Malu Kauai


Rates: $261 / night (avg.)
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Bed types: QX (sleeps 2)
Reviews: 4.80 (from 123 reviews)
Malu Kauai is situated in a small neighborhood called Niumalu. Three miles from Lihue town core this 1 bed/1 bath detached home is centrally located, clean and well cared for by the Owners. Includes a full kitchen, a lanai with awning, an outdoor grill, washer/dryer room for your exclusive use, easy parking, and is fully air conditioned.

The famous Duke’s Canoe Club, with its ocean view dining, live music and Hawaiian Hospitality, is just a mile away as well as Kalapaki Beach and the Kauai Marriott Hotel. Also nearby are both Anchor Cove and the Harbor Mall for more dining options and tons of shopping and activity services. Safeway and Costco are approximately 3 miles away for days you want to shop and cook at home.

Lihue is our central seat of government with State and County buildings along historic Rice St., Wilcox Hospital, Kukui Grove mall, Kauai Museum, Grove Farm Museum, Puakea Golf Course, Kauai Community College and many local businesses and eateries. Don't miss Kauai Beer Company or Kauai Pasta on Rice Street or Verde and Kenji Burger at the Hokulei Shopping Village. Oh and Robs Good Times Grill at Rice Shopping Center is GREAT for lunch also, large menu in a sports bar style atmosphere.

If a Luau is calling you visit Kilohana Plantation for their Kalamaku Luau, quite a show only 3 miles away! Kilohana Plantation also hosts Koloa Rum Company's tasting room and store, and tours of the historic grounds. Very cool!

Nawiliwili Harbor is close by for Cruise Ship and container arrivals and Huleia River is steps down the road for kayaking or fishing tours or the Menehune Fish Pond Overlook. Nawiliwili harbor can sometimes a bit noisy during the day as ships arrive but we have had very few complaints about that. Hulemalu Rd. also functions as a bypass road for locals going to and from work daily, usually 6-8 am and 3-5 pm are higher traffic times.

* Free wifi
* Comfy seats in livingroom
* Free laundry for your exclusive use
* Easy parking right on the front lawn
* Rural, owner live next door, but don't worry they never bother our guests!
* 25 Minute drive to Poipu Beaches, dining and shopping
* 55 Minute drive to North Shore Beaches, dining and shopping

The cozy bedroom has a queen size bed, with a ceiling fan and AC, dresser and a large closet. The bath offers a tub/shower.

With all the options you have, please consider Lihue town for its easy location to all sides of the island and a plethora of things to do as the locals would. You will enjoy all it has to offer.

*stays longer than 21 days will require a mid stay cleaning(s).

**THIS HOME IS LOCATED IN A TSUNAMI EVACUATION ZONE**

Hawaii Life Rentals is a locally owned, licensed real estate company with rentals on Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii. We offer on-island personal assistance and Concierge services.

Rates do not include taxes, cleaning and applicable fees.

Hawaii Life/VRBO bookings: Guests must sign a rental contract within 48 hours of booking to confirm the reservation.

TA-181-230-7968-01
TMK
TVNCU 5051 Registration Number: TA-181-230-7968-01, GE-181-230-7968-01, 320030350000

Malu Kauai Reviews



Laura T.
July 2024
Quiet location, off street parking, clean, great to have a place to do laundry you will pack so much less and have a fresh clean bathing suit and beach towel each day. We hiked a lot so laundry was a huge help. Don't listen to what the other reviews say about it being noisy, there are chickens and stray cats everywhere on the island. The neighborhood was clean and quiet. Great view of the mountains. Very close to everything you'll need without it feeling obtrusive at all. Had a great stay. I felt like a local.


Romy H.
June 2024
This little cottage was delightful. We had a short 3 night stay, and from the moment we arrived we knew we would enjoy it. We were greeted by 3 peacocks roaming the area, a monarch butterfly and of course many chickens and ducks. The area is quiet and relaxing and the cottage was just right. Many thoughtful touches including a welcome basket full of local goodies, sweet lanai with chairs and a bbq grill, luggage stands, laundry basket and private laundry room, lots of convenient appliances and items; drip coffee maker, blender, hand mixer, rice cooker, toaster, coffee press, small cooler, beach chairs and towels. Just about a half block to a cute park and the Kaiola Kanoe Club ( fun to watch all the students practicing ). Bit of a walk but not bad to Duke’s and many shopping and food places, and Kalapaki beach. The view is great as well, lush green and rock mountains, many different palm trees and Plumeria trees and native plants and foliage. Bed was comfortable and we slept well. To find any faults here would just be nit picky, we would definitely recommend a stay here.


