Kaanapali or Wailea?
 

I posted a message about Wailea versus Hana, and I had almost decided on Wailea (due mainly to time constraints), when I read another message on here about Kaanapali. <BR> <BR>This trip will be in March 2001 and is for our honeymoon. We like good food and wine (not necessarily at our hotel), and we'd like to swim in the ocean a bit. We don't want to be around a lot of kids, and we don't want to feel like we are on the strip in Vegas. <BR> <BR>If we go to Wailea, we will most likely stay at the Renaissance -- it sounds lovely! But I just read on here about Kaanapali. Money is not really a concern, but I'd like to make it streatch a bit if we can, and I'm wondering if Kaanapali might be more reasonably priced. <BR> <BR>What do you think would be better for us? Wailea or Kaanapali? <BR> <BR>thanks in advance, <BR> <BR>Kat <BR> <BR>P.S. I promise to post a trip report here when I return to thank you all for your help!

Dear Kat. If you search this forum you'll have tons of info. Good luck, and happy honeymoon!

Hi again Kat. When we were on Maui a few weeks ago, for some reason Kaanapali was REALLY windy. Uncomfortably so, and several people we met on various excursions who were staying in Kaanapali mentioned to us that they were going elsewhere each day just to get away from the wind (it had been that way for at least 5 days or so; I'm not sure exactly how long). When we walked on the beach near Black Rock, the wind was blowing the sand so hard that it stung when it hit you. However, it must not be this way very often or else Kaanapali would not be as popular as it is. I have no idea if this is a seasonal or weather-related thing (probably) so maybe it wouldn't be a problem at the time you're going. One of the restaurants we loved when we were there was in Kaanapali -- the Hula Grill. Delicious. We liked Wailea better than Kaanapali though. For one thing, Wailea seemed less crowded. We also liked the walking path along Wailea better than the one along Kaanapali because the one at Kaanapali ran right up against various restaurants and hotels and it seemed like there wasn't as much privacy. Also, I would say at Kaanapali we ran into more large groups and more families; whereas Wailea seemed to have more couples. Both were nice, but the development in Wailea seemed to be more spread out with more tropical foliage and landscaping around, instead of so many hotels right on top of each other.

Kat: <BR>If you read my posts on the Renaissance, then you will see that it really isn't expensive. (Unless you consider $160/nt in a deluxe hotel expensive) <BR> <BR>I totally agree with Lisa on comparing Wailea vs. Kaanapali. <BR>, especially from the front views ofthe hotels. <BR>The way the hotels are set-upin Kaanapali, it reminds me of an airport, with various terminals all lined p right next to each other. There wasn't much landscaping to shelter each hotel from one another. Wailea, on the other hand, reminds me very much of howSea Pines plantation on Hilton Head Island is set-up; Wonderful landscaping that separates all the hotels, condos, and homes. <BR>And as Lisa stated, the beach-side walk that connects all the hotels is eally wonderful; when we were there the beginning of the month, we would walk it in the more, in the afternoon, and around sun-set. <BR>Also, the beaches at Kaanapali, and especially at the Renaissance, is wonderfully calm, so it's perfect for swimming. <BR>

I have stayed in Wailea and found myself driving to the Kaanapli area almost every day. The resturant and shopping scene in Kaanapli was better. I do think however, Wailea hotels are more lush and beautiful. The whole Wailea area is more peaceful than Kaanapali. I guess the choice all depends on what you are looking for. As far as the wind is concerned, I wouldn't let that play into my evaluation. I didn't think it was windy at all in Kaanapali. The only place to worry about wind is Aruba, and that is a different story.

I agree with everyone else. Wailea is much calmer. Kaanapali has many more shops and restaurants. You'll need a car anyway, so you can stay in Wailea and drive around to wherever you want to visit.

I just returned from Maui 6 weeks ago. I always stay in the Kaanapali area because it is where I prefer to stay. A friend who travelled with me, and was her first time in Hawaii, said that she would not stay anywhere else but the Kaanapali area. We toured the Entire island, and she said that the Wailea area is too dry and scrubby, and unless you plan on spending most of your time in your luxury hotel, there is nothing really attractive about the area. This is just her opinion, and I agree with her, but everyone looks at things differently.

Most definately Wailea. If money is no concern, stay at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa. It trully is heaven on earth. There is no better beach in the world. The Wailea area has everything that you could possibly want and you can always rent a car and make the trip to Hana.

My husband and I have to Maui 4 times and have stayed in both Kaanapali and Wailea. We definitely like Wailea best. The Renaissance hotel is really nice and has a wonderful Japanese restuarant. The Grand Wailea is the biggest and the lushest of the hotels in the area with a big beach area. Wailea is a lot quieter than kaanapali and in my opinion more romantic. The spa at the Grand Wailea is one of a kind and rated one the of best in the world.

