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#16292
Adventure & Paradise in Upscale Mauna Lani!
Condominium • Waimea HI United States
5 Guests
2 Bedrooms
4 Beds
2.5 Bathrooms
Wheelchair accessible
1 Car space
1 Car available
Exchange types accepted
Statistics
Listed September 2022
Views 7922
General Overview
ALOOOOOHA!
We have a large and very spacious condo located in the resort community of Mauna Lani, on the Big Island of Hawaii (located in Kamuela/Kohala coast and not Waimea). We are offering two en-suite bedrooms (king upstairs and accessible queen downstairs) which is perfect for two couples traveling together or a romantic getaway. It also has an extra half bath and plenty of room for a few blow up beds if you have small humans. Note our home is not kid friendly or set up for small children. Older children would be ok. Mahalo for understanding.
The downstairs has an open living concept with a covered lanai and outside living/dining area. High speed internet for those that may have to work and a full size washer/dryer. We also have beach chairs, beach towels, coolers and shade tents.
*This is our home and not a vacation rental. We ask that you treat it as such please.
**As we travel alot and are not home to clean in between exchanges, a cleaning fee applies to all exchanges. Details can be discussed prior to the start of an exchange. Price varies based on how many people and it can be anywhere from $150-$250.
*** Our home is perfect for two couples traveling together or a family of 3-5. There are only two beds, a new XL twin Tri-fold mattress and two blow up beds, so not ideal for more than four adults. Please keep that in mind when requesting an exchange. Mahalo 🌺
We have two small "doodles" - they are both hypoallergenic, so do not smell and do not shed. They will not be at the house when you are there unless you request to fur-sit. 😊
We have a newer Hyundai Kona to mutually swap or can rent it privately.
The Space
Upstairs you will find a small landing that leads to the king bedroom with its own bathroom. It also has a work desk, and a great size most;y empty closet with built in drawers.
The downstairs bedroom boasts a super comfortable queen bed (so we have been told), tv, empty chest of drawers, and good sized empty closet. The bedroom is also an en-suite that has an accessible shower.
The main living area is open concept; the living room has two leather couches (new) that are both recliners, and a 65" smart tv with Sonos surround sound.
The round dining room table seats 8 and the kitchen island has four high-top bar seats. The kitchen also has a dishwasher, kettle, coffee maker (both k-cup and ground), French press, microwave, Subzero refrigerator, reverse osmosis filtered drinking water (no need to buy bottle water) and an induction cooktop. It's very spacious, open, and equipped with everything you need. *We leave basic condiments, spices and herbs for you to use.
There is a half bath on the main level and a full size washer and dryer. No clothesline, but we do have drying racks.
The back lanai is spacious, comfortable and quiet - perfect for breakfast, reading and cocktail hour! It features a couch, two reclining chairs and a dining table for 6. There is a built in BBQ, Mini beer fridge and sink. We also have lanai fans to keep the air moving.
We have beach chairs, beach towels, a shade tent, basic boogie boards and soft coolers available for guest use. We do NOT have snorkels available but you can rent them at the nearby shops through Snorkel Bobs or bring your own.
The complex has a decent size pool (usually pretty empty most days) and spa along with a fantastic workout room located very close to the house yet far enough away to not hear any of the noise.
Guest Access
The front door access is flat and would be ok for a wheelchair. We have a new door lock/combination (no key needed), and will provide main gate access code and the private Beach Club access card.
The bottom bedroom has a roll in shower as well and slate floors for ease of access. The only stairs are those leading up to the king bedroom.
Quiet hours in our HOA are from 10pm - 8am. Please, no loud music, gatherings or parties.
Notes
The Big Island is an adventure island. We are located in a fabulous area of the island and there is so much to see and do. Our home is on the dry, leeward side of the island yet a short, 2-hour drive from Hilo which is the wetter, windward side. We are just a ten minute drive from Hapuna Beach State Park which is consistently voted one of the top beaches in the US by Dr. Beach. Some popular day trips and tours include: Night snorkeling with Manta Rays, Volcano National Park, stargazing at Mauna Kea summit, and Green Sand Beach which is just 1 of 4 worldwide!
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Gym
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Gated community
Travel Styles
Long term
Weekend
Adventure
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Foodie
Relaxing
Luxury
Village
Beach
Water
Tropical
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Last minute
Golf
Accessibility
House Rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Smoke free
Hypoallergenic
Dates of Availability
Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.
