My wife and I will be winding up our Hawaii vacation with 4 nights on Maui in mid October '01. We would prefer to stay in a condo in the Kihei/Wailea area and are wondering if anyone out there has recommendations? We are low key, non-touristy types who would prefer a place with a good ocean view from a lanai for $150 or less per night. Thanks in advance!

Wailea is pricer thatn Kehei...much...you might be able to get something in your price range at the Palms at Wailea (which is on a hill overlooking, but across the street from the beach)...also I thought I saw some lower prices at the Makena Surf resort (just past Wailea)...these are both very very nice properties...

In Keihi your options increase, but you are looking at more high rise and garden style condos with a more touristy feel about them...the buildings are closer together and the places a bit less upscale (but still VERY nice)...

Look no further. The Mana Kai Maui sounds perfect for you. My wife and I have stayed there two years in a row. The Mana Kai Maui is one eight story building that sits on a beautiful swimming and snorkeling beach in south Kihei - rigth next to the Wailea line. All the condos have private lanais with unobstructed ocean views. The condos can be rented as one or two bedroom units. Be sure to rent a condo. Sometimes they rent out the second bedroom (which has a separate entrance) as a motel room with no view. The location and beach are superb. The lobby and pool are adequate, but nothing special. There is a great oceanfront restuarant in the building and the staff is great. You should definitely check it out. Good luck.

John, Mana Kai Maui at the south end of Kihei is exactly what you need. Right on the most beautiful beach, nice pool, lovely grounds, perfect view from your lanai, easy to get to all the new restaurants and shops in Wailea.

Mike: we were typing at the same time! Sometimes I wonder if we should recommend the Mana Kai. It's just going to be harder to get into!

I found a web site for someone renting a top floor place at the Mana Kai Maui. You all are right... it does seem nice. They are asking $165/day + a cleaning fee (cleaning fee is assesed if staying less than a week). Is that in line with what you paid?

John, go to http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html and check out the aerial photos of many of the resorts/condos in Kihei, Wailea, and many other parts of Maui. This will give you a good idea of the relative size of the resort and exactly how close each one is to the ocean, regardless of what they claim on their Web sites or in their printed materials. My husband and I are staying at the Sugar Beach Resort in North Kihei next month, but this will be our first time, so I can't recommend it to you (yet). Their rates for a one-bedroom unit, even ocean front, are in your price range. I hope this helps, and good luck to you, no matter where you decide to stay!

Lynn - Wow, that's a great resource! Thanks. It sure makes it easier to figure out where these places are situated.

John, yes, that price is in the ballpark.

We stayed at the Aston Maui Hill Condos and we were very pleased.They are close to Wailea and great beaches nearby. They have private lanias and you can probably stay for less than $150 per night depending on how many bedrooms. Our whole wedding party and guests stayed at these condos. Ask for a ocean view!

John,
Do yourself a favor...don't settle for Kihei. For a four day stay you'll spend only slightly more...maybe the same if you rent directly from an owner...if you stay at Grand Champions Villas in Wailea or The Palms in Wailea. Neither are beachfront but both have oceanview units. Wailea is such a step up from Kihei (Kihei is sometimes called Maui's armpit) that you'll kick yourself if you stay in Kihei and then wander over to Wailea. Good luck with the decision making!

Thanks for all the advice folks. We got reservations at Mana Kai Maui in Kihei at a pretty good price with a rental car offer so we are set. I'll be interested to see what Kihei is really like... lots of different opinions here... I'll try to impart my thoughts here when we return. C'mon, does Maui really have an armpit?

John, please don't listen to Lisa about Kihei being Maui's "armpit"--that's about the dumbest statement I've read in a very long time. We've stayed in both Wailea and Kihei, so I happen to know what I'm talking about. While Wailea is indeed lovely and less congested than Kihei, we spent a lot of time driving up to Kihei when we stayed in Wailea because that's where you'll find "goods and services" that you may need during your stay. The beaches are lovely in both places, and there's just no good reason to verbally trash Kihei or any other place on Maui. Some people will find something to complain about even in paradise--don't listen to them!

We discovered the Menehune Shores condo in North Kihei last December. Right on the beach, killer views, great kitchen, one bedroom, for $80 a night. Easily the best bargain around, as places well inland, with no view, were going for double that .
We have a very detailed review on our website, with photos;
www.discoveringhawaii.com
Click ENTER, then click the red GUIDEBOOK UPDATES button in the left frame. Then scroll down to MAUI UPDATES.

I don't know how someone can call Kihei the "armpit of maui". Aston Maui Hill is a very nice condo and it won't cost you an arm and a leg to stay there!!! Some people are real snobs!!!

John, Good to know you have your condo
reserved! Sounds nice! We will be going in Feb. and we have the Kauhale Makai reserved in Kihei. If you find out anything about the complex would appreciate if you would pass on to me.
Aloha...!!!!

Hello Richard Sullivan,

Could you please send me the contact info of the person from whom I can rent an oceanfront condo at Menehune Shores? My email add is [email protected]. I am planning to visit Maui in April and looking for a condo for $70-$80/nt. Thanks

Richard Sullivan's post is from 2001. Prices have gone up since then. Do a google search for Menehune Shores and you will find quite a few options for booking at that complex. Try VRBO as well. Good luck.