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Hotel Class: 
5 Stars - 878 Opinions
130 Kai Malina Parkway, Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
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of people enjoy staying here
878 Opinions
We loved our stay here.. we can't wait to go back one day! It will be a very popular resort when completed! the only reason we didn't give it 5 stars is because of a little construction noise- which really wasn't too bad.
We rented directly from Lauren at 928 through vrbo and she is wonderful to work with.
It is a beautiful resort - the gourmet shop is fabulous to have there and Star Market is open 24/7 and very close by.
Loved Honua Kai!
The property was impressive from the moment we arrived. We were traveling with 4 families and everyone was thrilled when we arrived at the hotel. We were there over July 4th holiday. The view from the lobby is beautiful . The spacious lobby area is open and looks out at the pool area and ocean. Our 2 bedroom units were larger than alot of friends apartments and the terraces quite large. We spent alot of time in the beautiful open kitchens and had some nice dinners on the terrace under the stars. There is a big WOW factor in the suites, they have everything you need and daily housekeeping as well. We did laundry daily, and went home with clean clothes. The front desk staff, pool attendants and the deli staff were all very helpful. The gourmet market had wonderful items for purchase, and nice prepared meals as well. They also had a room service option. Location is terrific just down the road from Whalers Village and only a 10 minute drive to Lahaina. We are all excited to go back once the full property is open, the construction was limited to another side of the resort and not intrusive to the guest experience we had. We also used the BBQ's that they have on site to cook dinner one evening. We would highly recommend this resort to our friends and family and can't wait to go back to Honua Kai.
Just got back from a fabulous time in Maui and we were so happy with the Honua Kai. We rented a 2-bedroom unit on the 8th floor (815), through the hotel. The view was incredible because this unit has a wrap around deck. Our teenage daughters loved the pool and the whole family walked/jogged the boardwalk every day. We hit Costco the first day, bought breakfast and lunch items, and then did dinner out every night. Perfect. Construction was not an issue. You could hear them in the morning but it wasn't that bad. We kept daydreaming about buying one of the units. Service was exceptional.
Note: the reason we didn't give this a 5-rating is because it's not finished but we would not hesitate to stay there again.
We - dad, mom, and 2 year old - stayed at the Honua Kai in early-mid August 2009. We rented directly from the owner (or, their management) instead of through the Honua Kai. It was far cheaper this way. We also traveled with several extended family members, in a total of 3 different units.
We stayed in 2 separate units, a 1 bedroom and a 2 bedroom, both on the 3rd floor. Both units were identically furnished, with slight variations in little things like beach towels and kitchen storage items.
The 1 bedroom we stayed in had a "side ocean view" but directly faced the building that is under construction. At the time of our stay, the major construction was done; they were working on the balconies and interior. There was, however, some noise because there were trucks going back and forth. It looked like they were smoothing out the road/path next to the building. With the glass door closed, you couldn't hear the noise as much (it was like a low drone), but it's a bummer to have the doors closed when the weather's so nice. They started work by 9 in the morning, if I remember correctly but are probably done with that portion by now anyway. The bathroom was very large and had 2 access points from the bedroom and off the kitchen. The kitchen was well appointed, but if you're staying a while and planning to cook many meals, there isn't too much cupboard space. We just left the food on the counter.
The 2 bedroom faced the interior courtyard, and you couldn't hear any construction noise. Since the resort was only at half occupancy at best, it was very quiet. The common area of the condo and lanai/balcony was quite spacious. One of the bathrooms had 2 access points, while the other had a separate toilet room and its own access to the lanai. In both condos, the shower pressure was either great, or punishing, depending on your preference. You couldn't adjust the water volume. The bathrooms in the 1-bedroom units are not the same size, probably dependent on its position in the building.
The Pros: This is a beautiful resort. Even though it's only 50% finished, what is there is well thought out (except for the underground parking - the set up is a bit awkward). The pool is beautiful, and since there weren't that many guests, there was no problem finding free lounge chairs. The deli/convenience store on the property had a good collection of food (snacks, coffee, gelato, souvenirs) and sundries. It is about 1 to 1.5 miles along a concrete beach side path to Black Rock. The dad and the toddler (in a jog stroller) went jogging in the morning. The beach in front of the property is very nice and "clean" - not rocky like the one in front of the pavillion (near the Westin). There's good shade in the mornings, and the snorkeling is OK. Access is easy. Not nearly as good as that by Black Rock, but it's not as crowded either.
