This was for my girlfriends 50th birthday and this started the trip on a very bad note.
When we arrived there were ants in the kitchen, sink, counters, table, bathroom sink and shower as well as some other type of black bug that was seen occasionally. We took it in stride and would kill them as we saw them. They said it was our fault for not answering the cottage phone. We are on vacation and they had our email and cell numbers, they would call when we weren't there. After a couple of days we contacted the owners and they say they came and sprayed all around and we did see new ant traps with an explanation ants are drawn to wet areas. They also told us it was partly our fault for leaving sealed bags of candy on the table. Yet they left candy and fruit on the counter before we got there. A day or two later I woke up to find an ant inside my laptop screen. A call to the owners was never returned. A couple days later another ant was seen in the laptop screen and another unanswered call. Yep, they are still in my laptop and I never got a call from the owners. The owners finally showed up after we called the Kauai tourist board and the police. The one owner would not even come into the cottage and hid outside and the other did come in an again try to tell us we were wrong. He did tell us he has an exterminator service, but then why didn't they come and spray?
I felt like I was in a college dorm more than a cozy cottage. Small screen basic TV, set on a strange cart and no TV in the bedroom. No couch to sit on to watch TV, NO AC. They say the breeze will cool you, after being out all day exploring the island and coming back to this was horrible, little to no breeze every day. The outdoor shower is only cold water and a total waste. They don't want you to wear shoes inside but you can't walk outside without them, it is all rocks.
They even had the nerve to ask if we had photos of our laptop screen showing there were no ants in it before we arrived. I have video showing ants crawling on the laptop and several videos as I got tired of just taking photos of the ants.
The owners knew we were from too far away to pursue any type of claim and the tourist office asked for all kinds of info but did give us the phone numbers for the local board of health.
We spent another week in Kauai on the other side of the island in another house and never saw one ant, that was also the case for the house we rented on Maui on the same trip.
We even went to their other cottage on the property and asked those renters and they say they had a few ants too.
No offer to pay for repairs and a very cold good-bye as we left.
The early morning truck noise was a good alarm clock most mornings as the back of the property backs up to a street and traffic noise is easily heard especially having to keep the windows open all the time.
So good luck on your decision.
Room Tip: Anywhere but here!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
8 February 2012
Please read our outstanding reviews from travelers who consistently say 17 Palms Kauai is the top rated property in our area, 96% of the time based on posted reviews. As responsible, respectful and caring owners and island residents of over seven years, we were appalled at not only the review posted by these unfortunate guests, but also by their actions while at our property and their lack of aloha. Their review is filled with extraordinary inaccuracies and statements that are simply not true. We have never had such a trying experience with anyone staying at our property. And yes, eating and leaving a quart-sized, baggy of jelly beans next to a running computer will likely draw ants. These guests stooped to incredible lows even after they left our premises. We found that no matter what we offered or did there was absolutely no appeasing their highly aggressive and combative attitude. Their visit to our other cottage guests was inappropriate and we were contacted by them about their discomfort with these people. We recognize that there is a first time for every thing and always go out of our way to make our guests at home. A review of our listing and website will show what we offer our guests; a unique, serene, well appointed, incredibly comfortable, and highly sought after property walking distance to the ocean on the east shore of Kauai. Come and experience what we love to share with visitors to Kauai and at 17 Palms Kauai. Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
