106 Kaanapali Shores Pl, Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | (888) 635-3814
Located on the beach, near the airport and Lahaina
All rooms have kitchens and most have spectacular views
Peaceful swimming pool with hot tub
Daily coffee service in the lobby
Free on-site parking and free Wi-Fi
On-site coin-operated laundry facilities
Hotel beach submerged during high tide
No full restaurant on-site
Some units could use a refresh
The Maui Kai is a solid mid-range choice at the northern end of Kaanapali Beach, a short jaunt from Lahaina. Contemporary rooms come in studio, one-, and two-bedroom configurations and have fully equipped kitchens; most also have sweeping ocean views. There's a swimming pool with a hot tub and guests have direct access to the beach, although it's known to disappear during high tide. Frills are few and far between, but rates are reasonable and parking and Wi-Fi are free.
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Scene
Value, beachside hotel
The ambience at the Maui Kai is laid back and casual. It's more geared towards adult travelers than to families and it's close enough to the airport and to Lahaina to be a good choice for business travelers. Common areas have a 1980s-feel and verge on the generic. Lobby decor features the kitschy style common to the Hawaiian islands -- think bamboo furniture with tropical patterned cushions. A wall of lava rock adds a bit of texture to otherwise plain interiors.
Location
On the northern end of Kaanapali Beach, a 10-minute drive from Lahaina
The Maui Kai is located on the northern end of Kaanapali Beach, a 10-minute drive from Lahaina. It's dwarfed by an enormous hotel next door and there are a few shops and bars nearby as well as a grocery store for stocking the in-room kitchens. The Kapalua Airport is a six-minute drive away. It has a small beach, but the sand is known to disappear at high tide.
Rooms
Range of rooms, all with kitchens and some with excellent ocean views
Rooms at the Maui Kai range from studio-style Junior Suites to two-bedroom condos that sleep up to six people. Decor is simple but more up-to-date than what's found in common areas, with wooden furniture and linens in muted shades of beige, gray, and green. All rooms have fully equipped kitchens and come with free Wi-Fi, DVD players with free DVDs for guests to borrow, and iPod docks. Modern bathrooms have large mirrors and glass-enclosed walk-in showers. The ocean views from many of the rooms get rave reviews; the corner room on the fifth floor is reported to have especially impressive views. Some units could use a refresh.
Features
Small pool with hot tub and direct beach access during low tide
There's not much in terms of amenities at the Maui Kai beyond a small pool with lounge chairs and a hot tub, and a tiny laundry room. The property does offer direct access to the beach, though this is sometimes compromised during high tide, and there's not much sand to speak of during certain times of year when the tides come in. Wi-Fi is free throughout, as is parking.
