August 2024
Great location! Can’t beat the view from lanai! Unit is comfortable, but unfortunately overdue for an upgrade. Popcorn ceiling texture is peeling - hope it’s not asbestos. Kitchen spoons, forks, etc are like tin. Corkscrew doesn’t work. Someone’s bathing suit was left hanging on bathroom door. Shower control needs work. A suitcase rack would be handy.
Wayne K.
July 2024
Well located, easy access, on-site parking (but very narrow parking spaces, best for smaller cars). Nicely decorated, very clean. Many beach accessories available in condo - nice not to have to buy for temporary use.
Angela C.
July 2024
Ellen was very easy to communicate with and the booking/check in/check out process were very easy. The view was great!
Joseph C.
June 2024
We were very pleased with our stay at the lovely and peaceful Mele Moana. The kitchen had everything you could want to prepare meals and we especially appreciated the availability of beach towels, chairs and umbrellas. The location is within walking distance of the beautiful Poipu Beach where we saw sea turtles and seals. We would defiantly stay there again.
Susan F.
June 2024
Beautiful view from the balcony and living room. Easy walk to beautiful beaches. Near good dining. Near good shopping. Condo dated, but great option for cost.
Andre O.
October 2023
Hi, Ellen.
Thank you very much for the stay.
Incredible views! It was spectacular to be at your place during the last blue moon. Would on have to turn my head to watch the moon set on the ocean while laying on the bed.
If I were to suggest something, I would say:
1. Your place is so spectacular that I would suggest a light remodeling if you can.
2. I would not keep old food in the fridge from previous gets. Some dry spices at the cabinetry only.
3. Did miss that welcome coffee and a small bottle of water that most VRBO places have.
Just my candid suggestions.
Thank you very much.
Aloha
Janet and Ashok S.
August 2023
We enjoyed our stay! This rental has a great ocean view and is conveniently within walking distance to both Poipu and Brennecke Beach. We saw turtles, monk seals, and fish at Poipu, which is a very calm beach and great for snorkeling (note that the ocean floor is very rocky here). Brennecke is a sand bottom beach with high surf and was great for body-boarding.
The only negative (which we were warned about by the host) was that we had trouble getting into the driveway without scraping the underside of our rental car. Even so, the scrapping was pretty negligible and went unnoticed when we returned the rental car, but just something to note.
mary c.
July 2023
This was a great spot to stay. Plenty of space for two people. Beaches within walking distance and grocery within a 5 minute drive. Our favorite part was the balcony. We spent every morning drinking our coffee and eating our breakfast on the balcony. Beautiful view!!!! The photos do not do it justice. No complaints. Great communication, very clean, parking spot included, and no loud neighbors. South Kauai is the best place to stay.
Lisa R.
June 2023
We loved that we saw turtles from the lanai. I used to live Kauai and brought my granddaughter for college grad gift.
Went up to Koke and Kalalau lookout, kauai cookie factory, HoloHolo Sunset tour for a marvelous view of Nepali coastline hula pie at Keoki’s twice🍰
Great pizza place in Koloa town
Thanks for the great accommodations, in a walkable area.
Mahalo nui loa
May 2023
The property was a great location with a great view of the ocean. The owner was very helpful and easy to work with.
Allen N.
May 2023
We will return
April 2023
Spacious room, with all amenities as listed. Good location, walk to Poipu Park/beach and easy access to the Poipu area.
Chris P.
April 2023
Great view of the water. Ate many meals on the lanai. Watched whales from the lanai. Short walk to the beach with some good snorkeling. Walks along the shore past the Grand Hyatt Hotel and along the cliffs out to the cave reserve and beyond.
A central location to visit all parts of the island from. When we go back to Kauai we will surely look to stay here again. Everything the two of us neede to make this a perfect anniversary 11 day holiday.
Jipar D.
March 2023
If you want to wake up for an amazing ocean view every morning, rent this property! It is clean, comfortable, has all the necessities, the location cannot be beat. The owner is quick tk respond. We spent lovely few days there and would like to go back again next year.
Timothy M.
March 2023
I'll never forget the moment we arrived right at sunset. Opening the door and seeing the pinks and oranges in the sky right in front of you out of the balcony door over looking the sea. It was beautiful to wake up to the sound of the ocean every morning and drink my coffee on balcony. My partner and I had a great time enjoying the place and south side of Kauai. Our host was helpful in getting us checked in quickly and providing directions.
Richard M.
February 2023
Great view! We saw a couple of whales from the Lanai. Older building, but the unit had everything you needed.
Jonina F.
