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.
Travelers rave about Kiahuna Plantation’s setting: a classic, low‑rise condo resort with sweeping lawns, mature tropical gardens, and direct access or a short stroll to a sandy, swimmable beach. Guests love the easy walk to Poipu’s shops, restaurants, coffee spots, and the Sheraton, plus sunsets, gentle surf for boogie boarding and beginner surf lessons, and frequent turtle/monk seal sightings. Many highlight it as an ideal, relaxing home base for families and for exploring the South Shore, Waimea Canyon, and beyond.
Units are individually owned, so decor and upgrades vary, but recent guests frequently mention clean, well‑equipped kitchens, comfortable beds, and lanais with garden or partial ocean views. A growing number of condos have air‑conditioning (a big plus on warmer days), while others rely on breezes and fans; many provide beach gear (chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, coolers). Resort perks stand out: lounge chairs on the great lawn above the beach, BBQs, towel exchange at the beach hut, and guest access to the Poipu Beach Athletic Club across the road (pool with slide and toddler area, hot tub, gym, tennis/pickleball, and a casual restaurant). Hosts and on‑site staff are often praised for friendly, responsive communication.
Common considerations reflect the property’s condo style and size. Quality can vary by unit (some are newly remodeled while a few feel dated), so check photos, recent reviews, and whether A/C is included if that’s important to you. The pool is off‑property across the street and closes relatively early; some back buildings are farther from the beach and closer to road noise; upper floors require stairs; and basic pantry items (oil, salt, spices) are typically not supplied. Light noise from upstairs neighbors, roosters, or sprinklers can occur, and parking can be tight at peak times. Overall sentiment is strongly positive—many repeat guests call Kiahuna a favorite for its unbeatable location, laid‑back vibe, and family‑friendly beach.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
Beautiful and spacious! Was a perfect location and so close to beach and gym. Had an amazing time!
Shannon m.
August 2025
Amazing location! Well stocked kitchen. Beautiful beach!
Karin H.
August 2025
What a dream this unit is! It had everything we needed - sand toys, beach chairs, a pack n play - plus the location is perfect, with the beach, pool, and shops all within walking distance. Our family of 4 loved every minute. Thank you!!!
Kelly S.
August 2025
The condo had everything our family of 6 needed to stay comfortable and enjoy our week in Kauai. We loved being so close to the beach, pool, gym, and shops. The fully stocked kitchen made it easy to prepare many of our own meals. Wonderful hosts, easy to communicate with. Would definitely stay there again.
Emily G.
August 2025
We had a small discrepancy and Darin made it right. Was really impressed with how he handled the situation, can tell he really cares about his guests and their experience. The condo is beautiful, you can tell there is a lot of thought put into the design and details. Thank you
Frank M.
August 2025
The condo was very spacious and clean, had everything we needed. The host-Terri, very caring and accommodating. I 100% recommend!
Viliana V.
August 2025
We stayed here with our two kids ages 2 and 5, and found the location and amenities to be excellent! Walking distance to the beach and pool. The photos dont do the pool justice! Perfect place for the kids to play safely. Condo owner Dianne was very responsive and so helpful! We appreciate her hospitality, thank you! I’d recommend staying here to all who visit the beautiful and lush island of Kauai.
Andrea M.
August 2025
We stayed here in June 2025. The location is fantastic--great views of surfing from the beach, close to shopping and restaurants. We loved that the kitchen and living area were on the top floor which meant everyone could enjoy the best view. Also, the Yeti-type cooler available for use was much appreciated, and the lovely bottle of champagne that greeted us was a real treat. The only negative is the quality of the mattresses and bedding---to be truly "excellent", those need to be upgraded. A Nespresso coffee machine would also elevate the experience.
Lacy B.
August 2025
Well appointed. Great for the family. Wonderful spot to kick back and enjoy Poipu.
Wendy D.
July 2025
Check in was smooth. Very nice location on the property.Nice selection of beach items for guest. Everything went well.
Wendy D.
July 2025
Check in was easy, the Condo location was great!
Karen M.
July 2025
We just finished a lovely Kauai vacation and enjoyed our time in the kiahuna plantation condo. Communication with our host was quick and efficient. Shortly prior to our stay we were notified about construction in the unit below, which didn’t turn out to be an issue at all yet we appreciated the communication. We extended our stay by one day and the host was quick and gracious with their reply! Would recommend!
Tamara B.
July 2025
Every thing was up to expectations and was a great location on the south side.
Paul P.
July 2025
Great host and condo and vacation!!
tad v.