Available Non-reciprocal Only
Neighbourhood
Mauna Lani is a resort community located on the Kohala (West) coast of the Big Island. The community is anchored by two major hotels and is home to white and black sand beaches, restaurants, supermarket, tennis, world class golf, pickleball, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling and so much more all within the resort at Mauna Lani. Our home is located within the Villages of Mauna Lani.
Getting to my home
We are called the Big Island for a reason - all of the Hawaiian islands fit into the Big Island! There is so much to see and do so a car is definitely needed.
We are happy to mutually swap a vehicle with reciprocal exchanges or if that doesn’t work, we can offer a private rental. We have a newer Hyundai Kona.
Nearest airport
We are located approximately 25 minutes north of the Kailua-Kona airport (KOA). For international travelers, you would fly into Honolulu (HNL), clear customs, then continue with a short 30 minute flight over to Kona.
Getting Around
The shops at Mauna Lani are within walking distance from the condo. There you will find a supermarket, gift shops, Snorkel Bobs (to rent snorkels and fins), the recently opened Island Hopper Taproom with 75 beers on tap, and the Tommy Bahama restaurant - great happy hour specials!
Map of Approximate Location
Feedback
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Well if you are lucky enough to stay in Kirsten and Laura’s fabulous Mauna Lani condo, you will be amazed, as we were, at not only how fabulous their place is but how kind and helpful your hosts will be. From the very first contact to final checkout, they have thought of everything - and I do mean everything - you could possibly need. So we lived an absolute dream during our time in tropical paradise! Their home is even more exquisite than the pictures portray; we enjoyed all the relaxing spaces, from the huge outdoor living space - with recliners! - that backs onto a gorgeous tropical landscape, to the private inner garden courtyard with comfy beanbags perfect for reading, to the incredibly comfortable bed, to the thoroughly stocked kitchen, to the luxurious leather sofa recliners, and so much more. We loved that their condo is just a few steps from the private clubhouse, and spent several evenings alone enjoying the hot tub under the moonlight. Even better: Access to the private Mauna Lani Beach Club, where we snorkeled, swam, lounged, and relaxed. We also tried not to miss sunset at another nearby beach, and wow there’s even a black sand beach very close by that we loved as well. And there’s a grocery store right next to the complex, so we found we didn’t need to go far beyond the Mauna Lani area, (except to Hilo, where we saw the lava flowing, thanks to Kirsten’s prodding to ‘go up there now! So cool!). And then there was the ‘secret pool’ where fish nibbled on our feet, the turtles we observed on beaches, the Lava Lava Club for a romantic sunset dinner, and so much more. Just wow. Our most endearing memories will be of our new travel friends, Kirsten and Laura, though, and we’re so glad we’ve added these two amazing travel friends to our lives. Thank you, Kirsten and Laura, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything, especially for helping us get started with PLU - we would never have made so much progress this fast without you, and we will be forever grateful. Mahalo! -
If you ever get the amazing chance for a hospitality exchange with Kirsten and Laura, you are the luckiest PLU exchangers ever. I cannot begin to express how kind, thoughtful, and helpful our friends Kirsten and Laura have been to us, as we have begun our Big Island adventure. A ‘lei’ welcome at the Kona Airport, a detailed, expansive tour of, well, everything, including the secret pond where little fishes nibbled my feet! We never would have found the secret pond, and so much more, without their help. Their condo lodging is absolutely breathtaking - and there’s the pool, the beach, the grounds - absolutely stunning - just gorgeous! We truly are in paradise. Oh and did I mention the fabulous dinner, breakfast, and so much more?:-)) I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the idea. We cannot thank Kirsten and Laura enough, and we are enormously grateful that our new travel friends have entered our lives! Mahalo, and safe travels, friends.
