Frequently Asked Questions

1) What Should I do first?

This is the most important step so listen carefully. First, find the right “Kauai Vacation Rental” for your visit. DO NOT, I said DO NOT purchase airfare before finding your vacation home. Due to the overwhelming popularity of movies such as “The Descendants” and the TV shows, “Buying Hawaii” & “Hawaii Life”, Kauai has become the “IN” place to be. You may be surprised how far in advance people reserve vacation rental homes, sometimes up to a year or more. Having flexible dates will increase what is available, especially during the peak season of Memorial Day to Labor Day as well as any holiday or school break weeks. We recommend 6 to 12 months in advance for peak time frames and a year or more for Christmas and New Year. Can you travel off-peak? If so, your selection will increase dramatically and pricing will be more affordable. September and May are killer times to visit...small crowds and great rates, also terrific weather. Of course, situations arise and new homes are always being added to our inventory, so do not be discouraged if you are planning late. At House Of Dreams Kauai, we work with over 200 Kauai Vacation Rental owners in addition to the homes we own. We will help you find your dream home away from home. So now, ARE YOU READY...Let us Begin. CLICK TO VIEW ALL HOMES...

2) Should I book on Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway or Flipkey

NO, NO, NO, our opinion is you absolutely should not. Of course, if money is no object and you do not mind additional fees upwards of 20% or more, then, by all means, go for it. We and our partnering agencies on Kauai are the experts who can not only find you the perfect accommodation, we can save you from those hefty fees VRBO, Flipkey and Airbnb add on to your total cost. This will result in substantial savings as well as provide an overall experience of Aloha and good faith. Why not enjoy using those savings for an adventure, perhaps a private chef?

3) How Do I Secure A Kauai Vacation Rental?

Easy...Once you have selected your Kauai Vacation Home, a rental agreement will be sent by email. The rental agreement will be provided by the managing agency for that home. On Kauai, most rentals are displayed by multiple agencies or websites allowing visitors greater options while owners enjoy a larger audience. Our competitors are our friends and we work hand in hand for your benefit. As your vacation rental consultants, we will use our expert knowledge and relationships with owners and agencies to put you in the perfect rental. After we find your home and you have received your rental agreement, review the document and make the deposit. Final balances are due 90 to 100 days prior to the check-in date. This differs from resorts & hotels. Why do you ask? The reason is simple. Most homes are individually owned and cared for by their appointed property manager. When an owner removes the dates for you, from his or her availability calendar, they no longer have the ability to attract clients for those dates. Paying in advance demonstrates a firm commitment to the owner and insures that clients will not arbitrarily reserve without intent. Like-wise it represents a commitment from the owner to you.

4) What Are Acceptable Forms Of Payment?

We accept payment in the form of personal checks, traveler checks, bank checks, money orders, wire transfers, ACH transfers, Zelle, and credit cards. (Visa, MasterCard & American Express)

5) What Is The Cancellation Refund Policy?

Occasionally someone will need to cancel a reservation. In the event this occurs, guests will be entitled to a full refund less a cancellation fee, and the nonrefundable reservation processing fee. Refunds are given only when a guest notifies us in writing more than 90 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. There are a few homes that require even more advance notice. Acceptable forms of notification are email, fax, or a letter sent by USPS. Cancellation fees vary depending on the house or condo reserved. For cancellations that occur less than 90 days prior to the check-in date, your full rent and taxes may be forfeited. Unused cleaning fees & security deposits will be returned. If the home is re-rented for all or part of the dates, you may receive the amount that is paid for those dates, less the cancellation and reservation fee and proper hourly wages for services rendered to obtain another guest. Not all homes will provide refunds so we strongly advise guests to purchase travel insurance to cover any possible incident. House Of Dreams Kauai is a Travel Insurance provider of Rental Guardian products. We offer Trip Cancellation and Travel Interruption Insurance. Travel Insurance not only protects your investment, it also covers items such as lost luggage, medical costs, trip delays, and more. Information about Travel Insurance can be provided by Kimmy, your Kauai Concierge. During COVID we have made consumer-friendly modifications to our policies and now offer CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) Insurance. This policy has protected many of our clients in 2020 and 2021 from COVID-related cancellations.

