I have read numerous bad reviews about Royal Lahaina Resort and we have booked reservations to stay there in Oct 2002. Please someone tell me some good experiences they have had there. If not, I need some advice as to how to improve our stay there. We have a garden view room in the main tower. Also, how hard is it to walk over to the Sheraton, and the other side of Black Rock? Do we have to drive over there or can we walk?
Thanks

Oh Stephanie,
The Royal Lahaina is the last place you want to stay. What a dump! It's a total throw back to the 60's and 70's. I've heard that the cockroaches are so big you can hear them burp! Have you checked out these hotel ratings here on Fodors? Are you way older than 50? Mostly seinor citizens there because it is so cheap. It's not to late to change your reservation. It's a bit of a hike to Sheraton, but it's walkable. Why don't you join Starwood .com and get 35% off a room at the Sheraton or the Westin. It will be low season then because the kids will be in school so you can most likely still get a room. We are going over in September. We are stopping over on Oahu for 4 nights then onto Maui for 13 nights. We laugh everytime we go by the Royal Lahaina because we almost made the mistake of booking it about 5 years ago before we knew any better. Best of luck to you.

We just returned from Maui and stayed at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. We got an oceanfront room and this hotel is right next to the Sheraton.

The rooms at the Kanapali Beach are just like the chain hotel rooms all over the USA. We found that the location was great, not too crowded.

Help! My husband and I are booked for three nights (romance package) in July.
One night is non-refundable. We have a deluxe ocean view with complementary Luau and Sunset Dinner Cruise and car for the 3 nights. Maybe we should only stay one night, cancel the package and rent our own car. We already have additional nights at the Plantation Inn and at the Renaissance Wailea. Any suggestions?

OK, I am taking the hint. I changed our reservation to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

Good choice in switching to Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Have never stayed at Royal Lahaina but heard from a friend that it's not so hot. Although KBH is not fancy by any means, the location is great for access to restaurants, bars, shops, etc..oh and the beach at their location is pretty decent, too. Enjoy!

I am really surprised at some of these replies. My wife and I stayed there for 4 nights during our honeymoon in June '98. We truly enjoyed it and even received two champaign glasses that we now proudly display on our fireplace mantle. The staff was quite friendly, and the room was clean with a nice walk-out lanai.

I believe we had the garden view. We also had the all-inclusive option which included a huge breakfast buffet (eating on a patio just steps from the ocean) and dinner with a different theme each night (Mexican, Italian, seafood, Chinese, etc). This option is really convenient, especially when considering the price of food on the islands.

We plan, if airfare prices cooperate, returning next year for our 5-year anniversary and if we include Maui (also debating the Big Island), the Royal Lahaina is definitely at the top of our list.

Stephanie, enjoy the KAanapali Beach Hotel. We used our breakfast coupons at the mixed plate to upgrade to the Tiki Terrace. The food was better there and the view was great.

Beware of the KBH Concierge for booking activities. We got better prices from Activity World near Lahaina Town, and we did not have to do a timeshare thing. barbara

THe Royal Lahaina used to be one of the best places to stay in Maui. Hard to believe now! Stephanie, you did the right thing by changing properties. The K. Beach Hotel has the Sugar Train that runs behind it. Aloha!

We last stayed at the Royal Lahaina in May 2000 in one of their Garden Cottages. And, Kim, FYI, I have NEVER seen a roach at the RL during any of our stays over the years. I'm also NOT a Senior Citizen! (What a ridiculous thing to say!)

We have never stayed in the main hotel, but like staying in the cottages which are located away from the main building and have a great view of the golf course. The staff are very friendly and the grounds are lovely! Yes, it is an older property but the cottages had been recently upgraded (as I believe have other parts of the hotel)and they run about $175 for garden view.

I have never responded to a posting before, but thought I must this time. My husband & I just returned from a stay at the Royal Lahaina - and we would return without question. We were upgraded to an ocean front room at no expense to us, and we did not see any roaches whatsoever.

ttt

I just read today on another website that the Marriott just bought the Royal Lahaina. Should be a good thing. I dont know when they will start - but it will be totally redone.