Our family of four adults loved staying at Hale O Kapena between Christmas and New Year's. It was perfect for the type of vacation we wanted. We were delighted to find such a clean and comfortable place. It was tastefully decorated and everything about the layout worked well for us. All three bedrooms and two bathrooms are upstairs, so our early-birds were able to start their day without bothering the late-risers. Our daughter planned on doing some cooking (Yes, there are people who enjoy such things!) and found the kitchen had all the equipment needed with some basic staples in the pantry. The kitchen island made a great place to gather for chit-chat while enjoying breakfast. The living area sectional was comfortable spot to enjoy our time together, take in some bowl games and sleepily plan our next day's activities,
The view out back is a beautifully landscaped yard which, even though shared with neighboring units, felt private and the patio was a great place to relax with morning coffee. We also made use of the gas grill for burgers and brats at that beautiful table.
The whole community was very quiet. Other people were out and about so we didn't feel isolated but there certainly weren't the crowds we noticed at other parts of the island. It is gated which made it feel safe and traffic noise was virtually non-existent. There are three pools, tennis courts and a smallish playground available but we didn't make use of any of them. The pool overlooking the ocean is designated as a quiet area, so it looked like a great place for reading or a quiet soak. We found the clubhouse's patio and adjacent greenspace to be the perfect spot for quiet conversation or personal reflection while taking in the fresh ocean air. There is access to the ocean near the pool but it is a very rocky shoreline and it is mostly guarded by a large, beautiful hedge.
We rented a car and found it necessary. Lahaina town with its shops, harbor, sight-seeing and fishing boats, as well as the grocery stores were all just a short drive but probably a bit further than we would have wanted to walk. Several beaches/parks were also just a few minutes down the road. We found the location to be a great starting point to explore the various offerings of the island.
Alex was a gracious host and his recommendation for Bakery Lahaina was spot-on. We were well-informed about what to expect prior to arrival and checked to make sure everything was ok.
Overall, Hale O Kapena is a wonderful place for a quiet relaxing stay or as a comfortable base for an adventurous vacation.