No plans? No worries. Go holoholo (out for the fun). On Maui, you can take your days as they come, and plan your adventures spontaneously. The journey is the destination.
People say Maui no ka oi (Maui is the best) because Maui has it all. The gorgeous coastlines have some of the best waves to surf and serene habitats to snorkel. Relaxation becomes an art when you're watching a sublime sunset on a picture-perfect beach. What color sand do you like on your beach? Take your pick, because we’re all about variety -- from black to green to red. This island is yours to explore... the way you want to explore it.
Lovely hotel, great ameneties in the room which meant we didnt have to eat out all the time.
Nice pools, very lush gardens
Huge supermarket over the road and several shops within walking distance
Very friendly staff, great stay, would recommend it
Great place great view cool pool
246954lm
I Had a great time staying here with my husband and cousin our room was spacious plus out in the living room we had a couch bed. It was super clean plus we had good service. Its a local place not to far from main attractions. The only thing is parking gets full fast .
The BEST Family Vacation Hotel
Lew_Speshel_B
(Wailuku, Hawaii)
From the moment we checked-in it was amazing. The pools are awesome!!
The family pool is my favorite (the one with the bridge) It is the PERFECT FAMILY VACATION SPOT! Also the pool is so nice for nigh swimming with the colorful LED LIGHTS & HEATED POOL! 2 THUMBS UP! Big grass area for my kids to play! The towel desk was absolutely friendly and always accommodated us with towels! OUR ROOM WAS SO AWESOME!!! The unit we had specifically was just perfect!!!! On Maui, we have stayed at the Hyatt Regency Resort, Andaz Resort, Wailea Marriott, Honua Kai, Marriott Ocean Club, Westin, Maui Beach, Seaside, Napili Kai, & the Sheraton..... but by Far this was our FAVORITE FAMILY VACATION!!! We have a big family, my Husband & I with our 6 kids - OUr 2 bedroom unit was absolutely the bes and fit us ALL comfortably! We had such a BLESSED TIME! We plan to make it a yearly stay!! Thank you to everyone who made our stay such a blessed time!! the General Manager has done a great job with this resort! awesome job ASTON KAANAPALI SHORES TEAM!!!
Our Third Time Back Here and We Love It!
1ked456
(San Diego, California)
We have stayed here 3 times now and we love it! Even though it's not the newest-looking building on the beach, the grounds are clean and well maintained. We did a Vacation Rentals by Owner reservation to save money, so we had no maid service, but that's okay with us. Our interactions we have had with the staff have all been positive. The resort location is right across the street from a grocery store, restaurants, and Snorkel Bob's rental, but Aston also rents gear too. Our room owner provided chairs, unbrella, boogie boards, and snorkel gear, so we save a lot of money over renting. We also had a kitchen with all the pans, dishes, and glasses we could ever need, so we saved a ton of money by preparing our own meals. A storm took away the beach, but there is a sandy area next door, so the walk is minimal and you can still snorkel right in front of the hotel.
My only complaint: The pool could be a little cleaner- we took advantage of the free scuba lessons, and when I was waiting for the rest of the class underwater in the deep end, I could not see them in the shallow end. But who travels all the way to Hawaii to hang out at the pool?
Flood family vacation 2018
lorkaye1
(Ka'anapali, Hawaii)
This was our third time staying at Aston kaanapali shores and we love it there. We requested a certain room number and the gave it to us. We received a box of chocolates on arrival. We received the VIP treatment because we were returning visitors. The room was clean and spacious, the grounds are beautiful, the pool sparkles, and Anne at the bar is loving. Everything was perfect and I would recommend this place to everyone. Can’t wait to see them again next May.
Stayed at The Whaler in mid May, the latest of many stays here.
Love the new lobby building! It's a big improvement over the old one. Make sure to partake in the pineapple iced tea. It's to die for! I wish we had the recipe.
The staff has really stepped it up. I feel like sometimes in the past, the staff acted like you were bothering them when checking in. Not anymore! The staff was very welcoming from the moment we arrived! 5 stars for that!
The grounds and pool are beautiful!
