Barb was great! Very quick to reply to my initial request, promised follow-up info the next day and delivered promptly. All info about arrival procedure was super clear.
The apartment itself is as pictured, but there's an element you can't see in the photos: the cozy factor! We felt at home immediately. Because Barb lives here for part of the year herself, the apartment lacks for nothing. I like to cook breakfast when traveling, just a fun thing to do. Her kitchen was so well equipped, more so than any apartment or condo rental I've ever had. I will say, I've also stayed in rental apartments in Italy where the owner leaves too large a footprint and you feel a bit creepy that you're steeped in the midst of another person's home, where they haven't made space for renters (feels like you're unwelcome). :-/
This place strikes the perfect balance, it's cozy with all amenities, but you feel free to relax and enjoy. Barb's little notes are charming, very small but there when you need them. The lanai is so inviting in the morning! It's about a 10-minute walk from the back of the condo property to the main road, then if you head right/north and walk another 5-10 minutes, you'll come to start of the long string of successive pretty white sand beaches. Nice long walks on the beach were great from this location! A previous stay in Lahaina didn't yield this nice of a beach series within walking distance.
The condo complex is beautiful, a step (or several steps) above surrounding properties.
Some notes for anyone who is gluten sensitive or celiac:
the Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods grocery store right in Kihei has a phenomenal supply of delicious gluten free foods! Including "Pono Pies" made entirely from Maui-grown ingredients, indescribably delicious, you MUST have one! My boyfriend has no gluten sensitivity and he wanted one every day. And many more restaurants in the Kihei/Wailea area offer gluten-free menu items than here in Palo Alto CA, surprising.
Enjoy! Alooooha!