July 2025
great location for an extended stay (1 month) with short walk to the beach (our favorite in the Poipu area), laundry facilities, gym/pool (Poipu Beach Athletic Club which is included), Poipu shopping center and Poipu beach to watch the sea turtles come in at sunset. The kitchen is well stocked for in home meal prep, AC works well and great lanai to enjoy your morning coffee. Comfy bed. Would definitely stay here again
Stanley S.
July 2025
We had a great stay here! Check in at the front desk was easy and quick. The grounds of the property are beautiful and it is a super quick walk to the beach. The AC was great for keeping cool during the day, but we also enjoyed opening the shutters at night to feel the breeze. The condo was very clean and stocked with everything we needed for our trip, including all the kitchen tools and beach gear. We appreciated the styling of the decor as well.
Kyle N.
July 2025
everything was wonderful except a hidden cleaning fee charge. It didn't clearly state this charge when online booking pages.
jiangang l.
July 2025
Great corner unit. Loved all the windows and a great view. Loved that it has ac and a washer/drier. The street was a bit noisy at times and the condo could use some upgrades but overall a great place to stay.
Elizabeth J.
July 2025
Great location, steps from the beach. View is incredible. Hear the ocean waves all night long! Will definitely look to stay here again.
Chris R.
July 2025
The property was exactly as described and in an excellent location. Susan was very attentive and proactive with communication regarding check in and provided helpful tips on dining options and shopping near the property. Though most of the place stayed cool with the A/C in the general area, it was tough to cool down the bedroom/bathroom -- but there was a nice ceiling fan in the bedroom. The roosters were a little loud at times, but there's nothing that can be done about that -- it's just part of the charm of being in Kauai. It was super nice to not have a list of chores to do upon check out as is normally the case with most VRBO's. Overall, it was a great stay and would strongly recommend!
Luci P.
July 2025
Nice condo with a beautiful view and nicely appointed for guest comfort. The big bummer that we weren't expecting is that this end unit is on a busy corner next to a parking lot and access to beach. Our stay was nice but often disturbed by noise day and night from cars and people. Also, because there are several plants and trees on this corner we had three days of loud trimming/maintenance crews that woke us up.
Micah B.
July 2025
Clean condo with great location. Everything worked and we had an amazing time.
Keith M.
July 2025
It was amazing!
Amy U.
July 2025
Absolutely loved this updated condo unit! The grounds were lush and gorgeous. The condo was perfect for a family of four, was modern and stocked with everything we needed. We definitely recommend and hope to return!
Kelly L.
July 2025
We stayed here for about two weeks. The condo was comfortable and clean. The kitchen was well stocked, minus baking sheets. The crockpot was very helpful. Their was great air circulation and fans. Even in July we had a good nights sleep. There are a few knicks and scuffs throughout the unit. It didnt interfere with our stay but I wanted to make the owner didnt think they were from us. Also the public Sheraton beach is literally across the street. Sometimes it felt uncomfortable to leave doors ooen with the light local traffic and visitors. On the flip slide, we could see and hear the laua from the balcony.
Brianne J.
July 2025
Fantastic location and no issues.
Paul S.
July 2025
A lovely condo with everything we needed for cooking and enjoying family.
Sue Ann M.
July 2025
This condo is in a great location right across the street from the beach and within walking distance from shops and restaurants. The rooms were clean and there were beach chairs and equipment available for us to use. I was very impressed with all the kitchen appliances that were available for us to use. That was very helpful for a family. We were able to make food in the condo and didn’t have to go out and eat for every meal. The communication was excellent and we were grateful for all the information and tips the managers emailed us prior to our arrival. We were able to plan our vacation thanks to all the helpful links they sent us. I highly recommend this resort and condo.
Darina C.
July 2025
Wonderfull place. We loved how close to the beach. Staff is very friendly. The grounds are very clean. BBQ are awesome.Thanks for having us.
Victor S.
July 2025
The condo is fantastic. Love the top floor with high ceilings and the view of the ocean. It is wonderfully decorated, and kitchen is modern with everything you could want. We had A/C which is fantastic and honestly we could not have had a better stay.
suzanne v.
July 2025
We had a wonderful stay. Great location within walking distance to the best beach on the island. Kauai is so beautiful and convenient. Nice villa with kitchen
Richard D.
July 2025
We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful property in Kauai! The home was exactly as described—clean, spacious, and very comfortable. It had everything we needed for a relaxing vacation, and the layout gave us plenty of room to spread out and enjoy. The kitchen was especially well-stocked with everything we needed to prepare meals, which made our stay even more convenient and enjoyable.If I had one small suggestion, it would be to add a simple egg crate or mattress topper to the beds—they were a bit on the firm side for our taste. But overall, we absolutely loved our time here and would definitely return!
Nicole E.
