Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Rental of Hale Lanipuna vacation home: policy/procedures

Our accommodation fee is competitively priced. This is a bargain that is only offered in the first year (2008-2009) that our new vacation home is on the market.

The total cost will include the rental rates listed below (for the period /season booked) plus the Hawaii State lodging tax (11.42%) and one-time cleaning fee ($50).

A fully refundable security deposit of $250 is required for a one-week stay. The amount is prorated for daily stays or for longer terms rentals.

Additional fees for FedEx/DHL express shipping of the keys (for last-minute renters) and for personal delivery of the keys (last minute or daily rentals) may be needed in addition.

Any damage (beyond normal wear), missing or lost items (items left at the beach, etc) or for heavy-duty cleaning (for inappropriately dirty floors or dishes/pot, or soiled walls or furniture) will be deducted from this security deposit. (Rate $40/hour additional cleaning).

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Daily Rates
( 1 to 4 nights)

Normally, our vacation home is rented by the week (5-7) consecutive nights. However, it is possible to make arrangements for a shorter stay - as long as our reservation schedule is not adversely affected. For example, a two-night rental during the middle of the week, especially during high tourism season, or during or adjacent to holiday periods might prevent a weekly or monthly guest from booking. Therefore, we prefer that daily rentals (1 - 4 nights) be made less than 3 weeks in advance. We reserve the right to refuse a daily rental. On the contrary, a daily rental stay that helps fill in some gaps or round out an empty week would receive priorty - and possibly a discount over the rates quoted below.

"It never hurts to ask."

Over 4 consecutive nights (and up to a maximum of 8 nights) is consider a weekly rental. Over 10 consecutive nights is considered to be a two week rental.

Daily Rates: (rates below do not include the Hawaii State lodging tax, 11.42%, to be added to the final total)
Daily rental for 1-4 nights: 1st night $100, 2nd night $75, 3rd and 4th nights $50 each

(These daily rates include the cleaning fee (normally $50), and delivery of keys. Most guests wanting daily rentals are coming from nearby (Kona or Kohala or another island (Oahu, Maui, etc) so the property manager must arrange to deliver you the key.


Weekly Rates (lodging tax 11.42% and one-time cleaning fee $50 are not included).
Description From To Weekly Rate


First Week (Low season)
High Season weekly rate
Peak Holiday Weeks
2nd/3rd weeks cheaper
April 16
Nov 16
dates vary
Aug 31 2008
Nov 15
April 15
dates vary
Aug 31 2009
$350 USD
$420
$700
(Ask to save$$)
* Weekly rate discounts will be applied at the time of booking depending on current demand and seasonal period.
2nd, 3rd week rates are cheaper in our 1st Year of Opening
Monthly Rates

Monthly rate range Min $1000 to Max $1600 - Rates applicable to High Season (Nov 16-April 15) and Low (Normal season) April 16 - November 15.

Holiday Peak Rates are the same but booking conditions are slightly more strict; these periods include Thanksgiving week/weekend, Christmas, New Year's (approx 3 weeks or Dec 21-Jan 10), my own March vacation (March 10-20 approx) and my own summer vacation (August 8-18 approx).

Long Term Rates will depend on length of stay and the season.
* Long term rentals over 14 days or more will require a rental-lease contract to be agreed upon and signed by the renter and landlord. The document spells out the rental conditons and policies and will help to make both renter and owner informed and mutual understood.

Rentals Conditions and Policies

Arrival Day: Guests may arrive on any day of the week.
Special Conditions
1. Ours is a NON-SMOKING home. Please smoke outside. If there is evidence of smell or cigarette burns in the flooring or other surfaces inside or outside the home, then your security deposit ($250/weekly rental) will be forfeited entirely.

2. If your arrival date is less then 15 days (2 weeks) in advance, you may need to share the cost of FedEx/DHL(express delivery) of the keys.
It is be possible to arrive at the vacation rental unit without the keys($25 fee for delivery in person)

3. Normally, it is expected that guests are tourists who do not reside in the state of Hawaii. However, with proper notification and assurances (including sufficient homeowner'S insurance coverage (by the renter's insurance agency) and sufficient security deposit, it will be possible for local residents to rent this under property under a short-term lease contract.

