We got a pretty good deal through Orbitz for airfare and 10 night’s accommodation at Kauhale Makai November 13-23, 2011. We picked this accommodation over others offered because it was affordable, centrally located in Kihei and located directly beach front (e.g.: you don't have to cross a road to get to the ocean). If you book like we did it's really important to call ahead before you arrive. The Orbitz itinerary gives you a number to call for central reservations and they are extremely helpful. They will give you your room number, door entry code, parking stall #, office hours for your condo (ours was closed for lunch between 1 & 2pm, and closed all day Thanksgiving Day!), and after hour contact numbers. With this information our check-in was very smooth. We found the small lobby to be pleasant and clean with chairs to sit and free coffee. There was a large bookcase for trading novels, so important for those of us Kindle-less on a beach holiday. There was also a staffed kiosk where you could book day trips and other island events. There are two buildings and each has two central elevators and laundry on each of the 6 levels. Good value for wash and full hour of drying for $1 each. Each building has a pleasant, well maintained landscaped courtyard with stair wells at either end. We were assigned unit #331, one bedroom with ocean view), on the south side of the south building called Plumeria.
Unit #331 was plain but certainly clean and adequate for not overly fussy people as we are. The negative things I will point out are for information purposes not because they particularly bothered us or impacted our holiday. The lanai is long and accessed from sliding doors in both the living room and bedroom. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and see the palm trees blowing in the breeze with the ocean behind. Both sliding glass doors had good quality black out curtains if that's important to you. Our room faced south (angled to the beach front) so from the lanai we were able to watch sunrises over Haleakala and sunsets over the ocean which was wonderful. As on budget we had most of our meals in so were pleased to find the kitchen was very well equipped. Our freezer had an ice maker which we made good use of for our mission to make the Mai Tai gods proud! The living room had standard tropical furniture, a standard TV but no stereo or even radio. Internet / wifi was not included (some other units do include) but we were able to purchase an internet connection from cable at a cost of $57 (they charged $8 or $10/day or $57/month so for our 10 day stay we bought the month). My husband found an intermittent, non-secured wifi signal from the very corner of the lanai and a much stronger signal from the parking lot! The bedroom had a very comfortable queen bed with only three pillows, and the sheets were a touch on the worn side but very soft and pleasant for sleeping. There was a closet with ample hangers and a dresser with good sized drawers. The vanity was separate from the small toilet and bath/shower area which makes it more usable. It was all quite dated but okay and the excellent pressure from the shower made up for '70s feel of the place. The bathroom towels were plentiful and pretty new but there was only one beach towel which was disappointing on a beach holiday. For guest use the hall closet had two small coolers, two beach chairs, a (broken) boogey board, and some snorkeling masks and flippers. The kitchen floor and into the bath had a nice large tile and the living room and bedroom was carpeted but clean. Some walls were pretty scuffed and marred and some 'art work' could be updated - the three old whale posters added to the dated feel. The folding door to the bedroom was broken and the screen doors didn't slide well making a loud screeching noise (not unique to this unit). The lanai had 4 comfortable folding type chairs and a small heavy side table. I would have enjoyed a small eating height table on the lanai – there certainly was room for one. We found the lanai to be fairly private and felt comfortable watching the sunrise at 7am in PJs. When sliding doors are shut, the unit was very soundproof. There was quiet and efficient aircon in the living areas and bedroom. We only used it when we really needed to, otherwise we just kept both sliding doors open and if we really wanted to create a breeze would additionally open the courtyard entry door.
Other things included in this condo that I can remember were 3 rolls TP, 2 small tubes shampoo, 1 bar soap, 1 box tissues, hair dryer, iron, small ironing board, small box laundry soap, several dishwasher tablets, dish washing soap, 2 rolls kitchen towel, and extra garbage bags - much more than we expected! I think the only spice was some mixed grilling pepper. Maui now has a fabulous ‘no plastic shopping bags policy’ so be sure to bring a few bags for those sandy beach shoes and wet bathing suits and also bring a few cloth bags for shopping as all you’ll get now is paper.
The south rooms of the south building (ours) and the north rooms of the north building do overlook respective parking lots so if you look down you will see some cars. From where we were on the 3rd floor and relatively close to the beach end we found this didn't really bother us and we had some fun guessing what people were up to as we voyeured their comings and goings. The higher the floor and the closer your unit is to the beach end the fewer cars you will see, and the less traffic noise you’ll get from South Kihei Road. If you are on the parking lot sides I would recommend a room on the 3rd floor or higher. There is no smoking allowed anywhere within the condos (which was great for us non-smokers) but when people did go for a smoke they would go to the parking lots so you occasionally would smell cigarette smoke. Also some people felt they had to hold their cell phone conversations in the parking lot; maybe the reception was better. In general we found the area to be quiet, and owners and other guests pleasant. Some units had construction noise but postings advised of this in advance.
As far as other common areas, my husband BBQed most evenings and there were 4 BBQs available in a well lighted area in between the two buildings. Although one didn't work well, people were good to share BBQs at busy times. There were also 2 picnic tables. There is a small putting green which I never saw in use. The fenced in pool area (keyed access only) was pleasant and equipped with nice loungers but no small side tables. There were also 2 round tables with chairs. The well maintained, medium sized and deep swimming pool was refreshing (no heat). The hot tub was nice for when the wind blew up in the late afternoon but was only a nice bathtub temperature not a real hot tub temperature. There was also a very shallow and easy to supervise kiddie’s pool. The pool area was well utilized but never over-crowded and people were courteous with the use of the loungers to not leave towels, etc on them to hold. The ebb and flow of users meant everyone had a place to sit when they were pool side. Between the pool and the beach was a large grassed area with a few loungers and a shuffle board. Then over a small sand dune you can access the beach. It’s a great beach for walking and you could easily swim here as well. We sat here on our chairs one morning and with binoculars could see hump back whales breaching in the direction of Ma’alaea.
I happened to be on crutches during our stay as before we left home I tore some knee ligaments. So I can comment from a handicapped point of view that the condo overall is easily accessible with the elevators and walkways. Also inside the unit was easy to get around on crutches. I could access the pool and hot tub using the hand rails (keeping in mind I had a strong left leg and good upper body strength).
In Kihei we found fresh local fish to cook ourselves at Eskimo Candy, Star Market (now Times) and Foodland, and gorgeous local fruits and vegetables at Yee’s market and the Farmer’s Market just before you get to Sugar Beach. The Saturday morning “Swap Meet” in Kahului is excellent for local produce. Upcountry there is Country Market on the way to Tedeschi Winery. Pacific Whale Watching (non-profit) out of Ma'alaea has a good trip from 12:30 - 2:30 daily for ~$28pp including tax – we saw several hump back whales as well as a large pod of spotted dolphins quite close. Aloha and enjoy!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
