Aston at Papakea Resort Condo

I can not say enough good things about our stay. They have 2 pools but only 1 was open due to Covid. When we arrived it was only open from 11-6:30 but shortly after it went to 9-9. the staff were incredible at making sure lounge chairs were sanitized between each person using them. they were right on it. In fact they have to be the hardest working resort staff I have ever seen. they work together like a great team. to get the pool area ready everyday. WiFi covers the entire grounds. I worked out everyday by the seawall. my kids did there school work in our room. We rented directly from the owner. The unit was incredible. If you needed something they had it. Spent a lot of time sitting on the Lanai watching the view. speaking of the view. multiple times we were fortunate enough to see a pod of dolphins going by. Jumping and frolicking about. a couple turtle as well. All in all. this is a great place to stay.

We had the most amazing time at Papakea! After reading a couple of the other negative reviews, I admit I was worried, but I rented directly from an owner rather than thru a third party, and I was not disappointed. The unit was really pretty - nicely updated, fully equipped, and with beautiful views just 50 feet from the water. I spent soooo many hours just sitting on the lanai watching the waves, and enjoyed an ocean lullaby that sang me to sleep every night. The first few days I was there, Hawaii was still requiring people wear masks outside even when they could socially distance, but once the state changed its policy, the resort did too. I completely understand why they had to follow the rules set by the state - but I was really happy once those rules were changed to make more sense! (I have to disagree with Culture 12330543661, who apparently hadn't read the Governor's proclamation that spelled out the state requirements about masking - up until mid-November, the rules were REALLY specific about masks being required in all condominium complex common areas, except when people were swimming or exercising strenuously. No exception for being distanced. Papakea was clearly following the state rules, and if she experienced something different, then I guess the other resorts weren't concerned about breaking the law.) I have to say that all the staff were really pleasant and helpful. I didn't use the pool, so I can't comment on what that experience was like; I do know that when I was there, the south pool was open 9:00 to 9:00 (the north pool was still closed, I guess because of the lack of guests?), but had just expanded the hours. My host was careful to be sure I understood all the rules and requirements when I booked - I really appreciated the care taken so that there were no surprises. I am sad that Culture's host or vacation rental company didn't take the care our host did! Anyway, my experience was so wonderful, I can't wait to go back.

We came from Oregon & rented a 4th-floor room. First of all, the website said the pool was open 9:00 - 10:00, in actuality, it was only open 11:30 - 6:30 which is the worst UV hours of the day and there is no shade. Also, they advertise two pools, which is false, only one is open. When asked why this change they claimed due to COVID, which is ridiculous because it just condenses the daily use instead of spreading it out over the hours and two pools, so more people during the limited hours and space. We walked down to several neighboring hotels and EVERY SINGLE one except Papakea had a full day at the pool open. They also don't follow Hawaii State or Aston policies about COVID in the first place, but after visiting neighboring hotels, all the surrounding hotels DO. Papakea wants you wearing a mask on the outside grounds even if you are alone. An employee told a mother of a toddler to put a mask on the child. First of all, toddlers/babies shouldn't wear a mask, second, she was thirty feet away from any human! Plus she was walking ALONE, with her toddler. Papakea's policies are illogical & not even state or hotel guidelines, they are their own illogical, draconian, unscientific virtue-signaling that makes the place feel like a prison with a pretty view. The worst part is we were not informed of the prison cell policies until we got there. Oregon is a little far to turn around & go home. Also, there was a water fountain below us that was incredibly noisy. You'd think they'd turn it off during quiet hours, but no, it's on all night. When I asked an employee if they could please turn it off at night so we could sleep, they told me NO because of COVID. What? COVID is their excuse for everything that is miserable here, there is no way turning off a loud fountain at night is a COVID risk. While our family was visiting other hotels along the same strip we saw people laughing, having fun, using the pool late at night, and felt so jealous. We made a hard choice and changed our flight to stay on 3 more days at another hotel so we could at least have a bit of a vacation. We stayed at Ka'anapali Beach Club, which was a very positive experience! They followed COVID rules, but the ones that can actually keep you safe, plus they had hand sanitizer everywhere, which is great! They were so friendly and people walking the grounds alone were not harassed for not having their mask up. Kids & babies were not harassed. Everyone was great about social distancing and super friendly. The pool was open and even its slide was open and running the full hours, which were even longer hours than the falsely advertised hours at the Papakea even if they had opened like the advertised! Plus, at the new hotel the only sound we heard at night was laughter and the ocean instead of a loud water machine. The bottom line for us was our vacation at the Papakea felt very stressful, more like we survived it than enjoyed it, our second experience was beautiful and relaxing with the added benefit of feeling truly safer from COVID since the second hotel followed actual scientific rules and encouraged sanitation, social distancing instead of worthless authoritarian "virtue-signaling" which can not keep anyone safe from a virus. Glad we tagged on the extra three days so not a total waste of money, flight and vacation days

This Lahaina resort was lovely as the grounds were well kept and the pool was clean with many attractive areas for outdoor dinners, avail bbqs, evening strolls and the like. There is no restaurant and no beach but you can pull up your lounger on the spongy soft grass (if you are taking a break from sight-seeing!) and enjoy the *incredible* ocean view. There is much whale activity in February as it's mating season. This Aston at Papakea is next to the ever popular "food truck" extravaganza. It also connects to the picturesque Boardwalk, there is a grocery store, bar, fast food takeout, souvenir store in the mini mall and a Slappy Jacks within short walking distance. Spectacular beaches to the south and ones for snorkelling a short drive to the north (do your research on the safest times!) Minutes away from the amazing Honoapiilani Highway with a few fruit/banana bread stands if you need a break from the breathtaking views! PS do not irritate the locals on this HWY pull over if they're driving faster than you! The front desk staff at the resort is incredibly kind and towel service is swift (not free after 1 set with Costco.) I will warn you not to book through Costco because they bought 5 of these units and do not maintain them. Many units are privately owned (lucky them!) The carpeting was disgusting, the walls were dirty, you wrestle sliding doors, the sink had a horrendous garbage smell emanating from it and the rusty fridge needed replacing. A little goes a long way had Costco just invested a little of their annual 21 billion income. Why not make guests feel they're sleeping in clean quarters? We were taken to another unit that was less desirable than the first. Thankfully being in Hawaii we were not room-fixated but for the upgrade COST for an oceanfront room I would have expected much better. 1 clean service 1 towel service for 2 weeks. Like I say, I'm sure the Resort has better care with direct customer reservations but Costco fails *for what they charge you.* Don't waste your money on Costco. Book your own accommodations.

Dear Management Upon checking into the room we were told that they gave us a different room then requested. When we entered the room we found a dirty room with writing on the walls , air conditioner wasn’t working, broken fans , moldy shower floor, bedroom had no air and closet had dirty things inside. This room was in much need of cleaning and repairing. We could not stay in there due to these conditions. I contacted your office and told the person in there about these problems and they said they couldn’t do anything. I asked to speak to a manger and they said nobody was there. I told them I was checking out and they should refund my money due to not giving me a livable place to stay. They said they could not do that . I told them that I was checking out please refund my money. I then went to the front desk where they checked me out and refunded me their fee. They also never called me back or refunded my money.