Islander on the Beach
Condo 225
Studio 1-Bath Beachfront Condo
- Sleeps 3 [?]
Convenient location with a great view.
We loved the oceanfront view and the location made a great base for enjoying all Kauai has to offer.
Mediocre experience
I went in with low expectations since I was not paying much for a condo on the beach. Everything would have been okay since my expectations were low but the fact that the housekeeping was so poor and that my friends had a totally different experience in condo 250 really affected my impression of condo 225. When I first entered the condo, I was quite impressed by the proximity to the ocean. It was great to hear the ocean all night. Second thing I noticed was a very musty smell that never went away despite opening up the door and spraying it with Lysol. Next I noticed a dirty washcloth that was left in the shower. I found this totally inexcusable! The housekeeper also left a bottle of Lysol on a counter. There was also grime around the sink. Another sign of the very poor housekeeping was the coffee pot was full of old coffee and a used filter. My friends' condo, 250, was spotless. Her owner provided her with robes, a welcome basket, videos, and games. We were not provided with any of this. On a positive note, our bed was very comfortable. We were very disappointed in the pool and spa since they were the size of our backyard pool and spa. Both were always too crowded to use. If the condo had been clean, I would have been satisfied since I was not paying much. The poor housekeeping did not allow me to use the kitchen because I was disgusted by the dirtiness. This was a primary reason that I had chosen a condo over a hotel room. If I did return to The Islander, I would book condo 250.
Manager response:
“ We are very sorry for the issues you encountered during your stay in unit 225. As you can see from our many other reviews our guests usually have an excellent experience and the condo is very clean. We have spoken to the housekeepers about this incident and they are duly upset. Im sure it will not happen again. We always leave a can of Lysol in the bathroom as guests appreciate and use this amenity. The homeowner last year upgraded the beds to king size beds and purchased new Egyptian cotton sheets. She has also just purchased new bedspreads as well, so we are delighted you found the beds comfortable. This condo has a licensed on-island contact on call 24/7 and the contact information is posted in the unit and included in the emails confirming the reservation. Any guest who encounters such problems is most welcome to call and we will rectify any issues immediately. ”
This is the best place ever!
I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about this place being "right on the beach" and of all the great reviews that it had. Well, we were late getting in because of flight delays. We arrived about 12:30 in the morning. We couldn't see a thing out our sliding door. But let me tell you when we woke up to a beautiful sunrise we felt glad that we had this condo. It is right on the beach. The management was excellent! Our a/c wasn't working and they were right on it. However after it was fixed we never used it. Just prop open the door and open the slider and the breeze furnished all the fresh air we could hope for. Since we were on the 2nd floor we felt safe enough to leave our sliding door open while sleeping to listen to the crashing waves all night. It's nice location is great for restaurants, shopping and fabulous food shacks. The grounds that the condo is on (The Islander on the Beach) were impeccable. The pool a little cold but the ocean (who needs a pool) was just right. There are lounge chairs on the beach. Lots of sandy shallow water to just stand in and put yourself into relax mode. We wouldn't hesitate to book this place again. In fact, we were a little bummed that "someone" else was sleeping in our condo after we left! We lived on Oahu a long time ago and this condo reminded us of our little apartment. There was nothing we didn't like. It's not the "high hoity toity" place that some may want but it was everything we wanted or needed for 12 great relaxing nights.
Great reasonable condo on the beach!
We rented this condo from an owner, not the Islander corporation itself, and that made all the difference in the world. There was everything we needed in our condo, which is really no more than a big hotel room with a kitchenette and a great lanai (balcony). Dishes, silverware, spices in cupboard, cleaning products as well as paper products, even paper plates. There was even a wine opener, which we appreciated, as well as a blender for smoothies, using the fruit products from the local farm market.When we noticed the cooler was missing, a phone call and we had a new one to use. This condo is very close to the beach, so much so that my husband closed the patio door every night because the waves were so loud. The room was immaculate and the grounds beautiful and we felt blessed every day to wake up in paradise. The air conditioning unit is high on the wall and I loved the fact it didn't blow directly on us- very subtle and very efficient.One night we cooked a steak on the grill, accompanied by baked potatoes from the microwave and a salad from the vegetables found at the local farmers market which you will want to find for sure. There is only a small refrigerator with no freezer but we found it sufficient for all our food and ice is free just a short walk away. I would recommend to anyone staying here to do what we did- load a suitcase you will check through with any food items you think you'll use such as coffee, sugar, cereal, mustard, mayo, peanut butter,salad dressing, chips, cookies, any bread you can bring as well as canned goods (tuna, soup, pasta) because the food in Kauai is very expensive- be prepared for sticker shock- and we had breakfast on the lanai each morning plus prepared sandwiches to take in our cooler and water in our jug filled with ice. I would suggest suggest bringing plastic bags as well as paper cups and napkins. All in all, a great stay in a central location and I highly recommend these accommodations! Can't wait to return!!!
