Kapalua Bay Area/ Maui, HI

[meresal]

Has anyone vacationed here before?

DH and I are attending a wedding here in the Spring, and are looking for reviews on where to stay. It looks like some of the condos are the best "bang for your buck"... any advice is welcomed!

TIA

 

[soocool]

I've been to Maui a few times, but it has been a while. DH and I preferred to stay in a condo for several reasons:

1. Roomier. We slept in the living room (Murphy bed) with the lanai doors open. We were right on the ocean in Lahaina.

2. Because of the time difference we were up pretty early and it was nice to have a kitchen and make a pot of coffee early in the morning watching the sun come up sitting on the lanai or just walk a few feet to the beach.

3. The condo was quieter than the hotel and had a very roomy bathroom. Hotel rooms are always too cold and I loved the fact that the condos had ceiling fans and the lanai had screen doors so we had fresh ocean air to breathe and keep us cool.

We have been to Kapalua and I love that beach! We also stayed I believe in a condo in Napili which is closeby and at Kaanapali plantation in a 2 bedroom condo when we went with my sister and her DH.

 

[Imdanny]

I lived on Maui for years. Good snorkeling in that area but as I always tell everyone I recommend taking a trip to Hamoa Beach, Hana.

 

[RedRobbin]

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua and I thought it was overrated. The restaurants were horrible. It might be better now. That was a couple of years ago. They do have a nice private beach there though. Otherwise, I would stay in one of the nearby condos that sits on the Ritz property. From what I understand, they get to use the beach too. BTW, if you don't have to stay in Kapalua, I wouldn't. It rains all the time there and it's low energy. I would go to Kaanapali instead. The vibe is better. More energy. And it's only about 20 minute drive to the Ritz. the Hyatt on Kaanapali recently underwent a renovation. The Swan Court breakfast at the Hyatt is not to be missed.

 

[bebe]

While I enjoyed snorkeling in front of the Sheraton there, I didn't think the hotel was anything special. We've had some business conventions/meetings there and I'm always hoping they move it to some other hotel. I know there are bunches of condos in the area. I researched that option real hard last year for a friend and discovered you have to be very careful and know exactly what you are getting. I love Hana too and I also enjoyed the other end, down by the the Fairmont and the other nice hotels. You gotta keep us posted on what you guys decide to do!

 

[RedRobbin]

While I enjoyed snorkeling in front of the Sheraton there, I didn't think the hotel was anything special. We've had some business conventions/meetings there and I'm always hoping they move it to some other hotel. I know there are bunches of condos in the area. I researched that option real hard last year for a friend and discovered you have to be very careful and know exactly what you are getting. I love Hana too and I also enjoyed the other end, down by the the Fairmont and the other nice hotels. You gotta keep us posted on what you guys decide to do!

Ditto! Good luck with it all.

 

[AGSHF]

The last time we were on Maui (Summer 09), we stayed at the Honua Kai Resort and Spa (condos) on Kaanapali Beach, which is just south of Kapalua, if I remember correctly.

The facility was new and pretty quiet, which was what we wanted.

We had a 2-bedroom unit (1 daughter). Most of the time, we had that section of the beach mostly to ourselves.

http://honuakaimaui.com/

 

[meresal]

Glad to see that staying in a condo isn't a bust... and it really helped to know that the resorts in the area weren't all that special.
From your advice, we have decided to spend the first few days at the condo where everyone is staying for the wedding in Ka'annapali, and then my DH and I are going to head south to Wailea to spend a few days at the Marriott.

I figured we didn't need to spend the whole vacation in one place, and this way we can spend time with everyone for the wedding festivities and then have our own special time at a nicer resort.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

RR- I will have to remember the breakfast at the Hyatt, thanks.
Imdanny, I will try and get over to Hamoa when we are in Wailea. It doesn't look like it is too far... right?
soocool- Thank you for the insight on the condos. I think it is going to work out for us as well!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

When you're in Wailea, seek out Da Kitchen for some delicious kalua pork and macaroni potato salad.

 

[Imdanny]

Imdanny, I will try and get over to Hamoa when we are in Wailea. It doesn't look like it is too far... right?

The famous Hamoa beach is in Hana (on the other side of the island).

If you go to Wailea go to the Shops at Wailea. If you like shopping.

The famous McKenna beach is a a few miles south of Wailea. It's beautiful too.

 

[Yimmers]

Imdanny, I will try and get over to Hamoa when we are in Wailea. It doesn't look like it is too far... right?

The famous Hamoa beach is in Hana (on the other side of the island).

If you go to Wailea go to the Shops at Wailea. If you like shopping.

The famous McKenna beach is a a few miles south of Wailea. It's beautiful too.

Ahhh, the road to Hana...take some dramamine if you're prone to car sickness. It's a pretty windy ride. But I remember enjoying the trip (ok, when I wasn't passed out from the medication).

I did a marine biology camp for part of a summer on Maui. I remember one of the beaches we enjoyed was called Slaughterhouse Beach. It's a primitive beach - so bring your own tp. You have to walk down steps to get down to the beach. But I recalled that the snorkeling was pretty nice.

 

[meresal]

Imdanny, I will try and get over to Hamoa when we are in Wailea. It doesn't look like it is too far... right?

The famous Hamoa beach is in Hana (on the other side of the island).

If you go to Wailea go to the Shops at Wailea. If you like shopping.

The famous McKenna beach is a a few miles south of Wailea. It's beautiful too.

Danny, Isn't Maui only like 30 miles wide or something? Is it hard to get from one side to the other? They are on opposite sides, but they are both at the bottom of the island, so it doesn't look too far for a day trip? Or am I being dilusional?
ETA: Danny, I just looked at a road map, and realized there are no highways along the south side of the Island. I understand what you mean now! Sorry, I can be a ditz sometimes.

I will look up that beach Yimmers. Since we will only be ther a few days I don't want to leave the resort too much... but if it is close, why the heck not?! I like getting off the beaten path.