We loved our stay at Hale Kamaole 311. I have almost all praise with a couple criticisms at the end.
Here are all the amazing things about it:
1. Location--The complex is right across the street from Kamaole Beach Park 3. It is fun--has great beaches, lifeguards if you like that, and a fabulous lawn for hanging out or playing frisbee if the wind is too crazy. Also, you are just north of Wailea which is fancy (too fancy, I think), but quieter than Kihei. As a result, Hale Kamaole is a little less in the crazy. Also, if you are a runner, there are great neighborhood runs if you go towards Wailea, and great beach runs. On that note--our FAVORITE beach is just .75 miles south of the condo. It is called Keawakapu Beach. Park at Kiholana parking lot, cross at the cross walk, and look for the path that goes between buildings. This is a less crowded beach that goes on for about .75 mile. Awesome surf, fancy houses to look at, and beautiful views of Molikini crater and a cool cinder cone south on the coast. Also, you are walking distance from the boat launch so if you spring for a tour (we did Blue Water Rafting, and it was an AWESOME adventure if you like smaller and more rustic). You can also walk north to some shops and food.
2. Amenities--my favorite amenity is the pool! My kids who are between 11 and 17 could go swimming, and I could see them from the lenai. I also REALLY appreciated having a washer and dryer.
3. Aesthetics and Special Touches--this particular unit feels loved and updated. There is nothing shabby or unloved about it. It has a sweet boho aesthetic with wonderful touches. The materials are lovely--tile, wood, granite counters etc. Then it has a COMFY couch and chair, pretty dinner table, blankets, candles, and earthy wall hangings. I felt at home and happy there. My kids ate 20 zillion mini-waffles.
I could go on and on, because we seriously had a dream vacation in Maui. Here are the drawbacks that could be deal-breakers for you, depending on your needs--
1. There is no central air conditioning. The condo is HOT. There are window units in the bedrooms. They can get the rooms cold, but the complex is not insulated, so they have to run a lot and they are LOUD. You can set a thermostat, and the AC will work to get there and shut off, then literally go on again 30 seconds later. The thing woke me up a lot as it surged on, but I am a light sleeper. The bed was SO comfy though, so I was fine! The rest of the unit is HOT. Because of the angle of the unit, we couldn't catch too much cross breeze. I love the heat, and my family didn't care. If they needed to be cool, they'd go in a bedroom. However, if you cook at night, it did get a bit intense (well over 80 degrees in there). I would rent this same unit again, but I figure for some others, this would be a problem.
2. Maui is crazy crowded (this is not the condo's fault, obviously). We are from Alaska and love wild spaces. Wild spaces are all over Maui, but they are CROWDED with people. We did find wild and not-crowded spaces by accident (the Kahekili Highway--don't do this unless you are brave. Do your research!).
Okay! Well enjoy your vacation. Hawaii is full of contradictions--wild lands and faux landscaping, insane wealth and pervasive homelessness, raw ancient culture and commodified colonialism. I'm still wrapping my head around it all. But the beauty. Oh my gosh. It has moved me.