental property. Be sure to visit the property Web sites, as you’ll often find information to get you started, including, in some cases, online calendar/booking options.

Ask questions. Are there shared amenities with other guests, like pool, parking, etc.? Does the house offer Wi-Fi or provide beach equipment (surfboards, boogie boards, lounge chairs)? Many properties have guest limits and will increase the cost if you’re over that limit. Some properties have rules on things like animals, quiet times and pool/Jacuzzi hours. More often than not, the property owners do not reside on site but will have a manager, so talk with them.

 

• Relax in the living room of your North Shore house rental managed by Hawaii Beach Homes.

Courtesy of Hawaii Beach Homes

Note: in some rental areas, properties are located off of major roads (as an example, several homes we rented from Hawaii Beach Homes are located off Kalanianiole Highway). Depending on the house’s proximity to the highway, rush hour traffic makes for a rude awakening (often as early as 5 a.m.) So again, ask for specifics.

Rental Crackdown

Depending on where you stay on the island, vacation homes, along with bed and breakfasts, are easy to find. But it’s worth noting that similar to what’s happening on other Hawaiian islands (see Maui B&B Battles sidebar), there is a move to decrease the number of rentals and B&Bs on Oahu, in particular in the Kailua and Lanikai areas.

While most B&Bs are legal, some are not. When considering booking a rental property, play it safe and inquire. At a minimum, ask the booking agent or property manager if the property holds a Non-Conforming Use Certificate or zoning variance that allows them to operate as a B&B, and try to get as much information as you can to ensure your arrangement is legal.

Next: Recommended Oahu Vacation Home Rental Resources