My husband and I are thinking about staying at the Sheraton Maui next year (sans kids!!!) We've been to the Black Rock beach area, but never to the actual hotel. I have a few general questions.

~Has anybody been to the spa? Can you tell me more about it?

~What are the restaurants like on the property. Is there a buffet brunch?

~I've read the pool doesn't really have any bells & whistles (no swim up bars/slides, etc.) But besides that, is it nice? We'll probably spend more time on the beach, but we also like a good pool.

~What all is within walking distance? Whalers Village?

~Has anybody stayed in the area overlooking Black Rock? Are those called the "Ocean front" rooms? We'd really like to splurge on a nice view this trip.


Any other info on the Sheraton Maui that would be helpful? Thank you!

I've walked through the Sheraton pool area as a visitor (didn't stay in the hotel). It is a very nice pool area with very nice grounds. There are three restaurants there that get very good reviews for their food. Whaler's Village is within walking distance.
Of all the hotels in the Kaanapali area it has the best beach and best snorkeling. The only hotel there that has better pools and better grounds is the Hyatt, however it's beach has rocks, so if the beach is the most important to you, the Sheraton would be your best choice.

Have fun!

Stayed many years ago but its an older hotel but great location at Black Rock..Whaler's Village is minutes to walk and the rooms I believe have been renovated recently.
I like the Westin..really nice pool and rooms, which is newer and not on the cliff but either one will work.
Lots of deals in Maui right now..

The Westin, adjacent to the Whalers Village, has the best spa!! The lounge area, where you can relax pre and post massage, has a most magnificant view of the ocean. I have never had a more soothing and calming experience any where. Enjoy their snacks and tea and stay as long as you wish. We have never had a bad massage either!

Everything everyone else said - good beach, nice pool and grounds, okay hotel, walking distance to Whaler's Village. I don't think the Hyatt is the only hotel with a better pool, however. I think both the Westin Hotel and the Marriott timesshares resort (formerly the Marriott Hotel) have "better" pools, if by better, you mean more bells-and-whistles. All in all, the Sheraton looks like a pleasant place, but I think the rooms themselves are pretty ordinary.

We've been to Black Rock several times and really enjoyed the beach. Beach is definitely more important than a pool on this trip, but we'd still be interested in the pool area.

I like the Hyatt, but the beach is very difficult to swim at.

Is anybody familiar with the restaurants at the Sheraton? This'll be a quick trip for us an will probably eat several meals on the property.

We're looking at the Sheraton because a. we know we like the beach and b. we'll probably have a couple of free nights.

thanks!

I think you'll enjoy the Sheraton, but I see no reason why you would plan to eat at the hotel (but then, I never eat at hotel restaurants if anything else is avaialble). First, Whaler's Village is walking distance and has good restaurants, second, Kaanapali has a shuttle (free, I think) into Lahaina, which is only 3 miles away and has tons of restaurants.

I never think of eating in a hotel unless its a 5* hotel that has incredible dining or we get in late and just want something more than room service.
They have a teppan-yaki restaurant which maybe for your first night would be good but Whaler Village is a 5 minute walk along a great wide boardwalk and we really enjoy Hula Grill and Kealani's..
I think they do have a free shuttle to Lahaina and like other posters above stated that there are tons of restaurants..we like Kimo's.

along a great wide boardwalk

Well, a nice asphalt path, but who's quibbling

Wow, I've usually been quite happy with the hotel restaurants I've eaten at in Maui! It's nice to have the convenience right there and not have to worry about walking, driving, or being dependent on somebody else's schedule.
I love Hula Grill/Kimos. We'll probably go there for some Hula pie. But I'm sure at some point we'll eat at the hotel. Just wondering what others (who have eaten there) have thought of it.
~Keka'a Terrace
~Black Rock Steak & Seafood
~Teppan-yaki Dan
Looks like they have some more casual eating areas/bars, too.

If you want to read detailed reviews of the restaurants at the Sheraton, look in your local bookstore under the travel section for a book called "Maui Revealed" by Doughty. It also reviews all the other restaurants within walking distance.

I have stayed at the Sheraton Maui and it is awesome. Having said that, I did not do the spa. I also thought the hotel rests. were just average. The pool does have a slide or two and some waterfalls but nothing fancy. It is close to everything -- Whaler's Village -- and you can walk to other Hotels and to the Whaler's Village, for dinner if you wish.

The staff is great. They upgraded our room for free and the Sheraton Maui is my favorite hotel in the area. (I have also stayed at the Marriott and there is no comparison. I have walked through the Hyatt which was spectacular but felt hectic and crowded.) The Sheraton Maui was relaxed and perfect. I could not recommend it more.

Just so you understand, compared to the Marriott (which is no longer a hotel, it's a much nicer timeshare resort -- they converted the hotel part into suites without kitchens, and built new "villas" up to 3 bedrooms) and the Hyatt, the Sheraton is nice but what I would call "low-key" (which is great if that's what you're looking for). There is nothing glitzy about the Sheraton.