Just got back from 8 days at the Royal Kahana. Like many of you, we only considered this place because it was part of a Costco package. Really not much too exciting to say about this place.

Pros:

Clean updated lobby
Very friendly staff
Close to the beach
Whale sightings during "winter"
Cheap if part of a package

Here are the down sides. The hotel is old, carpets are old, furnishings are old. We had a 27inch RCA CRT TV in our room with a VHS VCR!!! I know some of you reading this don't even know what half of those letters stand for.

The occupants of the hotel were even older! The pool area looked like a cast reunion party for Cocoon 2. I half expected to see large glowing rock-eggs in the pool at night. Nothing against the elderly, but when every one in the "resort" have 30 to 40 years on you, you starts to feel a bit out of place. I think I've seen enough obese, hairy, white dudes in swim trunks to last me a life time!

Aside from the age of the residents, the hotel has some serious short-comings. Primary of which are the thinness of the walls and floors. We had an elderly person with a walker in the room above us. So every time he or she moved about the room, it sounded like someone was dragging the coffee table across the floor. Next door, we had two elderly couples very hard of hearing. So conversation was a yelling match between the four of them. "DID YOU SEE MY GLASSES! WHAT? MY GLASSES! OH! NO THANKS! I'VE ALREADY ATE!"

Another issue, this was the most un-condo, condo we have ever stayed at. This is my third time renting a condo in Maui and my seventh time renting a condo in Hawaii, so I have a good idea of what to expect in a rental condo. This was not a condo! It is a hotel room with a kitchenette. Unlike a typical condo, actually owned and used by real owners, there were none of the usual conveniences. Normally, there would be beach chairs, coolers, boogie boards, beach umbrellas, maps, CD's, snorkeling equipment and I've even come across bikes for the renter to use. There were none of those things in this "condo". Basically this is an old hotel room with a place to cook.

What our room (#1118) reminded me of was the 500 Sq Ft. studio I rented in the early 90's while I was in Grad school. It was like someone had time warped that tiny place on to Maui. Everything was small and old. There wasn't enough space in the kitchen to prep food and cook it. When the fridge cycled on, which it did constantly, it was loud enough to wake you, since it was only 7 feet away from the bed.

Lastly, and a major issue is the shape of the building. You don't have to be an architect to know what will happen when you build a "V" shaped hotel in a windy area. Yes! a funnel! When the trade winds pick in the afternoon massive amounts of wind whip through the building creating a LOUD wooshing sound through out the night. So if you leave your widows open at night hoping to hear the surf, all you'll get is something that sounds like a taxing jet all night long!

Not a bad place to stay for cheap, but not a resort or condo. This is basically Motel 6 with a kitchenette, on top of a Holiday Inn lobby, on an average beach in Maui.

Smooth check in, very friendly atmosphere. Not the newest but was kept clean and my standards are high in that department. Kitchen was just right, mainly shopped roadside fruit and vegetable stands. Every room has a view.

If you're looking for a no frills stay, you've found it. This hotel is more of a condo-type hotel. Its older but the view from the oceanview rooms is fabulous! The beach is a few steps out the back door which is nice too. However, there isn't much of a beach. Coming from Florida, this was a big adjustment and something I found to be the case most places in Hawaii. The staff was very friendly. The location was convenient to Whaler's Market and Lahaina.

Party of three adults and one 11 year old stayed from Jan 13 - 23. I could not believe the views. We were on the 12th floor ocean front. When we walked in we all ran around looking at the amenities. The wrap around lani with the outrageous views. The size of the unit was immense. A large 60" tv in the living room. Omg. You do have to sign up for wifi but is available. Cheapest to do a whole month if staying longer than a week. The unit was nicely taken care of for the age of the building. The kitchen look as if had recently been remodeled. Stainless appliances and all the pot and utensils you would need. Was missing a baking pan if you wanted to make a pizza or bake. I ended up using the broiling pan drip tray. When we left we still had some things not eaten. We did leave. There was nothing when we arrived. It is too bad no spices or even seasonings in unit. I guess this might be a health issue? Everything seemed in great order. A/C in spare bed was a bit noisey, but we got used to. All in all we would definitely stay again. We heard that this condo has one of the few heated pools in the area. Oh almost every day we saw turtles and whales. Turtles up near the shore. Whales out further. Bring binoculars or get some at Costco. We could see the whales breaching and splashing. I hope other find this help full. The housekeeping is lite. They come in and do garbages and toilet paper. If you need something they are always happy to get for you. Their is also the bonus of the washer and dryer. Would love to come again. I think next time we will hit a different island, but if I come back I would stay here. Aloha and Mahalo.