I need some advice about which condo to pick for a 4 day stay in Maui in mid-December. I have it narrowed down to a few different condos. We need to have 3 bedrooms and at least 2 baths due to the size of our group. The cost for all the units is pretty similar. the biggest difference is that some ask a higher cleaning fee than others. Here are my choices:
1. 3 bedroom, 2 bath oceanfront unit in Menehune Shores.
2. 2 bedroom, 2 bath plus den w/oceanviews in Kihea Sands.
3. 3 bedroom, 3 bath oceanfront in Papakea Resort.
4. 3 bedroom, 2 bath oceanfront in Shores of Maui.
5. 3 bedroom, 2 bath oceanfront in Maui Sands.
Are there advantages or disadvantages to any of the complexes? Are some located on nicer, calmer beaches than others? I know that the condo in Menehune Shores is not air conditioned which has me a little concerned but the views from that condo are incredible.
Any advice????
Help Choosing a Condo
DS#3 and his entourage stayed in a three bedroom unit at Menehune Shores in %26#39;07 (Unit #312), and the unit, and views were VERY nice.
That being said, the pool area and grounds are small and unremarkable, and it does tend to get pretty windy in the afternoons. For this reason, we gathered each evening at our condo just down the beach rather than Menehune Shores.
Not knowing anything about the other options you%26#39;ve listed, I%26#39;d say if the rates are similar, look at someplace other than Menehune Shores. I%26#39;ve heard and read good things about Papakea.
Help Choosing a Condo
dianemom - With your listed choices being in both West and South Maui, the two areas are very different. West Maui has what many refer to as a %26#39;buzz%26#39; to it, while South Maui (Kihei specifically) is more of a beach town that has a funky vibe. So your personality is really going to come into play with your decision.
1)Menehune Shores does have some gorgeous units with amazing views, the beach there is not great as it has been known to collect seaweed - but there are many very nearby that are fantastic.
2)Kihei Sands is on a very nice beach in North Kihei, a rather quiet area.
3) Papakea is a popular place with many return visitors,
4)Shores of Maui is very near good beaches, near many shops/restaurants
5)Maui Sands is not one that I am familiar with
Have you looked at the aerials of the properties? wizardpub.com/maui
I am assuming that you are looking at vrbo? Have you a set nightly budget? Ages and interests of travelers?
We are a group that has two seniors, two adults and two kids. We generally prefer a quieter setting with fewer people on the beach. I hate having to compete for beach space :) I know we will be doing some touring and activities during the day but we also want to have a nice beach to use, preferably at the condo where we are staying. We don%26#39;t need much nightlife since we have the kids with us.
Hi
Mid December is a great time to come. The quietest time of the year (not crowded).
Maui Sands does not usually have a beach.
Papakea has a beach sometimes. Nice garden and huge hot tub.
Do the complexes at Maui Sands and Papakea have a beach nearby then if they don%26#39;t have a beach at the condo? What I would love to find is a place with nice view and a nice beach too. The place at Menehune Shores looks pretty good but I am concerned about the lack of a/c. Is that a problem in December in Maui? The Menehune Shores condo is also one of the least expensive units that we are considering. I figured that was because of the lack of a/c but is there some other reason? I saw on Maui reveled that the beach there is not great because it gets seaweed. It seems like I can%26#39;t find the perfect condo at the perfect price.
Hi
Beaches near the Papakea and Maui Sands kind of rotate and come and go. so sometimes there is sand.
If not the new Honokowai beach park between the Mahana and Honua Kai is a good beach called North Beach.
What prices range are you in?
Not knowing your nightly budget, depending on the ages of your children, many 2bdrm/2bath have sofa sleeper in the living room so will accomodate party of six. Another suggestion would be to rent either a 1bdrm and a 2bdrm or studio and 2bdrm at the same complex. This would open up a lot more options and can be less costly. It is possible to get a 1/2ba at many places with sofa sleeper also.
Mid December is low season, high season begins anywhere from Dec 15 - 23 depending upon the property. Is it imperative that you be ocean front? If not, Maui Banyan is in South Kihei - for a 2bdr,POV and a 1bdrm POV total is 318 per night. Beaches are across the street and easy to access many more from there. Other nice properties in South Kihei are Kamaole Sands and Maui Kamaole (the units are very big here).
Hale Pau Hana is right on Kamaole II beach, call rather than check rates on website. The Royal Mauian is right next door. Mana Kai or Kihei Surfside. Wailea is upscale and rather quiet, Wailea Ekahi offers bang for buck.
Menehune Shores is at the extreme north end of Waipuilani Park. Not the greatest beach on Maui, but still good for walking, some snorkeling (in the fish pond right in front of Menehune Shores) swiming and board sailing. Plus the views of Molokini and west Maui are great from this location. As I mentioned earlier, the wind tends to really start ripping through this area late-morning to early afternoon. This can really help in units without AC. We have been in October and November, and as I mentioned, stay just down the beach from Menehune Shores, and have never felt we needed AC. Annother plus to this resort is the bbq area on the roof (7th floor).
If budget is a driving factor, I think you would be happy at Menehune Shores PROVIDING you are willing to compromise on the pristine beach and drive 5-7 minutes south for that. Everything else abouth this resort is fine and it%26#39;s definitely priced right.
Aloha dianemom2,
My vote is for Papakea because I think it has amenities that would appeal to all of your age groups plus a great location. A 3 bedroom, 3 bath oceanfront Papakea would be large enough to accommodate all of you comfortably and the view from those ocean front units is spectacular! The Papakea has 2 pools, 2 spas, a sauna, a putting green and 3 lighted tennis courts. The Kaanapali Shores directly next door has a very nice beach even at the higher tides, it%26#39;s just steps away. Even though Papakea does not have an on-site restaurant there is one next door at Kaanapali Shores and at the Kaanapali Beach Club. Another convenience is the Star Market directly across the street and a few restaurants in the mall to choose from plus one block north is the Okazuya Deli a VERY popular deli/ restaurant with large portions and good prices, a great place to get take-out and bring back and eat on the lanai.
It is only a short drive south to Kaanapali Beach and Whaler%26#39;s Village and Lahaina Town and about 5 minutes north is Kapalua Beach and Napili Beach, both great snorkeling and swimming beaches...Kapalua also has two world class golf courses, ziplines and many hiking trails. Papakea is a good central location for many fun activities. You may want to look at an aerial view on wizardpub to see what a beautiful resort it is and also take a look at Kaanapali Shores and see what a nice beach it has. Good luck!
Thanks to everybody for all the input. We have decided to go with the place at Menehune Shores. The views from that unit are amazing, the condo is remodeled and I double checked the description of that unit and it turned out that it has a/c in the living room and all bedrooms. Plus, I figured that we will be out quite a bit during the day, at the beach and touring, etc. so even without the a/c I think it would have been ok. The price on that unit is a bit less than some of the others and over several days, combined with a lower cleaning fee, that does add up. The saving should be enough to pay for our rental car while we are there. Now I just have to sort out what we are doing while we are on the island. Any recommendations about a luau? I was thinking of doing the one at the Polynesian Cultural Center when we are in Oahu but maybe we should wait until we are in Maui???? I guess I should go back and read some of the old posts.
in the bath tub