6) What Is The Check-In Procedure?

Once your final balance is paid, you will be provided a complete set of directions and entry information from the management team of your home. This includes 2 separate documents. One has general information pertaining to the north shore, recommendations for restaurants, beaches, activities, and other items you may find useful during your stay. The other has information specific to your home. Lock box codes, entry information, and key locations will be provided as well. In many of the upscale homes in our Premiere Collection, you will be personally greeted upon arrival and given a brief orientation. The check-in time is either 3 PM or 4 PM and varies depending on the house. The check-out time for all of our properties is 10 AM. For some homes, a late check-out may be purchased in advance for 50% of the daily rate when a guest has an evening or red-eye flight. Complimentary late checkouts can be offered when available and only when the next group coming in is separated by at least two days. Early check-ins must be pre-approved as well.

7) What Is Included In Your Kauai Vacation Rental?

Lots of great stuff! All of our homes are stocked similarly to what you would have on your own. If a home is marketed for groups of 10, it will supply accommodations for 10. The kitchen will have dinnerware, glasses, tableware, and ample supplies for a group of that size. Small appliances such as microwaves, blenders, coffee makers, toasters, and much more will be provided. Each home will vary but expect the essentials to be there. Quality linens for each bed, towels & beach towels will be at each home. All homes have a washer and a dryer as well. We also provide a starter set of paper towels, tissues, soaps, dish soap, dishwasher soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, and cleaning products. Depending on the length of your stay, you may need to purchase additional supplies. Homes usually have non-perishable food items such as spices, oils, condiments, and a variety of other items.

8) Is Smoking Allowed? Are pets Allowed?

Smoking is not permitted in any Kauai vacation rental. It’s also not good for you. All of our properties are “smoke-free.” Hawaii law also prohibits smoking within 20 feet of any public building. If you are a smoker, please smoke outside and be courteous of your neighbors. Certain condo properties have additional smoking restrictions. Please refer to the House Rules to determine if your property has additional restrictions. It is also forbidden to bring pets into the home unless otherwise agreed. Animals on Kauai may carry fleas so please be respectful by not feeding strays or allowing them in your rental home. Kauai is a quarantine island so do your research before even requesting to bring your pet.

9) Is Maid Service Included? Where do we put the trash?

Upon request, daily or intermittent maid service can be provided at an added cost. The cleaning fee you pay is to prepare the home for you and restore it after you check out to the condition it is in when you arrived. You are expected to respect the home as if it were your own and leave as small a footprint as possible. This means there should be no more than one set of sheets per bed to be left unwashed, no more than one set of towels per guest unwashed, all dishes washed and put away, all counter surfaces cleared and wiped, and furnishings ABSOLUTELY mustn’t be moved from their original locations. Food and garbage should not be left out and broken items should be reported immediately. These terms must be followed or additional cleaning fees may be deducted from the guest’s security deposit. Guests are responsible to put the trash out on the appropriate evening for early morning pick up. If trash is excessive, the guest may bring it to the refuse station nearby which is open 7 days a week.

10) Are There Cribs, Roll-away Beds, Etc Available?

Yes, there are. These supplies are not included unless specifically stated. We are more than happy to have anything you need to be delivered to your Kauai vacation rental for an additional fee. We work with several rental services including Babylicious in Hanalei and Ready Rentals in Lihue and we would be happy to assist with arrangements.

11) Are Weddings Allowed on the Properties?

Weddings are permitted at a few of our Kauai Vacation Rentals. We are happy to assist you in finding the perfect home for you, as well as the planning of your wedding. We work with several well-known wedding coordinators. For any event or wedding, there are extra site fees in addition to the rent. All wedding and event reservations require a 7-night minimum stay and require the guest to abide by the guidelines set forth regarding weddings at Transient Vacation Rental Properties. The most important aspect of a rental involving an event is to respect the community and neighbors nearby. As long as you are 100% certain you can abide by our guidelines, you will be considered for that Hawaiian wedding of your dreams.

12) Are Concierge Services Available?

