Mauna Kai, Kauai

Mauna Kai is a charming townhome complex located in the resort community of Princeville at Hanalei on Kauai's lush North Shore. The resort offers a variety of amenities, including the largest condo pool in Princeville, a communal barbeque area, ping pong table, and beautifully landscaped grounds with native Hawaiian plants and flowers. The complex is within easy walking distance of the Princeville Shopping Center, Prince Albert Park, the public library, and the Makai Golf Course. Guests can also enjoy a 10-minute hike to the beautiful, uncrowded Anini Beach along a shady tree-lined path. The resort's convenient location provides easy access to Kilauea, Hanalei, and numerous beaches and features of Kauai's North Shore.

The Top 8 Highest Rated Rentals at Mauna Kai

Mauna Kai Average Rates


What Do Guests Think? An Analysis of 821 Guest Reviews


Reviewer Portrait

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 consistently love the North Shore location and tropical feel of these Princeville condos. Lush landscaping, birdsong, and wraparound lanais set a relaxed, indoor–outdoor vibe, and the setting is convenient for exploring: Hanalei is about a 10-minute drive, and there’s a walkable path down to Wyllie/Anini Beach (steep on the way back). Many guests highlight the large, uncrowded pool, easy access to the Princeville Center (Foodland, coffee, restaurants), and the overall quiet, neighborhood atmosphere. Families and couples alike praise the spacious layouts and often say they’d happily return.

Units are generally roomy and well equipped for longer stays. Kitchens get high marks for being stocked with cookware and basics for cooking in; many condos include beach gear such as chairs, towels, coolers, and sometimes snorkel sets and boogie boards. The broad lanais are a frequent favorite for morning coffee and evening lounging, and several reviewers found the beds comfortable. Hosts are commonly described as responsive and thoughtful, with some standouts providing extra touches and quick communication. A few units even offer perks like bedroom A/C or a private hot tub, but amenities do vary by condo.

The most common trade-offs: many units do not have central A/C and rely on trade winds and fans; most guests were comfortable, but some found upstairs rooms or lofts warm—especially in hotter months—so check listings if A/C is important. Typical island noise (early-rising roosters) is widespread, and downstairs units can hear footfall from above; light sleepers may prefer an upper floor or earplugs. Parking can be tight late at night, and the beach path is steep/slippery after rain. Interiors range from freshly updated to a bit dated, and while many report clean, well-maintained spaces, a minority noted maintenance or housekeeping hiccups and occasional variability with property managers and starter supplies. Overall, expect spacious, homey condos in a fantastic location with a resort-caliber pool—just be mindful of A/C, stairs, and the realities of condo living.

This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 821 reviews

Recent Mauna Kai Reviews


Great Condo that came perfectly equipped with towels, beach gear and well stocked kitchen. The plants around the balcony are gorgeous and the notes about local farmers markets were super helpful.
Lukas P.
April 2026

Great place to stay! Clean, modern, great location close by the local foodland. My only comment is that you need to be good at parking booking here. Like a lot of other places on the island, it only takes one bad park job to ruin the lot! Spaces are tight.Host has all the beach stuff you will need, towels, snorkel items. I saw a previous review saying they didn’t and I wanted to clear the reviews up. You don’t need to bring a thing to stay comfortably here!Having laundry on site totally saved us, host even provided some detergent which was unexpected and really nice. Overall would absolutely book this location again!Appreciate the communication & hospitality from the property management company. Thy are incredibly kind. Thanks all!
Raelynn M.
April 2026

Not very well equipped, four bath towels total.Also emailed the other day regarding a potential fire hazard with the dryer and exhaust fan in the master bathroom excessive lint buildup causing drying not to work properly at all so we cannot continue doing laundry. Upon investigation I pulled a complete handful of lint that clogged up the vent system, which is a fire hazard. No response from the management company.
Rob K.
April 2026

Really clean place (no sand on the floor as there usually tends to be in Hawaii despite cleaning). Very good instructions. They had all the amenities we might have needed and more - toaster, microwave, coffeemaker, keurig pods, etc. not a big deal- but the place doesn’t receive much natural daylight if you plan to be inside.
Akshatha K.
April 2026

