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


As of May 2026, the average price of a 2 bedroom unit at Mauna Kai is $448. The average price of a 3 bedroom unit is $533. These averages include Hawaii's 18% accommodation tax as well as the cleaning and booking fees rentals charge. Also note that prices vary depending on the specifc unit and season (holiday rates are usually higher). Visit the Mauna Kai Rentals page to see specific unit prices for your dates.

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


Perfect for the two of us
Darlene S.
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

The place had everything we needed except for beach chairs. Beautiful location, clean, comfortable, and spacious.
Steve P.
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 location, loved the lanai and space. Grounds are very tropical and close proximity to town and walking paths. Property manager at the pool was very nice and friendly with lots of island ideas for us and our grandkids.
Wendy M.
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

We had an excellent stay in December 2025 at this condo in Princeville! Check-in was simple and retrieving the key at lockbox was as expected. We had eight guests (four adults and four kids). There are three full bedrooms (I noticed on the virtual tour of the condo the third bedroom wasn't shown. It is the first door on the left upon entrance, and has two twin beds. and plenty of space for everyone to spread out and not feel like you are cramped or invading each other's space.The beds were good for all of us, as were the pillows. Overall it was comfortable once we got a good pattern of using the fans or A/C to moderate the temp in the rooms. The lanai was excellent to enjoy the breeze and just relax in between activities. We felt the condo was very clean upon arriving and there were plenty of towels for each bathroom.We checked out the pool one day, it was pretty chilly, but bearable once you were in the water. That being said, it was December and the high temps were in the upper 70's. There are items for using at the beach in the storage closet. Some items that were included were beach chairs, camping chairs, boogie boards, sand/beach toys, and some hiking poles (at the time there were two sets).The kitchen was fairly equipped with all the basics you would need to cook at the condo. There were plenty of dishes and utensils for the eight of us each meal.Parking is limited to one car, but we were always able to find a space. Great condo and location!
Jason M.
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

Better than advertised! Communication was excellent, and property was perfect!
Patrick S.
January 2026

Our stay was short but it was a very sweet place.
Jill D.
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: Nice condo with plenty of room nicely decorated . It was very clean and comfortable, good location.
Michele S.
January 2026

Very enjoyable stay. The unit was just as it appears on VRBO and well stocked. Parking and everything else was easy. Thanks so much!
Carol M.
December 2025

Condo was very clean and in a great location. The complex was quiet and well taken care of and within walking distance to the market square. Would definitely stay here again.
Danny
December 2025

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: This was our first time to Kauai and this place was perfect. So many little touches that make you feel at home. Having laundry and parking is a huge plus and the hosts are easily reachable if you need anything at all. Would highly recommend!
Jordan M.
December 2025

It was very clean and had everything you need. Clearly the owner cares about his home and his guests. A lovely location!
Sonya K H.
December 2025

This was our second time staying at Mauna Kai Retreat, and it was just as wonderful as we remembered. Very comfortable accommodations, and the relaxing views from the wraparound lanai were fantastic. The property, pool, and condo itself were all immaculate. Our host, Sarah, was incredibly responsive and helpful. We would definitely stay here again!
Thomas E.
December 2025

No air conditioning and to advertise no air conditioning
Anne R.
December 2025

This was an amazing place. Clean, neat and Quiet and very accommodating in all sorts.

December 2025

Excellent location, friendly host, would stay again
Paul S.
December 2025

The property was perfectly designed. The layout was great and I loved that each bedroom had a bathroom. Our kids really enjoyed it. The lanai was the best!
Hayley T.
December 2025

We loved the cozy space and location. Would recommend it to others.
Jeffery M.
December 2025

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We loved this rental for our week on Kauai. It was spacious and comfortable. Easy access to beaches and restaurants and we had a blast. The only issues were the noise from the condo above, which lots of other guests have mentioned. Definitely can hear any steps the people above you are taking. The other issue was the internet/Wifi. We didn’t really use it much because it wasn’t a priority, but the connection was so slow, we couldn’t stream or watch any shows or movies. The management team was great and communicated with us and reached out to the internet company, but it still didn’t work well. It didn’t really affect us that much, but for anyone who was hoping to watch movies or work from this condo, you could run into issues with connections.
Lorraine N.
December 2025

Great place, location was perfect neighborhood and neighbors are great, nice pool and bbq to use
ethan l.
November 2025

Very cool place to stay
Cody B.
November 2025

Princeville is beautiful and close to Hanalei. Between the two there is much to do. Beaches were great. The site itself was peaceful and relaxing. Thanks for the great Vaca!
Florencio C.
November 2025

Our host was wonderful! We locked ourselves out twice and she had no problem helping out. Beautiful place to stay
Sean and Trisha J.
November 2025

Beautiful and spacious, with a wonderful pool. Host was very attentive.
Deb K.
November 2025

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 fabulous time last week on the North Shore. Space was exactly as described. Great communication and easy check in. Directions to the condo were easy to follow. Owners met us on arrival and helped us with anything we needed. Great location. We would definitely return to this specific property on another trip
James K.
November 2025

Loved the location and the view! Host was terrific
Andrew E.
November 2025

lovely, comfortable, very clean, great location. clear, timely communication with Valerie (owner). I loved my stay!
Mary W.
November 2025

Very convenient location. Having a full kitchen and laundry made things that much easier.
Stephen C.
October 2025

The accommodations were immaculate. Another bonus was location. Very close to shopping, 15 minute hike down to the beach and close to lots of other beaches and restaurants. The kitchen was well equipped with everything that we needed overall, we would come here again in a heartbeat
Holly R.
October 2025


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