Dec 28, 2021, 7:38 am
Westin Maui, Ka'anapali, Hawaii [Master Thread]
Mar 9, 2009, 7:05 pm
#196
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Plat
Posts: 643
I would want to have a car and parking is included. We have found amazing prices bidding on priceline.com for cars on OGG.
My wife and I will be at the Westin Maui for 10 days in late May. We opted for the Westin because we're definitely pool people moreso than beach, but I'm a little concerned about overcrowding. Anyone else been at this time and have any insight into how crowded it might be?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Mar 9, 2009, 9:19 pm
#197
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Starwood Platinum, AA Gold
Posts: 141
I just got finished stating in a post that I think Westin's are generic and corporate feeling to me (same smell, same earthy colors at each property) and that Marriott resort properties (i.e. Desert Springs or Praia del Rey in Portugal) excite me far more.
But I have to chime in about the Westin Maui, where I honeymooned last summer. My wife and I had a fabulous time there, and I have to commend the staff for making it a wonderful experience. First of all, it is NOT just a hotel for people with families. There was plenty of room in the adult-only pools, and the jacuzzis were often not occupied after 6pm each night (keep in mind, we were there in high season - third week of July). We loved it at the Westin Maui, however corporate and plain it sometime felt.
But I have to chime in about the Westin Maui, where I honeymooned last summer. My wife and I had a fabulous time there, and I have to commend the staff for making it a wonderful experience. First of all, it is NOT just a hotel for people with families. There was plenty of room in the adult-only pools, and the jacuzzis were often not occupied after 6pm each night (keep in mind, we were there in high season - third week of July). We loved it at the Westin Maui, however corporate and plain it sometime felt.
Mar 9, 2009, 10:46 pm
#198
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
My wife and I will be at the Westin Maui for 10 days in late May. We opted for the Westin because we're definitely pool people moreso than beach, but I'm a little concerned about overcrowding. Anyone else been at this time and have any insight into how crowded it might be?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Mar 9, 2009, 10:51 pm
#199
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 869
February is high season in Maui because:
a) it's winter and folks are escaping from the cold
b) the whales are in town
c) spring break
However, the economy is in the toilet so travel is way down. That works in your favor because the hotels are much emptier than they were in years past. Be nice to the front desk clerk and you might be pleasantly surprised.
a) it's winter and folks are escaping from the cold
b) the whales are in town
c) spring break
However, the economy is in the toilet so travel is way down. That works in your favor because the hotels are much emptier than they were in years past. Be nice to the front desk clerk and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Mar 9, 2009, 11:13 pm
#200
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: STL
Programs: MR LT Titanium, UA 1K, DL Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 886
My wife and I will be at the Westin Maui for 10 days in late May. We opted for the Westin because we're definitely pool people moreso than beach, but I'm a little concerned about overcrowding. Anyone else been at this time and have any insight into how crowded it might be?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Also, what advice would you give on a rental car? We're flying into OGG. For the most part, we just want to veg out at the resort, soak up the sun, read books, etc. I would think we'd do 2-3 days of sightseeing max out of the 10 days. Is there a rental car facility on site (or near the Westin)? Are we better off renting for the full 10 days from the airport or taking a taxi to the resort and renting in Ka'anapali?
Where were there in late May last year. It was pretty slow. Not dead, but certainly not very busy at all. We got there right before the rains really started - they hit about that time of year. We had sun every day, but 10 straight days after we left were rainy.
Rent a car. It's not very expensive at OGG and taxis would be ridiculous. It's something like 25 miles to the hotels each way - so $150ish round trip via taxis.
Mar 9, 2009, 11:18 pm
#201
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA; Marriott; SPG; HH
Posts: 3,473
Just got back from Maui last week and stayed at the Westin Maui. Avis was sold out of cars due to a conference, but it was not that busy on the island. One thing I noticed though - a lot of silver-haired folks.
Westin Maui is my fave property in Maui (exclusing Wailea properties because the only place I stayed, Renaissance, was closed) - the sheraton sucks!!!
Westin Maui is my fave property in Maui (exclusing Wailea properties because the only place I stayed, Renaissance, was closed) - the sheraton sucks!!!
Mar 21, 2009, 1:55 am
#202
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Austin TX, AA Platinum for life (who will live longer, me or AAdvantage?)
Posts: 426
We are checking out of the Westin Ka'anapali Resort & Villas in the morning, after 6 nights. Loved this place. The pool, the beach, our view. It was really relaxing, and probably our favorite Starwood resort thus far. Having a kitchen and washer/dryer was a great bonus, and a bedroom to separate the living room with our kid was nice too. Balcony/Sunset was great.
Agree with previous posters that Lahaina is pretty "dead" since years past. We didn't wait once for dinner at any of the restaurants there, and I was surprised at the lack of tourism. Now is the time to go if you can. Downside is that this side of the island takes a while to get anywhere else in the island, but, that's ok.
The resort did a great job at welcoming us, there were no pool chair hogs, and the weather was great this past week.
Mahalo!
