Condos in Maui

Hi. I was wondering if anyone had any advice in choosing between several locations for a week stay in Maui. I need a two bedroom unit with at least a queen or king in each bedroom. The following locations had units available through vrbo.com during the week needed and at a price in my budget ($350/night or less):

Papakea

Kaanapali Shores

Mahana

International Colony Club

In addition, there was a unit at the Kaanapali Alii; however, the price was a good bit lower than other prices there. That makes me think that there may be something wrong with the unit (run down, etc.).

Others have recommended the Whaler as it is in a better location, but I haven%26#39;t seen 2 bedrooms and it is out of my price range.

How are the beaches at these other locations. I understand the beaches are not as nice as the beach in front of the Whaler, but how big a difference will it be? The beach is important, but not the most important feature, as we won%26#39;t be spending all day on the beach.

Any opinions, comparisons, or suggestions of other places to check out welcome!

Condos in Maui

Typically Kaanapali Alii is more expensive so I%26#39;m not sure what is up with that. Have you checked VRBO for units? Renting directly from owner can save you money and you will know exactly what you are getting versus going through a rental pool and not knowing what unit they will put you in.

We loved the Mahana because it%26#39;s smack on the ocean. You bedroom and living room are ocean side. The beach is very reefy and not great for swimming. Although my husband did snorkel quite a bit there. The pool is nice and oceanfront and the complex is quiet. The beach is sandy though. It gets much rockier up by Kaanapali Shores, and especially by Papakea.

The Whaler is great but in a more busier location. You should know their pool is right on Kaanapali beach and there is a lot of foot traffic going by the whole time. But...the beach is excellent for swimming. You should be able to get a lot for $350.00 a night. I would check VRBO for rentals from owner at all those complexes.

Condos in Maui

I agree with addicted. You need to check out vrbo.com. I booked a 1 bedroom at the Mahana for $150/night in May, but I%26#39;ve seen a ton of other 2 bedroom condos on that website for under $350/night at most of those locations. We decided on the Mahana b/c of the fabulous ocean view rooms and the oceanfront pool..oh yeah..and the free parking..a lot of places is extra $$ per day for parking. Good luck in your research.

I have to chime in because I like your name!!!!

oh yeah, we love the Mahana too

sockymcsockalot..

Hi Socks...

I echo taking a peek at VRBO web site....we are going Feb. 3rd (can%26#39;t wait!!) for 8 nights and booked a condo at the Maui Sunset in Kehi, sleeps 5, ocean front, nice pool, etc....full kitchen, laundry, etc....for only $130/night plus the normal room tax.....great deal! Check it out!

Thanks for the input. I did check vrbo, and all those places did have availability from owners on the site for less then $350. I guess I was looking for a way to distinguish between the places I listed. It sounds like several of you liked Mahana.

Anyone else have advice or can distinguish between the locations. Price being equal is Mahana the preferred location?

Yes, I caught that you had already been using vrbo. We stayed at the Mahana and loved it for views and ambience. If you want to walk out from condo and swim, this is not the place for you. If you do then the Whaler is better. My husband didn%26#39;t want to swim but wanted a view so the Mahana is perfect for that. Of the four you listed I would choose Mahana.

I have to say, we stay in South Maui now because a good swimming beach is really important to us. It%26#39;s more affordable for us to stay directly on a great beach there. We also like the weather alot. If you don%26#39;t mind driving to the beach then I would definately go with the Mahana, sometimes that%26#39;s a good thing becaues it forces you to get out and around a little. We tend to start our mornings on the beach and then are too lazy to go do anything. When we stayed at The Mahana we explored a lot of beaches on the island.

Also, it you walk up the beach just a little, you can swim in front of the Embassy Resort. It%26#39;s a little better. Or...walk to the south and there are great swimming areas towards black rock.

We%26#39;ve stayed at Papakea many times and enjoy it. The price is lower, because the beach directly in front is small and disappears at high tide. However, right next door begins a very nice beach that you could walk all the way to Kaanapali (about 45 minutes or so). From Papakea, the next door beach is anywhere from 45 seconds to 3 minutes away, depending on your unit%26#39;s location. It%26#39;s a nice beach with other condos and hotels right on it. Like I said, we%26#39;ve been to Papakea a number of times and have found it%26#39;s location and price combination very hard to beat. Each unit is individually owner, so it%26#39;s worth seeing pictures of the actual unit you%26#39;re going to get. However, we%26#39;ve never had a bad one. The grounds are quite nice and relaxing.

They do have great views from there also.

I also had been searching for what seemed like a life time. I ended up booking Hololani for $240 and $220 for the 2 bedroom unit. (the price varied since I was booking for 10 days and some fell out of ';peak'; season) I have read good reports here and that is what helped me decide. It has been awhile since anyone has posted on it but the lady that work the reservations was most helpful and you can see each unit on the web page.

We will be there for our 20th anniversary and can NOT wait.