Westin Kaanapali Resort Villas

[TnRobin]

We stayed at the Westin Kaanapali Resort Villas over Memorial Day Week. It was a wonderful stay. It is a perfect family resort and well worth the DVC trade. We stayed in a one bedroom villa. This rooms rent to the public for around $900 a night.

Check in was a breeze.

The room also included stackable washer/dryer like a DVC (not pictured).

Our villa was very clean and spacious. The size reminds me of the OKW 1BR.

The kitchen was well equipped. Like DVC - both dish detergent and one laundry detergent/fabric softner were provided.

The Bathrooms were very spacious again very much like DVC. Although I like DVC Jacuzzi shape better. Note the Robes supplied for our use.

I was expecting a horrid view as we were not guaranteed any view at all. We were assigned an ocean view room, but due to being on the first floor it was more like a pool/landscape view. (much better than the parking lot I expected.)

The Grounds and Pool were beautiful.

We splurged and rented a gazebo for the day by the pool for $85. It came with a cooler filled with bottled water and fresh fruit.

Gas Grills are provided at the pool and were used.

The beach was easily acessible

Sunsets were amazing. The resort also provides a viewing area.

DS also took advantage of the resorts Scuba Diving lessons. They offer a free daily intro to scuba in the pool. This got DS hooked and he decided to forgo parasailing and take a full lesson which included a coral reef dive just off the shore of the resort. The pictures are phenomenal and I will try to post a few later this week.

 

[kimberh]

Please more details, this is where we stay on Maui, but I rent from a owner. When did you put in your request, how many points, etc. etc.... I have a deluxe studio booked in Mar for my son for his honeymoon.

 

[TnRobin]

We put our request in about a year in advance I think and got the call within maybe 3 or 4 weeks or submitting the request. Of course we were very open on the available dates. We said anytime during the summer months.

I don't remember the points right off, but it is what is listed in the DVC literatures for a high season 1BR. It was a heck of a lot less than we would have spend on a 1BR at WDW for a week in summer.

What other details are you looking for?

 

[kimberh]

That's what I needed, I use Skymiles for air, so I always book my air as soon as the window opens. That is a very fast response time. I am going to have to try this. I rent from the same owner every time we go, she has been great to deal with, but I only book the Studio. We are planning a family trip, so I am going to need a larger room for our next trip.

Thanks so much.

 

[tomandrobin]

First, I love the user name...really I do!

Second, thanks for posting the pictures. The resort looks great.

Third, we are staying at WKORV in October of this year. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Was the Gazebo rental worth the extra expense? Do they bring fresh fruit once or will they replenish the fruit once its eaten?

 

[tomandrobin]

how many points, etc. etc....QUOTE]

Should be 160 points for a one bedroom.

 

[kimberh]

how many points, etc. etc....QUOTE]

Should be 160 points for a one bedroom.

Thanks, That is much cheaper than what a one bedroom rents for on other rental sites.

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks, That is much cheaper than what a one bedroom rents for on other rental sites.

I am sure of that, a large one bedroom is aroun2 $2000-$3400. There are some one bedrooms listed for $1500-$1900, but I am guessing they are the small portion of the lock-off.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Glad you had such a nice trip Robin! Thanks for sharing the photos with us here - would love to get to Hawaii one day myself!

 

[kimberh]

I am sure of that, a large one bedroom is aroun2 $2000-$3400. There are some one bedrooms listed for $1500-$1900, but I am guessing they are the small portion of the lock-off.

The deluxe studio is the small one bedroom. I have rented it twice.

 

[Anal Annie]

We put our request in about a year in advance I think and got the call within maybe 3 or 4 weeks or submitting the request. Of course we were very open on the available dates. We said anytime during the summer months.

I don't remember the points right off, but it is what is listed in the DVC literatures for a high season 1BR. It was a heck of a lot less than we would have spend on a 1BR at WDW for a week in summer.

What other details are you looking for?

Thanks for the pics! Was the Westin the only property that you put in a request for or were you also open to other properties and this one just came up first??? It has a great centralized location for sure. On our last trip to Maui we stayed at the Sheraton at Black Rock so we walked past it several evenings on our way to dinner.

We hope to go back again in 2011....hopefully catch a trade for either the Westin or the Marriott on Maui and also add about 3 n at the new DVC on Oahu. I am like a sponge trying to gather tips for the anticipated trade.

