I will be making my first trip to Maui in November and will be travelling solo. I have decided to stay in Kaanapali as I want to be near activity, restaurants and shopping (all the things a 30-yr-old female enjoy), but I'm having a difficult time determining which condo or hotel to stay at. Unfortunately, luxury hotels like the Sheraton, Westin, Hyatt and Marriott are out of my price range. I'm looking for a more moderate price range and have been doing some research on the Maui Eldorado and Aston Kaanapali Shores where I could get studios in the range of $95-$120 for off-season owner-direct prices. From the things I've read about the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, it doesn't seem as nice as the Eldorado or Shores.

Any advice on these would be appreciated or recommendations for other accommodations in Kaanapali. TIA

Personally, I disliked the Kaanapali Shores because it was so far from the action of Lahaina and the good beaches of Kaanapali. The Kaanapali Beach Hotel is the friendliest and most Hawaiian of all the hotels, by far. The Whaler is also a good condo. Pick up a copy of Hawaii Magazine at Barnes and Noble/Borders bookstores and check out the rentals by owner in the back of every magazine. I stayed on the beach for $80 per night a few years ago by renting from a Whaler owner.

Naneki

I have to vote for the Aston Kaanapali Shores condo. We stayed there last fall had a WONDERFUL time. I definetly recommend an oceanview condo (if possible) The rooms are a nice size. Comes with a full kitchen, lanai, living room, & bedroom.
Property has tennis courts, sundry store, restaurant, 2 pools, exercise room,& small game room.. We would defintely stay there again. Oh, plus the hotel is located on the beach. Perfect location. Not to far from Lahaina about a 7-10 minute drive.
The only negative, is you pay for parking per day.
Have fun!!

Just got back from Maui. We stayed at the Astin Mahana, 2 doors down from the Kaanapali Shores. We loved where we stayed, though the Shores looked even nicer, though more expensive. I wasn't crazy about the ElDorado location; a bit too antiseptic. Look into the Entertainment book; you'll get 50% off the rack rates at the hotels you mentioned (all Astin and Outrigger hotels).

The El Dorado is set back from the beach, not too much ambiance, but near Black Rock for snorkeling. I liked being on the other side of Black Rock better, either the KBH or the Whaler if you can afford them. This would be a better location for someone alone, also.

I stayed at the Aston Kaanapali Villa last year. Inexpensive, quiet and right on the beach which is all I really needed.

Went by the kanaapali Beach hotel and it looked like a very friendly hotel.

Just got back from Hawaii last week-end. We stayed at the Aston Kanaapail. The hotel was nice. It is a condo and there is a grocery store right across the street. So we ate breakfast and lunches in the room. It was great. But we couldn't swim at the beach. The water was awful. But the pools are great the the location was perfect. Also, we had a two bedroom condo, so we had a washer and dryer. Have fun, we did.

Tina, You say the beach at Aston Kaanapoli was awful - bad weather or bad beach? Wewant to go in Feb and would like good rate condo on the beach. Any suggestions would be appreciated. bcool in colorado

I said that just the beach was awful. We couldn't even swim in it because there was alot of green leafy things in it, plus it was a very narrow beach. My boys (9 and 12) were very upset because they love the beach. We loved the resort in itself.

We stayed at Aston Kaanapali shores, 1 bedroom condo, about 10 years ago, and although it was wonderful for us; family with a 7 year old, I would not recommend it for a 30 yr.old single. It's removed from the 'main' Kaanapali beach area that has all the amenities the large resorts have. Stay in a hotel or condo you can afford at the beach area of the Sheraton or Hyatt Regency, Whaler, Kaanapali beach hotel, etc. where there are restaurants, bars,shops and hotel activities nearby.You should be able to find a room or condo in your price range. The beach here is better for swimming and has activities rented from the hotels.You will need a car in Maui anyway, and this area is the most centrally located, and not a long drive to Lahaina. PS, we're returning
here summer 2002, without children and with 3 other couples, and this is the stretch of beach we'll be staying.

Part of the reason I disliked staying at the Kaanapali Shores was the poor beach. I had previously stayed right on Kaanapali Beach (not a couple of miles north) and was shocked at the beach at the Shores, which was covered with seaweed and green slime. No one swam there; everyone drove two miles south!