RomeInOctober

We will be staying in Maui for three nights at the beginning of September and are choosing between the Ritz Carlton and the Hyatt Regency. Both properties look amazing, but I'm concerned about how much it may rain in Kapalua. Also, we won't have kids with us and the Hyatt seems as though it may attract more families. Any advice?

Blacktie

The Ritz is a much nicer hotel, and Kapalua is more swank. Hyatt at Kaanapali isn't as good as Westin or Sheraton. It is a huge complex, without much beach. The weather in Kaanapali will be less rainy.

Suzie

I must disagree about the Hyatt. It is superior to the Westin and especially the Sheraton. It may not have the beach space that those hotels do but the property is much nicer. The beach walk allows you to choose any section of sand you like. We've stayed there 3 times and the hotel was just lovely. We especially liked that it was at the end of the beach walk so it was quieter and we really liked the hammocks down near the beach. Recently the Hyatt remodeled the pool to provide a kids section but it is located on the far (north) side of the pool with the waterfall separating the pool sections.

I haven't stayed at the Ritz so I can't say which is better between the Ritz and the Hyatt.

Blacktie

I've stayed at all of them, and Ritz is superior, as is Westin. Plus nicer pools, beach, restaurants, etc. Hyatt is actually an enormous complex, much like what you'd find in Las Vegas. And the pools are not at all inviting. It is a bit isolated in fact, being at the very end of the walk next to the public beach, which is rather rough. Black rock for snorkling cannot be beat for that area. IMHO.

OO

Oh really, you've stayed at them all? Interesting! This huge complex a la Vegas (Hyatt Kaanapali) has a mere 42 rooms more than the Westin. Interesting how one is fine and the other is an enormous complex! lol You diminish your message with hyperbole.

thornphoenix

Why is blacktie being "attacked" for stating his/her opinion? I would agree that Sheraton is nicer than Hyatt everything considered...of course that's just my opinion. I think Sheraton has a much quieter and peaceful atmosphere than Hyatt and has a superior beach experience. I also personally like Sheraton's pool area better than Hyatt since Hyatt's is so large and noisy. Plus I've had the best view from the Sheraton Ocean Frot rooms - not as good of view at Hyatt. I've never stayed at Westin or Ritz so cannot comment on those properties.

kbean

Actually, Hyatt and Westin (the chains.. in and of themselves are quite comprable)...

I just don't know how anyone could resist the "heavenly" bed that Westin has to offer.

Sheraton is to Westin as
Courtyard is to Marriot... the general sense...

I'm excited to go to Hawaii, I wanted to get married in mexico, but it's really quite a pain, so we are considering getting married in more expensive hawaii...

I'd stay at the westin before the hyatt anywhere I would go... except for Atlanta. That hotel has awesome service.

Now the ritz/four seasons... that is obviously going to be superior.

The Westin Reginas in Mexico made the Travel Channel's top 10 mexico resorts this year... I like that.

Scarlett

Won't it rain regardless of which hotel you stay in ?
Rome, I envy you the choice, either way it will be wonderful I am sure.


I am amazed that anyone has really stayed in ALL of these hotels! On the same island??




thornphoenix,
I see that you have not been posting here for long. I don't think that anyone on here has been 'attacked'...we all disagree with each other on some issues.
The longer you are here, the more you will get to know the posters and see that we do not all see travel and advice in the same way.

Scarlett

Thornphoenix, since you have not been there yet, you must post a trip report in November and tell us how wonderful it is at either the Sheraton or Mariott
Sigh, I lived in Hawaii but never stayed in one of these resorts~

thornphoenix

Scarlett,
I think you may be confusing me (thornphoenix) with somebody else in your last message (the one where you say "Thornphoenix, since you have not been there yet, you must post a trip report in November and tell us how wonderful it is at either the Sheraton or Mariott.") Perhaps you're referring to a previous post I've made???....I am going to Kauai (not Maui) in November and staying at the Marriott...I've been to Kauai before, just never stayed at the Marriott.

As well, I've been reading these boards for well over 5 years so I'm not new and no, I don't post often, probably about 10 times total, and because of that I rarely remember my username/password - thus need to create a new one. Anyway, point being, I know an "attack" when I read one and the tone of "OO's" post is definitely not a constructive one in respect to Blacktie's response.

By the way, I can easily see somebody staying at all those hotels on the same island. I've been to Maui multiple times in the past few years and I like to stay at different places each time just to experience different places. Perhaps when I've stayed at enough places I'll make a choice to just stay at the same place over and over again. Anyway, my point is that we shouldn't assume what somebody has done or not done (e.g. in regards to how many places somebody has stayed on a particular island).
Cheers,
Tracey

tpatricco

Rome, The Ritz in Kapalua is soooo beautiful. No contest between that and the Hyatt. They're in different categories IMO. The comment about the rain difference did confuse me though, as Kapalua isn't but a few miles at most up the coast from Kaanapali. How different can the weather really be?

