Could anyone point me in the right direction to search for condos on Maui, or give some recommendations?

Also, as for hotels, i've been reading reviews for hotels on Maui and think I have it narrowed down to the Sheraton, Westin, or Hyatt, anyone have any recommendations or any additional info on these hotels?

We are a family of 4 (kids are 7 and 1).

Thanks!

I guess I should have also included that we will be spending about 10 days, would like a nice pool, close as possible to the beach, and we're trying to keep a budget of less than $350 per night.

check out VRBO.com for condo rentals, nice to have more room than a hotel and a separate bedroom area with kids. Many we have rented also have washer/dryer which also makes things a lot easier and you don't need to bring so much stuff. Not to mention that you don't have to eat every meal out.

Of the 3 hotels you mention, the Hyatt has the nicest pool, then the Westin. Nothing special about the Sheraton pool. As for location, all 3 are on the beach, but the Westin is next to the Whalers Village shopping complex making it more convenient for shopping and dining.

You should also look into the Marriott also on Kaanapali Beach (next to the Hyatt). They have rooms with kitchenettes, and a cute pool for small children.

The hotels are struggling right now and many are offering special deals such as a free 3rd or 4th night stay.

You can check condo locations, beach quality, etc. on
http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mauaerials.html

This site is run by the people who publish the "blue books" - Maui Revealed, Oahu Revealed, etc., which are fairly controversial, but I think this page is really valuable information.

Lee Ann

As the three hotels you mentioned are in Kaanapali, I would also look into the Kaanapali Ali'l condos. They are very nice and are on the main part of Kaanapali, next door to the Westin, I think. There are units on vrbo.com starting at $350 a night.

I would definitely stay in a condo rather than a hotel, especially with small children -- so you can put them to bed and still have a living room/kitchen to yourselves.

I can also highly recommend Kaanapali Ali'i (recommended by another poster), and the villas at the Marriott. The Marriott is all timeshares, but two different types -- the ones that were converted from the old hotel are just combined hotel rooms, no kitchens. The newer "Villas" are full-blown apartments (and gorgeous, I might add) up to 3 bedrooms. The Marriott has a nice pool area, since it used to be a hotel. The Kaanapali Alii pool is very low-key and quiet, nothing like the Hyatt, Marriott or Westin pools. As I recall, though, it had a shallow end, which is great for the baby.

FWIW, the Westin and Hyatt are more "upscale" than the Sheraton, although the Sheraton has a nice vibe to it - quiet, pretty grounds, and right at Black Rock (great snorkeling). Kaanapali Beach is also widest at the Sheraton end and narrowest at the Hyatt end.

There's also The Whaler (another condo complex) but I can't personally recommend it. The condos are all individually owned and decorated, and some have seen better days. We stayed there last summer, and I wouldn't stay there again, although others on TripAdvisor love the place. I guess it depends on your expectations, and my expectations include something a little "fresher". Also, I believe there's a bit of construction going on right now.

Thanks so much for all the recommendations!!

I wanted to add also, I have been checking out the hotels and like someone mentioned I've noticed that many of them are having the deals where they give every 3rd night free, that was one reason I am still considering a hotel. So many choices!

I would 2nd or 3rd the Kanapalli Alli for a place to stay with kids. We have stayed there about six times and are headed back in October.

However, the pool will be under construction most of 2009 so keep that mind. The beach is steps from the condo and there are several listed on VRBO for rent.

I can highly recommend units 216 and 312 or 313 (can't remember which) it faces toward the Weston.

You will find a lot of units listed as two bedrooms with two bath but several people have converted a den to a bedroom. However, with your own kids that shouldn't be a problem. We only found it an issue when traveling with another couple as the bedroom/den was directly off the living room sepearted by an according door.

You might also consider the Resort Quest up near Napalli (they call it Kanapalli). We stayed there last February (Alii wasn't available) and had a great time.

We found the unit on VRBO and it was on the 8th floor with a great view of the ocean. The whales were running and close enough to hear them splash. Much more windy than Kanapalli at Whaler Village.

Down near Whaler Village is better for walking to food and shopping, but the price on the RQ was about half of anything up near Whaler Village.

Kehi is south of Kanapalli and is consideralby cheaper than anything near Kanapalli (except for a few high end places). Our kids have stayed down there, we have not.

Also check www.hawaii4less.com as they have frequent deals on various places all over Hawaii.

You don't mention when you are planning on going to HI? That will impact prices for sure.

Westin also has Ocean Villas which are nice and are condos with kitchens etc. It is a bit further away from Kaanapali; but there is a shuttle bus between it, the Sheraton and Maui Westin.

We stayed at Maui Westin and loved its location. Whalers Village is very convenient, especially with little ones.

Deb

We're planning on going mid-march.