09-13-2007, 10:22 PM
We have stayed at a place called Papakea just north of Lahaina/Kaanapali several times. I think that it might qualify for your hidden gem. But, rent from an owner on vrbo.com or search Google for "Papakea owner". Following is what I've posted on another board about Papakea.
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As for the Papakea unit, we have stayed at this resort many times and love it. However, that unit is in a building farther away from the ocean than most of the others. Still, it's only about a minute walk from the building to actual ocean front. Another thing, the back side of the unit is closer to the parking lot than others in different buildings. You will will be able to see the ocean, the pictures on the web site appear accurate. The beach directly in front of Papakea disappears at high tide, but right next door begins a very nice beach in front of some other condos and hotels, which actually goes all the way to Kaanapali, if you want to walk that far (45 min to an hour at beach walk pace). Any more Papakea questions, feel free to ask.
To me, the beach is the best part about Papakea. Directly in front, the beach tends to disappear at high tide. However, right next door begins a very long and nice beach that goes all the way to Black Rock at Kaanapali. You could walk it in 45 minutes to an hour, depending how fast you stroll. On that beach are a few condos and a hotel, but the beach is public access. We have kids and have spent many hours playing on the beach and then accessing the shops/restaurants in the condos and hotel, and watching the sunset. When we want to go back to our Papakea unit, it's a 3-minute walk. Just as close as people who have units on that beach front. But, Papakea is significantly cheaper. Still, the grounds are well kept and it's a comfortable place. Each unit is individually owned, so you will get differences depending on when the last time it was that they remodeled.
Across the street is a full grocery store (Star Market) in a strip mall with a good italian restaurant, a dive shop, and other shops. Just down the street is a great fresh fish market. Papakea has barbecue units that you can use. I love fresh fish, so that's one thing I look forward to. By car, it's 5 minutes from Kaanapali and 10 minutes from Lahaina.
- - - - -
As for the Papakea unit, we have stayed at this resort many times and love it. However, that unit is in a building farther away from the ocean than most of the others. Still, it's only about a minute walk from the building to actual ocean front. Another thing, the back side of the unit is closer to the parking lot than others in different buildings. You will will be able to see the ocean, the pictures on the web site appear accurate. The beach directly in front of Papakea disappears at high tide, but right next door begins a very nice beach in front of some other condos and hotels, which actually goes all the way to Kaanapali, if you want to walk that far (45 min to an hour at beach walk pace). Any more Papakea questions, feel free to ask.
To me, the beach is the best part about Papakea. Directly in front, the beach tends to disappear at high tide. However, right next door begins a very long and nice beach that goes all the way to Black Rock at Kaanapali. You could walk it in 45 minutes to an hour, depending how fast you stroll. On that beach are a few condos and a hotel, but the beach is public access. We have kids and have spent many hours playing on the beach and then accessing the shops/restaurants in the condos and hotel, and watching the sunset. When we want to go back to our Papakea unit, it's a 3-minute walk. Just as close as people who have units on that beach front. But, Papakea is significantly cheaper. Still, the grounds are well kept and it's a comfortable place. Each unit is individually owned, so you will get differences depending on when the last time it was that they remodeled.
Across the street is a full grocery store (Star Market) in a strip mall with a good italian restaurant, a dive shop, and other shops. Just down the street is a great fresh fish market. Papakea has barbecue units that you can use. I love fresh fish, so that's one thing I look forward to. By car, it's 5 minutes from Kaanapali and 10 minutes from Lahaina.