Maui, HI Hotels -- Help!!

[kasar]

Just a head's up on the Sheraton. When we were booking our trip, the Sheraton always came up as one of the best prices and they had great deals. However, we found that they really nickel and dime you for all kinds of things that the other hotels provide - like beach chairs, umbrellas, "recreation fees" (what exactly would beach chairs and umbrellas fall under?) and their snorkelling gear is outrageously priced because it's such a popular tourist spot for snorkelling. I really think we would have made out better to pay more up-front and have everything included. That's my little PSA but it still was one of the best locations on the entire island. If I had to do it again, I'd go for the Westin, though.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Well..we just returned Sat from a week in Maui. Here are my thoughts....if you can find any resort style hotel for under $250 per night...take it. I just don't think they exist. maybe motel style or condos...but not resort accomodations. All the great places people have mentioned in Wailea START in the $400's.
We stayed at the Westin.....I would not stay there again. I would choose the Sheraton. The Hyatt was old, out-dated, needed a rehab, and the pool was SOOOO busy. The Sheraton is the most Hawaiian and great atmosphere. Very quiet and relaxed. Please disregard the comments on being nickel and dimed.....this will happen at EVERY hotel. We actually rented a beach cabana at the Sheraton and it was the same price as our hotel the Westin and the snorkel equipment was only $9. not bad.
We booked an ocean view at the Westin through Costco travel (absolute cheapest) and paid $350 night with tax. doesn't include $18 per day for "hotel charge" (which includes hi speed internet). We were so unhappy with the room we moved our first morning there. We were on the 8th floor directly above the gigantic lobby waterfall. LOUD LOUD. and the rooms are miniature. I mean SMALL adn the bathrooms were terrible. anyway...we upgraded to the best room in the hotel under a suite. OCEAN FRONT bigger room, great bathroom and all. but still not that quiet. more waterfalls. anyway...this was a beautiful hotel but just not enough quiet. no relaxing on your balcony in the morning without the giant roar of water. anyway...the rooms are just not that nice for the money. they were beautiful but not worth the $450 per night we paid (for the upgraded room).
For the money I would stay the Sheraton. very hawaiian relaxed atmosphere.
Sorry I have babbled but it was all fresh in my mind from our stay.

I have to honestly say for the money we spent I would have much rather stayed in Honolulu and toured Oahu. Maui is too expensive for what there is to offer. Sorry to sound negative....just honest.

I hope you have a great time and the less money you spend on the room the better !!!

 

[kasar]

have to honestly say for the money we spent I would have much rather stayed in Honolulu and toured Oahu. Maui is too expensive for what there is to offer. Sorry to sound negative....just honest.

Even though we seem to completely disagree about hotels, I completely agree with this statement. I thought Maui was beautiful and I'm glad we went, but for my money I'd rather go to the Big Island. Lots more to offer and the prices are much better. Our hotel (Marriott) on BI was much cheaper but we never felt like we were being ripped off like we did on Maui. You could even find a decent place for breakfast that didn't cost a family of 4 $100.00. Plus you get the benefit of all the cool stuff on the Big Island.

 

[DawnCt1]

What are your dates? Keep an eye on that website, units come & go pretty quickly, so you may get very lucky by grabbing the Embassy...? You never know!

August 11th with check out on the 16th. I would have to pay for a week since it seems that they are time share rentals but the bottom line would be fine. Right now we are booked in a two bedroom at Lae Nani, which is fine and fully cancellable.

 

[the kabuki]

Just wanted to second the suggestion about getting the book Maui Revealed. An absolute MUST if you're going to Maui.

IMO, liked Maui much better than Oahu, it's absolutely beautiful there. You;ll enjoy yourselves no matter where you stay

 

[DawnCt1]

Even though we seem to completely disagree about hotels, I completely agree with this statement. I thought Maui was beautiful and I'm glad we went, but for my money I'd rather go to the Big Island. Lots more to offer and the prices are much better. Our hotel (Marriott) on BI was much cheaper but we never felt like we were being ripped off like we did on Maui. You could even find a decent place for breakfast that didn't cost a family of 4 $100.00. Plus you get the benefit of all the cool stuff on the Big Island.

We spent a week in the Marriott's time share one bedroom unit. We loved it. All the amenities of a hotel with a kitchenette and extra room. We paid $349 but we would have had to have two hotel rooms so I didn't feel it was a bad deal. We also attended the 1 hour timeshare presentation and got a night for free.
We were able have breakfast everyday in the room and a couple of mornings went to McDonald's for breakfast. Another morning, drove to Pai'ai on the way to Hana and had breakfast at Charlies. Moose McGillicuddie's has breakfast for under $4 in Lahaina town. On Ka'anapali Beach, Laelani's on the Beach was very reasonable and very good. Fish tacos for $7 and there was a happy hour at the Hula Grill. Next summer we will spend just three nights in Honolulu. We love the Hale Koa and get a great rate ($116 per night) but three days on Oahu is enough for us. I found an ocean view condo at Lae Nani for $260 per night which I know I could get cheaper if I pre pay. I am also very happy with the 2 bedroom condo, ocean view at the Ka'anapali Alii that I found for $342. We will be staying in Maui for 9 days. Between the road trips, snorkeling, driving to the Tedeshi Winery, Haleakala and Hana, we can find a lot to and still hate to leave. I love the Big Island also but we have included it for the last 3 trips so its back to Kauai. I think a week in Hawaii is never enough and if one has ten days, definately include two islands.

