Kahana Falls vs Maui Schooner

[Carlsbadguy]

Have a possibility of a trade into a 1 bedroom at either of these resorts. Any suggestions as to which resort is better.

 

[daventrina]

Almost apples and oranges.
Depends on many things.
Kahana vs Kihei
Across the street from the water vs on the water
isolated vs centrally located

First trip vs return visit.
For us ... we'd probably pick Kahana Falls...
It's across the street from a nice beach near Lahaina

 

[Kona Lovers]

We own at KF, and prefer the relative isolation out past Lahaina. Kihei, though, is a happening place that many others prefer.

As Daventrina said, it's apples and oranges and all in what one wants.

One thing where you can't go wrong either place are the Maui sunsets! (Below is sunset from Kahana Beach)

Aloha!

Marty

 

[Icc5]

Falls

Haven't stayed at Kahana Falls in aprox. 7 years but when we did we stayed there 2 years in a row and loved it. Feels much more upscale. That part of the island itself seems more upscale with higher end restaurants compared to Schooner which is near a lot more affordable places to eat.
I also can't say I cared for the unit we had at the Maui Schooner because it was a two bedroom loft (room to open).
Bart

 

[stevelb]

Would pick KF over MS. MS not really in a nice area. KF much better location. Quality of the resorts about equal.

 

[california-bighorn]

We have stayed at both recently and pretty much agree both resorts are nice and it may come down to what part of the Island you prefer. One thing you may want to check on is what building the Kahana Falls unit is in. We were assigned a room in an older building (Hale Kipa?) on the other side of the parking lot and not in the newer main buildings. I believe maximum occupancy was 2 for these 1 bedrooms. It was fine for us, but we heard others complain about these units. I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide.

 

[Ron98GT]

Haven't stayed at Kahana Falls in aprox. 7 years but when we did we stayed there 2 years in a row and loved it. Feels much more upscale. That part of the island itself seems more upscale with higher end restaurants compared to Schooner which is near a lot more affordable places to eat.
I also can't say I cared for the unit we had at the Maui Schooner because it was a two bedroom loft (room to open).
Bart

Upscale Not vs Kaanapali.

Restaurants What restaurants, McDonald's around the corner.

 

[daventrina]

One thing where you can't go wrong either place are the Maui sunsets! ...

But even the sunsets can be very different. In Kihei, you can get these nice red sunsets like this:

IMG_0310 by dntanderson, on Flickr
I think that they are sometimes characteristically different because of the way the winds interact coming through the valley and over the West Maui mountains.

Where in Kahana you get these bright gold sunsets most of the time:

P8120111 by dntanderson, on Flickr

Restaurants What restaurants, McDonald's around the corner.

Maui Brewing Company, Outback, Roy's, Maui Tacos, Dollies...
and 2 minutes down the road all of the Ka'anapali restaurants (Hulla Grill, Lelanie's). 5 Minutes down the road all of the Lahaina restaurants.

The big question would be how much driving will you be doing to see South and East Maui. Many of those locations are a few minutes drive from Kihei. From Kahana, you could add 20-30 minutes and sometimes more if there is traffic.

The best option would be to spend a week at MS then a week at KF:whoopie:

 

[Carlsbadguy]

Thanks for the ingo and am leaning to Kahana falls as I like that side of the Island better. Stayed at Sands of Kahana across the street many years ago. What is the difference in the sleep 2 vs sleep 4 1 bedroom units.

 

[slip]

That's close to what I'm doing. I have a week at Maui Schooner then a week
at Valley Isle. I could have had Kahana Falls instead of the Schooner but if I
was going to move, I thought I may as well get some different scenery.

 

[Luanne]

While I like the Lahaina/Kaanapali/Kahana end of the island we've found the traffic up that way has gotten worse and worse over the years. We own in Kihei and prefer it down there. It's great that not everyone likes the same area.

