Region: Maui Island

A semi-circular building with nice views north up the coast, especially rooms ending with 01 or 02. Though built in the mid-’70s, it’s clean, tidy, and they have nice extras such as a good front office, huge lawn area, putting green and shuffleboard. It’s a short walk to Keawakapu Beach. Two room layouts: 1/1 D units and 1/2 B & C units. B & C units are the best deal. Rooms ending in 03–06 overlook the pool, which may be a bit noisy. Overall, it’s a very nice place to stay because of the price and location. Some units have been upgraded, so ask for one. 1/1s or 1/2s are 504–680 sq. ft., 3-night minimum.

A large, sprawling condo complex (half are timeshares) with spacious, clean, well-furnished units, albeit at a hefty price. Layouts are pleasing, the kitchens are small, but the lanais are huge. Some units have distant ocean views. It was one of the earlier large south Kihei condos but is well maintained. For special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, etc., they can arrange chocolates, a cake or champagne. Weekly mai tai parties, lei making, putting green, bocce ball and shuffleboard. (Note that a few amenities will still cost you, such as room safes and use of their business center.) The 1/2s are 1,035 sq. ft., including lanai, 2/2s are 1,397 sq. ft., including lanai, 3/3s with loft are 1,695 sq. ft., including two lanais. Rates can have a huge range depending on unit type and season, but discounts are usually available online. 2-night minimum.

This condo is across the street from the ocean with some distant ocean views. The property is very pretty, elevated and quiet. Room décor varies but is acceptable. The units were built over a dozen years, and the older units are a bit dark. The higher up in the alphabet, the newer the buildings. The two-bedroom units have two layouts—one with a loft-style bedroom and the other is all on one level. Some units have free room safes. 1/2 units are 1,061 sq. ft. including lanai, 2/2 units are split level and 1,279 sq. ft. including lanai. 4- to 14-night minimum.

Across the street from Kama‘ole III Beach, these 10 condo buildings have some units with adequate views of the distant ocean, but most have garden views, which are very pretty, especially at night. Some have no views at all. With the keiki (kids) pool and a beach across the street, it’s a good place for kids. (How ironic that Kama‘ole means childless in Hawaiian.) The slate around the pool gets pretty hot on the feet. (We feel sorry for the poor hula dancers during the Wednesday pool parties, but the slate gets hosed down for them.)

The spiral staircase in the middle of the living room leading to top floor of some of the 2/2s is really… huge. Rooms are large, and most are nicely furnished. Large lanais on half; every other unit has a smaller lanai. Room safes are $2 (why not just include it in the resort fee?).

1/2 units are 818 sq. ft., 2/2 units are 1,036 sq. ft., 3/2 units are 1,188 sq. ft. 4-night minimum in winter. Rooms are almost always sold as a package.

This mid-’70s condo complex has distant partial ocean views at best (most are garden views). Building A townhomes sit closest to street noise, and foliage blocks most views. Building D has the best distant ocean views from upper floors. The variable and mediocre rooms feel a bit overpriced. Try to avoid units next to elevators because they are noisy and block the cooling breezes. The grounds are nothing much to speak of. At least it’s across the street from Kama‘ole II Beach. About half of the units have A/C. Studios are 429 sq. ft., 1/1s are 655 sq. ft., 2/2s are 879 sq. ft. Some units have been upgraded, so ask for one. 3-to 14-night minimum, depending on unit and season.

A collection of two- and three-story walk-up condos across the street from Kama‘ole II Beach, but the rooms are mostly garden view. Avoid the buildings closest to the beach (1–3) due to traffic noise. (Since it’s across the street from the water, closer to the beach also means closer to the road.) The buildings are cheap mid-’70s construction, but well maintained with nice grounds. The rooms are clean and functional; many have been updated. Washer/dryers in deluxe units (the rest use coin-op), A/C in some units. Room safes in some units. Still a decent price for the proximity to the beach. Nice folks here. Priced about what it’s worth. 1/1s are 650 sq. ft. 3- to 7-night minimum.