January 2023
Right in the heart of Poipu, the location can’t be beat! We enjoyed seeing the turtles and seals on the beach. Rented a car, and having the parking spot on property was key. Easy to get other places from Poipu. Note there’s no A/C in the unit, and some of the box fans could use replacing (she also has a couple ceiling fans). Fully stocked kitchen, made it easy to make breakfasts and other snacks. The cups in the freezer are a brilliant idea. And she has coolers and ice packs for you to use when you’re packing drinks and food for the day. Stunning ocean and sunset views from the balcony. Older building/unit, so you get what you’re paying for. Shower curtain and towels (including beach) could use replacing too. Overall, wonderful stay and accommodating host.
Colleen L.
December 2022
Spent an amazing 8 days at Ellen’s place. The condo had everything we could ever need for our stay. It was awesome to whale watch right on the lanai! This place is definitely on our list of rebooks! Mahalo!
Mark&Laurie H.
November 2022
Great spot to have coffee on the lanai and listen to the waves. The view was stunning. This one bedroom unit is vintage for sure, but it doesn’t lack comfortable bedding, and all you would need for making breakfast before a day of Kauai adventure.
The host was great to communicate with and made every attempt to keep us looped in and verify our comfort. She was there when we needed her but left us to enjoy our trip. Affordable Kauai is tough to find but this older ocean front view property may be the last of that kind. Thanks for a great 8 days… we miss the sounds of the ocean lulling us to sleep already.
Diane F.
November 2022
Do not like VRBO surprising extra fee!
Pamela L.
October 2022
Loved it and will return
Charming vintage condo
All the amenities
Gracious hostess
Carla R.
October 2022
Loved the views, ocean breezes, sounds of surf, and proximity to beaches, etc. Ellen’s decor was wonderful—made us feel we were in Hawaii 24/7. Looking forward to visiting again in winter months, when the whales are there, and when we have more time to explore all the wonderful attractions in Kauai.
Meg F.
October 2022
Overall, we very much enjoyed our stay. The view was amazing, the bed and ocean breeze were delightful, the pool was clean and refreshing and Ellen was very responsive. The unit needs some work and is a little run down. Kauai is so beautiful and the location was great with a lot of restaurants and shopping nearby.
Allison H.
September 2022
The property had a great location with a terrific view. It was clean, well-stocked and fully met our needs. Ellen was very helpful and responsive.
Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Mashon T.
September 2022
No problems. Quiet. Everything you need for a great vacation.
Kathy R.
September 2022
The ocean surrounds you at this property and that adds to the relaxation factor. It’s an easy walk to the beach and we made the short drives to all of the top local views and hikes. Everything you could possibly need is provided and, just reading the reviews, potential renters realize this is not a shiny new condo and that didn’t bother us. If it were, it’d probably be out of our budget range. If you come here, make sure you go to Brenneke’s beach to watch the large turtles come out of the water just before sunset. Magical.
Kristin H.
July 2022
The check-in process was odd - the property owner had us call to get the lockbox code when we were physically at the unit rather than just sending it - seems unnecessary. She was accommodating in that we were a bit early and when asked, she checked with her housekeeper to see if we could get in sooner than 3:00, which was nice.
While the description isn’t explicitly misleading, it leaves out a few things. The lanai does face the ocean & has a lovely view; however, the term “private” is relative. No one else can be in the same 50 sq. ft. as you, but it faces all the other lanais in the other wing of the building. In general, this wasn’t bad, but listening to a neighbor hack up some serious phlegm every morning & evening made it a bit more challenging to enjoy.
The unit itself is described as “retro,” but it’s more that it just has not been updated in a very long time. Cleanliness hasn’t been a priority, either - the door into the bathroom was brown from finger/handprints on the edge, and there are a couple of large stains on the carpet. The ceiling fan in the bedroom is damaged on the blades & is definitely in need of replacement. The furnishings & decorations were probably cute at one point, but now they’re just tired & faded. One of the portable fans was broken, and at least two of the power outlets in the BR weren’t fully functional - only one plug was working in each. Several areas on the lanai floor and on the front door appear to be bubbling & peeling. Whoever painted the kitchen last seems to have been in a hurry - hinges painted on, etc.
The beds were comfy, and the linens were clean, as was the kitchen.
I was baffled by the community pool - it closes at 8:00, but then has a super-bright color-changing LED light that comes on shortly after closing, shining into the BR on the ceiling - can’t keep the curtains closed, as you need the breeze.
Over all, it was fine - good location, but I don’t think I would stay again.
Barbara M.
July 2022
We enjoyed everything about our trip to Kauai!!! The condo location is absolutely perfect, the view is amazing,, and the pool is refreshing. The owner was helpful and efficient with all information. We highly recommend staying here and we would definitely stay again!
