We discovered this area in 2006 & have returned every spring since with family. Each "condo" is actually a full-sized, beautiful, elegant home, attached by one wall, duplex style. We have rented several. (Owned by individual people, some units may be in better shape than others.) These are a huge cut above traditional condo rentals. The area is gated and next to a nice, small grocery store & other shops, including Tommy Bahama retail & restaurant. Within walking distance is the Fairmont Orchid, and the other direction is the peaceful Mauna Lani Resort. It is an easy drive to beaches & jungles. Much, much nicer than the Hilton Condo area. More like a home you would purchase if you could. The neighborhood is quiet and well-maintained. It has a mature, dignified feeling, & makes our yearly trip to the Big Island the perfect escape.

Last week we checked into condo 329 at the Villages and found it to be beautiful but poorly maintained. When we checked in the air conditioning had been on all day but it was 89 degrees in the condo. We had the management company come over to check it out and she finally agreed to bring an HVAC pro in that night even though it was time and a half. He found all the filters were totally plugged which was the main problem. That resolved the air issue.

We also found and showed the management company a smoke detector that was hanging from the ceiling with two wires and we don't know if it was functional or not. That was never fixed.

The master bath had a beautiful jacuzzi tub but the plug was pulled out and couldn't be re-engaged so the tub was useless.

Very nice kitchen with two drawer type dishwashers. The bottom one didn't work properly and wouldn't clean dishes. Very nich flat cooktop with directions to clean it only with special cleaner - of course there wasn't any there.

To sum it up.....management company should be fired by owner. Their value is being degraded.

We booked this condo through VRBO and saved about 40%. We received outstanding service.

This complex is located next to a fairly upscale shopping center that was in the process of opening (similar to Kings shops, or Shops at Wailea). It is a good walk to the Mauna Lani or the Fairmont, but we used the Fairmont's shuttle, which will pick you up at the shops and drop you at your condo for free. It is not an easy walk to the beach from the condos, but we would get there on our morning walks.

The complex is gated and has a decent pool and jacuzzi. The homes are essentiall duplexes, but they really feel like single family homes. Ours was 2700 sq feet plus three lanais and an attached two car garage.

There were two master suites, which is wonderful for couples traveling together: no one gets short changed. Each bathroom was beautiful, with marble, granite, etc, and rivaled some hotel rooms in size. The third bedroom had its own attached bath and walk in closet as well. Even the laundry ROOM--not just a closet--was gorgeous. My brother utilized the downsstairs built in desk which was basically his office for the trip.

The kitchen was beautiful with a subzero fridge, drawer sytle dishwasher and granite counter tops. On the lanai there was a built in stainless steel BBQ with a refrig that was OURS alone to use. We had peak ocean and golf course views.

We were a quick drive to some beautiful beaches (Hapuna, Mauna Kea) and we enjoyed some resort style amenities. You get to use the Beach Club which is basically access to a parking lot right next to a small beach with a restaurant on it, but we really liked it for a quick trip to a beach and we enjoyed the bar at the restaurant (Lava flows on the beach).

These condos were the nicest I have ever stayed in and I don't know if I can even think of a resort that had nicer accomodations. My family was thrilled with what I had booked. I would definately stay here again.

Disadvantages are that you aren't a quick walk to a great beach, but you are just minutes by car.