PLEASE read this entire review, you will be glad you did!!
With respect to the Mahana, this review is only about the deplorable conditions of UNIT 1219, in what the owner calls the Penthouse Suite with authentic Hawaiian décor! Make sure what is stated and/or pictured has RECENTLY been UPDATED!
I’m living proof that you can get the Un luck of the draw booking through a private owner!
I booked through the VRBO site, and read the comments. Knowing they were old reviews, a lot can happen in a year if the owner does not take proper care, or in this case, the owner’s management Co who has been ripping him off!
I normally read reviews with a grain of salt. Important to me is the accommodations! Mahana states wifi? We couldn’t get any connection anywhere! On the top floor, we SHOULD have had the best reception right? Desk said, “ Have you tried the lanai, or out by the pool?”C’mon…..I don’t go to Hawaii, and expect to sit by the pool to use my laptop
Now on to the review:
CONS
We had to wash the towels before we could use them. I also double pillow cased my pillow, I saw how the extras, were full of slobber/sweating stains! Some of the things that need attention are not pictured. Here is just a sampling of the shabby conditions!
Main bedroom:
Light fixtures above the main bathroom sink were full of bugs (shows shabby house cleaning or infrequent) Loose ceiling light fixture in toilet area, loose faucet handle in shower.
Guest bedroom:
Stained curtains and luckily I had a safety pin, to pin them closed. I didn’t even want to lay on the beds (btw husband and I had to sleep on TWIN beds) type of bedding was not listed in description. Couldn’t put them together, a huge dresser was between. The box springs covering was ripped and hanging on floor, floor was filthy. No closet space here either, owner had 2 huge boxes stored in that one also.
Living area:
Ripped chair, other chairs just looked dirty, worn and very out dated. A lamp sits on top of a stereo??? TV sits on some huge antique buffet of some sort? Curtains are pinned up. A beautiful chandelier over the table is in desperate need of cleaning. Again, all floors were filthy! My feet were black 5 minutes upon arriving and that was BEFORE I went out on the lanai! (Outdated old patio furniture there too)
Kitchen:
Lots of dishes and utensils to use, but were just a mix match of stuff and when I opened the cabinets, again, we could tell no activity has been around there for awhile. In here also, one whole section of cabinet was stored with a bunch of junk!
PROS
The ONLY thing this place has going for it IS the view, but the Mahana has nothing but ocean view units anyway. This corner unit didn’t give you any more view needed, than the other units!
I spoke with the owner on my return, didn't seem too concerned!
Had it not been for the abundance of whales to watch, awesome whale watch tour and great weather, staying in this unit would have almost totally ruined my anniversary celebration! I've stayed at the Mahana 3 times previous and our units were awesome!
In my opinion private owners that do not keep up their units are hurting the reputation of the MAHANA! If we had not rented previously, and this was my first time at this hotel, we definitely would NOT be back!
Oh one last note. I usually don’t let a review about the staff sway my opinion. Well… I can say without a doubt some of the staff at the mahana the 5 days we stayed there were NOT particularly helpful, especially Karen, who seemed like she could care less.
I hope this review will save another from a disastrous vacation in UNIT1219!