hawaii

[bigrob2308]

i just exchanged my points to go to maui. i was just wondering if anyone else has done this and where they might have stayed. i believe i am staying at the westin resort in kanapali. also, what would you to suggest to do while i was there? i have a few things in mind but the more input the better. i am not going until may so i have a while to plan everything. thanks for all the input.

robert

 

[littlestar]

Congratulations! The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui is an awesome resort. Even the studios are VERY nice - jacuzzi tub.

http://www.westinkaanapali.com/index.htm

One of the first things I would do is buy a copy of "Maui Revealed." The revealed books are my most favorite Hawaii guidebooks ever! We used our Maui Revealed book to find Lindbergh's grave. It had tips on where to park for free (without getting towed) when we wanted to go to Napili Bay. The revealed books are only about $16.00 and worth every penny. We used it when we drove the Road to Hana, too, to find various waterfall stops.

We snorkeled out in front of the Westin. Black Rock is close by and the sea turtles were all around that area (at least they were a few years ago).

Here's a link to the revealed authors' website. The aerial views of resorts are free to look at. They don't have a picture of the Westin timeshare resort, but they show the Westin hotel. The site also shows the Sheraton at Kaanapali which is sitting right at Black Rock to the right side of where your resort will be (if your trade is for Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas).

http://www.wizardpub.com/main/home.html

Have fun.

 

[2tink4u]

Check out tripadvisor.com input maui then when it comes up click top right forum. You'll be able to see boards just like these on Maui and ask questions to the experts that live there.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

i just exchanged my points to go to maui. i was just wondering if anyone else has done this and where they might have stayed. i believe i am staying at the westin resort in kanapali. also, what would you to suggest to do while i was there? i have a few things in mind but the more input the better. i am not going until may so i have a while to plan everything. thanks for all the input.

robert

I have a search on for May 2009 thru August 2009 for Maui, Westin and Marriots. Can you tell me when you put your search on and how long until you found out?

 

[Bribrittmom]

How many points did it take for your exchange?

 

[kimberh]

There are some very good Luau's, we have done two, The Old Lahaina Luau and the one at the Hyatt. I would go online and reserve ahead. They sell out. Make sure to tour Lahaina, it was a Whalers port years ago. We love this part of Maui. The Road to Hana is a must! I would get a guide book! Eat at Kimo's in Lahaina, it is very good. Get the Prime Rib. They sell out. It's huge. Rent a car. Easy Island to drive around. We love staying at the Westin Villa. We had a studio, it is the nicest room we have had on Hawaii.

 

[Dean]

The Westin is the to resort in HI. We'll be there in Jan in a 1 BR, my daughter stayed at the Marriott in Sept. I'd second the Wizard books, look at them online. They are updated with each printing even in between editions.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You will be a bit late for whale watching, but there might be some whale watch excursions still around if you are going early in May. We like taking an early morning trip up Haleakala to see the sun rise out of the crater...It is so other worldish! We also like to take the road to Hana, but it does take a whole day from Kaanapali.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Congratulations! The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui is an awesome resort. Even the studios are VERY nice - jacuzzi tub.

http://www.westinkaanapali.com/index.htm

One of the first things I would do is buy a copy of "Maui Revealed." The revealed books are my most favorite Hawaii guidebooks ever! We used our Maui Revealed book to find Lindbergh's grave. It had tips on where to park for free (without getting towed) when we wanted to go to Napili Bay. The revealed books are only about $16.00 and worth every penny. We used it when we drove the Road to Hana, too, to find various waterfall stops.

We snorkeled out in front of the Westin. Black Rock is close by and the sea turtles were all around that area (at least they were a few years ago).

Here's a link to the revealed authors' website. The aerial views of resorts are free to look at. They don't have a picture of the Westin timeshare resort, but they show the Westin hotel. The site also shows the Sheraton at Kaanapali which is sitting right at Black Rock to the right side of where your resort will be (if your trade is for Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas).

http://www.wizardpub.com/main/home.html

Have fun.

We really loved the Maui Revealed book too! We followed some of the suggestions that took us of the beaten path. One thing I will never forget is hiking through some lava fields to small pools that were great for snorkeling. It was practically deserted! What a unique experience! The day we went the waves were so high that you couldn't snorkel in the ocean. We must have been some of the very few who got to snorkel at all that day. By the way, we are certainly not athletes or terribly adventurous people. The book just pointed out lessor known places to have fun. Of course we did all the regular tourist stuff too.

By the way, we stayed at the Westin too. It was great! We had the best whale sightings right off the beach there!