Our room, however, left a bit to be desired. I know The Whaler has minimum requirements for quality of the accommodations. If the room we had (#415) meets those minimum requirements, then the minimum needs to be raised. If it doesn't meet them, then room 415 should not be used until it does. Either way, room 415 needs to have the bathroom renovated. It’s not that it's old (although that doesn't help), it's that it's run down. The door is rotting on the bottom edge. There is other evidence of water damage on the walls. Loads of caulking everwhere, obvious stopgap repairs.
We had some noise issues (sounded like someone dropping tools on a concrete floor) as well and talked to the front desk about it, but they couldn't figure out where it was coming from, I assume. They never followed up on that. In hindsight, I think it may be the trash chute next to our room.
Next time, we will insist on a room that isn't near the elevators.
One more issue - the washing machine on our floor was disgusting. The detergent tray was caked with half dissolved detergent and the whole machine stank. We didn't use it.
We'll be back in the future, but we will insist on a nice room.
Perfect beach getaway
SierraTravelFan
(San Francisco, California)
Right on the beach! Kaanapali is a favorite beach and this property was perfectly located to the beach, black rock snorkeling and the Whater's Village mall basically next door. We used the tennis courts and pool and took advantage of the full kitchen and included parking. A fabulous experience for all of the family.
Convenient
Margo P
Aston at The Whaler
Most everything has been covered by other guest reviews. We really like the beach, underground parking garage, the check in/ out went very smooth, all staff were very friendly and helpful!!
We booked a vacation package that included nine nights in a “premium” (I understand that to mean a room that has been remodeled. ) studio room, tower 2, room #1013, airfare, and Rental car-Alamo, through Costco, for 5K. Rooms here are condos that are individual owned and may also be obtained through VBRO. They all have full kitchens.
This property is older and some rooms have not been remodeled. Our room needed to replace the mattress. It was soft and very lumpy. Also, the appliances were older and there was a problem with the oven door not staying open in the broil cycle, so we had to leave it all the way open which took longer and changed the cooking time ! Compared to adjacent properties, The Westin, The Marriott, The Hyatt Regency, and The Sheraton this is a no frills basic property. Examples: grounds are basic, a no-frills pool, no pool bar, no restaurant, not sure about shuttle service, no entertainment, etc. There is a gated underground parking facility- with no extra fee, there is a daily resort fee, an older spa, a concierge, a patio with three gas BBQ’s (per tower) and a fire-pit at tower two, maid-service , public washer/dryers on each floor (some units have W/D in them). Koi feeding happens at 8:30 AM. There are bikes down in the garage-the only place to ride is on the very busy HWY 30, and shopping carts to bring the groceries from the car to the room.
There are two towers, 12 floors high, built perpendicular to the beach/ocean so all rooms have a side angled view of the beach ocean-West, and golf course- east, except the 2 bedroom end rooms that face the ocean-with wrap around decks. The best rooms are in tower one facing north, they have a sunset view. Second choice is tower two facing South with a golf course and side ocean view. Tower one with the southern facing views a Monday and Wed. Night Luau that is very loud. It looks down on the Whaler shopping facility. There are about 20, upright beach chairs available for guests at no charge but umbrellas, and lounge chairs cost extra ($45). SUP boards ($55 for two hours). There is a card exchange system for pool/beach towels. There is a public walking path from Black Rock (The Sheraton) to the state park however there are NO public bathrooms, except at Starbucks. Each facility requires guest cards for use.
Our condo, did not have kitchen condiments, other than salt and pepper and foil. Housekeeping supplied coffee and soaps/shampoos, toilet paper, hair dryer. Bring your own spices, ziplock bags, if you plan to do much cooking, etc. we had one Ziplock bag and a bit of foil. Also, bring a meat thermometer if you care. It was not in the condo.
There is an ABC connivence store right beside Tower one in the Whaler shopping area for quick things. The Safeway is on Hwy 30 by the Cannery shopping mall on the west side of the HWY. Costco and Walmart are near the airport.
Anniversary
Andrea S
We stayed for a week after a week in Oahu. The resort is first class. The grounds are very well kept and beautiful. There is a really nice place to BBQ at the resort which is a bonus. The pool and jacuzzi area is really nice and the chairs are comfy and plenty of umbrellas if you prefer shade.
