My fiance and I are having a dilemma -- which hotel to stay at while on our honeymoon in May of '99. We think we've narrowed it down to the Hyatt or Embassy Suites...leaning more towards the Hyatt. i would love to hear from someone who has stayed there before. If anybody can help me,please do. Any information would be appreciated. Plus, will we have to pay a daily fee to park our rental car?? We are Hawaii novices, and do not have a clue!!! Thank you in advance for your help!!!

Hi Karen,
We just got back from Maui last month and stayed at the beautiful Hyatt. I also did lots of research prior to my trip and this hotel did not disappoint in fact it exceeded my expectations. First of all you are on a beautiful strand of Kanaapali Beach and close to Whalers Village and Lahaina where there are many great restaurants. The hotel is gorgeous, beautiful landscaping & pool area and spacious rooms. The Swan Court is where we ate most of our breakfasts. Make sure to get a seat next to the lagoon where the swans are. The service was always first-rate and courteous. Embassy Suites did not look as nice as the Hyatt and its not in as great of location. We would go back in a minute to the Hyatt!

I'll second that!! We stayed at the Hyatt 2 years ago, and it is GREAT!!!! Oh, and parking is free..or at least it was then..While we never drove down to the embassy, we did see it from the highway..and as pointed out above,,not the best location.
Have been to maui several times, so feel free to write with any questions you may have,,

Aloha
Rick

We stayed at the Hyatt last year and had an ocean-view room which was magnificent. We could see the pool as well as the ocean from our balcony. The pool was really fun with a thrilling slide. If you play golf, there is a golf club, Kaanapali, which is very near to the hotel.

Ditto on all comments. We honeymooned at the Hyatt (Oct. 97) and it was beautiful. Breakfast at Swan Court is great if you can get it added into your package, otherwise it's $35-40 each day. Parking is free if you do it yourself; valet is $10 per day. Go to Front Street in Lahaina and eat at Cheeseburgers in Paradise at sunset. The view is spectacular. Aloha!

Aloha Karen! I've stayed at the Hyatt
and was very disappointed. The rooms
were not that well kept. Dirty carpets
and furniture and the hotel was just
refurbished. They have a very small beach. The swimming pool area is nice
but is very popular with guests from
other hotels and condos. It gets very
crowded and can have a difficult time
in trying to find some chairs to lay on.
My favorite on Maui is the Grand Wailea.
Beautiful beach and plenty of pool areas
including an adult pool where you can
really relax. Another beautiful hotel
is the Ritz Carlton at Kapulua. The
rooms there put the Hyatt to shame. The
service outstanding and no crowds from
other hotels. There beach is much nicer
also. Very popular with honeymooners.
Aloha,ED

Hi Karen......

hmmm: I've actually stayed at 3 place on Kanaapali and just returned for our 5 yr anniversary.

First of all, If you can swing it Splurge and do the Hyatt. It is beautiful and has a good location.

Being on a tighter budget this year, we stayed at the Embassy. Surprisingly, I thought it was great

Great Staff, Free Breakfast and 2 hr open bar every night is tough to beat

The location is not as good, the rooms not as lush but free drinks & breakfast save you about $300 for activities.

I've also stayed at the Alii, which is
upscale and next to the Hyatt.

The funny thing, I enjoyed my 3rd trip the best b/c we didn't only go to Kanaapali as we didn't stay on it at the Embassy. We got to see other beaches that were nice as well.

So:
Beauty & 1 Beach: Hyatt, Alii or Marriot

Beauty, Save $: Embassy

It's tough to go wrong in Maui anyway

I love Cheeseburger In Paradise
Don't get ripped of by going to
"Mary's Fish House" - Bad Service
Exorbitant Pricing

Don't listen to the Snobs -
I can afford to go anywhere I want
XX

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that answered my questions!! I really appreciate it! We're going to go ahead and book a Hyatt vacation that includes 9 nights (8 in Maui, 1 in Waikiki). Thank you so much!
Karen

Karen, You made a good choice with the
Hyatt in Maui. My husband and I were
married in Maui in July 98 and that's
where we stayed. It's a beautiful hotel and the staff was very nice. Try to get a pkg. that
includes their daily buffet breakfast -
it was excellent.
Also, ( if you want an oceanfront room),
ask for a higher floor oceanfront room in the atrium, those offer the best view. And don't miss the Old Lahaina Luau, book early! (skip Hyatt's)

an addition to the above: the parking
was free at the Hyatt.