50th in Hawaii

Old Jun 9th, 2015, 10:38 AM
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50th in Hawaii

Hi,

We are looking at taking our family of 12 on our 50th Anniversary trip next year. The ages of those traveling at the time will be: us in our 60's, 4 adults in their early 40's, two teens, 3 elementary kids, and one 4 year old.

We would like to do something with activities instead of just a sightseeing trip. Unfortunately I'm prejudiced against cruises.

We are giving strong consideration to a trip to Hawaii. We are an active family and would enjoy staying pretty busy with opportunity for relaxing if we choose. We want to be sure the teens and older children in our party will have a lot of fun without excluding the 4 year old from too many activities.

We are looking at Maui and have researched the Westin Maui Resort. I know one can rent a house for the week, but that leaves us cooking for 12 people. Plus a hotel seems to have the best option for snorkeling tours, sport fishing, scuba lessons and tours, zip lining, etc. It would be nice to all be in a house, but we've done that several times and, although it's great to have washing machines and microwaves, it ends up being a lot of work for the adults. So, I'm considering a resort.

We can spend upwards of $30k.

Suggestions and tips would be appreciated!
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 01:27 PM
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My parents took 10 or us to Hawaii for their 50th (there weren't smaller kids involved, all adults).

We stayed in Lahaina and had two rental cars. Worked out beautifully. We stayed in condos at Lahaina Shores (so neither a "resort" nor a house). Went to Haleakala, the Old Lahaina Luau, U'lalena at Myth & Magic Theater, etc.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:36 PM
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The advantage to the Westin Maui Resort is it's in Kaanapali (hotels and condos within a "planned development", with a path running between the hotel properties and the ocean for about 3 miles, from the Hyatt Regency to Sheraton, and then picking up north of Black Rock to Honua Kai and maybe beyond). The teenagers will be able to have some freedom to come and go (especially to Whaler's Village which is next door to the Westin Maui.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:38 PM
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By the way, happy anniversary, and how the heck old were you when you got married????
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:47 PM
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Check out a few rooms at Napili Kai. It is a very very special family friendly resort with great service and enforced quiet hours. Hawaii old school at its best from my recent stay.

Hotels don't give you better options on snorkeling and excursions. No reason not to look at condos with w/d and kitchen facilities.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 03:49 PM
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I agree about staying in a condo rather than a hotel, but as nice as Napili Kai is, I wouldn't stay there with teenagers, simply because there's no place for them to go by themselves.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 04:15 PM
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sf, there are 10 other people, I wouldn't cater to just 2 teenagers and don't really get your point that they would have no place to go? what does that mean?
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 05:16 PM
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I totally agree with sf on the condo on Kaanapali beach. Lots to do right there for all ages. I would recommend the Hula Girl for snorkeling or dinner or sunset sails. The catamaran is beautiful, food is very good and the staff is excellent. Go to Lahaina for fishing excursions, shopping and just a fun place to go. I would also suggest the Feast at Lele for a luau. It is run by the same people as Old Lahaina Luau but is smaller, table service rather than a buffet, better food and drinks from your waiter rather than watered down drinks. It of course, is more expensive. There is also good snorkeling at Black Rock right on that beach. Agree it is a good place for everyone of all ages and the kids will have freedom to roam. If you are looking for quiet, this is not the area for you as it is very busy.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 12:18 PM
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ina..., I suspect you haven't traveled with teenagers. If you had, you probably wouldn't need an explanation.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 02:04 PM
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How about Waikiki? Most things are within walking distance, and even the teens would be safe together on their own during the day.

Maui would be fine too. I'd consider the newer and more upscale Wailea as well as Kaanapali. Kapalua/Napili might be a bit too remote. Maui does have the two best luau in the state, in Lahaina.

What time of year will you travel?

How much 'togetherness' is too much? Condos give families more space...including a parking space. (You need 'wheels' on Maui.) You often get a better rate on a condo by the week. Few charge for parking, and few have a daily 'resort fee', as do most hotels.