There are beach chairs and cabanas for rent if you prefer to be on the beach.
I’d like to give a shout out to the concierge department at the Whaler. We worked with Cheri for our excursions and they were top notch.
The elevators are really good. Not a long wait at all.
Fresh coffee and infused water served in the lobby daily.
Complimentary washer and dryer on every floor
Our condo had all the extras you needed to make your stay great such as blenders, coffee pot, beach chairs, cooler, boogie boards and so much more! And the view...... breathtaking! The sound of the ocean.... relaxing. I loved how our air conditioning would turn off automatically if our patio door was open because I hate to waste energy.
The resort is really close to restaurants and shops with Whaler’s Village about a 2 minute walk. There are excursions that leave right in the area that you can walk to.
The Whaler is pretty quiet so if you’re looking for a peaceful place to stay this is it! If you’re looking for more of a party scene I’d go somewhere else. I highly recommend this resort for couples and families.
All of the staff we encountered were so polite and excited to help you
There is a parking garage if you rent a car without any fees.
There is a spa but unfortunately I never got to go. The gym is very nice but I prefer to jog on the beach.
Location is great to grocery stores (not within walking distance) and golf.
Uber is here along with taxis
The views are just breathtaking and there is a really nice walking path that goes along the ocean.
To sum it all up.... this is a slice of paradise!
Hard to Fault!
Fourkiwis
(Tauranga, New Zealand)
Had a fabulous week here at 'The Whaler' enjoying this great property and beautiful surroundings. Staff were friendly and welcoming, the studio was perfect - spacious, spotless and extremely well appointed and a great pool area right next to the beautiful Kaanapali beach. Right next door is the Whalers Village with a handy selection of resort shops, food outlets and restaurants and an ABC of course. There is a Safeway supermarket and more shopping, bars and restaurants just a short $2 bus ride away in Lahaina. This resort was a perfect week of relaxation enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian weather. 100 % recommendation from us!!
Great place!! Kid friendly! Pools were easily accessible and kids enjoyed. Resort was beautiful and well maintained. Room was very nice and clean! Great views ever if you don't get ocean view. We had garden view and it was perfect. Our room had a smaller private pool and hot tub in addition to the bigger pool
Great family reunion location.
johncK6328VL
Altogether we had seven units for our family reunion (28 people). These ranged from a Hotel room to a two bedroom deluxe unit. Our own room was a two bedroom deluxe unit which we could not fault. Being the largest room, it was used for all the group meals and gatherings. This was unit 111 and was on the ground level, so ideal for all the grandchildren (9 in total) to play and run around on the large grassed area accessed from the ranch slider off the lounge room. Main beds were very comfortable, however the pull out sofa bed did have a very thin mattress and was uncomfortable. Kitchen was very well equipped with a large fridge freezer with ice maker, dish washer, large oven and microwave. Daily service was of a high standard. Other members of our family group had a variety of room standards. Some were carpeted, very nice furniture and nice and bright. Others had tiles throughout, older furniture and less comfortable beds. Staff were very friendly and helpful. The main swimming pool was extremely popular, very clean and a nice temperature. We never had a problem getting chairs around the pool. The only complaint would be the restriction of no inflatables in the pool, especially when there is a shallow end (3ft) which is suitable for kids and a deeper (6ft) end for the adults wanting to be away from kids. The actual beach is not that suitable for young children, it has a shape drop off and has an under current at times. The Managers Wednesday Mai Tia welcome drinks is nice event and worth attended. We did not use the restaurant/bar so can't comment on that but always seemed to be well attended. The free trolley stops right outside the door and is only 10 minutes drive to the Whalers Village. The only complaint we would have is that the Laundromat was out of action for our entire 7 days we were there and that the daily update was that it would be opened again the next day, which became the next day, then the next day. Overall this is a very nice complex and would recommend.
Liked the clean pool and the nice cafe both right on the beach
melanzano
(New York City, New York)
Although the rooms and view were not the greatest the hotel is cheaper than the neighboring Westin which has the dirtiest pool. Disgrace to Westin for the price you pay. Aston Maui service is good the rooms are a bit old fashioned but spacious. The shuttle trolley stops every half hour and takes you to other hotels and the shopping place.
