How to begin? There is so much to say, and only so much space. Hale Kai is a clean, well-kept, historic property, designed in the 1950’s by renowned architect Vladimir Ossipoff, on a breathtakingly beautiful, almost 3 acre property right on Keauhou Bay. The design of the main house allows you to feel both inside and outside at the same time, taking advantage of the cool breezes off the bay to keep the main living area comfortable on all but the warmest days. Hale Kai embodies the spirit of old Hawaii, with an emphasis on comfort, privacy, and a deep connection to nature. Looking out at the bay, you can certainly imagine why John Wayne chose this spot to marry his third wife. The grounds are immaculately kept and make you feel as if you are living in a botanic garden. The property has an abundance of fruit trees, including delicious starfruit, bananas, and mangoes, some of which we had the privilege of sampling.
The arrangement of the rooms here allows for maximum privacy, with only the two guest hales sharing a wall. Each bedroom has its own very effective AC unit, which makes it very comfortable to sleep at night. There is a huge table on the lanai, perfect for our group to watch the sunset while eating dinner. In the mornings, we would have coffee there and watch the birds at the nearby feeders. As for activities, there is more than enough to do without ever leaving the property. You can swim, snorkel, or fish from the little dock on the property, explore the tide pools, swim in the pool, or play tennis. There are plenty of pool towels and the house is well stocked with everything you might want. I especially enjoyed the Hawaiian spa and bath amenities.
I must point out that the service we received from everyone associated with this property was impressive and impeccable. When they say concierge service, they mean it! Krista was our initial point of contact and a wealth of information about the area. Krista also helped us arrange for a private chef to stock the house in advance and to prepare the most incredible meal to share with our guests. Our chef was Shirley, an absolute gem, and the four-course meal she prepared was one of the highlights of our trip. Derrick is the caretaker, and lives in a house at the back of the property. He let us have our space, but it is so convenient having him there to answer questions, or to fix any minor problem you might encounter.
Krista, thank you and your staff for making our stay an amazing one!