New luxury vacation rentals in Hawaii: Holiday like the Obamas

Back in 1993, Tyler Coons, Founder of Exotic Estates International (EEI), moved to Maui with a mere $300 in his pocket and a backpack, yet armed with a big dream of living the Hawaiian life.

By way of waiting tables for many years at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Tyler first discovered how to give Five Diamond hotel service to discerning travelers. Within a couple of years, Tyler moved into commercial real estate where he worked with the Marriot and Westin Resorts. Tyler settled perfectly into the Aloha lifestyle and eventually saved enough money to buy his first investment property. With a keen instinct he designed the home to be a vacation rental, adding the guest rooms and amenities that high-end travelers would expect in a luxury rental.

Fast forward to 2007 when Tyler’s property was an increasingly in-demand vacation rental, yet he was watching his neighbors’ and friends’ homes fall into foreclosure as the recession took hold. Tyler suggested that they, too, begin to enter the vacation rental market to cover their mortgages. He offered helpful interior design and amenity tips, jumped in to oversee photos shoots of homes, and assisted in listing the rentals. The result of his Aloha spirit helped save dozens from losing their homes. Tyler quickly became passionate about the vacation home rental niche of the hospitality industry, and Exotic Estates International was born.

Today, Exotic Estates is a Las Vegas-based, boutique brand featuring three premier destinations in its collection: throughout the Hawaiian Islands; Los Cabos, Mexico; and in relaxed resort settings in the Colorado Rockies. More destinations are in the forecast. Exotic Estates retreats are ideal for those seeking a respite from busier resort environments and intimate ambiances for family retreats, multi-generational getaways, and couples traveling together.

Some homes in the collection have hosted famous guests, including the gorgeous villa rented by Barack and Michelle Obama on one of their annual Hawaiian holidays.

“Exotic Estates strives to create raving fans with every interaction and with every customer,” said Tyler Coons. “Whether it be a wonderful customer who we place in one of our beautiful homes, someone on our team, or an owner that we have the good fortune of representing, our goal is to have them walk away saying ‘now that’s how a vacation should be.’”

Being a boutique villa and vacation home rental brand, Exotic Estates is dedicated to highly-personalized guest experiences. This begins with the Exotic Estates staff vetting each property in the collection. From A to Z, each home must qualify with Exotic Estates’ highest-end standards on both interior and exterior amenities.

The Aloha spirit blends seamlessly into each guest’s experience when they meet their designated Villa Specialist. Specialists have destination fluency, with area and property expertise, and will advise clients which home will be the ideal fit. The Specialist also works in conjunction with a local Concierge to align the guest with preferred activities and dining arrangements.