Just returned from Kapalua Bay Hotel-Maui

[Steve BWV'99]

Hi everyone,

We just returned from spending a week at the Kapalua Bay Hotel in Maui and had a fabulous time! We used points for our stay and booked a partial ocean view. We were going to stay 6 nights but they were running a special giving an extra night stay for the price of 6 nights points. I think you need to book a partial ocean view or higher to recieve the free night. We were pleasantly suprised that:

1) There is generally a $13 "resort fee" that is applied to the bill daily, but we did not get billed for it.

2) We got free breakfast coupons for the 2 of us (a $20 value per person each morning) for each day we were there and I must say, the breakfast buffet was fabulous! Talk about a money saver. We ate a big breakfast and only snacked during lunch, then having a nice dinner in the evening


The hotel itself is great, really has a hawaiian feel to it. Very laid back, restaurants and lobby were open to the outside, had a very tropical feel to it. We had a standard room, nice size, very open and a very large lanai with a great view of Kapalua Bay. The walk to the beach was less than 5 minutes.

The Kapalua area itself is beautiful. However, being on the northwest part of the island, it is subject to more wind and rain than other parts. We did have a little drizzle some days but nothing major.

Dining highlights were Sensai, Bay Club, Mama;s Fish House, and Sarrentos. We were going to do the Old Lahiana Luau but it got cancelled due to rain.

We did the road to Hana, thought it was a little overrated, but being from California and been on many scenic drives, it may have something to do with it. We also did the sunrise at the Haleakala Crater and that was amazing.

Overall an excellent trip! Some say it may not be worth using points for, but we would have never gone if we didnt have DVC. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

-Steve

 

[Uncleromulus]

Thanks for this post.
One day we'll get to Hawaii--problemis that LOOOOng flight--Mrs. U has blood clots and cannot sit for too long at a time.

 

[JimC]

There are two alternatives to that very long flight. One is to break it up with a visit to DL or SF for a few days (we have done both) or to cruise from the west coast to the islands.

If you get the chance, a helicopter tour of the big island or Maui are interesting and breathtaking opportunities.

We are going back to Maui this September staying at the Marriott Maui Ocean Vacation Club in a 1 bdrm ocean front on Marriott points.

We did the sunset at the crater. Talk about a dark and I mean dark ride down afterwards!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for telling us about your superb vacation. The resort sounds like something we would really enjoy.

In '91 we rode the bikes down Haleakala after sunrise, the ride was spectacular, the sunrise had been misty, but I remember it was very cold up there at sunrise.

Bobbi

 

[wintergreen]

Great report! We have also stayed at Kapalua Bay on points, and loved it. Sensei was one of the highlights. Too bad you missed the Old Lahaina Luau. It was great fun!

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Originally posted by bobbiwoz
Thanks for telling us about your superb vacation. The resort sounds like something we would really enjoy.

In '91 we rode the bikes down Haleakala after sunrise, the ride was spectacular, the sunrise had been misty, but I remember it was very cold up there at sunrise.

Bobbi

Yes, it was COLD at the top at 5 in the morning. We were wearing sweatshirts, hoods and gloves and the wind was still cutting through you. After the sunrise, we were peeling off layers. We also had breakfast at the Kula Lodge at the base of the summitt in the upcountry, I would defenitly recommend eating here, the view is spectacular.

 

[Bama Penguin]

In Sept. I've got an exchanged booked with Interval International at Marriot's Ko-Olina Resort on Oahu. I've thought about going a day or two early and staying at either the Kapapula Bay Hotel on Maui or Mauna Lani Bay Hotel (Big Island). Any DVC's who have an opinion of either location?

How much time should I allow for travel to and from these islands from Oahu?

What are some of the "must see or do" activities on either island?

Any reports or help is appreciated.

 

[jekjones1558]

Now you are making me wonder whether we should have bitten the bullet and stayed at Kapalua again next March. It is my favorite resort in Hawaii but because we are using so many points for a big gathering in BWV this October, we cheaped out and rented a less expensive condo. It is oceanfront but NOT Kapalua. I am so glad that you loved it as much as we did. And isn't Mama's setting just idyllic? I got car sick on the road to Hana, so I am not a big fan. We have yet to brave the early morning and cold of the Haleakala bike ride, but your glowing review makes me think that we had better do it before we get any older. What a great report. Thanks!

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Must see's at Maui:

1) First get the Maui Revealed guidebook from Wizards Publications. This book is excellent for activities to do on the island. It is written by people who live on the island and the reviews are very candid. Since they dont accept money from advertisements, they tend not be swayed in giving false reviews. Some of things I dont agree with like jumping a fence going through someone's property to see a waterfall, but most of the advice is excellent. The maps are great too.

2) Road to Hana: Plan a day for this, its a long scenic drive through the northern part of Maui to Hana. Remember, the drive is the journey, not the destination. There are many scenic stops on the way to see that the Maui REvealed book does a good job of describing. The only thing is we wish we left a little earlier. The turnouts for viewing spots arent that big, and once you get a few shuttle vans parked, its very hard to find a parking space. The best part of the drive for us was the the road that goes through the southern end of the island. That was awesome! Rental car companies dont want you to drive it because the roads can be washed out, etc but we were fine. Check with the ranger station at the sacred pools before you drive it. If there hasnt been any rain in the area, you will be fine.