Great Vacation!
James K
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Our studio condo was clean and comfortable. I didn't stay there very much other than to sleep, shower and eat breakfast, sooo much to do on this Island! I was in the coconut building on the top floor facing the pool and had a nice peek of the ocean every morning. But from my time walking the property grounds it was very clean, quiet and great staff. Parking was plentiful and the beach out front is amazing plus the Castaway restaurant by the beach is probably the best value on Maui. It was cheap, good and the sunset was breathtaking. You can rent water sports items like SUP and snorkel gear from the beach vendor on site and take the trolley to the outdoor mall area for some shopping. I will be staying here again.
Amazing
Amanda Q
(San Diego, California)
This place is great! We've stayed here so many times. We love the location and the proximity to the beach. It's really nice to be able to walk down to Whaler's Village (lots of shops and restaurants) or to some of the other hotel restaurants. Friendly staff.
We had a corner room and when I sent a picture to my sister, her response was "are you sure you're not on a boat?" The view was unbelievable - vast, unobstructed. We could have sat by the windows or on the lanai for hours, if we didn't have other touring we wanted to do! As for the complex, the staff were friendly and helpful, the unit we stayed in was very comfortable. We had everything we needed on hand and it was a lot more like 'living' there than it would have been had we been in a sterile hotel. Enjoyed the owner's decorating and art. The woman who handled our housekeeping was the sweetest! Would book there again in a heartbeat!
What a Beautiful Place!
kseam6259
(Franklin, North Carolina)
If you go to Hawaii, I advise for you to take some time to jump around to different hotels/condos etc. It is worth the experience of having different views and conveniences. This was one of the really nice options! Would recommend.
Greatest view you can get
B5242VHkennethc
We rented a condo here and loved the view. Incredible. It doesn't get better. We would sit on our Lahai and watch the whales in the distance. The building itself isn't anything special, same as the pool. They provide BBQ's for you though. If you want an amazing view this is for you. A beach is nearby, but not in front of the hotel. We would stay again.
Mrs
Danell H
Our room we had was not the best, but we realized later that each unit is individually owned. We should of requested a different room. The room looked from the 70’s and the shower ended up breaking. Asked to use another room, that room had been updated. Everyone was friendly and accommodating.
Great stay
Cindy Y
The hotel was a good place to stay at. The room had great with a full kitchen , washer and dryer and washroom was kept great. The bed was a little hard could be softer . The staff was great but one of the members of the front desk was attitude problems.
staff members are helpful and nice. very close to the airport. hotel is attached to the ocean.nice park to sit and watch the ocean.
pick and drop provided. no vegetarian options in hotel provided food.
breakfast and lunch all provided by hotel for reasonable cost.
only 2 floors so easy to navigate. good budget hotel, very
close to maui mall, whole foods etc. Decent hotel in decent locality
Pitstop to Paradise
notoriousjzn
(Lakewood, Ohio)
This hotel could have been way better had anyone even attempted to try. I will do a simple breakdown of the positives, however few, and negatives we experienced while at this hotel.
Disadvantages:
No bathtub (!) (Quell horreur)
THE POOL WAS CLOSED
There was a sign in the room that stated we should expect insect visitors, but if they were unwanted to call the front desk. Who wants insect visitors?
No toiletries were provided. Not even a bar of soap.
Only 2 small towels were provided.
We were the only people in the bar, which didn't open until dinner, and it took 15 minutes, at least, to even be recognized. After being served our ridiculously expensive, watered-down drinks, the bartender awkwardly stood next to us waiting to collect the credit card slip and his tip.
The individuals at the Hertz counter within the hotel's lobby were rude and unprofessional.
The hotel, in general, is outdated, decor is worn and tired and is in dire need of a complete aesthetic overhaul.
Advantages:
Air conditioner was on Mach 3, which was very necessary.
Breakfast portions were large and food was tasty.
Our server at breakfast was cordial and informative.
The young man who drove the airport transit van was cordial and informative.
The hotel's "backyard" grounds were lush and inviting.
Close proximity to a local grocery store.
