Makaha Resort Waianae

there are 2 main problems with this hotel. the traffic during rush hour on highway 93 (the only road out of the west side) is terrible and it takes over an hour of almost stopped traffic to get to/from the resort. if you leave the hotel at 10am it isn't a problem, but it's terrible at 8:30am. When you return to the hotel at night, you better get there by 4pm or after 7 pm or it will take over an hour. the other problem is that the parking is about 1/3 mile from the hotel room. there are 2 golf carts that take guests to their room, but they are extremely busy in the late afternoon/evening. we really didn't want to leave our golf clubs in the car, but it was just too far to carry them to the room. the pavement is uneven and hauling clubs/suitcases over it isn't good for the luggage. the rooms themselves were spacious and just fine. the pool was 60ft by 60ft and largely unused. i swam laps alone every morning. it was wonderful. the food was just average and somewhat pricey. there aren't any good restaurants nearby so plan to eat when your in pearl/waikiki/north shore etc. we stayed at the hotel for 9 days from 2/8-2/17/05.

We didn't want to be in the hectic pace of Waikiki and we didn't want to spend a fortune. I read 'all' the reviews and looked at 'all' the pictures of the hotels on Oahu. We spent the last 5 days of our 11 day vacation at Makaha Golf Resort. It was quiet, country, mountainous beauty. We drove all the way out to the end of the road on this western part of the island. What rugged beauty. We were able to catch 'The Bus' right in front of the resort and go 'anywhere' we wanted on the island for $2 each. Ask for a 'stub' when you get on and then you can get off and back on (within 2 hours) and not have to pay again. The pool was great. We relaxed and looked out at the ocean. The staff was very friendly and our room was clean. The AC worked 'great' and they had fitted sheets! We needed the exercise of 'walking' to our room. Elderly or handicapped would need to ride the golf cart for sure. Free parking, great room rate, quiet nights, lots of wildlife, and tropical plants. In short, we loved it.

Jan 05: We stayed at this resort on an airfare package deal with Hawaiian airlines. The resort was basically under renovation. Not having traveled to Oahu before we were unaware that the resort was 40 miles from Waikiki and Honolulu so our drive in was rather long and coming home was tiresome.



The staff was friendly and very hospitable the food was great and the accomodations were quite 80's. They did not have room service and the ocean view was more like a peekaboo view. The drive to the resort being on the west side of the Island takes you through the under developed side of the Island so you drive through some rougher areas of the Island. Was not able to golf due to the weather and our travel constrictions.



I would say that this resort is perfect for someone who is looking to hit the different golf opportunities on the Island or just looking to get away to write a book or maybe meditate or something. There is a great national park beach area that is very secluded for meditation.



By no means a family resort or a singles action resort or even a couples resort...unless you are looking for a no frill accomodations. We stayed with a reduced price package so I would never pay the full price which avg about 145.00 for our ocean view I mean peekaboo view.

A group of us have been playing golf here for 5 years. Based on the limited choices of good places to eat in this area, every once in a while we try out the restaurant. Sometimes for a dinner party, sometimes for lunch after golf. The waitresses are good. The rest is terrible. Food quality is poor, it takes forever, they will lose your reservation, and they seldom have many of the items on the menu available. Try fast food instead.

I had low expectations and the place was a bit rough around the edges; however our goal was a quick, less expensive trip than our usual. And boy,was it was a bargain ( we got the golf package... the course, according to my husband is really great and he has played all over the islands)! The staff was very friendly, especially the wait staff and the golf pro and his assistant. The rooms were not bad ( we had junior suite). The original resort was so oddly set up in terms of taking advantage of views ( to me, the lanai and view is everything!) and that was a disapointment. The food was very, very good and very resonable and beautifully presented. The dining deck affords a beautiful sunset view down the valley to the ocean. Having read all sorts of things in guide books about the people of the Wainae area being unfreindly, I was prepared for the worst.However, they were wonderful!!! If you smile first and show that you are not a snooty-type mainlander, they are extremely gracious. In short, we had a fabulous time and plan to return this spring. I'm anxious to see how the renovations are coming along and if they're getting the rooms up to speed. PS I saw not one gecko! I was disapointed!

