Makena Beach and Golf Resort, Maui: reviews, please.
 

We currently have reservations at the Sheraton in Ka'anapali, but are considering the more low-keyed Makena Beach and Golf Resort in the south. Has anyone stayed there who would be willing to share pros and cons? It's out of the way for some attractions but closer for others. We do not play golf.

The Sheraton is very low-key. I don't know anything about the Makena Beach, but wonder what you're seeking that won't be "satisfied" by the Sheraton. Yes, the beach in front of the Sheraton is busy, but the pool and grounds are very quiet.

I stayed there last September when it was still the Maui Prince. It was a very nice resort, and the beach is great. It was very quiet, never seemed crowded, not too many children. Generally I thought the food at the resort was pretty good, though it was a bit overpriced. I think the breakfast buffet was $30/person, and it was great but I don't want $30 worth of food for breakfast ( we liked buying fresh pastries and pineapple at the coffee shop instead, and making our own coffee up in our room).

Service was uniformly excellent and helpful. This was particularly impressive under the circumstances...the resort was going bankrupt, and they announced it would enter receivership the week we were there.

The bartender makes a mean mai tai :)

The pool area is unimpressive. Nothing wrong with it, its just a small pool, with no view to speak of. For me, this was a plus because it was very quiet and I could rest or have a swim in peace. If you want a fancy pool, or expect to spend a lot of time there, its probably a con.


The beach is probably the biggest "pro" for this resort. It's quiet, beautiful, there are turtles floating right in close to shore, and you can snorkel from here easily.

The Makena Beach Resort is definitely in a more quiet location. If that is what you want, then you would like it more than the Sheraton which has a lot more activity surrounding the hotel and beachfront. The Sheraton is in walking distance to shopping and dining; you would need a car at Makena if you wanted to do the same outside of the hotel, though Wailea and Kihei takes only a few minutes drive.

Makena (or Maui Prince when we stayed there) is a beautiful and quiet hotel on a relatively secluded beach. It's also very close to the best beach on Maui - Makena Beach State Park. The one drawback is that it is a long way into town if you want to eat out and avoid the over priced hotel restaurants.

The Sheraton also has a great location and some of the rooms have outstanding views but it is a huge property and much "busier" than Makena. The Sheraton has outstanding snorkeling right out front by the Black Rock. And it's closer to Lahaina if you want to go visit Lanai or take a boat tour.

If you're into golf, both places have excellent courses but I'd give the nod to Makena.

We stayed at the Maui Prince on our second visit to Maui and loved it but if this is your first visit to Maui, I think I would stay at the Sheraton. Better location for a first visit.

I am a beach person and they have a nice quiet beach. You will be disappointed by the pool--it is small.