This is part of a continuing series of my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts while traveling to attend concerts worldwide. This review is for The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
Property: The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Location: Lahaina, Maui
Address: 6 Kai Ala Dr, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761
Phone: (808) 667-3200
Website: www.westinkaanapali.com
Room Type/Class: Standard (Building 4, South Tower, Room 4304)
Date: December 10-December 14, 2014
TripAdvisor Page/Reviews: LINK
Booking Source: Westin Vacations Starwood Preferred Guest Invitation
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 [Note: Score is totally subjective based on price, location, and comparison to “like” properties within same area and price range]
I choose my five-night stay with The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas as a result of a special offer from Starwood Preferred Guests for a reduced rate. With this program, you get an additional resort credit if you participate in an hour and a half, one on one time share presentation.
The hotel offers on-site self parking in a parking in open lots as well as underground garages (though the latter are filled during morning and evening hours).
There are actually two buildings – North and South. North is newer, and South (particularly Building 4, as I understand it) is where non-“owners” stay, unless you pay more for an upgraded room, which generally pertains to view). I had stayed at this property a few times over the years, and had a room on the ground floor of Building 4 that was looking directly into the employee parking lot with the first stay, and was upgraded to a larger suite with the second stay. This time around, we had a standard room on the top floor overlooking the parking lot. This is probably pretty standard when staying under the “preview” plan (if anything, something to compare and contrast with through the timeshare presentation in which they show you the best views).
All rooms feature a near the front entrance which opens to reveal a stacked clothes washer and dryer, which is a big plus at an travel destination, but especially a tropical one. However, during a five night stay, they only did one room cleaning (which is upon request, and we requested the day before and were gone 12 hours and it was never done).
The kitchen features a full-sized refrigerator, oven, stove top, microwave, dishwasher, sink, and dishes and utensils and what not. For even more cooking options, there are full BBQs outside for guest use as well.
The family room includes a flat screen television (as does the bedroom) as well as a Bose stereo and Blu-Ray player. There is also a Redbox-style video rental unit on property.
This particular room included a huge outdoor patio with a table and chairs as well as two lounge-style chairs.
All in all, the room itself has a lot to offer, and is designed for extended stays and comfort, with the traditional Westin amenities (i.e. their “Heavenly” bed and shower, etc.).
Similarly, there are a lot of on site amenities, such as a variety of casual and fine dining, multiple pools and spas, lots of children’s amenities, and more. There are also small stores/markets with food and other things you might seek out while vacationing. Really, it is in large part designed so that you do not need to leave the property for anything.
This resort is also walking distance to sister property the Sheraton Maui with its famous “Black Rock” and beach, though the Westin has quite a nice beach and snorkeling itself.
The resort also offers a shuttle service to its sister properties (the aforementioned Sheraton Maui and the Westin Maui in Ka’anapali proper) as well as a few stops in Lahaina.
I have stayed at many resorts on Maui in the past fifteen years or so, and while I would not rate this property at the top, I would stay here again if I was offered a great deal, but it does have more of a time share and “owner” feel and vibe compared with traditional Hawaiian resorts, and it is very “kid friendly”, which is great if you have kids, but may not be the best match for those traveling as couples on a romantic vacation or solo vacationers.
My stay this last time around was pretty consistent with past stays. If you are interesting it checking out the time share-style experience, this will provide it. Value really depends on how much you are paying and what you are looking to get out of it. There are a lot of properties on Maui I like a lot better, but it is clean and comfortable with a lot of amenities.
Below are some photos taken during my stay:
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