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Any Tips or Suggestions for the Westin Maui Resort and Sheraton Maui Resort?

alwysonvac

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We’re staying at the Westin Ka'anapali North in March. Since the complimentary shuttle stops at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, we’ll probably take a look around.

Any tips or suggestions?
For example, besides visiting beach areas and Black Rock at the Sheraton is there anything else that you get off the shuttle for?

From my Westin Ka'anapali confirmation
“There are two shuttles that visit the resort complex. The Lahaina Shuttle departs every half-hour and transports guests into downtown Lahaina for shopping, dining and local entertainment. The hotel shuttle departs every 15 minutes and travels to The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa where villa guests have access to the spa facilities, shops and restaurants.

Pool amenities at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa are available only to guests of each respective hotel. Likewise, guests of these Starwood hotels do not have pool privileges at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North or The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas”


More info regarding the complimentary shuttle can be found on the Westin Ka'anapali site - http://www.westinkaanapali.com/resortoverview/shuttle

Thanks :)
 

GregT

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Depending on who else is with you, it may be worth the walk down to the Hyatt to see the birds and penguins. My kids love that and if there are any young ones, they would enjoy it.

Same concept for also visiting Whalers Village, and the terrific Whaling Museum that is in that shopping center.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Best,

Greg
 

alwysonvac

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Thanks for the info. I'm traveling with three other adults (hubby, sister and brother-in-law) during this trip.

My husband is a birder so we'll definitely have to visit the Hyatt.
Is it similiar to the birds and penguins found at the Hilton Hawaiian Village?
 

K2Quick

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We always liked to go to Leilani's in Whaler's Village right before sunset and eat dinner and get a hula pie as the sun was setting. However, the barefoot bar is all torn up now. It wasn't all bad, though, as we discovered they put a Duke's in at the Honua Kai just up the beach the other direction from WKORV and they also have hula pie.
 

scrapngen

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The free shuttle goes into downtown Lahaina and the shopping centers there. If you need groceries, the shopping centers aren't bad, and downtown Lahaina is a funky, fun town that can provide hours of entertainment :) Several restaurants, you can simply walk around, lots of little stores, people watching, etc.

Just don't visit the banyan tree at night. (!) View from the street only. rats dropping from the foliage, homeless people sleeping, etc. Even during the day, I'd stay out from under, unless you enjoy the smell of urine and the sound of scurrying...shudder. However, it's a magnificent tree and good for photos. It ruined the entire town for my DH. I don't think he'd ever go there again. Once he gets something in his head that grosses him out he's done.
 
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alwysonvac

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Just don't visit the banyan tree at night. (!) View from the street only. rats dropping from the foliage, homeless people sleeping, etc. Even during the day, I'd stay out from under, unless you enjoy the smell of urine and the sound of scurrying...shudder. However, it's a magnificent tree and good for photos. It ruined the entire town for my DH. I don't think he'd ever go there again. Once he gets something in his head that grosses him out he's done.

Wow, thanks for the warning. It's been years since I seen the banyan tree in Lahaina. I'll make sure I take my photos from a distance.
 

alwysonvac

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We always liked to go to Leilani's in Whaler's Village right before sunset and eat dinner and get a hula pie as the sun was setting. However, the barefoot bar is all torn up now. It wasn't all bad, though, as we discovered they put a Duke's in at the Honua Kai just up the beach the other direction from WKORV and they also have hula pie.

Thanks for the tip on Leilani's in Whaler's Village. We've been to Lahaina but Whaler's Village will be new for us.

I've already made reservations at my favorites..
Lahaina Grill
Mama's Fish House
Wolfgang Puck's Spago (in Wailea)

This will be our 5th trip to Maui but it's our first time staying in the Ka'anapali area.
 

paluamalia

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Banyan Tree

The free shuttle goes into downtown Lahaina and the shopping centers there. If you need groceries, the shopping centers aren't bad, and downtown Lahaina is a funky, fun town that can provide hours of entertainment :) Several restaurants, you can simply walk around, lots of little stores, people watching, etc.

Just don't visit the banyan tree at night. (!) View from the street only. rats dropping from the foliage, homeless people sleeping, etc. Even during the day, I'd stay out from under, unless you enjoy the smell of urine and the sound of scurrying...shudder. However, it's a magnificent tree and good for photos. It ruined the entire town for my DH. I don't think he'd ever go there again. Once he gets something in his head that grosses him out he's done.

