Top 5 Maui picks

[FlyKaesan]

From your observation (not from tug review)

How would you rank Maui resorts including hotels or Non TS resorts.

 

[BocaBum99]

I have visited every single Maui resort.

Here is my ranking:

1) Marriott Ocean Club
2) Westin Kaanapali
3) The Whaler
4) Kaanapali Beach Club (or whatever the Embassy was renamed)
5) The Palms - Wailea (where the HCC unit is)
6) Maui Lea at Maui Hill in Kihei

(revised: I forgot the Whaler)

 

[BocaBum99]

Sorry, my ranking is based on timeshares, not hotels. For hotels, I would say that all the top 5 resorts are equal to or greater than the top 2 timeshare resorts.

 

[LisaRex]

Personally, I prefer condos/timeshares over hotel rooms. I've only been to Maui 3 times, so I haven't personally stayed in most of these, but here are my impressions:

Hotels

1. Hyatt Regency - love the area, love the landscaping, love the pool, love the activity center including astrology program, love that it's at the end of the road. Downside: $$$$
2. Sheraton Black Rock - smaller rooms, but awesome location. Very romantic.
3. Four Seasons Wailea - never stayed there, but it's on great Wailea Beach. It's quietly elegant and one of the few hotels in Wailea that doesn't feel overcrowded and overblown.
4. My fourth choice, the Renaissance Wailea, has been torn down to make way for a St. Regis. Grrr.


TSs/condos

1. Kaanapali Alii - if you can afford to rent an oceanfront condo, I'd choose the Alii. The condos are larger, with full kitchens, etc., it's located right on Kaanapali Beach, it has the oceanfront path for taking strolls in the morning...perfect.

2. Westin Kaanapali Villas - I own here because I love this area of Maui. It's quieter than the area south of Black Rock, but I think it's beautiful. The pools are great, the villas are roomy, they offer a complimentary shuttle to Lahaina and Whalers Village -- they did it right.

3. Polo Beach Club - These are privately owned condos which you can book through VRBO. They are right off the oceanfront path in Wailea. They are really, really nice units on a great sandy beach and the oceanfront lanais are to die for.

4. Maui Kai - I've never actually stayed here, but golly gee they have some incredible views as the building was built right ON the beach. They are very affordable compared to most. Available to rent via VRBO.

5. Kaanapali Shores - rented a private unit from VRBO here and it was awesome. The resort was smaller, more intimate and pristine. This place is much more affordable than most.

 

[Fletcher921]

I can't help but chime in on the advantages of the Whaler - incredible views - huge 2 bedroom units - big lanais - Whalers Village next door. I can't wait unitl next May...

 

[DeniseM]

This is how Tuggers rank the Maui resorts on the TUG review page:

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas North - 9.75

Marriott's Maui Ocean Club - Lahaina and Napili Villas - 9.75

High Country Club Maui Palms at Wailea 9.50

Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas - 9.38

Marriott's Maui Ocean Club - 9.05

Whaler - 8.53

Sands of Kahana - 8.51

Kaanapali Beach Club - 8.40

 

[BocaBum99]

I forgot about the Whaler. I'll update my personal ranking.

I must admit that I like the Lahaina area between than Kihei/Wailea since I believe the views are much better. So, that is the bias in my rankings.

The problem with the Palms at Wailea is that it's not oceanfront. If you don't have an unobstructed view of Molokai and Lanai, you are missing something special when on Maui.

 

[lark]

If you include hotels, one I'd add is the Westin. The Westin is (legitimately) frequently criticized for being too big and for having rooms that are too small. Completely justified. However, the Westin is almost like two hotels -- there are two separate towers. The one right on the beach (either the "beach" or "ocean," I can't remember it's too confusing) is amazing. Much bigger rooms, ocean (including a few direct ocean) views and quieter. Closer to the beach. It's like staying in a separate hotel. I like it better than all the others on the K'anapali strip. The rooms in the good tower have the word "Deluxe" in them. I've staying in both towers and it's like two different hotels.

 

[GregGH]

you did say non-TS units ... want to be tempted ... ??

ps - this thread is by our own Steamboat Bill ...

http://www.destinationclubforums.com/f4/high-country-club-maui-mauka-hawaii-952.html

It is on my short list of places to stay at. There are pictures somewhere on this thread

Greg