sherrie

Can anyone give me any information about the Marriott at Kaanapalli (sp?)? I've tried to get room rates online and it keeps coming up unavilable in June of 2005. My husband and I visited Maui several years ago, staying at the Kea Lani. This trip we plan to take our son who is 12 and thought the Kaanapalli area would be more "fun" for him. Haven't read alot of good things about hotels in this area. Hyatt is getting negative reviews lately, same for Sheraton and Westin. Thanks for any information you can pass on.

xRoadWarrior

Maui Marriott is in the process of converting to timeshares.

Just got back from a week at the Maui Sheraton, this is an incredible property. Nothing negative there.

Suzie

Been to the Hyatt 4 times and I don't know who would give it a poor review. As compared to any other hotel along Kaanapali, the Hyatt is the best of them all. Stayed at the Marriott Ocean Club and it's a great place to take kids but as the previous poster says there will be construction at the hotel during your stated vacation period next June. I think the construction makes some of the hotel unavailable during certain periods and that may be why you can't find availability. You might check out the Westin which is next door to the Marriott and has a nice pool area and beach as well.

sherrie

Thanks for the info. I've been reading the rants/raves on this site and it appeared that the Sheraton was lacking in the service area. The price is right there, but we are wary. Suzi, how are the rooms at the Hyatt? Latest reviews state that the rooms were in need of updating. Did you find that the hotel seemed overly crowded, i.e., no chairs at the pool, etc? Hyatt was my first choice, but didn't want to pay the $$ if hotel was over crowded. The pool tends to be a big "draw" for my son so we definately will be spending time there. Thanks again for the info.

Suzie

Sherrie you do bring up a very interesting point. We have gone only during off seasons because, like you, if we pay big bucks we want to be able to enjoy things. Because it was the off season there were not many people using the pool areas. We made friends with our pool cocktail waitress and she described winter as a mad house. A couple of women got into a tangle over lounge chairs at the pool and one threw the other's property in the pool. Yikes that's a problem. My sister was at the Westin for 10 days last oct/Nov and one guy tried to start something with my BIL over a lounge chair but my BIL was convinced that he did it to get upgrades at the hotel because he kept mentioning that. We were at the Marriott in Novemebr and because it is a timeshare property it was fairly crowded most days unlike adjacent properties but we were able to get a lounge chair. Early June may be better for services than later in the month but you never know. Hotels need to stop the practive of "reserving" lounge chairs by putting towels on them early in the morning when the guests don't show up for many hours. Now that eh Hyatt has converted the far side of the pool (on the other side of the waterfall) to a kids area it could be harder to snag a seat but I don't know for sure.

The rooms seemed fine to me. I didn't think the ones we've stayed in were worn. The type of room is pretty typical in layout. Bathroom to the right or left of the front door. Lanai straight ahead.

DawnCt

We stayed at the Marriott in July and were lucky enough to get a one bedroom unit. We attended the time share presentation and got one night's stay free. There were five of us and there was plenty of room. Two bathrooms, a kitchen area, (microwave, fridge, toaster and dishwasher) The sofa pulled out to a queen size bed and they gave us a rollaway for no additional charge. We loved it. The location, pool and staff were wonderful. I thought it was the best location and hotel on Ka'anapali Beach.

sherrie

Thanks Suzie and DawnCt. We are flying from VA and really want the trip to be special for our son. Since we stayed in Wailea last time, I feel comfortable choosing accommodtions there, and Kaanapalli is new to us. I suppose we run the risk of overcrowding/pool chair problems (rude people) anywhere, but I sure would like to avoid that if I could! Thanks for your info. The Hyatt sounds pretty good, but I would love more info on the Marriott. I like the sound of a one BR suite.

Suzie

We liked our stay at the Marriott alot. Kids were 9 & 13 or 8 & 12. Beach was great and so was the pool. Ate at Va Bene (right at the hotel) twice because the food was fantastic and the service was very good/attentive. Side benefit was being able to listen to the Luau while eating food of our choice.

The cafe near the pool was great for lunch and kids' dinner. Terrific sandwiches made on focaccia. Yummy. One thing they offered was that you could purchase an insulated mug (presumably this would be on day one) for something like $21. Then during your stay all refills of coffee and soda were free. Coffee was starbucks. Food for kids was wide range and included chicken fingers and pizza (straw hat?) as well as grilled ahi. Poolside service available but we had to make friends with a waitress in order to get prompt service. Would recommend this place to families but not for couples on a honeymoon or anyone wanting to be childfree.

sherrie

Suzie: That sounds like our kind of place. I'll pursue Marriott further. Thanks alot for the info.

nanajan

sherrie--My husband and I will be staying at the Marriott Ocean Club in October in a 2 bdrm villa. Since the Marriott is converting to all Vacation Club Villas within the next 1-2 years, you will probably have to inquire about staying in a rental rather than a typical hotel room. Years ago, we stayed at the Hyatt and loved it, but we are Marriott Vacation Club people and are really looking forward to this trip. Check out the Marriott Vacation Club site and see about renting. Good luck.

HappyTravels

The upside/downside of Hyatt et al at Ka'anapali was extensively discussed two months ago - suggest you research. It was generally agreed by most then that Westin and Sheraton offered a more adult venue, were near Whalers thus convenient to restaurants, unless you one wsihed to eat in the hotels, that Hyatt, while huge, was nice and did ususually appeal to kids, and Marriott was in transition. People also liked the Kapalua area, just five minutes to the north. The debate was affected by some interest issues, per posters.

cawhite

We stayed at the Maui Ocean Club last month. The Lana'i Tower is the one under construction... also the one that gets quite a bit of hot afternoon sun (we had to close our drapes if we were in the room in the p.m. - that made the oceanview room a waste during that part of the day). If you can, try to stay in the Moloka'i tower.

By the way, my kids (13 and 9) LOVED the Marriott pool.

sherrie

The website for the Marriott Ocean Club does have availability in June '05 (our intended vacation time). It is looking promising. Does anyone know the difference between the Marriott Ocean Club and the Marriott Resort and Ocean Club (Resort has no availability)? Thanks for all the information. I love the planning of our trips, your help is appreciated.