After reading so many positive reviews, I was worried that my expectations would be too high and that my girlfriend and I would get the one room that was a lemon for whatever reasons. However, as soon as I opened the door to our room, #1016, all my apprehension was washed away. The room was a one bedroom, with the bedroom locked for the owner's use only, so essentially we had a studio with a bed that folded down from the wall. The room was clean, neat and updated, no fancy frills but everything I expected with a balcony view of the ocean that stretched from lahaina and the island of lanai to the south past molokai to the north. The condo resort was short on amenities and the pool area was nothing spectacular and the tennis courts were astro turf that was a bit worn, but still useable. Maui has so much to offer though, that unless you planned to sit poolside all day, the Mahena was the perfect spot to have as a home base. Some of the best snorkeling we did in Maui was about half a mile south of the Mahena--even saw a couple giant sea turtles--and we were centrally located between Kapalua and Lahaina. Also, Black Rock and the Sheraton was a couple miles south and we had drinks poolside there at sunset a couple days, which was perfect. If this review comes across as negative, that's not the intent; I just want to point out shortcomings to travelers who expect 5 star accomodations. As an aside, Pacifico's in Lahaina is the perfect place to go for a romantic 5 star dinner on the beach. If you're looking for an inexpensive no fancy frills place to stay, the Mahena is it, and I'd definitely go back there again. If you want more inclusive amenities, you may want to otherwise consider a place like the Sheraton.


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