Honokowai: Hale Kai

Lonely Planet Review

A delightfully old-fashioned complex on the water's edge, Hale Kai abounds in Hawaiian accents, from the tropical room decor to the lava-rock exterior. Sit on your lanai and watch the sunset unfold over the neighbouring islands - in winter, humpback whales are a frequent sight too.

Condo complexes can be impersonal but the friendly staff here break the mould. Just about everything is reminiscent of an earlier day, to a Hawaii before the mega-resorts moved in. The place hugs the ocean, with the pool so close to the shoreline it gets a splash of salt water. No air-con, but the louvered windows do a good job catching the sea breezes. While the decor varies from unit to unit, it follows a Hawaiian scheme of rattan, wicker and floral fabrics. There are no cramped studios here - every unit has a living room separate from the bedroom. If you've got a group, go for the three-bedroom corner unit, which has a cool loft, wraparound ocean-view windows and all the character of a Hawaiian beach-house.

Ned Friary
Lonely Planet author