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.
Staying at Makahuena feels like classic Poipu: dramatic oceanfront cliffs, constant surf, and front‑row seats to sunrises, sunsets, whales, turtles, and even a small blowhole right off the point. Guests love the location—an easy walk or short drive to Poipu and Brennecke’s beaches, Shipwreck Beach, and the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail—plus landscaped grounds with benches for sunset viewing. Condos are spacious and family‑friendly, many with multiple bedrooms/baths, full kitchens, in‑unit laundry, and thoughtful extras like beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, and snorkel gear. The pool, hot tub, grills, and even pickleball/tennis are popular, and many reviewers praised responsive hosts/property managers and welcome baskets that make arrivals feel seamless.
Do note the complex is older, and units vary: plenty are updated and spotless, while others feel basic or due for a refresh. Air-conditioning differs by condo (some have none or bedroom‑only portable units that can be loud), and living areas can run warm without the trade winds. A recurring theme is stairs—no elevators, multi‑level layouts, and some longer walks from parking—so mobility and luggage can be a consideration. Several guests mentioned intermittent maintenance quirks (sticky sliders, fogged windows, appliance hiccups), occasional tropical pests or musty odors, and that the pool isn’t always heated and opens at 9am. Recent nearby construction and some on‑site balcony work have, at times, affected views or added weekday noise, though many still found the area quiet and relaxing.
Overall sentiment is very positive—many would “stay again in a heartbeat.” Makahuena suits travelers who want space and self‑catering in a prime south‑shore spot with big views and easy access to beaches, trails, and Koloa/Poipu dining. If you’re heat‑sensitive or traveling with older adults, choose a unit with AC, ask about stair counts and layout, and confirm current construction status and renovation level if views/finishes matter. Plan on walking or a quick drive to sandy swimming, and consider stocking up in Lihue (Costco/Target) on the way in. For wildlife watching, family convenience, and that crashing‑waves soundtrack, it’s hard to beat.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
We had a wonderful stay at this Poipu, Kauai condo, and Stephen was a fantastic host. The check-in process was easy and seamless. The place was spotlessly clean and very comfortable for our family of four. The air-conditioning in the bedrooms was delightful, and there was great airflow throughout the main floor during the day. Everything was very well appointed, including beach gear and snorkeling gear that made getting out on the water a breeze. The pool was lovely, and falling asleep to the sound of the surf at night was one of the highlights of our trip. We would happily stay here again and highly recommend it.
Rebecca L.
August 2026
We enjoyed our time at the condo. It was clean, well equipped, and close to the beach. It was a great eight nights stay. My family would love to stay here again.
August 2026
A decent place to stay but there was mold in the bathroom.
Riley M.
August 2026
THE VIEW!!!!!! I would definitely stay again. The condo was very nice and up-to-date. There is a trail right outside the condo, and the views are amazing. Washer and dryer helped us pack only a carry on and small personal item for the whole week!
Sharon B.
August 2026
We had great experience. Communication was great and the place was clean. The apartment was in a great location and was quiet.
Robert V.
July 2026
We recommend this special place! We enjoyed an ocean view from every window, watching the waves crash against the rocks, spotting sea turtles and coffee on the deck overlooking the water every morning. Our hosts were very accommodating and helpful. We had everything we needed during our stay. This a lovely property with many nearby opportunities for relaxing and fun activities. Great spot for the whole family!
Dawn W.
July 2026
Great location, great unit, loved our stay and would return
Brett G.
July 2026
This place was perfect. Updated and clean. The unit had AC in both rooms and it was perfect. We slept like babies on a hot Hawaiian night. The beds were so comfortable. Thank you again
Courtney H.
July 2026
Amazing views!!!
Marco A.
July 2026
This condo is just perfect. It’s bright open and airy with a ton of windows and a breathtaking view right on the ocean. I literally can’t think of anything that was missing or left out. We had everything we needed for the beach, which is a 1 minute drive. We had every appliance we needed and the kitchen had every utensil imaginable. The fridge makes those huge round ice cubes that are great for cocktails! The hosts are easy to work with communication is spot on. I would (and hope to) stay here again. And again. Highly recommended.
Jeffrey L.
July 2026
Great Location!
July 2026
Fantastic rental!
Scott H.
July 2026
Amazing experience. Will book again!
Daniel W.
July 2026
Beautiful view from the lanai.
Debra T.
July 2026
Lovely place with everything we needed. Great location
Mackenzie F.
July 2026
Great condo, amazing view from the lanai!
DRU O.
July 2026
Great property, one of the best I have ever stayed at: The view, how close it is to the beaches. Communication. Thank you.
anne C.