House Of Dreams Kauai is very fortunate to work with Kimmy of Kauai Ventures. Kimmy has over 17 years of experience, first as a renter of vacation homes and then as a vacation rental owner. All guests receive unlimited planning and assistance to enhance their time on Kauai. To reach Kimmy, email her at Kauaikimmy@me.com. Kimmy can arrange in-home services such as massage, facials, spa treatments, private chefs, yoga instruction as well as any excursions, adventures, luau reservations, guided hiking, and surf lessons by some of Kauai’s finest professionals. Kimmy’s services are complimentary to our clients. Occasionally, guests will require services that are outside of the norm such as personal assistance, shopping, wedding or party coordinating, and various other tasks. For those services, Kimmy will provide a fair hourly rate for her expert assistance.

13) Does Our Rental Come With Beach Equipment And Snorkel Gear?

Your Kauai vacation rental will come equipped with beach equipment such as chairs, mats & beach towels. Several homes will also provide umbrellas but that is not guaranteed. We do have a few homes in our inventory such as Aloha Lani, Ke Aloha Estate & a few others that supply snorkel gear, surfboards, paddleboards, boogie boards, beach toys, and bicycles, or various other outdoor amenities as part of the rental. Homes also accumulate a collection of items that are bought and left by previous guests, however, these quantities and items may vary and are not part of the agreed-upon inventory in your rental agreement.

14) What if something breaks?

Your Kauai vacation rental is a common home just like those we all live in. Because it is cleaned from top to bottom on a weekly basis, it is maintained to a higher standard. But like all homes, appliances and other mechanical features do break from time to time, especially in a climate as harsh as Kauai’s. Outdoor appliances such as a pool heater, AC units, and lighting are even more susceptible to occasional malfunction. Our homes are rented as a whole and not based on individual parts. If something breaks, homeowners will do their very best to remedy the problem. Kauai does have a limited supply of resources and technicians so you should expect longer response times than on the mainland. Just lay back, enjoy the beauty abounding and let us handle any minor inconveniences that arise.

15) When Will I Receive My Security Deposit Back?

You should expect to have your security deposit mailed back to you within 2 to 4 weeks after check out. In a few of our very elite homes from our Premiere Collection, it can take slightly longer.

16) What Will The Weather Be Like When We Arrive?

Ok...did you really ask that question? Well, this is one of the most frequently asked, sometimes up to a year in advance. My Crystal Ball says the following. It rains on Kauai. That is the fundamental quality of any Rain Forrest, which prior to Kauai’s development and infrastructure, was a thriving tropical ecosystem. We often say, “rain creates our beautiful waterfalls and rainbows”, some of the many things people come to Kauai, hoping to see. But all kidding aside, Kauai is always breathtakingly stunning whether sunny or rainy. Each and every visitor will most likely see a combination of moisture and sunshine. Summers provide calm seas and lots of sunshine. Winters will bring more moisture and spectacular surf. Temperatures are almost always between 78º and 85º during the daytime. Night time temperatures will vary, being slightly cooler from mid Fall to mid Spring.

17) The cleaning fees seem high...can you explain?

Unfortunately, there is a downside to tourism and Kauai is not immune to the negative impacts of vacation rentals. Many homes that were once long-term housing have opted to become short-term rentals. This has led to an extreme housing shortage causing rental rates for residents to skyrocket. We pay housekeepers a living wage that allows them to keep up with Kauai’s high cost of living.

18) Does House Of Dreams Kauai own and manage the rental homes?

House Of Dreams Kauai is a licensed IATAN Travel Agency. On Kauai, TVRs (Transient Vacation Rentals) must be managed by licensed real estate firms or individual homeowners. HODK has spent over 12 years cultivating relationships with the top realtors and owners to gather expert knowledge about the finest and most well-maintained properties. As your Travel Agent, we represent YOU, the traveler. We refer you to the accompanying realtor for the home you select and guide you through the complete process. Having stayed in dozens of TVRs and personally owned several as well, our experience will help guide you to the perfect accommodation.

19) How do I know I am getting the best rate?

Rates are constantly fluctuating as demand increases or decreases. While we ask all owners and realtors to provide updated rates, often they may vary slightly from what you see online. We will get you the best rate only at the time you reserve. Quite often for extended stays or last-minute reservations, we can negotiate a nice discount for you.

20) We hope that answers all your questions. See you on Kauai...Aloha!!!