Very great rental for the price. It really is the perfect Kauai getaway and located just minutes from a classic Hawaiian experience in Hanalei town. Communication with the Property Manager once was very pleasant and helpful.
Cody M.
April 2026

A very thoughtfully put together place for comfort! Everything that we would need for a long vacation was readily available, from beach chairs to coolers to washers, dryers and cleaning supplies. The guidebook was clear and helpful. Overall clean and comfy room. We enjoyed it very much!
Jason F.
April 2026

We loved our time in Princeville. Beautiful location. Fantastic hosts.
Amanda B.
April 2026

Everything was very clean. The kitchen has a full sized refrigerator, a toaster oven, a microwave, drip coffee maker, a two burner table cook top, and all the utensils, dishes, pans, etc. Foodland is a short walk & the Westin has a small cafe with some grocery items. Beach acces is a short walk but quite steep. Once you are down there, it's a gorgeous sanctuary. The open air concept & fan kept us cool. Joy is amazing and was such a help getting us settled in. Roosters are active all day & night, so pack your earplugs. The little lanai is lovely. Comfortable bed. It was a perfect cottage for the two of us.
Jennifer N.
April 2026

We loved our stay! The location is beautiful with convenient walking access to anini beach and the shops in princeville. The drive to hanalei is short and convenient as well! The kitchen has everything you might possibly need. The spot also comes with tons of beach gear which was so helpful. Truly such a gem of a spot!
Sara M.
March 2026

Check-in instructions were clear and the process was smooth. Great location with all the essentials available closeby. The Studio is equipped with all the amenities and also includes beach chairs, umbrella and a cooler which was a nice bonus. Would stay again!
Kaushal J.
March 2026

I appreciate Rick for the help he supplied in finding the location of property. He was prompt in answering. Great location and great unit for the cost. Definitely recommend.
Clay L.
March 2026

The location was perfect with shops and restaurants within walking distance. All the best beaches on the North side of the island within a 15 minute drive or less. We could cook and barbecue and the cottage was so quiet. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to anyone.
Robert H.
March 2026

A wonderful, spacious apartment. We loved the wrap-around deck and the gorgeous flowers and foliage. We enjoyed the ping pong table and sadly didn't have the weather to enjoy the pool—but it looked inviting. The apartment is cool and breezy, and loved having the windows open. Be ready for the rooster wake-up calls. Which is everywhere on Kauai.
Sara M.
March 2026

We flew in a day late due to the storm. We were greeted by Joy, the neighbor who helps out. She was lovely and a font of information for the island. We would gladly stay there again.
Jill P.
March 2026

Cute little place nestled in the middle of Princeville! We loved reading on the porch and walking around the area. The path to the beach is very convenient.
Abdullah A.
March 2026

This place is located in a great location. The place looks exact to the posting. The one thing that did bother us was the communication with the host. It was someone different each time and when the electric key pad for entry battery died we had to wait outside for an hour at night before they assisted. They even asked us to change the battery for them which to me was extremely odd. Besides that the place was great.
Dominique S.
March 2026

Loved the deck, both morning and evening.
Douglas N.
March 2026

Rick's place was a perfect home base for exploring the North Shore of Kauai, at an absolute bargain compared to other options. Comfy, quiet and conveniently located; only 10-15 min walk from a grocery store & restaurants and a short hike to a beautiful beach. He even has beach chairs/umbrella and snorkeling gear you can borrow!Loved the peaceful outdoor lanai to enjoy the local birds. Appreciated kitchen amenities like a toaster oven, foil/ziploc bags, salt/pepper/cooking basics, coffee maker and Keurig with some pods. 10/10 will visit again.
Heather S.
March 2026

Great location! Everything necessary for a fun stay was already waiting for us. Thank you for being such a thoughtful host.
Richard M.
March 2026

Nice apartment in a great location
Siddharth K.
March 2026

I never talked to the host but the instructions were easy to follow and amenities were excellent
Michael G.
March 2026

