- Joined
- Jul 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,128
- Reaction score
- 1,886
- Points
- 599
- Location
- Carlsbad, CA
- Resorts Owned
- Marriott: Maui Ocean Club Lahaina Villas (3BRx5), Ko Olina, Shadow Ridge II, Willow Ridge, Aruba Ocean Club, DC Points HGVC: Flamingo, Sea World, I-Drive, Starwood Bella (x4), SDO, TradeWinds, Worldmark
I have always had a difficult time trying to understand the big to do about Maui. I usually go to all of the islands at least every other year and I feel that Maui is by far the most OVERRATED resort. It’s not the most beautiful island. That distinction belongs to Kauai in my humble opinion. I say that because it still has all of that Hawaii natural beauty.
The beach at the MOC is not the best in my opinion because you have to get by the walkway which is not too bad but the beach is getting smaller and smaller. In addition, each time I go to Maui, I feel as if there is less and less to see and do. Heck, I can do all the stuff Maui has to offer here in my neighborhood in the OC in California.
Here is why I believe Ko Olina is the way to go. (I am not being biased because I own there either.) Kauai is my favorite. Oahu is a great spot for first timers because it has it ALL! If you go to the North Shore you will see good old picturesque Hawaii! It has all the charm and beauty of a Hawaiian island. Plus, with the new highway (well it used to be new), you don’t have to go all the way through downtown to get there so you can avoid the traffic. Secondly, it’s got a CITY too! You can do all the shopping you desire and if you want to visit Waikiki Beach to people watch and just be in the middle of it all, you have that option. I do it every time I go. I even go to the beach there just to do it. It’s always fun. Yes, there is traffic, but man it’s still fun and worth the drive for a first timer. I remember when I had my three year old there a few years ago. She loved Ko Olina’s beach. She still does at six, but she loves the slide at the pool even more. With Disney just a stone throw away, your three year old will love a character breakfast or dinner over at Aulani.
NO OTHER ISLAND OFFERS THE VARIETY OF OAHU. I have done them all and done them many times on the same trip. I always save the best for the last, Oahu. It gets me ready to face the reality of home. I don’t think there would be a debate about which island has the most variety of things to do. Oahu offers everything that the other island have in some degree, but the other islands don’t have all of the things that Oahu has to offer.
This is just one man’s opinion. You cannot go wrong with Ko Olina.
Hello Charles,
Your comments are interesting and appreciated -- I agree, there are advantages and disadvantages to each island, Maui included. I love each of the islands for different reasons.
But there are several things specifically about Maui Ocean Club that I think are unique. I note the following (in no particular order):
- It was originally constructed many years ago as a hotel, accordingly it has a large and expansive footprint on a prime location. If Maui Ocean Club was built today, the real estate would be too valuable to construct in this manner and the pool would be much smaller and the property would be much more dense. The Hyatt timeshare (and its amenities) are examples of this as is Nanea up the road.
- It has large grass areas -- a favorite of mine to be ocean-front but without "the burden" of sand. I love this about Kaanapali in general, that you have ocean access without the sand problem.
- The close proximity to Whalers Village and Black Rock provide tremendous walking destinations, very different from what the other Marriott (or Starwood or HGVC) Hawaii properties offer.
- It is a true resort -- you could spend two weeks at the property and never drive anywhere. This is an advantage of Kaanapali in general, and the amenities and feel of the property.
- Cabanas rock -- I keep waiting for Ko Olina to incorporate a grass area cabana system.
- the new towers are very well appointed -- I think MOC new towers feels more like Ritz Carlton St. Thomas than it does to Shadow Ridge. Ko Olina (which I love) units feel more like Shadow Ridge/Imperial Palms/Waiohai/Kings Land/Lagoon Tower at Hilton Hawaiian Village. They are very nice (and I own and love some of them) but there is a difference.
- the super pool is amazing - maybe this is a repeat of the first point, that we benefit from the years ago construction (and land prices) but the super pool is much more akin to a Kaanapali or Wailea hotel pool then it is to a timeshare pool. Even Ko Olina's superpool is about one-third the size.
- Excursions are accessible just steps away (banana boat/parasailing/etc)
- It is cool to have something to look at on the horizon (Lanai). One of my favorite things about Kauai Lagoons was being able to see the waves crash up on the adjacent mountain shoreline. Beautiful sight.
I agree with many of your comments on Oahu too -- I love that place and there is alot to do. But Maui Ocean Club remains my favorite property for many reasons, and perhaps sentimentality is one of them! Thank you for the thoughtful post.
Best,
Greg