Paul M.
June 2024
It was a pleasant stay.


Chase S.
May 2024
Absolutely loved my stay at this home in Hawaii! The location was fantastic, with stunning views. The accommodation itself was clean, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. The host was incredibly welcoming and helpful, providing great recommendations for things to see and do in the area. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a perfect Hawaiian getaway!


Michael P.
May 2024
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Normally I stay on the Princeville side of Kaua i' but unable to find a location that suite my needs I "discovered" this gem. It is the perfect fit for 1-2 people. It had everything I need and then some. It was spotless clean. the queen bed was very comfortable. The only difficulty I had was with the TV, I'm not a tech type but figured it out, but who watches TV. I did not see a washer/dryer, but this is Hawaii...I knew where to was right under my feet. Everything one could need was close by including multi beaches. In fact I shared a beach with 2 Monk sea lions and 3 Turtles can not ask more than that unless it's a return visit to Malu Kaua i'.


Greg D.
May 2024
Close to beaches, shops, historical interests. Comfortable home, nicely cared for with generous selection of appointments. Thank you



April 2024
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Accommodations were perfect for two people. Comfortable. Clean.Located centrally to do many of our favorite places.



April 2024
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: The home was centrally located on the island, making it a good location to explore the beautiful island of Kauai. It was clean. It was well priced. Easy to work with. Thanks!


Kristen S.
February 2024
All in all the stay was great! The kitchen is lacking some supplies and knives weren’t all that sharp. Internet wasn’t working at first but it wasn’t plugged in, easy fix. The main complaint is I wish that there were more pillows for the bed and not just decorative ones.


Stella H.
October 2023
We enjoyed our stay here. It was very clean, cozy and comfortable. You can see the mountains from the front yard and the beautiful sun rising from the lanai. Glad to have washer, dryer and AC. We appreciated the welcoming basket and helpful property manager. It was fun to see the peacocks walking around, and yes there are noisy roosters around.


LORI S.
September 2023
We appreciated having a very clean, comfortable, organized & thoughtfully planned out place to stay. The welcome basket was a kind touch. The place was completely free of any critters! Thank you!


Elizabeth S.
September 2023
We come every year and this property has always been our favorite. We love seeing the chickens, ducks, and peacocks roaming around the neighborhood. The mountains are mesmerizing and everything we need is in this little cottage. We will be here again next year!


Jerry M.
August 2023
This place is great for 2 people no more small sized furniture in living room leaves it impossible for more then 2 people


Bruce S.
July 2023
Easy to find, great location, easy shopping and dining. Welcome package was a great bonus.


Chardaye B.
June 2023
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had a great time at the cottage in Kauai. It is in a great location, easy to travel north or south. We were very busy, gone most of the day and evening but when we were there it was perfect for our needs. Great Kitchen, bath and bedroom and living area. We most enjoy the front porch with our morning coffee and nightcap. There was some traffic but it didn't really bother us. With the air on at night and the house closed up it was pretty quite. And we love the charm of the chickens.


Kim G.
May 2023
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Very clean and well equipped


Steve D.
March 2023
It's a nice little cottage, and was very clean. Only complaint about the unit, when we booked, the photos showed a full-sized couch, which we were depending on since I snore. It's been replaced with a small wicker loveseat you cannot sleep on. We had a couple geckos in the house, but that's normal, it's Hawaii. Really, the place is nice and I enjoyed the front porch at night. But...if you're hoping for peace and quiet during your stay, this is most likely not the place for you. This is a noisy place, especially during the week. The road that runs right past the house is very heavily trafficked, from morning until around 10:00 at night. Traffic did die down quite a bit on the weekend. During the week, you will have near constant traffic noise, including trucks. Across the street is a park shelter. On several nights, people were there until late in the evening with dogs chained up to their pickup, and they barked for hours, which in turned caused the other dogs in the neighborhood to bark. And of course the roosters, which crow from about 4:30 in the morning until after sunset...constantly. But that is the case everywhere on Kauai, so not a complaint on the property. Just be aware that it's not a quite place, at least during the week. We got used to it, and still very much enjoyed our stay. But, not sure I'd go back, simply because of the noise. Roosters are expected, but the traffic and barking was a bit much at times. If that's not an issue for you, you'll love this place!