There is a Star Market for groceries, along with restaurants and shops, very close by.
The Cons: Very little. Obviously, the construction led to some noise. (There is also an empty lot/pit on the other side of the completed building, but it doesn't look like they've touched that in some time.) The staff is pretty green, could have been better at communicating with guests and each other. We had confusion over parking, but that was due to miscommunication between Honua Kai and the management company. In fact, if you don't go through the Honua Kai, you probably won't get any information from them and have to rely on your unit's management company for all news.
We stayed in the Honua Kai for a week in mid Sept 09. The second phase of the resort is still being completed, so you can stay at incredible rates. The construction noise was very minimal and did not affect us at all. We stayed in a 2 bedroom and it was perfect for 4 adults and 2 small children. The resort was less than 20% full so we felt like we had it to ourselves.
Everything is brand new, very stylish, and worthy of a 5 star resort. The pool was huge, with an incredible view of the ocean. 2 more additional pools are being constructed and should be completed when the second phase opens in Jan/10. Duke's restaurant is also being completed and should be done by Dec/09. The resort is somewhat by itself on Kaanapali, as the resorts on either side or a good distance away and definitely not crowded like south Kaanapali. The Whaler shops are a 30 min walk or a just a 3 min drive, Lahaina is just a few min more.
The beach in front of the resort is great, with very few people. The reef comes close to shore, we snorkeled right out in front and saw lots of fish. We used the high end barbecues out by the pool to grill fish and steaks each night and would sit and watch the sunset. The concierge was great and helped us with where to eat and things to do.
If you want the feel and service of a 5 star resort combined with the roominess and serenity of a full ownership/timeshare place, then I highly recommend the Honua Kai. I would especially encourage anyone with a family considering going to Maui in 09, to check out the great rates as they are offering 50% off as they finish the second phase.
My husband and I booked this lovely gem of a hotel for our honeymoon when they were doing their 50% off suite specials earlier this year (probably around Jan/Feb) so this was an absolute steal for us accommodations wise, especially in the beautiful yet pricey Kaanapali resort area. And we have to say that we were absolutely thrilled with our stay in more ways than one!
First off, the resort itself is gorgeous. Everything is still sparkling new and fantastic quality, every detail was thought of when it was designed, from the dark wood and marble open air lobby with plenty of comfy seating, to the landscaping on the grounds (the koi pond was a lovely touch), and that stunning view of the ocean we were treated to every time we walked through. The pool is beautifully done and quite a bit larger than I expected it to be! You're also treated to that spectacular ocean view when you're in there. And since the resort isn't too busy just yet, it almost feels like you have the pool to yourself. I believe they do have poolside service but I didn't try it and I'm sure it will only improve once their onsite restaurant is finished -- it was still under construction during our trip but looked to be in its final stages. Service at the resort was also pretty top notch. The staff were all friendly and accommodating, most of them recognizing us and always offering a pleasant hello as we passed through. We had a small issue with the water heater in our room and they helped us take care of the problem with very little fuss and very much to our satisfaction. And to address some of the issues I read before actually staying there: the construction in no way affected our stay. Yes, we were aware it was happening but you really don't notice it once you're there. Not to mention the 2nd tower is pretty much all built and it looks like they're working more on details now. There was also no smell in the parking lot...I think others have mentioned there being a sewage treatment plant across the street and I made it a point to check for odd smells --- none!
Our suite was also fantastic -- we stayed in a partial ocean view studio which faced the courtyard of the resort but allowed us view of the ocean. The lanai is a relaxing place to be, though we didn't spend as much time out there as we could have. And the amenities within the suite are top notch -- fantastic washer/dryer, kitchen appliances, lots and lots of closet space, flat screen tv with dvd player, and a tub and shower in the bathroom. We don't usually stay in places that come with kitchens, so we were not sure what to expect in terms of what's actually supplied. There are basically just the bare basics for cleaning so if you actually want to utilize the kitchen to its fullest potential, I'd suggest bringing some of your own stuff if you can swing it, just so you're not spending an arm and a leg stocking up on essentials. There is a great little gourmet market that sells yummy goodies and basic sundry items if you don't feel like doing a big shopping trip elsewhere.