 

[TnRobin]

We loved having the gazebo. The cooler was pre-packed with 4 water bottles and two containers of fruit. We really loved being able to leave the pool area for a few hours and then be able to come back to the same spot. I highly reccomend a gazebo if you have small children or infants. It is like a little oasis. (I wouldn't mind seeing DVC do something like this as long as it would be enforced)

For those not wanting a whole gazebo, you could rent a double set of covered deck chairs for around $40 a day.

One other thing I meant to mention. This resort takes chair hogging very seriously. They will remove any unattended property after 30 minutes. But you know that was not a problem. Even though this was a big holiday weekend, the pool was never crowded. There were always deck chairs to choose from.

Other tips on the area.

1. C.J.s diner is a great place to eat. Our bell service person recommended it to us. They do up box lunches for you to take on trips ( ie. Haleakala and Road to Hana.) They will even supply the cooler for a $5.00 deposit.

2. The resort supplies transportation to Old Lahaina Mall and downtown Lahaina regularly. Take it. Parking is a pain in Lahaina.

3. Leave EARLY to see the sunrise at Haleakala. It takes a good two hours to drive there.

4. The big Mall is in Kahului - Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. Same town as airport.

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for the tips. We are planning to go to see the sunrise at Haleakala and the canopy seems like a great idea too.

CJ's is an excellent tip. Box lunch and a cooler would be great. What kind of food is served at CJ's?

 

[UmmGooD]

Hi I don't have much to comment for DVC as I do not own YET but my wife and I have been to Maui on our honeymoon. Two things I'll never forget and this was almost 8 years ago was biking down the volcano. You MUST do this. It was really easy and believe me I am really overweight and it was only a small section of uphill (you could walk your bike up the hill in less than 5 minutes). The other was we took a sail boat charter to Molokini (sp?) crater to snorkel. AWESOME.

More about the biking down the volcano. I would suggest you get the type that takes you up to the top of the volcano and then lets you return the bike to the shop at your own leisure. It was a great day. We started out and took our time. We stopped for lunch. We had a simple map for how to get to the bike shop to return our bike. It was a great 6 hour adventure. Some tours have guides that ride with you and we got passed by so many of them but on your own you can stop, take pictures, and not feel rushed.

Another suggestion is we actually did the volcano the day after we arrived. We had to be at the bike shop at 2a.m. HI time. But since we got there the day before we were on CA time and it was like getting there at 5a.m. (Still a struggle but not as bad as it would have been later in the trip).

The best luau is the Old Lahaina Luau.

 

[nikkistevej]

What island is this resort on, and what other activities are around? Also, did you rent a car, and did you cook, or was there a store around there to get groceries? Sorry so many questions, my Dh and I want to go in the next couple of years. trying to find a good place to stay. Thanks!!
BTW- Your pics of the resort and room are great!!

 

[UmmGooD]

Nikki,

This is on Maui. I have been to both Maui and Oahu. On Maui you have more of a leisurely vacation. For activities you have laying on the beach, going to a luau, snorkeling, scuba diving, sunrise on the volcano, biking (down the volcano is fun, drive the road to Hana which is breathtaking, you can go offroading but be careful who you rent a jeep from because many of them will not allow you to take your Jeep off road. You can also take helicopter rides.

Oahu has more of a big city feel. We went to Hanama Bay to snorkel, the punch bowl (huge cemetery for victims of pearl harbor), pearl harbor, the Polynesian cultural center, the doll pineapple plantation, north shore (surfing). We also took a bus tour with my grandparents which was fun. There is also Waikiki beach.

 

[nikkistevej]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[UmmGooD]

Not a problem I am sure others will also have some input as well.

 

[kimberh]

I want to double agree about the Luau at the Old Lahaina Luau. It is the best. You can book it online way before you leave, it sells out. www.oldlahainaluau.com We have tried several. We just love Maui! We always rent a car from the airport, we have covered this Island many times. I want to add, this has become our favorite resort. I just love it. Even in the studio, there is a stackable washer/dryer. Less clothes to pack.
One of the best restaurants in Lahaina is Kimos. It was recommend to us in 1986, it is still one of our favorites. Order the Prime Rib, it sells out early. They are known for this, have your camera ready.

 

[PEANUT1]

Glad you had a nice trip...The place looks exactly like it does on the DVC website...beautiful. I hope to be staying there next October.