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We had an incredible experience staying at Kirsten and Laura’s home on the Big Island of Hawaii. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with thoughtful touches like fresh banana bread and a generous welcome gift that made us feel instantly at home. The house itself was beautifully organized, spacious, and easy to navigate, with everything we needed right at our fingertips. It was a truly deluxe and comfortable accommodation in a prime location—close to fantastic beaches, shopping, and attractions, yet still peaceful and private. During our stay, we explored so much of what the island has to offer. We loved visiting the stunning beaches nearby, including Makalawena, Waialea, and Hapuna. One of our absolute favorite adventures was hiking over the lava flow to Kiholo Bay, where we had the magical experience of swimming with sea turtles in a secluded bay. We also made it to the Waimea Farmers Market for some delicious local treats and flair. A major highlight was celebrating our son’s birthday with a Fairwinds charter snorkel trip in Kealakekua Bay—truly unforgettable! We also did a scenic day trip to Waipio Valley Lookout (a must-see), Akaka Falls, explored Hilo and the Kaūmana Caves, and even snuck in some cow cuddling along the way! Another major perk was access to the Mauna Lani Beach Club—just a short drive away and such a beautiful spot with great amenities. Kirsten and Laura were exceptional hosts—kind, responsive, and wonderful communicators who went above and beyond to make our stay smooth and memorable. If you have the opportunity to arrange an exchange with them, do it! You’ll be so glad you did. Mahalo for the unforgettable experience! -
Aloha, talk about living in paradise… This was probably one of our best vacations, everrrr… EVER! The ladies have a beautiful, immaculate home roughly 30min from Kona airport. It has all the modern amenities that anyone could want. Kirsten was very helpful and informative, a class act of hospitality. She’s sheer excellence and I hope to learn from her. They provided us with great tips on what to see and do around town with their extensive home guide— this allowed us to really enjoy our stay without a ton of preplanning but did have to book a few things in advance (luau and nighttime manta ray snorkel). We were able to relax, change our pace, reset and have plenty of thrilling adventures! What more could anyone want? From the Foodland Poké bowl that you can walk to retrieve, to the incredible sunsets, to the Waimea farmers market crepes, to the fish pedicure, to snorkeling with sea turtles (we saw 4 in two trips), to the waterfalls, to the botanical gardens, to the free zoo, to the lava tubes (Kaumana cave was long and impressive), to the unbelievable Mouna Kea stargazing (you can see Milky Way!!), to the shaved ice, to the macadamia nut and coffee farm tours, to the night manta ray snorkel, to the boat regatta in Hilo, to the Pu’uhonua Historical National Park where you learn in depth Hawaiian culture, to the Volcanoes National Park where we were honored to witness episode 29 eruption, I could write a literal book! I mean, who gets to watch a live volcano in their lifetime? Here, you can! What a dream! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type trip here! In fact, I have every intention of going to make a photo book this week so our memories don’t fade over time. This location, these ladies, this vacation was just perfection. All the way around, perfection. We are so grateful for our swap, if you get the chance to connect, this will be one of your best vacations too! Hands down, no contest, this is the place to be!!! Mahalo big time mahalo!! -
To express it with one word only, WOW!!! Big Island was a very positive surprise to us. Our plan was to mostly chill, but we ended up doing a lot of more things than planned, because we got excited by all opportunities, inspired by Kirsten´s extensive house guide. Kirsten and Laura´s home is simply amazing and very beautifully decorated (I loved the tiles :-). It is a semi-detached house, with several different social areas, perfect for our family with two teenagers (who sometimes need their space). The location within the gated community is the best, with only a few steps to the shared gym and pool, which we enjoyed every day. It is also walking distance to Foodland Farms in the shopping center next door, where we found great hot plates and complementary food etc. We had a fabulous time, going on excursions and swimming/snorkeling on different beaches every day. We only wished we had had more time to chill more at home, because we liked the home so much. We appreciated that it was spotless clean on arrival and that things were very well organised and easy to find. Communication with Kirsten was the best, clear, friendly and fun. Thanks for having us and we are looking forward to welcome you to our happy place in Scalea, Italy! -
We had an incredible time staying at this beautiful Mauna Lani condominium. The open-plan layout, thoughtful personal touches, and fully equipped home made it feel like a true retreat—everything we needed was right at our fingertips. The location was perfect, with access to the pool, spa, sauna, and an amazing beach club where we snorkeled with fish and turtles. We even witnessed an unforgettable volcanic eruption at Kīlauea—an experience we’ll never forget. Kristen and Laura were friendly, responsive, and a pleasure to communicate with. We truly felt at home and are grateful for what felt like a little slice of paradise. We also feel that we have made some wonderful new friends who will be welcome whenever they come back to Australia:-) Mahalo nui loa. -