Note to "XXX": Wailea dry and scrubby and unattractive?!? You're totally and completely NUTS!!!!

I just posted a message about our trip to Kauai and Maui. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort in Wailea. I would definitely recommend it for your honeymoon stay. It's lovely, rooms are big and beautiful, it has a great beach, wonderful food and incredible service. Not many kids there. It is not cheap, but well worth the price.

Comparing Wailea with Kaanapali is like comparing OCean Cit MD with the HaMptons. Sure there are more stores and restaurants but if I wanted to go shopping I would go to my local mall. Wailea is much quieter which I think you would appreciate during your honeymoon. Wailea is my choice i STAYED BOTH at the Renaissance and the 4 seasons and I would go back to either of them in a flash. I agre with that 1 gentleman who compared Kaanapali with an airport terminal. The walking path is behind all the hotels streatching from the Wailea to The Prince something something. I know we had the same dilema but when someone told us how crowded the Kaanapali area was there was no choice left. We toured the whole island from our hotel as the gentleman said he did from Kaanapali. Regardless of which area you chose have a great time.

Wailea really does have some nice hotels, but it is very isolated. And yes it is indeed very dry and scrubby! It is the leeward side of the island!

Kat - <BR> <BR>Mo is right in his analogy. There is a vast difference between Kaanapali and Wailea. We have stayed in both areas, Kaanapali many years ago when it was quieter and more serene. We would not think of staying there today - much more crowded on the beaches, restaurants and more commercialized than Wailea or Kapalua. Wailea has some of the loveliest hotels in all of Hawaii and it does receive less rainfall than Kaanapali but it is still beautiful. There is less shopping and far fewer people. For a honeymoon, I would not hesitate to choose Wailea over Kaanapali. I do believe Wailea is more costly but well worth it. Have you considered some of the lovely condominiums in the area that might better fit in you budget - still offering tennis courts, multiple swimming pools and other guest services. We have stayed at Makena Surf several times and loved it. I do not know what the cost would be, but they were so close to the water and very posh. There are others in the area as well that we have heard good things about. Just a thought. That way you can have breakfast or lunch in (if you choose) and eat dinners out. We like the advantage of having a refrigerator and other amenities in addition to the room in which to relax. Whatever your choice, Kat, you won't be disappointed. These are good choices to have to make.

We stayed at the Sheraton in Kaanapali for our honeymoon and absolutley loved it and the price was right! not cheap by any means but not expensive. If you are going to be able to stay at the Four Season in Wailea then stay there, otherwise i say go to kaanapali (but DON"T stay at the Ritz Carlton). I am willing to be you spend all your time near Kaanapali so it is better to stay there, the Weston is Amazing, the Hilton is Amazing.

What about the Napili Bay area versus Wailea area? We were thinking about the Napili Kai Beach Resort? How does the beach at the Four Seasons in Wailea compare to the beach at NKBR? I read on one of these forums that the beach at Napili Bay is nice. Would we expect to see alot more children at NKBR? (We would be going in August.) It would seem that Napili Bay would be an alternative to Wailea ... avoided the more touristy area at Kaanapali, but not being as far away. Any thoughts?

I was in Maui a few weeks ago. If I had it to do over again, I would stay in Wailea. Wailea is closer to Haleakala and the road to Hana. That two lane road to Lahaina is always slow and crowded. Plus everything in Kaanapali is way overpriced.

I can't believe people would call Wailea dry and scrubby . I guess the both times I wentI lucked out because it was green and lush. Kaanapali was the one that was dry and brown. Another point is that I didn't believe Wailea was isolated and I am from washington DC so you know I'm use to congestion. It was easy to get everywhere. As for going to kaanapali everyday during your stay the 2x i've been to Maui I went to Kaanapali exactly once (and that was out of curiosity because we wanted to know if we were right in selecting 4 seasons over the Westin) and we got out after 3 hrs. If I did stay up there I would try the Ritz Carlton becauae it is up by itselfbut I really wouldn't want to give up Wailea. As for the beach at the Four seasons, we were happy with it. If my budget could take it I would stay next door at The Grand Wailea.Again Good Luck and have a great time.

Note to "XXX" and Smitty: I suggest that you both take a trip to dismal looking Anguilla and Aruba in the Caribbean to find out what dry and scrubby REALLY mean! Wailea looks like Palm Beach and Beverly Hills in comparison (even when it's not so green there, I'm sure!)!!!