Rats in trees????? Why would they be in trees if there are restaurants, apartments etc. where they could more easily forage? And aren't they nocturnal? Is it possible they are some other animal? It justs seems unlikely to me, but stranger things have happened I suppose.
:shrug:
 

DeniseM

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Rats in trees????? Why would they be in trees if there are restaurants, apartments etc. where they could more easily forage? And aren't they nocturnal? Is it possible they are some other animal? It justs seems unlikely to me, but stranger things have happened I suppose.
:shrug:

Rats love trees - here in CA we have them in palm trees!
 

paluamalia

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At night

Rats in trees????? Why would they be in trees if there are restaurants, apartments etc. where they could more easily forage? And aren't they nocturnal? Is it possible they are some other animal? It justs seems unlikely to me, but stranger things have happened I suppose.
:shrug:

OK, I see you did go at night...sorry...
 

DeniseM

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Note that TS guests cannot use the pools at the hotels - and vice-versa.

They allowed it when the Villas first opened, but the hotel pools are far more crowded, so the Villas got mobbed with hotel guests. It actually protects TS owners.
 

scrapngen

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OK, I see you did go at night...sorry...

Banyan trees provide lovely homes for animals as shelter and hiding. We literally had rats falling out of the tree near us as we walked a few feet in. I know that sounds like I'm exaggerating, but the first one dropped, and we thought it was just a gecko or something..Then we saw a couple more drop down from the low branches and realised what they were as they scurried away...One dropped very near us from overhead as I walked and landed on a bench. Yes, definitely rats - tails are pretty distinctive. Lahaina is an old whaling town so the rats came with the ships and have never really left. I'm sure they are all over in the restaurants as you say, because I also talked with several locals who said the rat problem was huge in Lahaina...

This is exactly why they introduced the mongoose to the islands. (Kauai lucked out and never got any mongoose) They thought they would eat the rats. Unfortunately, one is nocturnal and the other hunts by day, hence much of the native bird population is now gone and the rats live on...
 

bizaro86

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ewww...

We don't have rats where I live (landlocked, impassable mountains, and a gov't program that hunts them down and kills them) and I've always thought they were gross.

That takes some of the lustre off Maui for me...
 

Ken555

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Wow, considering everything in context the Banyon tree is a great sight to see. Keep in mind this is where the local art is displayed on Saturday (and Sunday?). I suppose there are plenty of good reasons to go elsewhere on vacation, but this is the first I've heard of someone not going to Maui because of the rats. :hysterical:
 

GerryWA

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Sheraton has best beach. You can walk to Sheraton from condo,s if you like a nice beach hike. About half way there is an older resort with restaurant with beach view, great cheap breakfast. Some might consider Westin nicer hotel, but their beach isnt that nice, they do have some nice (expensive) shops.
 

scrapngen

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Wow, considering everything in context the Banyon tree is a great sight to see. Keep in mind this is where the local art is displayed on Saturday (and Sunday?). I suppose there are plenty of good reasons to go elsewhere on vacation, but this is the first I've heard of someone not going to Maui because of the rats. :hysterical:

Lots of great scenery and places all over Maui, just Lahaina got nixed for us. (Actually, I'd go back, and still think the tree is cool, just not from underneath...)
 

Ken555

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Sheraton has best beach. You can walk to Sheraton from condo,s if you like a nice beach hike. About half way there is an older resort with restaurant with beach view, great cheap breakfast. Some might consider Westin nicer hotel, but their beach isnt that nice, they do have some nice (expensive) shops.

You're referring to the Castaway restaurant at the resort just south of the Westin (about a five minute walk). They also have a great ocean view from the patio seating, unlike the Westin restaurants. The other great view restaurant nearby, though not known for their food, is Duke's.
 

alwysonvac

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alwysonvac

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Thanks I'll take a look at Castaway.


We normally eat in for breakfast but like to eat out once in a while.

I'm currently searching for restaurants that offer Sunday brunch or Breakfast. I'm interested in good quality food (not the view or quantity of food). Any suggestions?
 

DavidnRobin

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Been under and around the tree many times - no rats observed...
 

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Thanks I'll take a look at Castaway.


We normally eat in for breakfast but like to eat out once in a while.

I'm currently searching for restaurants that offer Sunday brunch or Breakfast. I'm interested in good quality food (not the view or quantity of food). Any suggestions?
If you're renting a car, we like driving up to Kapalua and going to The Plantation House for breakfast. Reasonably priced, good food, and quite a nice view either overlooking the golf course or the view out to the ocean. Enjoy your time on the West side - we love it!
 

Eagle7304

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Thanks I'll take a look at Castaway.


We normally eat in for breakfast but like to eat out once in a while.

I'm currently searching for restaurants that offer Sunday brunch or Breakfast. I'm interested in good quality food (not the view or quantity of food). Any suggestions?

We like to go to Betty's Beach Cafe at 505 Front St in Lahaina for breakfast. Reasonable prices and great view. Very casual

Plantation is also great
 

alwysonvac

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Thanks for the additional restaurant suggestions :)
 

Darwin

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We were just their with the kids. :(
Still a beautiful tree to see, now just from a distance.
How do the restaurants deal with the rats?
I don't like this thread much. May have to eat in more :bawl:
 
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