After reading rewiews on this resort that were not the most flattering, I thought that I should step up and give my opionion. The Makaha Resort is quiet and out of the way. There is a lot of wildlife on the property including several species of birds. (I only remember seeing pigeon like birds in Waikiki) The room was adequate. We stayed in a Junior Suite, it had all the basic requirements, nothing extravagent. The bed quite a bit below standard, hopefully the management is working on replacing that. The restaurant was good. The staff was very friendly. And oh yeah, there was one gecko that poked his nose in our room for the first few nights. Not the scurrying packs of vermon that were eluded to in other reviews. Who goes to the tropics and doesnt have a gecko story? If you are planning to go on a dolphin excursion or for surf lessons, you are very close and dont have to catch a 5:00 AM bus from Waikiki. For the price of the room, it is good value. Especially if you are on a budget. Dont let the possibility of a gecko sighting spoil a quality holiday.

I completely agree with Geckos Galore.. The room's rather unkept and dusty. Fortunately no shoe mark on my towel, but saw stains on the bathroom wallpapers. We had a dinner function over the weekend and the meal was completely messed up even after various confirmations and faxes between the 2 parties. The agreed upon menu wasn't agreed upon on night of dinner. The hotel left out the salad and dessert and when confronted with copy of order confirmation, brought out another dessert, probably some leftovers from Thanksgiving... and the food.. well, McDonalds at Waianae does a better job..

We decided to try the Makaha Resort(Aug 2004) just for 2 days before staying in Waikiki...its very tropical and quiet...But...the rooms are very far in ...its a long walk ... there is a shuttle cart that will pick you up if you call the front desk....one gal was a rough driver...had to hang on or fall off that cart...she took the turns rather like a speed racer...the guys drive slower and safer... The rooms...I guess they are never sold out on rooms...we had a room that probably was never used for 6 months..there were spiders and spider webs stuck to the comforter bottoms, and on the floor under the head board, lots of gecko droppings or rat droppings, the ceilings are veryyyyy high you can see large geckos(lizards)just crawling all over the ceilings..I had night mares,I'm not use to those creatures. The room had much to much floral fabric matching the bed covers..the lighting in the room at night was like walking thru a dim tunnel (you need light bulbs at least 60 watts please) the tiny dresser was shedding its paneling on the bottom the drawers would fall out when you pulled it open, since there was a coffee maker on top of it and I needed an extra outlet to plug in my cell ph charger I pushed the little draw away from the wall...ugh.. a gigantic lizard ran out and more spiders and spider webs....yes I'm scared of bugs. The small TV was on a small stand that had a tiny fridge underneath that didnt get cold to use and gigantic the size of the room because of the ceiling, is very high beamed ,that tiny stand against the wall really made the room feel like a motel six...even the Plaza Hotel at the airport has a very nice oversize Amoire with a large dresser and a larger television this type of furniture would make the room much more luxirious.....the bathroom was big enough the sink faucet would spray out the water all over, the lighting was very bright I'd leave the light on all night since I needed that bright light...the toilet had this push button on the side of the tank....the bath towels on the first night I noticed a shoe mark on one of them ( yep must have been stepped on) I tried to research this resort... but couldnt find much info or photos they show of course looked ok...I like to read the reviews before I decide to stay there (just two mini reviews with not much info. I need detailed info) ...the pool area looked good not crowded..but...eating breakfast the first morn we ate indoors not on the lanai...I noticed the pool needs lots of cleaning the edges were black or mildew so I opt that.. the breakfast......well .... if they can clean my room and vacum all those spider webs and spiders around the bed I may come back and even sleep thru the night.... Rooms not used for months still need to be maintain....well I was there Fri and Sat, out Sun.. to Waikiki to my frav vacation spot Hilton Hawaiian its perfect there.. alohaaaaaaa

A great choice for travellers who are looking for the unpretentious, casual and quiet atmosphere with great food, reasonable room rates and the perfect golf course. This is not your "cookie cutter" resort. If you are looking for 4-5 star rating- this is not for you, but you will get the basics with clean rooms, friendly staff and beautiful views of the valley, golf course, and mountains. Many rooms are renovated, and was told they have a renovation plan in place for the remainder to start soon. Only 45 minutes from the airport. Rent a car, experience the culture of the very small local community and untouched beaches. If you are looking for a spot to get away from the crowds and find some peace and quiet this will work for you. A secret paradise.

A golfer's dream! Only 45 minutes from Honolulu airport, this resort is a wonderful alternative to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. If you want to escape this is definitely an area to consider, and if you are a golfer the value is incomparable anywhere else on the islands. Although not right on the ocean, the setting is stunning with the mountains towering behind you and the ocean view in front. Although the resort is older, the units have been renovated nicely and are very comfortable. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Be sure to rent a car so you can explore the area.