Jeff was quick to respond to all my questions. Loved the beautiful location and all the windows to enjoy the scenery.
Daphne W.
March 2026

Nice place, neighbors were awesome.
Paul L.
March 2026

We’ve rented numerous homes throughout Hawaii and California through vrbo over the years, the one thing that remains constant on our vacations is we always get what we rent. Sarah the host made everything easy and comfortable, the condo was exactly as advertised. a wonderful place for 4 guests.
Albert B.
February 2026

Everything was wonderful. No complaints Loved EverythingPlease list you have a hair dryer that would be great. Not a complaint most places don't say they do. Less in baggage.I will return Loved the Island.
Rebecca C.
February 2026

Perfect for the two of us
Darlene S.
February 2026

The condo was spacious, which we really enjoyed. However, I would not stay here again because every step in the condo above sounds like a herd of elephants below.
Becci F.
February 2026

Geeat stay in Kauai in Princeville. Weather was rainy the whole time but the studio had all that we needed. Thanks
Betty M.
February 2026

Wonderful Condo, had everything we needed. They were very great about communicating all the necessary information for check in. I would highly recommend this condo.
Jill K.
February 2026

Very responsive host, even arranged for our last minute request for early arrival. The bed was very comfortable and made for easy sleeping. There was a little road noise from the windows above the bed, but closing the louvered windows completely solved the issue, and there was still plenty of airflow from the other windows and fans. The kitchen was very well equipped for cooking all of our meals, and we loved the thoughtful extras in the cabinets like spices, sugar, and coffee. The space was very thoughtfully equipped,even a yoga mat was provided, which was a lovely touch. The landscaping and tropical plants on the lanai and around the property were beautiful, with great natural light throughout. The location was excellent, close to several beaches within walking and short driving distance, and a grocery store nearby. We truly enjoyed our stay and would happily return.
Becky B.
February 2026

The condo grounds were beautifully kept and landscaped. Our condo space very clean and equipped with everything one may need. Rick, the owner, was very responsive to our messages made sure there was extra towels, shampoo, conditioner, etc… Also provided beach towels, chairs & sun umbrella. We enjoyed the deck and out staying.
Romana
February 2026

We really enjoyed our stay here. The location was incredibly convenient and made the entire trip easy and relaxing. It’s set in a beautiful area with access to a pool and close to several beaches that are great for swimming, all within a short drive. The views were lovely, and we appreciated the nearby trails that were perfect for walking or jogging.There’s also a park close by and a grocery store nearby, which made it easy to grab food and essentials during our stay. The place itself was comfortable, clean, and well-suited for relaxing after long days out exploring.The host was responsive and helpful every time we reached out, which made a big difference. Overall, this was a great place to stay, and we would absolutely book here again.
Andrea O.
February 2026

The place was nice. We never used the amenities due to site seeing. Our only complaint is if anyone is renting the upstairs you will hear every footstep and be woke up very early everyday. There was a 4 year old above us and you knew it.
bob s.
February 2026

Great spot to stay. Clean, well-stocked kitchen, very comfortable beds. Beautiful artwork on the walls throughout. The walk to the beach is really neat, but the muddy path is steep and can be slippery. It’s worth it, though! Especially at sunrise or sunset. Just take care. The pool was great for the kids.
Melody R.
February 2026

We loved it
James K.
February 2026

great space - prime location. the view from the street is nuts
Ray M.
February 2026

Upon arriving at the home we noticed the front door locket was in disrepair and needed repair. We contacted mgt and it was resolved. There was giant bird droppings on the windows and we asked if they could be cleaned and that was resolved. There were a few large dead cockroaches that we cleaned up, we realize they are typical in Hawaii. The fan and light switch in the upstairs bedroom needed repair and that was resolved. The only thing not resolved is some of the electrical outlets work and some don’t, you may want to look into that as the plug in next to the fridge was loose and looked burnt. The house needs a lot of interior paint touch ups. We did enjoy our stay and the unit fit our family size. The unit location was nice as we were close to lots of activities etc.
Stephen P.
January 2026

