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 rave about the “right on the water” experience here—many say it feels like being on a cruise ship without the motion. Expect sweeping, unobstructed views of Lanai and Molokai, brilliant sunsets, and near-constant sightings of whales (in season), sea turtles, dolphins, rainbows, and even the occasional monk seal. Most units are clean, comfortable, and well equipped for easy self-catering, often with beach chairs, coolers, snorkel gear, and binoculars provided. Hosts and managers are frequently praised for clear communication and quick help, and many guests are repeat visitors who would happily return.
The location is a major highlight. Set on the quiet, north end of Ka’anapali, you can walk to Times Grocery, a popular food-truck park, Java Jazz, and the Ka’anapali Beachwalk to Duke’s and Whalers Village; Napili, Kapalua, and Lahaina are short drives. The condo complex is small and laid-back (not a mega-resort), with easy parking, elevators, a modest but well-kept pool/hot tub area, and a cabana with grills, kitchen, and games. Snorkeling and turtle-spotting are excellent just off the property or on the sandy beaches immediately to either side.
A few things to know: this is an older oceanfront building, and while many units are nicely updated, quality varies by condo. Common themes in lower-rated reviews include dated décor or wear in some units (bathrooms/ceiling tiles/doors), occasional tropical pests, and intermittent maintenance hiccups (AC, shower leaks, sliding doors). Most condos use shared coin-op laundry on each floor rather than in-unit machines. The beach directly in front can be narrow or rocky due to seasonal erosion; easier access is typically just to the right or left, and it can be windy at times. If you prefer big-resort amenities and on-site restaurants, this is more boutique and low-key. To optimize your stay, choose a recently updated unit, bring binoculars, and come for the views, wildlife, and serenity.
This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 1000 reviews
We had an amazing time. It felt as if the condo was loved and the owners equipped it with furnishings for their personal use, (Rather than low quality stuff they got for their rental.) It was perfect for my husband and I. We were surprised that the owners had a "happy anniversary" flower arrangement waiting for us. Yet another thoughtful touch.
Cherie B.
August 2025
Great spot. Great setup.
Angie R.
August 2025
Awesome.. great view Great room !!
August 2025
Perfect. Had an amazing stay. Everything was great. Jake was super helpful whenever we had a question.
Trey P.
August 2025
Beautiful view and the bed was comfortable. My only complaint is they need to upgrade towels. Currently
Amy W.
August 2025
The property was the absolutely perfect condo to spend our 50th Anniversary at. The condo was stocked with everything and anything we may have needed. Having our coffee and breakfast on the lanai every morning was so relaxing. There was nothing that we could recommend improving upon. It brought us many happy memories that we will cherish forever.
Charles W.
August 2025
The condo was on the corner. You could look out from the lani and see the beach and straight out to see the ocean. Turtles visited daily any time from 11 AM to noon. The condo has all the necessary items to make you comfortable. My wife and I enjoyed the king size bed. There were vintage posters on the wall that brought back memories. The owner Neal is a very nice man. I look forward to staying in this condo again.
Charles H.
August 2025
check in was easy. location was great and room was great.
Estella E.
August 2025
Everything worked as it should.Although the supplies (toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, etc.) were described as just enough to get started, there was plenty of everything for our family of four for 9 nights. We really appreciated this. Our two teenage sons slept in single beds on the lanai and loved it! The windows can be closed to air condition this space with the rest of the condo. Smoke space for four grown humans. The pool, grill and clubhouse areas were never crowded and provided nice, shaded areas during the hot part of the day. The owner was polite and professional, even accommodating a change in schedule. Highly recommend!
Tom F.
August 2025
This room and hotel was absolutely perfect. Tucked away and quiet, yet had the most amazing views of the ocean. It felt like we had our own private beach and ocean. The room had everything we needed, including beach chairs and towels. The kitchen was well-equipped. Stan was very responsive as a host and even provided a generous gift card to a local restaurant. I cannot describe in words how wonderful this place was for us. The pictures are extremely accurate. Sunsets were incredible. Would definitely recommend a stay and would return.
Stephanie K.
August 2025
![Maui Kai Resort 904]()
I recommend this property as high as I possibly can! My feelings for this property is so high, that I could not say a negative word about any of it!
Book it!
A bit more detail:
My oldest daughter (15) was excited to go to Maui and see sea turtles and within 1 min of checking in and going to see the amazing view there was a turtle swimming just a few yards out in the water.
We would watch the sunset as often as we could on the lanai (porch) and just listen to the waves come onto shore.
Everything for the beach were there for our convivence! There was chairs, beach towels, small ice chests, toys and umbrella.
The kitchen was FULLY stocked! We didn't cook much, but found everything that we needed to make a perfect dinner!
We were going to check into the condo the day after the tsunami warning and when I reached out to the owners, they provided what they knew and the website they were following to get the latest information. We exchanged messages throughout the stay and could not appreciate the open communication any more!