4. Maximum Occupants 6 persons
The house is most comfortable for 2 adults (along with 2 other guests). However, in some cases, it is possible to accommodate a 5th or 6th person on the twin size Japanese floor futons (a child or teen would not find these uncomfortable).

Payments and Policies

Payment Details
Once a booking has been confirmed, the owner will send exact instruction by email, telephone call or fax about how to make payments for the initial booking deposit or for payment of the balance owned for the booking.
At least 50% of the rental fee is required to complete the booking (balance due 30 days in advance). A refundable security/damage deposit of $250 is required. If you cancel 15 or more days prior to arrival, payments (less 100) are refunded.

If the balance owed for booking our rental home is not received by 15 days prior to arrive, then (without any evidence or attempt at notifying the owner or property manager), then the booking will be considered to be cancelled. Up to 100% of this paid fees/deposit can be withheld depending on when we are finally notified of your intent to NOT reside in the vacation home.

CANCELLATION:

Some special terms apply for peak holiday periods and for long-term and far-in-advance bookings. These terms will be specified at the time of booking.

If you cancel 15 or more days prior to arrival, payments (less $100 for handling and mandatory service arrangment) are refunded. The owner reserves the right to request some form of explanation that may need documentation as to the reasons for the cancellation


Cancelling from 7 - 14 days prior to arrival will result in a deduction of 25% of the total fees (including the security deposit).

Cancelling from 1 - 6 days prior to arrival will result in a deduction of 50% of the total fees (including the security deposit).

Cancelling on or after the day of arrival will result in a 100% forfeit of all payments, including the $250 security deposit.

Reasons:
There are sometimes things that happen beyond our control. But if you spending thousands of dollars for a vacation for plane fares, new clothes or sports equipment, cruises/air tours/special tours, and then arranging for your accommodation on top of these costs, you should probably considering getting trip insurance. Most travel agents -- even online ones such as Orbitz, Expedia, and Yahoo Travel, offer travel insurance for trips that will help replace or cover costs of cancelled trips due to sickness, accidents, or events beyond your control (see terms of their agreements before buying a policy).
Likewise, our vacation home is an expensive investment. When you book and fill up a week or more in our reservation calendar, we are delighted. However, if you cancel (especially at the last minute -- even 30 days is not always enough time to get a new booking to replace the lost income), it hurts me, the house keeper, the property manager, the ground keepers because that was income that cannot be replaced.






Owner accepts payments by: Personal Cheque (Available for guests booking 10 or more days prior to arrival) - Visa - Master Card - American Express - PayPal - Money Order or Cashiers Cheque - Direct Bank Deposit - Discover Card
*Please note that the above policies relate to the Owner's portion only.
Policies
  • No smoking is allowed.
  • Children are allowed.
  • Check in after 8:00 AM and check out before 6:00 PM. Check in/out times may be flexible upon request.
  • A maximum of 2 Dogs and/or Cats are allowed under 40lbs (14kg) in size but must be approved by the Owner. A deposit of 300 will apply. A fee of 25 will apply.
  • There is no specific quiet time policy, though guests are asked to be respectful of any neighbours.
  • An optional Daily Maid Service is available for the following fee of $60 (120 minutes of cleaning/wk).
  • Housekeeping is provided prior to arrival and after departure.



Unit Description
Amenities
General
  • Fans
  • Deck - Private
  • BBQ - Private
  • Electronics
  • Private Phone (Requires a calling card).
  • Fax Machine
  • Dial Up Internet an additional fee of $6 / hour is required.
  • Printer
  • 1 TV(s) size(s): 32". One or more Tv's are HD, Projection. TV has no signal source
  • 2 DVD Player(s)
  • 1 Radio(s)
  • 1 Stereo(s) (CD, Radio)
  • Other
  • Parking Provided: 3 Outdoor.
  • Kitchen
  • Large Fridge (has freezer)
  • Range/Oven
  • Convection Microwave
  • Toaster
  • Coffee Maker
  • Island
  • Eating Bar
  • Blender
  • Crock Pot
  • Dishes, Glasses & Cutlery
  • Pots and Pans
  • Bakeware
  • Kettle
  • Bed Summary
    One Bedroom
    1 Queen Bed (sleeps 2). Separate bedroom with queen-size extra firm mattress. Linens provided. Chest of drawers, and large closet for hanging clothes and storage, also has computer desk with a printer/fax/scanner (Canon) - easy to install for Windows or Mac laptop.