Lynn M.
March 2023
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was more than happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Nice home, spacious for 2. Has everything you need except good beach chairs. When the port is active (happened one day during our 3 day stay) its fairly noisy from trucks/machinery. Also a fair amount of noise from cars on street. But if you're gone for most of the day like we were its not bad. Quick drive to south end beaches, shopping. A bit longer drive to north side of island.


Anne S.
January 2023
They allowed us to check in early which was a blessing. Welcome basket was awesome. Very cute, great internet, and anything you could ask for ( full kitchen, bathroom supplies etc) beautiful peacocks and of course beautiful weather. Close to everything .Forgot to tell my husband about roosters, lol They are part of Kauai and run loose everywhere. I would stay there again. Loved it!


carol h.
January 2023
This beach house was exceptionally clean and neat, and I appreciated the box of goodies that the owners supplied. But while walking around the area, I noticed a number of broken down cars and some homeless people living in the park right across the street. So as a single person I was a bit alarmed. I also reserved this cottage hoping my son would join me, but he had to cancel last minute. And luckily he did, because the cottage had only one double bed, with a love seat in the living room, so he would have had no place to sleep. When I signed up I clearly stated that it was for me and my son, and no one informed me that would not work.


Bernadine C.
November 2022
Perfect for our needs in every way. Loved parking outside the cottage and just carrying luggage up a few stairs. A wonderful and well thought out welcome basket that I forgot to thank the owner for I when I met her in person! This is a very convenient location if attending a conference or taking a vacation and you don’t like to deal with hotel hassles of resort fees, parking issues etc. but has very efficient AC and Wify. Very convenient to stores and local activities of Lihue. Contacted by Property Manager Martie well in advance to answer any questions we might have had. We would definitely stay again. Mahalo for sharing your wonderful property!!


Hannah M.
November 2022
Gave feedback in a text to Martie that was hopefully relayed to you :)


Carly D.
November 2022
Great stay in Kauai! The only thing I would change is to update the living room furniture. It is currently very nice outdoor furniture and after a long day in the island, it would be nice to sit on a couch to watch a movie! Amazing facilities overall. Would book again in the future!


Tory B.
November 2022
My wife and I just stayed here for our honeymoon, and we had a wonderful stay! The property manager was very easy to communicate with, although I really didn't need to as the cottage had everything we needed. Beach chairs, ice chest, towels, soaps and shampoos, etc. The location is nestled right beneath these beautiful tall mountains in a little valley next to nawiliwili harbor and couldn't have been more beautiful. Easy to get anywhere on the island from here too as it's pretty central to most popular spots. Cute quiet neighborhood next to a local park as well. Absolutely recommending to all my friends and family!


Taylor T.
October 2022
The property was one of the best rentals we've ever stayed at. It was clean, the furniture was comfortable (a rarity), and an array of amenities were available to use i.e. cooking utensils, beach chairs, and umbrellas. And it was close enough to the highway all of the island was easily accessible.


Anthony L.
October 2022
A wonderful house and great location! The house was perfect. Fully stocked with anything we needed for our stay, and the owners even included a lovely welcome basket! It was great to have a place with AC, a washer/dryer, and dedicated parking. The location is great to because it provides easy access to the south and east shores with short drive time, and relatively easy access to the north shore with a longer drive time. It's also a good place to finish your stay thanks to the close proximity to the airport. We would definitely stay here again!


Elizabeth S.
August 2022
We stayed here before and was really impressed with the upgrades they have done by adding an AC unit in the living room. We like staying here because of the location and the owners are always super helpful.


Emma S.
July 2022
We loved our stay here! It was the perfect central location. We're in our 20s and were just looking for a place to rest our heads after a day of exploring. I would recommend this place for people that plan to spend a majority of their day out and about. They had a great guide for places to eat and things to do and it was very clean and spacious. Thank you for the welcome basket! The property manager was very responsive when I had a question too. Mahalo!


Ben H.
June 2022
A very central location to wandering the entire island. A nice neighborhood with a lovely choir of roosters, peacocks, and doves. The cottage has met all our needs - spacious and comfortable.