 

[DawnCt1]

Well..we just returned Sat from a week in Maui. Here are my thoughts....if you can find any resort style hotel for under $250 per night...take it. I just don't think they exist. maybe motel style or condos...but not resort accomodations. All the great places people have mentioned in Wailea START in the $400's.

I have seen the Marriott, just recently for $249. I have also seen a lot of folks get the Sheraton on Priceline for $135. In Wailea, I have seen the Marriott, formerly the Outrigger for $269. The Renaisance is very nice too and more affordable than its four and five star neighbors. We have done hotels and resorts and we have done condos and we really enjoy the condo route, particularly if you can find one in a neighborhood of hotels and resorts. Also S. Kihei has some of the nicest beaches on Maui and much more affordable rates.

 

[chris1gill]

Hey Dawn,

You should definitely keep an eye on that website, I bet your dates do come up....

I have to say regarding the Westin rooms, they are TINY... it's so true what someone above said LOL... The Sheraton rooms are much larger & the surroundings are calm and relaxing... if you stay at the Sheraton, you can use the Westin pool & laundry (they are both owned by Starwood)... ALL hotels in Maui nickel and dime you to death... they all charge 10 or 18.00 a day for the resort fee..... I haven't found a resort there yet that didn't do this LOL... Having said that, if you shop smart, you'll do great... try to get a great deal at the Sheraton!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just another suggestion for inexpensive Maui touring. Get on the web and look for B&B's on Maui. It is a great way to go, andmuch more personal than the big resorts. That is unless you MUST have the big resort amenities. There is a LOT to see on Maui, and my preference is to stay near Lahaina/Kaanapli and drive to the other areas.

 

[kasar]

you can use the Westin pool & laundry

Not anymore. They were not allowing Sheraton guests to use the Westin pool in August - too many problems, from what we heard. They were checking those wristbands left and right.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just another suggestion for inexpensive Maui touring. Get on the web and look for B&B's on Maui. It is a great way to go, andmuch more personal than the big resorts. That is unless you MUST have the big resort amenities. There is a LOT to see on Maui, and my preference is to stay near Lahaina/Kaanapli and drive to the other areas.

That's an excellent idea. Also, many visitors think that they either have to stay in Ka'anapali or Wailea. There are beautiful beaches in between for a lot less money. S.Kihei has the "Kam one, two and three" beaches, and anywhere along there would be great. We prefer the Lahaina/Ka'anapali area as well but if one is watching their budget there are plenty of very affordable options. One of the least expensive islands is Molokai. We spent a day there and toured Kaulapapa, having ridden down on the mules. What an experience. Molokai itself is like a flashback to the fifties. If anyone is looking to get away from it all for a couple of days and be the only one on a 2 mile beach, its the place to go. Accommodations are much more affordable there as well. So far I can't talk my family into "getting away from it all" but I would love to stay in the tentalos that are part of the Molokai Ranch.

 

[Patty3]

The Four Seasons is expensive, but they do not nickel and dime you. The cabannas by the pool and on the beach are free. Free Snorkeling equipment for up to an hour an day, free scuba lesson as well. Servers come around and offer you free popsicles, frozen grapes and ice water. We always book the cheapest room and the last time we are lucky and were upgraded to a semi ocean front room. I do agree that you can get a much cheaper place and still have a wonderful time. In January we are going for 10 days and staying the whole time in Maui. We usuallly go to Oahu for a couple days and have also gone to the Big Island. But this year, we want to just go to Maui, our favorite, and take in all the island has to offer. I have not been to the winery, is their wine good? For whale watching cruises, we like the Pacific Whale watch foundation. We have gone on more expensive cruises, but the one we were on, just wanted you to buy their hats, shirts and were more concerned about their tip than seeing whales.

 

[mookie]

If I had to do it again, I'd go for the Westin, though.

A quick heads up on this too - if you stay at the Sheraton or Westin, you are allowed to use both hotels facilities, since they are both owned by Starwood. The Westin is very strict on people coming to "check out" their pool, because it's really awesome. The Westin is located right next to Whalers Village, a shopping "mall." It's only a few hotels down from the Sheraton on the beach, so it's a good location, too. Might be something to look at if you are considering price. Take the cheaper one, but use both facilities.

I am seconding (or maybe Thirding?) the Kaanapali Shores. This was where we stayed and loved it. It was right next to the Embassy Suites, too, and we had other friends staying there when we were at the Shores. While the ES has a much nicer pool, it was more expensive than the Shores. Plus, the drinks were pricer, as well.