Maui Revealed - Honua Kai Resort & Spa

628 units, 3 pools, 4 spas, 2 free 24-hour fitness rooms, room service, valet parking, restaurant, 2 conference rooms, twice weekly maid service, day spa (planned at press time), washer/dryer in unit, resort-wide Wi-Fi, 42-inch flat screen HD tvs, Blu-ray dvd players, iPod docking stations, children’s program, bbqs. This 38-acre condo property was finished in 2010 and operates like a resort with all the amenities. Even though each unit is individually owned, all have the same type of furnishings. Many units are not rented out—they’re second homes for their owners—but a lot are. The condos themselves are furnished very luxuriously in a contemporary Hawaiian style, with service for 12 and even martini glasses and shakers. Bosch or Viking appliances throughout—everything a gourmet cook could want. They feel very spacious, like a second home, and all have queen sofa beds, so even a studio can sleep 4 comfortably. The lanais here are a real asset. The glass doors fold back all the way to become part of the main living space, but they also have optional screens (good for buggy nights). Lanais are giant—some as big as 3,200 sq. ft. (that’s larger than the unit itself). The baths rival the lanais and are spacious with separate deep soaking tubs and showers (except resort view studios, which have tub/shower combinations). The 2- and 3-bedroom units have two master baths and king beds, so two couples can easily share a unit, but one king can be split into two twins for families. Their beds and bedding match the quality of the units. The units are stocked with (organic) local products, sustainable soap and bath products.

There is a resort fee here of $25 that covers the fitness center, room safes, Internet, self or valet parking, local calls, and some poolside rental discounts. They have a kids’ program for $60 a day, which includes lunch. The fitness rooms are not overly large but have what you need. (But it can get hot, so don’t be afraid to open the doors.) There is a small market that has light fare and foodstuffs at resort prices.

Their beach is a real winner here. They’re on the southern end of Keka'a Beach, and the water is good for snorkeling about 100 feet out when calm. (Water shoes are recommended for the nearshore waters.) This is a really pretty stretch of sand, and the native plantings they have added make it feel like a great Hawaiian beach should feel. Their 3 pools have something for everyone, a meandering ohana (family) pool, a formal pool and a lap pool. Cabanas with 3 chairs by the pool are $35 per day and casabellas with 2 chairs are $25.

In all, we really like this place. It's similar to the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas but with a more relaxed, and less crowded feel. You definitely get more bang for your buck here. Note that our listed square footages do not include lanais, which start at 130 sq. ft. for a studio and go up to 3,200 sq. ft. for a 3/3 oceanfront unit. Studios (580–620 sq. ft.) are $529–$579, 1/1s (700–820 sq. ft.) are $479–$779, 2/2s (1,080–1,320 sq. ft.) are $779–$1,499, 3/3s (1,600–2,650 sq. ft.) are $899–$2,999. Discounts available.