DavidAL

Unless things have changed in the last year, there is not an adult only pool at this resort. As for SNA's, we stayed in late Sept also, and was confirmed in a nice corner suite overlooking Black Rock for 5 nights. Not the nicest suite in SPG properties, but it had a 500 sf balcony with chairs to eat, lounge, sunbath, etc. Very very nice, but honestly, who spends that much time in the room in Maui?

McGowan06

My wife and I are staying here later this year on points during our anniversary before heading to the Sheraton Kauai for a paid stay. How much did the room upgrade cost at Ka'anapali? I am Gold as well, for what it's worth.

Thanks!

andymo99

Just got back from a 6 night stay as a Platinum. 1 night C&P and 5 nights points (5th night free) redeemed before the increase.

Upgrade as a Platinum was to a room with a nice view: 2513.

We were given all the bottled water we wanted. A few bottles per day in the room and all you want from the valet.

Valet parking was comped and convenient.

We chose the breakfast amenity. It is the full buffet at Black Rock restaurant. It is a very good buffet by US standards. Carl makes very good omelettes. The fresh fruit is good. The waffles are crisp. Great potatoes each day (preparation changed), lox, and more.

Platinums are given a wristband to avoid the hassle of "towel cards." We were given all the pool towels we wanted.

The pool is nice, but we prefer the one at Westin. There are not enough shaded (umbrella) seats poolside. Also, if you want to sit on the beach, you can't even have a lounge chair unless you rent one. One day we shelled out $45 for two chairs and a covering (more than an umbrella, but we switched to an umbrella b/c the covering thing was suffocating with no crosswind).

There is a hokey cliff diver each night. Hokey luau 3 nights per week.

I chose to do scuba offsite at www.tinybubblesscuba.com. Ask for Tim. It was great!

My wife had a massage at the spa and was happy with it.

I had Hank's Huate Dogs twice, and was happy. We also got some lunches from the Cliff Bar which were good. All pricing was fair given that it is Maui.

We had no problems with the wifi.

Our shower wouldn't get hot enough until we had them come fix it.

The room could use some refreshing. There was a huge empty space that begged for some furniture. Also there was only one nightstand, though plenty of room for two.

Housekeeping was fine. Maintenance was fine but required a second call for a clogged toilet once.

We didn't do the timeshare spiel... vacation time is too precious.

Nearby dining: In Lahaina, the Lahaina Grill was outstanding. We also liked Kimo's, Duke's, and our second favorite: Mala. Skip Sugarcane --- it was just mediocre.

All in all, it was a fine stay at old redemption rates. We'd be happy to return.

no_idea

@andymo99

Very nice report, thanks for your work. BTW, did you visit the lounge at building 6 (?) . If yes, what are the snack options in the evening ?

thaliajen

I read the Sheraton vs. Westin thread and decided to choose Sheraton for our upcoming stay in August. I'm a Lifetime Plat and have stayed at the Westin Maui many times. However, when the Honolulu Sheraton Waikiki wowed me last year, I decided I should give the Maui Sheraton a chance. That seemed to be the consensus of the thread, too.

I now know that this hotel has a lounge. I'm rarely up in time for breakfast but I do appreciate the appetizers at night. Anyone know if they're all seafood or Asian as I discovered at Westin Moana last year, or are there some normal appetizer choices, as well? (I'm allergic to shellfish.)

I'm going for a special occasion and want this to wow my hubby. We only have 4 nights and being as I have nerve damage to my leg, we often spend a lot of time in the room. I'd heard that they were good about suite upgrades, unlike Westin Maui. I can't afford to book a suite but am hoping. (Not expecting but hoping.) He loved the Westin Maui but I had to pay for the 1 night suite UG we got there years ago & I haven't been upgraded there since.

My other question is about the pools. Do they come to your chair and serve drinks and sandwiches? Is it difficult to get a chair if you're not an early riser? I loved the pool area at Westin Maui, but haven't read or seen much on the area here. Honestly, the last time I was in Maui I didn't even know they had a Sheraton, so I didn't get a chance to check it out. Marriott has given me Gold status with them so I have the option of trying another brand, and while I now have Lifetime Plat status, I know and love Starwood. We're going to be making more Hawaii trips this year and next, and I want to find a place on Maui that I love as much as I do the Sheraton Waikiki in HNL. That is where I got the BEST customer service and best Plat recognition in recent memory.

