The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas — User Comments Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Maui, Hawaii, United States

Free Shuttle/Kids Eat Free/Happy Hour

By Sharon Johnston from California on Apr 2, 2011

We're currently staying here and one of the additional benefits I didn't see mentioned is the free shuttle to Lahaina. It leaves every hour, starting at 9:05, from the villas and goes to the Sheraton, Westin, Safeway, town of Lahaina and then Foodland Farms. Great benefit. Picks up every hour and runs until 10pm. No need to drive if you don't want to. They even have strollers on board that you can borrow.

Also, since it is loaded with kids (we are here with our 2 and picked it based on it being kid-friendly), good to know that many of the restaurants changed to 3 and under eat free, not 5 and under. However, it can vary depending on your package.

You are right on about service--definitely slow and laid back. Happy hour--expect to go to the bar and order--and wait. Drinks are not 1/2 price, but are discounted (ex. $4 mai-tai). There is also a drink of the day (2 of them) everyday for $6 all day and they are usually great options if you are looking for an alternative to the $10.75-$12 regular price drinks.

Beware room types

By Jill Blodget from Cameron Park, CA (Northern California) on Feb 21, 2011

Another addendum - - Though a lovely resort overall, do beware of room types. Ocean "front" can vary from incredible, full-on ocean front with the sounds of waves all night, to over-looking a packed, noisy swimming pool with a view of the ocean in the distance, to a part ocean view, part empty lot view with traffic noise all night. And when booking, there's no guarantee which one you'll get.

Fabullous!

By Jill Blodget from Northern California on Feb 17, 2011

This really is a great place! Extremely clean, beds are incredibly comfortable, and the staff is very attentive. A few detailed comments: - bathrobes are not in the room, though are delivered quickly and pleasantly upon request (complimentary) - in room safe is shallow, hard to store a lap-top - on site classes are fun and worth the extra charge (such as the Tai Chi-Yoga class) - adult only pool is bordered on 3 sides by buildings and one side by bar-b-que; there is no ocean view from it - the half price drinks from the pool-side grill during happy hour are worth it while enjoying great views, though skip the pupus as they are only so-so - very well maintained buildings and grounds; you almost always see staff working on the place, though they are respectful and unobtrusive - premium channels are minimal on TV (but whose watching TV in Hawaii anyway?), and the only movie rentals are very limited and from a kiosk in the lobby - Bose radio is in the room, but there is no ipod dock - internet, 3g, and wifi are fast and efficient, even from the pool area Overall, we highly recommend this place! And, we haven't seen or heard any noisy high-rises - perhaps from different rooms there would be noise, though we have not experienced that. Absolutely great!

Some dining options:

• Dukes, about a 5 minute walk from the resort, is fabulous - especially if you get a table over-looking the ocean at sunset - can't beat the ambiance. Service and food are great. Wonderful fresh fish options.
• Hula Girl, in Whalers Village - not so good. Poor service and undercooked fish. Though we heard from lots of other people they liked it.
• Pulehu Italian Grill right here at the resort is great! Outstanding service, good ambiance overlooking a lovely well maintained koi pond, and super fresh food prepared beautifully.
• Okazuya is a small take-out restaurant about a 5 minute drive from the resort. It's often very busy - you place your order and pay (cash only), then can go shopping at the little market on the corner and return for you order in about 20 minutes. Pretty good - we split an order of lemon caper mahi mahi and it was enough for 2 people. Nice option for a fast lower cost meal.
• Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina - decent burger joint with live music - good when returning from an whale watch trip. The Lahaina strip is such a touristy place, though this was a decent cafe in a fun atmosphere.

Also, for activities

• Ultimate Whale Watch is an amazing trip. 30 foot hard bottomed raft, fast raft, captain and naturalist really know the places for incredible whale watching, and small groups - 18 versus about 150 on the larger boats. Very up-close and personal encounters with literally dozens of whales. It's so hard to choose between companies. We chose this one based on the advice of a local, and it was definitely a great choice. Reasonably priced, too.
• Snorkeling from the shore is good the south-side of black-rock, walking distance from the resort. My husband saw a turtle only about 15 ft out from the shore in knee-deep water. And we saw lots more further out, lots of fish and turtles.
• The resort sells sunscreens that are safe for sea-life and the coral reefs. ABC stores (that are just about everywhere, kind of like Starbucks) sell just about every other non-food item you might need.
• There is a Safeway store about a 10 minute drive south for grocery items, as well as a little local market (I think it's called Times market) about a 5 minute drive north from the resort.

The Good:

• Lots of pools including an adult only pool.
• Right next to a golf course
• Good beach and free beach towels.

The Bad:

• Next to multiple large highrise resorts
• Can get noisy on weekend nights as next to a mall.
• The main dining area has poor dinner choices, you need to go out for dinner.
• Charges $26 for sun umbrella per day.

While its a nice place on our next visit to Maui we will stay in the Wailea area which is the southern part of Maui.