July 2025
The location was great, very close to the beach and great views. This condo does NOT have AC. It was so hot during our stay, it was pretty unbearable. There was one fan in the unit that barely worked, and was filthy. We had to drive back to Lihue the night of our arrival to buy additional fans. The pull out bed is ripped and very old, very uncomfortable. There were no kitchen spices, oil, foil etc. The dishwasher did not clean the dishes, so we had to wash dishes by hand. The location of this condo was great, but the condo needs some work.
Kelly P.
July 2025
Fantastic condo. The decor, location and were all as listed. The AC was a plus as was the communication with manager.
Nancy K.
July 2025
We just finished our stay at this lovely condo. No notes. It was fantastic. The pictures are accurate, the place is immaculate and the perfect size for our family of 5. Plenty of beach gear, including a surfboard our teenagers used daily. If you book this place, you will not regret it. Hope to come back!
Kim M.
July 2025
Spacious, clean and a great location. Plenty of space for 2 adults and 2 teens for a week. The condo was very clean when we arrived. The beach is close and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. We will stay here again.
Thomas H.
July 2025
This is a great unit! The location is perfect, the listing is spot on! The AC is definitely much needed and saved us this week, couldn’t imagine not having it. The owner is very responsive and answers all your questions quickly. Thankfully we didn’t have any issues . Only suggestions would be to make sure you ask for the bedding for the air bed at check in if you plan on using both the sofa bed and the air mattress as there is only bedding for 1 in the unit. Also , maybe ear plugs if there are people in the unit above you. Guests checked in the last couple nights of our stay and were extremely loud. Like vacuuming at 11pm and sounded like moving furniture across the floor each night. Otherwise the majority of our trip was very quiet! We would most definitely stay here again!
Amber H.
July 2025
Nice one bedroom. Very functional. Two smaller drawbacks is that the pullout couch for the kids wasn’t particularly comfortable. Further if you want to be right next to the beach, this is not for you. The beach hut hours are till 6p only winners to assure timely towel drop off (or you’re charged 25 per towel)
Tobias P.
July 2025
Everything was wonderful. Clean and comfortable. Location was the best. Check in was smooth as can be. Unit stayed pretty cool. Thanks so much!!
Janet R.
July 2025
Modern, clean, great location. Highly recommend this unit. We had a great visit, thank you.
Nicole H.
July 2025
Everything was perfect, the location, the bed was so confortable, the condo was really clean and near the beautiful beach!
Julie L.
July 2025
Really nicely appointed unit with beach and pool access. Was a very nice experience overall. Would have been better if the friends had made their flight out, but at least we know where to stay next time.
josh p.
July 2025
Nice clean very enjoyable .second bedroom a little cramped
donna p.
July 2025
We had the most amazing time in Kauai and much of that was due to our wonderful rental! This condo is one of the best we have ever rented through VRBO and I can’t recommend it enough! It’s beautifully situated and it has all the supplies you could ever want and more! Deena was incredibly responsive and so wonderful to deal with! We would absolutely come stay here again!
Jennifer M.
July 2025
excellent place. We were a party of four with two young kids. The place is newly updated and has a great view. It’s a little tucked away from the beach but is beautiful and the pictures are very accurate. The little area with restaurants right there was a hit. We went to several other beaches and kaihuna beach in front of the plantation was the best by far. Downside - we dealt with a large spider in the bathroom. The cleaning fee was 300 bucks. They only replace towels seems like every other day. If you don’t turn in your towel cards it’s 25.00 per card which made us have to turn them in by 5:30 the day before we left. Just feels like a cheap thing to be making such a big deal about. The gym is cool! But the pool there was green and a little nasty looking.
Jacob R.
July 2025
Close access to great beaches. Our kids also loved access to the pool at the club. Would recommend to a friend.
Chad T.
July 2025
Beautiful location. Front desk helpful for extras. Location is perfect for beach! Unit as described and very pleasant. Especially the air conditioner! Bed is super comfy, pull out bed needs replacing as it's humorously soft and worn (teens didn't care). Owner communicative And helpful!
Dave F.
July 2025
This is a pristine unit in a prime location--we really appreciated the hospitality and strong communication. Thank you for a memorable week!
Chelsey H.
July 2025
We had a fantastic time in unit 74 - we’ve stayed at kiahuna a number of times throughout the years and this place tops all of our previous experiences! You can see the bridge/grass/ocean view from the master bed - just wake up and look left. The A/C and washer and dryer, the high ceiling, the available beach gear, the kitchen supplies, the decor…everything contributed to a stay that was well worth the investment.
Michelle B.
July 2025
We can't wait to stay here again. Loved the unit, great location on the property, used the BBQ on-site and the beach gear provided by the owner. Super thoughtful owner as well, can't recommend it enough.
Matt M.
July 2025