Puamana, Princeville: ease of access to the North Shore

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In a nutshell: What these condos may lack in luxury, they make up for in economy, utility, and ease of access to the greater North Shore area. 

Overview of Puamana

If you are a creature of comfort or looking for luxury, you should probably look elsewhere. But for families (or groups embarking on a golf trip) who value activities and excursions over a modern ambiance, Puamana is a great choice. You can walk next door to visit the Princeville Market or grab a bite at Nanea Restaurant and Bar. Anini beach is a bit farther down, accessible via a forest path. Parking is close and easy, adding convenience to off site excursions to downtown Princeville or neighboring Hanalei and Kilauea.

The Puamana complex is also surrounded by golf courses, including the famous Makai Golf Course, for those looking to take a few (or many more) swings during their stay.

Puamana Key Facts

Puamana Location

Puamana’s North Shore location is a 10-minute drive to both Kilauea and Hanalei, and a 10-minute hike to Anini Beach. Just next door is the Westin Resort Villas where you can find Princeville Market and Nanea Restaurant and Bar. The complex itself is surrounded by golf courses for those looking to take a few swings during their stay.

Puamana Pool

There is one modest pool for resident and guest use, which can be accessed with the pool key found inside your rental. Puamana has nearly 100 units, so set your pool use expectations accordingly.

Unit sizes 

Condos range from one- to three-bedrooms, including a fully-equipped kitchen, a washer/dryer, and a lanai. The units feel spacious, with each generally featuring an open floor plan and high ceilings. The sizes of the lanais can vary, so take note of outdoor shots when reviewing a listing’s photos.

Puamana Review: why we love it

• Its North Shore location is fantastic.
  • Puamana is next door to the Westin Resort Villas, which houses Princeville Market and Nanea Restaurant and Bar.
  • Anini Beach, a 2.5 mile white sand beach, is only a 10-minute hike away via a forest trail.
  • The Puamana complex borders the famous Makai Golf Course.
  • Hanalei Beach is only a 10-minute drive to the west, and Kilauea is only 10 minutes to the east.
• Parking is easy and accessible – an added convenience for your North Shore excursions.
• All units currently listed include a fully-equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and a lanai.
• The price is right. Puamana is an affordable option that will allow you to allocate more toward food and fun, budget permitting.

Things to Know Before Booking Puamana

• Most condos value function over form here. They offer utility at a great price, but not that much luxury.
• The complex (completed in 1980) feels dated.
• Rental fees: All accommodations in Hawaii can come with some (rather large) fees. Whether you’re in a hotel paying resort fees or you’re getting a vacation rental and paying service fees, factor these into your equation. We usually go with VRBO because we’ve found that these fees are usually lower than what you’ll find on other similar platforms. 
• No unit consistency: all of these vacation rentals are individually owned, so there’s a lack of consistency. We found that decor, amenities, and updates vary more here than in comparable vacation rental complexes. Reading reviews of individual units can always give you a better sense of what to expect before booking.

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