drsaloni

Hi, thanks to the fodorites, we have decided to visit Maui.My husband, 3 year old son & myself are headed to Maui mid November for 2 weeks. I am having trouble with hotel/condo search, which is overwhelming. For atleast a week we will be staying at the Fairmont in Wailea, it being a suite we get some separation from our son when he sleeps.The other week is a problem. We are looking for ocean front, beach at the property, like luxury, restaurants, a view, clean room, & are considering the Kannapali area for that week. We have never rented a condo before & I found these on vrbo - referred by a fodorite.Here is my concern

1) I want to try to spend under $ 200 or in that ball park for the week in Kannapali. Open to go slightly higher. We need the separation from my son. And hopefully see some whales if possible from our lanai.( I know its a bit early for them )These are my options :

a) Maui Kai
b) Ashton Kannapali SHores
c) Kannapali Villas
d) Ashton Mahana at Kannapali
e) Ashton Maui Kannapali Villas
f) Kapalua Villas

Of the above which one would you suggest ?Any particular condo number you prefer? We are looking for 1BR

2) If I am able to do Fairmont for the entire 2 weeks & skip Kaanapali, do you suggest it? We do like nice restaurants closely.

3) If Maui is breaking the budget would you suggest splitting b/w Honolulu & Maui? We have been to Honolulu 8 years ago for 5 days, wasnt much, stayed at Hilton Hawaiian Village. We are hilton members but they dont offer reward nights for our time there.I am less keen to club it with Honolulu, my husband is keen to do 2 islands.With a 3 year old I want to relax more than fly. We will be flying out of nyc.

Thanks so much, all your hotel/condo suggestions will be helpful

drsaloni

Also sorry to add Lahaina Shores to the list also.

sf7307

None of those is what I'd call "luxury", but then I'm not sure you'd ever get a luxury condo in Kaanapali for under $200 a night.

Suzie

You should be aware that none of those places are on the stretch of beach known As Kaanapali where all the shopping and restaurants are. Those paces are really on Airport Beach which is north of Black Rock. Not nearly as swimmable as the beach south of Black Rock. I don't think of any of those as luxury either except maybe Kapalua Villas but there vary in quality as well.

Tomsd

I think you could enjoy a week down in the Kiehei/Wailea area and then also one up in the Lahaina/north area - so also check out staying at Kapalua and Napili, which are just north of Kanapali.

I/we prefer them as it's less crowded - and you can find nice beaches. There are a number of places - including those with condos, so just google away. In November - you should have plenty of choices.

Tomsd

And here is my favorite place - Napili Sunset - on your "own" beach. It's nice enough - and it has a grassy area in front of the units where you son could play, etc, and it's a little way from the water/protected by a hedge - so you wouldn't have to worry as much about his suddenly disappearing if you were temporarily distracted/whatever.

http://www.napilisunset.com/

mouseRD

Not to disappoint you, but we went in mid-November & did not see a single whale. I guess it's possible, but realistically, not probable. We did see plenty of spinner dolphins, a couple of bottle-nose dolphins, & a monk seal, though!

tileaftilly

If you can do it, stay the whole time down in Wailea. Kaanapali Ali'i on the main portion of Kaanapali Beach is a great condo. It might be stretching your budget a bit, but would be worth it.

drsaloni

Thanks so much.I will look into Napili area & Kapalua Villas more in detail.Thanks mouseRD, if the probability of seeing whales is low maybe Fairmont the whole time may have to do it.My worry with that is that during thanksgiving week there may be traffic to get from Wailea to Kannapali.If I disregard the above condos which are on airport beach except Mahana, I like that one, how is the Whaler?
Between the Whaler,Mahana, Napili area,Kapalua & Fairmont what are your suggestions? Thank you so much, you have no idea how helpful this is.

tileaftilly

I'd go with the Whaler for location.

sf7307

The Whaler is in a great location. Other than that, it's "eh" -- certainly not luxury, although it's possible there are units in the building that are more luxe than the one we stayed in a few years ago. The pool is very small. The units are individually owned and decorated - no standard. Some are rented by the owners, via VRBO and the like, and others are rented through a company (we went with VRBO). Anyway, they're fine but if you're expecting the Ritz, you're certain to be disappointed.

Tomsd

The Whaler is right in the middle of busy Kaanapali.

drsaloni

Is there any condo - beachfront in the Kannapali area or area close to Lahaina that people recommend.My research so far with budget came up with the above stuff only. As long as its a 10-15 minute drive to restaurants on a nice strip of beach,in a condo development with as many amenities as an hotel ( I know these defer from condo to condo ) we would be ok.Any personal favorites?

sf7307

What kind of hotel amenities are you looking for? And when you say "luxury", what does that mean to you?

Suzie

We stayed at the Marriott Ocean Beach Resort on Kaanapali. It was great. .Great pool, very near Whalers Village, nice beach location I saw a rate of $251 for the 3rd week in Nov.

drsaloni

Thanks Suzie.Any extra amenities would be welcome but to be specific - a restaurant on site would be helpful,maid service is a plus but am OK without it as very few seem to have it.The rest I am all right without as long as the condo is clean,view very good & close to restaurants.I am starting to understand not to expect too much in terms of amenities.Anything more than this would be a plus.We do like modern rooms but I know each one is separate.I received an email from one owner of vrbo for Mahana - very modern, tasteful unit for $255 + 135 cleaning fee + 171 in taxes - its a 1BR oceanfront with views of Moloai & Lanai on the 10th floor.Reviews are good - we bring our own beach towels etc.What would someone think of that?Price wise it is comparable to the Fairmont.Totally comes to more than the Ritz - which maybe rainy I heard & windy.Still got to hear back from owner at whaler but will check out Mariott Ocean Beach Resort.Also would want to see dolphins, turles from lanai if not too early for whales.Thats the main reason not to be at Fairmont for the entire time.Let me know

drsaloni

SOrry at mahana - 7th floor unit

sf7307

Suzie, we're staying at the Marriott in late September (we seem to be following you around!)

I'm not sure of the restaurant situation north of Black Rock. We always stay south of Black Rock (hence our stay at the Whaler a few years ago) because we like to be walking distance to the restaurants at Whaler's Village, like the beach path, for daytime and after-dinner walks. The Marriott has at least one on-site restaurant, but it's less critical there because of Whaler's Village - which even has a McDonalds.

Suzie

We loved the Beachwalk Market on site at the Marriott. It had everything for a quick breakfast or a sandwich or pizza for lunch and also some lighter side or less sophisticated dinner. Had one of those sandwiches that you remember forever because they put something unexpected in it and suprises you with flavor. Also you were able to purchase a mug/covered cup for $35, mmaybe $40, but all refills are free. I think it includes both coffee & soda.

I think your son woudl really enjoy the pool.

kevkik

We are currently here in Maui. We split our stay between Wailea & Kaanapali. We first stayed at the Fairmont (a few glitches, but we did really enjoy our stay there & it IS a luxury resort). The beach was wonderful there too.

We are now in a condo (more like a kind of timeshare rental - we do not own timeshare, but just rented directly) in Honua Kai resort. It is awesome! We have a HUGE 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with full kitchen, washer/dryer, etc. Maid service each day too. It is new, clean, beautiful. There is a Duke's restaurant right on the grounds, the pool is fantastic (way better than the Fairmont for kids, IMO). I would stay here again.