Shamekia R.
May 2022
Overall, we give our stay 5 stars. The cottage is centrally located which means if your intent is to explore this beautiful island, it is the perfect place. The check in process was a breeze, the owner left a very thoughtful welcome basket. The cottage was clean, with many of the basics provided: dishwashing liquid, new sponge, washer & dryer with laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, beach towels, etc. *there weren’t any beach chairs, but a quick trip to Walmart remedied that and we left them behind for future users of the cottage. We’re vegan, and while there are delicious vegan options on the island, we like the option of being able to cook our own food, if so desired;The kitchen allowed us to flex this option at our will. The cottage is cute, quaint and comfortable. There’s a gorgeous view of the mountains. The AC worked so well that we got a little chilly and opted to open the windows and door (utilizing the screen door). There was a BBQ grill on the porch/balcony but we unfortunately didn’t get a chance to use it. The only con that we can think of would be the roosters. It’s not a true con at all, as anyone who is familiar with the island, knows that there are roosters everywhere. They roam freely. It’s part of the island’s charm. If you’re a super light sleeper, bring ear plugs, otherwise just embrace the true ambience of Kauai living. Thank you for a wonderful stay! Mahalo


David A.
May 2022
My wife and I had a great stay at this property. It had about everything we needed for our week long stay in Kauai. It's at the midpoint of the freeway so it's an hour or so to either side of the island. Management was very responsive to our messages and even left us a nice welcome gift. As you will see from the other reviews, chickens run wild on the island and you will want to bring earplugs as they crow at all times. We would definitely stay here again.


Ray J.
May 2022
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Great little hideaway. So much better than a hotel!


Maureen B.
April 2022
We really enjoyed our very short stay at this cottage. I chose it primarily for 2 reasons: proximity to the airport, and, it was a stand-alone cottage. For 2 people, the price point was not ideal, however. For our next visit to Kauai, I would choose a condo or hotel. We were out all day every day and came home only for a good night's sleep. We did rest well there. Thank you for the welcome treats! A very nice surprise. Cheers!


Gary T.
March 2022
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had a wonderful stay and we will be back! This is not our first time at this property and we much appreciated the air conditioning installation since last year. The house was extreamly clean. We like the location as it is off the beaten path yet on the shortcut between lihue and southern Kauai.


Vung D.
February 2022
This place perfect for couple who are on their honeymoon or for like get away vacation. But if you are noise sensitive then this place is not for you. The rosters are loud but it didn’t bother me at all. The laundromat is at the corner of you walk around. We didn’t know where it was so We had to look for it.


Melvin R.
January 2022
Overall Rating is 5 out of 5 Stars. we got no complaints at all. The Location of this Unit is perfect. Cute little cottage situated at the foot of the mountain Very province style, it makes you really feel that you're in paradise. It is situated right at the foot of the mountain across the Kauai Inn (very first inn in Kauai). It is about 10 mins away from grocery stores and Costco. It has all the amenities that'll make you feel "at home". I highly recommend staying here, but don't forget your earplugs for the constant crowing of the roosters 😉. We thank the owner of this home for letting us stay and enjoy our little get away. Will book again, in the future. 🌴🏖️☀️


Matthew R.
December 2021
Convenient location and well stocked for our stay.


Ed F.
November 2021
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: CleanQuiet but Beware of chickens, so many, so loud, so early! Bring earplugs or white noise.Near grocery store, dining, airport. Starbucks 1.7 miles away...order through the mobile app or you will have a long wait!Loved the grillLots of towelsGreat water pressure Extras like washer/dryer, After sun lotion, sunblock, hair dryer, Cooler, beach towels on hand very much appreciated. Cooking accessories oil, aloha sauces, spice mixes, aluminum foil, coffee filters made cooking so easy. Need to do dishes and fully clean kitchen after every use and take out trash. We left one crumb and found a couple ants, made sure not to let that happen again!Keep screen door shut at all times to avoid flying pests. Really wonderful experience overall. We would absolutely stay again.


Sarah G.
September 2021
My husband and I really enjoyed our stay here. The location was perfect for exploring the island and it had everything we needed. It is outside of the tourist-filled areas but those things are accessible if that is what one desires. If you are used to resort living this may not be the place for you. The roosters and chickens were quite active most of the time but ear plugs helped and we actually got pretty used to them during our weeklong stay. Having access to a washer and dryer was everything after spending some days on the trails and the water and the kitchen was great for preparing food when we didn't feel like eating out. Would definitely stay again.


Danielle W.
August 2021
What can I say? The house had everything we needed that we couldn't bring with us like beach towels large bottles of sunscreen and ice chests. I hate it when I have to buy seasonings because the VRBO doesn't have them. This one had them! Also, certain kitchen needs like a cookie sheet scissors and all the little necessities. Even a blow-up mattress so we could sprawl out in the front room and chill to watch tv. Loved it. The only thing I wish they had was a second bed side table for the bedroom just because I didn't have a place to put my book phone etc on. There are a lot of chickens in the area, and therefore a lot of crowing in the morning, but it didn't bother us. Just something to keep in mind. Had a blast will come back if it's still available next time!


