Maui Wailea beachfront condo recommendation ?

[bebe]

PS'ers I know you guys can help me out ! I'm trying to find a beachfront condo to rent for a vacation. After several trips to Maui, I think we want to try something different than a resort. So, does anyone have any experience with a condo in the Wailea area of Maui? We want true beachfront, water access. Ya know, wake up and walk out to the beach kinda thing. And aren't there some condos that share the beach and amenities with some of the hotel resorts? That would be nice as well as being in walking distance to the shops and restaurants nearby. Any ideas ?

 

[Aoife]

We love Maui, and South Maui (Wailea, Makena, Kihei) is our favorite part of the island. For easy access to the Wailea walkway, and beachfront, look at Wailea Elua, Wailea Ekahi, Wailea Beach Villas, and Polo Beach Club. The only one of these we haven't stayed at is Polo Beach Club, but it's on our list. They all have pros and cons, depending on what your priorities are.

Links to reputable property management companies:

http://www.drhmaui.com/
http://www.aliiresorts.com/

Many VRBO listings are actually placed by these or other property-management companies.

Pre-vetted direct-to-owner website:

http://mauiownercondos.com/

I'd love to hear what you decide, because we love the convenience of staying in a condo, sitting out on the lanai watching the sun go down with an adult beverage within easy reach. Bliss....

 

[bebe]

Aoife, the Polo Beach Club was one that kept popping up in my searches. It looks like it might be more private or maybe at the end of the beach area - dunno? And maybe close to a walkway that connects to adjacent beach resorts?

Thanks for the links - I will check those out now!

 

[Aoife]

The Wailea beach walkway ends at Polo Beach Club, so it's got great access to all of the resorts.

Is this trip just for you and your DH, or will there be children along? I'm asking, because the big downside for Polo Beach Club (aside from the fact that it's a higher-rise building, which a lot of people don't like) is that the beach there is notorious for having a ferocious riptide. People have drowned off that beach, so if you have children along, or if you and your travel companions aren't extremely strong swimmers/experienced with ocean safety I suggest you approach swimming at that beach with caution.

Let me know if you have any questions about any of the properties, or if you would like some specific recommendations.

I love Maui (did I already say that?) and really enjoy helping people find their favorite place on the island.

 

[bebe]

It will be just DH and I but that dangerous beach sounds like a no go for me! We like to snorkel but in calm waters!
I will continue searching. It's hard because I'm wading through condo listings searching for that elusive ground floor,
beachfront unit

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

You have been the advice I would have provided....perhaps to include the "The Palms". My sister has a house nearby and made these same recommendations. I will be there for a month this summer. I looked at the big Hotels that have condo's on their property that owner's rents out, but found for the length of time we were staying it was cost prohibitive. And many were already fully committed. Popular area and I know many families who stay here annually.

I did a pretty extensive search and found my criteria easily eliminated many properties outright. First we needed two bedrooms--fully separated bedrooms--not rooms separated by a folding door. Next we wanted non-smoking, AC in every room, and the condo had to have been recently reno'd. Having a walk out onto the beach was not a necessity for me, but are lucky in that we have an ocean view and the beach is just two floors down....

When I called rental agencies I found them very responsive--quick info turn around. Some lovely properties out there...I eventually settled on one found through VRBO.

Good luck!

cheers--Sharon

 

[canuk-gal]

It will be just DH and I but that dangerous beach sounds like a no go for me! We like to snorkel but in calm waters!
I will continue searching. It's hard because I'm wading through condo listings searching for that elusive ground floor,
beachfront unit

I found one several months ago...see if I have that old email...

 

[Aoife]

There are some gorgeous units at The Palms, but the property is definitely not beachfront, if that is what you are looking for, Bebe. The beach access from there is across the street and down a ways to Keawakapu Beach, right beside Ekahi.

I'm not sure what your nightly budget is, but prime oceanfront units at Elua during peak season will run around $1000 a night before taxes and additional fees. For Wailea Beach Villas during peak times the prices will run from $2500 per night to over $4000 for the villas closest to the beach--the Penthouse units are less. Ekahi will be a bit cheaper, with prices for the units closest to the beach somewhere around $500---unless you're looking at a studio, which would be less. Ekahi is one of the few Wailea properties that actually has studios. Of course, it also isn't directly on the Wailea Beach Walk, either. You have to walk along the beach for a bit before you hit the walkway.

If you would consider staying in another location, Hale Hui Kai, or Hale Pau Hana in Kihei have the "walk onto the beach" feeling you are looking for, and are within walking distance of quite a few good restaurants. For the absolute best condo to beach access, I'd also look at Makena Surf, although that's not on the Wailea Beach Walk.

Canuk-gal, I am so envious of your sister!

 

[canuk-gal]

There are some gorgeous units at The Palms, but the property is definitely not beachfront, if that is what you are looking for, Bebe. The beach access from there is across the street and down a ways to Keawakapu Beach, right beside Ekahi.

I'm not sure what your nightly budget is, but prime oceanfront units at Elua during peak season will run around $1000 a night before taxes and additional fees. For Wailea Beach Villas during peak times the prices will run from $2500 per night to over $4000 for the villas closest to the beach--the Penthouse units are less. Ekahi will be a bit cheaper, with prices for the units closest to the beach somewhere around $500---unless you're looking at a studio, which would be less. Ekahi is one of the few Wailea properties that actually has studios. Of course, it also isn't directly on the Wailea Beach Walk, either. You have to walk along the beach for a bit before you hit the walkway.


Canuk-gal, I am so envious of your sister!

So am I! Will you also be there this summer Aoife?

Sorry for the hijack Bebe--but I did not find the link to that beach walk out condo I referred to earlier...

cheers--Sharon

 

[Aoife]

So am I! Will you also be there this summer Aoife?

Sorry for the hijack Bebe--but I did not find the link to that beach walk out condo I referred to earlier...

cheers--Sharon

I wish we were, but unfortunately not. We were there in March, and will be there again in October, but that seems like a very long time away. I hope you have a wonderful time (of course you will, it's Maui!), and don't forget to check out the Swap Meet, if you haven't already.

 

[asscher_girl]

If you're open to the edge of Wailea/Kihei, also check out Kihei Surfside and the Mana Kai. They are right on the main beach that you can walk all the way to all of the great Wailea resorts. Both have pools, Mana Kai has a great restaurant called the 5 Palms. Wailea's beach front is mainly full of private property or large resorts. Not a ton of beach front condo options there.

The Palms is great as well, but it isn't beach front. There is a path pretty close though so you can get to the beach pretty easily but if you want to bring beach chairs, a cooler, etc, it's a bit of a haul.

Have fun, Kihei is like my second home, we visit several times a year

 

[sonnyjane]

Oooooh DH and I were married in Wailea (Po'oelenalena Beach to be specific) five years ago. Have fun!

 

[canadagirl]

We've been to Maui many times - truly "paradise on earth"! if you're open to the idea of staying on the Kihei side, you might want to try Menehune Shores or Koa Lagoon - two condos right next to each other where you can walk right out on the beach. The morning walks are amazing and they play the conch shell every evening at sunset. Further along (towards Makena), you have Sugar Beach - also a great place to stay with walk outs right on to the beach. As for beaches, Charlie Young (sp?) beach is where all the locals go and it is the best swimming around. Hope this helps - and wherever you stay, have an awesome time! I am envious!!!