 

[barefootnAR]

As a Schooner owner, I love our location and airy openness of the buildings, the green park between the buildings and the ocean. We are in an update at the resort. New sofas a couple of years ago. All new beds last year and work has started on replacing cabinets and counter tops. Plus more.
I had a gift exchanged and could only get into the Kahana Falls 18 months ago. I stayed as an exchange in a 2 BR. It was a fun week being close to the wonderful snorkeling spots on the West side without having to drive. Every now and then we like to snorkel west(southside does have great snorkel spots also). The pool area is very nice. However, the rooms had no cross breeze and were musty. The sofa, very musty and very worn. It was time to replace the mattresses The unit could have used a "spring" cleaning, deep clean.
I did have a slight sliver of an ocean view between two building across the street.
I get a closed in feeling in that area.
The Schooner has spoiled us for cleanliness. We have travel with RCI friends and stayed in many resorts which gives us a comparison.
So my choice would be the Schooner.
I know some folks don't like the loft rooms but as an owner we choose a loft 2 br, when we can't get in A building, instead of the regular 2 br in the B building..

 

[Kona Lovers]

We have stayed at both recently and pretty much agree both resorts are nice and it may come down to what part of the Island you prefer. One thing you may want to check on is what building the Kahana Falls unit is in. We were assigned a room in an older building (Hale Kipa?) on the other side of the parking lot and not in the newer main buildings. I believe maximum occupancy was 2 for these 1 bedrooms. It was fine for us, but we heard others complain about these units. I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you decide.

Very good point about the Hale Kipa units. We've owned the 1br2ba and now the 2br2ba which are both in the main towers. The Hale Kipa units are in a row on the back of the property and to be truthful, I don't even think of them when I think of KF. Anyway, those units, I was told, were first constructed as basic housing for the work crew that built the rest of the resort, hence the Motel 6 look. When construction was done, they converted what are basically hotel sized units into ts units, and their mfs are much less than the other units at the resort, as they should be, and are not really the desirable units. I would definitely second the suggestion to call the resort and find out exactly which units are being assigned, and if it's Hale Kipa, I suggest to ditch and run as fast at you can to the Maui Schooner, if the choice is between those two. FWIW

Aloha,

Marty

 

[Ron98GT]

Maui Brewing Company, Outback, Roy's, Maui Tacos, Dollies...
and 2 minutes down the road all of the Ka'anapali restaurants (Hulla Grill, Lelanie's). 5 Minutes down the road all of the Lahaina restaurants.

Maui Brewing Company, which is around the corner from McDonald's, has bar-food:

http://www.mauibrewingco.com/menus/MBC-Menu-2011.pdf

Neither Roy's or the Outback is in Kahana.

Now I can't dispute that there are a number of good/great restaurants NEAR Kahana, in Lahaina and Kaanapali. But, my contention is/was that Kahana only has fast-food and bar-food.

Kahana does have a great fish market though, where you can purchase fresh fish to cook on the gas grills at Kahana Falls, which you won't find in Kihei.

http://www.fishmarketmaui.com/

Speaking of Kaanapali, don't forget about the restaurants at Whalers Village, one of my favorite places to go to for food and drink, i.e Hula Grill.

http://www.whalersvillage.com/restaurants.htm

So, if I couldn't get a TS on Kaanapali Beach (Marriott, Westin, or The Whaler) and the chose was between Kihei and Kahana, I would take Kahana, just so I can be close to Kaanapali.

 

[Kona Lovers]

Maui Brewing Company, which is around the corner from McDonald's, has bar-food:

http://www.mauibrewingco.com/menus/MBC-Menu-2011.pdf

Neither Roy's or the Outback is in Kahana.

Now I can't dispute that there are a number of good/great restaurants NEAR Kahana, in Lahaina and Kaanapali. But, my contention is/was that Kahana only has fast-food and bar-food.

Kahana does have a great fish market though, where you can purchase fresh fish to cook on the gas grills at Kahana Falls, which you won't find in Kihei.

http://www.fishmarketmaui.com/

Speaking of Kaanapali, don't forget about the restaurants at Whalers Village, one of my favorite places to go to for food and drink, i.e Hula Grill.

http://www.whalersvillage.com/restaurants.htm

So, if I couldn't get a TS on Kaanapali Beach (Marriott, Westin, or The Whaler) and the chose was between Kihei and Kahana, I would take Kahana, just so I can be close to Kaanapali.

