(That’s the state fish of Hawai’i, if you didn’t know. I’ll teach you a couple more words so you don’t sound too haole when you get here.) This place is the reason my kids don’t want to stay in Canada for Christmas. It’s hard to trade all that snow-shoveling for tropical warmth and heart-melting sunsets, but we make do. With awe-inspiring ocean views and the driest climate on the island, it doesn’t get much better than this affordable condo at Hali’i Kai. You’ll have no trouble finding a place to relax at our 2-level condo. From the multi-level infinity pool, to our 2 oceanview lanais (those are patios - Hawaiian word #2!) to the spacious-yet-cozy great room, everyone can find something that fits their tastes. This gated community is only half a mile from everything you’ll need to ease yourself into relaxation mode: a local market, a wide array of shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as 2 championship golf courses and 2 full-service spas. And when it’s time to escape the legendary Big Island warmth, we’ve got you covered: granite countertops galore, premium HD cable, and high-speed internet so you can message your friends back home and “complain” about the “bad weather.” The Space Let’s start the day at the beginning -- bold move, I know. Bedrooms If you’re in the master suite, you wake up on a California King bed -- you can hear the gentle swell of the ocean under the tweeting of tropical birds. Before you start the day, you take a breath of fresh, tropical air from the master bedroom’s lanai. You could fit a few people up here on the couch and chairs, but it’s all yours right now. There’s room for the whole family here: 2 XL twin beds in the second bedroom, and a queen bed in the third. Both have their own bathrooms, but I’ll get to that in a moment. First, it’s time for... Kitchen Breakfast! You could cook something up with the immaculate stainless steel appliances, but the pineapple is too fresh and tasty here to want much else. You plop it on the granite countertop, take 10 minutes to cut the crazy thing, and think you might have done it wrong - but that’s OK. You’re on island time, and you’ve earned the right to cut that thing any way you want. There’s a blender and a coffee maker when you get tired of pineapple, as well as pretty much any utensils or appliances you’ll need to make a big ol’ family dinner. But it’s your first morning in Hawai’i -- what the kahuna are you doing inside? Lanai Fruit in hand, you slide open the door to our ocean view lanai. If it’s between December and May, you might see humpback whales in the ocean getting their AM breach in. Dolphins are a little more shy, but you get a chance to see them all year long. The view from both of our lanais is truly incredible: overlooking the golf course, with the Pacific Ocean framing the vista. You’ll definitely be spending a lot of time on them. Bathrooms After watching the ocean for a bit, you head inside to freshen up for the day. If you’re in the master, you get dual sinks with a walk-in shower and a bench. If you’re in either guest room, you get your own bathroom with a tub and shower -- and all 3 bathrooms have the same classy granite countertops as the kitchen. I love granite. I’d buy granite toilets if they made them. The Great Outdoors The sun’s shining, the birds are chirping, and you spent a good chunk of money on those plane tickets. Time to head outside, kiddo! There’s plenty to do: Head to the beach, take off your flip-flops, and plant your pale tourist toes in that soft, warm sand. Ahhh. If you’re handy with a set of golf clubs, you’re about 5 minutes from 36 holes of championship golf with the best weather a duffer could ask for. If you’re as good a golfer as I am, you might prefer the shopping centers nearby, with full-service spas and restaurants that range from $$$$ to S (that’s half a dollar sign -- cheap cheap!) Take the keikis (kiddos) to swim with some humanely-treated dolphins -- they actually live in the sea, so you can feel good about yourself. Play tennis, rent jet skis, or grab our toys (beach chairs, umbrella, cooler, boogie boards and tennis racquets) and frolic in the surf. If you have to ask how to have fun on the Big Island, you’re doing it wrong. Amenities You’ve had your fill of sun and fun, and it’s time to zone out and relax in the complex. We’ve got you covered: A multi-level infinity pool with real fake waterfalls and a heated lava rock spa that feels like a cup of sunshine An oceanfront fitness center, so you can pretend to work out while catching up on the news or sports highlights Free high-speed internet throughout the living space, so you can post envy-worthy photos to social media Use the Weber grill on our lanai while you sneak in some more whale-watching Fill up on island cuisine and tropical drinks at The Ocean Club Bar and Grill. From 3-5pm everyday, take advantage of Happy Hour with $7 Mai Tai's, Beer on Tap and Wine. A Little About Me My name’s Stacey, and as you can see from my reviews, I’m pretty serious about making sure you have a great time. My husband and I have been taking our kids to the Big Island for quite a while now, and we can’t think of spending our winter holidays anywhere else. Once you book, I’ll send you all the necessary access instructions to get into the condo. It’s incredibly easy. The only hard part is leaving when your time is up! I have a short list of rules for our little seaside home: Don’t smoke No pets Kids are very welcome -- as I said, we have a ton of beach toys for them to use! Leave our condo as you found it. There’s a laundry room for your towels before you go :) And that’s about all! If you have any questions about our slice of paradise, don’t hesitate to send me a message (before or after booking). Aloha!