Booked Maui through RCI, now the planning begins

[velrox]

We are going to Maui next April for 1 week, with two boys (5, and 8 1/2). Any suggestions for restaurants, activities, money saving tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dean]

We are going to Maui next April for 1 week, with two boys (5, and 8 1/2). Any suggestions for restaurants, activities, money saving tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Which resort and unit size do you have?

 

[velrox]

Which resort and unit size do you have?

Ka'anapali Beach Club, 1 bedroom unit.

 

[littlestar]

That's a nice resort. Congrats on the trade. We used the "Maui Revealed" book for all our Maui trips. It's the best guide book I've ever came across. The Revealed books are written by people who live in Hawaii and are not paid anything for their reviews of restaurants, hotels, etc. They've also got a website:

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html

Here's an aerial view of your resort:

http://www.wizardpub.com/maui/mrkaanapalibchclub.html

 

[E&K's Dad]

We are going to Maui next April for 1 week, with two boys (5, and 8 1/2). Any suggestions for restaurants, activities, money saving tips, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Check out www dot sailtrilogy dot com. This is the site for Trilogy Tours a great cruise tour company. Great people, great tours and good value (although not inexpensive. . .not much is in Hawaii!) DW and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and in two weeks our day with Trilogy was our best day. We have recommended them to many people and have never heard a complaint.

We did the full day to Lanai. The tour included breakfast while crusing to Lanai, a day of snorkling on a beatiful beach, lunch, a van tour of the island and a cruise back to Maui.

 

[littlestar]

We always like to visit other hotels on Maui. There are some beautiful properties. Here's a site that has wonderful pictures of some of the top hotels in Hawaii:

http://www.oyster.com/hawaii/hotels/

 

[velrox]

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming

 

[Dean]

Ka'anapali Beach Club, 1 bedroom unit.

We've stayed there, it is nice but in spite of it's name is not on Ka'anapali Beach, at least not the part people think about. There's a Star Market (grocery store) across the street, expect to be looking at in from your room. Several restaurants I'd recommend. LeiLani's and Hula Grill at Whalers village, Captains Table at the far end of Lahaina was great and a great view with a buy one get one free entertainment coupon. There is a restaurant on the main road near the marina close to the aquarium and it was great also with a buy one get one free coupon for lunch.

I second the wizard books, they are the best IMO. The H (? spelling) general store up country is good. I'd visit the winery up country as well. I would not do Hana again, I know some would.

There is ONE thing I'd do above all else, that is the show "Warren and Annabelle's". Not for kids but it is by far the best comedy show I've seen. You'll need to reserve it prior to arrival, preferably a month mor more.

 

[limace]

Brunch at the Grand Wailea-a splurge but very worth it!

Whale watching with the Pacific Whale Foundation, if you're there at the right time of year

Groceries are insanely expensive on Maui-hit Costco first thing and stock up.

 

[Nikisha421]

I spent a week in Maui this past summer...so I feel so great that I can finally answer a question with some help:

Restaurant for breakfast: The Gazebo...its the best breakfast every...very small and of course there is a line if you dont get there as soon as it opens and there is a line all day...its not far from Kanapali its located in Napili...

THe Fiest at LeiLei(sp) in Kaanapali was nice (luau) but there are many to pick chose and refuse.

I hate the Road to Hana...which was a bus tour that took us from Kaanapali all the way to the other side of the island and back...twelve long hrs of Maui bumpy streets and single lane road?!>!>

Have a wonderful time I cant wait to personally make it back to Hawai'i

 

[E&K's Dad]

I hate the Road to Hana...which was a bus tour that took us from Kaanapali all the way to the other side of the island and back...twelve long hrs of Maui bumpy streets and single lane road?!>!>

DW and I loved the Road to Hana. . .it's actually just a road across the island with many stops along the way to see great natural sites. Beaches. . .Waterfalls, lagoons, etc. . . It's not a bus tour but a bus tour is one way to do it. If you rent a car you can pick up the tour CD for your car and follow the tour at your own pace. CD will cost around $20. . . a great cheap day with lots to see. The thing to remember about Hana is it's about the journey not the destination!

 

[Hopefully]

I agree about Hana. DH and I loved it. We took a long day with many stops along the way. It is indeed about the journey and not the destination. Some of my best photos are on the road to Hana.
I would do it again

 

[SuzanneSLO]

...
Groceries are insanely expensive on Maui-hit Costco first thing and stock up.