Absolute amazing exchange at Kirsten and Laura's home. Such a welcoming environment not to mention the beauty of the area. Their thoughtfulness and communication was above and beyond and I loved all the details in their remarkable home. Best week ever!! Thank you thank you Maholo a million times! -
Our family just finished a non-sim exchange at Kirsten and Laura’s beautiful home. We were all blown away by the location, island, and the home itself! Easily accessible to so many fun things to do and see, we all wished we had more time to explore! My girls especially loved the pool, and my mother in law loved the gym which were both walking distance away from the home. We snorkeled, hiked, whale watched, and saw volcanoes. Swapping cars made this exchange even better. Such a great trip and such great exchange partners. This was a wonderful exchange! Mahalo ❤️ -
Kirsten and Laura have a beautiful home on a magical island - we loved our stay. Communication was great and we appreciated the written instructions throughout the home so we didn't always have to check their house manual for how things worked. (Hope to be organized enough to take some tips from them!) We felt very welcomed and comfortable throughout our stay. The location in the complex is a very short walk to the pool and gym and to the grocery store. Tons of great outdoor fun a short drive away from beaches to turtle watching to hikes. The Big Island was large and we felt like we only explored some of it's magical charm from this perfect home base. The kitchen is so well stocked and the outdoor lanai was perfect for breakfasts and some BBQ's. My kids enjoyed chilling and playing cards in their other outdoor space, a cool "hidden" patio in the middle of the townhouse - and I enjoyed some outdoor yoga. Kirsten and Laura have hosting down to a science and we loved our stay in their home. -
We had an awesome 10 night stay at Kirsten and Laura's beautiful home at Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Situated In a large, beautifully manicured gated community with all the amenities., we were so lucky to have a pool complex just meters away from our front door and a short drive to the private Beach Club that is only available to residents and their guests. A gorgeous, white sand beach with good snorkeling and walks along the coastline. The house was immaculately clean and had all the amenities we could possibly need. Kirsten's communication was excellent and provided us with loads of tips and info to make our holiday planning easy and fun. We loved the diversity of the Big Is with it's volcanic lava flows and beautiful sheltered beaches on the west coast to the Volcanoes in the centre, to the lush green forests, waterfalls and spectacular cliffs along the east coast. It has such a relaxed feel to it and to top it off the traffic is light and easy to get around. This was a wonderful holiday that we will always remember and we are very grateful to Kirsten and Laura for sharing their special place with us. 😊 -
We loved every minute of our stay at Kirsten and Laura’s beautiful home. The setup and layout of their home is well thought out and the decor is lovely. The location is also great (within a gated community) with supermarket, shops and restaurants nearby. We really enjoyed relaxing by the pool and the access to the Mauna Lani Beach Club for fantastic swimming and snorkeling. If you are lucky enough to secure an exchange with Kirsten and Laura you are in for a real treat! -
We have just returned from a magical stay at Kirsten and Laura's wonderful home. Their home is absolutely beautiful, with anything you need plus a gym and terrific pool area. The Beach Club is only a few minutes away with lounges, lots of shade and great snorkelling. Snorkelling gear is cheap to hire right next door at Snorkel Bob's. After picking up their car at the local airport - (simple process organised by Kirsten) - we were welcomed at their gorgeous home by a generous welcome gift. Anything you needed to know was in their home manual - which is completely next level! We attended local events, travelled to the volcanoes, shared meals with friends on the island, watched beautiful sunsets, shopped at local markets and read about Hawaii's fascinating cultural history. Just the best week. Shopping is a breeze with Foodland Supermarket right next door and for a big shop there is huge supermarket at the neighbouring village up the hill. Don't worry if you forget anything because we got lost looking for this supermarket and found an enormous, well stocked Goodwill Store. Pity our suitcases were already full. If you are looking for a stay in paradise then look no further than Kirsten and Laura's magnificent home. You will not be disappointed. Highly recommended. Judy and Murray #9535 -
We had an amazing stay at Laura and Kirsten's home. Wow! I don't even know where to begin. They were very easy to communicate with from the beginning and quick to respond to any questions that came up. Their home is beautifully decorated, spacious, and very comfortable. We loved spending time on the lanai both for morning coffee and evening cocktails:) We explored a different beach each day, returning to the pool each afternoon. The resort has great restaurants and amenities, including its own beach club. Kirsten has put together an amazing guidebook. Her recommendations are spot on and led us to our favorite restaurants, beaches, and activities. Our trip was a much-needed break; we were able to relax and enjoy our time thanks to Kirsten and Laura's hospitality. The best part of our exchange, however, was having the chance to meet up several times with Kirsten, Laura, and the doodles later in the summer as they made their way up the East Coast. Laura and Kirsten were perfect exchange partners - who we now consider friends. -