Rick(owner)was very friendly and responsive. As soon as I made him aware the keurig in our unit was shot we had another one delivered to our door within the hour! Our little studio was cute and well equipped.All cooking and cleaning supplies we needed were supplied. Shower stocked with nice shampoos. Towels for the pool too.Unit was very clean with comfy queen bed.We enjoyed the polar bear plunge in the facility pool as well! We were surprised it wasn’t heated over the winter, but it felt great having it to cool down when needed!Highly recommend Rick and his little studio. It’s perfect for a single person or couple to enjoy staying in the North shore for a few days!
Jason G.
January 2026

This was a great vacation rental. Might be one of the best stocked vacation rental kitchens I've ever seen! Plenty of pot/pans, bowls, gadgets, spices and... tupperware! lol. So nice to have a way to save left overs, freshly cut fruit; and there's a small cooler available and ice packs in the freezer so we could pack snacks/lunches while we were driving around the island. Small things that were super helpful to have.Bathroom was clean and spacious with good water pressure. The bed was comfortable. It's on the softer side, which was fine for us - I only mention it for those who are more particular about mattress firmness. Washer and Dryer were clean and worked great (laundry soap was provided). So nice to wash clothes after a couple days hiking (esp after getting caught in a downpour!)We were there in January so it was warm but not hot and not too humid. I opened the louvered windows when we left each morning and the temp was comfortable when we returned each evening. There is a ceiling fan and several smaller fans but we only used a fan on a couple evenings. It's a ground floor unit but was quiet. Occasionally we could hear folks above us but it was very subtle. I had a question about check out, texted Rick and he got back to us right away. Oh and there's a good sized grocery store nearby.Traveler alert: vandals are cutting gas lines to steal gas all over the island. Jeeps are targeted so consider renting a vehicle that's less of a tourist target
Krys F.
January 2026

Clean and nice environment, just wish it had AC
Alma S.
January 2026

How was very accommodating. The place was very cute and welcoming. Many things were supplied to make our time there feel like home.
Hattie R.
January 2026

Great location and fully stocked! Beach toys, chairs and cooler were super helpful. Thanks for a great stay.
Andrea D.
January 2026

Clean and comfortable
Efe T.
January 2026

The place was clean and in a very good location!
Abraham B.
January 2026

Everything was absolutely perfect. We loved the place and will definitely be back next time we're in Kauai. Rick has really thought of everything here. Made our trip so much easier and fun. This was our 2nd trip to Kauai; the first time we stayed at a resort in Kapa'a which was fine, but staying here was a whole different and much greater experience. Thanks for everything Rick!
Stacy C.
January 2026

Rick was a great host! Communication was quick and easy, and the place was clean and in a good location. We enjoyed staying here and would stay here again.
Jenna C.
January 2026

Kitchen was well stocked, the place was comfortable and good location.The host was great to work with.
Celia W.
January 2026

The kitchen was well stocked with appliances and a spacious fridge! We were close to the pool and parking was super easy. The bed was super comfortable, shower was great and the bathroom had more than enough. Rick left all the beach supplies you’d need, including snorkeling gear! Wish I sat out on the terrace more so we will definitely try to book this place again. The trail to the smaller private beach was fun but definitely wear good hiking shoes especially if it rained! Definitely would suggest booking here if you have a rental car since you’re pretty close to Hanalei Bay and Anini beach! Easy and beautiful drive to other remote further beaches as well. Overall a great stay!
Naomi L.
January 2026

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had a wonderful experience staying at this Princeville condo. We had 5 adults and plenty of room to spread out. The condo had everything we needed for our vacation, and communication with the hosts was smooth and pleasant.
Celeste B.
January 2026

Everything about this stay was fantastic. The location, the property, the amenities, the hosts and the entire layout of this space was perfect for a couple who wanted to be able to cook some meals when they felt like it, kick back quietly and do some laundry if needed. Close to Hanalei and Kilauea. What a garden paradise!
John B.
January 2026


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