Kauai is a beautiful place, but the Mahina Kai is not. My partner and I booked 7 nights there, and we checked out after just 1 horrible, uncomfortable night of zero sleep. The photos posted on the web site are not accurate and do not appear current. The place is dirty, in serious disrepair and completely outdated. Specifically, we found these things wrong:
1 – Exposure to insects: The rooms are not completely enclosed, with huge gaps in the window screens, so we got eaten alive by swarms of mosquitoes. I had blood stains on my sleeping clothes and the linens, from swatting at so many mosquitoes, throughout the night.
2 – No Security: The rooms do not have locks. So all your belongings and valuables are completely exposed, as anyone can walk into your room at any time (in the completely open floor plan).
3 – No hot water: Our bathroom had no hot water. We had to take showers in cold water. Even in a warm climate that left us shivering and very uncomfortable.
4 – Pool was filthy and un-usable: The pool was flooded with debris and mud, due to rain and periodic flooding. In addition, the pool-house was stacked with clutter, and looked like a shed in a trailer park.
5 – Room was filthy: Everything (furniture, bedspread, sheets, towels) were musty and mildewy. The floor felt sticky under my feet and generally unclean.
6 – Questionable business practices: Upon checking out, we reached an agreement with the owner for a 50% refund (so we would generously pay him for 3.5 nights, even though we only stayed 1 night). After 3 weeks, has not made good on the refund.
I would not recommend patronizing Mahina Kai. We stay at Gay Bed and Breakfasts all over the country. Other gay B&B owners and operators took much more pride in their properties and provided many more amenities. Mahina Ka
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