My husband and I traveled to Maui in March of 2007. We stayed at the Napili Kai for ten days. To sum it up in one word it was phenomenal. The resort is very quaint, quiet, clean and beautifully cared for. Immaculate to be more specific! Our room was very clean, with wicker style furniture (typical for Hawaii) and had a beautiful view. We paid to stay oceanfront as it was our first trip to Maui. The pools were well cared for. No, there wasn't anyone serving us drinks while we relaxed on the beach or at the pool- we actually had to walk to get our own drink- but that was not what we were looking for. We didn't want the high rise hotel, crowded experience of Kaanapali Beach. We like to be removed from the crowds and like peace and quiet. That's exactly what we got at Napili Kai. We watched whales frolick from the pool in front of our unit and saw many fabulous sunsets. The grounds are beautiful with beautiful flowers all over the place. The beach on Napili Bay is one of the most beautiful on the island. Golden sand, swaying palms, blue water, great snorkeling and lots of sea life. What more could you ask for? I think if you are looking to be pampered and treated like a celebrity then you need to pay the bucks to go to Wailea or Kaanapali. If you are looking for true Hawaii then stay at the Napili Kai. I am very, very picky and I had not one complaint about this resort. After all, we were on vacation in Hawaii, what could we possibly complain about? I think people need to keep things in perspective. We loved our stay so much that we plan to return this November and we will definitely stay at our little secret paradise at Napili Kai.

Napili Kai 2nd class citizens

We were customers, not guests, of the Napili Kai from 3-1 thru 3-6. Previous reviews rave about the location and they must refer to the condo portion of the property. We arrived around 11pm and after a slow check-in headed to the room. The oceanview room on the first floor of the hotel portion was large, clean and the nicest of any I had visited in all of our three Maui trips. As mentioned before parking is a serious challenge and the spaces are almost too small to exit your car.

Morning began the downturn with the oceanview being a long way from the blue and behind the striped gazebo you see on the webpage. But the worst was to come. After an expensive breakfast at the Sea House we were going to sit on the lanai and enjoy ourselves when we realized we weren’t alone. Half the senior population of the property was having a putting tournament and they were close enough to hear and touch and you couldn’t ignore them. If that had been the only assault/tournament it would have been OK but if you’re in the hotel portion you share your view, your life and your peace with golfers all the time every day. Not acceptable for $300/day. Upper floor rooms were booked and that tells you that we weren’t the only ones wishing for a private vacation vs. a group outing with strangers.

Don’t expect solace from the Sea House restaurant. We went during “happy hour” which was a joke. First it was 2 to 5?? and there was no discount on drinks but the shrimp had dropped from two for $12 to two for $10. So if your life needs a $5 shrimp that costs $1.50 elsewhere the Sea House is your place. The happy hour myth was repeated by all servers at all meals.

Pros: nice beach with limited shade, the water, the grounds and the whales.
Cons: As pointed out in previous reviews the “in crowd” knows more than you do and it shows in timing, accommodations and beach space. No cabanas or umbrellas to rent. Hotel provides non-reclining beach chair and that is it. So your beach time is limited or perilous to your health.

We recently returned from Napili Kai in Maui. This makes our 3rd stay within 4 months!

This hotel keeps up with the Hawaiian tradition by having daily (except Sundays) gatherings for guest to learn various things about the culture. During our stay we learned about making lais from tea leaves and weaving baskets out of palm leaves.

Our first 2 stays we stayed on the ground floor ocean view room (#17 & #19). They were great and the access to the beach was literally steps away. Our 3rd visit we stayed in room 112 which is on the 2nd floor overlooking the small golf course and that was even better! The room was more spacious and the patio was private.

The beach is our favorite on the island. It spread out very far and its prestine. Great snorkeling and turtle watching (early in the morning). The Sea House restuarant (on property) is some of the best food we have had on the island. We ate there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of the meals were outstanding.

If you are looking for comfort, quiet, beauty, tradition and an awesome beach - Napili Kai is the place. This trip we never left the property because it was so nice. The staff gives personal, attentive service that is unmatched.

The hotel is next to a beautiful beach and the grounds are really well kept. If they would deal with the bugs without poisoning the guests and replace the restaurant chefs with people that can cook then this place would be perfect.

As I am sure you've noticed by reading reviews this place is inundated with bugs. We checked into our unit with a toddler and there were no bugs until the 2nd or 3rd day of our stay. On the the 3rd day the bugs started arriving and staying landing on anything they could, the bedside tables and filling any glass of water you set down. What worried me the most was the large bottle of pesticide they left for me and the absence of bugs the first two days. I think they sprayed the entire unit meaning my toddler probably ingested a bunch of bug spray. By the third day it had worn off and the bugs arrived and weren't going to leave until we vacated and they could spray the whole place again.

The restaurant at this place is horrible. All the food tastes like it was marinated in the same vat of mystery sauce and then over-cooked. The view is great and is the only redeeming quality of the restaurant.