Gregory T.
June 2022
I would again
Lisa W.
June 2022
Ellen was awesome. We had traveling trouble and got in a day late. She offered for us to stay an extra night since she didn’t have anyone staying the next night.
It’s a very quiet place, and has an amazing view of the ocean. There is a beach where you can swim and snorkel and a bar/restaurant within walking distance. Perfect location!
Crystal H.
May 2022
Owner was lovely to work with. Condo had all needs for the kitchen, cozy interior, and nice location. The walk to the beach was down a small hill, turtles and whales seen there while the kids had a blast boogie boarding. Drawbacks we would say the pool is not exactly kid friendly(maybe adults only would be ideal here), and the beds were not very comfortable unless you like a FIRM spring bed.
Jody R.
May 2022
There is so much to love about the island, and staying at Mele Moana made it easy to relax, recharge, and have fun day after day. The sound of the waves and the fabulous breezes through the airy condo were perfect. Facilities are more than complete, because everything provided by the owner is thoughtful. Views and ocean joy await on the linai, beaches and food within walking distance, and a parking place gave us everything we wanted. Mahalo!
keirsten h.
April 2022
You’ll love it here. We got to meet the cleaning person and a neighbor and both were so sweet!
Candace R.
March 2022
Great view of the ocean, sat on the lanai watching the whales and dolphins. Loved falling asleep and awakening to the sound of waves. This property is in a great location.
Daniel E.
March 2022
I’ll be back!
brittany p.
March 2022
We loved our stay in this property. Great location, close to beaches and resturants. Came with everything we would need for a great beach day. Enjoyed seeing whales from the balcony in the morning. I would definitely recommend!
Darlene E.
February 2022
We had a great stay in Poipu! The condo was very nice and Ellen provided everything that we would need for our stay. The view is breathtaking and the location great! We will be back!
catrina f.
January 2022
Clean but dated property. Everything needed for a beach stay - chairs, umbrella, cooler. Other amenities limited to the basics - only 2 bath towels & 2 beach towels - so did several loads of laundry while we were there. Unfortunately there property directly across the kitchen window was digging out a large area using a jackhammer on a back hoe from 930a-4p 4 of the 6 days we were there. The noise made it impossible to stay during the day time. I notified the owner & she apologized & 'hoped the weather allowed us to get out & about the island during the daytime hours'.
Laurie
December 2021
Mele Moana is a lovely place to chill out and re-energize -- great for a single or couple. This condo is a throwback to the 80's in its color scheme and decor but it was spotless and all of the furniture looked new. The kitchen and bathroom cabinets could use a little updating or at least a coat of paint. Overall, I loved staying here and I especially enjoyed having breakfast on the lanai every morning, overlooking the ocean. Even saw a couple of whales one day! I also appreciated that the owner, Ellen, had arranged to have the lights on and fans going when I arrived late at night. It's those little touches (plus all of the extras in the closets such as beach chairs, umbrellas, sand toys, games, etc.) that really made this place feel like a home.
Barb W.
December 2021
Beautiful views of the sunset- only downside of this place was the lack or air conditioning. There were fans that helped. The check in process was very easy and the owner was great to work with!
Jonathan E.
November 2021
This place had everything I needed as an easy base for exploring the south side of Kauai. Biggest selling point: washer/dryer to get my outdoors gear clean after hiking. Thanks again!
Megan B.
November 2021
We had a really nice stay at Mele Moana! It’s really beautiful! Communication with Ellen was seamless. The space had everything we needed for the week: a fully stocked kitchen, beach supplies, beach towels etc. The space was walking distance to some really nice swimming and snorkeling, however a car is definitely needed on Kauai. We rented snorkel gear for the week down the street from Mele Moana. The only thing that would have made the stay better is if the condo had AC, but it didn’t bother us too much, as the timing of our trip was end of September. We would definitely stay here again!
Stefanie H.
September 2021
Ellen was very responsive and helped to ensure I was booking the right location for my parents. Check in was very easy and she was available to answer all of my questions.
Naveen K.
September 2021
Beautiful view from the place. We would visit again.
Andrew P.
July 2021
We had a great time at this property. This kitchen was a good size that enabled us to cook regularly and the balcony was perfect for viewing the ocean. We could walk to popular beaches and surfing lessons and felt this was a great central location.
Don B.
June 2021
The view shown above is the view we saw!
Hannah S.
June 2021
Ellen’s place on Kauai is spectacular. Not only is the location close to beaches and restaurants, a middle spot for exploring the island, she also provides anything and everything you need for the beach and excursions. Her place is immaculately clean and cozy with incredible views from the lanai. Highly highly recommend staying at Mele Moana!!