I second the Costco recommendation. Groceries are much cheaper there, but it is located near the airport, so at least 30 minutes from where you are staying.
Star Market near your resort is now a Times Supermarket. Their ads come out on Tursdays and they have a website. There is also a Safeway about 10 minutes south. Make sure you sign up for their club card.
Maui is our favorite place. -- Suzanne

 

[lapeter]

We live on Maui in Kapalua, which is 5 miles north of Kaanapali. My suggestions- dinner at Kimo's in Lahaina. It's about 10 to 15 dollars less than most places and you are right on the water. I's less because they include salad and most places charge for salad. For whale watching, the Pacific Whale foundation has great boats and low price. I like the Gazebo for breakfast, but sometimes the 45 minute wait is too much. Another great breakfast place is the Plantation restaurant in Kapalua. Sames prices as Gazebo and great views. DON'T GO TO MAMA'S FISHHOUSE UNLESS YOU WANT TO WASTE A LOT OF MONEY!! It is a tourist trap and way over priced. Gotta go know, we are at the World and heading out to dinner.
Aloha,
Al

 

[Nikisha421]

DW and I loved the Road to Hana. . .it's actually just a road across the island with many stops along the way to see great natural sites. Beaches. . .Waterfalls, lagoons, etc. . . It's not a bus tour but a bus tour is one way to do it. If you rent a car you can pick up the tour CD for your car and follow the tour at your own pace. CD will cost around $20. . . a great cheap day with lots to see. The thing to remember about Hana is it's about the journey not the destination!

I know the Road to Hana is about the site seeing...and yes some of my best pictures were on this trip. Yes you can buy the CD for about $20 but there are several single one lane roads and it seem very scary to me...I went on the guided bus tour...so it was a tour

We live on Maui in Kapalua, which is 5 miles north of Kaanapali. My suggestions- dinner at Kimo's in Lahaina. It's about 10 to 15 dollars less than most places and you are right on the water. I's less because they include salad and most places charge for salad. For whale watching, the Pacific Whale foundation has great boats and low price. I like the Gazebo for breakfast, but sometimes the 45 minute wait is too much. Another great breakfast place is the Plantation restaurant in Kapalua. Sames prices as Gazebo and great views. DON'T GO TO MAMA'S FISHHOUSE UNLESS YOU WANT TO WASTE A LOT OF MONEY!! It is a tourist trap and way over priced. Gotta go know, we are at the World and heading out to dinner.
Aloha,
Al

nothing better than advice from a native islander. The Pacific Whale foundation is awesome...we didnt do whale watching because it wasnt the time of year...but we did take a 5 hour tour went snorkeling and to the island of Molokai...but of course I got sea sick

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We took an excursion to Molokini Crater and a turtle snorkel spot on a boat that had a water trampoline. My son snorkeled a bit and then loved the aquajump. The Boat was out of Lahaina which is pretty close to Kaanapali.
If you like to snorkel, the Black Rock at the Sheraton there is awesome and your boys might enjoy jumping off the rocks.
Have fun!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We just got back from Maui and have to recommend Enterprise Rental Car at OGG. Amazingly good service, such as bringing your car up to the office and loading your luggage while you complete the paperwork ! We also found a rate at least $50/week less than any other company for a SUV/Minivan. We booked through carrentalsavers and were able to use our Enterprise Plus number. We would definitely use them again. -- Suzanne

 

[dsneygirl]

We love Maui. I second the suggestion for Kimos especially if you can score an outside table at sunset it's a million dollar view.

We also did the Road to Hana by rental car and really enjoyed it. We stopped at a couple beaches where we were the only people there.

 

[velrox]

We just got back from Maui and have to recommend Enterprise Rental Car at OGG. Amazingly good service, such as bringing your car up to the office and loading your luggage while you complete the paperwork ! We also found a rate at least $50/week less than any other company for a SUV/Minivan. We booked through carrentalsavers and were able to use our Enterprise Plus number. We would definitely use them again. -- Suzanne

Good information. We will definitely be renting a car. Thanks.

 

[kangaroodle]

How far in advance did you have to make the reservation? What are other choices besides the Kaanapali Beach Club? Or do you have a choice at all? Looking to book Hawaii for 2011 and just wondering how far in advance I need to do this. Any other advice would be helpful!