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


The unit itself is quite spacious which was awesome but the cleanliness was extremely lacking. As well as I noticed torn (worn out) pillowcases on both beds. We had to scrub the kitchen sink and disposal area because of food buildup. Awful! For the price paid it should have been clean. FYI the parking is not paved so when it rains you walk in mud.
Diane S.
June 2026

Clean no frills stay in a nice area
kendl F.
June 2026

My boyfriend and I loved our stay here! The layout was very spacious, clean, and cozy. The kitchen was equipped with everything we needed. Great location for going into Hanalei and other surrounding towns. We will defiantly be back!
kyla r.
June 2026

This condo was the perfect space for our getaway. The host, Tony, went above and beyond to ensure we felt right at home. Everything we needed to have a great beach vacation was available for us to borrow. From a cooler, to beach chairs, to towels and snorkeling gear… we had it all! Everything was clean (spotless!) and comfortable. We sincerely hope to make it back someday!
Rachel R.
June 2026

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 stayed with our daughter and my parents. Ground floor was perfect- no stairs for the grandparents and just a few steps from the pool. Beach toys were wonderful and chairs too. Umbrellas had seen better days, but it was windy for most of our stay, so we couldn't use them as much as we wanted anyway. Beds were comfy and fans kept it cool at night. Stove was very touchy and took a couple of meals to get used to; but it was great to be able to make breakfasts and dinners. Would stay again!
Cerise C.
June 2026

Great value and location close to ocean Hanalei.
Nicholas A.
June 2026

Everything was 10/10, we greatly appreciate the accommodations and communication with the host. The space was very clean and felt like home. It did get a little warm in the afternoon but we would open all windows and screen doors and that helped a lot. We would stay again.
Julia E.
June 2026

Oh my gosh! What a way to start off my trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai is truly a different place in mind, body, and soul (particulary). This place specifically had everything one might need to get out and discover. It was extremely comfortable with neighbors just unbelievably good!!! The combination of needs, discovery, trust, respect, friendship was all over-the-top with everyone I ran into or made friends with, and just now moving to the "big island" I think I'm wanting to come back to this stupendous place.
Glen G.
June 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: Pleasant and relaxing... Everything was perfect and had no issues with the condo. The communication was good so things went smoothly finding the place, access and the stay.
Charles F.
June 2026

This is our second time staying here and it couldn't be a more perfect home base for our time on Kauai!
Rhiannon S.
June 2026

This place was very spacious, fully stocked kitchen, walking distance to restaurants, and comfy beds. Plenty of towels, pillows, beach stuff, pool stuff, etc. There was anything you might need. During 4 of the 5 nights during our stay the above guests were so loud and although it's not the host's fault it was not relaxing to be woken up at 5:30am while on vacation or hearing constant noise above. The host did contact the guests, but it was continuous and didn't stop unless they were out.
Katy C.
May 2026

The property was HUGE! A lot of spaces are typically smaller than they appear in pictures but this one was surprisingly bigger. The location was perfect, walking distance to a beach, strip mall, groceries, and restaurants. The only thing was it wasn’t very clean when we arrived but wasn’t dirty by any means but it looked like it was rushed cleaned and maybe forgot a few things.
Joy P.
May 2026

This condo is truly wonderful! Very nicely decorated with lots of natural light and absolutely everything you may need. The kitchen is well-equipped with the bonus of good, sharp knives. Little extras appreciated with night lights, beach/shopping totes, a first aid kit, sunscreen, guide books and all beach essentials. The pool is large with the perfect temperature. We had a very pleasant stay and would highly recommend.
Karen G.
May 2026

Lovely place. More than we expected. Will come here again soon.
Brian N.
May 2026

This place was immaculate. We met Tony and Judith and they are great hosts. Location is great for north shore activities. Was about 10 minutes from Nepali coast tour and a little less than an hour from the airport. Highly recommend.
Diane E.
May 2026