For $200 this isn’t worth it! Plus resort fee isn’t included, or parking.
Jaime J
(Denver, Colorado)
My husband and I stayed here for 1 night after we landed late at night at the airport. The ONLY REASON to stay here is if you need something close to the airport, but don’t expect much!! (Like any hotel close to an airport, they charge premium rates but don’t offer much.) We spent $200 on an “upgraded” room to be ocean facing. Well... this hotel doesn’t even clean up the beach that you can see from your room! We were disappointed to see a lot of trash all over the beach. When asked why so dirty, front desk said beach cleanup is on a volunteer basis. WELL... as a hotel offering beach views, PAY SOMEONE an hour a day to clean your own beach (which isn’t even that long of a stretch, maybe 100 yards maximum) so your guests don’t see trash everywhere and ruin their view!!! Also paint your hallways - see pictures- as the walk to the guest room was a bit frightening and I was afraid to see condition of the room based on peeling paint and dirty carpets. Thankfully, once we were inside the room we found it clean. That is the only positive- clean room, and close (5 minutes) to airport. Not worth the price!!
Poor info regarding shuttle
RJCNBA
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Totally disorganized information regarding airport shuttle. The woman at the front desk told me to wait until 20 min before the hour to book. Then when I did she told me they were all full. Had I known that would be the case I would've booked at the time I inquired. Then she took no responsibility and blamed me. NOT what I call customer service
Served its purpose, would definitely stay again
Allison E
(Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
If you’re looking to spend a lot of time at your hotel and on the beach, this place is not for you—and you’re going to spend a lot more money. If you want a hotel that is located centrally in Maui and near restaurants and attractions, this is a great choice. I flew in with plans to see and do lots, and this hotel allowed me to do just that without spending a lot of time driving. The room is comfortable, but again, if you’re looking for 5 star service, this is not the place. This hotel lost a star for me because I don’t agree with the “resort fees” and because we had to consistently ask for towels and extra soap.
We've been coming back here every year since 1984! We love this place! Very family oriented. Good location and close to a grocery store and ABC Market. Great home base for Maui. Ever since they switched to Aston the quality of the housekeeping's gone way down and they're not very friendly in the office anymore, but who cares. The place is still kept up with rare exceptions and it's super convenient.
Very disappointed
patnaut
(East Bend)
Looks good on photos on website
Garden & both Pools good Maintain looks good
Was in group & requested to get rooms closer & they put all rooms on different floors
Rooms are smaller Air-condition was not working had to request twice to fix
Restaurant was billing wrong charges on rooms
I had to ask them to investigate why i was charged $130+ extra
Peaceful and well kept location
jodiejosephine
(Kailua-Kona, Hawaii)
Great facilities for our stay on Maui. Definitely worth going to the Expedia orientation breakfast. A lot of information and local things to do. Fantastic outlook over to Molokai and Lania. relaxing pool and gardens.
Did not meet my expectations
Sandra P
The best experience was the lady at the concierge desk. There were ants in our kitchen every day. The worst part was the construction that was going on in the room next to us. When I called the front desk they did not apologize, they immediately got defensive and said my reservation showed that there would be construction. After reviewing any documents pertaining to my reservation, there was no mention of any construction. Staff at front desk were on defense any time I asked a question or voiced a concern. No empathy and customer service skills
Wonderful place to stay. I'll be back!
Lori S
(Sydney, Australia)
My sister hooked me up with a one bedroom here through Interval International. I couldn't be more grateful that I got to stay at the Aston Papakea. It was a wonderful experience. Most of all, I'd like to commend and thank the lead concierge, Andrea Wallace, for being so friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful with planning my activities. It was great to have her as a resource as a solo traveler. That also segues well into my next feedback. While the Aston Papakea Resort is no doubt a family-friendly place, it's also a great place if you're traveling on your own. I found the other guests to be very friendly and had lots of fun and interesting conversations with people. I wasn't at all self-conscious about being solo. Finally, the accommodation was right up my alley. The bed was comfy and the kitchen was recently renovated and very well-stocked. I also loved sitting out on the balcony overlooking the pond, pool, and out to the ocean for my meals. Some guests commented that the decor is dated here. I didn't find that at all. The only thing I would have improved was the condition of the carpet in the bedroom. It was older and a bit stained but not to the point that it really bothered me. Finally, the location of the Papakea is excellent and very convenient. I didn't bother renting a car and had no trouble getting around via walking, Uber and the Maui Bus. Overall, I loved my one bedder and totally plan on staying at the Papakea again whenever I return to Maui.
