Just back from Maui this morning: Trip Report
May 31st, 2001 | 07:27 PM
#1
Guest
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Just back from Maui this morning: Trip Report
Aloha!
Just back from Maui this morning. Thanks to everyone for their recommendations before my trip. Here is a recap.
My girlfriend (now fiancee!) and I stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel for 6 days. We spent much of the days relaxing in the sun by the pool, in the huge gardens at the hotel, and at the beach. The weather was very nice....mostly sunny....even when there were clouds we were getting some good sun. We preferred laying out close to the pool for quick access to the 'Tiki Bar'...a definite hot spot at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
Drink Report: Lava Flows and Pina Coladas...so yummy. However, you will be hard-pressed to get a buzz off of these drinks! I wish they'd hold off on the umbrella, pineapple, and flower in each and every drink....and make then a little stronger. You can only eat so much pineapple.
Food Report: We ate at some wonderful places. The first night we walked to Whaler's Village and went to the Hula Grill. The bar is a great place to have a drink. I would also recommend eating in the 'barefoot bar' section of the restaurant...the tables on the sand. There were tiki torches all over and a good band was providing entertainment into the evening.
After I proposed at sunset in the Kaanapali Beach Hotel Garden area.....close to the beach (and she said yes!)...we went for a wonderful, romantic dinner at the Swan Court in the Hyatt Regency. We were absolutely blown away by the Swan Court. I had read threads before the trip about the 'most romantic' restaurant...and people compared the Swan Court, the Plantation House, Leilani's (and others). Out of these 3 (I ate at all of them), the Swan Court is in its own league. If you are a lover of fine food and wine and unbelievably romantic ambience....this is the restaurant for you. Do NOT miss the Swan Court for a special or romantic dinner! I highly recommend the chicken breast stuffed with portobellos!
We also ate at the Plantation House in the Kapulua area. It provided wonderful views of the ocean and coastline, the food was good (we had fish...and we're not huge on fish) and the clientele was older. I would recommend this for older clientele, but it's really not the place for someone in their 20's or 30's. It's your basic country club, and a rather pricy one at that.
Leilani's on the beach had wonderful food and ambience. I would recommend being seated right around sunset and into the evening. The sun is very hot and bright before it sets.
We did the morning drive to Haleakala. It was a beautiful sunrise....but definitely one of those things you just need to do once. We had a great breakfast and view at the Kula Lodge on the way down the mountain.
Old Lahaina Luau: This is a must! We had a great meal, unlimited drinks, AND a spectular show for the same price we paid for dinner at elegant restaurants.
Snorkeling: We decided to stay on Kaanapali and snorkel at Black Rock, which was great. You must bring an underwater disposable camera. The pictures turned out fabulous. I used a Kodak 'Max' waterproof camera.
Well, that's the initial update. All in all, a very relaxing trip to Maui!
Mahalo,
Dan
Just back from Maui this morning. Thanks to everyone for their recommendations before my trip. Here is a recap.
My girlfriend (now fiancee!) and I stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel for 6 days. We spent much of the days relaxing in the sun by the pool, in the huge gardens at the hotel, and at the beach. The weather was very nice....mostly sunny....even when there were clouds we were getting some good sun. We preferred laying out close to the pool for quick access to the 'Tiki Bar'...a definite hot spot at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
Drink Report: Lava Flows and Pina Coladas...so yummy. However, you will be hard-pressed to get a buzz off of these drinks! I wish they'd hold off on the umbrella, pineapple, and flower in each and every drink....and make then a little stronger. You can only eat so much pineapple.
Food Report: We ate at some wonderful places. The first night we walked to Whaler's Village and went to the Hula Grill. The bar is a great place to have a drink. I would also recommend eating in the 'barefoot bar' section of the restaurant...the tables on the sand. There were tiki torches all over and a good band was providing entertainment into the evening.
After I proposed at sunset in the Kaanapali Beach Hotel Garden area.....close to the beach (and she said yes!)...we went for a wonderful, romantic dinner at the Swan Court in the Hyatt Regency. We were absolutely blown away by the Swan Court. I had read threads before the trip about the 'most romantic' restaurant...and people compared the Swan Court, the Plantation House, Leilani's (and others). Out of these 3 (I ate at all of them), the Swan Court is in its own league. If you are a lover of fine food and wine and unbelievably romantic ambience....this is the restaurant for you. Do NOT miss the Swan Court for a special or romantic dinner! I highly recommend the chicken breast stuffed with portobellos!
We also ate at the Plantation House in the Kapulua area. It provided wonderful views of the ocean and coastline, the food was good (we had fish...and we're not huge on fish) and the clientele was older. I would recommend this for older clientele, but it's really not the place for someone in their 20's or 30's. It's your basic country club, and a rather pricy one at that.
Leilani's on the beach had wonderful food and ambience. I would recommend being seated right around sunset and into the evening. The sun is very hot and bright before it sets.
We did the morning drive to Haleakala. It was a beautiful sunrise....but definitely one of those things you just need to do once. We had a great breakfast and view at the Kula Lodge on the way down the mountain.
Old Lahaina Luau: This is a must! We had a great meal, unlimited drinks, AND a spectular show for the same price we paid for dinner at elegant restaurants.
Snorkeling: We decided to stay on Kaanapali and snorkel at Black Rock, which was great. You must bring an underwater disposable camera. The pictures turned out fabulous. I used a Kodak 'Max' waterproof camera.
Well, that's the initial update. All in all, a very relaxing trip to Maui!
Mahalo,
Dan
Jun 1st, 2001 | 06:07 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Congratulations, Dan! So glad you & your fiance had a wonderful time in Hawaii! Will you go back there for your honeymoon? Was the Kaanapali Beach Hotel a little worn around the edges or did your find it perfectly fine? (I've heard both sides.) Did you have the Eggs Benedict at Kula Lodge? I always look forward to that. Anyway, thanks for your great trip report - now go dream about your next trip to Paradise!