If you have the chance to exchange with Kirsten & Laura, jump on it ! Their spotless & beautifully appointed upscale, luxury home in the gated community of the Mauna Lani Villages is a Hawaiian vacation dream. I could have spent an entire week just enjoying their home and lanai. It’s that lovely !! We feel so lucky to have been able to make this exchange. Kirsten’s communication and organization is top notch and you will feel very taken care of. We loved waking up to the birds chirping & enjoying our morning coffee on the huge, comfy , covered lanai. Their home is a few doors down from the pool & a very short stroll from the shops. Having access to the private beach club was a treat and the water was so beautifully calm and clear. It’s a great spot to snorkel too!! The Big Island is gorgeous and very unique with a very diverse ecosystem. We enjoyed exploring other areas of the island as much as we enjoyed our quiet mornings just lazing at the beach. A must visit is the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens & Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Mahalo Kirsten & Laura for an absolutely magical exchange. We look forward to welcoming you to Whistler !! -
We had the best exchange ever with Kirsten & Laura! After they visited us in September 2023, we went to their home in Hawaii for two weeks in February 2024. Communication was very easy and we quickly felt like we had new friends 😊 Their home is beautiful, quiet and so well located, very close to beaches (Mauna Lani, Hapuna,...) and many activities (manta ray snorkeling, boogie board, luxurious valley tours,...). They had prepared very detailed instructions in the house, so everything was so easy to use. They also gave us great advice before and during our trip. Big Island is big enough to discover many things in 2 weeks (though we could have stayed a lot more time and still explore many more places!), and small enough to be able to visit it all from their home. It is a truly stunning island, with such diversity... We walked in all-green tropical forests with waterfalls, hiked into a volcano, boogie boarded on a beautiful white beach with turtles swimming around, swam with manta rays at night... Truly an amazing island we would love to go to again, especially if we had the luck to exchange again with our amazing hosts Kirsten & Laura 😊 -
We are so happy to have Kirsten and Laura in our lives because of our PLU connection! Their home on the Big Island is a warm and luxurious escape in one of the most sought after areas of Hawaii Our communication was flawless and we felt instantly at home in their townhouse The townhouse is beautifully decorated. Lush tropical and well tended gardens surround their home. The pool and jacuzzi along with the gym area is only a 1/2 block from their front door. This was a very special experience for us, and we live in Hawaii! We highly recommend that you stay at Kirsten and Laura’s home and have the experience of a lifetime -
Impeccably presented property with amenities to match. Kirsten and Laura are top notch hosts radiating aloha and embodying the PLU spirit. So well organized and so generous with their time and advice. You’ll need a car - we chose to rent Kirsten & Laura’s personal vehicle for the duration of our stay and I suggest you do the same. The car was immaculate, reliable, economical, safe and fairly priced. Avoiding the inevitable small island rental car office jamb after a long flight and being picked up and dropped-off from the airport was invaluable. Thanks for having us ladies – it was a real pleasure. -
In a word? Wow! This exchange exceeded all of our expectations. Kristen & Laura’s home is in a gated, resort community that is a 10 minute drive to one of the world’s best beaches (“Hapuna beach”). They have a beautiful, clean & spacious home in a perfect location - next to the pool/jacuzzi; a nearby resort beach and restaurant where you can snorkel and enjoy a cabana or rent a SUP/kayak; a special rocky ocean spot to watch the sunset; a 3 min walk to a pretty outdoor mall with coffee/groceries/Tommy Bahama’s restaurant/shop and many more stores and restaurants all opening up. To top it off, Kirsten & Laura are lovely people. We got the chance to socialize with them and enjoyed lots of conversations and they are super friendly and incredibly helpful and happy to answer any question you have. We were so honored to be their first PLU exchanger - we loved this exchange and have made more lifelong PLU friends.
My Desired Destinations
Open to any destination
Can travel at any time
Dates Flexible
"Always up for an island hop"
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
"Always keen for a summer swap"
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
"September-November 2027"
Dates Flexible
"August-October 2026 for the All Blacks tour"
Dates Flexible
Dates Flexible
"Thinking July/Aug 2028"
Dates Flexible
"Always keen for a trip to the PNW. Especially June-September."
Dates Flexible
"Always keen for a trip to the PNW. Especially from June-September."
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