    Living Room (convertible beds)
    1 Queen Hide-A-Bed/Sofa Bed (sleeps 2). Living room sofa converts to queen-size bed, also available are a foam mattress pad, and pillow-soft mattress topper to make this sofa-bed more comfortable
    Living Room
    2 Twin Foam Mattresses (sleeps 2). two twin-size Japanse-style floor futons are available (foam pad and separate cotton-stuffed mattress)
    Bathrooms
    Bathroom 1 has toilet, bathtub, shower and one basin.
    The house uses a tankless electric water heater to conserve energy. It works acceptably, but trying to wash dishes, use the outside shower and the inside shower all at the same problem will put excess strain and may cause the overload signal to flash.

    View
    Our home is located on a one-acre lot in a lush tropical rainforest. It is surrounded by trees and greenery. While it does rain often in the Puna District, it is not usually constant and their periods each day of sunshine and sometimes brief showers. It is located on paved roads and is connected to the public water system. But there are only a few neighbors around so you will have the ultimate in privacy. The property caretaker lives in the next closest house.

    More Information about this vacation home

    About discounts and repeat renters benefits

    The house was recently built and furnished as a vacation home in the summer of 2008. Consequently, you will benefit by renting from us during our ‘new on the market’ discounted rental rate period – from now through March 2009. Repeat renters will be given a discount off the published rental rates. Booking now can also save you money in the future.

    Climate and A/C
    The house does not have central air conditioning. Most nights are rather cool (68-72 degree F) so the ceiling fans (living room, bedroom), floor fans, and attic exhaust fans should make it cool and breezy enough – except for the most finicky. For beach trips, you will find a water jugs, a cooler, a BBQ, beach chairs, and folding table. When you get back to the house, be sure to wash off the sand at the outside shower near the back door.

    Optional Tours
    Arrangements can even be made for private or group tours, airport pick-up, and housekeeping services to make your stay at Hale Lanipuna even more amenable. Please inquire at the time of booking for some great lava viewing trips and other guided excursions around the area and around Hawaii island.

    Location See Map
    VIEW an approximate location on MapQuest (please use your browser's BACK button to return to this page)

    Transportation

    Distances
    • ITO (Hilo International Airport) is within a 30 minute(s) drive. Taxi and airport shuttles are available; however, most people will prefer having a rental car. Exit left (heading south) on Hwy 11, go 6 mi to Hwy 130 (turn left), then continue to second Pahoa exit, turn left again on Hwy 132 (towards Kapoho), go passed Lava Tree State Park (address & details upon booking).
    • Golf: can be reached by driving for 20 minute(s). There are 3 golf course(s) nearby.
    • Shopping and Dining: can be reached by driving for 5 minute(s). Pahoa (village) is the closest shopping area (3.5 miles): groceries (including organic food market), fast-food and dine-in restaurants, shops, post office, pharmacy, hardware store, business center, Internet cafe, etc
    • Ocean is located within a 5 minute(s) drive.
    • Nearby Attractions: Lava Tree State Park - 2 min drive Issac Hale Beach Park w/ boat launch - 9 min drive Kapoho Tidal Pools - 12 min drive Kalapana lava flows (located outside Volcanoes National Park) - 10 min drive Kehena Black Sands Beach - 15 min drive Kalani Oceanside Resort - great organic buffet (breakfast 7-8am $10), lunch 12-1pm $11), dinner (6:30-8pm) $22, also has regular classes in yoga, hula, etc and intermittently schedule classes/events (See details at kalani.com ) Volcanoes National Park - 35 min drive Hilo (city) - Point of Interest North Akaka Falls -- 45 min drive north Laupahoehoe Point (scenic park/view point) at sea level - 60 min Waipio Valley - 90 min drive (north on Hwy 19, then on through Honoka'a) Point of Interest South Punalu'u Black Sands Beach (Kau) - 80 min drive (southwest of Volcano NP) South Point (Green Sands Beach) 100 min drive South Kona (Captain Cook) 150 min drive Kailua-Kona 180 min drive