Anything I should know before making my final choice? I have a reservation set for this property- Partial Ocean View- but Westin's rates are dropping and are almost 100 lower. Marriott is also an option but that would be so out of character for me. I requested a suite UG in my "notes" on the reservation, but it's difficult to know if those are ever read. This property looks and sounds wonderful. The reviews are great and I'd like to THINK that I'd have a chance at a suite. And as my flight home is late, I wonder if they offer late check-out to Plats? It's hard to know with resorts but Sheraton Waikiki gave me PAST 4pm, which was never even expected or considered until they offered it.

I'm happy with my choice based on what I've read, just curious about those Plat amenities that are sometimes offered at resorts and sometimes not.

thaliajen

Anyone? I can't find reference to Green Choice, either, so am wondering if anyone knows if they offer it. Mostly wondering about Plat amenities like suite upgrades and late check-outs. Also curious about the beach. I checked Trip Advisor and the other thread about Sheraton vs. Westin, but I'm craving some recent details. I'm trying to make this a fantastic trip and am hoping some of those Plat benefits come through. I haven't received my Lifetime Plat card yet, but it's on my account. With Westin being over 100/night cheaper, I'd love to hear from SPG members who've stayed here in past months.

Thanks!

Starwood Lurker

The Sheraton Maui Resort does not participate in Make A Green Choice.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Land-of-Miles

Oddly the Westin had the Make a Green Choice cards out earlier this month, which I used to get a daily linen change.

Starwood Lurker

It might be true that they actually do participate, so I will double check, but there is no indication internally that they do.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Starwood Lurker

Turns out that The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali does participate in MAGC, after all.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

thaliajen

Thank-you. Being 100 dollars a night cheaper and with Green Choice points, it might make sense to switch to Westin Maui. I know I won't get a suite UG at Westin but I'm not sure my chances are all that good at Sheraton Maui, either. Then again, I've been to Westin Maui before several times and never Sheraton Maui. Choices, choices!

If anyone has details to add about the Plat amenities, I'd be thrilled to hear.

Thanks again!

Land-of-Miles

No real Sheraton Waikiki style amenities at the Westin Maui. It is a bog standard cookie cutter mass market resort, which always feels busy and crowded from morning to night. As I have said elsewhere I hated it and bitterly wished I had chosen the Sheraton Maui for my Wedding Anniversary earlier this month (especially since I was paying for a suite anyway).

Expect minimal Platinum recognition, 500 SPG Points in return for the resort fee and general disinterest from the hotel staff. Frankly just a horrible property. The breakfast in lieu of the welcome amenity is reasonably good value for points. The buffet isn't bad if chaotic and rather disorganised. Avoid the beach tower given the high probability of continual noise disturbance from Whaler village next door.

I would pay well over $100 extra per night NOT to stay at the Westin I am sorry this doesn't help since you are looking for a justification to move to the cheaper property, but I personally wouldn't recommend it at any price.

thaliajen

Thanks for the info. I've never had a bad stay at Westin Maui but I also never got a complimentary UG. I paid for the anniversary UG we got.

I guess I'm just looking for the best property for Plat amenities. With a late flight home, I'm going to want a late check-out. A suite UG would be Heaven. And yes, it's now 100 plus a night cheaper at Westin, so more points for green choice and less money is a consideration.

I doubt I'll be switching to the Westin, only bc I'm now so curious about the Sheraton. I'll likely kick myself if I don't get any Plat upgrade or late check out but at least I'm getting somewhat of a deal at Sheraton Maui as I booked before the rates went up.

I'm incredibly curious as to how the Westin Maui got such a bad rep, as it was beyond gorgeous when I stayed each time. No late check out or upgrades but a fantastic pool area and beach. Is it getting old? It's been a few years but I can't imagine what made so many people turn against such a lovely place. It must be something- it used to be such a nice place.

I'd still love to hear how Sheraton treats Plats in regards to late check outs, suite UGs, etc. Maybe I'll have to find out for myself.

margarita girl

These are the benefits I listed when I was there in March 2014. Did not get suite upgrade, but was upgraded to an ocean front room with amazing view of whales breeching.


Couldn't keep our room for a late checkout as it was booked, but they gave us another room until 4 pm.

Land-of-Miles

Is there a resort fee at the Sheraton?