We are considering going there for our honeymoon at the beginning of September of this year. We have heard mixed reviews on it but want to stay somewhere nice that is not too overcrowded.

Any tips would be appreciated,
Miriam

Don't stay there!! If I can help save someone's vacation, I'm glad I visited this board.

My husband and I stayed there. It was the only bad part of a fabulous vacation. There are TONS of children, which is fine if that's what you want, but we took an adults-only trip and that's not what we wanted. The "manager's reception" or whatever it's called is drinks in plastic cups handed out to the crowd, with Ed from Podunkville standing next to you barefoot with his tummy hanging out.

The hotel IS located on the beach and the rooms ARE suites with a living room/kitchen area and a bedroom, and a big bathroom. I did enjoy having the two rooms so when one of us wanted to sleep and the other did not, it wasn't a problem. The view was pretty, too, as we got a room right on the ocean. Sunsets were great.

However, the whole ambience of the place overwhelms the advantages (unless you are there as a family with children, or unless you want to buy groceries and cook so you need the "kitchen") and we disliked it so much we were there only to sleep. We left early each morning and didn't return until early evening to shower and change for dinner, have a glass of wine and enjoy the sunset from our lanai, and leave again for dinner, not to return until late.

We spent one day visiting the Ritz Carlton and how I wished I had decided to stay there! Someone told me the beach was too far from the hotel and that I should stay at the Embassy Suites and that was terrible advice.

Fortunately, there was a LOT to do in Maui.

When I go back I will stay at the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons. Have a great trip!

Keep looking. The previous review is right on. I recently had a second stay at Aston Kaanapali Shores for the sole reason, it was affordable and we would be spending our time exploring before sitting down at the 4Seasons. I again visited the property and found it loud and the beach at the joining properties is really just a view, not there for swimming or snorkling...on our last night at Aston we went to happy hour and witnessed a horrible coral/rock cut of a new guest. They'd just arrived and their vacation was immediately altered due to his injury, which from what I wish I hadn't seen required many stitches.....But I carry on....there are many better choices for you...look to Napali, or the real Kaanapali beach or Wailea....Embassy is really a wtrash affordable destination and you deserve more on your honeymoon....you'll get more response if you post under hawaii..gl

The beach is terrible and it's a mile or two north of the true Kaanapali resort area.

Keep looking. The previous review is right on. I recently had a second stay at Aston Kaanapali Shores for the sole reason, it was affordable and we would be spending our time exploring before sitting down at the 4Seasons. I again visited the property and found it loud and the beach at the joining properties is really just a view, not there for swimming or snorkling...on our last night at Aston we went to happy hour and witnessed a horrible coral/rock cut of a new guest. They'd just arrived and their vacation was immediately altered due to his injury, which from what I wish I hadn't seen required many stitches.....But I carry on....there are many better choices for you...look to Napali, or the real Kaanapali beach or Wailea....Embassy is really a wtrash affordable destination and you deserve more on your honeymoon....you'll get more response if you post under hawaii..gl

I'll be number 5 in line.
Embassy Suites Maui was great when it opened. We stayed there on our honeymoon 13 years ago when it was new.
My how times have changed.
It is now a timeshare, overrun with kids and families who need to stay there to take advantage of the buffets etc, and it really ruins any 'elegance' the place once had.
I'd never stay there again...and especially not for a honeymoon.

What other options have you considered?

ttt

ttt

Is this true? Embassy Suites not recommended? Planning our first family (kids grown) trip to Hawaii. More opinions, please (friend who went there 10 yrs. ago said Embassy is the place to stay).

Ten years ago was practically another generation in Maui. You're in deep water if you're going to bank on 10 year old info.
The above reports are correct. You can do much much better than the ES Maui in a similar price range. You'll really limit your potential for enjoying Maui by staying there IMO.
What alternative hotels have you checked into? What kind of price are you getting from the ESM?

Keep looking Miriam.

We've never stayed at the Embassy Suites but we noticed that The Embassy Suite was infested with kids when we were by there. If you are going with kids and want a family trip then I suppose it is OK, but for a honeymoon .. I don't think so. Keep looking,you can surely do better.

For our honeymoon (partial Maui/Big Isle) we stayed at Kapalua Bay Villas. They do have a kitchen which turns out to be convenient for quick-meal fixes for brkfst/lunch. We enjoyed dinners out. Go for drinks/dinner at the nearby Ritz. The whole complex is beautiful and caters more to couples / golfers rather than families. I highly recommend the area! Nice ambience but not stuffy.

Another vote against the Embassy Suites. Bad location. Bad beach. Overpriced.

Unlike everyone else above, I don't think the Embassy Suites is all that bad! Yes, there are a lot of families around, but the rooms are spacious, the environment is lively and festive, and the location (while not the prime spot on Kaanapali) is not bad!!! I stayed at the Ritz Carlton the last time I went and it was AWFUL!!!! The weather in Kapalua is too windy, wet, etc. because it's on the westward side of the island. I couldn't even relax on the beach because I was FREEZING the whole time! We found ourselves driving to Kaanapali every day and just sleeping at the hotel. Not to mention the fact that the breakfast "buffet" (or so they called it) was just awful. I don't know if it was because it was shortly after Sept 11th, but their buffet consisted of a couple of pastries, eggs, bacon and potatoes and that's it. NOT what you'd expect from a luxury resort!!!

Bottom line -- if you're looking for peace and quiet and no kids around, then don't stay at the Embassy Suites... maybe try the Sheraton, Hyatt Regency or Westin? Or maybe the Rennaisance Wailea??