Note:insert yahoo for e-mail address <BR> <BR>Thanks for all your help. We decided to stay at Wailea based on the recommendations here. We also decided to add one more day to our itinerary, because you all made it sound like so much fun!

Hi Kat <BR> <BR>We just returned from Maui 2 weeks ago and loved Kaanapali and Wailea. We stayed at the Aston Kaanapali Shores. Very nice Condo/Hotel. We liked Kaanapali due to the shopping, restaurants/activities. Always on Front Street. Wailea is about a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from Kaanapali. Both areas are beautiful!! Wailea seemed to be more quiet and laid back. Kaanapali is more activity. Kaanapali was very beautiful despite what some people may think. Trust me, it's not like Vegas overcrowded, we would stay there again. Either area is great!! <BR>Have fun!!

"Ken": Aruba is "Dismal Looking" ? <BR>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH !

hi kat, <BR>i just returned from maui last week. <BR> <BR>i stayed at both the Renaissance Wailea for a few days and in Napili Bay (which is just a few minutes north of Kaanapili). <BR> <BR>One key criteria to consider is: <BR> <BR>1. Location: Kaanapili is closer to Lahaina (which has many great restaurants, shops and nightlife, as well as departure points on boating/snorkeling trips). Wailea is a bit closer to Hana/Haleakala and right next to Kihei. <BR> <BR>lh <BR>

lh: <BR> <BR>Where did you stay in Napili Bay? By any chance was it at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. I am also trying to decide between Kaanapali area and Wailea. I ruled out the Kaanapali; I think it will be a bit too touristy for what I like, and was leaning towards the Four Seasons in Wailea. However, I was also considering the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Napili Bay. I realize these resorts are in two different classes, however am considering NKBR because of its closer proximity to Lahaina (without having to be in the busy Kaanapoli area). I heard that Napili Bay is a nice beach. However, do you know what the atmosphere is like? Is is essentially glorified condominiums with a restauarant and pools on the property, or is there an "ambience" there to give more of an island feeling? Also, I do not want to be somewhere that is overrun with families and children at on the beach and at the pool. Do you know whether NKBR tends to attract families with children? (We would be going in August.) Thanks.

Mahalo everyone! If you want information about the VERY best of everything, including comparisons of hotel minutia, plus the best tours and gift shops, just e-mail me! Don't do a search on this forum, whatever you do! Yes, as someone pointed out, there are hundreds of posts about Kanaapali alone, but that's all yesterday's news! You have to post new Hawaii questions every single day, preferably with separate headers for each question, in order to receive the VERY latest information! Things change fast on the islands, so keep up! <BR> <BR>Not an agent, e-mail me for more information! Mahalo!

A post from Jennifer said not to stay at the Ritz Carlton. Why? Going in a few weeks and staying there.

I haven't stayed at the Ritz Carlton, but have been at the hotel many times. It is absolutely gorgeous and I would think you would have a very nice stay there. It is a distance from Lahaina, but that can be a plus.

I just returned from 10 days at The Renaissance Wailea, and would recommend it highly. We had excellent weather while there, although a business acquaintance staying in the Kaanapali area called to say he had had rain every day. Wailea is in the rain shadow of Haleakala and, therefore, is drier than other parts of the island. The wind would kick up most afternoons, but not to any degree to chase us off the beach. Keep in mind, also, that you will spend more time driving to points of interest (Haleakala, Hana, Iao Valley, etc.) from the Kapalua/Kaanapali area than from Wailea. Have fun! I wish I was returning soon! The Renaissance staff is friendly and helpful, the food is excellent (good wine, too!) and the grounds are impeccable. Tasteful and elegant. Hope my comments help.

To Kat: I agree with everything Eileen stated in her message. The Wailea area is wonderful,beautiful, and uncluttered.The Rennaissance Hotel could not be better. We have stayed there 3 times. The hotel is immaculate, inside and out. In the last 3 years, most of the staff is the same, I assume they like their working conditions. Good luck on your decision.

I am traveling to Maui next week and just heard that there is a large construction project next to the Renaissance Wailea resort. Is this still continuing? How distracting is it? <BR>Any info would be appreciated.

To Cheryl; or anyone else concerned like us about places being overrun with kids,the solution is to pick a nice hotel(not condo)& go during the school year(not summer or school breaks)to minimize your run in with all the kids. Also wailea is not that much closer to Haleakala or Hana than ka'anapali if at all you still have to go to Kahului first from either place.

Yes, there is some construction at the Renaissance. The "Shops at Wailea" are under construction, with signs stating Opening Winter 2000. I didn't see a problem with disturbance, but Wailea has much less shopping then Kaanapali. But if you want quiet, it's the place to be.