Loved our stay at the condo!
One of the best places we've stayed in! The condo was right on the beach with a great view from the balcony. And very private as it's on the second floor. Everything was clean and fresh. Pleasantly surprised to find a toaster oven and microwave! Loved using the beach chairs and boogey boards. Air conditioner worked when we needed it. Couple of things that can be improved; Closet had a weird smell - something needs to be done about that. WiFi stopped working the second day into our stay. Bigger beach towels would be great. Have recommended the condo to everyone who asked about our stay. :-)
Very nice condo
Our stay at condo 225 at Islander on the Beach was great! The room was everything we expected and even seemed a bit larger than the photos provided. The kitchenette had all the amenities we needed for the stay. We enjoyed listening to the ocean at night. I would recommend a second-story room if you chose to stay at the Islander - that way you can leave your sliding doors open at night! This room looks right out over the ocean. Just remember to shut those doors whenever you leave the room so your room does not get too humid - it can happen quickly. I made use of the room's private Wifi Network, and there was a large selection of cable channels for those nights when we had exerted ourselves out and about during the day to do anything but lay in bed and watch t.v. at night! During our stay, the property was generally quiet, and we saw more couples than families. As it was our first stay in Kauai, we discovered that the Islander if very well located to access all the island has to offer! There are also several great restaurants on the property - the restaurant in the far corner of the parking lot closest to the hotel has delicious Korean bbq chicken! The bar in the pool area had great happy hour specials, too. A couple of things, however small, could have made our stay more pleasant. There was only a roll and a half of toilet paper for our seven-night stay, and we had to purchase more. Also, the tissue boxes were nearly empty when we arrived, and as I suffer from allergies those were gone quickly, too. Lastly, the first night we noticed our sheets and blankets on the bed were damp. This went away by the next day after running the a/c, but this should have been done before we arrived. However, these were just minor annoyances and did not majorly detract from our stay. I would stay here again. The price is far less than paying hotel prices and you have far fewer fees and front desk issues.
Manager response:
“ Mahalo for your review of our Islander on the Beach 225. We were delighted to have you as our guest and hope you can return again soon. We apologize for not turning on the a/c before your arrival and will be sure to do so in the future. It is our normal policy to turn it on before a guests arrival and we overlooked it in this instance. We also usually leave more amenities such as toilet paper and tissues, so this was overlooked and we will be sure to rectify this going forward. We would have been happy to bring you more so if you return please feel free to call our local contact for any needs such as these. We want all of our guests to have a wonderful experience. ”
A Womderful Stay
I recently spent a week in Kauai and stayed in condo#225 at Islander on the Beach. In spite of the rainy weather we had a good time. The condo was excellent...very clean and came with all the amenities of home. Dishes, silverware, blender for the fruity drinks, microwave, small refrigerator and toaster oven. The bed was more comfortable than mine at home. There were also beach mats, beach chairs and a cooler for our use. A nice surprise was the welcome bag left for us which had a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts, bottles of water, a tote bag and information about the island. They also left plenty of towels for a weeks stay. I loved the ocean front location and having morning coffee on the deck. The unit is nice for two people but would be crowded with more than two people. There is no elevator so you have to carry bags and walk up to the 2nd and 3rd floors. The location is within walking distance to some shops and restaurants. The restaurant In the resort next door is excellent !! The Islander on the Beach is a very nice property. The grounds are kept meticulously and are full of beautiful flowers. My only complaint is that it can be hard to get a parking place in the lot as there are not enough of them. I would also recommend renting a compact car since the parking spaces are narrow. This is our second year at Islander and we will definitely be back again. I would recommend unit #225 without any hesitation.