 

[bigrob2308]

thanks for all the input guys. this will be my first trip to hawaii as well as my fiance's. it should be a great honeymoon!! i will defianatly have to pick up that book. i already have one maui book but i forget which one it is. i believe i am staying in the westin villas, but i will double check that. i am staying in one of the 1 bedroom places there. i plan on cooking a few dinners while i am there but i defianatly want to eat dinner out a few nights too. thanks for all of your help and ideas, and please keep them coming.

i believe my mom put the search on around the begginging of summer (she is giving us her points for the week) and it took about a month and a half to get the reservations. i had the westin and a few others on the search list and this is the one that freed up a room for us. i am not sure if that time frame is fast or not??

well thanks for all of the help. please keep all of the ideas and suggestions coming. the only one i am not sure about is whale watching. the whole sea sick thing is not a good idea.

 

[disneydenisel]

Congratulations on your exchange! The Westin Ka'anapali is a really nice resort (okay, I'm biased). We will be there later this month!

We were married on Maui! The concierge at the resort can help you make plans, too. Rent a convertible if you can, it's a great way to see the island. There are lots of nice snorkeling places and beaches, good restaurants, shopping. Definitely get a copy of Maui Revealed.

 

[Anal Annie]

Maui is our favorite island of them all, but we usually visit at least two when we go as it's so far and we only get over there once every 5 years. Summer '06 we spent 2 n on Oahu (first trip for DS so we wanted to take him to Pearl Harbor). Then we spent 3 n on the Big Island and finished with 4 n. on Maui. We stayed at the Sheraton at Black Rock for the off shore snorkeling. It was a nice property too. We walked past the Westin when we walked down to the Whalers Village for dinner a few times - it's a nice location. There are several good places to eat closeby! (I eat my fill of MahiMahi when we're there!) I stayed at the Marriott property a LONG time ago - before it was a timeshare - also nice. We hope to trade out for either the Westin or the Marriott in 2011 and we will start trying to book it 2 years out.

You should definitely plan on doing a sunrise at Haleakala - depending what time sunrise is when you go you'll have to get up in the middle of the night to drive up there as it's quite a drive - but it's so beautiful to see! Pack a pair of jeans, sweatshirt & light jacket for this - OR take the comforter off your bed! It's so high up there's icicles hanging off the observation bldg. and the air is so thin it's hard to breathe - but you are literally above the clouds - FANTASTIC to see for the first time!

The road to Hana DOES take a full day as another poster said - but it's a leisurely day with lots of photo ops!

There are lots of good snorkeling excursions - some from Lahaina & some from Makena. Hawaii s also a good place to try Snuba! Just go on an early excursion, before the winds pick up!

If you golf there are tons of great courses you can play too! You don't have to TAKE your clubs - you can rent them. I surprised DH for his birthday with a round at the Gold course in Wailea where the Seniors play. It was a breathtaking course - he was really surprised too. We were staying in Wailea on that particular trip & and I just had the concierge desk at our hotel hook me up!

You can also do a day trip over to the island of Lanai (catamarans leave from Lahaina). This is another leisurely kind of laid back day.

BTW, Frommers is another good reference book / travel website in addition to Trip Advisor. Maui is awesome - you'll have a great time! Congratulations!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with Annie. We usually do 2-3 weeks when we go to Hawaii. It is a horrendously long flight, and it seems a waste to stay a short time. We usually do a week each on 2 different islands, and then add a few days on Oahu both at the begining and end of the trip to adjust to the time change, and gear up again before going home.

 

[Anal Annie]

I agree with Annie. We usually do 2-3 weeks when we go to Hawaii. It is a horrendously long flight, and it seems a waste to stay a short time. We usually do a week each on 2 different islands, and then add a few days on Oahu both at the begining and end of the trip to adjust to the time change, and gear up again before going home.

I am already thinking the new DVC at Ko'Olina will be the perfect pairing for us! Especially since we'll be planning to go again in 2011 - will probably try to spend 3-4 n. there on points to go along with the weeks trade on Maui thru II! I am just hoping the availability will there at 7 mo. out!! I really hope it's large enough to allow us to get in w/o owning there!

 

[Dean]

I am already thinking the new DVC at Ko'Olina will be the perfect pairing for us! Especially since we'll be planning to go again in 2011 - will probably try to spend 3-4 n. there on points to go along with the weeks trade on Maui thru II! I am just hoping the availability will there at 7 mo. out!! I really hope it's large enough to allow us to get in w/o owning there!

Since I don't think it'll even open until 2011, possible even after, I doubt it'll be available. You should certainly make alternate plans. As you should for Maui given the difficulty of getting an exchange there.