Staying at the Westin in Ka'anapali was definitely a great choice for my stay in Maui. I loved it so much that I wanted to write a review on it to share with you guys and for those who are interested in staying here in the future.
Please be aware that the opinions expressed here are my own and that I am not sponsored by anyone to write this. And now all the technical stuff is done with, let's get to the fun stuff!
Pros:
1. Size and Location- The Westin in Maui is quite large and located right next to the ocean. In fact our room had an ocean and mountain view so we woke up every morning to the soothing sound of the waves. Several feet away from the resort is also a small shopping district called the Whaler's Village full of beach-side restaurants and a decent amount of stores for shopping. As Ben and I walked around past the Whaler's Village to see the other resorts, it was nice knowing that the Westin seemed like the best choice in the west part of Maui. The other nearby resorts personally did not impress me to the same degree, especially in presentation.
2. Amenities- The resort boasts several pools and even offers an adults-only pool for those who want to steer clear of all the children. There is a separate bar in the adults-only pool which makes ordering cocktails easier than having to wave down someone in the general pool area. There is also a great restaurant called Relish where Ben and I enjoyed a breakfast buffet every morning with a view of the beach. For those who want to conveniently enjoy tourist activities such as helicopter tours, snorkeling, and whale watching, there is a stand in the resort where guests can purchase these tours without having to leave the resort. What is even more convenient is that some of the tours seem to meet at the beach of the resort so there may not even be a need for a car to get there.
3. Hotel Presentation- When I first arrived, I was amazed at the entire theme/decoration of the hotel. Upon entering, guests are greeted with a relatively tall waterfall that drains into a giant pond full of koi fish, flamingos, and even a black swan. There are several cages that house exotic birds such as parrots and cockatoos. If you are downstairs near the animals at specific hours, the hotel employees will let you interact with them. In the mornings someone usually passes out fish food to feed the koi in the pond and towards the afternoon they let the birds play outside their cages and allow them to climb onto your arms. I was beyond excited to see the cockatoo!
4. Nearby Snorkeling- Black Rock is just a walking distance away (it is towards the beach in front of the Sheraton resort) where you can grab your gear and go out snorkeling! Of course, with the strong tides I recommend doing this only if you are physically fit otherwise you may be unwillingly dragged out to sea. If you are into diving there are also rocks from where people tend to dive into the ocean.
Cons:
1. Distance from the Airport- The drive to the resort took about 50 minutes with no traffic. This is a big consideration since it maybe more feasible to rent a car than take a taxi to the resort, especially if you plan on visiting other places in Maui.
2. Crowds During High Season- As the resort is located along the beach next to several other resorts, it can easily become crowded during the high travel months. It was not too bad during the month of April but still sizable.
3. Lack of Shopping- This is more for those that vacation and have big shopping aspirations. Maui is not the place for extensive shopping. There is maybe a handful of luxury stores and a fair amount of normal stores, but it does not compare to the resorts in Waikiki (Oahu). If you're looking for extensive shopping during your trip, consider staying in Waikiki on the island of Oahu.
I hope this is useful for those of you considering going to Maui. Happy travels!