This place was lovely! It had all that was needed for a comfortable stay in a charming, beautiful cottage! we especially loved the back deck where we could sit and listen and watch the birds sing! The owners did a fantastic job designing their garden with their flowers & even a banana tree! We even got a few new birds for our list! The area of Princeville is fantastic to be spending time around since it’s so well maintained. We highly recommend going to the restaurant HAPPY TALK. It was a great place to eat.We can also highly recommend this fantastic lovely cottage to stay at! You won’t be disappointed!
Linda B.
May 2026

Easy location if staying on the Northshore side. Close to Hanalei, hikes, variety of beaches, local markets and restaurants. No frills stay, we were comfortable. The bathroom could be cleaner, some stains from prior guests. The kitchen was well equipped. Great value overall for the location. Easy check in, safe location and easy parking.
Kimmy G.
May 2026

Loved the kitchen and the floors and the tropical views and bbq on deck
linda e.
May 2026

Great location, comfortable place with space and seclusion but still close to wonderful surf, hikes, food, and views. Recommend without hesitation. Thank you!!
Richard W.
May 2026

This unit is just as advertised. Lovely aspect with the high ceilings. What really sets it apart is the wrap-around lanai. The sloping roof extends out over the lanai, so you can enjoy it even when it is raining. The furniture is comfortable of good quality. The kitchen is also well-furnished. Other reviewers have noted the proximity to the road for noise, & the step-downs into the living room, master BR, & master bath. I'm a light sleeper, and had trouble the first night with windows open. (The 2nd BR is much quieter). But then I realized that the master has good quality, double-insulated windows and patio door, and that this room remained cool enough that you could close all. Then it was fine. As to the step-downs, we're older adults and we were OK, but you have to careful. (I also note that there is a step down on the lanai as it wraps between the kitchen/dining on the main level & the living room and master bedroom on the "lower" level). The one issue I should add is that in the late afternoon there was direct sunlight into the L/D/K for about 2 hours, causing these rooms to heat up. But the BRs remained cool, and the unit has two movable fans. We set those up to blow cooler air from the BRs to the L/D/K. The grounds are nicely landscaped, and the pool is quite large, with lots of comfortable chaises & chairs. The exteriors of the buildings and the pool itself are showing some signs of wear. But all-in-all, this unit presents is a great value.
Larry M.
May 2026

Our stay was great! Rick provided everything you could need. Beach chairs, umbrella, towels, even snorkeling gear and a cooler
Alexander M.
May 2026

We had a great stay at this property and really enjoyed mornings on the patio watching the birds. Would recommend!
Janelle O.
May 2026

We had such a lovely stay! Will definitely be back :)
Emily M.
April 2026

This place is gorgeous and PERFECT for a couple! I’ve never stayed in a loft situation before but it didn’t matter. I didn’t take any pics because it’s identical to the posting. It was immaculate and had amenities including a stocked bathroom and kitchen with lots of spices, cookware, Tupperware, ice, even beach chairs. Place is super close to a grocery store and 10 min drive to the main town on the north shore Hanalei. The owner was also quick to respond to any questions. I would absolutely stay here again and wish I could have for the remainder of my trip. Next place was a huge downgrade.Thank you, Rick! We had a blast at your beautiful place. Highly recommend!
Tanya C.
April 2026

Wonderful stay! 11/10, beyond impressed and happy with this property. Made our first stay in Hawai’i perfect. Location was amazing and property was spotless.
Samuel F.
April 2026

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

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 originally booked thru vrbo but they helped us cancel and book directly with them to save some money on our stay! The hosts was very nice. We didn’t get to get the chance to see the moon through his telescope due to rain! Overall, we had a great time!
CHRIS W.
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


Or feel free to contact us if you need help finding a place to stay. We are Hawaii's vacation rental experts.

Oceanfront Rentals

hawaii condo resort
Discover Kauai's best oceanfront rentals, all with beautiful ocean views.
Oceanfront Rentals

Rental Search

hawaii condo
Use the rental search page to find the best rentals for your preferences.
Rental Search

Condo Guide

Hawaii condo guide
Research the options with the world's most comprehensive Kauai condo guides.
Kauai Condos