We are going to Maui for our 30th anniversary. Trying to decide between Westin and Hyatt. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Most people love the Hyatt - I happen not to be one of them, but it's for a specific reason. I actually think the hotel is too "fancy" for its location. All the woodwork, etc. just doesn't fit in my mind. Also, the beach is very narrow (or maybe nonexistent) at the Hyatt end. That said, the pool is fabulous, and again, most people love the Hyatt. The Westin has a great pool, too, and is more "central", i.e. closer to Whaler's Village, which is in the middle of Kaanapali Beach ("right to left": Hyatt-Marriott-Kaanapali Alii-Westin-Whaler's Village - Whaler Condos - etc.) Look at googlemaps and zoom in - you can see the location, pools and beach.

I know you probably want someone who has stayed in both to help you, I can only speak of the Westin, was there for a week and Loved it. I went to the Hyatt for a stargazing show and it was lovely as sf7307 commented it is further to Whalers Village. You can't go wrong with either one I would just do the math and see what meets your needs more. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.
GIna

Highly recommend Westin Maui. It is right on the beach. There is an adult pool with ocean views in addition to four more pools. Love the Heavenly Beds - they are so plush and heavenly! Great facilities at this resort - you will enjoy their spa with ocean view lounge and they serve lavender lemonade from a local farm. Ask for their cabana sunset dinner with butler service for two by the pool - it was perfect for our celebration and the sunset view was stunning. Check their website at www.westinmaui.com.

No matter where you decide to stay, my all time favorite spa is at the Westin. The lounge with the ocean view is so calming, and the staff is friendly and very accommodating. Do treat yourselves.

Either hotel is a lovely setting for an anniversary. IMO, the Hyatt grounds and landscaping is the most romantic of the two. However as stated earlier, it is a longer walk from the Hyatt than from the Westin to many of the restaurants and shopping. (If this is an issue for you).

They are both in Ka'anapali which is a very long row of hotel after hotel with various shops/restaurants. First time we went to Maui from the UK we were very surprised at how built up that stretch is. But we love Maui and go every couple years or so to less developed areas.

Thanks for your help. Am thinking more of Westin. Not having been to Maui, is this the best location or are we best looking more to Wailea?

I agree that the Westin is in a better location and easy to walk to Whalers Village. It's a great strip of beach. Having lived in West Maui for the past 30 years, I am still happy to say it is a beautiful place. Don't try to do too much.

Wailea is an artificial area with lots of upscale hotels - beach is lovely. Ka'anapali also has a lovely long beach but can be rough for swimming - having been a few times now we personally prefer Napili and the surrounding area upto Kapalua but we are not celebrating an anniversary so our priorities are different. We like to have the feeling that we are in Hawaii and not be thinking we can get the same thing in the Caribbean at a quarter of the travel time.

Agree with you Odin that you want to feel you are in Hawaii. We are coming from the UK and want this to be really special. Any thoughts on the Ritz Carlton as opposed to Westin?

I cannot offer any advice about those specific properties as we have not stayed in them, alot of the hotels are very luxurious especially in Wailea. Have been to the Four Seasons which is beautiful but prefer the west side of the island. Outside of Wailea the area is a bit arid whereas around the west side seems greener.

We have stayed at the Ritz in Kapalua several times. It is a lovely, lush, tropical, and romantic property. It is isolated from the more crowded, bustling areas of Wailea and Kaanapali. This makes it good for a very quiet, peaceful place to stay. The only disadvantage to the Ritz is that it is located in a part of the island that is cooler, windier, and rainier than Wailea of Kaanapali. This can be refreshing in the hot summers or a little disconcerting in the winter months. When are you going? Maui is currently experiencing a drought so rain is at this time not an issue.

Reckon from all your responses it will be the Westin. Thanks for all your help.

Good choice. I reckon they will treat you well. tip: when you eat breakfast at Ono's, ask for the ocean view. the area is called 'tropica' and it opens for ono breakfast for ocean view seating. enjoy!!