Location wise this was great. Star Market and must go Maui places like Fish Market or Honokowai Oyazuka Deli are literally right around the block. It's technically next to the Westin (just one empty lot between them and Honua Kai) so certainly close to other Kaanapali resorts. And the beachwalk extends from Honua Kai all the way down to the Black Rock/Whalers Village area, so if you wanted to walk it, you can. The beach in front of the resort is lovely and quiet but a bit rocky, so probably more suited to snorkeling than swimming...but again, a quick walk down the beach fixes that issue for you. Drive to Lahaina is pretty much just 5-10 minutes so we really felt central to most of the local places we wanted to visit.
So yes, overall, we really loved our stay at Honua Kai and would certainly recommend this to our friends and family. As a couple of pretty laid back people who prefer the quiet anyway, this particular stage of Honua Kai's development was perfect for us. For others that are more finicky about special treatment, they may want to wait until the resort is finished -- in fact, that may be the one thing I'd suggest to the resort about improving to make the stay feel more special, especially for honeymooners like us...something like complimentary drinks, fresh flowers, or even a card would have been a really nice touch. But as long as they are running generous specials, I would encourage others to give this place a shot. I think we'll definitely return when Honua Kai is fully complete and running at its full potential -- this is a 5 star quality resort that can only improve with time!
The property was wonderful. We traveled with 4 other families and everyone loved the experience. Our two bedroom unit was a spacious apartment with walls that opened up to our patio and a view to die for. While I am usually the type to want ONLY room service and restaurants on vacation, I was surprised to find I loved having a kitchen. We went shopping in the local town once for the week and had breakfast and lunch in the apartment. Sometimes by ourselves, sometimes with other families. It allowed everyone to sleep in and we did not have to spend the vacation coordinating other family schedules. Daily housekeeping is available as well a laundry closet in every unit. The staff was very helpful and helped to arrange daily excursions. The property has a gourmet market and in the process of building a restaurant. Room service is also available. They currently have construction which is on the other side of the resort and it did not intrude on our experience. When it is done they will have a full restaurant and a lazy river pool. They will also have a QUITE pool for adults which will be separate from the pool for families. We would highly recommend this resort.
I rented one of the units at this resort for 2 weeks. Due to the construction, I was able to get a great rate. The unit had top-of-the-line stainless appliances, granite, you name it. They didn't have all the resort amenities available because it was still under construction, but that was OK with my family which included a 20, 10, 6 year & 6 month old. The Managers and Staff of the resort were absolutely wonderful. They were very accomodating and friendly. They went over-the-top to make sure we had a fun, pleasant experience. I highly recommend this resort and can't wait to go back.
My wife and i stayed a week in a ocean view 2 bedroom (unit 545) for eight days
Brand new first class hotel with impecable service
Has the nicest little specialty food store in Maui
Pool was clean and very quite and private and also welcomed children
Perfect view from a huge lanai of the ocean and sunset every night
Great beds and greatroom with kitchen
We have found our new place forever while in Hawaii
Very well located and a great snorkeling and swimming beach
We rented condo 423 through VRBO.com
Condo is really nice and fits a family of four with no problems!
Perfect with washer and dryer in the condo!
Beautiful view of the ocean!
Pool is perfect for kids!
Had bad experience though from the rental company the owners used.
The kitchen island has two pretty pendant lights and they wern´t in working condition when we got there. We told the "rental company" about this on DAY 2 of our vacation. On DAY 6 the lights was fixed! Really a slow procedure!
We are not renting from the rental company again! But the owners are nice!
We think it was a good idea to rent through VRBO.com, but we DISLIKED the rental company!
Beautiful Church
View of Lahaina from boat
View from Courtyard in The Wharf
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Q: Night life in Lahaina "Hi, What is the night life like in Lahaina? We would be looking to go dancing, nothing too hardcore, but just general pop and..."
A: "Just go to Front St. in Lahaina and check out the different places until you find the one you want."
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Address: 130 Kai Malina Parkway, Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
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