You'd book a luau, tours, zip lines, etc. on your own. You can do a lot of DIY sightseeing by car. There's no need to book things through a hotel.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 02:06 PM
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I agree Waikiki would be perfect for teenagers. I didn't see that being considered in the original post?
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 04:46 PM
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Thank you for all the tips! We have visited several spots in the Hawaiian islands and thought that Maui would be the best fit for us. Although every island we've visited is lovely in it's own right.

I will research condos a bit more. They do have advantages, although looking at dirty dishes from 12 people several times every day loses a little magic for me on our anniversary trip.

And, we were a whopping 19 by a week when we got married!

I love the suggestions. Please keep them coming!
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 04:52 PM
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ChiSue, we are considering travel during late May of 2016 (as soon as school is out) as with our family's summer schedule, it is hard to avoid scheduling conflicts.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 06:03 PM
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I understand your concern about dishes and such, but I vote for a couple of condos. Even if you stay in a condo, you can still go out for meals just as you would do if staying in a hotel. Our family did a similar trip recently, and everyone agreed the condos were great. We went out for dinners, lunches were usually at the pool or during day trips. The advantages were that the young kids could go to bed, and adults could still gather in the living room. We stocked the kitchen with snacks as well as adult beverages,and it was just nice to have a quick breakfast without going out. Besides, I'd put out the word that this is YOUR anniversary, your treat, and you don't expect to do dishes. I agree with the advantage of staying in the Kaanapali area for the range of ages you have. Do have a massage at the Westin Hotel spa. The relaxation room has an outstanding view of the water- so calming.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 07:57 PM
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sf7307, you would suspect wrong. Perhaps we hang with a different variety of teenager that have been brought up differently.
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Old Jun 11th, 2015, 06:41 AM
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So, to those of you who encourage toward condos vs resort stays, how did you go about booking the best excursions before leaving home? Did you have recommendations or use the internet referrals? It is nice to have the benefit of a concierge at a resort to handle those activities, but I'm not averse to handling myself if need be. It just seems a bit of a gamble.

Also, it would seem that the pools are not likely as "fun" for the younger crowd at condos as they are at the large resorts that cater to families. At least that's what I'm observing in my research. Right?

Bringing snorkel gear from the US for 12 people seems a little daunting. While we have our own, I was planning on renting for the rest of the family. Do the resorts rent by the week/day? I'm assuming that wouldn't be an option if staying in a condo. Seems for condo stays, we would need to visit a local dive shop on the first morning to handle.

There are definite advantages to having a more homestyle environment for the week...but it may be a trade-off in having to do more work this side of the trip.

I'm just trying to get my mind around both options to weigh which one best fits our needs.

Thank you!
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Old Jun 11th, 2015, 06:45 AM
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Also, what are opinions about the Westin, the Sheraton, and the Hyatt compare?
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Old Jun 11th, 2015, 07:40 AM
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You're right that the hotel resort pools are bigger, more lively and have more slides etc. Condo pools are generally low-key.

Renting of snorkel gear - there are a number of shacks along the beach in Kaanapali where you can rent.

I never use a concierge to book activities, so that's not an issue for me - in any event, the beach shacks do activities too.

Of the three hotels you mention, Sheraton is the low-key one, with a pool to match. The pools at the Westin and Hyatt are definitely more of the kind you're thinking of (pool bars and the like). However, the beach in front of the Sheraton, albeit crowded, is excellent, and the snorkeling right there is fantastic (Black Rock) - you can just walk into the water and put your head down.
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Old Jun 18th, 2015, 03:45 PM
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Has anyone stayed at the Kaanapali Alii condos? Narrowing it down to a couple of condos vs suites at the Westin or Sheraton. It seems there are pluses to a condo and all the room provided. The pools seem like the big drawback. The reviews on the pools say the size and simplicity make them not so fun. Half of our party is kids, and I'm struggling with choosing a location that they will find loads of fun while still trying to make it practical all the way around.

Reviews greatly appreciated!
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Old Jun 18th, 2015, 06:56 PM
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I stayed there more than once years ago, and recommended it on here to someone who loved it (can't remember who it was). The KA condos are upscale, and spacious. The pool, however, is not a "resort" type pool.
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