The following executive summary is based on a comprehensive and impartial AI analysis of guest reviews. Keep in mind that all units are individually owned, and review scores among units can vary considerably.
Papakea delivers a classic West Maui, oceanfront condo experience with a laid‑back, uncrowded vibe. Guests rave about panoramic views, nightly sunsets, and frequent whale and turtle sightings right from the lanai. The grounds are meticulously maintained and feel peaceful, with two pools and hot tubs, putting greens, shuffleboard, tennis/pickleball, and plenty of lawn loungers along the seawall for sunset. The location is a standout: you can walk to Times Supermarket, an ABC store, food trucks, coffee, and casual restaurants, and you’re a short drive to Ka’anapali, Napili, and Kapalua beaches and snorkel spots.
Individual condos are privately owned, but many are clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully stocked—think beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, snorkel gear, games, and well‑equipped kitchens. Families and groups like the spacious layouts (often with lofts), in‑unit laundry, and easy parking; ground‑floor units are especially convenient for pool and lawn access. The resort is friendly and low‑key compared to big hotels, with simple, well‑kept pools, BBQ cabanas, and occasional activities like water aerobics, lei‑making, and a Mai Tai hour. It’s easy to settle into a routine of morning coffee on the lanai, beach or pool time, and grilling at sunset.
Trade‑offs to know: the shoreline fronting Papakea is primarily a seawall/rocky edge; sandy beach is limited and often a short walk next door, with the best beaches a quick drive away. Air conditioning varies by unit (some have none, others use timers or only cool common areas), and loft bedrooms can run warm; a few guests note lanai heat/noise from exterior AC condensers. As with many tropical properties, occasional pests or cleaning/maintenance hiccups happen and service levels can depend on the unit’s management; there are also separate nightly resort fees and occasional early‑morning or construction noise. If AC is important or stairs are a concern, confirm details before booking. Overall, travelers who prefer a relaxed condo setting with stellar views and convenient West Maui access love Papakea.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
Had a wonderful view from the condo. Great location with quick, easy travel to so many beaches, shopping, restaurants. Felt very safe and the resort is clean and well kept up. Bev was fantastic to work with. She addressed any questions or concerns promptly! There’s so many things we ran out of time to do and see!
Michelle A.
October 2025
Beautiful sunset views from the Lanai!!
Neil M.
October 2025
Terrific location and unit was in excellent condition. Only minus was no local TV stations available on televisions to check news and weather. Also, TV in living room takes a degree in astrophysics to operate.
Mike B.
October 2025
Great view!! That alone was worth it!!
Scott T.
October 2025
It is as advertised, a perfect location to explore the island. A great view of the ocean. The condo is well stocked from spices to beach chairs and boogie boards.
Bryan H.
October 2025
This condo is perfect!! 3 beds, 3 bathrooms - AMAZING views - it is exactly as portrayed in the description. The location is also great - a lot to do within a very short distance. The pool is also fantastic. Could not have asked for anything more! We would most definitely stay here again.
Kimberly P.
October 2025
The pool was great. Location was great. Short walk to a beach, coffee shops, and some shopping. Check in was pretty smooth. Watching the ocean from the balcony was beautiful.
Brandon G.
October 2025
Proximity to the water is awesome. The sound of the waves hitting the sea wall is relaxing. The sunset and ocean views were stunning.
Megan A.
October 2025
The condo was nice and clean. The view amazing. Great shops and restaurants nearby. Only issue we had was the A/C was a window unit that didn’t work very well. It blew air, but not cool air. The condo was warmer than we would have liked.
Deborah L.
October 2025
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was more than happy with the location.
I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Our rental experience was pretty amazing! I WISH the check out was one more hour (10am check out was a challenge) but the clean up list/requests wasn’t crazy. The condo was stocked with lots of essentials in the kitchen. They also had several hairdryers and curling irons, so save room in your bags and leave yours home! Was kinda bummed both snorkel masks in the condo leaked. The umbrella was also flimsy and just blew inside out. One of the lawn chairs was also broke. The boogie boards were fun! Definitely check out the gear first day so you can go rent gear that you need. The place was clean and was in a great location! Bed was a bit uncomfortable, and had a piece of plywood to give it more structure? Living room couch SUPER rock hard and uncomfortable.
Misty B.
October 2025
Nice view of Lanai and Moloka’i from the balcony. Snorkled in ocean in front of unit.
David C.
October 2025
Incredible location for our anniversary trip. Close enough to anything you could need but also still peaceful and quiet. We discovered the shortcut to the ABC market on the first day and it was a game changer. Also loved the food truck park and the cinnamon bun place. Excellent food all around! The view was amazing to wake up to everyday. Easy walk to the beach. No noise from the pool. Only cons were the long walk from the parking lot/cars which could complicate things if you are coming with a big family and lots of stuff, and on our last 2 days there was construction happening in the condo above ours. Otherwise, this was the perfect stay! Will definitely be back!