This a really great location for a really great price. It’s my second year here. A 1 bedroom condo with a full kitchen is around $100 a night. We cook most of our meals so we save $$$ there too. The beach out front is ok, good for snorkeling...perfect sandy beaches are within walking distance and just down the road a few miles you can swim with the turtles. They keep the grounds clean and the pool and hot tub as well. I’ll most likely stay here when ever I come to Maui.
We would book here again!
Nicole F
We stayed here Feb 24- March 9/18 in unit 216 ( garden view, 1 bedroom unit ) We knew there was not gonna be an A/C in the unit but we had the windows/blinds closed all day and opened them as soon as we got back home in the evenings. Together with the ceiling fans in each room and the additional box fan (ask for it at the front desk ) we never had any issues not having A/C. Unit was clean with up-to-date kitchen, bed- and bathroom were ok. We absolutely LOVED our stay there and would book this unit again, price is unbeatable for the location! Staff was very polite and helpful, fresh beach towels are available every day, just drop off the used ones at the front desk and they’ll give you new ones. If you wanna have a great time without paying the big bucks and don’t expect a five star resort this is the place to go.
The only downside was that the bedrooms in garden view units are facing the parking lot...and some people are not using their common sense when they come home late at night...so the car lock “beeping” along with people talking loud in the middle of the night can annoy the heck out of you when you’re trying to sleep...but that’s NOT the resorts fault. So just bring ear plugs and Aloha on😊
Close to everything! Steps away front the ocean.
Kisses4Cozmo
(San Dimas, California)
We stayed here a few years ago (August 2016) and we LOVED it! 2 BD/ 2BA Ocean front room with lanai. The ocean is just steps away. There is a small park next to the building, some local shops, farmers market, and a grocery store a few short blocks away- all within walking distance. We enjoyed our walks along the coast and the warm clear waters of Maui. We had a pleasant 3 night stay. Then we moved over to the other side of the island for anther 3 nights. Nothing negative to report. We had an awesome time!
Very nice stay!
Sandra B
We stayed in a garden view 1 bedroom unit. It was clean. It overlooked the large pond and waterfall - very peaceful! We thoroughly enjoyed the pool and hot tub which are right on the ocean. The grounds are a lush garden setting throughout. There are sea turtles right off the coast in front of the property. Very relaxing stay!
Thought budget would be a good idea --- not so much
The4travlers
I do not like to write bad reviews, but here it goes. My thoughts coming to Maui for the first time was to stay more budget and spend our money on excursions. Here is the best part of staying at Paki Maui -- close to "Bad A**" coffee, the farmers market, gave us the opportunity to eat at Slappy Cakes, and next to Boss Frog to book our excursions. Now the ugly. The rooms were not clean, it is old and outdated. We had ants (which I know is an issue in Hawaii)- but they were to take care of them and still an issue. We were given 1 set of towels per person for our stay. If we wanted fresh, they charged for them. Thankfully I brought clorax wipes, had to clean the counter tops and kitchen and bathroom floor where there were ants. The bathroom floor corner had a thick cobweb. Neighbors enjoyed their mary-j, We smelled skunk all week. The walls were thin, could hear the neighbors music and coughing day and night and every time they came and went. I will let the pictures speak of the beach. I can say that our bed was comfortable and the sheets were clean. The kids twin beds were quite hard. We ended spending our days away at Ka'anapali beach area. I didn't take a picture from our view, was to be partial ocean, our view was trees. These accommodations were so disappointing.
The unit we stayed in #131 was clean. The kitchen was small and had old appliances except the microwave was newer but didn't work. We reported it and it was replace by the next day. The king bed in the bedroom was horrible. It needs to be replaced. The location for us was great. South Kihei nearer to Wailea was great. You could walk to many restaurants.