July 2026
This condo checked all of the boxes for me and my family. I wanted an amazing ocean view my kids wanted beach gear my husband wanted a cozy bed and AC throughout We wanted proximity to our island excursions . Overall, I would book this condo again, in a heartbeat. Our host sent helpful instructions for check in/check out. The home itself was equipped with all that we needed. Plenty of blankets, towels, dishes, soaps, beach chairs/wagon, plenty of parking on site. All in all, a wonderful experience. Did I mention the ocrean view?!?! The balcony was a quiet, serene place to enjoy morning coffee and evening sunsets.
Marisa T.
July 2026
Perfect place to call home for the week. Host was extremely responsive and accommodating. Our family of 5 had a great stay. Turn off the air before you want to sit on the balcony but the ac is worth it after a long day exploring. Highly recommend!
Susanna P.
July 2026
We had a major crisis our second day. The beloved Mr. Coffee died. I contacted Jeremy, who immediately recognized the gravity of not having coffee in Hawaii and showed up with a brand new coffee maker almost immediately. Great service. Nice condo. Really well located if you have kids using the pool constantly.
Glenn S.
July 2026
Loved our stay in Poipu.
Kimberly C.
July 2026
We had a wonderful stay here. Very clean and well maintained and stocked with supplies. A/C a great needed addition!! will definitely stay here again.
De Ann W.
July 2026
Clean property. Great views. Close to ammenities
Daniel F.
July 2026
Great stay!
Hamlin S.
July 2026
The condo was clean and as described. Its is very close to a great walking trail along the water. Great place to watch the sunrise in the morning. I spent every morning out there. They have everything you need in the kitchen and for washing towels. The only issue we had was the humidity in the back bedroom. I thing it will help if a dehumidifier was there running to keep the smell down and the moisture down also. Its not a deal breaker but it will make it more comfortable at night and to keep everything dry from moisture in the air.
Adrian B.
July 2026
Awesome view as advertised. Stayed here with my family of 4. Great location close to everything in Poipu.
Mikael S.
July 2026
Good property, clean, easy to access. Would prefer an air conditioning unit in the bedroom. It was very hot to sleep. The second bedroom was very comfortable. Overall we had a pleasant stay
Olga B.
July 2026
My ONLY complaint was the use of the little lock boxes. We got it open, but found it difficult to put back up. Thanks.
Darcy H.
July 2026
The perfect spot. The most stocked vacation rental we have ever used in over a decade of VRBO! Only wish the was one more couch in the living room.
Ben S.
July 2026
Beautiful view from condo. Walked to rock cliffs every am and saw turtles swimming. Good supplies with TP, shampoo, body wash, and conditioner in bath. Kitchen nice was equipped and had drip coffee. Hawaiian snack and 1 coffee pack was left for our enjoyment and everything was very good. Also the beach supplies with towels, chairs, snorkeling were very nice to take to beach. Nice size for me, my husband and 2 boys.
amy c.
July 2026
There’s no beach access right off the property. There’s beautiful walking paths along the ocean and rocks picturesque. There’s beach access about 1/2 mile from property across from Brennecke’s where the turtles are it’s very nice, good for families and kids.
Cheryl V.
July 2026
We loved this property and it was perfect for our family of 5 adults. Great communication with owners and would definitely recommend this condo to our friends and family. Stunning views as well!
Kelly N.
July 2026
The views were spectacular. The beach equipment were handy. The grounds were clean and well maintained. The pool was nice and clean. The location is just right. The extra bonus is the amenity at the poipu beach athletics club. It was perfect for everyone and our seven year old twins loved it. If it wasn't so pricey we would stay here again. It was a great one time splurge for us.
TJ W.
July 2026
Great location and nice breeze.
David R.
July 2026
This was the perfect spot for my family of 5 to spend the week. Most of the island is within an hour drive, so this location is the perfect "home base."The view off the balcony is stunning, and with the front and back doors open, the breeze is delightful. It is a great way to enjoy morning coffee or some quiet downtime in the afternoon.The unit was very clean, and even better, I only saw one tiny bug during our week there. This was quite a difference compared to my previous stay on the island, and very appreciated by all of us.The bedrooms hold 4 comfortably, and we squeezed a 5th on an air mattress (13 at walmart). The lower level was simply too hot and humid when the unit closed up, and we were not comfortable leaving it open overnight with younger kids.Next time I come back to Kauai, I would definitely stay here again.Thank you!
John H.