Kaitlin M.
October 2025
Perfect! As advertised!!
Shane R.
October 2025
This condo had everything it promised! It was so clean and comfortable, we were so happy with everything! The view is unbeatable. Very short walk to the beach just off to the left with a big shady tree! There were beach chairs, umbrella and coolers to use as well. The resort is very lovely and well maintained. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub in the evenings. The owner was great with communication and she is very friendly. When we come back to Maui we hope this unit is available!
Amie S.
October 2025
Just an incredible VRBO! Meticulously clean. Everything is labeled (switches and drawers). Shower is an incredible experience. Bed is super comfy as was the couch. A/C will freeze you out! Not one flaw could be found. Just a super special place with an amazing view with spectacular sunsets.
Royal D.
October 2025
The location is just perfect! Enjoyed the pool, the view and sunsets were amazing. The unit was stocked well with everything needed, and the host was quick to respond.
sherri g.
October 2025
Condo was exactly as described in listing. Balcony faces west so you can view the beautiful sunsets between islands of Lanai and Molokai. Condo kitchen was adequately supplied with items needed for cooking meals and it also had nice supply of lawn chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling equipment, etc......was nice to not have to rent those items. Also liked having the washer/dryer.
Wendy Z.
October 2025
Fantastic host with excellent communication and very accommodating. Would definitely stay here again.
ryan j.
October 2025
Had a great time! Condo was clean, just as advertised! Location was great! Highly recommend!
Carol E.
October 2025
Another great stay at Papakea Resort. The place was as described and very clean. Fully furnished kitchen. Papakea is close to several restaurants and food trucks. It has two pools and two hot tubs on location. The place overlooks the pool and 12 hole putting green. Cannot go wrong with this one.
Dan J.
October 2025
Balcony was the best view and really enjoyed drinkn coffee every morning . Furniture was sufficient but could have been more comfortable . Also the air barely would reach the bedroom but other than that was a great place to stay for our vacation !
Jeff B.
October 2025
We absolutely loved our stay! Very clean unit that had everything we needed. Parking was easy. There were fun daily activities on the property grounds. Great food within walking distance. Ocean views were wonderful, and we all enjoyed the pools and hot tubs. Would love to return for another stay.
Aiden D.
October 2025
Gorgeous view, super clean, nicely decorated, well stocked.Wonderful?
Yvette A.
October 2025
Perfect sunset balcony! Clean spacious condo. The property is very very well taken of! Loved our vacation!
alexis m.
October 2025
Absolutely beautiful! This was our 3rd stay at the resort. Perfect location.
Jill M.
October 2025
We enjoyed the sound of the waves, the sunsets and two clean swimming pools. The unit was bright and clean. Beds comfortable with nice linens.We thoroughly enjoyed the ocean view! The chocolate tour was really fun!
Colleen U.
October 2025
Our time in Maui was amazing thanks to Kathryn and her beautiful condo. The condo itself was updated and just a really cool layout, our family loved it. The property grounds were beautiful and obviously can’t beat the view. We stayed at a similarly priced condo in Oahu and this was far better and a clear favorite for the family. Kathryn herself was extremely friendly and professional and made sure I had everything I needed leading up to the trip and even stayed up until we checked in. The guidebook her and her husband made was a great resource and very thorough. Check-in was as easy as it gets. The listing had mentioned construction on the property however we only heard it once when we were on the lanai one late morning, no big deal at all. Overall this place can’t be beat. We will absolutely be back!
Sawyer N.
September 2025
Everything was great! Beach view with sunset!
Ashly S.
September 2025
Maui is always great however this little gem of a room is absolutely the best. Stayed at multiple others over the years and this one tops them all. It had everything you need and the best view! Not sure what "squatter's rights" are on Maui but we thought about taking a chance.It was very clean and things marked clearly. I would go and check out what other guests have left behind before you go shopping. We purchased things we didnt need. No one will need butter for a while.
Jeremy M.
September 2025
We were happy with the unit overall. We appreciated the fact that the lanai had a high table patio set! We could sit and have unobstructed views over the lanai railing! We also liked that the unit had plastic wine glasses to take to the pool, etc. We also took advantage of the beach chairs and cooler and hit the local beaches. The kitchen was well stocked, the unit was clean, and communicating with the host was very easy. Plus, the resort is in a really great location, and the grounds are very well maintained!
Kari S.
September 2025
This is our 6th trip to Maui and our 2nd time staying in this resort. We absolutely love all the amenities, location and everything this place has to offer! We will definitely be back!
Trista B.
September 2025
amazing place has absolutely everything you could want and more
scott b.