Have a wonderful trip!

Blacktie

Actually lets clear up any misconceptions about the hotels in south Ka'anapali, i.e., the portion south of Black Rock, for those familair with west Maui. I've stayed in all four, and I'm also very familiar with Ritz Carlton north at Kapalua. Ritz is far, far superior to Hyatt, which is no better, and possibly lesser than Westin, Marriott, Sheraton. I can say that because I've actually been to Maui often, stayed at Hyatt, and am free of any affiliation. Others are free to offer their own experiences in Maui, corporate disclaimers, etc. But wherever you stay, you'll enjoy lovely Maui!!!

Scarlett

Dear Thorn~
I guess my mistake was reading your other postings where you were looking forward to going to Hawaii in November and the fact that you might not have been posting under this screen name for very long..sorry
Referring to newbies, etc.. it is not an insult to be thought one, just considering that one might not be aware of histories and personalities.
OO has always been helpful to the extreme to ALL posters and I cannot remember ever having read an "attack" towards any posters.
What you consider an attack , I do not.
I just try to see things in more of a congenial manner, not reading too much into the replies that are not accompanied by facial expressions.

BoulderCO

Kapalua is only about a ten minute drive from Kaanapali but the difference in weather can be amazing. We have been to Maui many times but stayed in Kapalua for the first time a few years ago. Everyday was cloudy, windy, and cool with occasional light rain in Kapalua. We would hop in the car and drive ten minutes to Kaanapali and have clear skies and warm temperatures. It was like this for five straight days. We had an outside temperature gauge in our rental car and it was amazing to watch it go between low seventies and mid-eighties in the space of a few miles.

OO

thomphoenix...unfortunately there is WAY more going on in some of these posts (and not just mine) than meets the eye. I apologize to those in the dark now saying "huh?", and to those not so in the dark, well..."feh".

I really enjoy helping people here where I can and where I have firsthand knowledge, and have likewsie found that most all posters here, although not all, are honest and well-meaning as well.

tpatricco

Interesting about the weather, boulder. Thanks for the info. I prefer staying in Kaanapali because I think the location makes for easier access to more things. We've stayed at the Mariott and had a fine experience at a fair price. I don't spend much time in my hotel room though, aside from showering & sleeping.

Blacktie

LOL, can I get on the record that I like to help people too! This is of course a most honest board, and well meaning. Personal comments are rarely negative, and on that rare occasion may be excused due to changes in barometric readings, etc. I'm so confident that all who post here limit their comments to places actually visited, to first-hand knowledge, without any hint of affiliation entering in. Do enjoy Maui, no matter where you choose to stay. That's what's important to most.

Suzie

I don't think Blacktie is being attacked. I wrote to say I disagree with his/her assessment of the Maui Hyatt. Are we not allowed to disagree? Wow, sorry I didn't know that.

For kbean: I got the impression you were talking in general terms regarding the Westins and Hyatts because the descriptions you provided do not apply to those two hotels on Maui. The Maui Hyatt and it's grounds are much nicer than the Westin's. Last time we visited Maui we did not stay at teh Hyatt but we did visit and agreed that of all the hotels along the Kaanapali beach walk the Hyatt presented the most beautiful picture.

That being said, let's all keep in mind that there's chocolate, vanilla and at least 31 other flavors for a reason!

Blacktie

Very generous of you, Suzie, and you make a good point. Just a FYI, but last week, over an 8 day period, we visited Hyatt (all of it, which took a full morning!) and Westin, as well as Marriott, Sheraton and a few others in Kapalua, evaluating each as a potential conference site. My comments flow from that work.

Trust I have no affiliation with any of the chains. Thus, if someone said something favorable, unfavorable about Westin, or for that matter, the Hyatt Regency of Ka'anapali, only as examples, of course, it wouldn't concern me in the least.

Of course, selecting the best, you'd also have to look south to Wailea, if only to be inclusive. Ahhhhnold seems partial to Four Seasons, and we know he travels first class.

Scarlett

Suzie, we all disagree all the time and no one has said that we are not allowed.
When someone asks "why is so and so being attacked" when I really did not think it was an attack, I said something.
Some people here have agendas that have nothing to do with Fodors or travel, just take each opportunity to make remarks or little barbs, whatever makes them happy. We all (mostly all of us anyway) know that OO is married to a Hyatt GM, so now and then, someone has to make remarks about that.
We all must learn, myself at the top of this list, to ignore the snide postings and appreciate all the rest of a great community of posters here.
The End, I am finished with this-
gotta attend a Hurricane