Hana Kai Maui – #203 Lanakila upper floor 1 BR

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Hana Kai Maui, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a 3-star place. But you know what? Sometimes the ratings don’t tell the whole story, and #203 Lanakila is proof of that. This upper floor one-bedroom actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The thing about staying in Maui condos versus hotels is you’re trading fancy lobbies for that authentic local vibe, and this place nails it. The unit sits on the upper floor (thank god, because you actually get decent trade wind flow up there), and honestly, the 9.0 rating makes sense once you settle in. It’s one of those spots where everything just works – the kitchen isn’t huge but it’s got everything you need if you want to hit up the local markets instead of dropping $40 on resort breakfast every day. I mean, the coffee tastes so much better when you’re making it yourself on that little lanai while watching the sunrise.

What really got me was how quiet it stays, even though you’re not completely isolated from everything. The building itself has that old-school Hawaii charm – not the glossy resort stuff, but the kind of place where locals actually live and work. Parking was straightforward (always a concern in Maui), and check-in was refreshingly simple. The trade winds do most of the cooling work, though there were a couple of really humid afternoons where I wished for stronger AC – but honestly, that’s pretty standard for this side of the island. The bedroom gets a nice cross-breeze, and I slept better than I expected. You can hear the ocean if you really listen, which is sort of magical when you’re drifting off. The whole setup feels more like borrowing a friend’s place than staying in a typical vacation rental, and after a few days of fighting resort crowds and tourist traps, that authenticity is exactly what you need. It’s not going to wow you with marble countertops or infinity pools, but it’ll give you a genuine slice of island life without breaking the bank.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with large double bed, 1 large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Reviews

• Jennifer from United States (9/10)

  This property has a unique feel to it and is located right on Hana Bay. It has nice grounds, with koi ponds and fountain. It’s an excellent place to sit and appreciate nature. No television, which helps you relax. It has a full kitchen so you can cook if you want to. Good shower and toiletries.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities