We stayed during Spring Break for 5-6 days. For 2 college students in the bustling city, this was a nice change of pace.
After comparing initial listings with other Airbnb and hotel rooms, the benefits/amenities seem to be worth the price.
Was it pricy? Yes. Was it the most expensive? No. But was it worth it? HECK YES.
First off, the location is not too bad honestly (Of course, depends on where you travel to). We were located right above Kihei. It was an easy and fast journey down to Wailea. Entrances to the highways up to Kahului and Laihana were nearby. Due to construction at the time, there was heavy traffic in the evenings. The specific room was basically at the very end of the residential complex (hidden away in a quiet corner). Lots of parking spaces no matter the time.
The location was challenging to enter. (We were not used to the traffic, construction, and road etiquette at first). With basically only 2 main roads and highways, there were a lot of long waits. But then again, it made mapping out commutes easier and streamlined for our excursions around Maui. 2-way lanes, and only 1 option: go straight. If you miss the turn, then you missed it. Loop around again. [ DO NOT CONFUSE KIHEI BAY SURF (us) and KIHEI RESORT (not us).] Look out for the traffic cone and pedestrian crossing. Use that as a landmark on when/where to turn.
There is a lot of food within minutes of the Airbnb. (way too many to list. But basically, you have grocery stores, supplies, restaurants, nightlife, beaches, Ululani, conventional fast food, shopping plaza, etc)
The apartment feels like a home to all the guests and we love the "Pay it Forward" concept! It is quite convenient to have some necessary supplies without needing to shop for large portions of them, and having to regret disposing of them due to not being allowed to bring them back on the plane. Plus, the more and more guests come, the more supplies can be passed on and shared. It cuts costs and helps future visitors have a general idea of what they should be expecting/packing.
We are very appreciative of the cleanliness of the bathroom, and the big shower space! The bathroom architecture/interior design was very clean and nicely refurbished. We found multiple supplies and a hair dryer that was readily available. The shower is tiled. It is clean. The toilet is clean and new. Giant vanity mirror. The sink is quite modern, but the way it is designed, any debris is sometimes hard for water to wash out/drain through upon the first rinse. The kitchen actually provided more than the basic essentials (utensils, plates, cups, bowls, cutting boards, pans, etc.). We were very happy to see such standards. (Even though we never did use it in the end). The Brita filter inside the fridge was the "cherry on top." We were told that Hawaii's water was much cleaner/treated, and the community focuses a lot on cleanliness and being environmentally friendly. That is amazing!
(I cannot stress this enough. The place is CLEAN and well-organized !!!! )
The decoration was floral, bright, and homey. Ceiling fans, AC unit, sliding balcony door with mosquito net, ventilating windows, high ceiling in the living room area. Multiple types of lighting (bright white LED at kitchen cabinets/counter, or dimmed yellow lights). All front doors have a metal mesh guard, to allow for ventilation to travel through the room. At the front, there is a small wooden crate to place dirty shoes, in order to keep the house clean. (We always bring indoor flip flops to keep our feet clean, regardless. Family home ettituette).
The IKEA furniture, sofa, chairs, tables, nightstands, and the closet area was very much appreciated. Surprisingly, the weather was not as hot as we expected. The AC and ceiling fans helped made sleeping more comfortable. The curtains were dual-layered (allowing privacy, or partial natural lighting). The balcony has a small table and a trunk full of beach accessories and chairs. (There was grass matting to protect our feet when walking onto the balcony). For our preference, the bed was really oversized! But the complimentary extra pillows and blankets were not gone unnoticed. It's kind of a bit quirky for the safe lockbox. It does work. The closest area provided ironing boards, lots of hangers, and extra beach blankets and towels. The wifi was pretty ok. Slow at times or could not connect. A good 85%. Lots of electrical outlets.
Lastly, I cannot express how much gratitude for the giant binder. Instructions were clear, simple, and easy to follow. The guidelines, rules, and policies were labeled clearly and easy to find. Extra tips and resources were extremely beneficial.
(If the long extensive, detailed email upon booking was not enough, it is repeated again).
The cardboard warning made us extremely cautious. Luckily, no bugs whatsoever during our 5-6 day stayover.
This house went over the 200% expectations. It honestly felt like our own house back at home. So lucky to have chosen this Airbnb with great hosts, rather than a hotel room. Reading the diary with previous visitors' reviews really ensured confidence, reputation, communication, and standards with these hosts.