I'm a total Hawai'i novice who just booked a vacation in Maui for next June-July. I have 4 kids and we wanted only to rent one "unit" so I gave up on hotels and eventually settled on the Maui Ocean Club (Vacation Club) 2-bed villa. Trouble is, I just realized after I paid for the airfares that the "condo" only actually has a microwave, dishwasher and maybe a mini-fridge -- no real cooking facilities, which could be a problem with the prices of Maui and the 4 kids (plus I'd like them to eat something other than chicken nuggets every meal for 10 days).

QUESTIONS:

1) anyone been in one of these Marriott units and can offer me any comfort (like the fridge is big enough to hold more than a teensy carton of milk) or that the hotel is so fantastic for kids that it makes up for the lack of food ?

2) anyone want to recommend the Kaanapali Alii as an alternative? It's a bit more expensive but with complete kitchen so we might save on eating costs??? The KA mentions a Kids' Club but when I emailed them about it they "have no details" for next summer, so I don't want to jump ship and then regret it.

3) anyone tell me where to eat with small kids (not McDonalds)? I need places with kid-friendly food that isn't solid grease *and* casual/busy enough that a passel of fidgeting monkeys will go relatively unnoticed, while Mom and Dad get a decent bite / view / cocktail. For breakfast, too -- would love to hear of a few buffets that are worth going to.

I have a zillion other questions (about activities, tours, ......) but I guess I'll try to let out my effervescence a bit at a time. Cheers.

Janet

Can't help with the kids questions, but I can tell you that the Kaanapali Alii is a fantastic place. We visited some friends who were staying there years ago. LARGE units that are nicely done. Their unit had a great ocean view. Not sure what the beach looks like in front these days as erosion had been a problem, but the beach is usually nicer down to your right in the direction of the Whaler and the Sheraton. There were lots of families at KA when we visited.

Personally, I think if the room is big enough, you are much better off at the Marriott with the kids. The pool is fantastic for kids, with everything from a pirate ship activity center to water slide, caves and waterfalls. There is an on site deli/cafeteria that serves pizza hut pizza, burgers etc but you can also get fresh fruit, sandwiches, and so on.The restaurant that is located within the Marriott is called Va Bene and both times that we have been to Maui with our kids, we always find this the place we keep going back to. The combination of great quality food, friendly service and an outdoor eating area that the kids can play on while you relax andd take in the sunset make it a wonderful family restaurant. It is by no means cheap, but the buffet breakfast is amazing and they do a weekend buffet with all you can eat Alaskan King Crab. I cannot say enough about how relaxed and comfortable we always feel at this particular restaraunt. I also rented a mini fridge for my regular hotel room while I stayed there ($10/day)and it was surprisingly quite big. Just a little bigger than a regular bar fridge. The pool area at K-Alii is just that, two regular pools.I am sure that these condo's are great, but if I could choose between the two, Marriott wins hands down. Another thing to think about is take out food for your unit. My little one was sick one night and rather than dragging her out, we ordered from the Hula Grill at Whalers Village. Most restaurants will do this and then you don't have to worry so much about the kids running around a restaurant or not liking the food etc...I know you can get room service, but sometimes it is just not the same.

Hi Multimom. The Ka'anapali Ali'i are luxury condos. They are big and beautiful. But if the pool facilities are important to your kids, they'll find the Ali'i very lacking. Their pools are very basic, no frills or thrills. The Marriott's pools are a lot more enticing to kids, including a really young one with a ship in it. The Marriotts also has a lot of food on site, where as the Ali'i does not.
As for kid-friendly restaurants (other than the fast food garbage) try Moose McGuillicuddy's on Front Street. Even Kimo's (also Front St.)understand kids and they have cocktails and beautiful views. There's Cheeseburger in Paradise and Bubba Gumps....all welcome kids. There's BJ's Pizzeria also. Aloha Mixed Plate over by the Old Lahaina Luau is good and the Cannery Mall has a small food court. There's Honokowai Okazuya in a little strip mall in Honokowai....really good. It's take out and reasonable for some really good food. That should start you off with something to work with. If all else fails....ask a local with kids. She'll gladly suggest someplace her kids like.

i agree completely with Alohamom. We spent a week at the marriott in july with my 3 boys(13,12,7) and it was wonderful. They loved the pool and the food was not bad either. They were able to go to the little poolside restaurant and sign for their food on their own. They loved the independence and my husband and I got to relax a bit. The food is not that ibcredibly expensive ( we're for the NYC area) and there are so many options. Marriott also has great grill areas if you want to cook-out. The KA has a pool the size of our pool at home. Also while we were there the beach area in front of KA was being washed away (seasonal)so all the palm trees were bungeed to the building and fences. LOTS of caution ropes all over thr grassy area by the walkway.

I have booked the new Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort for next summer. They have a full kitchen, washer and dryer and it looks like the pool is very similar to the existing hotel Westin. I am also double booked at the Marriott for now in a room. I am waiting to read the reviews on the Westin since it just opened yesterday.

We stayed at the Marriott last Nov with our two kids but we stayed in a regular room. We talked to lots of families who were timeshare owners so they did go on how they saved a bunch on food because they were able to cook. Apparently these people plan and prepare so that they get the most from their smallish kitchen. Heard stories of them organizing their food ahead of time and going to costco. While they acknowledged that the cooking was via microwave they felt the other kitchen amenities were adequate.

Though the Kaanapali Ali'i is very nice with a full kitchen your kids will really love the Marriot pool area. There are some other things about the Marriott that were available when we were there. On the first day you can buy a mug at the poolside cafe. It's something like $20 but can be used for the duration of your visit for soda and coffee (free refills). You determine how many you might buy. The cafe has lots of food choices including pizza and chicken fingers. We ate the best sandwiches there too. This is a great hotel for families.

You will be fine with a Microwave and small fridge. Be sure to stop on way to Marriott at Kmart of somewhere like that for a small stryofoam cooler. We used in our room at the Sheraton for drinks and picnics. Stop at the Safeways next to the Cannery Mall in Lahina for some breakfast and lunch food. Be sure and get Safeway card too. We would stop back by there for deli food for picnics. They have some really interesting deli food we had never tried before. The Cannery Mall also has a food court with lots of choices for lunch. Free Hula show too. Then just eat mostly dinner out. Next door to the Marriott is Whalers Village with a Mcdonalds and Pizza place. Subways all over Maui. Bubba Gumps is fun for the kids - if they liked the Forest Gump Movie. Marriott is the best choice for kids because of the pool. We have stayed at the Alii and it is great - but if this is first time for your kids the pool at the Alii is really nothing at all like the the Marriott. Our kids loved the Sheraton Pool in 2002 (their 1st trip) But this time (March 2004)to save $ we will stay at the Whaler Condo and be able to stay 7 days instead of 5 days. The kids are alittle older this time and can do more beach activities like surf lessons, snorkel, boogie board. Good lunk you will have a great time and the pool is important for kids on there 1st trip to Hawaii - then a condo is the only way to go!!

I stayed in a 2 bedroom villa in the Ocean Club this summer. My 2 bedroom unit (not sure if they are all like this) was three rooms--bedroom, bedroom and 'living room' with pullout. It was VERY spacious and fit 6 of usquite comfortably. There were actually 2 small fridges -one in the living room and one in a bedroom, so there would be plenty of fridge space for you. There were also 2 microwaves, if that would help. They also have gas grills on the side of the property by the tennis courts, so grilling steaks, etc is an option. With kids, I would definately choose the Marriott over the Kaanapali Ali. They will love the pools, etc, and I think you would have more than enough room in the 2 bdroom villa.