Kaanapli Resorts???
Jun 18th, 2003, 08:16 AM
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Kaanapli Resorts???
My wife and I will be visiting Maui for the first time next February. We are leaning towards staying on Kaanapali, but seem to be suffering from information overload regarding the hotels in the area: Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, or Marriott. After reading review after review and rant after rant we seem to have learned the following:
Westin: recently remodeled, nice beach, nice pools, adult-only pool, lots of kids, close to shopping/restaurants, not much for open space/grounds, small rooms, great beds
Hyatt: beautiful grounds, excellent service, small beach not very suitable for swimming, nice pool, excellent spa, could use some remodeling/refurbishing
Sheraton: beautiful grounds, great beach, nice pool, huge complex with long walks to pool/beach/desk, could use some remodeling/refurbishing
Marriott: haven't looked much since were told by a travel agent this property was going to be all time share units by next February
In your opinion, are these summaries accurate? Have we missed anything that we should know about these resorts? Are we missing something different in the area that we should reconsider (we are looking at the full service resorts in the area rather than a condo - we have no desire to cook and do laundry on vacation)?
Has anyone been to this area in early February? Not that we wish to avoid all families and kids, but since this time falls between the holidays and most spring breaks, are we likely to see fewer families and kids? Also, how did the weather in this area compare to Kapalua or Wailea?
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Thank you.
Westin: recently remodeled, nice beach, nice pools, adult-only pool, lots of kids, close to shopping/restaurants, not much for open space/grounds, small rooms, great beds
Hyatt: beautiful grounds, excellent service, small beach not very suitable for swimming, nice pool, excellent spa, could use some remodeling/refurbishing
Sheraton: beautiful grounds, great beach, nice pool, huge complex with long walks to pool/beach/desk, could use some remodeling/refurbishing
Marriott: haven't looked much since were told by a travel agent this property was going to be all time share units by next February
In your opinion, are these summaries accurate? Have we missed anything that we should know about these resorts? Are we missing something different in the area that we should reconsider (we are looking at the full service resorts in the area rather than a condo - we have no desire to cook and do laundry on vacation)?
Has anyone been to this area in early February? Not that we wish to avoid all families and kids, but since this time falls between the holidays and most spring breaks, are we likely to see fewer families and kids? Also, how did the weather in this area compare to Kapalua or Wailea?
Any feedback would be much appreciated!
Thank you.
Jun 18th, 2003, 09:01 AM
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We visited Maui a couple of years ago in February and stayed in the Kahana area (north of Kaanapali) and enjoyed watching the whales right from our condo. The Kaanapali area is developed and you walk by all the hotels linked together by an ocean sidewalk. We did not experience much rainy weather aside from an occassional shower and enjoyed snorkeling in Kapalua bay. In October we plan to spend a week in the Wailea area which is supposed to have less families, and dryer weather. "Maui Revealed" is an excellent guidebook for learning about Maui. Stay tuned for my report in November. Aloha. 
Jun 18th, 2003, 09:30 AM
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Have stayed in Kaanapali 4 times. The hyatt is the best resort of any along that stretch of beach. It's a beautiful place We got a high room in the Lahaina Tower facing north with a view of Swan Court and the pool beyond as well as the ocean off to the right. It was great.
Stayed at the Marriott this past Nov. Since it was 1/2 timeshare and 1/2 hotel, it was crowded at that time when all the other hotels had low occupancy.
Westin is nice as is the Sheraton. They are pretty much how you describe.
Stayed at the Marriott this past Nov. Since it was 1/2 timeshare and 1/2 hotel, it was crowded at that time when all the other hotels had low occupancy.
Westin is nice as is the Sheraton. They are pretty much how you describe.
Jun 18th, 2003, 09:40 AM
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You missed the best feature of the Sheraton...Black Rock. The snorkeling there is some of the best on the island.
I've stayed at the Hyatt in the past year and loved just about everything about it. I didn't think it needed a refurbishing.
The hotels are all within a nice walk from each other, and for the most part, you can experience the unique features of each if you like.
I've stayed at the Hyatt in the past year and loved just about everything about it. I didn't think it needed a refurbishing.
The hotels are all within a nice walk from each other, and for the most part, you can experience the unique features of each if you like.
Jun 18th, 2003, 09:46 AM
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Hey John D, the snorkeling wasn't that good when we went, maybe it was because of the tiger shark warnings? 
The Sheraton's sunset torch lighting and cliff diving ceremony was terrific.
Much better snorkeling at Ulua Beach in Wailea.
The Sheraton's sunset torch lighting and cliff diving ceremony was terrific.
Much better snorkeling at Ulua Beach in Wailea.
Jun 18th, 2003, 10:42 AM
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Watch it dare Doug! 8-)
Notice I didn't say "the best" but "one of..."
Best for me was Honolua Bay, but the snorkeling at Ahihi Keanau Reserve (e.g. Acquarium and Fishbowl) was fantastic as well! Just have to deal with the raw lava field that the little missus hated!!!
Notice I didn't say "the best" but "one of..."