September 2025
AMAZING room and even a better owner Terry went out of her way for my mom and stepdad by putting in a shower bar for them when she didn't have to besides all that the price and room were AWESOME just an overall WONDERFUL expierence will DEF stay there again thanks again TERRY A
scott b.
September 2025
A lovely property with great amenities. Incredible views and easy access to restaurants and stores. Easy parking and easy to get an Uber down into town. Appreciate these hosts and hope to stay again.
Nancy S.
September 2025
My husband and I love this place! It is very nicely decorated and the view is amazing. It is our second time staying here because we enjoyed ourselves so much last year. The kitchen is well supplied and the shower is wonderful!
Kim R.
September 2025
Loved the view and location of condo. Great condo and neighborhood. Large number of insects everywhere in the unit, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. The insects were generally peaceful. Only got bit when once while I was sleeping. I recommend fumigating.
Bill H.
September 2025
Our stay here was awesome. The interior was very nice, the views were amazing, the resort had excellent facilities, the location was close to lots of attractions and the hosts were very responsive and friendly. I would definitely recommend this property to family and friends.
Timothy C.
September 2025
We very much enjoyed our stay at this property. The location was convenient to our favorite snorkel spot as well as Whaler's Village and Lahaina. The decor is a stylish island theme and everything was in good working order. The only drawback was that the bedroom AC is on a 4-hour timer, but it was only a small inconvenience. We look forward to staying in this property again.
Moira H.
September 2025
Excellent place and excellent location. Property is super clean and convenient to the beach and local bars and restaurants. Check-in was a breeze and the availability of an elevator and luggage carts made lugging everything up to the 4th floor a breeze. Only complaint is that there is one ductless AC unit for the entire place. The bedroom has a portable AC unit but it is pretty loud. If you're a light sleeper, you'll either need to sleep in a warm room or bring some ear plugs. It didn't bother us at all though. The main AC unit doesn't do a very good job of cooling the place - it's ok - just not great. I would suggest they remove all of the sheetmetal surrounding the outdoor unit so it can function more efficiently and would likely do a much better job at cooling the apartment.
Paul R.
September 2025
The unit was EXTREMELY dated and very-well worn / used. There were two wall outlets that when you went to plug something in the socket was so well used or damaged that the plug wouldn't stay in. The closet in the loft bedroom had locks on it that over time had been taken off and re-positioned. Kitchen cabinet doors where the hinge was coming out of the frame. The main bathroom sink and shower were so plugged up that it took 10 minutes for the water to drain. The washer / dryer unit looked like it was out of the '60's and quite banged up.We loved the floor plan, the location within the complex, the cleanliness, the welcome kit but the owners of this unit need to step up and put some of the money they're getting from renting it out and put it back into the product. We all said we would stay at that complex again but never at K402 again.
Douglas C.
September 2025
Beautiful ocean views and sounds of the waves crashing right from the living room, lanai, and bedroom. It was perfect!
Jacob B.
September 2025
A little TLC would go a long way in this unit. The ice cube trays were cracked, so very hard to use. The hot water from the kitchen faucet was very cloudy, even after running for a few minutes.Master bedroom door opened when locked. Only 3 trash bags were there for an entire week.. Not enough paper towels, toilet paper, and bath towels were provided.
Lori W.
September 2025
Loved being right on the ocean. Also love that the Papakea resort is so close to everything. Furniture in the condo is a bit dated, we didn’t do any cooking but the kitchen is well equipped. Ocean front bed was very comfortable. All in all a wonderful 9 days in beautiful Maui.
Sharon P.
September 2025
We had a wonderful time and the views were amazing! The condo was even better in person and the hosts were great! We highly recommend this place and will be back. Thank you!!
Lisa R.
September 2025
Location was perfect. The water is so close and the best little beach is right there in front of the unit. Three units away from the pool, pool temp was perfect. There are 2 pools and hot tubs with a nice covered area with table and chairs, restrooms and vending machine. The staff take great care of this property.
Diane H.
September 2025
Our stay at Papakea was everything we could have hoped for. The condo and the entire property were beautifully maintained and matched the pictures on VRBO. We were especially impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail of every staff member we encountered from the check in desk to the grounds crew. Would highly recommend these accommodations to anyone wanting to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing vacation in Maui!
Mendi W.
September 2025
Wonderful love staying here
Judy G.
September 2025
This place was just perfect. Ground level, nice property and well maintained grounds. The staff friendly and helpful. The unit exactly as listed and my host super communative. This might be my new favorite place on Maui
Maria B.
September 2025
Our stay was great! Dawn has amazing communication and is very quick to answer any questions. Great location close to good food, coffee, and beaches! Would not hesitate to stay here again!
colton f.
September 2025
This was our first trip to Maui. We loved the oceanfront condo and the property was gorgeous. Great accommodations.
Meghan C.
September 2025