Joshua
August 2025
I loved every minute at Maui Kai. Being on the beach with the crashing sound of the waves, when I woke up and before going to bed was magical.I appreciated the immediate assistance from my condo owners when I reached out.My location, the Bose speaker to play music, the views....all of it were what I needed.I would stay here again in a minute!!!Thank you.
Lana C.
August 2025
Neal was very supportive during our stay. The location and view were excellent.
Melinda B.
August 2025
Superb ocean front condo. Very comfortable. Easy parking. Nice pool and BBQ area.
Alan F.
August 2025
Simply amazing!!! Super easy check in progress. Breathtaking views and plenty of room for a family. We loved it here. So close to great beaches and great food. With a wonderful view to watch the sunset every night.
leah r.
August 2025
This one bedroom condo had a stunning view and plenty of space for my family of four. The condo was well equipped with everything you would need to prep a meal for a night in and the proximity to the beach made beach days easy. The living room was a great size for all of us -with space to spare. There are restaurants, food trucks, and a grocery store within walking distance. You must try Vida’s coffee truck for excellent coffee! Also, communication with the property management company was very easy. Great place to stay!!
cynthia j.
August 2025
Stan, the host, was great!
Jacob F.
July 2025
Beautiful location.Wonderfully modern and updated property. Host is excellent!
Corey G.
July 2025
The unit was as nice as advertised. Magnificent oceanfront view with access to the beach. Very clean with a well-stocked kitchen. Having the beach cart, beach chairs, cooler, umbrella, beach towels and swim fins were an unexpected surprise!Know that the a/c thermostat can only be set as low as 74, but the unit included multiple fans that you could place as desired. If you want a nice, quiet place in a great location, this is it. So many of the nearby properties are very large, and Maui Kai is the perfect place if you want a smaller property with a short walk to the pool, beach or parking.
Pat E.
July 2025
![Maui Kai 903]()
This place was absolutely phenomenal! The Maui Kai resort is the best location because you walk out the front straight onto the beach. I didn’t see another resort/hotel that could truly say that. The beach never got too crowded at all in that area. I will come back!!The room itself is perfect for two people - great new finishings on everything, plenty of space to cook all of the meals you’d like, all of the cooking utensils you could need, a comfortable couch and chair, a comfortable bed with plenty of pillows and blankets, a roomy bathroom/shower which came with a starter set of shampoos as well as a blow dryer, cable tv options to log into streaming services and last, but most definitely not least, an unbeatable view out the lanai (which had options to open/close the screens and curtains). We saw so many sea turtles from our room/lanai and again down on the beach right out the doors. We also lucked out and saw seals while we were there! I’d recommend renting snorkel gear and bringing an underwater camera because there is plenty to see right in the area.We went to a couple different beaches while there just to try the full experience, and the beach directly out of Maui Kai ended up being our favorite! We went on a few hikes that were within 30 minutes of the resort - Kapalua Coastal Trail, Mahana Ridge Trail and Ohai Trail. We also did the first part of the road to Hana and stopped to hike at Twin Falls then drove to the top of Haleakalā. All well worth it!
Claire T.
July 2025
We had an excellent time. Location was AMAZING, right against the ocean and convenient to shops. Area was quiet at night. Hosts were great and helped with any questions we had. Hope to visit again soon!
ALEXANDER C.
July 2025
This is one of the best places we have ever stayed in Maui and we have visited the island numerous times. Stan was so generous providing a floral arrangement and sign on the door celebrating our 40th anniversary. The unit was immaculate and fully stocked with all the essentials. Staying on the ground floor put us right next to the water, where we saw turtles every morning, stunning sunsets and even a pod of spinner dolphins one day. We would definitely recommend staying here and we plan on coming back as well in the future.
Randy B.
July 2025
Lovely ocean views, Clean unit, 'builders grade' amenities reminds me of a holiday inn. Everything was functional, Walmart dishes and cutlery. Great for folks on a budget.
Steve L.
July 2025
Great view! Beautiful decor, but with some dated items in bathroom and kitchen. We loved that it was stocked with utensils and plates etc. could use more ice.
Nicholas H.
July 2025
This was the perfect spot for my husband and I. We enjoyed our breakfast on the lanai every morning. The view is mesmerizing with the ocean and views of the other islands. We also were able to watch pods of dolphins swim by. The condo has a great location to the beach, the boardwalk, grocery store, abc store, restaurants and food truck lot. It’s well stocked with everything you need. The condo was also quiet and peaceful so we could sleep well. Thanks for an unforgettable vacation!
Bethany E.
July 2025
This condo is well appointed with everything you need, in a great location and responsive property management. It was very quiet and parking was easy. The lanai is awesome with a table, chairs, couch and two lounge chairs. The condo is showing some wear and tear, but the decor is cute. We did see one dying cockroach on the floor – the cleaning staff likely sprays for bugs when they come clean (& we saw bug killer in the cupboard. The lanai has many birds flying over and so a little bird poop did keep reappearing on the chairs and decking. The bedroom is not ocean facing so no relaxing waves to put you to sleep at night. But the family room and lanai have full ocean views. Within walking distance, you will find a good food truck court, a supermarket, a restaurant and more.None of the critiques would not prevent us from staying there again, but I think it’s helpful to read reviews that are honest.
