Sugar Beach Resort Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay

Pros

Located on a six-mile stretch of lovely beach with gentle waves
Pretty grounds with miniature putting green and koi pond
Saltwater swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, and barbecue area
Spacious condos with kitchens, some with ocean views
Casual, charming sandwich shop for snacks and drinks
In an area rich with wildlife
Free Wi-Fi in some units
Free parking

Cons

Decor and amenities varies greatly between units
Some complaints about maintenance issues
No Wi-Fi signal in some units
Condos are not ADA accessible

Bottom Line

With 214 condos spread over two buildings, the Sugar Beach Resort is a solid, mid-range condominium resort. Rooms are individually owned and thus vary greatly in decor, but all have full kitchens and balconies and most sleep two to four guests. There's a saltwater swimming pool with a barbecue area, a koi pond, and a miniature putting green on-site, and it's just next to a part of the ocean that's popular with sea turtles and calving humpback whales. There's a cute and casual sandwich shop on-site for those who don't want to make use of their kitchens. Some guests have complained about maintenance issues throughout the property.

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Hotel & Amenities Photos

One Bedroom Apartment

Restaurants and Bars

Amenities

Beach

Pool

The Hotel

Amenities

Internet
Pool

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Scene

Mid-range condo resort

Like most condo resorts on Maui, the Sugar Beach Resort is aimed towards leisure travelers rather than people on the island for business, and it attracts couples and families alike. The property has been around since the 1970s, as evidenced by its architecture, and condos are spread over two buildings on either side of resort's swimming pool. The lobby is tiny and has a front desk and a couple of chairs as well as a gift shop/convenience store off to one side. The landscaped grounds are much more pleasant for hanging out and include a couple a waterfall koi pond and lounge chairs. The overall atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

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Location

On a six-mile stretch of beach near the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

The Sugar Beach resort is located in sunny Kihei, on a six-mile-long beach (the longest beach in the state) and is just across from the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. There's not much to walk to in the area, and it's about a 30-minute drive from Lahaina. The Kahului Airport is a 20-minute drive away and the Kapalua Airport takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. Parking at the resort is free.

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Rooms

Individually styled condos with kitchens and balconies

Each of the 214 units at the Sugar Beach Resort is individually owned and, as such, decor and in-room amenities varies greatly. All come with kitchens and balconies; flat-screen TVs and DVD players are standard to most rooms. Some have additional features such as washer/dryers. Potential guests book specific rooms rather than room types, so they know what they are getting ahead of time (when it comes to the decor). Wi-Fi is free. ADA-accessible rooms are not available. Some guests have raised questions about the quality of the maintenance of the units.

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Features

Saltwater swimming pool, beach access, sandwich shop, as well as access to a beautiful beach

In between the two towers that house the condos at Sugar Beach Resort is a saltwater swimming pool with a hot tub and a barbecue area. There's also a convenience store selling sunscreen, snacks, and souvenirs as well as a gift shop, a massage clinic, and a bridal shop on-site. Dinas Sandwitch Eatery serves sandwiches, snacks, and cocktails at lunch and dinner. The property looks out over Sugar Beach, which is popular with green sea turtles and humpback whales can be spotted from the waters of Maalaea Bay during whale season. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though past guests have complained about spotty service.

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