This is what we do as well, going to Kaanapali and Lahaina for eating. Kahana's just resorts and residential basically.

Marty

 

[MOXJO7282]

Speaking of Kaanapali, don't forget about the restaurants at Whalers Village, one of my favorite places to go to for food and drink, i.e Hula Grill.

http://www.whalersvillage.com/restaurants.htm

So, if I couldn't get a TS on Kaanapali Beach (Marriott, Westin, or The Whaler) and the chose was between Kihei and Kahana, I would take Kahana, just so I can be close to Kaanapali.

This is my thoughts as well. Kaanapali has everything for us. We've stayed in Wailea severals times which is near Kihei and of course is very nice but still Lahaina/Kaanapali is where it is at for us.

What is interesting though is we've been to Maui 6 times and never went north of Kaanapali but in Feb we discovered how very nice that area up through Kapalua is. We really enjoyed the pizza and pork quesidillas at Dollie's in Kahana and there is a really nice market that makes great Boar's Head hoagie's called the Napili Market so we would definitely being staying in Kahana.

 

[daventrina]

Neither Roy's or the Outback is in Kahana.

Oops ... they both moved. Been away too long ... 58 days and counting down:whoopie:

Now I can't dispute that there are a number of good/great restaurants NEAR Kahana, in Lahaina and Ka'anapali. But, my contention is/was that Kahana only has fast-food and bar-food.

True ... but by comparison NEAR the Schooner there is only Sansei, Five Palms Beach Grill, and Sarento's unless you go to Wailea.

 

[Ron98GT]

This is my thoughts as well. Kaanapali has everything for us. We've stayed in Wailea severals times which is near Kihei and of course is very nice but still Lahaina/Kaanapali is where it is at for us.

What is interesting though is we've been to Maui 6 times and never went north of Kaanapali but in Feb we discovered how very nice that area up through Kapalua is. We really enjoyed the pizza and pork quesidillas at Dollie's in Kahana and there is a really nice market that makes great Boar's Head hoagie's called the Napili Market so we would definitely being staying in Kahana.

Every time we go, I like to take the northern route, Hwy 30, from Kapaulua/Kahana to Wailuku/Kahului, thru Honolua and Kahakuloa. Similar to the road to Hana.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...h_Loop_Coastline_Road_Hwy_30-Maui_Hawaii.html

Speaking of Wailuku, don't miss Lao Valley State Park, if you haven't been there. Interesting park to visit and interesting history.

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/iao-valley-needle.html

 

[Passepartout]

Fwiw, I think all you nice folks should stay in Kihei. That leaves much more availability for me at Kahana. I happen to like the residential feel, the low-rise buildings, the Mom & Pop feel of the place. Last time there, we could easily lob a stone or seashell off our lanai into the surf. Turtles frolicked and fed at a reef just offshore, and whales were almost constantly in view. To us, that's vastly superior to any up-scale high rise with people jockeying for the 'best' place for a sun-lounge and have to tip to have someone bring a mai-tai.

But to each their own.

Jim

 

[Cathyb]

Barefoot-a question

As a Schooner owner, I love our location and airy openness of the buildings, the green park between the buildings and the ocean. We are in an update at the resort. New sofas a couple of years ago. All new beds last year and work has started on replacing cabinets and counter tops. Plus more.
I had a gift exchanged and could only get into the Kahana Falls 18 months ago. I stayed as an exchange in a 2 BR. It was a fun week being close to the wonderful snorkeling spots on the West side without having to drive. Every now and then we like to snorkel west(southside does have great snorkel spots also). The pool area is very nice. However, the rooms had no cross breeze and were musty. The sofa, very musty and very worn. It was time to replace the mattresses The unit could have used a "spring" cleaning, deep clean.
I did have a slight sliver of an ocean view between two building across the street.
I get a closed in feeling in that area.
The Schooner has spoiled us for cleanliness. We have travel with RCI friends and stayed in many resorts which gives us a comparison.
So my choice would be the Schooner.
I know some folks don't like the loft rooms but as an owner we choose a loft 2 br, when we can't get in A building, instead of the regular 2 br in the B building..