Sara S.
July 2025
Wonderful place. It was everything that the ad said and more. View was spectacular and stores and restaurants conveniently located. Would definitely stay there again.
Ronnie T.
July 2025
Beautiful views! Great snorkeling spots nearby!! So much to do and see in the area, but the temptation to spend the week on the lanai is real!
Kay F.
July 2025
Outstanding location! Very true with listing location - cannot be closer to the water!
ANDREW T.
July 2025
Perfect location. Beautiful views. Had any supplies you might need to sleep go to the beach bathe relax. Not one negative to say or encountered.
robert w.
July 2025
Great location, quiet, communicative hosts, and an incredibly comfortable bed. The condo was clean and had every amenity you could think of. I liked that it was quaint yet steps away from all the hustle and bustle of the larger properties. I would definitely book again!
Nicole C.
July 2025
My husband and I rented this space for about half of our stay in Maui. This unit is in an ideal location. Beautiful part of North Kaanapali. Close to many great restaurants and sights. The unit was clean and pleasant and the hosts were extremely responsive. The view from the balcony is stunning! Great for turtle watching or sunsets. It is a western exposure so can be scorching in the afternoon. A couple of things no one else noted in any of the reviews, but were extremely important to me: there is no where to hang out on this property. There is no beach to speak of. You are immediately wading as soon as you step off the building landing. There is no lawn. The building literally meets ocean. The pool is in the parking lot and just isn’t somewhere you would want to hang out. This was extremely disappointing to me and something I would have loved to have known in advance.
Charity D.
July 2025
The view is everything! The condo is clean and has everything you need. The bed was extremely comfy. The location is prime and conveniently located close to a grocery store and hotspots like Whaler's Village. I will definitely consider booking again in the future.
Eric M.
July 2025
The property was just as described the owners were prompt to answer any questions
Elizabeth P.
June 2025
Vacation rental of this condo was amazing. No issues, very private. Can’t control the wind, but it was a very windy stay this last week of June. Homeless were definitely present in this area as it’s next to a public park. Law enforcement should be more present in the evenings/ nightime in this local park area.
Terrie B.
June 2025
Perfect place for wife and I. So much to do wish we would have stayed more days. Thank you Stan.
dave p.
June 2025
This condo is perfect with the location! My two daughters loved the murphy beds in living room, and the view was amazing! We loved walking from the condo to the food trucks and grocery store! We also were amazed with the pool and grounds, especially the pool bar up by the beach! So relaxing! Lisa is a wonderful host and provides everything you need…We hope to be back again someday!
Lori P.
June 2025
Beautiful view, beaches very short walk, overall wonderful experience.
Ray R.
June 2025
Great ocean front location in a quiet condominium complex with everything you need to enjoy your stay in Maui. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfasts on the lanai and it is so convenient to be able to grill dinner at the club house.
Donna G.
June 2025
We loved our stay - fantastic view and location, comfortable King bed, the kitchen was stocked with everything we needed. You may want to mention in your listing that you have a Kurig Coffee maker - as we would have brought our favorite coffee pods. Quiet and relaxing with the lull of the ocean waves at night time. Just what we needed for a relaxing vacation.
Anthony O.
June 2025
The condo is beautiful! We were in awe of the view. There was everything we could possibly need from the pots and pans to the snorkel equipment. There was sunscreen and beach chairs. We had a really nice time. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Marlene O.
June 2025
Working with Stan during the booking process was fantastic! He was super communicative, helpful, and responsive every step of the way. The place itself was absolutely stunning, boasting breathtaking views. Plus, there are markets and stores just a short, easy walk away, along with a beautiful beach nearby. It was an incredible experience all around!
Debbie T.
June 2025
Beautiful! The balcony overlooking the ocean was amazing—clean and comfortable!
Danielle L.
June 2025
Can’t say enough how beautiful the view is from this unit. Can’t get any closer to the water. Laid back atmosphere and quiet yet close enough to all the activities and wonderful beaches.
Christopher B.
June 2025
We couldn’t be more pleased with the property. The owners are so accessible, always respond right away. The property is as advertised!!! We had everything we needed and more. It is also in a perfect location, close to great beaches and restaurants!!
Kelley B.
June 2025
Loved this property! The location was just as described and wonderful! Definitely recommend to anyone that wants to have direct beach access.
Sarah F.
June 2025
Nice accommodations. Perfectly located to what we planned on places to go.
Marty M.
June 2025
The location was perfect for everything. Eating out. Snorkeling off the beach. Listening to the waves. I recommend trying a cinnamon roll from Papi’s Ohana but expect a wait and trying a meal at Java Jazz for an eclectic experience. Overall it was a memorable time which I hope to repeat in the future at this property.Mahalo Cheryl
Cheryl D.
May 2025
Could look at that view out of the lanai forever!
Craig T.
May 2025
Neals space is just beautiful and in such a great location. Neal was great to work with and we can’t wait to come back!
Lucy S.
May 2025