Beautiful, spacious rooms
annecasey68
(Sydney, Australia)
We stayed in a 3 bedroom apartment that was worth every cent. The place is clean and the staff are wonderful. A great place to stay for a relaxing holiday. You will need to hire a car though to get around.
HIdden Fees
hugabear2
(Dumont, New Jersey)
We just came back from a week's stay at this resort. Resort was lovely, as others have said, and in a convenient location for sightseeing around the island. I was not happy to learn that there was a daily cost for the safe in the room and a weekly charge for utilities. I own two time shares which I have used for trading many times and have never been charged for a room safe or a utility. We were always treated like owners. Left a bad taste in my mouth for an otherwise nice place to visit.
Amazing views
Happyhols897
(Melbourne, Australia)
Family of 8 so we have 2 x 2 bedroom apartment in the same building which was excellent. The views to the ocean was amazing. The apartments were well appointed. Staff were very good and the courtesy bus was an added bonus when you do not want to walk to the ABC store or reception
A BEAUTIFUL RESORT!
davidcline336
(Henderson, Nevada)
Everything was perfect. Very clean, everything working properly. Staff was very helpful and gracious. Had our 10 month old granddaughter with us and had no qualms with her crawling on the flooring - it was so clean. The best experience we have had in Hawaii to date!
Wonderful staff, and very reasonable accommodations.
ConcordBookLady
(Concord, California)
The first thing I would say is that the staff really go the extra mile to help, and are very friendly. They did everything they could do to make my stay a pleasure, and listened to my concerns and did their best to address them. The second thing I would say is that each condo unit is different - owned by different owners - so comments on my unit may not apply to other units. I stayed in H307, a "1 BR deluxe suite" (actually a 1 BR condo). It had two full bathrooms - one by the entrance (handy for showering after the beach) and one attached to the bedroom. Both bathrooms were shower-only, no tub (though I did hear that some units had tubs). Ithad full size appliances, a very comfortable bed, and a wonderful view of the gardens. I wanted peace and quiet and a place to relax - and I definitely got it. The major criticism I would have of the unit itself is that the "window" A/C (not central air) was placed in the living room lower left hand corner of the unit, so it could blow directly onto the side of the (comfy) couch. In spite of overhead fans in both the LR and BR, the BR just did not cool off enough for me; fortunately the staff got me an electric fan, and that took care of that. I saw another unit, and that one had the A/C mounted about waist high on the wall, which helped a bit, and I was told some units had A/C units in both LR and BR - it just depended on what that owner had provided. And the DVD player was in the playstation, and not being a gamer, it took a bit for me to figure it out - as well as a call to the patient maintenance person who explained it to me. It did work once I got the hang of it. The unit itself was a little dated, but I found it restful, and would not mind staying there again - I definitely loved the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, particularly Suzette. Things to know if you have mobility issues: Although the condo buildings have elevators (at least the one I was in did), the parking garage DOES NOT. And all of the first floor except 3 minuscule spaces are reserved for owners, as are about half of the second floor spaces, so you will wind up on the 3rd level - the roof - with your car in the sun. If you don't want to climb two flights of stairs to get your car.... probably not the place for you (they do let you park briefly in front of your building to unload your car before going to the garage) . There are a very few outdoor parking spots closer to the street - pool area on the right of the driveway - which include a few handicapped spots, but they were always full. It's between a 5 and 10 minute walk to a couple of restaurants and an ABC store. And it's right across the street from the beach. If you are looking for a place that is clean, quiet, with very helpful staff, and don't mind climbing stairs, this is definitely a bargain.
Below reproach
Delia H
(Surrey, Canada)
My review is based on room G403. From the moment you enter the room, the stench of mold suffocates you. The stench is everywhere: in the main living area, the bedrooms, the bathrooms. You open the kitchen cupboards and the smell is etched in all the kitchenware. I made myself some tea and, although I washed the mug before, I could not taste it because of the mold. It was hard to sleep at night and, once I woke up, the smell kept me up.
I travelled in May for a week with my parents, as their guest. I could expect a place like this in a third world country, but not in North America. How could such a mold-infested apartment pass inspection? My mom has a mold allergy and got sick there and required strong antibiotics and puffers (a first for her). We told the front desk and they offered to give us a room on the ground floor. However, when my mom booked it, the only request she had was that it wouldn't be on the ground floor (due to noise and safety issues).
