Kamaole Sands 1101

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in Kihei, and Kamaole Sands 1101 honestly surprised me in the best way. You know how sometimes you book a condo online and cross your fingers it’ll actually match the photos? Well, this one delivered — and then some. The minute you walk into unit 1101, you get why people keep coming back to this complex year after year.

What really got me was the view situation. I mean, you’re on the 11th floor (hence the unit number, obviously), so you’re looking out over Kamaole Beach Park III, which locals just call Kam III. It’s actually the perfect beach if you’re not into fighting crowds at Wailea or dealing with the parking nightmare at Big Beach. From the lanai, you can literally watch people setting up their beach chairs in the morning and see the sunset paint everything golden in the evening — honestly, we ended up eating dinner out there most nights because the view was just too good to waste. The trade winds hit you just right at that height too, so even on those sticky August days, there’s always a breeze.

The condo itself feels like someone actually lives there, not like those sterile hotel rooms where everything’s bolted down. The kitchen’s got real appliances — I’m talking a full-size fridge and a dishwasher that actually works — which saved us a fortune since we could hit up Foodland for groceries instead of eating out every meal. The living room’s got this worn-in comfort that makes you want to sprawl out after a day at the beach, and the bedroom stays surprisingly cool even without cranking the AC all night. I will say the shower pressure could be better (island life, right?), but the bathroom’s got plenty of space to spread out your stuff.

What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays up there. The complex can get a bit lively around the pool area during peak season — families with kids, you know — but on the 11th floor, you’re removed from all that. Plus, the parking situation is actually manageable, which anyone who’s driven around Kihei during tourist season will tell you is basically a miracle. You’re also right across from the beach, so no need to load up the car every time you want to hit the sand. And if you want to venture out, you’re like five minutes from all the Kihei action — restaurants, shops, that whole scene — but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the South Kihei Road traffic noise.

The whole place just works, honestly. It’s got that relaxed island vibe without feeling run-down, and the 4-star rating feels about right — comfortable and well-maintained without being fancy enough to make you nervous about tracking sand inside. I’d definitely book it again, especially for that view and the fact that you can actually unpack and settle in instead of living out of a suitcase.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 2 single beds, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities