Just returned Maui/Kaui anniversary trip
 

I don't have time yet to do a full trip report, but will try to do so in the next day or so after I catch up on work/sleep!

The trip was excellent with 5 nights at the Whaler at Kaanapali and 3 nights at the Princeville hotel. Both are excellent places to stay.

KTinTX

We were on Kauai June 11-16. It sprinkled a little every day in the Poipu area but both days we drove up north it was pouring. Couldn't even appreciate the view from the Princeville Resort. What was the weather like while you were there? I'm anxious to hear what you thought about the Princeville. The lobby had a very sterile look compared to the Hyatt (where we stayed) but I thought the service was quite "snooty" at the latter. - Really surprised me!

Crazy:

The weather was excellent while we were there (June 23-25). There were a couple of sprinkles during the day, but no heavy rain at all. On the 24th we took NaPali Catamaran's morning trip and they said that that day was the best weather they had seen in about a month. The service at the Princeville was wonderful and pleasant and didn't feel stuffy to us. The lobby is quite big and overbearing, but the employees were wonderful. We were upgraded to an executive suite, which was HUGE! (we didn't ask, it was just done by them for some reason)

We drove to Poipu one day, and I found the North Shore beaches much nicer and actually calmer surf.

KTinTX

KTinTX - Could you tell us more about the Whaler...What type of unit did you stay in and its location (oceanfront condo?) Did you rent directly from owner? What were some of the fun things you experienced on Kanaapali Beach. Mahalo!

riggsie:

I rented the unit through Aston. Since we were only going to be there 5 nights, individual owner units weren't really an option. Most of them want 7 nights and wanted me to wait and see if they had a 5 night window at my time. I wasn't willing to play the "wait and see" game. Anyway, I had originally booked a studio oceanview via Aston's website. I decided about 2 weeks before we left to surprise my wife (she had also shown some concern that maybe a hotel like the Sheraton would have been better...LOL) with an upgrade to an oceanfront unit. I booked the oceanfront 1BR via the "Aston Vacations" website, because it was cheaper than renting car and room separately.

The room was very nice. The color schemes in the unit weren't what I would have picked for MY unit...LOL..but who cares. It was on the southern tower, closest to the Westin and on the corner of the building closest to the Westin. It had a wraparound lanai with doors into the bedroom and the living room. We would have preferred a higher floor than the 4th, but in hindsight it did allow us to use the stairs to go to and from the beach. That shortened the walk immensely.

We enjoyed the beach at Kaanapali, and actually found it nicer and more swimmable than any we visited in Maui. (surf was up on South Maui beaches during our trip) The snorkeling at Black Rock was pretty good, too. Traffic through Lahaina can get slow during certain times, but it's nothing like Houston or Honolulu traffic!

There are plenty of "activity desks" along Kaanapali if you like to use those type of services for parasailing, boat rides, etc. We also really enjoyed Leilani's and Hula Grill. I didn't have to worry about having that 2nd mai tai and driving back to the hotel...all I had to do was stagger up the stairs..LOL!!!

KTinTX - Thanks for the Whaler info. We have stayed there twice in the last couple of years and I always like to here others opinon. I still think it is the best value on Kaanapali beach. It is so nice not to have to drive to swim, snorkel, eat or stagger. Our last trip in March 2004 we met up with my brother and sister inlaw from Texas. It was so fun! Mahalo again. Aloha!