Papakea L208

There isn't a sandy beach to lie on at the resort, but there's a big lawn with chairs and steps down to the water. We saw turtles, an octopus, and all kinds of fish there. Sunsets over Lanai and rainbows over Molokai were a regular sight. The grounds crew keep up with the leaves, so the place always looks immaculate. Staff were as helpful as you could hope for, and there’s an ABC store across the parking lot, a grocery store a block away, grills around the property, a food truck park nearby, and some nice restaurants. It’s a great base on the west side and well worth the money. I’ve stayed here twice, once before covid and again just leaving today, and both visits were great. The VRBO owners we dealt with were wonderful. Our D-109 unit was fully updated and had everything we could want, including both drip coffee and a Keurig. The bed was comfortable, with plenty of towels and linens for our two-week stay. She also provided snorkel gear, beach chairs and umbrellas, ice chests, games, books, and beach towels. There’s tennis and pickleball, shuffleboard, putt putt, two pools, two hot tubs, and yoga and swimmercise classes. Our extended family booked five condos, and everyone loved them. It seems like some bad experiences may have come from booking through a certain company.

There isn't a beach on the property, but the pool area is immaculately maintained and there are plenty of spots to settle into a lounger and enjoy the views. A beach is a short walk away, though it gets rocky in places once you're in the surf. We grilled dinner one night and played on the pickleball courts. Restaurants and shops are fairly close, and I'd stay here again if I return to Maui. We spent Christmas here with my family in an upper-floor condo with a gorgeous view. The condo was great, with a nice kitchen and balcony where we enjoyed eating outside. The bedroom air conditioner was a bit noisy, but it wasn't a big deal.

The condos are individually owned and date from the 70s, so how updated they are depends on what's been done. Ours was a corner unit with a great ocean view. The shower and toilet area was small but adequate. The location is great, right by the ocean and within walking distance of restaurants and stores. The grounds are beautiful and very well kept.

The shared areas are well cared for, the pool is heated to 29C, and the grills work and are well lit. Staff were very friendly. There isn't a beach right in front, though a couple are within walking distance. This is an old development, and units seem to vary a lot, so look closely at the photos and reviews before booking. Our unit had a kitchen and bathroom renovation, but the work wasn't done well. Cupboards and drawers don't close properly, and a new shower fixture hangs beside the broken one it replaced. The finish looks rough around the edges, even though it looks good in photos. Parts that haven't been updated are seriously worn. Some screens are missing or torn. Closet doors, windows, and sliding balcony doors are hard to move. The AC doesn't work well, though it blows slightly cool air. The mattress has dips where people sleep and needs replacing, and the dryer wouldn't start. When we arrived, the cleaner smell was overpowering. Opening the windows and washing all the bedding helped. The floor had been swept but wasn't clean, since our bare feet quickly turned black. The mattress cover and pillows were stained.