Best for me was Honolua Bay, but the snorkeling at Ahihi Keanau Reserve (e.g. Acquarium and Fishbowl) was fantastic as well! Just have to deal with the raw lava field that the little missus hated!!!
Jun 18th, 2003, 10:59 AM
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Hey bluefan,
My wife and I actually thought the hike added to the whole Fishbowl experience. I mean there aren't too many places on this earth where you can hike on raw lava and then get some of the best snorkeling around.
We actually never made it to the Aquarium (too windy)....how was it compared to the Fishbowl?
My wife and I actually thought the hike added to the whole Fishbowl experience. I mean there aren't too many places on this earth where you can hike on raw lava and then get some of the best snorkeling around.
We actually never made it to the Aquarium (too windy)....how was it compared to the Fishbowl?
Jun 18th, 2003, 11:20 AM
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I never made it to the Fishbowl!?!? Little missus didn't want to see one more piece of lava after the Aquarium.
It was splendid although we didn't get much sunlight during our time snorkeling, which would have made the experience that much more incredible. Imagine a circular pool with a diameter of 50 yards, vertical rock walls, 10-15 feet deep of clear ocean water, sand bottom, with a tremendous assortment of fish and you'll get the picture. But from what I understand, nowhere near the concentration of fish that you can find at the Fishbowl. The only thing it lacked was a plentitude of colorful coral formations, but it sure didn't lack for snorkelers...from all the kayak groups stopping there.
Hey, looks like we each missed something we shouldn't have and therefore must go back!!!
It was splendid although we didn't get much sunlight during our time snorkeling, which would have made the experience that much more incredible. Imagine a circular pool with a diameter of 50 yards, vertical rock walls, 10-15 feet deep of clear ocean water, sand bottom, with a tremendous assortment of fish and you'll get the picture. But from what I understand, nowhere near the concentration of fish that you can find at the Fishbowl. The only thing it lacked was a plentitude of colorful coral formations, but it sure didn't lack for snorkelers...from all the kayak groups stopping there.
Hey, looks like we each missed something we shouldn't have and therefore must go back!!!
Jun 18th, 2003, 11:20 AM
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RE: hiking over lava fields
We have a kayak trip booked for July through Maui Kayaks that puts in at La Perouse and visits both Fishbowl and Aquarium for snorkeling. I thought it was a good way to avoid the lava hike and have a great day of kayaking with snorkeling.
love
roxy
We have a kayak trip booked for July through Maui Kayaks that puts in at La Perouse and visits both Fishbowl and Aquarium for snorkeling. I thought it was a good way to avoid the lava hike and have a great day of kayaking with snorkeling.
love
roxy
Jun 18th, 2003, 05:23 PM
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Badger, I spend the better part of every Feb. at Kaanapali. The hotels you mention are all large resorts, fairly equal. The stretch of beach is shared by all these resorts, so don't be concerned about its size or suitability. The beach is GREAT! The snorkeling at Black Rock is easy and as long as there aren't any large waves the visibility can be excellent. There are lots of fish, turtles and a few rays. The whale songs can constantly be heard under water at this time of year and this is a GREAT beach for whale-watching. As far as families and children go - be prepared. This is a prime time and a prime spot for families. Wailea is a little more "upscale". Kapalua has been blighted by condominiums built there a few years ago. Kapalua beach has been the victim of erosion over the past few years, but the snorkeling there is very easy and there is alot to see. As far as weather is concerned, it varies one year to the next depending on storms, winds, el nino, etc., afterall, it is winter. The clouds can blow off the West Maui Mountains, covering Kaanapali, Lahaina, Kapalua leaving places like Wailea clear-some years the opposite is true. Don't worry about it - get in the car and drive to a sunny beach!
Jun 18th, 2003, 06:30 PM
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If your are "pool people"-- stay at the Hyatt or the Westin(fabulous pool areas)if not then do the Sheraton. One note on the Hyatt is that although it is the nicest of the Kaanapali resorts --it is much further away from Whalers Village(Hula Grill,etc) and on to Black Rock than the Westin. My 2 cents.
Feb 11th, 2005, 10:56 AM
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We stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel in February, 2003. It is right next door to the Sheraton. They offered a semi AI package, which included daily breakfast, 2 dinners, 2 tours, and a rental car during our stay. We enjoyed the hotel and the service was excellant. There are better, nicer and more expensive hotels on Kaanapali Beach, but they met our expections and our budget. There were very few kids during our stay. We went the week of Valentines. We saw a few parents with babies and toddlers. No school age children or teenagers.
The location, to us, was excellant. 3 miles to Lahania, and the Cannery Mall right down the way. We took full advantage of the included rental car to sight see around the Island.
The weather was not great during our stay. Cool, windy and rained 3 of the 7 days. We inappropriatly packed for tropical weather so went to Wal-Mart to buy jeans and warmer clothes.
The location, to us, was excellant. 3 miles to Lahania, and the Cannery Mall right down the way. We took full advantage of the included rental car to sight see around the Island.
The weather was not great during our stay. Cool, windy and rained 3 of the 7 days. We inappropriatly packed for tropical weather so went to Wal-Mart to buy jeans and warmer clothes.
