Sheraton Maui - Trip Report

100   Recommended
September 3, 2001 by

 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended
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Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
 Map | 2 Reviews | 50% Recommended

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We recently stayed at this property on the award points(10,000/nite). We had initially booked the SPG35 rate at $234/nite, but later switched since I had the points to burn and we wanted to save some money. Be warned, however, that there is a $10/day resort fee. It covers, according to the notice, all your local and toll free calls(which can now easily top $10/day with the new policy!), daily newspaper, fitness club access and a few other non-essential things that non-resort hotels wouldn't dream charge their guests for. Aside from these typical 'nickel and dime' practices, the hotel was a pleasure to stay.

Maui was the last stop for us on a long trip through Tahiti and Hawaii. The property proved to be a nice final resting place before our long flight back to the mainland U.S.

The hotel is in Kaanapali on the Northwest side of the island - about a 40 minute drive from the airport. It sits on a road with other hotels, including the Westin, Kaanapali Beach hotel and the Whaler Hotel.

When we arrived, the valet greeted us and asked for our name. When he learned that we were staying in building 6, he said that we had our own parking lot near the entrace to this building. Therefore, he got our key for us and gave a tour of the reception area, activities desk, manager's desk and let us know where the shops and other services were(main building). He also took us over to the lobby balcony and pointed out the different areas of the pool, beach, etc.

He proceeded to load our luggage into a golf cart. We followed in our car to the building, parking near the entrance. He took our bags in and walked us to our room. In the room, he found the bag stands and put the bags up on them before he gave us an overview of the room, how to get a hold of anyone in the hotel, etc. He was very nice and answered some questions we had about the area, places to eat and shop, etc.

Building 6 is by far the best part of the property - all rooms have unobstructed ocean views and they are all upon the high cliff. To get down to the pool area, which all the hotel's 6 buildings surround, you have to cross over to building 5, then take an elevator down 8 floors. Slightly out of the way, but having a room in bldg. 6 is worth it.

The room was modern, the bed comfortable and the bathroom very large with a seperate 'closet' size room for the toilet. Our Platinum amenity was a wonderful basket with 2 bottles of water, 2 cans of fruit juice, a box of Maui chocolates and a bag of cookies. This is probably one of the nicest amenities I've ever gotten at any Starwood property! The room view is to die for, with a perfect view of the sunset overlooking the ocean high upon the cliffs. Off in the distance you see Lanai and Molokai islands, too.

Services around the pool are abundant. There are actually two pools, joined with a long, winding canal. Of course, you can swim through the canal to get between the two pools. There are also 2 pool bars with bar-b-ques during the dinner hours. The pool services stand will supply you with anything you need, including big cabanas for the beach(for $30/day!). Over at the activities office, you can rent snorkeling gear, as well SCUBA gear (if you're certified). They also offer free SCUBA intro classes in the hotel pools 2 times a day. This is a great way to 'test the waters' if you've been considering SCUBA. Being certified, I got with one of their instructors and we donned the gear and walked out onto the beach and plunged in. The sea life all along the reef off the beach was beautiful! The staff here can also help you with other water activities such as wind surfing, water skiing, etc. One important thing to note about the pool services and activities - almost everything costs money. The only things free are towels and back supports to sit out on the beach. This was somewhat a bummer since they charge so much already to guests, PLUS that $10/day resort fee.

As for off-hotel activities -
The Whaler Village shopping center is nearby, which is a nice outdoor shopping mall. It is small, though, with only about 20-30 stores and a few restaurants. Our favorite was the Hula Grill. The entire village is within walking distance of the hotel along the beach walk.

Down the road about 4 miles in the town of Lahaina are more shops, restaurants and another small shopping center - home to the local Maui Brewery.

I didn't stop into the Westin to check out its facilities, but I was more than comfortable and pleased with the Sheraton Maui and would highly recommend it as a good point burner, free weekend or a special place to splurge some $$$.

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