Gardens of West Maui

[KevinB]

I have a 1Br on hold for a trade I've been waiting on since April. I don't know much about this resort and the reviews are not that current besides the one unfavorable. Can anyone give me an idea on this place. The trade is for 3/17 to 3/24 so I am running out of time !!

 

[rickandcindy23]

We used to own there. Nice resort, but exchangers do get the units in building 1, near the roosters next door, so prepare to wake up at the crack of dawn with rooster crowing. Maybe you will get buildings 2, 3, or 4, and the rooster noise is not nearly as bad.

Very clean kitchens, units, bathrooms, and in a beautiful area with golf course views from buildings 2 and 3, pool views from building 4. Building 1 has pretty bad/ non-existent views (parking lot).

I would take an exchange there and would just get up early. But if you have need of a unit later in April, there will be other resorts available to you. If this is for the week around 4/1, it will be tougher. I should know, as I have been waiting for a 2 bed on Maui for nearly a year.

 

[KevinB]

We are arriving on Maui on 3/17 so I took the trade, but I have until Feb 15 to cancel it and retain my points used although it will cost me the trade fee of $130 if i cancel it, I still have my pending trade with II to see if something better comes along. Thank You very much for the advice, it is GREATLY appreciated ! Mahalo !

KB

 

[daventrina]

A number of little shops in the area (including Whalers general store and Mc Donald's). Ka'anapali and Lahaina just down the street. Kapalua just up the street. We have stayed at the Kahana Vliias a couple of times and while the view and condo isn't the best exchange we've had the location made up for most of it...

 

[KevinB]

Well here's a stunner, I come home from work to a confirm in my email
2BR Maui Schooner ! Threw the Gardens of West Maui unit back in the pool !
Crazy, one last night and one today ! Thanks for all !

KB

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am so jealous! I would love to get Maui Schooner and have an ongoing search for the week of 3/23 and the week starting 3/30. We need a 2 bedroom. It does give me hope, though.

 

[barefootnAR]

We love the Schooner. You won't have to worry about chickens waking you up and you will have a great view of sunsets either from your lanai(bldg A) or if in bldg B, just walk out to the grassy lawn and beach to watch.
Watch for whales from the beach.
Take Blue Water Rafting out of the Kihei Boat Ramp for a whale watch trip.

 

[KevinB]

looking forward to it. Haven't been to the Schooner since 2005 trip. Anyone have any suggestions as to a unit or two to request ? Thanks again !!

KB

 

[rickandcindy23]

The resort's website has a unit location map.

 

[SherryS]

I doubt you will be able to get the A building. In our last 2 trips to Schooner (in February), owners were all placed in A building and exchangers in B building. Many owners want to come during the winter months!

 

[barefootnAR]

Kevin, FYI, the 2 BR on the third floor (top floor) of B building are all lofts. Guest BR is on entry level and Master bed (king) and bath is in the loft. Partial wall, top part open. There are a/c units in the loft and living room. If stairs are a problem request floors 1 & 2 if you are in B building.
The first floor and second floor of B building 2 BR, all rooms are on the same level.
The Schooner only has 58 rooms, March is a busy time with owners.
What day of the week are you checking in? I'll be able to give you room nunbers I like.

 

[KevinB]

We're arriving Sat March 17 and Thanks to all comments !

 

[barefootnAR]

Kevin, if the stairs in the loft rooms are going to be a problem, call the Schooner two weeks before you arrive(they don't assign rooms for exchanges/trades until about 10 days out) and request a room without a loft. There are only 2 other rooms in B building for Saturday check in that aren't on the 3rd floor (loft rooms).
B205 and B105.
There are 6 rooms in A building that are 2BR with Saturday check in.A 402 or A 202 would some of my first choices. In March I'd go high for whale watching if in A building.

 

[KevinB]

Stairs are not a problem. Any ideas whether I should email or call and to anyone in particular ? My wife is very excited, we usually visit Hawaii in July so this is our first time in whale season. Thanks so much !!

KB

 

[barefootnAR]

Our front desk gals are wonderful. About 14-10 days out they start checking reservations to see when we are arriving and how many in our party, basicly touching base with the ownrs.Owners get to reserve exact rooms 18 months out. The trade companies usually wait until the last few days before they send their information to the Schooner. A call would be better if you haven't heard from the front desk 10 or so days before you are to leave.. Tues-Thrs are better days to call.
Check out Blue Water Rafting for their whale watch trips. They leave from the Kihei boat ramp. The zodiac boats/rafts are my fav for whale watching.

 

[Kauai Kid]

I am so jealous! I would love to get Maui Schooner and have an ongoing search for the week of 3/23 and the week starting 3/30. We need a 2 bedroom. It does give me hope, though.

Hope you get those dates. We'll be at the Schooner10-30 March 2012 TSA and the good Lord willing.


Sterling

 

[Kauai Kid]

Well here's a stunner, I come home from work to a confirm in my email
2BR Maui Schooner ! Threw the Gardens of West Maui unit back in the pool !
Crazy, one last night and one today ! Thanks for all !

KB

Someone is watching out for you Kevin.

The Schooner is being upgraded one suite at a time to minimize the financial impact on owners.

A mile or two from the Schooner is Bev Gannons's restaurant up on the Golf Course. Absolutely essential to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at her restaurant several times if not daily. Gourmet food, flavors you've never tasted, generous portions, and while not cheap still an extremely good value. The view is of the golf course and blue Pacific. (I'm getting hungry just thinking about it)

About a mile from the Schooner is the Kihei canoe club. They take passengers for a first time fee of $ something reasonable? and then it is pass the hat after that. Stop by and find out what days they do it since it isn't every day.

One time I went out with them with their six or eight passenger canoes with outrigger over swims mamma humpback with her 3000# baby. You won't need a cup of Kona after that experience. Eyes the size of a dinner plate. Really fun to ride the surf in to the beach on a canoe.

Also there one time for an Hawaiian burial at sea. Amazing to see an apparently frail true Hawaiian woman get into the canoe easier than a Haole Texan half her age. Several of us helped them push off from the beach and watched the ceremony from shore. Very moving.


Sterling

 

[KevinB]

I think You're right Sterling. The night before the Schooner trade came through, my wife and I were sorting some photos of family members no longer with us and smiling away reminiscing. I had been stressed out thinking this is the first time we'll have to rent and losing the week w/ II, and then the next day this 2BR. My wife said the same thing as Sterling, so I'm feeling pretty blessed.
Looking forward to this trip lots, excited and lucky to be on Maui in whale season ! And always appreciate the input of all You Hawaii officianados. Thanks so much !!

KB