We had some concern about booking this due to the lack of reviews, but went for it anyway due to the outstanding price. It is located next to Cove park, and easy walking distance to what became our favorite beach on Maui (Kamaole 1). While it's next to a road, we never noticed any noise problems. There is pretty decent snorkeling in the area between Cove Park and Kamaole 1.

Since their website doesn't do a very good job of showing which rooms are good and bad, I asked to check them all out so I could post the info here for future travelers. Here's the scoop on the rooms...

Rooms 1, 2, and 3 - We could only view one of these rooms but I understand them to all be more or less identical. They're simply decorated (mainly white walls with some decor) but are recently renovated, and feel clean, nice, and new, though quite simple. Well worth the cost, they seemed nicer than most of the other older condos in Kihei that cost twice as much and aren't as close to the beach.

Rooms 4 and 5 have not been renovated and feel pretty run down. We saw #4, but I understand #5 is the same. If you really like the price and don't mind being in an old room you might be ok with this. They were clean and didn't feel icky, but they did feel old (reminded me of my grandparents house built in the 1950s).

Room 6 is where we stayed and is a nice room. It has been renovated, and is the most decorated of the rooms. Celing and walls have the wood texture covering that you often see in Hawaii. It's laid out nicely and feels clean and comfortable.

Rooms 7 and 8 have also not been renovated but don't feel quite as run down as 4 and 5. They are also bigger, and 8 being on the second floor, above 7, has the best views of the ocean of any of the units. These two units are the closest to the road, and could potentially have noise problems, but there didn't seem to be a lot of traffic at bedtime. If you're hyper sensitive to noise though you should be aware. I would recommend these units given their price.

Lihi Kai is clean, located close to cove park and within walking distance to South Kihei beaches. It's a very central location for amenities and all the action and excitement of Kihei.

It was too loud for our liking, there was a party every night at cove park (only until 8 or 9pm though) and our cottage neighbors kept us up drinking and hanging out on their lanai 4 out of the 7 nights we stayed here, sometimes until 3 am. The property managers had assured us that it was quiet after 10pm and that there is no smoking allowed in front of the cottages but these rules were not enforced at all.

Some units seemed to have a bit more privacy than others but ours wasn't very private unless all windows were closed and all blinds were drawn. Our cottage had no phone, very unreliable wi fi and no beach towels supplied so bring your own.

Overall we found it disappointing for the price.
If you are looking for a central location, close to beaches, clean unit and want to party on maui then I would recommend Lihi Kai to you. Otherwise, stay someplace else.

We stayed in Jan/Feb 2010 in unit #1. It was a last minute trip and we felt lucky to of found someplace that had a unit that was affordable. Like a prior reviewer, we were concerned because it was so cheep what the unit would look like however also like the prior, we were very pleased. The units are VERY clean, great location, Patrick and his wife are great managers, it's quiet after Cove Park closes up for the night, even in unit #1 which was where we stayed last year. This year we are going back (reservations already booked) and staying in unit #6 which they showed us before we left last visit. We do and have recommended this place to friends. Only thing missing is w/d in each unit but since there is one on the grounds, it's not a big deal, Doesn't cost to wash and only a $1.00 to dry. As for linens, you don't wash yourself (not even the towels) you just ask the managers for fresh and they provide. No pool but who needs one when the beach is right across the street!

As I said, great cottages on a budget - we got ourselves a newly renovated cottage right by Cove Park for under ninety bucks a night in peak christmas season! so we were a bit suspicious before we got there, obviously.
but the place looked great - very comfortable. we had cottage #1- the pics on their website do no justice to the amenities. the kitchen is stacked with all we needed. dishes, plates, silverware, wine glasses, disposable cups and plates, bottle opener, cork opener, upopened salt and pepper shakers even... you name it. which was a nice addition for the price.

One concern though: The loading area for surfers at Cove Park is right across the street from the cottages, so it will get a little busy.This issue is only for the cottages right by the street so be sure to check which cottage you're booking.

The manager Patrick and his wife were really friendly and helpful during our stay too.