svenskaflicka opinions:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I am beginning to feel like a heal for not caring for the property this last time. Everyone else seemed to like it.</font>
You're not alone, and I also agree with
AZ's statement above.
While the Kapalua has a more wide-open and horizontal feel to their property and has good service (if requested), I also prefer the Sheraton Maui over the Kapalua, for a number of reasons. Mainly that I don't care for the rooms and their condition at the Kapalua. I don't know how to put it generally...they're not bad, but they do seem a bit old and worn.
The Kapalua still tries to give off the air of a Luxury property, but agree it really isn't. It used to be when it first opened...it was fabulous. And had a fabulous reputation (memories of which they are still relying on, IMHO). I think that after the nearby Ritz-Carlton opened, they lost a lot of their higher-end customers, and had to notch their prices down a tad and settle for the #2 slot in the area. And with that, the service and facilities levels went down a tad as well.
In fact, I'm recalling even some problems at the service level at the Kapalua on our last visit. Example: Out by the pool there is the little booth that has towels and stuff. They have an Igloo of ice water. Went to get some, but they didn't have any of the usual cups out. So I asked for a cup. The lady looked around and said she didn't have any. She pointed me to a water fountain. Okay. Hour later back to the booth. Still no cups. Would have thought she would have requested some. So I asked again. "I don't have any." Would you mind calling someone and requesting some? "Okay." Hour later, still no cups. She said she called when I requested, but I got the feeling she never followed up when they didn't arrive. Gave up at that point. Next day...still no cups. But still plenty of ice water in the Igloo!
I know that might sound minor, but at a Luxury property...it would just never happen like that. Those cups would have been rushed down and there would have been a follow-up with whatever member of the staff failed in their responsibility that day.
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 09-19-2003).]