Maui Experts? Location Kapalua vs. Kannapali

[omowasu]

Ya cant go wrong either way. Dont discount Kapalua, it is very private - the resorts are more expensive, yes, but the scenery is amazing and the atmosphere very exclusive. The winds are great - they kick up the waves nicely, making swimming fabulous if not downright dangerous. I was just there (Kapalua) recently, went to Lahania for a day. The bars on the strip in Lahania are just unreal, with balconies overlooking the ocean. I sat there sipping on a Maui lager and felt like I was literally in heaven.

Ultimately, it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want resort excusivity, high-end service, privacy, etc than look at Kapalua. If you are planning on being outside with activities all day and away from the resort, look at the cheaper places in Kannapali. I would go cheaper nowadays, as airfare is pure highway robbery to Hawaii.

And it is indeed an addiction. Every time the weather sucks around here, I want to jump on a plane and fly to Maui. Trouble is, costs would be over $4000.00 for airfare alone with the rugrats!

[omowasu]

Heck, maybe Ill rub it in a little bit with a picture from the Kapalua beachfront

[butterbeezy]

I've gone to Maui 3 years in a row. I even got married there last year. I've stayed in Kaanapali and i've stayed in Wailea. I honestly much prefer to stay in the Wailea/Kihei area as suppose to the Kapalua/Kaanapali area. I think the beaches are wamer and the trade winds are not as strong. There have been times where i didn't want to hit the beach in Kaanapali because it was too windy. I never came across that problem in Wailea. Lahaina is only a 20-30 minute drive from Waliea. That's where I'd stay (again) Oh how i miss Hawaii

[althekillr]

Trouble is, costs would be over $4000.00 for airfare alone with the rugrats!

thats what I just found out, with the two airlines shutting down all their tickets had to be rebooked with existing airlines so not too many tickeets around. Looking at hotels for 5 days costing around $3,000 as well. it was just going to be a lounging around the hotel, beach and pool all day kinda vacati0on with a pregnant wife and 3 year old daughter there wasn't going to be much snorkeling or activities. But looking at $7,000 for air and hotel plus expenses. I'm probably gonna opt to do something cheaper. Thanks for the input guys, and will definately keep this in mind for the next trip to Maui.

[butterbeezy]

Originally Posted by althekillr

thats what I just found out, with the two airlines shutting down all their tickets had to be rebooked with existing airlines so not too many tickeets around. Looking at hotels for 5 days costing around $3,000 as well. it was just going to be a lounging around the hotel, beach and pool all day kinda vacati0on with a pregnant wife and 3 year old daughter there wasn't going to be much snorkeling or activities. But looking at $7,000 for air and hotel plus expenses. I'm probably gonna opt to do something cheaper. Thanks for the input guys, and will definately keep this in mind for the next trip to Maui.

I just looked to the quotes my self. It seems that airfare has doubled since last August. That really hurts . Well, when the price is reasonable again, the 4 Seasons in Wailea was really nice to me, my wife & my son who was almost 4 at the time. We never had to really leave the hotel area. Everything was on site. Nice beach, nice mellow pool for the kids. They brought around free popsicles, sandwiches, juice and what not for the kids poolside. I know the 4 Seasons is a little pricey but they really do take care of you, espcially when you have kids. When we arrived to out room, there were beach toys for my son and they put lettered sponges on the bathtub spelling my son's name. It was a real nice touch. That's my suggestion for what you were planning.

[althekillr]

I was able to snag flight tickets at about 1/2 what everything else is going for, so I booked it. Staying at the westin kaanapali, chose this over the sheraton, because of the pool, and over the ritz because no ocean view room specials.

Hotels are actually pretty cheap now, probably because with less flights there aren't as many rooms being filled up. As always, thanks for the input guys

[KenS]

Originally Posted by althekillr

I was able to snag flight tickets at about 1/2 what everything else is going for, so I booked it. Staying at the westin kaanapali, chose this over the sheraton, because of the pool, and over the ritz because no ocean view room specials.

Hotels are actually pretty cheap now, probably because with less flights there aren't as many rooms being filled up. As always, thanks for the input guys

Congrats on finding what you wanted there. We stayed at that Westin a few years ago, and it really is excellent. The pool area, with water slide is great. Also, down the beach a short walk is an excellent Luau (I forget it that's a Sheraton or Radisson, but I think it's one of those).

[omowasu]

Originally Posted by althekillr

I was able to snag flight tickets at about 1/2 what everything else is going for, so I booked it. Staying at the westin kaanapali, chose this over the sheraton, because of the pool, and over the ritz because no ocean view room specials.

SWEET! Congratulations on the tickets! My hunt will start next week - if I cant find anything reasonable, its back to the Florida beachfront again this year (which is fun in its own right). The Westin looked nice from what I had seen, and you can always cab it over to the Ritz or the Sheraton if something is going on in those venues.

[Stick]

Congratulations on the deal. This thread reminded me how much I missed Maui. Lived on Front Street in Lahaina for 3 months last Fall, helping to build a zip-line tour for Kapalua. Not a likely activity for a pregnant wife and three year old, but if you ever go back it's a lot of fun. Enjoy your trip, it's a great place.