AnnieThePooh

Hi - my fiance and I are planning a 10 day honeymoon in Maui for August 2006. I've heard ka'anapali beach is "the best" so I've looked into staying at the Westin, Hyatt, and Sheraton. Which of the three are the best, in your experiences? We're in our mid-twenties, and look forward to a healthy mix of sight-seeing/activities as well as just chilling and drinking on the beach/pools. My fiance found a hotel - Diamond in Wailea ... just didn't look as good to me. Any thoughts? Also, is it worth staying a night in Hana rather than just making a day trip? If so, do you recommend going first night of trip (risk jet lag issues) or end of trip (risk ending on a less-fancy note)? Spending a night in the middle of the trip doesn't seem to make sense, and we certainly don't want to double book a night.

Anyone ever have a problem with booking such an expensive vacation through Orbitz, Travelocity, or Hotwire? I haven't made such an expensive purchase on-line before and don't want to get scammed or regret it.

tusion

Search for Maui up in the top of this page and you will find more information on the island than what you know what to do with. If you have more specific questions, feel free to fire away.

Gellers

Ka'anapali is a lot of fun. I'd choose the Hyatt out of the three you mentioned, but just to give you some specifics:

Ka'anapali is a long stretch of beach with a row of resorts and a shopping village in the middle. There's a walking path that makes it easy to stroll around from hotel to hotel.

That said, the Hyatt is at one end of this path, and the Sheraton at the other. The Westin is kind of in the middle. I kind of feel "squashed" in the midst of all the action at the Westin, but it does have a really good pool area and nice grounds.

The Sheraton is probably the most peaceful-feeling of the three. It has a nice pool, too, and its main attraction is Black Rock, a cliff where you can snorkel and see lots of fish.

The Hyatt has a big open-air lobby, very tropical-feeling and has a lot of "Hawaiian" vibe to it. There is a lot going on at this hotel--swim-up grotto bar, waterslide, etc. We actually stayed here so I am a bit prejudiced toward it, but I can say truthfully that we really enjoyed our stay. Good staff, nice rooms, good restaurants, great spa. It can get a little crowded at the pool, and some people complain the beach directly in front of it is not so good. However, if you want, all you have to do is walk a (very) short distance to a better area of sand.

I believe Diamond Resort is a little bit removed from the rest of the Wailea hotels and not really in the most ideal location. I'd choose a Ka'anapali hotel over that one.

I haven't stayed over in Hana, but can tell you that the drive there is very long and can be tiring. If you want to spend the night there I wouldn't do the long drive first thing in your trip.

offlady

You will be terribly disappointed if you go to Diamond Resort. It was designed for the Japanese business traveler. Of the hotels mentioned, Hyatt sounds like the one you want.

jtrandolph

Well, OK, I would get a one-bedroom ocean front condo, near the nightlife of the hotels. More room, more privacy, and while I don't suggest cooking on your honeymoon you can sleep in and have oj and rolls and coffee when you wake up without getting dressed and going out. You can also keep a bottle of wine chilled and have snacks on hand. I think you might find that you can get this kind of accommodation for a week at far less than a hotel.

If you are planning on staying at the hotel Hana Maui, I wouldn't consider that exactly ending on a 'less fancy note'. I would do it at the end, probably for two nights. Condos usually rent by the week.....FWIW.

MauiTiki

I want to make a small correction to somebody's post here. The Hyatt does NOT have a "swim up bar". The Hyatt's pools interconnect through a cave. In order to get to the bar that is located under the cave you have to get out of the pool. It is not a swim up bar. That being said, everything else written above is correct. The Hyatt has wonderful tropical feeling grounds. About the only negitave is the beach in front of the Hyatt.

I am very fond of the Hyatt. My husband & I spent our honeymoon there in 1996 and returned again in 2002. Our upcoming trip this September for our 10 year annverisay will be spent in a condo. We wanted a little change this trip.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Just returned from Maui and was pretty underwhelmed by Ka'anapali beach. While we didn't stay there, we did spend some time walking around and snorkling. The area is just too packed with people - the pools were a zoo with chairs packed in very tightly. And the beach was pretty unimpressive - very steep in most areas (especially near the Sheraton). Don't know if they've experienced erosion issues lately.

We did love the lunch we had at the barfoot bar of the Hula Grill though. And it is very convenient to Lahaina.

If I did it again, I'd choose the tree-lined neighborhoods in Kahana or for a more resorty-atmosphere somewhere in Wailea - that area is absolutely beautiful without the congestion of Ka'anapali.

sylvia3

I'd agree, a condo can be not only way cheaper, but offers more privacy, space, often shorter walk to the pool, and the freedom to come and go as you please, and eat when/where you please (and keep that champagne in the fridge)! I'd rather have a huge condo than a small hotel room (when does the maid come? Let's make sure we're out by then)for the same price.

sdemperio

I've been to Maui twice and both times stayed at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. It's one of the best values on the beach and was voted "best grounds" for a few years. The grounds are gorgeous and the staff is EXTREMELY friendly and helpful. Prices are much less than the Westin, Hyatt, and Sheraton. The Westin looked great inside- gorgeous lobby w/fountain but their beach wasn't that great. If you want the best value for your money, look at the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel.

Kaymit

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. We were in Maui last year. While we did not stay in Kaanapali we did of course go over there for the day. IT was very crowded with lots of people. The best value there is the Kaanapali Beach hotel. Wailea is a much nicer quieter area. the Fairmont Kea Lai is wonderful there.

We also drove up to Hana and stayed the night at the Hotel Hana Maui. WOW that is a true romantic Hawaiian resort. You don't want to leave. To tell you the truth if it were me I would spend part of the week there for my honeymoon and part in the Kaanapali area.

I have a trip report and pictures. If you would like to see them just email me and I will give you the link.

Kay