Castle Molokai Shores, Kaunakakai

I had stayed at this place 20 years ago and after going back recently I noticed the rooms are the same, just dirtier. There is no coffee maker, no free coffee, no microwave, no phone, no internet, and limited utensils. The floors look like they haven't been vacuumed for years. At night all the roaches and flies find there way into the room. The bedroom is hot at night. The pool and the barbecue area are nice. This is not so much a tourist area as it used to be. No one with the same energy and excitement as you over there. It's like vacationing in public housing. Hotel Molokai may be a better choice for the touristy feel or even Kaluakoi, there's nice beaches over there. For $150 a night I expect more. $30 a night would be more like it.

I wish I would've known about this place before booking the reservations. The unit was filthy - dirty dishes and utensils. These units really need central air conditioning - ceiling fans are inadequate for temps that stay in the 90's even at night. We were surprised to discover that there are no housekeeping services unless you are staying 8 days or longer.....huh? This means that you won't get fresh towels or bed linens unless you wash them yourself (at your own expense), and you have to empty your own trash or let it pile up. Be advised that some of the units in this complex are Gov't Section 8 housing. You can draw your own conclusions from there. When we checked in we were told that the beach here is safe for swimming, but don't be too sure. There is a strange grayish-brown cast to the water at the shoreline. We decided not to chance it. Finally, I have to say that I have never met a more unfriendly group of people anywhere. The locals are downright rude. Molokai is nicknamed the "Friendly Island", but I don't have a clue how they got the name.

I liked the area. It is right in "town". It had a nice view and the parking was free and convenient. I did not like the noise level at this hotel. I was on the second floor and could hear people walking up the staircase and chickens crowing in the morning. The unit was a bit dated, but I think the units are privately owned and decorated so this probably depends. Also, I wish the units had King sized beds, but they are Queen. Moloka'i is a beautiful place to visit, though. And, you probably won't spend too much time in your room. I would recommend visiting for a relaxing vacation with friendly locals and great beaches and sightseeing. Out of all of the islands, Moloka'i is probably the most laid back.