We had stayed at the Ka'anapali Alii (which was fantastic but much more expensive) on our first trip and looked forward to this trip back to Kaanipali. Although this resort is beautiful, it is off the beaten path with not as much to do. I guess you could walk to Whaler's Village, but it's a long walk. Duke's is great, and if it weren't so expensive, we would have gone more often. It is convenient having a grocery store right across the street. There are also some hole-in-the-wall restaurants nearby, including a fantastic takeout place (forgot the name).

The pools were pretty but too cold for me, even in the 80° weather. The pool has no chairs, just chaise lounges that were uncomfortable, so we didn't spend time at the pool. We were happier at the beach in sand chairs.

The condo was impersonal and stark but nice. Unfortunately, the description didn't mention the down pillows, comforter and throw pillows that pretty much ruined my week. The condo furniture, like the chaise lounges, was designed for taller people and I couldn't find a comfortable place to sit.

t don't know if it's this resort of the time of year, but it was much too windy for me. We wouldn't return to the Honua Kai, but this time of year is fantastic because of the whales.

Make sure to book an ocean view room. We stayed in a 1-bedroom mountain view room in the Hokulani tower in Feb which should also be defined as "highway and water treatment plant" view. It's noisy and occasionally smelly with lanai doors open.

Overall, it's a great resort for families with kids. Nice rooms, nice grounds, fish feedings every morning (our 2 year old loved this part), nice pools, great gourmet market downstairs, convenient location (Times supermarket across the street).

Although some reviews mention clean rooms, ours was quite dirty. Floors were dirty, bathtub has never been scrubbed from the looks of the stained floor. Even after housekeeping on the third day, the room remained quite dirty. Fortunately, the resort is new so despite poor housekeeping, the room wasn't unbearably grimy.

The beach is nice but, as mentioned in other reviews, is not kid friendly. Strong winds and waves and based on another guest account, there is apparently quite a steep drop-off. Go to baby beach near Jodo Mission if you have young kids. It's awesome.

Read quite a few reviews about poor customer service. It's definitely not a "service and hospitality" focused property but members of the staff we encountered were nice enough.

I would go back to the property if there's a good deal on an ocean view room.

From the first moment we pulled up to the curb island life on maui began. The staff took care of everything for us...bags to the room...seamless check in process...giant patio (we learned it is called a lanai) bay doors open and let that warm island air relax your soul. Special requests? No problem! Cut yourself on the coral? Friendly, knowledgeable med staff will clean you right up. Best trip advisors to help plan our activities and just a warm,sincere staff to make you feel welcomed. i will return!

I'll start this review by saying that Honua Kai is not a Hotel or a Resort. It's amazing that they charge a $25.00 resort fee, because this place is merely a Condominium Complex. I've read the numerous other reviews on this place, and most of them are spot on. The rooms are nice, because they are new, but everything else goes downhill. Here's my list of complaints:

1. Horrible Raw Sewage smell
2. Cockroaches
3. Too many small children that intrude on everyone else's enjoyment
4. Balcony Chairs make horrible noises to units beneath - it could wake the dead!!!
5. Uncomfortable pool chairs that feel like you are lying on cement & not enough chairs to accomodate the amount of rooms at the place.

This place is a condominium complex, so trying to get "Quality Service" is not going to happen. Most of the units have been sold to private owners who rent the units out either through Honua Kai or other rental companies. The place itself held on to a handful of units so they could make some extra money, but in in the end, this place is NOT A HOTEL or RESORT, it is individually owned condominiums. So don't expect to get good Service or Amenities, because it just isn't going to happen. They shouldn't be advertising it as a Luxury Resort, because it is just plain false advertising. In the end, if you have numerous small children under the age of 6, don't mind the wonderful stench of raw sewage, and can view cockroaches as a tropical enjoyment, this is your place. Otherwise, I would recommend looking elsewhere.