Our sampling of the Hawaiian villa life was woefully unsatisfying, but not because the places we stayed were inadequate. We're almost always "on the job" when we travel, so it's rare for us to stay long enough to taste the full measure of relaxation that comes with a private rental.

Choices are as varied as the islands themselves, everything from a condo in the heart of an activity-laden resort to a beach house far from the crowds. Here's a quick sketch of the condos, homes, and townhomes we stayed in, all available for rent either directly from the owners or through Hideaways Travel Services.

Fall/Winter 2000