To add insult to injury, the hotel management sent an inspection (after we left) and found nothing wrong! The report concerns itself with thermal testing but there is no mention at all of mold (although you can see it and we have pictures to prove it).
We could have overlooked the dated furniture and décor; the sticky-looking dressers in the master bedroom; the fact that there is no cleaning during the week, except changing of towels. However, we could not overlook the mold. It is a serious health hazard for anybody with an underlying issue, and both my mom and I had trouble breathing and getting rest because of it.
Great return to Hawaii, first time to Maui
Bob B
(Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Great complex
We only have a single bedroom so more like a Hotel but still great stay. Right across from ocean and public beach, very nice pools and attentive staff.
The Kerri area is full of shops and restaurants all within walking or bus. But, the best way to get around is car as most events are a good 1/2 hour + drive. The entire beach of western Maui is along the area of the complex.
All in all you will enjoy the nice location, nice facility and near beach.
Rooms were clean and well kept with reasonable pricing for Maui.
Beware of trade wind in the afternoon, as the beach sands can be blasting. Another reason for the close hotel being a plus.
Great Getaway!
Carol P
(Richmond)
We stayed at the Banyan for one week in April with our two adult daughters and son-in-law. We had a two bedroom, two bathroom suite with pullout sofa in building A on the second floor. One of the bedrooms had a king bed, the other had two doubles and the sofa was a queen. Everything was clean and comfortable, but a little on the old side. We had two lanais which we used often! The only thing missing were chairs to use on the beach, which was right across the street. There were also two nice pools that always had lounge chairs available when we went there. Lots of great places to eat, drink and shop within walking distance. We usually stay in Kahana or Kaanapali but I think we've found our new favourite in Kihei!
All in all, we had a very nice holiday and would definitely stay there again.
Perfect !!
24susanw
(Victoria, Canada)
We really enjoyed our stay here. The front desk was always very helpful. The condo was great. Large, clean,comfortable, updated and had everything we could possibly need for our vacation. Our large lanai looked over the pool and we could watch the whales breaching in the ocean as we sipped our cocktails.The pool and area were well maintained and had plenty of seating in the shade and the sun. We didn't use the bbq's but they looked brand new and were certainly well used by the other guests.The condo was within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops and the beach. We would stay here again!!
Upcountry is the place to go holoholo. The only thing sweeter than the lavender and eucalyptus-scented air, is the eclectic boutiques and organic ranches.
Lahaina is more than just a cute beach town with a lot of t-shirt vendors. It’s full of great dining, shopping, and historical landmarks. The humpback whales love to swim by its shores in winter.
Wailea is where you find the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. You’ll have a tough time deciding between going snorkeling, surfing, or just relaxing -- and an easy time doing them all.
If you ask for directions on Maui, the locals will answer in the amount of time that it takes to get there, and landmarks along the way.
Maui will literally blow you away. It can be very windy on the Island, especially in the afternoon.
Take a helicopter tour to be let in on Maui’s marvelous secrets, like hidden waterfalls. A 40-50 minute tour will give you the most bang for your buck.
From late November to early April, Maui gets a visit from its favorite winter tourists: humpback whales. Take a boat from Lahaina or Maalaea to see them up close. They're hard to miss.
Must Do
Snorkeling
Let’s be clear: The water in Maui’s South Shore is so clear that you can see up to 150 feet depths. Add in the world’s friendliest sea turtles, spinner dolphins, plus hundreds of species of fish, and you’ve got the finest snorkeling in all of Hawaii.
Water-Sports
The North Shore of Maui is where it’s at for all kinds of surfing and SUP-ing (stand up paddleboarding). Wild waves and skilled instructors are easy to find, so get in the water and take up your favorite water sport.
Zip Lining
You can hang ten in the water, but you can hang 3600 on a zipline. There are many places to zipline across the island, including Maui’s longest zipline at 3,600 feet.
Floyd M.
“Maui is just like another world. There's no worries… it's like you just let all the baloney in your life go…”
