Whoa! There is NO way I'd want to stay in a hotel room with my DH, child and sister. The reports on the Westin state that it is nice, but that the rooms are small. Do yourself and your family a favor, book a separate room at either the Westin, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (very reasonable and very close to the Westin) or the Sheraton.

Does the resort have junior suites? Perhaps you can upgrade what you have to a room with at least separate bedrooms and MORE space. ((h)).

You'd be able to get from the Kaanpali Villas to the Wesitn easily by car. Can't say you'd be able to easily park as a nonpaying-guest at the Westin as you might be able to at the Villas. There is free parking area at the Sheraton but most places require that you be a guest at the hotel.

Great idea on the junior suite. I'll have to get sis to check it out as it is her reservation and Starwoods points.

Hi Kithsu:

Is the Westin out of range dollar wise? Is there any chance that your child is a girl who would have fun sharing a room with Aunt Points while you and hubby share a little alone time in a room for the two of you? I am assuming your parents are able to get their own room without your sisters fussing, why not you??

Starrsville is right - book something now! I took a quick look at Expedia and most of the lodging is booked for those dates. The hotels that are left start close to $500/night for a garden view room.

Funny thing. My sister, being the bossy type, does not get along well with my daughter - my sister is very demanding even with children. So that wouldn't work. Also, she has decided to get the room for my parents as well (a separate room) using her Starwoods points. The cheapest I have found for a room at the Westin (including all the taxes, resort fees, etc) is $3220. I'm sorry, but that is a lot of money. Is it worth it? That's what I'm trying to sort out (with all of your help!) Thank you.

You want an honest answer? I would not go.

I would not choose to spend my 50th birthday this way.

I would not choose to spend my first ever visit to Hawaii this way.

The more you describe, you are indeed describing a disaster in the making.

I am seriously considering how I want to spend a milestone birthday - and this is NOT it!

Go to Hawaii alone - or with your daughter, but not with the extended family and a bossy sister.

I would tell my sister, "Thanks, but no thanks. Hubby and I have decided to celebrate my 50th birthday differently" and not offer any more explanations.

Go to Hawaii with your hubby at a different time - not on this train wreck. Believe me, it will be a train wreck.

This does not make sense. Your sister does not get along with your daughter, but she wants to stay in your room? If you decide to go through with this, why doesn't she stay in your parent's room? I would also be inclined to pass on this trip.

I appreciate your honesty. What do I do with the plane tickets?

Call the airlines, tell them you can't go at this time and apply them toward a flight within the next year.

It's not that she doesn't get along with my daughter, it's just that her expectations are so high from an 11-year old child (she has no children or husband for that matter). Need I say more?

True story - luau in Maui - A couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise and extended family traveling with them.

I ran into Granny in the bathroom. Congratulated her for her 50th anniversary and the family trip - and she said "It's the worst damn mistake I've ever made. I've been miserable the entire trip". She was NOT kidding.

Don't spoil your dream trip to Hawaii this way.

Cancel.
Or go as planned, stay one night in sister's hotel and go upisland or to another island for the remainder of the trip. Leave daughter with grandparents or auntie if you trust them, but peel off and have your own vacation apart from sister if you decide to go. ANYONE would understand you wanting to celebrate in Hawaii alone with hubby.

Not interested in getting onto your arrangements but I think I can answer your questions about whether it’s worth it – dollar wise. I’ve been to Maui 5 times. I have always stayed on Kaanapali Beach. Mostly we stayed at the Hyatt but once at the Marriott Ocean Resort on a promotion – so it was cheap and once at the Kaanapali Shores Condos. I must say that the times I enjoyed the most were at the Hyatt. Doping the cheap version was the least enjoyable. I never regretted spending the money on a nice resort. It costs so much to fly there I feel like splurging on the hotel is worth it. It’s your grand 50th birthday. Celebrate yourself with a great hotel. Have a wonderful time. (I'm creeping up on that age and I have a 12 year old - she and her older brother loved the Hyatt. They enjoyed the Marriott but they looked longingly at the Hyatt when we visited. Said they wished we had gone back there. Your DD will love the beach and any of the resorts along there.

Good point. Also, it will probably be the only time I get to visit there, I may as well make it memorable! Thank you Suzie.

Suzie, also that website you gave me has been invaluable. Great site, lots of info! Thank you.
Love you name (it's mine also!)

You can call Starwood vacation # 800-553-0464 and ask for promotions in Maui.
They usually have promotion for Westin Maui Resort & Spa for $769 for 6 days 5 nights. no catch or timeshare presentation. They might have promotion for Westin Kaanapali Resort too.

Thanks rancho. Tried that, they have no promos at the time I need to travel.

I know I'm jumping in here late but since you have a child with you have you considered getting a condo? You don't have to cook meals but you'd at least have separate sleeping areas for your child and you & spouse. There are plenty in that area and you could probably find one in the range of $200/night...less than the hotels are costing. Granted, you won't get the resort feeling but the privacy is priceless. Daughter could get up whenever and fix herself a bowl of cereal and go out on the lanai and eat it while you & DH sleep late or whatever...
Something to think about...

thank you. am looking into that, but most are sold out except for the studio condos. I am trying to ascertain just how big those are. Are they bigger than an average hotel room? does anyone know?