Alisha B.
June 2017
This was the perfect place for us to stay. Location was convenient, view was nice, and it was so relaxing to fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Would recommend!
Sandra M.
May 2017
The best part of this condo was the close proximity to Poipu beach. We also appreciated the linai with an ocean view and falling to sleep to the sound of the waves. The condo was relatively clean; the bed was comfortable; but I don't believe there have been significant upgrades since construction. Kitchen and decor were basic with the surface of some appliances peeling. There were no frills (coffee, plastic wrap or baggies), but there were plenty of plastic containers. It works fine if you'll be gone most of the day as we were.
Karla B.
May 2017
My husband and I celebrated our 10 yr Wedding Anniversary and 4th trip to Kauai. We love staying in the Poipu area and this was one of the best locations we have stayed at! GREAT value for the price, location and view!! We definitely would stay here again and we have already recommended this condo to friends.
Quick walk to the beach and great views from the condo!
A couple of things outside of the owners control: the grounds keeper starts working on the grounds at 7:30 am and the bedroom window faces the parking lot and you can hear everything, so hopefully you are a hard sleeper or don't like to sleep in! Also the designated parking spot is a little tricky and tight. It can be difficult to get in and out of, especially if the people who park around you don't park correctly!!
Again, this is out of the owners control and it's just a heads up! I would still stay here again!
Thank you Ellen for being so easy to communicate with from the very beginning! Your condo is very comfortable and clean and we appreciated the extras (coolers, beach chairs, beach towels and frosty mugs in the freezer:). Mahalo!!
Karen M.
May 2017
We enjoyed our stay at Mele Moana & would go there again without question.
Melony P.
May 2017
This is a quiet condo community with the beach within walking distance. I enjoy staying in this location when I visit Kauai. The view is phenomenal.
Rachel S.
December 2016
We had an amazing week in Mele Moana in Poipu! We stayed for 7 days over Christmas and Poipu was a great location. The condo was perfect for the 2 of us, was very clean, and had everything we needed. Towels, beach chairs, a cooler, kitchen accessories, and toiletries are just some of the things that were provided that were very helpful. We would stay here again in a heartbeat. Watching the sun rise and set over the ocean from our balcony everyday was such a treat. Also, the condo community was very friendly and although we didn't use the pool, it was cleaned daily and quite nice. Ellen was so nice and helpful through the whole process. We're already thing to plan a trip back Mele Moana!
Maura Z.
October 2016
This is the best place to stay in Poipu! Lulled to sleep every night, listening to the ocean and waking up knowing we were all in Paradise...the sounds of the ocean. The condo had everything you'd need to prepare a nice meal, or just to open a bottle of wine to enjoy on the lanai. Layout was great, bedding comfortable. And the best part, we were able to walk to all 4 of our favorite beaches!
If you lead a very fast pace life....or just want to 'slow down'...this is the place for you. Ellen, the owner, goes out of her way to make everything easy...just bring your bathing suits and move into Paradise for a few weeks~
Balaji V.
August 2016
We stayed at the condo for 5 nights in July with two kids and this condo was fantastic. Ellen was a great host and called in and checked before our arrival and provided all required details.
The condo was fully stocked and had all stuff required from a great kitchen, bathroom to even a couple of beach chairs, ice chest etc. We even got to play a couple of CDs that were in the condo!
Very convenient location as it is only minutes away from the Poipu beach which is great for kids.
The best parts of staying here were 1. Sitting out on the balcony and watch the ocean in the evening and 2. Falling asleep to the sound of ocean.
Can't wait to be back.
Curtis C.
July 2016
My wife, baby, and mother stayed at the Poipu condo. The location was great, close to the state beach and not far off from a couple shopping centers. The views are amazing, as you can see from the pictures. Going to sleep with the sound of the ocean and waking up to the blue/green Hawaiian waters; what could be better? Ellen was very accommodating and actually bought a pack n play for our son to sleep in rather than renting one - which is now part of the package for future guests. We thought that was extremely generous and unexpected.
The description is fitting, this place has million dollar views, but came at an affordable price by Hawaiian standards. Definitely recommend staying at this property!
cassandra s.
July 2016
We had a wonderful experience renting from Ellen and staying at Mele Moana. It is in close walking distance to Poipu beach where we experienced amazing snorkeling, wonderful sunsets,Walked down to see the turtles beached in the early morning. The spacious condo had all the basic ammenities we needed including beach chairs,ice chest towels ect the view from the lanai was spectacular. We would definitely stay at Mele Moana again. Thank you
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