Elizabeth S.
August 2021
We enjoyed our weeklong stay at this cottage near Kalapaki Beach in the Niumalu area of Lihue. Perfect rental property for 2 people. It has everything you need and more. It was for us, an ideal central location as you can go to the North Shore easily as well as venture off to the West side of the island. The cottage itself was great for us. The bedroom is where the AC was located and it was plenty cold to keep us cool in the Summer heat. The bed was comfortable and firm. There are extra blankets, an iron, ironing board, vacuum and laundry hamper in the closet if you needed it… The kitchen had all the appliances you needed and some you’re just glad that they provided (rice cooker, coffee maker, etc.) The bathroom does get warm but the windows can be adjusted to let fresh air in. The shower is a tub/shower combo. The property thankfully provides some travel size toiletries for you to get you started. We appreciated that. One thing I would say that needs updating is the shower curtain. We also noticed thar some of the bath towels had rust stains as well, the white towels did. The toilet brush should also be replaced as its an old one. There is some outside noise in the AM. Mostly from roosters and the 2 peacocks that roam the neighborhood. Honestly, it only took us a night or 2 of sleep and we were used to it. This is Kauai. Chickens are all over the island. You just have to go with it, it wasn’t a deal breaker for us. As stated by other reviewers, there is some AM road noise from trucks during the work week but we didn’t think it was too bad. We had a nice stay and the neighborhood was quiet for the most part. More importantly, it was quiet at night. We felt comfortable and we felt safe. Martie, the property manager was easy to get a hold of, if we had any questions. She was very helpful and it was a nice touch for her to leave us a welcome basket when we checked in. Mahalos for that. We liked that the parking was right out front on the grass. Motion sensor lights were a plus and the fact that the cottage was elevated and off the ground were also things we liked about it. We highly recommend this vacation rental. It is perfect for 2 people. The location, the layout, the cleanliness, things like the provided beach towels were all little touches we found to be so convenient. We hope to stay at this cottage again on the next trip, which will be our 4th consecutive year on the Garden Isle.


Cristina T.
April 2021
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: I came and stayed in this cottage for a month and absolutely loved it. Everything was just like how the pictures showed it. A very cute, clean & bright place. I loved the way this house is designed because everything flows really well so have just enough room to feel comfortable but still small enough to hear everything that goes on in the house. I loved that they had so many kitchen supplies so cooking here was easy. I was here in March & only turned the AC on twice. It was very nice to have it just in case but once you open the windows the air flowing takes care of the hear. While I was here there was a tsunami watch & the property manger texted me giving me instructions. Then the actual owner of the house came over telling me that I could ride with her to higher grounds. I 110% recommend this place to a couple or single travel that is looking for a place to stay. It is within a mile from the beach so an easy walk there. Having a washer & dryer was so nice so you could do any laundry so keep that in mind when packing. Only few complaints I have is that there is a park across the way that has a lot of homeless people. A homeless lady was screaming during the middle of the night a few times during my stay but that is out of the owners hands. Another thing would be the ants come if you leave any food on the counters. However, that is just a Hawaii thing.


Gary T.
March 2021
We have enjoyed this darling cottage on numerous visits to Kauai. It is not merely clean; it is pristine! We love the central location, making it easy and timely to move around. The nearby pavilion and canoe club allowed us to enjoy observing some local gatherings and festivities. It was joyful! Marni, who manages the property, responded to our every need...like when the coffee pot broke. She even called us when there were flood warnings. There is traffic and harbor noise which doesn't come with a mute button. But we hope to return often.


Michael T.
March 2020
Very pleasant experience, property was very clean and inviting.


Gary T.
March 2020
Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We were back for a third year to this ideally located house in Lihue and are have made arrangements to return next year! Not fancy, but who needs fancy? It is clean and comfortable and perfect for us. We love the location and we were easily able to go north or south, bepending on the weather. There were beach toys...chairs, umbrella, boards, snorkel gear, and coolers available to use for our beach excursions. We made use of the laundry facilities and also appreciated the motion lights which lit our path to and from our car.



February 2020
The property had everything that we needed! It was so cute inside with a nice kitchen, living room, bedroom and nice bathroom. We would go back to this place. What we did not like was how loud the neighbourhood was at night with people partying in the adjacent park. It was way too noisy.


Anthony R.
February 2020
The home is very nice, very clean and has everything you need! It's centrally located which is great if you are trying to see the whole Island! Thank You!!

Note: Vacancy calendar is approximate. Visit the owner/manager's reservation site to verify your dates.

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