Maui Dilemma
 

My husband and I are planning to go to Maui in May of 2006. We are trying to decide between the Marriott Ocean Club in the Kaanapali region or the Marriott in Wailea. Does anyone recommend one over the other for the best weather and location?

I prefer lush surroundings with beautiful pools and nicer rooms. We don't have kids so that is not an issue. Peace and quiet is nice, but also don't want to be bored.

Also, what is the weather like in the May timeframe?

Thanks for all of your responses.

I would definately recommend Kaanapali over the Wailea area if this is your first time to Maui. Kaanapali has a more upscale feeling. The town around Wailea is more honky-tonk. May should be very nice.

Kaanapali more upscale than Wailea?! Au contraire...
You must be thinking of Kihei, the little condo/restaurant/shop area north of Wailea. Wailea is definitely more upscale with prettier beaches and finer resorts. However, I love both areas.
The weather will be very nice - in the 70s-80s most of the time.

Huh? are you sure you don't have that backwards? Wailea is hardly considered "honky-tonk". I don't think Rolex, Gucci, etc would have shops in a "honky tonk" area.

With that said, Marriott Ocean Club in Kaanapali looked very nice. I did not stay, there, however. I was at the Hyatt Regency next door.

You really cannot lose on either choice, IMO.

HA! The weather again. The weather doesn't change much all year, if you view an online histogram. Are you certain that you'll be in Maui in May of 2006? Looks as if the Wailea is being remodeled during that month.

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HNMMH

http://www.outrigger.com/hotels.aspx?inactive=39

http://www.marriotthawaii.com/marriott-wailea.html

Under renovation from June 13, 2005 – July 20, 2006

I have been to Maui five times over the last 17 months. I stayed at the Marriott Ocean Club in April 2004, as well as other hotels. The Marriott was very nice. I prefer the Kaanapali Beach area, although Wailea has some beautiful hotels. The Maui Prince hotel (not too far from Wailea) was very nice also. The weather is similar with the South side having more sunshine.The summer time is best because there is less rain. I was just in Maui from 6/22 to July 13 and the weather was excellent. Quite warm but the trade winds helped some. Just plan to spend alot of time in the ocean/pools.

Wailea will rarely get the rain that falls near Kaanapali (and Kihei is the "honky tonk" town about 1 mile away). We prefer Wailea for the incredible beaches (and variety of them) and the fancy-schmancy hotel restaurants that can be interchanged with cheap to very pricey dining in Kihei. The location is also a little better for touring all around the island.

Thanks everyone for the great replies to my questions. I will do some investigation about the renovations at the Wailea hotel and if they are going on that answers my question about where to stay.

Again, thanks to all. Can't wait to go.

daisygirl

Hasn't the Marriott in Kaanapali been turned into timeshare / condos??? Not sure if that matters, but thought I would throw it out there. Good luck.

Sherri,

Thanks for your input. We do have a timeshare with Marriott. Our homebase is in Aruba, but we are able to transfer to other Marriott resorts. That's what we are hoping to do.

This will be our first time transferring. We are keeping our fingers crossed. If this works, we are planning on trying other places as well.