Ocean front vacation
The location was perfect. The unit is small. Instructions from management were concise. Clean. Quiet.
Islander On The Beach Condo 225 in January
Great location. Service staff were very friendly and accommodating. Great location to travel anywhere on the island and be there within an hour and a half max. The location of this condo on the second floor was advantageous as you had more privacy than similar locations on the first floor due to heavy usage of the sidewalk next to the beach. Parking in the lot can be difficult to find at night and your only other option is to park on aleka Place (not in the Coconut Marketplace - they will tow). Several food options are available in the Coconut Marketplace or nearby - nothing fancy but good food nonetheless. The surf is rough so you won't be swimming in the ocean but the pool is a good option if you want to jump in the water.
Totally exceeded our expectations!
The condo was exactly as described on aloha Condo's site. The room seemed musty upon arrival, but it was expected as it's less than 100 yards from the water, a short while with the Lanai door opened took care of it. The room, resort, and location were fantastic! The room is stocked well with everything you will need to get you started. The location is great being centralized on the island. We will be returning to this condo, and we highly recommend it for a true Hawaiian vacation. A great value for the price.
Simply Paradise!
The Condo was simply "Paradise"... It was just as described in the photos, close to the beach with a spectacular view. It was also clean and exactly what one would need to enjoy their stay on this beautiful island. My wife and I left the balcony door open at night and listened to the sound of the waves crash against the shoreline. Simply "Paradise"! Mahalo for a wonderful stay!
Great!
What a deal. Right on the beach at $89 per night. Can't beat it. Nice condo with view of the ocean. Well managed company, beautiful grounds, well maintained. We enjoyed our stay here. Will be back again.
Wonderful stay at Condo 225
The location and view of this condo is just amazing. You can listen to the surf of the ocean just sitting in the room or even better sitting on the lanai. The room was very clean and had all the necessities for the kitchenette. The very nice touch was a welcome package from aloha condos with some useful goodies. I would love to go back.
Loved the oceanfront!
My husband and I enjoyed our stay at this condo 225. We loved having the ocean front room! It is so relaxing to sit on the lanai and watch the ocean. The beach in front of this building is great also!
Condo 225 Islander Beach Resort
The condo is very well located, but was not very clean. I saw 2 cockroaches during our stay. The bed cover and blanket would need to be replaced. The curtains were not clean and the rail system was broken. The chairs and the couch were stained. It's a shame because the resort was really good.
Manager response:
“ Thank you for your candid review. The homeowners have since replaced the rail system that had suffered from the constant salt and wind, and we have cleaned the drapes as well. The sofa and chairs will be steam cleaned November 8th. As for the comforter and blanket: both are brand new, so Im not sure why the suggestion was made they be replaced. I apologize for the roaches. They are one of the downsides of paradise. We keep bait traps in the units for them, but it is impossible to avoid them completely in the tropics. I hope you will return to our wonderful island and to Islander on the Beach again. ”
Best Ever
We can't stop thinking about our recent visit to Kauai and stay at the Islander Condo 225. It was perfect for our family. The place was absolutely what we needed. Every day we could chill at the end of our outings (snorkeling, boat/raft trip along Na'Pali coast, hiking, boogie boarding, etc.)and love where we were staying. Nice landscaping, great "open-air" lobby where we went to get our emails, etc. wood floors, ceiling fan, relaxing and pretty decor, great pool and hot tub, tiki torches at night, drinks by the pool, and best of all, our view--straight out to the ocean. Mornings breakfast on the balcony, sometimes dinner/take-out at night, too. The moon right there over the water, or a rainbow after a rain. There are loungers down by the water's edge, too. The kitchen is great, plates silverware, bowls, blender, s & p, coffee filters and machine, microwave, frig. We had breakfast at home and two dinners at home (Bbq's are by pool). The only suggestion would be to have one more place for towels to dry out during the day. There were four of us, and two towels/day, without any kind of maid/laundry because it's not a "hotel" in our unit. With us using towels at the pool and our own at the beach, one more hanging bar in the BR would be good. The beds are good (and I'm very picky), pillows perfect. I want to return here and stay at the same condo. Love it. This was the best vacation I've had in ages. Love Kauai, too. Not a single big city, the whole island is gorgeous.
great location great value
Great place to sleep after a busy day the lanai was a beatiful place to have my morning coffee and watch the waves you are just feet from the ocean. The room was clean and adequate nothing over the top but well worth the price
Great Vacation Destination
We were very pleased with our stay and the location. A beautiful place and great destination.
