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How to stay in Obama's Kailua beach house--or a cheaper place close by
Want to stay in President Obama's Kailua beach house, a/k/a the Winter White House? You'll have to wait a little longer: After getting a late start to his Christmas vacation, the Honolulu-born president has elected to stay another day in the luxurious vacation rental. That means he won't leave for wintry Washington, D.C., until Monday.
But Glenn Weinberg, who's listed on the vacation rental Web site Homeaway.com as the owner of Plantation Estate at Paradise Point, wants you to know that it's often available whenever the Obama 'ohana aren't occupying it -- Jan. 20 being the next opening, according to the Web site's rental calendar. And in case you can't pony up the $3,500 a night tab (which the Obamas are said to split with two families who stay with them), Homeaway.com also lists another 136 rentals in Kailua alone (whether they're all licensed or not is another story.)
Here's a closer look at the president's preferred spread and two relatively penny-pincher options:
The presidential version: It's no wonder the Obamas stayed here three Decembers in a row. The 5BR, 5.5 BA mansion, which sleeps 10, features sweeping views of Kailua Beach, a heated lagoon pool with waterfall spa, a chef's kitchen overlooking a dining room and great room, a surround-sound media room and a lava rock wall on three sides. All but one bedroom have walk-in closets, and two bedrooms are actually in separate buildings a few feet from the main residence (a good place to stash your private security agents.) The pool has an outdoor shower with hot and cold water, a bar, dining area and cable TV. (Birther alert: The interior includes African mahogany carvings -- discuss.)
There's a one-week minimum for the $3,500 nightly rate, plus a cleaning fee of $850 and the local occupancy tax of 13.96 percent; take it for a month, and the rate drops to a mere $75,000. For a video tour andmore photos, see the link on ParadisePointEstates.com. You'll also find details on the HomeAway.com link.
The penny-pincher versions: OK, you can't exactly fit the First Family and their entourage into these two vacation rentals available on Homeaway.com, but smaller traveling parties will appreciate the savings, as well as the surroundings:
1. Allison Shadday's Hula Breeze is advertised as a legal, licensed bed-and-breakfast that consists of the Palm Room studio. A 7-minute walk to the beach, the 400-square-foot unit on a quiet road sleeps two to three people (queen bed and futon) and includes a kitchenette, lanai, wireless broadband and off-street parking, plus a shared pool (see photos below.)
Nightly rates are $125 (rising to $130 Feb. 1), with three nights minimum preferred, plus a $60 cleaning fee and lodging taxes of 13.96 percent. Late booking specials may be available. For details, click here.
2. Somewhat larger and closer to the beach, Hale Hali'a Aloha is a one-bedroom apartment that sleeps two to three (queen bed plus futon) and includes a living/dining room with kitchenette, granite countertops in the bathroom and kitchen area, and a heated saltwater pool. The 475-square-foot unit is three and a half blocks from the beach and overlooks the river.
Rental rates are $150 a night for two, $175 a night for three, with a $75 cleaning fee and 14 percent tax; there's a five-night minimum unless fewer days are available between existing bookings. For details, click here.
| December 29 2010 at 11:12 PM
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