Agree with previous posters that Lahaina is pretty "dead" since years past. We didn't wait once for dinner at any of the restaurants there, and I was surprised at the lack of tourism. Now is the time to go if you can. Downside is that this side of the island takes a while to get anywhere else in the island, but, that's ok.
The resort did a great job at welcoming us, there were no pool chair hogs, and the weather was great this past week.
Mahalo!
Apr 26, 2009, 9:53 am
#204
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO Gold; SPG Gold***; AvisFirst;
Posts: 3,970
Apr 26, 2009, 7:27 pm
#205
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: Starwood Gold, HiltonHHonors Silver, Marriott Silver, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 1,775
This is true, but I've read at least one account of an SPG platinum who received a nice view upgrade at the villas. (Can't remember who.)
Jul 4, 2009, 10:16 am
#206
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin
Programs: AA, AS, WN
Posts: 503
4th of July Weekend
As expected, the holiday weekend here is pretty crowded. We started off staying at the Westin. I knew there was a pretty slim chance of getting an upgrade, and as believed, we did not get one. The room itself was quite a bit outdated, and not that clean. I was certainly unimpressed. The staff itself was uninterested and not very friendly. This might have to do with that the hotel was pushing an occupancy rate of nearly 90% and there were people EVERYWHERE. Literally, they were everywhere. If you are a pool person, do NOT come here on a major holiday weekend/week. We were both completely overwhelmed by the amount of people everywhere. After about two hours, I couldn't take it, and went down to the front desk to see what they could do.
At the same time, I called the Plat Concierge to see if there was any availability over at the Villas. There indeed was, and if the front desk at the Westin released our reservation, we could transfer it over to the Villas without penalty. This is where my Plat status came in handy. Not only did the front desk release our reservation, they also canceled charges that we had incurred--- the resort charge and lunch. There was no cancellation penalty either.
Fast forward 30 minutes later and we arrive at the Villas. A much more pleasant experience not only at check-in, but also around the public areas as well. We were upgraded to a 1BD Ocean View! I had used some free nights to make this reservation. The room itself is 100x nicer then the dingy room we had at the main Westin.
Overall we're impressed here at the Villas. I'm sure my experience would've been different at the main Westin if it was not a holiday weekend. We're looking for a relaxing weekend, which is what we're now getting here.
At the same time, I called the Plat Concierge to see if there was any availability over at the Villas. There indeed was, and if the front desk at the Westin released our reservation, we could transfer it over to the Villas without penalty. This is where my Plat status came in handy. Not only did the front desk release our reservation, they also canceled charges that we had incurred--- the resort charge and lunch. There was no cancellation penalty either.
Fast forward 30 minutes later and we arrive at the Villas. A much more pleasant experience not only at check-in, but also around the public areas as well. We were upgraded to a 1BD Ocean View! I had used some free nights to make this reservation. The room itself is 100x nicer then the dingy room we had at the main Westin.
Overall we're impressed here at the Villas. I'm sure my experience would've been different at the main Westin if it was not a holiday weekend. We're looking for a relaxing weekend, which is what we're now getting here.
Jul 5, 2009, 2:46 am
#208
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin
Programs: AA, AS, WN
Posts: 503
Oh how things have changed...
We're still having a good time here in Maui. However, there have been several issues that are ongoing and still not fixed. This morning our toilet leaked water out of the bottom of it, and our screen door would not open. I reported it promptly to the front desk, expecting some sort of solution, whether it be moving me to another room, or at least an apology of sorts. I was wrong on that...either issue has yet to be resolved.
Our stay was rebooked with 2 free nights, and of course the hotel sent us a bill for $150. They're not willing to budge on the $150 and claim that the Platinum concierge is the one that charged it?!?!?!!?
The bellboys here are great. The concierges are somewhat ok. The staff at the front desk is TERRIBLE. I have yet to find at least one somewhat friendly at the front desk. Very dissapointing...
I hope that our experience is just a rarity....The hotel room itself and pool area is still well above satisfactory.
Our stay was rebooked with 2 free nights, and of course the hotel sent us a bill for $150. They're not willing to budge on the $150 and claim that the Platinum concierge is the one that charged it?!?!?!!?
The bellboys here are great. The concierges are somewhat ok. The staff at the front desk is TERRIBLE. I have yet to find at least one somewhat friendly at the front desk. Very dissapointing...
I hope that our experience is just a rarity....The hotel room itself and pool area is still well above satisfactory.
Jul 5, 2009, 8:24 am
#209
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,195
The bellboys here are great. The concierges are somewhat ok. The staff at the front desk is TERRIBLE. I have yet to find at least one somewhat friendly at the front desk. Very dissapointing...
I hope that our experience is just a rarity....The hotel room itself and pool area is still well above satisfactory.
I hope that our experience is just a rarity....The hotel room itself and pool area is still well above satisfactory.
Jul 8, 2009, 11:33 pm
#210
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: A few
Posts: 245
Does anybody have an email address for this hotel (concierge or reservations)? I'd like to be able to contact them about my upcoming stay in a few weeks without having to pick up the phone. 
I hope they treat Plats right.
Cheers,
Adrian
I hope they treat Plats right.
Cheers,
Adrian