Loved to hear the waves at night
We stayed here for four nights in March 2011. The location of the condo is perfect. It is just steps from the ocean and we left the patio doors open at night to listen to the waves. We had some excitement with a tsunami warning after the Japanese earthquake, but first Kristen let us know, and then someone from the management knocked on the door to let us know we should evacuate and explained where to go. The condo is about the size of a hotel room, but with the small kitchen and the balcony, there was more than enough room. There is a great restaurant within a very short walking distance, and the little town of Kapa'a is a short drive, is a charming small town, and has everything you need. Being on the eastern shore was the perfect location for us, as it was easy to drive to all other parts of the island, and was a quick drive to the airport the morning we left. All in all, I highly recommend this condo.
Great value for money
I would definitely come back to this place as it represents great value for money. Where else can you stay ocean front for $105 per night?
Was overpriced for the unit.
Nice location and size. The unit was very musty smelling and was very wet feeling in there. Was so humid we had to sleep on towels the sheets felt wet. The TV was very hard to see. We only wanted to watch the news. I would recommend to a friend only if the price was lowered.
Manager response:
“ We are sorry you were not comfortable and wish we had known at the time. This condo is absolute ocean front with wonderful tropical sea breezes when we have trade winds, however things in Hawaii get very humid when we have Kona conditions, which we have had the past few weeks, and that brings on dampness and mustiness very quickly. You really cant get closer to the ocean than this unit, so it is impossible to keep it absolutely dry. That said, a brand new air conditioning system was installed a month ago which has a dehumidifier cycle as one of the key functions. We would have been happy to assist with the dampness issue had we known you were uncomfortable. The air conditioner manual is also in the condo. I was in this unit yesterday and did not notice any mustiness, so I think recent use of the air conditioner and the return of the trade winds dried the unit out. I will examine the TV to see if the salt air has shortened its life span. Julie Buckmaster, Owner, Islander On The Beach, Condo 225 ”
Comfortable & Relaxing Ocean Front Vacation
The condo was very clean and nicely furnished, the bed comfortable and the kitchenette was sufficient for the amount of eating in we did. The ocean front location was outstanding and convenient for nearby shops. We enjoyed the sunrise each morning and with a 2nd floor unit, felt secure leaving the door open at night for the fresh ocean air and sounds. The Bbqs and tables near the pool allowed us the opportunity to invite guests over with plenty of space. Having previously lived on Kauai for more than 10 years and running a service business, we have been in numerous rental properties and were pleased with Islander #225. We most definitely recommend this unit for location, comfort and price.
Great room for the money
Nothing extravagant, but clean and nice enough. Definately works for our needs, (a place to crash at night after long days.) Close to good food and several shops. Nice location centered between the north shore and south shore. Overall, a nice room.
Wonderful
We went to get married on Kauai. The condo was an added bonus. Comfortable, clean, neat and tidy. Just what we were looking for and the view was amazing.
What a room with an unbelievable view!
Great room in a great location. Bed was very comfortable. Safeway right down the street, coconut marketplace with a couple fantastic food places right next door. Only drawback is if you return later in the evening parking can be difficult to find. This room is great for two but four it would be kinda close living.
Sleeping to the sound of the ocean with good value and comfort.
This condo was quite comfortable for the two of use. Best was being right next to the ocean and listening to the ocean when we slept. Location was very central and convenient without feeling crowded.
Great location and price value
We really enjoyed our stay in the Ocean View room. Room was clean and well maintained. Can't beat the location. Traveled with two teenage daughters and they had a great time too, especially the beach in front of room.