3) Halekala Crator: This was awesome if you want to see the sunrise. Be prepared for the cold though since the elevation at the summit is 10,000 ft. Call for weather before you go incase its cloudy and you cant see anything. The kicker is that you have to leave EARLY. We had to leave Kapalua by 3am. We did this early in the trip since we were still adjusted to mainland time. If you arent early risers, i heard the sunset is impressive too.

4) Old Liahaina Luau: Dont know if your a luau fan or not. We were going to do this but it got cancelled. I have heard good things about it, that it was the more authentic ones. This books fast, so I would reserve ahead as far as possible.

5) Warren and Annables magic show: A magic show in Maui? Sounds corny but if want to go to a nice evening show, this was excellent. The magic was the best I ever seen and Warren is hilarious! Its not a David Copperfield type show, its very upclose since the theater is so small. Lots of card type tricks.

6) North Maui drive: The drive past Kapalua in the northern area I thought was better than the Road to Hana.

Thats about it! The rest was snorkling and relaxing by the pool or beach.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Wow! Great review! We want to make it to Hawaii in the next 2 years, but I am very hesitant about that long flight with a toddler

Thanks so much for all the tips!

 

[JimC]

An added thought about the Road to Hana: You can get a tape or probably a CD now that highlights the trip while you drive. It is a great way to catch the sights and learn about the area. Also pack a lunch and picnic on the drive. Both the tape and a picnic lunch complete with cooler can be had at one of the stores on the road before the journey begins. It has been a while since we did this so I don't remember where or the store name, but there were plenty of signs.

I am trying to remember is the north Maui drive the road that is barely one lane wide in spots. I remember having my car about a half inch from a rock wall while another eased by on the edge of the cliff.

 

[HappyGramma]

DH and I went to Maui back in early 90s. We stayed in Wailea at the Intercontinental Hotel, which has since changed it's name. It was just down the beach from the Four Seasons. We also did the bike ride down Haleakala and you aren't kidding when you say it was cold. It was 78 degrees at the hotel at 3am when we were picked up and it was 18 degrees at the top of Haleakala. I had shorts on but at least I had brought I hooded sweatshirt with me. All the discomfort of the cold was well worth it when I got to watch that beautiful sunrise. My pictures look like something out of National Geographic. Hope to someday get back there too.

 

[TwingleMum]

What a fabulous trip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[starwood]

If you don't mind my asking - how many points did you use for 6 nights with the 7th being free? Maybe I could talk DH into going for more points.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Originally posted by starwood
If you don't mind my asking - how many points did you use for 6 nights with the 7th being free? Maybe I could talk DH into going for more points.

Partial Ocean view at the time was 54 points/night. It was 324 for the 7 nights since we got one night free. There are garden view rooms for lower points, but I dont think you get the one night free option with those.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Originally posted by JimC

I am trying to remember is the north Maui drive the road that is barely one lane wide in spots. I remember having my car about a half inch from a rock wall while another eased by on the edge of the cliff.

Yep, very narrow roads in a stretch of road. The recommended way is going from west to east (Kapalua to Kahului), since you would be driving against the hill side of the road instead of the ocean. Its not to bad of a road though, you are forced to drive slow, and remember to honk your horn around some turns

I would also recommend visiting the IO Needle Valley too, that had some nice scenery and was only a 30 minute diversion. Perfect diversion after making the North Maui road trip.

 

[DisnutDave]

Great trip report. DH and I just returned from 5 nights in Oahu(pd. cash) and 4 nights at Kapalua Bay (using points). I wish we had sprung for the the partial ocean view. At the time we booked our trip if you stayed in a partial ocean view or higher for at least five nights you got the sixth night for free. Even though you use alot of points, I highly recommend it. The hotel is beautiful, the staff is friendly and I believe the spirit of aloha is alive and well at The Kapalua Bay Hotel. Another great feature of this hotel is the location (wind aside), it's far enough off the beaten path so that you feel like you're in paradise but yet your only a ten minute drive to Kaanapali and 15 to Lahania.

We hope to return in 2006, using points.

 

[kathymc]

We were in Maui at the beginning of the month (non DVC - 4 Seasons) and took the drive around North Maui instead of Hana (which we have done 2xs in past trips) and it was fabulous! We stopped at Kapalua Bay to check it out and did think it was very pretty - maybe someday (if we ever stop using our points at DW)

I also agree with Steve about Warren and Annabelles - what a riot!

 

[Steve BWV'99]

Originally posted by kathymc
We were in Maui at the beginning of the month (non DVC - 4 Seasons)

The 4 seasons in Wailea? Wow, I heard great things about this resort and it from the pictures it looks fabulous. How did you like the hotel? The one thing I read about is they don't nickle and dime for every little expense that the cost of the room covers alot of things.

 

[kathymc]

Steve

Yes, it was in Wailea. The resort was absolutely fabulous. VERY pricey but we figured - what the heck! We are usually pretty on the go people but this place was so gorgeous, relaxing and pampering that we spent three whole days just lounging around the pool, playing in the ocean and eating at the resort restaurants.

You are very pampered (the evian spray on your face, cold towels, popsicles and fruit around the pool, coffee grinder in the room, etc.) and service was top notch, but it was never as stuffy as I expected. Lots of conferences going on so there was always groups of laid back people lounging around - I expected a different type crowd (stuffy or rich) and was very pleasantly surprised by the people that stay there.

......just realized that I need to change my countdown to our next DW trip!