Staying in Schooner for first time. What restaurants are within 1/2 mile as we might not have a car. How about your favorite restaurants in the Kihei area? If we choose to take a tour,is there a concierge onsite? Thanks!

 

[Luanne]

Staying in Schooner for first time. What restaurants are within 1/2 mile as we might not have a car. How about your favorite restaurants in the Kihei area? If we choose to take a tour,is there a concierge onsite? Thanks!

Closest restaurants would be those in the Azeka Center which is .6 mile from the Maui Schooner. Azeka Mauka and Azeka Makai are two Azeka shopping centers across South Kihei Road from each other. They are at 1279 South Kihei Road, at the corner of Piikea.

Restaurants in Azeka Mauka are Coconuts Fish Cafe, Jawz Fish Tacos, Peggy Sue's 50's diner, Stella Blues Cafe, Panda Express, and The Coffee Store.

Restaurants in Azeka Makai are Ono Gelato, Vietnamese Cuisine, Izakaya Matsu, Royal Thai Cuisine, Home Maid Cafe, and Taco Bell.

Of these the only ones we've been to have been Stella Blues Cafe, The Coffee Store and Ono Gelato. Give a huge thumbs up to Ono Gelato. Stella Blues was okay.

Our favorites in Kihei are Cafe O'Lei and Bistro 808.

There are some very good restaurants in Wailea as well: Merriman's Monkeypod, Gannon's .

It's really hard to see much of the area without a car.

 

[Luanne]

Fwiw, I think all you nice folks should stay in Kihei. That leaves much more availability for me at Kahana. I happen to like the residential feel, the low-rise buildings, the Mom & Pop feel of the place. Last time there, we could easily lob a stone or seashell off our lanai into the surf. Turtles frolicked and fed at a reef just offshore, and whales were almost constantly in view. To us, that's vastly superior to any up-scale high rise with people jockeying for the 'best' place for a sun-lounge and have to tip to have someone bring a mai-tai.

But to each their own.

Jim

What up sclae high rise are you talking about in Kihei? Have you gotten your locations mixed up? :hysterical:

 

[daventrina]

What up sclae high rise are you talking about in Kihei?

Maybe the ones in Wailea? It's right next door...

 

[Cathyb]

Luanne -- yumyum

Closest restaurants would be those in the Azeka Center which is .6 mile from the Maui Schooner. Azeka Mauka and Azeka Makai are two Azeka shopping centers across South Kihei Road from each other. They are at 1279 South Kihei Road, at the corner of Piikea.

Restaurants in Azeka Mauka are Coconuts Fish Cafe, Jawz Fish Tacos, Peggy Sue's 50's diner, Stella Blues Cafe, Panda Express, and The Coffee Store.

Restaurants in Azeka Makai are Ono Gelato, Vietnamese Cuisine, Izakaya Matsu, Royal Thai Cuisine, Home Maid Cafe, and Taco Bell.

Of these the only ones we've been to have been Stella Blues Cafe, The Coffee Store and Ono Gelato. Give a huge thumbs up to Ono Gelato. Stella Blues was okay.

Our favorites in Kihei are Cafe O'Lei and Bistro 808.

There are some very good restaurants in Wailea as well: Merriman's Monkeypod, Gannon's .

It's really hard to see much of the area without a car.

Thank you!!! You made my day -- love Vietnamese and Thai food. Looks like we won't 'starve' if I decide not to cook while there . My DH has dementia so it depends on how 'bad' he is next June whether we get a car there. I don't drive much at home, sooo....

 

[Luanne]

Maybe the ones in Wailea? It's right next door...

But there are no timrshares in Wailea.

I've seen far more highrises in Kaanapali and Kahana.