July 2026
The location was the highlight of our stay. It was close to the beach and conveniently located near most of the attractions we wanted to visit, which made getting around very easy.Overall, the place was relatively clean. I’m someone who pays close attention to cleanliness, so I tend to notice small details. The coffee maker still had an old, moldy coffee filter inside, so I had to thoroughly clean it before using it. The TV remote was also quite sticky, and I wiped it down before using it. These are small things, but they matter to me. (Just my feedback)That said, the beds, linens, towels, and dishes were all clean, and we had a great stay overall. Because of the excellent location and otherwise positive experience, I’m still happy to give this property a 5-star rating.
July 2026
We really enjoyed our stay. View was amazing! It had everything we need. Very thankful for the air conditioning in the bedroom. Only 2 sort of negatives-1. The path to the closest beach, Shipwreck beach, was longer than expected along the rocky shoreline. 2. The door lock might need to be replaced soon. Sometimes it was hard to get open. Overall, still 5 stars for the price and view!
Allie Dale
July 2026
The condo was clean, nice appliances, comfortable. Only problem was a star trek futuristic shower in the smaller bathroom, the property managers sent a long text of instructions but we were on vacation and didn't want to spend long amounts of time learning a shower so we took turns in the other one. View was great. Property managers answered every question nicely. Every one was kind.
Edie M.
July 2026
Excellent views and the communication was incredible.
Michael T.
July 2026
We appreciated the space, large beds, multiple bathrooms, stocked kitchen, and of course the location. It was a great space for our family of 5- with enough space to have some down time as needed and gathering space to eat together.
Naomi C.
July 2026
Great spot!
Nick W.
July 2026
This is a beautiful property with a great view. We loved the location for our family of 4. The condo was well appointed. It was exactly as pictured. We loved the pool and used it a lot. My husband loved bird watching from the porch. The only negative was the A/C. It was great in the guest room because it’s a small room and you can close the door and it was fine in the living room. The master bedroom never got cool because the A/C unit is in the living room. I’m not sure if something could be added in the master? It is also a hike to get to the beach so we ended up driving. I would still really recommend this condo and we would absolutely stay here again.
Jennifer G.
July 2026
Check in time is 4pm which I think is really late. I think 2pm is reasonable because you have to check out by 10am. The Property is well kept and maintained. Thanks for all the beach supplies! I would come back.
ngochieu n.
July 2026
The condo was well equipped and furnished and in a lovely location. The beds were comfortable. It fit our family of six well. We wished we could have stayed longer. We didn't get the opportunity to use the beach gear, but there was plenty of it. We were grateful for the air-conditioning at night.
Rachael H.
July 2026
Comfortable, perfectly-positioned apartment for our inter-generational family vacation!
Sarah L.
July 2026
We had a wonderful stay! The view is absolutely incredible you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful ocean scenery right from the property. The location is hard to beat, just a short walk to the main beach where we were lucky enough to see sea turtles. It was also so convenient to have beach chairs, a wagon, and other beach gear available they made our trips to the beach so much easier. The property is close to shops, restaurants, and everything you need, making it a perfect home base for exploring the area. Host was great and responsive!Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful, well-located place to stay.
Janeise d.
July 2026
The views and amenities at this rental was top notch. The beach gear was a bonus. Information was provided on the local area and how to stay safe at the beaches.
Daniel K.
July 2026
![Makahuena I102]()
We’ve stayed in this same condo complex several times as this was our 7th time to Kauai, so we are pretty experienced in the Poipu area. We contacted the manager the first day about the ice maker being jammed; they responded a repair request was put in, but nothing ever came of it. Not a big deal but we ended up having to buy ice for the entire trip. There were other small issues like dryer effectiveness and longevity of hot water that could be chalked up to overuse of a vacation property. However, the property is advertised for a large group. There were a couple of other small issues that we did report on the property’s repair or issues checkout page, but again minuscule issues common to a frequently-used rental property. Overall, the place suited our needs but not the best experience we have had with the Makehuena. I have never given anything but five stars on a property, but the lack of follow through or even check in via message on the refrigerator issue over 10 days irked us in a rental-saturated area and a stay that cost several thousands of dollars. Would we stay here again? Sure, but it might not be our first choice or an automatic return visit as we have done with other condos at the Makehuena.
Nicole F.
July 2026
Owner tried to significantly increase charges on us months after we had locked in pricing with our reservation which made us leery. Upon arrival we found property not as described: not well cleaned, stained linens, gross mattresses with many mystery stains, and in overall poorly maintained condition (we were told VRBO listing description was multiple years old.) Host made things right by switching us to another unit after we pushed and provided photos to VRBO. Second unit was in much better condition and they made sure it was freshly cleaned. But we still lost almost half a day of vacation dealing with VRBO and host to get situation fully resolved.
Theodore S.
July 2026