Condos in Poipu Shores

Hotel Description

You know what’s funny about Poipu Shores? I’d driven past those low-rise buildings along the coast for years before I actually stayed there, and honestly, they just blend into the landscape so naturally that you almost don’t notice them from the road. But once you’re inside one of these condos, the whole game changes – suddenly you’re right there on the water with this incredible view that makes you wonder why anyone bothers with the big resort hotels down the beach.

The thing about staying here is that it actually feels like living in Poipu for a few days rather than just visiting. I mean, you’ve got a full kitchen (which is clutch when you hit up the fish market in Koloa and want to grill your own ahi), and the lanais are deep enough that you can sit outside even when it’s drizzling – which happens more than people expect on the south shore. The complex sits right on that rocky coastline where the waves crash pretty dramatically, especially during winter swells, though honestly the sound is more soothing than disruptive. What really got me was watching the sunrise from the bedroom – the light comes up over the water and just floods the whole condo in this golden glow that no hotel room I’ve stayed in has ever managed to capture.

The units themselves are sort of a mixed bag in terms of décor (depends on the individual owner), but the bones are solid and the ocean-facing spots are absolutely worth the extra cost. Parking’s easy, which is saying something in Poipu, and you’re close enough to walk to Brennecke’s Beach for boogie boarding or hit up the shops at Poipu Shopping Village without dealing with resort shuttle schedules. I actually prefer this setup to the big resorts because you get that local residential vibe – seeing the same joggers in the morning, chatting with the maintenance guys who know exactly which unit has the best snorkeling access. It’s not fancy in a marble-lobby kind of way, but there’s something really appealing about having your morning coffee while watching the green sea turtles surface just offshore, knowing you can do the exact same thing tomorrow without checking out.

Facilities